Hunters' Crossing

This is extreme low-budget, bunch-of-friends-goof-around-in-the-woods filmmaking, but there's enough infectious enthusiasm and solidly funny moments to make it an entertaining watch for anyone willing to take a punt on a lo-fi hunting mockumentary.

The characters are a bunch of idiots but the film feels affectionate towards them rather than mocking, and they all get a few moments to shine. At seventy-something minutes the film doesn't outstay its welcome, either. Well worth a look for fans of guerrilla (or gorilla) filmmaking, or dumb-but-funny humour (e.g. Trailer Park Boys).

"Hunters' Crossing" is a story about friendship cloaked in a hunting competition and blundering search for Bigfoot. Much like good punk rock this film is low-budget, fast- paced, human and a little hyperbolic. It's a self-proclaimed mockumentary, which means that the bulk of the movies' success relies on its characters.

Our main characters are Hank Williams (Noah Schindler), a young hunter who is as dense as Georgia's summers are humid and Trevor Farleys (Rieves Bowers), a Bigfoot hunter who is even dumber. They don't have much more depth than that. This means that both the comedy and tragedy that befall them aren't as layered as they could be. But neither are these two characters a drag on the film. Their friendship is one of the funniest and sweetest elements of the movie. The actors have good chemistry and it's clear they are having fun with each other as well as the rest of the cast.

The Main supporting cast of Willis Hampton (Mason Taylor), Fred "The Exterminator" Palmer (Jake Dogias) and Clive Harris (Ryan Sliwinski) also lack the depth that allows for their comedic improv to hit harder. That being said, they also manage to get a solid number laughs and carry the film well.

However, there is one character who feels out of place. Samantha Burd (Marisa Roper). She seems stiff where the other characters have hints of something deeper. The way Samantha is portrayed makes her feel simply like a caricature. When we get to her first scene it feels like the movie comes to a full stop. Samantha's purpose seems to be purely about giving Hank and Trevor another opportunity for some comedy, but her frustration with their stupidity goes passed a believable level and kills the energy the other two bring to that scene. It also seems highly unlikely that a P.E.T.A. member would show up to a hunter's cabin. Her character would work better if she was a nosy neighbor who hated hunting or just hated people in general.

Aside from her, the only other issues with the film are minor. Muzzle flash effects, and a greater diversity of costumes would add needed reality, so that when the film decides to dip into something surreal, it seems more intentional.

And yet, it's clear that love and effort were put into this film. There are a variety of locations that add good flavor to the film. Some where it's clear they had no permit and so these scenes are even more appreciated. The camera work along with the editing are both well done, because films shot documentary style can be dry with mostly flat angles and shot reverse shot. But there is enough variety here to keep the film from feeling stale. And of course, the actors seem truly to be enjoying playing their characters.

"Hunters' Crossing" is a passion project that is genuinely enjoyable. The production is clearly low-budget, but that only adds to the charm this film has. And while "Hunters' Crossing" lacks depth, it's still funny, sweet and slightly absurd.

I gave this film a 6 because it's so hysterically bad that I had to finish it just to see what would happen, and when a movie is this bad yet keeps my attention, you can't give it a totally bad review. These actors tried their best to portray backwoods idiots and I found myself shaking my head in disbelief. The acting was bad, the costumes were bad, the plot line was bad, the accents were bad, the entire attempt was bad. Complete and total entertainment. If you're looking to waste and hour and 15 minutes that you'll never get back, this film is for you. I just know they got change back on the 20 bucks it took to make this film.

The story and concept wasn't bad, but the execution was definitely a beginner with a very low budget. The wigs are horribly noticeable, I guess I'd have to ask why not just get people with long hair to do the part. At one point the gorilla costume used for Bigfoot is open in the back revealing the person wearing it. Again, this looks like a few friends got together with their iPhones and made a flic. Good story, bad acting and effects.