Mixed Feelings

I really like the idea of a movie about Purgatory.  The image in this trailer for Riverworld (which will air on Syfy in 2010) of a man recognizing one of his colleagues who died in the World Trade Center on September 11 as he emerges, dripping and disoriented, onto the banks of a river, apparently animate if not actually alive, is lovely, strange and sad, and most importantly, filled with possibility.  But does everything have to involve swords?  And does anything have to include someone doing Samuel Clemens drag?  I guess my bigger fear is that while he keeps accepting roles in this range, I'm not actually sure that Tamoh Penikett is actually good at angry and confused.  I'd like to see him do something else so I can decide if I think he can act or not.