Joe Crist movie review

MOVIE TITLE: Joe Crist

This faith-based Spaghetti Western is now playing on Amazon Prime Video

RATING: R (bloody violence)

LENGTH: 53 minutes

Movie Review Mom GRADE: B

IN A NUTSHELL:

The short film is about a former bounty hunter who awakens from a 40-day coma to find he has been “touched” for a higher calling.

It was written and directed by Mark Allen Michaels and pays a playful, respectful homage to the western genre.

THINGS I LIKED:

The cast looks like they had a blast making this movie. I hadn’t seen any of them in anything before, but I thought they all did a good job. The main roles went to Dallas Valdez, Carrie Keagan, Curt Lambert, John Marrs, and Robert Acres.
Dallas Valdez’s weathered face makes him believable as a western bounty hunter with a heart.
The melodramatic musical score is a lot of fun.
The costume designs and set pieces immediately put you in the mood for a whimsical western.
Christians will either get a kick out of the symbolic references to Jesus Christ and some of his miracles or be offended. I thought it was pretty cute.
Non-Christians can still enjoy the short movie’s goofiness.
The low-budget movie was filmed in Joshua Tree, California at White Horse Ranch and in Gammons Gulch, Arizona.
The sound effects are often hilarious…in a good way.
Lots of kooky shoot ‘em- up scenes.
The “get out of town” scene made me laugh out loud. The film definitely has a sense of humor and doesn’t take itself too seriously.

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:

It definitely looks like an amateur movie because it is, but that doesn’t really mean it’s bad. If you’re expecting a Hollywood blockbuster, you’ll be disappointed, so just be prepared to lower your expectations and you’ll have a good time.
The film’s length leaves it from being called a feature film.
Non-Christians might not like it. For that matter, some Christians might be offended too.
It’s too short to be called a feature film. With more time and writing, they could have added some interesting elements to the length.
There are some stiff acting moments.

TIPS FOR PARENTS:

Lots of gun violence
Blood splatters (they look more like red powder that flies off of people when the bullet hits them)
Some profanity
A lot of people die
Lots of alcohol

THEMES:

FUNNY LINES:

“That’s an awful good hat for a bad man.” – Joe Crist (Dallas Valdez)
“Maybe you didn’t hear me.” – bad cowboy “Oh, I heard you. I just don’t care.” Joe Crist (Dallas Valdez)
“I have faith in my gun.” – Joe Crist (Dallas Valdez)

INTERESTING LINES:

“Miracles do happen, Ma’am.” – Joe Crist (Dallas Valdez) “And lucky for you, they do.” – Maggie (Carrie Keagan)
“He’s there. It’s as simple as knowing the difference between what’s right and what’s wrong.” – Preacher talking about faith
“We’re all going to hell, Sherriff. I just want to be the last one who gets there.” – Bera (Carson Rapsilver)
“It’s not polite to interfere with a man who’s drinking, but if you apologize, like I know you will, I’ll forget about your rude behavior.” – Joe Crist (Dallas Valdez)
“You’re the sheriff. You’re supposed to stand for law and order. You’re supposed to stand for good.” – Joe Crist (Dallas Valdez)