Death in the Desert (film)

Death in the Desert is a 2015 American crime-drama film directed and produced by Josh Evans and starring Michael Madsen and Shayla Beesley, with John Palladino, Paz de la Huerta, and Roxy Saint appearing in supporting roles. Principal filming completed in February 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada.[1] It is the second film collaboration between Madsen and Evans, who produced The Price of Air in which Madsen starred.[2]

Death in the Desert
theatrical release poster
Directed byJosh Evans
Produced byJosh Evans
Written byJohn Steppling
Starring
Narrated byMichael Madsen
Music byChris Goss
Edited byEdward D. Wood, Jr.
Distributed byOsiris Entertainment
Release date
  • October 9, 2015 (2015-10-09) (Arizona Underground)
  • March 2016 (2016-03)
Running time
83 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Released in March 2016 by Osiris Entertainment, the film is based on the book Death in the Desert by true-crime author Cathy Scott about Ted Binion, a wealthy gambling executive and one of the sons of famed Las Vegas casino magnate Lester Ben "Benny" Binion, owner of Binion's Horseshoe. The book adaptation was written by screenwriter John Steppling.

The storyline covers the real-life 1998 death of the younger Binion, a drug addict who had lost his Nevada gaming license, and his live-in girlfriend Sandra Murphy, charged with murdering Binion along with her lover Rick Tabish, who was caught digging up Binion's buried silver.[3]

Reception

The film first premiered in October 2015 at the Tucson Festival of Films.[4]

Indiewire wrote, "Luckily for Madsen fans, the actor looks to be having a complete blast in his most recent film, Death in the Desert.[5]

Vegas Seven Magazine, in its review, wrote, "Death in the Desert, despite its protagonist’s wealth, rides the downbeat vibe of a back-alley, underbelly Vegas. What emerges is a muted, thoughtful study of disillusionment, dashed dreams and fatal appetites via a relationship that takes root amid the mechanical sensuality of a Downtown strip joint."[6]

Cast
  • Michael Madsen as Ray Easler
  • Shayla Beesley as Kim Davis
  • John Palladino as Matt Duvall
  • Paz de la Huerta as Margo
  • Roxy Saint as Cory
  • Julian Brand as Nicky Ramone
  • Kent Christian as Faque Brown
  • Timothy Skyler Dunigan as Rocky
  • Kerry Fezza as Nurse
  • Richard Hotson as Mac Curry
  • Mark Justice as Rudy
  • Allison Lear as Christy
  • Stephen Manley as Cicero
  • Alfonzo McCarther as Merced
  • Eduard Osipov as Pete
  • Joe Palubinsky as Garza
  • Gary Sax as Wesley
  • Brian H. Scott as David Mattsen

References
  1. "'Death in the Desert': Josh Evans Discusses His Latest Film Along With Star Michael Madsen". The Huffington Post UK. 29 August 2014. Retrieved 21 May 2016.
  2. "'Price of Air' Filmmaker Trades Personal for Plot". latimes.
  3. Matt Coker (15 February 2016). "Death in the Desert is the Locally Tinged Story of Ted Binion's Death - OC Weekly". OC Weekly. Retrieved 21 May 2016.
  4. "Arizona Daily Wildcat :: Tucson Festival of Films captures the city's cinematic presence".
  5. Riyad Mamedyarov (19 February 2016). "Watch: Michael Madsen Tries to Stop His 'Death in the Des - Indiewire". Indiewire. Retrieved 21 May 2016.
  6. "The Hollywood Ballad of Lonnie 'Ted' Binion - Vegas Seven". Vegas Seven. Retrieved 21 May 2016.
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