Red Hill (2010)

"Jimmy Conway rides into this town, he's gonna bring hell with him. Shoot to kill."

Since Cyclone Yasi hit last week, I have been back on my love affair with Australia. Sure most things that can kill you with a bite or a sting live there but it really is as fantastic and unique a place as Canada is. We 'get' each other in a way that can often be difficult for people from other nations to understand.

I watch many Australian TV shows and I like their movies. 'Red Hill' is an example of how Aussie filmmakers use the spectacular scenery to great effect, especially while crafty a top notch modern day revenge western. This trailer gives you a pretty good idea of what you are in for.



Since I don't know these actors there is the added advantage of not being distracted by other roles they may have played. You really get into the story and feel for each of the characters. All of the action takes place in one night and the director really understands how to ratchet up the tension. It was made for only 3 million dollars but you wouldn't know it from the results. You also wouldn't suspect that this is Patrick Hughes' first feature.

Tom E. Lewis as killer Jimmy Conway deserves special mention here - he is an old school unstoppable bogeyman that scared the hell out of me. Without pity or remorse, this character is out for blood and he's going to get it.



This movie tightens the suspense as the town moves from day into night and towards dawn of the next day. Once the action gets going it's pretty hard to take your eyes off the screen for a second. This is a very effective telling of an old story.

8/10