Red Rock West

 

TITLE-Red Rock West

SOURCE-Cinepathe Blu ray

Yea the above cover is the DVD. Finally 30 years later I got to see this film how it was meant to be seen. Back in 96 I had a deal with a local video store. Could rent anything I wanted free. Just couldn't be new releases and I had to have it back the next day before the store opened. So myself and the woman I was with  at the time would go most evenings right as the store was closing and get 2 or 3 movies. After renting  everything the horror section had she moved to the dramas. One  evening she grabbed Red Rock West,I think cause of Nic Cage,and we both loved it. Made a copy of that VHS. And it was a film we would tell everyone to see.

Skip ahead to 2003. I have long ago lost that VHS copy. I'm in a Dollar General. Looking at their DVDs. See the above cover and grabbed it. Not realizing this DVD was 4:3. Still loved the movie. And just recently got in the new remastered Blu Ray.

In the early 90s a pile of films came out that were inspired by the film noir stuff of decades ago. Dubbed Neo Noir this sub genre peaked by the late 90s and by 2001 was pretty much dead.

Nic Cage is a military vet. With a bad knee. He makes it into the town of Red Rock Wyoming. Applied for a job in the oil fields. Goes to a nearby bar for a drink and gets mistaken for a hitman coming from Texas. 

And that starts a the plot going. More twists and turns than most films of this sub genre. And with an amazing cast,Red Rock West is a movie that once you see it you do not forget it.

So that cast. Already mentioned Nic Cage,and this is back when he gave  a shit.  You believe him as the broke drifter. Also got Dennis Hopper,as the hitman from Texas. Dressed a bit like he was in TCM2,Dennis is his normal nutty self and your eyes will stay on  him when he is on the screen. Any noir worth a crap has that sultry evil woman. For this film that is Lara Flynn Boyle. Fresh off Twin Peaks,Lara is great as the cheating wife that is trying to double cross everyone.

Made from a new scan of the IP this Blu ray looks amazing. You can see the film grain some and I love that. Gives each scene a nice texture. Sound is great. And the extras. A fun commentary. And many other extras.

Track this down and see it!

Red Rock West gets a A-.