Nerds That Geek Movie Review: 'Blunt Force Trauma'

​Written by Scott Edwards

Everybody should have a hobby these days, something to take their minds off of real life, if only for a couple of minutes. I know tons of people that love to ski, do needle point and chance the rapids in a rubber boat. All good things, I myself like to watch and review movies, not because it is something that I have to do, but I rather enjoy it and it gets my mind off of things. Everyone has their own vices and I hope that none of them lead to any self-harm, as a hobby is supposed to be fun and relaxing, not treacherous and harmful. 

The world of underground dueling is a small community, but everyone that thinks that they are fast enough at pulling their pistol thinks that they have a shot. John has become one of the better quick draw artists and has yet to lose a match. The rules are simple when it comes to modern day dueling, you draw and shoot your opponent in the chest (where their bullet proof vest is) and keep them from getting back in their position for five seconds. If you miss the mark, like several shooters have, you are thrown out of the competition and forfeit your wager. It's a simple living, but when you want to prove that you are the best of the best, there is one man you have to go through and John is looking for an invite.

After his latest match, John is approached by Colt who is a fighter in her own right. Looking for Red Doan, Colt figures that John might actually have a lead on the man. But John has his mind on other things as he sees Zorringer’s spotter at the fight and wants to know why she is not keeping an eye on him yet. As Colt finds out that John is preoccupied with being known as one of the best, she offers to help him, but he will have to give her gas money for the journey. Heading down to South America to try and locate Red Doan who seems to be on the run from Colt, the two run into a little problem on the road, the Polícia. Seeing all of the goods of a gun fighter, the Policia wants to see how good John is against a regular convict.  Wounding the cops and the convict, the two are back on the road and ready to fulfill their own destinies.

John has always thought of himself as the best in his craft and only Zorringer will be able to prove him wrong, but Colt is looking for Red Doan for another reason. Since her brother was killed by the fighter, she believes that killing him will make the hurt go away, but little does she know that her quest for revenge is just beginning. When locating a local dueler’s hangout, the two shack up and wait for Zorringer to make his move towards John, but when a shootout occurs in the hotel, Colt sees that the rules do not apply any more. Wanting to leave, Colt heads back North while John is able to locate one of the hotter dueling locations. Not being able to get decent odds on a fight, John is forced to take on a mountain of man that has never lost since nobody can keep him out of his assigned zone. Being able to dislodge the mountain, John now has made a name for himself, but with a broken body, it may not have been worth it.  Wanting to get back into shape, John is joined once again by Colt and the two rehab the young man and get him ready for the fight of a lifetime.

If I did not see this movie, I would not know that dueling is still a thing. These days a duel is not designed to kill anyone, but to keep them from firing back. Even though there are protective measures in place, the shots that these people take can lead to fatal wounds, but most of them are too proud to admit it. I must admit, I liked both John’s and Colt’s back stories when they came into the equation. Both are looking to prove something to themselves and have the means to do so. While on the ride, the two go through all of the standard fights you have in a relationship, but when Colt wants to get intimate with John and forces him to take a shot at her, (yes, Colt is a woman), she leaves in a huff that he would not do it. It was a good breakdown of the character, as she wanted more from him than he was willing to give, but she did not know what she wanted yet. Not a bad movie and I really liked the gun fights, especially when there were multiple hits, it really looked painful.  

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