Hey, everyone. ”Moriarty” here. Memflix weighed in on MR. BROOKS today, but he also sent in a piece about something closer to his heart. Check this out:
Hello gentlemen. A little while back, I inquired about the possibility of doing an overview of a film festival in Memphis, TN. It didn't work out because my 2 month old fell ill. In the introduction Moriarty made before my Disturbia review, it was said that there could possible be a look at Memphis film in the future. Instead of an overview of a festival, I think I have something a bit more interesting. I believe the movie, "The Importance of Being Russell," and their filmmakers, could be of some interest to your viewers. I am unbiased regarding the film. I didn't have any hand in it's production. I am just a writer who loved the film and got to speak briefly with the creators. I hope you can use this. It is pasted below with a small introduction. Thank you. Memflix back once again with a look at a film that you probably haven’t even heard of yet, “The Importance of Being Russell.” Most of the readers on this site are familiar with Memphis film because of the talented Craig Brewer. However, there is more to the Memphis film scene. Memflix is an entertainment publication centered on bringing the citizens a look at entertainment coming out of their very own city. I wrote my first article for the publication about the people behind this film, in June of last year. Now, because of the festival circuit and the film’s broadening audience, I thought it appropriate to show the readers of this site, just what they were missing. Because it is a twisted, hilarious science fiction film made on a small budget, it seemed right up the alley of cineastes all over the globe. Most of the movie going public of America is likely to think there is only one filmmaker in Memphis , TN. To be fair, Memflix has helped perpetuate this notion from time to time, but after the film festival buzz garnered by the movie, “The Importance of Being Russell,” it is apparent that Memphis has more to do than hustle and flow to the moan of a black snake. The city has more than just a “Brewer” of films, or a “Cash” cow lurking in the aisles. We should all look at the slew of talent actively pursuing their dream of making wonderful, magical films to satisfying results. One such group of Memphians are the folks at Paradox Productions who are behind “The Importance of Being Russell.” The film was an Official Selection at the Magnolia Independent Film Festival; it received Honorable Mention at The Eureka Springs Film Festival, the Best in Fest at The Southern Fried Flicks Film Festival, The Ron Tibbett Award for Cinematic Excellency at the 2006 Indie Memphis Film Festival, and The Darrell Award for Best Mid-South Film at The Mid-South Con 25. It is currently being submitted to several film festivals all over the country. “The Importance of Being Russell” is a science fiction comedy laden with amazing special effects that take the viewer back to the heyday of groundbreaking comedies of the eighties as well as paying visual homage to the sci-fi flicks of old. The movie is centered on an inventor named Russell Hawker. Hawker is a redneck living in the backwoods of America. The primary source for the humor in the film comes from the man who portrays Russell Hawker; John Pickle. Hawker is a character created by Pickle for his cable access sketch comedy show. His mannerisms and his attitude toward life make the overall plot very easy to swallow and enjoy. What “Russell” has at its core is unconventional comedy concerning the lives of people most consider the “lowest common denominator” of Americans. However, once the science fiction plot concerning the villain rears its “Big Giant Head,” the film takes off in an unpredictable and fascinating direction. Another feat pulled off is the special effects that makes the turn completely believable. Paradox productions enlisted the help of Greg Stanford to help mold the special effects used to make all of this possible. Stanford’s work here is artistic and detailed. He is definitely an effects guru to watch. The very fact that this movie was made in Memphis for less than $10,000, makes it a marvel of not just local film fare, but of independent cinema as a whole. The movie opens with what is just another day in the life of Russell Hawker. He is constantly trying to come up with ideas for inventions, but a television show, not unlike The Home Shopping Network, keeps taking his ideas. Through unforeseeable plot turns, the characters venture to the “ Big City ” where they encounter off the wall baddies with beyond-strange motivations. I am by nature, extremely skeptical of comedies. It doesn’t take much for my interest to wane. However, in Russell, it never happened. The first segment of the movie is used as a comic set-up of Hawker’s daily routine. It could have easily gone awry with long transitions from scene to scene in order to get the audience member comfortable with the character, which in my experience loses me. However, what keeps the set-up from failing is the way the story hums along to Pickle’s impeccable timing and delivery, as well as the confident filmmaking abilities on display by the men at Paradox Productions. It may seem like the intended core audience is strictly men, but Hawker’s wife and their relationship adds females to the sought after demographic without alienating the men. Taking a hardcore redneck, one that anyone from the south would be familiar with, and introducing him to the world of science fiction was a bold move. In less qualified hands, it could have easily turned into an incomprehensible mess, but because of the experience and talent of the filmmakers and their idea of what makes both genres (science fiction and comedy) work, it transcends southern stereotypical fare. His inventions and the words he uses to describe how they work, such as ‘discombobulate,’ had me rolling with laughter. I first saw this at a local screening and my date, along with the audience, cackled uproariously at the war flashbacks. From everything mentioned, it may be hard to picture the plot and direction of the film. However, I believe that is the point. You aren’t getting Hollywood . You aren’t getting a factory made genre film. You are getting something different, something that hasn’t been seen in quite awhile. Like all films, there are flaws, but they are outshined by the quality and hard work evident in every scene. Paradox Productions is made up of three men: Sean Plemmons, the co-writer and director of ‘Russell’; Jeff Hassen, the Director of Photography and co-writer; and Jeff Bryant, the film’s producer. They met at The University of Memphis and made their filmmaking debut with the feature “Strange Cargo.” They don’t adhere to the restrictions and guidelines of mainstream Hollywood . Most times when a statement like that is made, people fear the worst. However, it is exactly that, that makes their work refreshing. Three forces make “The Importance of Being Russell” worth watching: Greg Stanford’s inspiring eye for what makes a real science fiction film, almost insures that you will be seeing more of him in the future. John Pickle’s ability to completely absorb himself into a character makes him the most entertaining performer to come out of this town in quite awhile. The last and most pivotal force in the film’s creation is of course, Paradox Productions. They are all on the edge of breaking out. It is only a matter of when. For more information about the movie, CLICK HERE!
