AT Daris9.
It was my duty to include the *SPOILED ALERT*. But, in my opinion, this thing smells worse than a quart of milk left in Death Valley,,, for the first 2 weeks of July. Peeeeeeeeeee-yewwwwwwwwwwwwww!!!!!!!
Anyhow, from one idiot to another, below is a copy of the review I wrote on “The Claim”.
*** This review may contain spoilers ***
The first thing I couldn't help but notice was the old timey, sepia look that is so common in most of the newer period pieces. I get the mood that's trying to be created; 1800's, no light bulbs, times are tough,, but must it come at the expense of my eyesight. Even the outdoor scenes, which should have been bright enough to make a person snow-blind, where to say the least,,, dark. Please, anyone out there who wants to recreate this effect, at least turn on one 40 watt bulb,, for the sake of my eyes.
And once again, close-up, after close-up, after close-up,, flip flop, flip flop, flip flop,,, why is this so popular. Is it a low budget tactic, so they need to rent only one hotel room. One actor comes in for a day, shoots his scenes and the next day another actor does his,, until they run through the entire cast,, then it's all spliced together. Surely this must have been taught in an economics class and not cinema school. I can't be the only person on the planet who gets severe headaches from this strobe effect.
Had I not read it here, I would not have known that the first flash-back scene was,,, a flash-back scene. I thought it was just some old guy sitting in the next room. But it was much in line with the rest of the movie,,,, disconnected. The only part of the movie that had any connection at all, was the constant trudging through the snow. It had no meaning and added nothing but it certainly was consistent.
In all honesty, I watched only 30 minutes, which should have been plenty of time to,, in the very least,, hint of some sort of plot. Maybe it's me, but I think a plot is somewhat important to the film. If this dog ended like "Bonnie and Clyde", only the projectionist would know, if he happened to be awake. I can't for the life of me figure out how this sleep aid got a 3 outta 4 star rating.
Lastly, I've seen every western ever made, an this ain't one. I've seen plenty of horses in Central Park and Belmont. Don't let the horses fool ya. Giddyup............
END......._______________________________________________________________________
In my review, I wrote only what I thought was sufficient to deter someone from wasting their time on this dog. I didn’t go through the blow by blow.
I am the biggest Cowboy fan in the world, so when I see a Western with a 3 star rating, that’s all I need to know. I clicked on it with absolutely no prior knowledge of the plot, actors, location,,, nothing. After watching for 30 minutes, I knew the approximate period, name of the town and that it was cold, all of which was far more meaningful than what I’d seen in the remaining 29 minutes of my wasted viewing time.
As far as I can remember:
Someone forgot to turn the lights on before filming started. (McCabe & Mrs. Miller immitation?)
Lots of snow.
Some people ride into town and have to check their guns.
Some newcomers are part of a railroad survey crew. (So many close-ups, I couldn’t tell who was who or what was what.)
A woman in the bar sings as badly as she lip-syncs. (Marlene Dietrich imitation?)
There is fight in the bar.
The flip flop, back and forth, close-ups gave me a headache.
Someone loses money at the roulette wheel.
Idle chitchat between bad singer and a guy.
Obligatory bedroom scene.
Boy and girl chatting while walking through ,,,,,, more snow.
More strobe-light close-ups. (Blink blink, blink blink, blink blink.)
Obligatory T&A and bedroom scene.
Guy gets whipped.
More damn snow.
Woman gives rosary beads to girl,, to give to guy.
More snow.
Guy sells wife to guy, keeps baby, while old guy sits in next room. (Surprised to read that this was a flash-back.)
More trudging through the damn snow.
The End.
Now, what I’ve written above, pretty much describes what went on in the first 30 minutes. So how, in the name of cinema, does this add up to anything that remotely resembles a plot? I can only imagine that it must get better, how could it get worse. But getting better would do little more than elevate it to a half star. This was billed as 120 minutes and if given the choice, I’d rather see shorts and cartoons for the first 25% of the show, and then watch a 90 minute movie,,, just not this one.
I am not glued to my set, anxiously awaiting the next “Survivor”, “Star Search” or “America’s Got Talent”, nor am I under the impression Adam Sandler and Will Smith are actors, so I am not delusional enough to think that this mega dose of sleep medication is a cinematic masterpiece… But one thing I am absolutely, positively, 100% sure of,,, this is NOT a Western. NOT in any way, shape or form. All was not lost though; it serves as a bad example and will certainly cure insomnia. Take one, 30 minute dose, and call me in the morning.
CAUTION: The side effects of an overdose may include; nausea, squinting, blurred vision, headaches, delusions, numbing of the brain and endlessly murmuring, “This is a great movie, this is a great movie, this is a great movie”.
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