Pub.lished Movie Reviews
The Last Stop in Yuma County (2023)
This movie is definitely not for everyone.
It is reminiscent of "Reservoir Dogs," but without the charm or style of Quentin Tarantino.
We are largely focused on a single location, a single day.
The location is a remote cafe and gas station. The day is a bad day for everyone.
And then things slowly get worse, and the tension slowly ratchets up.
The acting is superb, the plot is excellent, the one weak spot is the dialogue and cinematography.
What really makes this movie, at least for me, is the ending, although I would have preferred it if they left it a little bit up to the audience's imagination, a la "Reservoir Dogs."
"Is a coffin considered furniture?"
- You are under the age of 18. This movie is definitely not appropriate for children or young teens due to its violent and tense themes.
- You are averse to violence, gore, or heavy psychological drama. This is an intense movie that can be quite brutal at times.
- You are looking for a light, feel-good movie. This movie is serious and quite dark.
- You prefer settings that change frequently. The majority of this film takes place in a single location, which might not appeal to everyone.
- You require strong cinematography to enjoy a film. While the plot and acting are strong, the cinematography leaves much to be desired.
Warning: The following may contain spoilers:
What's the deal with "The Last Stop in Yuma County"? Why is it that whenever a movie decides to focus on a single location, it always has to be the most remote, godforsaken place on earth? It's like filmmakers have a checklist: desolate, check; rundown, check; a sense of impending doom, check. And let me tell you, this one is so remote, even Google Maps gave up halfway there.
The Breakfast Club (1985)
A bit of a wildcard entry but hear me out. If you enjoyed the single-day, single-location premise in "The Last Stop in Yuma County", "The Breakfast Club" directed by John Hughes, could be a refreshing change of pace. This seminal coming-of-age movie primarily takes place in a high school library and follows the unexpected friendship formed among five diverse students during a Saturday detention. The acting is highly commendable with ebulient performances of Emilio Estevez, Anthony Michael Hall, and Molly Ringwald among others. While "The Breakfast Club" is far less suspenseful than "The Last Stop in Yuma County", it similarly nails confined-space dialogue and character development, making it a worthwhile watch.
Fargo (1996)The Coen Brothers' "Fargo" also captures a sense of forced coexistence in a solitary location; a snow-drenched Minnesota town in this case, where a desperate car salesman, played by William H. Macy, gets in deep over his head. Keeping a similar narrative focus as "The Last Stop in Yuma County", the plot in "Fargo" spirals downwards from bad to worse. The acting is superb with memorable performances by Frances McDormand and Steve Buscemi. Regarding the cinematography, "Fargo" received high praise for its unique representation of its cold, isolated setting.
Reservoir Dogs (1992)Lovers of "The Last Stop in Yuma County" will love "Reservoir Dogs" for its similar elements of crime, suspense and intriguing characters. Its cool factor, driven by sharp dialogue and iconic music, also mirrors the allure of "Yuma County". Moreover, like "Yuma County", "Reservoir Dogs" cleverly manipulates the narrative, omitting the actual heist but focusing on the intense aftermath, keeping viewers on edge.
No Country for Old Men (2007)If you appreciated the tension-fueled single-day narrative of "The Last Stop in Yuma County," "No Country for Old Men" directed by the Coen brothers, could be a good fit for you. Much like "The Last Stop in Yuma County", the movie unfolds over a short timespan in a secluded environment - in this case, rural Texas. The plot and acting are also exceptionally strong, with performances by Javier Bardem, Tommy Lee Jones, and Josh Brolin widely lauded. The ending, like the one you so enjoyed in "The Last Stop in Yuma County", will leave you on the edge of your seat.
Dog Day Afternoon (1975):"Dog Day Afternoon", directed by Sidney Lumet, is another fascinating movie that unfolds over a single day, much like "The Last Stop in Yuma County". Al Pacino's electric performance as a man attempting a bank heist to pay for his lover's gender reassignment surgery is one for the ages. In a very confined setting, Lumet adroitly ratchets up the tension as the narrative unfolds. The ending, like in "The Last Stop in Yuma County", is brilliantly conceived and executed but leaves room for personal interpretation.
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