Rebel Pictures' "Sure Thing" review
by Mary Cusack
August 24, 2013 at 6:18pm
"Sure Thing" Proves There's no Such Thing
“Sure Thing” is the latest film noir love letter to the medium, as well as to Lansing scenery and architecture, from Rebel Pictures. Co-written by Rebel Pictures owner, actor and director Michael McCallum and his father/actor William C.McCallum, “Sure Thing” is a fairly formulaic tale of an unlucky loser putting the pedal to the metal, playing chicken with a brick wall. What elevates the story beyond formula is the continuing high quality of Rebel Pictures’ production values.
As the film opens, compulsive gambler Johnny (Michael McCallum) is taking his taking his lumps, a 24-hour reminder that his marker has been called in. He spends the next few hours taking sloppy action to fix his situation, while trying to preserve his relationship with dark-haired honey Angela (Cassie Little). Could there be irony in that name? Perhaps. Johnny’s actions send him careening toward an inevitable showdown with the Boss (Denis Link).
One of McCallum’s strengths is in surrounding himself with talented cast and crew. The stable of Rebel Pictures talent changes occasionally, but the quality remains consistently outstanding, elevating the production values beyond the stereotypical “local indie.”
For “Sure Thing,” two Rebel Pictures associates have taken on new titles and responsibilities. First is Kevin Fowler, local photog extraordinaire. Fowler has shot stills for film and theater for years, and brings his keen eye to “Sure Thing” as its Director of Photography (DP). Fowler is a master of light and composition, as evidenced by the crisp contrast and luscious texture she emphasizes. In one stark scene, Johnny visits an ex-flame/bartender (Kelley Young) at what locals will recognize as the Waterfront Bar & Grill. Fowler’s lighting creates such a lush contrast between her silken black hair and luminescent skin that one might believe she is an angel…although given the plotline, more likely a fallen than a guardian.
Also taking on new a role is frequent Rebel Pictures comedic foil Jeffry Wilson. This time around,Wilson works behind the scenes as the key grip and boom operator, doing a bang-up job of recording on-set sound effects. At the end of his horrible day, Johnny comes home to his claustrophobic apartment,wearily emptying his pockets to take stock of his financial situation. The sigh of a drawer being pulled, the clicks of a small money case being opened, the rustle of bills being counted…the nuanced noise of these almost still moments amplifies the growing resignation echoed on Johnny’s swollen face.
True aficionados of subtlety will geek out to the sound of coins tinkling out of his pockets as Johnny flops down in defeat and exhaustion. Chronic nappers can empathize with that moment, when one has to decide between getting back up and picking up the change or giving in to exhaustion, accepting that the coinage will end up stuck to one’s thighs or lost in cushions forever. It is this level of detail upon which Rebel Pictures has built its reputation of quality.
Filling out the package is a perfectly-paced score by local guitarist Jeff Starr. The bare-bones guitar and bass compositions keep contemplative moments from dragging; instead, the score heightens the mental action scenes going on behind Johnny's face. McCallum knows how to maximize a dead-eyed stare, sighing deeply without exhaling a breath.
As a writer, McCallum is an expert at forging the kind of rogues and roustabouts that McCallum the actor can portray with ease. As a director, he teases great performances out of non-actors. This time around, the best layperson performance comes from Stober’s Bar co-owner Denis Link as the big bad Boss man, Mr. Chapel. Their final scene together is short, but rife with such subtle (again with the subtlety!) bons mots that a second viewing is required to fully appreciate their banter. Link will also be seen in Rebel Pictures’ upcoming feature “Buffalo.”
Then again, every aspect of the film requires a second viewing to full appreciate. Lansing area residents will love seeing the places they know interpreted in such fine artistic form. Film noir buffs might bristle at- but should instead get a kick out of- seeing two stereotypical henchmen poking away at their smart phones like teenage girls. It’s this combination of gravitas and humor that makes “Sure Thing” a good thing.
Directed by
Michael McCallum
Written by
Michael McCallum and William C. McCallum
Director Of Photography
Kevin W. Fowler
Edited by
Jonathan Worful and Michael McCallum
Original Score
Jeff Starr
Songs by
From Big Sur, Big Willy, David John
Cast
Michael McCallum ("John"), Cassie Little ("Angela"), Denis Link ("Mr. Chapel"), Shawn Doolittle ("Stick"), Charles Dunn ("Knucklez"), Eddie Montemayor ("Street Hustler"), and Kelley Young ("Bartender").
by Mary Cusack
August 24, 2013 at 6:18pm
"Sure Thing" Proves There's no Such Thing
“Sure Thing” is the latest film noir love letter to the medium, as well as to Lansing scenery and architecture, from Rebel Pictures. Co-written by Rebel Pictures owner, actor and director Michael McCallum and his father/actor William C.McCallum, “Sure Thing” is a fairly formulaic tale of an unlucky loser putting the pedal to the metal, playing chicken with a brick wall. What elevates the story beyond formula is the continuing high quality of Rebel Pictures’ production values.
As the film opens, compulsive gambler Johnny (Michael McCallum) is taking his taking his lumps, a 24-hour reminder that his marker has been called in. He spends the next few hours taking sloppy action to fix his situation, while trying to preserve his relationship with dark-haired honey Angela (Cassie Little). Could there be irony in that name? Perhaps. Johnny’s actions send him careening toward an inevitable showdown with the Boss (Denis Link).
One of McCallum’s strengths is in surrounding himself with talented cast and crew. The stable of Rebel Pictures talent changes occasionally, but the quality remains consistently outstanding, elevating the production values beyond the stereotypical “local indie.”
For “Sure Thing,” two Rebel Pictures associates have taken on new titles and responsibilities. First is Kevin Fowler, local photog extraordinaire. Fowler has shot stills for film and theater for years, and brings his keen eye to “Sure Thing” as its Director of Photography (DP). Fowler is a master of light and composition, as evidenced by the crisp contrast and luscious texture she emphasizes. In one stark scene, Johnny visits an ex-flame/bartender (Kelley Young) at what locals will recognize as the Waterfront Bar & Grill. Fowler’s lighting creates such a lush contrast between her silken black hair and luminescent skin that one might believe she is an angel…although given the plotline, more likely a fallen than a guardian.
Also taking on new a role is frequent Rebel Pictures comedic foil Jeffry Wilson. This time around,Wilson works behind the scenes as the key grip and boom operator, doing a bang-up job of recording on-set sound effects. At the end of his horrible day, Johnny comes home to his claustrophobic apartment,wearily emptying his pockets to take stock of his financial situation. The sigh of a drawer being pulled, the clicks of a small money case being opened, the rustle of bills being counted…the nuanced noise of these almost still moments amplifies the growing resignation echoed on Johnny’s swollen face.
True aficionados of subtlety will geek out to the sound of coins tinkling out of his pockets as Johnny flops down in defeat and exhaustion. Chronic nappers can empathize with that moment, when one has to decide between getting back up and picking up the change or giving in to exhaustion, accepting that the coinage will end up stuck to one’s thighs or lost in cushions forever. It is this level of detail upon which Rebel Pictures has built its reputation of quality.
Filling out the package is a perfectly-paced score by local guitarist Jeff Starr. The bare-bones guitar and bass compositions keep contemplative moments from dragging; instead, the score heightens the mental action scenes going on behind Johnny's face. McCallum knows how to maximize a dead-eyed stare, sighing deeply without exhaling a breath.
As a writer, McCallum is an expert at forging the kind of rogues and roustabouts that McCallum the actor can portray with ease. As a director, he teases great performances out of non-actors. This time around, the best layperson performance comes from Stober’s Bar co-owner Denis Link as the big bad Boss man, Mr. Chapel. Their final scene together is short, but rife with such subtle (again with the subtlety!) bons mots that a second viewing is required to fully appreciate their banter. Link will also be seen in Rebel Pictures’ upcoming feature “Buffalo.”
Then again, every aspect of the film requires a second viewing to full appreciate. Lansing area residents will love seeing the places they know interpreted in such fine artistic form. Film noir buffs might bristle at- but should instead get a kick out of- seeing two stereotypical henchmen poking away at their smart phones like teenage girls. It’s this combination of gravitas and humor that makes “Sure Thing” a good thing.
Directed by
Michael McCallum
Written by
Michael McCallum and William C. McCallum
Director Of Photography
Kevin W. Fowler
Edited by
Jonathan Worful and Michael McCallum
Original Score
Jeff Starr
Songs by
From Big Sur, Big Willy, David John
Cast
Michael McCallum ("John"), Cassie Little ("Angela"), Denis Link ("Mr. Chapel"), Shawn Doolittle ("Stick"), Charles Dunn ("Knucklez"), Eddie Montemayor ("Street Hustler"), and Kelley Young ("Bartender").
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