THIS blog entry is long overdue. Each day, I was meaning to get this over and done with—but like a rabid procrastinator, I always delay it, without meaning to. But here it is now… Things do work out.

IT WAS a random invite—to go check out “Scapegoat,” a debut effort by local filmmaker David Saich—in downtown Asheville’s Fine Arts Theater. Yes, it was free. “Free” is kind of scary. It meant, I needed to be nice—otherwise, if I don’t conform to neighborly niceness, then I’d be labeled an inconsiderate asshole. Imagine, how many friends I lost (and future freebies and guest-list passes that got out of my hand), just because I was blatantly, dastardly honest?

But then, I am known to be “un-nice” critic more than I’m recognized as a sweet dude, so… Besides, an hour or so in a dark room with strangers is still strange to me at this juncture. In the past few years (since moving back to the mountains from Los Angeles), I’ve been some sort of anti-social. So you get the drift, right? I do enjoy my reclusiveness, so if you dare pull me out of my shell, you gotta pay the consequences. You see, Netflix is still the handiest handle for me these days. If I really desire to let go off a few dollars for a big theater movie—it’s got to be huge. The last Fine Arts film that I saw was the excellent historical drama, “The Last Station,” and that was some cool bother.

So did “Scapegoat” come near “The Last Station’s” five-star rating? Of course not!

Anyhow, the life of my cream cheese popcorn and Amstel on my jittery, fidgety hands is only good for 15 minutes, max. Yet, I kept glued. Which means—I must concede, you ought to watch this little cinematic swig from the dude in the `hood.

THE first few frames of the movie bothered me a bit. I wasn’t sure if it’s the theater’s system or it was the film’s aesthetics. Camera work and lightning were distractive, or the editing was a tad unimaginative… And although, the audience’s impulsive reflex to each frame was largely inspiring—as in: “Oh my, that is my boy right there! Look at that, he’s so cute!!!” these can be annoying when overdone. (Enough already! I yelled within me). But then, what the hell—it’s a local movie shown in a local moviehouse, anyhow. It’s okay. Grandma and grandpa were watching…

I must say, despite its fundamental flaws, "Scapegoat" is still a compelling movie. However, I couldn't help whine: Some creativity in scene/shots selection would have been cool. Why not a chase scene right on the middle of a Friday drum circle at Pritchard Park or a clandestine chat at The Basilica in downtown or at Pack Library, or maybe at Tressa’s bar? I mean, this is Asheville, after all—why not involved the local geography, huh? Then, I could’ve also chuckled or exclaimed: “Oh my, that’s exactly where I sit on a Saturday afternoon! That’s my spot right there!”

However, sans my smartass rambling, I must admit that “Scapegoat” is still the best and most promising little locally-made movie that I’ve seen in years. The script is tightly-knit, and the acting—especially Daniel Clancy, as Charles Duncan, a white-collar worker—who found himself in trouble and had to reluctantly accede to John Capra’s (Ben Puckett) services. At least, he deserves a guest spot in a “Law and Order” episode.

The movie’s storyline despite a few circuitous turns and melodramatic takes still merits a major studio attention: About a man, Capra, who specializes in manipulating evidence and will even take the fall for whatever crime you’ve committed—for a fee… well, you got it figured out. This same deliciously convoluted premise is what makes a Hollywood crime caper work. Throw in a stubbled, sleep-deprived and harassed but eerily confident Ethan Hawke or Sam Rockwell (sorry, Mr Puckett) on the title role—plus a few steamy sex scenes, 10-minute car chase down Patton Av to Smoke Park Hwy, and computer-generated shootaround—then you got an economically-viable movie in the works. For one, that climactic shootout scene could have been staged better… but then, I digress.

Yes, this is not Hollywood. This is local indie movie… so I should lay off my Hollywood/Netflix fixations? Yes, maybe I should. But it all depends on whether Saich’s goal is just to make his local friend-actors’ families elated that they see their brood on big screen other than URTV or WLOS-ABC 13. Or, if he plans to elevate his promising work beyond Blue Ridge Mountains’ confines—I must say, go for it. Take “Scapegoat” out of the mountains and show it in bigger cities. It is a fairly credible enough pass to filmmaking respectability. All Saich requires is a few millions more and Ethan Hawke, then he’s on his way.