Having seen and appreciated an number of John Ford and Frank Capra films, I can say with relatively assurance this film is a far cry from the masterful works put out by these two legends. Repetitive dialogue and a weak screenplay does not wit and charm make. I gave credit where it is due, to the cast and crew that brings professionalism to a slow and weak comedy/drama.

Way to diffuse your own credibility by resorting to insults. If this review offended you personally, it's not the writer's fault your opinions differ. I don't feel the review is misinformed but comes from a different perspective and set of interests. If you're content to troll rather than enter into an actual discussion of why you disagree with the author's points, don't bother.

I didn't actually think of one, I just considering making it. It could've been a Brendan Frasier joke as well.

Funny, I thought of Encino Man as I was writing that sentence, and of writing a Paulie Shore joke into the review but then decided against it. You've got a point there though.

Perry,

Thank you for sharing your opinion. I have to confess that I do enjoy watching poorly-made films, more than occasionally. And from the looks of Showdown, I went into it with those aspirations. But after the first ten minutes, I cast those aside since the film was honestly striving to be fun and enjoyable, if not particularly good. I would be the last person to deny an amateur filmmaker a chance to test his mettle, since I am a film student myself and know just hard it can be to put even a short film together. But the truth is, very few films cast with family and friends turn out to be very successful, unless the filmmaker is in the company of talented actors and crew.

If Mr. Conover was looking to direct the best Western he could under whatever limitations he was working with, he could have looked for professional actors and perhaps put a little more work into the script and dialogue. There's very little excuse for casting friends and family when you know there are better actors out there looking for work. On this basis, the film must be judged by the same standard as any other film, without taking into account personal circumstances. I do wish the very best to the cast and crew of it and hope they find success in whatever areas they choose to get involved in. But their film must stand alone on its convictions and they are not particularly strong.

-Mark