Customer Reviews

Ghost Rock [VHS]

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

Always A Critic, But Never A Filmmaker... That is what comes to mind when I read these last two reviews. I have been in the film business 25 years and have never ceased to be amused by those wana "bees" who think they can just go out and make a better movie. Only people that have made films will never say they can make a better movie and those who have no idea how will always talk about how their Beer Buddy "college films" were better or how they "often think about writing and producing a low budget movie"....OMG, if life were just that easy.

I think it is worth noting that below the comment was made that there was "no lap dancing in the old west". THE WHOLE JOKE OF THE SCENE IN THE FILM IS THE GIRL INVENTS LAP DANCING (a defining moment of one of the characters).... And the poker chips were WOOD, not plastic. Again when I read a review from people that were obviously not even watching the film, it makes it a little tough to take seriously...

But, back to the matter at hand. I bought this not expecting Unforgiven or Tombstone because there is generally a huge difference between 30 million dollar films and probably a 1 million dollar film. Ghost Rock is far from perfect but at least it has a story and gives us characters with an arc, unlike the majority of straight to video films. Remember, if you are buying a film that is just mindless action, forget about it. This is really a drama with several action scenes (the last 15 minutes being one big one). The scenery is nice (and yes that includes Michael Worth, Jenya Lano, Christa Sauls, Jeff Fahey and the shirtless Indian guy), the action scenes are well choreographed and the acting is better than normal for these independents.

Actor Worth (also the writer) is not afraid to be vunerable, which is unusual in these films as the good guy is generally comic book-like in being the hero. Plus, instead of writing himself in every scene, he turns over much of the heroics to a female character which from a feminists point of view shows a secure fella : ) But, Worth is more of an actor and not an "action star-type" so that twist on the character is not surprising. The female lead (Lano) is sort of a reverse Eastwood (but not the scene mugging Sharon Stone in The Quick And The Dead) and she and Worth have great chemistry though they spend too little time on screen together. Busey is...well, Busey. You love him or hate him, either way, he's himself. You can tell Worth and director Dustin Rikert were not taking everything so seriously as Busey makes references to his Buddy Holly days in one scene.

The film has it's holes and it's shortcomings no doubt, but reading their web site, it seems obvious this was due to producer cutting and not the writing or filmmaking as most holes (How a Cowboy knows martial arts, where the Japanese prostitue came from, etc) was all in the original story. But, without knowing that, I can see where they have left some problems with their film. But there is some really nice music and the cinematography is far from being as bad as some have described it elsewhere. I just wish the DVD had some more features as aside from the trailer it is pretty barebones and some deleted scenes, making of, etc. would have made this a much higher recommendation.

So, if you are looking to rag on a low budget western, might as well rent it so you can go for it. If you are loking for production value of Open Range or Tombstone, look elsewhere (but remember some great low budget westerns like The Hired Hand...?). If you are a fan of Busey, Worth, Lano or Fahey, all four of them show here they can act (and write....) and though I have seen little of Lano and Worth before, I hope to again. Ghost Rock will not appeal to everyone obviously (ie: below) but if more of the straight to video type films were like this, we would all be buying a lot more films. Three stars for genre bending, Worth's ass, Lano's ass, a heroic love story and yes...lap dancing!

Oh my. I don't know where to start. What good things can I say about this movie? Other then it was in focus, not very much. There were so many "jump cuts" (dialog, clothing and items that are out of time in a peirod movie)I was sure this western was supost to be set in the 1880's. Now I'm not a history expert, but I'm kinda sure they didn't have plasic poker chips in the 1880's. There are too many others to mention
The plot was weaker then watered down drink in a cheap bar. The acting was...bad, very bad. This was not even a B movie. The only good thing I can say was it had some ok kung fu...but what white guys knew kung fu in the 1880's? Maybe this was just a tax right off for some studio head. Who ever green lighted this should be sent back to the mail room, or worst, producing day time soaps.

i can't believe that i watched this junk twice and still don't know if they made it that bad on purpose or if they thought it was good. not even so bad it's good, just BAD,BAD,BAD!!!!!!!!
i couldn't even get a second hand store to take it,or trade me anything for it. if you like kung-fu cowboy movies stick to the kung-fu series as they have released at least one if not two seasons by now. you have been warned.

Being a movie lover that I am this movie makes me think twice. I have never seen such bad cinematagraphy in my entire life!!! Bad..no terrible acting, horrid lighting,discumbubulated writting, I need a shrink after watching this total piece of crap to help me forget it.

I really felt an honest review of this movie was extremely important in order that poor innocent people not suffer the fate I endured watching this hideous movie. I sat down with an open mind, I mean I have seen some bad pornos,B movies,home videos but this one stunned me. As the movie progressed it kept getting worse and worse and just when I thought it couldnt possibly get any worse I was proven wrong. First of all the story line was totally confusing, the acting was bad....really bad, editing was bad, I even heard the director say "cut" in two scenes. After the movie all I kept thinking was how could this bad of a movie get produced. Please dont waste your time and money as I did and avoid this movie from the school of movie making hell.

This movie is a combination of a western, a kung fu flick and a mixed up melodrama that takes place during the lifetime of some young kids who watch a town get wiped out. One kid watches two of his friends get shot down, but grows up to find out that the girl is indeed alive and well and also seeking vengeance against the ne'er do wells who shot up their loved ones. Jeff Fahey gets top billing in this movie, but that was the same kind of scam that the movie "The Faculty" ran on Usher Raymond; use the name, get the crowd's attention so that the crowd can find out, much too late, that the person only appears for a few minutes. Fahey appears on screen for all of three minutes, all told. The remainder of the cast appears as confused about what's going on as the viewer. People are getting shot, hand-to hand combat degenerates into name-calling -- here's what I think happened. The guy who wrote it had a of ideas and only a little bit of money. So he sold the rights to somebody who had some ideas and very little money. The product is 'ghost rock.' And now, the final point which should prove how goony this flick is, and I can tell you in two words: Gary Busey. This man has issues. He hasn't been the same since he appeared in "Predator 2." In this movie he's the super cocky town power baron who wants everybody to know he's running things. But in one scene when he's in the bar, having just gunned down the bartender, and shouts "who's town is this?" not one person responds! And from there, it only gets worse. Do yourself a favor: let "Ghost Rock" remain on the shelves of the video store.

A number of familiar, good actors with a horrible script.
Good Points : Jeff Fahey steals the scenes he's in, cause it's the best acting in the movie (without trying hard, it seems).
Bad Points : Busey is not at his best. The scene w Savannah Starr (Lano)*towel*, no frontal (disappointed). The oriental actors parts come right out of a "D" Western (not low grade "B" but "D"isappointing D-Grade...
Full of cliche's and not really worth buying, or renting really, IMHO.
In all, should be considered a bad comedy rather than bad Western!

I have never liked the idea of karate in a cowboy movie, but this one did it just fine. The story was good. As usual, Garey Busey portrayed the antagonist as well as anyone can. Being a huge fan of Michael Worth, the karate was great, as ususal, but I do not think I have ever see him do a better job of acting. Busey and aoo of his antagonists almost dominated the movie as much as Worth's character. The reconcilliaton of the brothers at the end was great, and unexpected. This movie had a little touch of comedy which offset all the killing. I really enjoyed this movie. Andrianne Barbeau is as beautiful as ever. Would have liked to seen her "one knock out punch" more often.

This movie combined karate and cowboy just great, but I never want to see Clint Eastwood turning fifty flips in the air , screaming at the top of his lung , just to throw a karate chop to the head that gets blocked by a 357 Magnum. Great movie. Would love to see something of a sequel.

Based on the reviews I've read about this film here on amazon and on other sites(imdb,etc.) I knew I'd either love or hate the film. If you're a fan of westerns or martial art movies then you'll appreciate how Ghost Rock tips it's hat to many of the old and new classics. But beware. This is a B-movie with C-list actors. If you can only watch A-list movies then stay away. Cheers! To Lions Gate for giving a fairly average movie a chance to find it's audience.

This movie, judged alongside all the movies in movie history, is terrible. The directing is nonexistant, the acting is wooden and hard to watch, and scenes lack any sort of cohesive flow. Also, the writing is beyond bad. Also, the movie has several onscreen mistakes e.g. A flag with 50 stars in a western, an A/C unit, guns with no recoil.

However, this movie is so bad, it is funny to watch. Roll with laughter as you try and follow the unbelievable "story." Slap your knee when you see the karate-infused fights. Belly-laught when Busey shoots a bartender and then screams, "FEELS GOOD TO KILL!" Just watching Busey smile is a credit to the film. So, I would recommend this movie, because for $3.45, you won't find a better "comedy."