Travis Simpkins: Guns, Girls and Gambling (2012): Elvis Impersonators Steal a Native American Artifact

Saturday, January 31, 2015

Guns, Girls and Gambling (2012): Elvis Impersonators Steal a Native American Artifact

Written and directed by Michael Winnick, Guns, Girls and Gambling (2012) borrows much from the style of Quentin Tarantino… in both non-linear storytelling and stylized violence. The story concerns the theft of a valuable ancient Native American Mask (either Hopi or Apache) from a Casino, seemingly by one in a group of 5 Elvis impersonators. Both the Cowboys and Indians are out to retrieve the $1,000,000 artifact, as well as a lethal and sexy blonde female assassin with a penchant for quoting the poetry of Edgar Allen Poe. Art theft, graphic violence, plot twists, western landscapes and visual flare are mixed together. Christian Slater is good in the lead role as the aptly named John Smith. Helena Mattsson steals the show as the blonde hit-girl, Annabel. The supporting cast is good as well, including Gary Oldman, Powers Boothe, Tony Cox and Megan Park.