The buzz around the Backlot Film Festival was that a surprise independent - "Train Master" - was the film to catch.
In fact, Phil Bransom - a film producer who hails from Oregon - crafted a charming independent that touches the heart and is a must-see.
In fact, one woman at the question & answer period was inclined to note with elation:
"It was so refreshing to sit back and watch an entertaining movie without any bad language or inappropriate material."
Disney would be envious!
In the first engaging scenes - the audience is quickly introduced to a cast of likable characters - an experienced train "master" in charge of a quaint rail line in the Pacific Northwest, his young grandchildren and a smattering of their friends, and a few unpretentious townsfolk who charm by virtue of their down-to-earth nature.
A young entrepreneur (the rogue of the film) schemes to snap up the old railroad for a song, turn it around, and generate big bucks in the process.
But, after retiring the engineer (a seasoned pro) and introducing innovations that fail miserably, it is soon evident his vision was ill-conceived.
During a mishap, one of the ailing locomotives fires up and starts barreling down a stretch of the worn old tracks, with a small posse of startled kids on board the runaway train.
Now, the excitement begins, as the townsfolk rally together to prevent a tragedy.
The script is intelligent and well-written.
Astoundingly, for the first-time out, Mr. Bransom's directing is relatively seamless, too.
In fact, as the story unfolds, the audience is immediately swept up into the drama as it beautifully plays out on the wide adventure-filled screen.
In particular, I was impressed with the soundtrack, which buttressed a handful of the scenes when an emotional lift was oft needed.
Indeed, at times it appeared that at inspired moments during the course of the film, a chorus of Angels was serenading in the background.
Simply joyous!
For a couple of magical moments, I was transported back in time, when scenes of the young ones playing with toy trains in their grandpa's garage lit up the screen.
Understandably.
My Uncle Gordon (who resided on Nairn Street) set up a train set in his rustic attic, replete with a track that snaked through a make-believe town dotted with lakes & mountains that ran wild with animals.As one character noted in the film:
"I've never known a boy to play with trains to turn out bad."
I guess that's true. Look at me!
Mr. Bransom has done alright for himself, too.
The film has won a handful of festival awards which include those garnered at the Backlot Film Festival, the Fairhope Film Festival, the Big Island Film Festival, and KIDS FIRST.
In fact, you may be able to catch a screening of the "Train Master" in this year's upcoming travelling KIDS FIRST Film Festival.
http://www.kidsfirst.org/filmfestival
Now in its ninth year, the Festival is a showcase for new and classic children's films, TV shows, and DVDs from studios, independent producers and youth producers.
The festival is a traveling year-round festival that partners with more than 100 venues nationwide and acts as their off-site curator.
Unique to the festival circuit, youths are given a true voice - as curators of the Festival, as panelists critiquing films at the festival, as volunteer staff, and as filmmakers and videographers showing their work.
One astute film enthusiast quipped:
"Celebrities & paparazzi have Sundance and Cannes, but kids & families have the KIDS FIRST Film Festival."
In 2007, almost one-third of the films accepted were from youth producers.
In spite of the odds, Mr. Bransom was one of the lucky adults to charm the tots with his own brand of engaging family entertainment.
Why not?
Train Master is a gem that will warm the cockles of your heart.
Director Phil Bransom pictured at center
