sanderson1

Every time I think the low budget independent drama is dead, I stumble across a little gem of a film that changes my mind and gives me hope. "Buffalo Bushido" is just that. Quirky yet specific. Honest yet surreal. Myopic yet projecting in its meaning. Through nuance, familiarity and performance, McGennis taps into his hometown with acute specificity and keeps you hanging on until the end. His use of layering is absolutely brilliant and shows a degree of thought and level of depth missing in Hollywood today. McGennis and Leila Arcieri deliver some very powerful moments as they slowly break down in their struggle to connect. All of the cast deliver fresh, surprising performances and McGennis especially shows skill linking certain characters to his own. "Buffalo Bushido" is a thinking person's film that takes its time to develop and take hold. It's oddities make it very hard to forget and suggest that we are witnessing an emerging new talent with creative vision and the unique ability to pull off all four major capacities (writing, directing, producing and acting) with voice and style. Like most unheralded early works, "Buffalo Bushido" will likely fly under the radar screen and be most appreciated down the road until McGennis achieves greater commercial success. Check it out. "Buffalo Bushido" is a tremendous accomplishment especially for anyone who dreams about making a film or who knows of everything that goes into making a real independent feature film.

This little indie film both entertains and lures an audience in a way that's true to New Orleans and all her mischief. For a first time feature, McGennis shows mucho brass and creativity. "In" teems with production value (there's more French Quarter photography than any other movie I've seen) and a funky original soundtrack that'll blow your socks off featuring the late Jimmy Smith, Kermit Ruffins, and Maria Muldaur (anyone know where can I buy it?). The storyline does pull you in and most of the performances are solid (love the Assilman role). And what's cool is whatever holes there might be don't seem to matter, McGennis pulls it all off with style and soul and that's what we walk away with. Totally satisfied and wanting to experience it again (for a reason I find hard to explain but it's inspiring). With no stars and no hype, this little film will likely slip under your radar. Don't let it. "In" is a real testament to how much a passionate first-time filmmaker can lay it all on the table from writing, financing, directing, and producing. In the end, New Orleans shines through and so does McGennis. His efforts pay off big time leaving behind more than just a little gem of a movie but also, and perhaps more importantly, a map of creative inspiration for other upcoming feature filmmakers to follow. That must be what I find so inspiring here. Can't wait to see McGennis' next spirited, hand-crafted project. Hope he keeps wearing many hats!