Cropsey (2009)

Two filmmakers, Joshua Zeman and Barbara Brancaccio, who grew up on Staten Island investigate the legend of Cropsey, a boogeyman whose name parents would invoke to scare their children into staying safe or following rules.  "Hey don't go playing in the vacant lot or Cropsey might get you."

As Joshua and Barbara investigate the legend, they focus on convicted child killer Andre Rand who seems to be a living embodiment of the Cropsey legend, although not the originator.

Rand was convicted of the murder of a child whose body was found near his campsite.  He was homeless and appears to be mentally ill.  Other child disappearances in the area were attributted to him, since he lived near where they disappeared or people thought they had seen him with the missing kids.

Everyone believes Rand is guilty. Yet there is no concrete proof via forensic evidence or witnesses to the abductions or murders. The area Rand camped and lived on was an old aslyum where they had released patients when the doors closed, some of whom stayed in the area.  Rand was a worker there, but not a patient.  However he seems to have some serious mental issues

The filmmakers begin corresponding with Rand.  This leads to talks on the phone and eventually a promise to speak to them in person if they visit. But after a long drive to the prison, Rand refuses to talk to them.

The film centers around the filmmakers search for answers to the local legend. They both grew up in the area and have personal recollections of the time of the kidnappings and murders.  They try to be sensitve to victims, but it starts to weigh heavily on them.  They are also worried about the possibility of opening up old wounds for the victims families.

While I liked the movie, it did not live up to my expectations based on how great I'd heard it was.  The problem is that it is mostly about the filmmakers own journey - they are in front of the camera a lot -  with less emphasis on the details of the case.  I don't need to know the details of the crimes. But I would have liked to hear basic information on the case and the evidence that lead to Rands conviction.  The case was circumstantial and there are questions as to whether Cropsey was a convenient scapegoat used to help quell the fear in the neighborhood.  Consequently the film ends and I'm left knowing almost nothing more about the case than when I started. However, even with this limitation, it's still a well done and interesting film.