This is a tender, generous movie that likes its characters and presents them as real people, full of flaws and strengths.

A great movie, one of the best of this year. There was a bit of confusion at one point in the plot, but nothing serious.

The joyful confection is coated in a sparkly gloss, bright enough to gleam from the darkest, most cynical corners.

All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

How do you make a movie marketable? Well ask the Germans (distributions)! They always think of something, mostly connected to something that is popular at the time. Renaming this movie into "Hateful Ambush at ..." you immediately think, you have heard this somewhere before. Which you'd have at the end of 2015 and early 2016, because of Quentin Tarantinos eighth movie (Hateful Eight).So the German distribution is looking for the quick money they can make, not considering, what the viewer or consumer might think. Not many will be happy let me tell you. But apart from that fact and it's impact on German viewers, what does the movie have to offer? Not that much action unfortunately and not too much quality either. While it does try to be different and a slow burner, it doesn't really achieve that either

**** may contain spoilers *** I had really been looking forward to watching this movie for awhile. I thought I would listen through the soundtrack a few times prior to watching it tonight, and I am so glad that I did. Wow...I have to say it was one of the best soundtracks I have ever heard connected to a Western film! It had such a wide variety of songs and each added a wonderful layer to the film. I loved all the songs, but especially The Other Side, I couldn't wait to see how it was used in the movie because it really did bring tears to my eyes. This film not only met my expectations but really did exceed them. This film brought together a very talented and versatile group of actors that truly brought this story to life. I was impressed with how easily Kix Brooks has transitioned from singer into a very capable actor able to take on a serious and emotional role such as he did in this film! All of the other actors were amazing also and hit their marks on each of their characters with perfect timing. As a screenwriter I analyze the script and story more than anything. Does it have action, does it keep your interest, do the characters draw you into their world, does it flow, does it keep you guessing until the end? YES to all of the above, it certainly does! And to top it all off you have a wonderful surprise twist ending that you might not see coming. So to sum it all up...Great story, talented and well cast actors, and inspiring music that all adds up to a true western film to be proud of and to be enjoyed for years to come. This film was a job well done and easily one of the best westerns to come down the pass in the recent years!

"Some say the legend of Duke Donovan began to eclipse the man." After Marshall Duke Donovan (Brooks) is thrown in jail as an accomplice in a bank robbery he learns that his former partner is plotting to kill his wife. After getting help he escapes and begins the trail of saving his wife and clearing his name. This movie continues the western tradition of "the other side of the story" that every one is told. Movies like Blackthorn, Young Guns 2 and (the one that did it best) The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance are examples of this. When the entire country seems to know what happened but when someone who was involved tells what they know everything changes. Since the plot of the movie involves a tried and true western idea and because it was R rated and didn't hold back the grit this is one of the better westerns in the last few years. Of course most of the recent westerns were Hallmark Channel westerns but even taking those away this was a good western. Even the bad acting didn't affect the way I felt about it. Overall, one of the better westerns that have come out lately. I give it a B-.

I live in Nashville Tn and work in the music business and we always laugh when someone refers to our genre as " Country and Western" - we prefer simply "Country". But with the lead character being skillfully portrayed by veteran Country Star, Kix Brooks and with a killer soundtrack featuring Kix, Randy Houser ( who also appears briefly in the film) and the angelic voice of singer / songwriter Leslie Satcher... I gotta say I'm rethinking Calling it Country and Westerns! Although this was a low budget film, it was really entertaining. Well cast, well directed and full of great performances- it is a really commendable effort from all involved- with extra kudos going to the lead character Duke Donovan - played by Kix Brooks.There is a great twist in the plot and I found it thoroughly entertaining from start to finish!!Check it out, it's a great watch and if you like Westerns - then you'll really love it! Here's hoping for another installment of Duke Donovan in the future!