Straight To Hell

Straight to Hell is a 1987 American western action-comedy, directed and co-written by Alex Cox. It's a movie packed with different elements - from gunplay to rock 'n' roll music, from sex to violence, and from comedy to action. The movie features a star-studded cast consisting of Sy Richardson, Joe Strummer, Dick Rude, and Courtney Love.

The plot of the movie revolves around a group of bank robbers who decide to leave town after their latest robbery goes wrong. They accidentally end up in a small, remote town known as "El Grande" in Mexico. The town is ruled by a corrupt brothel owner named Mr. Dade (Sy Richardson) and his two sons, Norwood (Joe Strummer) and Simms (Dick Rude). The bank robbers, also known as the McMahons, soon realize that El Grande is not like any other town they had visited before.

As soon as they arrive in El Grande, the McMahons discover that the town is not only run by Mr. Dade but also by his sadistic henchmen. The McMahons are forced to work for Mr. Dade and his merry men, who assign them to bury a box full of bodies that were violently murdered earlier. The McMahons aren't the only ones in town, as a group of musicians lead by Willy (Joe Dick Rude) and Velma (Courtney Love) arrive in El Grande. They plan to perform for the locals but end up caught in the crossfire between the McMahons and Mr. Dade's men.

As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that Mr. Dade's rule over El Grande is due to his involvement with the CIA. He utilizes the town as a secret military base and has been providing weapons to the Nicaraguan contra rebels fighting a civil war. Mr. Dade plans on using the McMahons to help him in his smuggling operation.

The bizarre and comical aspects of the movie are not limited to its storyline. The characters themselves are an eclectic mix. The McMahons are a group of robbers who have a fondness for coffee; Willy and Velma are musicians who are more concerned with their performances rather than the dangerous situations surrounding them. However, the best performances come from the ensemble cast led by Sy Richardson, Joe Strummer, and Dick Rude. Richardson's Mr. Dade is a classic archetype of a movie villain - charismatic, menacing, and a man with a plan. Strummer and Rude, on the other hand, bring comic relief through their off-beat, absurdist performances.

The film's soundtrack is a treat for music lovers, with punk rock tunes throughout by popular bands including The Pogues, Pray for Rain, and Joe Strummer's new band, The Latino Rockabilly War. Despite the film's off-beat nature, the soundtrack helps to establish the tone of the movie.

Overall, Straight to Hell is a classic, quirky movie that combines genres such as the western, action, and comedy, resulting in a unique and entertaining movie. It's not for everyone, but its weirdness and anarchy make it an enjoyable watch, especially for those who appreciate something different. The audience is sure to be entertained by the movie's fully-realized characters, unexpected twists, and sharp humor. This is a cult film that deserves a niche following, and it's easy to see why - Straight to Hell is an anarchic, subversive movie that is definitely worth a watch.