Kill or Be Killed

Part horror gorefest and part spaghetti Western, Kill or Be Killed is audacious and imaginative, although its substance can be debated. In the Old West, the vile Claude “Sweet Tooth” Barbee and his outlaw gang plan to recover hidden loot from a railroad heist. But having the law chasing after them turns out to be the least of their concerns: something much more disturbing is on their tail. Writer-directors Justin Meeks (who also stars as Barbee) and Duane Graves deserve kudos for serving up something different in their unlikely mix of genres. The story moves at a swift pace, while the production design mostly captures the grimy aspects of a decidedly unglamorous cowboy existence. And it's fun to see horror icons Michael Berryman (The Hills Have Eyes) and Edwin Neal (The Texas Chainsaw Massacre) in small roles here. Unfortunately, some of the lackluster CGI effects call attention to the film's low budget, and the story eventually detours into relentless violence that can grow tiresome. Still, this should be considered a strong optional purchase. (P. Hall)