Jeri Jacquin

Coming to DVD from director/writer Brian Skiba, Corin Nemec and Lionsgate is the story of a couple heading west but first must deal with a DEAD MAN’S HAND.

Reno (Jack Kilmer), aka Jean Jaques Renau, and the lovely Vegas (Camille Colliard) are recently married and on a stage coach headed west. Wanting to open up a business of their own, the couple is excited about the prospects. That is until the coach is hit by bandits and Reno must defend everyone taking them all out. Moving on to the nearest town, there is something strange amiss.

What becomes instantly clear is that one of the bandits was the brother of Mayor Bishop (Stephen Dorff) and he is not the forgiving kind. Also, in town is Marshal Roy McCutheon (Cole Hauser) and his job is to take Bishop into custody and he is just as stubborn. Bishop has other plans as he wants revenge for his brother’s death and Reno is in danger.

Trying to escape, Reno and Vegas end up on the heinous end of Bishop’s anger. Separated, Reno is left to die while Bishop holds Vegas captive. Fate is on Reno’s side as he is rescued by Manto, an Indian who owes him a life debt and is about to repay it.  Now the race is on to stop the madness Bishop has created in a town that would be happy to see him go.

It’s going to take a bitter fight to the end for one side to walk away alive!

Dorff as Bishop is as bad as he wants to be. Of course, his character is upset about the death of his brother but I have a sneaky suspicion that he enjoyed torturing for torturing sake. Dorff has made it clear through his career that he can be the bad guy and do it with his own style, sadistically, a bit of sarcasm and no conscience at all. Nothing wrong with being good at being bad.

Kilmer as Reno is a newly happily married man with big dreams to start something awesome in the west. That all is put on a huge hold when he is forced to pull his gun. Reno knows his way around a gun and has no problem using it. Once he is captured, Kilmer puts in a powerful note to his character fighting back the western way and with a little help from his new friends. Kilmer has the family name and is adding his own touch to acting.

Hauser as McCutheron is doing what Hauser does best. Be the quiet, stand back and see kind of character. When it calls for him to step in, he does, but also is not about to cross the line for someone like Bishop. Hauser has become known for his cowboy west image and, yes, I’m saying it, stands out as Rip in the series Yellowstone. That being said, he has taken on more roles outside of the western ranch image as well and it’s good to see.

Collard as Vegas is one tough cookie who knows how to handle herself around a gun. Once Bishop gets ahold of her, she bides her time waiting for either a chance to escape or Reno to take matters into his own hands.

Shout out to Mo Brings Plenty as Mahto, he is honorable and is loyal to that meaning. He looks after Reno once he is rescued and lets it be known that there is no place for people like Bishop in their world. Plenty gives his character a quietness that has always made me believe that there are two reasons for that: 1) he is assessing everything around him and 2) sometimes words aren’t needed when action speaks more clearly.

Other cast include Forrie J. Smith as Alexander, Randall Batinkoff as Sherriff Winters, Louise Linton as Carrie, Costas Mandylor as Lucas, Tait Fletcher as Goliath, Corin Nemec as Red and William MacNamara as Johnny.

Lionsgate is a global leader in motion picture production and distribution for theatres, television, home entertainment and more. Theatre franchises include THE HUNGER GAMES, and DIVERGENT along with JOHN WICK. Now, adding this film to its 16,000-motion picture and television titles you can see everything coming soon as well as available now at http://www.lionsgate.com.

DEAD MAN’S HAND is a western that gives everything, gunfights, thieving, viciousness, and all that the wild west would be. The town itself is filled with scared townspeople who know fighting against Bishop isn’t possible. Fear is what Bishop counts on but the arrival of a U.S. Marshall puts a damper on his big power plans.

Is the film a blockbuster? Probably not, it is clearly made on a budget that would not be able to compete with what is in theatres right now. That being said, if you are a fan of westerns and all that implies, then this film is for you. Now On Demand, Digital and DVD, it’s a definetly a Sunday afternoon being lazy on the couch indulgence film.

The film is based on the graphic novel No Rest of the Wicked: Dead Man’s Hand by Kevin and Matthew Minor.

In the end – play your cards right and you just might survive!

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