Curapedi I cannot think of one single thing that I would change about this film. The acting is incomparable, the directing deft, and the writing poignantly brilliant.

Freeman This film is so real. It treats its characters with so much care and sensitivity.

Fleur Actress is magnificent and exudes a hypnotic screen presence in this affecting drama.

Dana An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

Desrio John Wick meets The Unforgiven directed by Sergio Leone. I have to say I quite enjoyed this film - it was just the thing after a particularly tiring day. Entertaining enough if you switch off at least some of your critical faculties.

fredgfinklemeyer This movie just goes to show that even with two (2) big name actors this movie is lacking in so many ways. I'm glad that it's over so I don't have to listen to that fake dialog, over-the-top screaming, John Travolta's attempting to act on a level like pretend actor Tom Arnold (poorly). I hope to never again accidentally watch this movie ever again. My real rating? 2-3 at best.

Spikeopath In a Valley of Violence is written and directed by Ti West. It stars Ethan Hawke, Taissa Farmiga, James Ransome, Karen Gillan and John Travolta. Music is by Jeff Grace and cinematography by Eric Robbins.Ethan Hawke plays Paul, an ex soldier accompanied only by his dog, Abbie, who is drifting across the desert towards Mexico. Stopping off in the dying town of Denton, Paul finds trouble that will have consequences for himself and town alike.Ti West is more well known for his horror ventures, where although divisive in that genre sphere, he can be proud of his success rate. Here he tackles the Western, and true to form, he homages past genre masters whilst unmistakably putting his own stamp on things. Opening with credits straight out of Spaghetti Western land, and introducing us to a musical score that will accompany the story that is wonderfully feverish, West is in no hurry for blood and bone shenanigans. He always favours the slow burn and so it proves here.There's nothing remotely new here, it's a standard tale of a gunman - one damaged by his war efforts - who through circumstance is forced to abandon his hope of a quiet life. He's a loner man of few words, thus giving viewers a classic Western character staple, an anti-hero to root for and for us to yearn for him to find peace. When the violence comes, it's sharp and bloody, but often there is humour as well, deftly inserted into proceedings, whilst the canine is skillful and a key character to all and sundry.Perfs are more than adequate. Hawke sifts seamlessly into being a believable drifter type of complexity, Ransome is annoyingly brattish, but that's actually job well done, and Travolta - sporting a wooden leg - gets better once (and if) you buy into him in this setting. Gillan isn't given much to do, but lands some decent emotive punches, but it's Farmiga who stands out as Mary-Anne. She's utterly infectious and thankfully she gets a well written part, that of a young woman trying to hold her own in the most trying of township circumstance.The purpose built town of Denton looks just that!, but this is off- set a touch by the nice location landscapes (Santa Fe, New Mexico), and with the story working from solid genre foundations then this is a pleasure - without pulling up any trees - for fans of such. 7/10

phd_travel An original Western with a difference. It's funny exciting and involving in a way that feels fresh. The top notch cast helps too.The modern aspect is the funny dialog that pops up when least expected. Ethan Hawke is quite convincing as a conflicted soldier with a talented dog in tow. John Travolta as the Marshall is good in the Western genre - something I didn't expect at all. Taissa Farmiga is cute and feisty here.The quirkiness isn't over the top like Quentin Tarrantino - it actually fits into the story quite well.Highly recommended.