DVD Corner

Dead Man’s Hand DVD Review

“Dead Man’s Hand” is dead on arrival.

Written by Brian Skiba and Corin Nemec (who also has a bit part) and based on the graphic novel “No Rest Of The Wicked: Dead Man’s Hand,” 2023’s “Dead Man’s Hand” is a western that revolves around newlyweds Reno and Vegas. The couple head to Nevada to open a saloon, but their journey takes a detour when they encounter a group of criminals holding up the stagecoach they are on. Reno dispatches them in self-defense, but this comes back to haunt him when he arrives in the next town. One of the men Reno killed turns out to be the brother of the deranged Mayor Bishop (a former Cavalry Colonel). As one might expect, the Mayor wants Reno dead, but Reno may have some allies on his side that include Apaches, Marshal Roy (who is in town to collect the Mayor), a barkeep, and a stable owner. 

Despite boasting a quality cast featuring Stephen Dorff (who always relishes playing the villain) and 2 “Yellowstone” cast members with Cole Hauser and Forrie J. Smith (both of whom turn in respectable performances), “Dead Man’s Hand” is a cheaply made low-budget western that leaves a lot to be desired all across the board. The special effects are lousy, there’s an inordinate amount of smoke, the cinematography by Adam Biddle is atrocious (to put it nicely), the dialogue is cheesy, Jack Kilmer is miscast, the modern songs/music by Stephen Dorff’s father Steve Dorff are entirely out of place, and Brian Skiba’s direction is rough around the edges. The story itself is slapped together and basic and lacks any sort of nuance or originality. There’s not much to admire here, folks.

If you’re seeking out this western for action, you’ll get some shootouts and chase scenes, but nothing on the level of action you’d come to expect from a western film (especially when the genre was in its prime).

Video/Audio:

Presentation: 2.39:1. How does it look? The cinematography is so poor here that the colors appear murky and dim. There isn’t a Blu-ray release so it’s unclear if it would look better in hi-def.

Audio Track: Dolby Digital 5.1. How does it sound? The audio fares better here. It’s not going to wow anyone but it’s adequate.

Extras include a trailer, commentary by director Brian Skiba and producer Randall Batinkoff and a 19 ½ minute behind the scenes featurette with cast and crew interviews.

August 28, 2023 - Posted by nicklyons1 | DVD review | Cole Hauser, Dead Man's Hand DVD Review, Forrie J. Smith, Stephen Dorff, western