Southern Justice

What a find! This is perhaps the most enjoyably twisted screen story since Roger Ebert penned "Beyond the Valley of the Dolls." This film flies in the face of everything Hollywood believes is necessary to make a successful movie. The protagonists are amoral, the villains based around the local small town church.

Arkansas auteur M.D. Selig wrote, produced, directed, edited and stars in the sordidly sumptuous tale of Slim Manning, an ex-army sniper who inherited a strip club from his parents. Slim's ex-wife and daughter both strip at the club, and turn tricks on the side.

As if the steamily authentic pole dancing and sexy costumes weren't enough, the plot involves strippers being killed off by a weird conglomeration of crooked cops, white trash mobsters and an evil Baptist minister.

Selig is great as a poor man's Steven Seagal, dispatching all who would prey on his stable of sleazy ladies with guns or fists.

The opening scenes are a mess. No doubt footage was lost on bad film stock, leading to some screwball continuity and slapdash editing. But after a bumpy start the film kicks in smoothly. Despite the obviously low budget, there is plenty of action and the acting is generally very professional, as is the camera work and soundtrack.

Aside from handling all the chief duties of film-making, Selig also wrote and performs songs on the soundtrack.

A great party flick. Hopefully Selig will earn back his budget and get back into the director's chair. America needs more movies like this!