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For immediate release
Electronic
Press Kit
“THE
LEGEND OF CRAZY
GEORGE” 4/. Review By Myran Squire I stumbled across a local film producer who had just completed a feature film shot in the United States and post produced here in New Zealand. Mike McCaleb, co-writer, editor and executive producer brought my attention to this completed project. McCaleb asked me to review his new film created with Director writer & director of photography, George Furman. McCaleb explained to me that this film was intended for a genre audience of “cult-horror” followers in the United States and rapidly growing worldwide. As my tastes usually leave me watching and writing about Hollywood style pictures I was intrigued to see something totally different, no yawns here. What followed has certainly added a new appreciation of what a “cult horror” can be. One conjures up thoughts of movies such as Peter Jackson’s “Bad Taste” his first effort (which made me wanna puke) or other such icons as the “Texas Chainsaw Massacre”. Opening the parcel McCaleb had given us, we found a vivid DVD cover, with such expressions as “Bunny Murder”, “Sex Acts” & “Axe Murders”. My partner and I looked at each other and thought maybe we should give this a pass. After bravado and intrigue surpassed stereotyping and after preparing two stiff JD's we proceeded to push play. 100 minutes later, one could have heard a pin drop. Usually the flowery words such as “wasn’t the photography fantastic” or “I really enjoyed the soundtrack” are standard phrases. What’s ensued was a long discussion about what the film actually meant and what it was about. Our perceptions were both significantly different which to me means this intuitive group of filmmakers, got it right. “The legend of Crazy George” will find itself as one of the best “art” films of 2003. Its innovative techniques, very surprising and captivating storyline and superb audio and music soundtrack will be enjoyed by more than just the cult fraternity. It reminded me of all time classics and favorites of mine such as “Brazil” and David Lynch’s “Wild at Heart”. As I understand it, this film would have been made for less than the catering budgets for these films. “The Legend of Crazy George” is a snapshot in a day of a traveller named Tommy (Adam Brookfield) in Tennessee where a crazy gentleman named "George" rules the town and it's extremely eccentric inhabitants. Handed from one to another of these insane locals Tommy experiences absolutely bizarre and thought provoking vignettes which are commonplace in this redneck town. He meets such gems as “Cecil” and “Wild Bonnie” (The alluring horror icon, Debbie Rochon) amongst a raft of other intriguing characters. Performances all around, draw you into the story and this tale of death and rampant murder. Not at any moment do you even try to think what will happen next, this storyline simply departs from the usual structured and repetitive, predictable formats of most other films. Needless to say, several viewings ensued. The music score is as varied as the story. Almost all written for the film by the versatile Zack Buersmeyer. The soundtrack following the release of the film is sure to be a sought after release. McCaleb, the stingy bugger wouldn’t burn me one for me. (Need to pinch that somehow). Technically the film breaks many normal conventions. It could be considered somewhat raw by purists used to zillion dollar budgets. I found this departure from convention brave and refreshing. The film-makers uncommon technique of using purely camera audio enhances the viewer’s perspective. The photography and camera angles are as good as it gets. Furman, who shot the film captured the mood of each scene transperantly. McCaleb who edited the film certainly revels in holding on to shots for long periods of time so that one could ponder on the extraordinary events taking place. This combination of the score and hypnotic effects really screws with your mind. I later learned that this was McCaleb’s first ever edit, teaching himself as he went, I have been a editor and producer for 15 years, this tin assed bastard is going a long way. A carefully calculated and sparse adding of special effects doesn’t offend the fine photography. Obviously McCaleb and Furman decided to leave obvious violence and unnecessary bloodshed to our imaginations, a welcome and refreshing decision. It's
difficult to
find any fault in this film should it fit your taste. Some scenes I found a
little long however but upon reflection and subsequent viewings
I found little
gems that I had
missed on earlier sessions. McCaleb has asked for this pre release DVD back,
however he is going to have to pry it
out of my
hands. I just wont return his calls...
Make
sure that it is on your top shelf,
not
so much for the violence which doesn't’t
really exist but the
very “heady” and disturbing story line and extreme language
which isn’t
for the faint hearted. Clinton, from Arkansas may not have inhaled however it
appears that these Tennessee characters don't hesitate to fire up the "Kentucky
Bluegrass" or indulge in ample Tennessee Moonshine. Myran Squire Editor, producer. Los Angeles, California |
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