You Weren't Expecting A Trilogy..."12 Rounds 3: Lockdown"

12 Rounds 3: Lockdown

Rated

Starring Dean Ambrose, Roger R. Cross, Daniel Cudmore, Lochlyn Monroe, Ty Olsson

Directed by Stephen Reynolds

The Story:

Detective Shaw (Ambrose) returns to work after recovering from a gunshot wound. On his first day back, he receives evidence that shows that his former partner and several other cops in his precinct are dirty. When the building goes into lockdown, it's Shaw all alone against a band of rogue cops out to silence him.

Dean Ambrose (Jonathan Good) takes over the 12 Rounds franchise for WWE Studios.

All things considered, that's a pretty big deal since he is following in John Cena and Randy Orton's footsteps, and both have been the top dog in the WWE at one point or another.

Ambrose is on his way, but before he gets to the top of that mountain, he's going to conquer the world of movies first.

And he actually does a pretty good job.

His persona in the ring is a little more stabilized in the movie, but not much. The other difference, whereas the other installments had the hero running to fulfill 12 different tasks or DIE!, this sequel is so named because all Shaw has in his gun to stop the bad guys are...

12 rounds!

If there is any real disservice done in this film, it's WWE Studios not bringing in any "name or face" actors who can help elevate the film.

If a hero is only as good as his villain(s), Ambrose isn't given a whole lot to work with, though they try their best to provide an "Assault on Precinct Die Hard" mashup.

For a low-budget action romp, it's not bad though, and Ambrose could easily transition to the screen ala Rowdy Roddy Piper when he decides to hang up the boots for good (or the next time he is out of commission thanks to an injury).

Final Grade: C+

Duck Dynasty Meets Quentin Tarantino..."The Baytown Outlaws"

The Baytown Outlaws (2012)
Rated R for Violence and Language

Starring Clayne Crawford, Travis Fimmel and Daniel Cudmore

Directed by Barry Battles

The Story:

The Oodie Boys, Brick (Crawford), McQueen (Fimmel) and Lincoln (Cudmore) are three redneck renegades who make a living keeping a local town clear of low-life criminals by killing them.  This arrangement works great for the sheriff (Andre Braugher) until the boys accidentally go to the wrong house... this draws attention from the Feds.  The boys get hired by Celeste (Eva Longoria) to head to Texas and rescue her godson (Thomas Brodie-Sangster) from her ex-husband Carlos (Billy Bob Thornton).  If they do that, and kill Carlos, they'll make $25,000.

What could possibly go wrong?

Well, considering they are about to be hunted across the country by a group of prostitute assassins, some angry Indian bikers and another gang of bounty hunters, things are going to get pretty hairy for the boys.

First, Billy Bob Thornton and Eva Longoria get top billing and most prominent casting on the poster, but neither is in it very much.

But in reality, that's a good thing.

No, this film belongs to the Oodie Boys, and these three pull of hillbilly redneck like nobody's business!

Here Come the Oodies!

The banter and interaction between them, yes, it's easy to believe that they are brothers who've got each other's backs at all times.

The movie seemingly veers off into the absurd with each new wave of bounty hunters chasing the boys down.

Prostitutes on motorcycles? Check!

They Charge By The Hour...Or The Mile!

A black militia with a vehicle straight out of the Road Warrior movies?  Check!

A tribe of scalping Indians on motorcycles? Check!

Yet in this crazy world that the Oodies inhabit, you buy each layer of crazy with no reservations at all.

It's crazy. It's funny.  It's violent.

And every once in a while, it surprises itself and becomes a little touching.

But they quickly kick that aside and get back to crazy.

:)

Not too bad for a pure-bred B movie!

Final Grade: C+/B-

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: Nah, one viewing for this is fine.  Though if they boys found themselves in a sequel, I'd certainly give it a try!