SMP Reviews
 You may have heard this one before. A veteran assassin is planning on quitting after one final job but soon finds themself as a target. This is the basic premise of Time for Sunset. John is the seasoned veteran looking to get out of “the life” but a fellow assassin complicates things. We watch the cat and mouse game play out between the two, involving the loss of innocent lives, John’s wife and daughter being threatened, and a dark secret from John’s past being revealed that will change everything. Will John get out of this alive, or will his secret be his undoing?  Time For Sunset follows a very familiar formula. What helps set it apart is the performance of Don Worley as John, the sharp editing, and director Thomas Callaway’s ability to maintain a tension-filled atmosphere. The entire movie takes place in just one location, John’s hotel room, but thanks to some creative camera angles and action moments, it stays visually interesting. I really enjoyed the continual feeling of danger. Just when John is getting comfortable, a bullet flies through the window, or someone shows up in an explosive vest, or he has to deal with a possibly exploding food cart. There is also a bit of humor in an incident with a hotel “Karen”. All of these moments keep things from getting dull. Even when it is just John talking over the phone with the other assassin, Callaway manages to keep you engaged. The performance of Don Worley helps.  John is a layered character who works by a code, and you believe that thanks to Worley. He manages to play John with strength and yet sympathy. He isn’t a cold-blooded man, but you do believe he is a killer. He doesn’t ask for forgiveness, and you do not get the feeling of regret for the people he kills; you do feel the regret he has for his life choices that have now affected his family thanks to Worley’s performance. It was fun watching him switch between loving father and husband when on the phone with his family to the stern, all-business hitman under fire. Jaclyn Hales Julie also is a standout performance even though she does not get a large amount of screen time. The rest of the cast do a solid job as well.  Time for Sunset is a character-driven piece that paints the picture of a gun for hire as more than just a cold-blooded killer. The twist at the end was handled with care. I watched this a second time, and there are not many hints to the twist, but there are a few which I appreciated. While at its core, we have seen this story before, but the high production value, excellent performances, and breezy pace make this one worth a watch.
0 Comments
 From the writer of the Constantine screenplay, Frank A. Cappello, comes a new psychological thriller called The Womb. Sami, a deaf woman, is patiently waiting for her family to return after having left their home days (or longer?) ago. In the meantime, she has secured her home from a virus outside that is killing the residents of her neighborhood, leaving it a barren wasteland. While she waits, she fends off potential home invaders, rations her supplies, and buries the dead bodies that appear around her house. Has her family fallen to this malevolent force? How long can she hold out hope? What is the connection to the force outside and what Sami has inside? All of these questions and more are presented in this interesting twist on a common theme.  The Womb is a thought-provoking exploration into the effects of trauma on the human mind. Cappello managed to keep me guessing for most of the runtime. When the reality of what is going on is revealed, it still leaves things open to interpretation. While we see present-day Sami trying to survive, we are also given flashbacks to a major fateful event that happened to her as a child. The back and forth between past and present helps put the pieces in place to give a more complete picture. There is an added natural tension to the conflicts that Sami faces due to her lack of hearing. The story is intriguing, as is the performance of Cami Varela.  The Womb ©2020 Cami Varela’s Sami is an inspiring yet tragic character; inspiring to see her overcome her lack of hearing to survive the strange and deadly events happening around her neighborhood; tragic in the fact she is holding out hope for the return of her family when the audience knows that they are not coming back. Varela gives Sami layers; she has strength when needed, and compassion, but also fear. At a number of points we see that fear overtake her but her instinct to survive drives her through it. Below the surface, you can also see the underlying effects of the trauma she faced as a child. Hannah Zamora plays young Sami and she does an excellent job. Her mannerisms easily make you believe she is an actual younger version of Sami. Both actresses put their all into playing this character, and it shows.  The Womb has a number of special effects involved. For a film on a limited budget, most of the effects worked. Some of the dream scenes and a few moments of the malevolent force with the live actors looked rough, but special effects are not the main focus. The makeup effects and production design looked sharp. The majority of the movie takes place in Sami’s house which has its own character. While I would have liked the ending to be a little clearer as I found the resolution to be a bit of a head-scratcher, I understand that the filmmaker wants you to draw your own conclusions.
For an indie psychological thriller, The Womb is worth a watch. Much of the film rests on the shoulders of its main actress who does an excellent job in carrying it. I think the screenplay could have used one more revision to really tighten it up but overall, it was still an interesting tale. For fans looking for a character-driven dramatic thriller with some horror elements thrown in, then you will want to check this out.  Marlon Brando is considered by many to be one of the greatest, if not THE greatest, actors of all time. He has wowed audiences with his roles in On the Waterfront, Last Tango in Paris, and as Don Vito Corleone in The Godfather. But what about the man behind the great actor? A new movie tries to answer that question in a fun, enlightening, and even informative way. Waltzing with Brando is based on the real-life events involving an architect Bernard Judge who is hired by Marlon Brando to create the first, perfectly ecological retreat on the very remote island of Tetiaroa. We watch as the uptight Bernard adjusts to the free-spirited Marlon. Bernard grows to really believe in the project as the years pass. The challenges grow, but so does the friendship between Bernard and Marlon. We watch the strains, the ups, the downs, and the constant changes that occur while Judge tries to make Brando’s dream a reality.  Waltzing with Brando is a heartwarming, hilarious, and eye-opening window into a period of Marlon Brando’s life many may not have known about. The story focuses mainly on the dramatic hijinks between Judge and Brando, giving us a reason to appreciate Brando on a whole different level. The retreat is a real place that is still going strong today with the help of the Tetiaroa Society; something I was not even aware existed until this movie. If you are looking for some deep, dark secrets of a famous actor to be revealed, you will be disappointed. The point of this story is to show the human side, and it accomplishes that in every scene. The tone never gets really heavy, even in the most dramatic moments. This felt more like a celebration of humanity and friendship.  Bernard Judge is played by Jon Heder. It was a lot of fun seeing him transform from this uptight homebody to an all in, take-a-chance-and-make-it-happen sort of guy. Alaina Huffman plays Judge’s wife, Dana. She also puts in a top-notch, loving, and funny performance. There is a great connection between Huffman and Judge for the few scenes they are together. It is not as strong of a connection as there is with the scene-stealer Billy Zane as Brando. He truly transforms himself into the icon. You soon forget that it isn’t actually Marlon Brando on screen. At times, this feels like an authentic documentary, especially when we see Zane’s version of Brando in real TV interview clips. There are a number of famous moments presented, but they are just thrown in for a passage-of-time reference. Then there are times when it feels like a satirical comedy. The laughs come from the great chemistry between our two leads, which is the true strength of the story.  I loved the balance in tone and the even pacing of the editing. You will not look at your phone once during the 104 minute run time. You will be too busy entranced by not only the performance of the cast, which also included Richard Dreyfuss and Tia Carrera, but also learn about a lesser-known side of one of the best actors of all time. There is even a moment where film and reality collide in regards to the Tetiaroa Society. If nothing else, see it for a role that Billy Zane was born to play. Waltzing with Brando has become one of my favorite movies of the year and after you see it I think it will be for you too. For more information on the Tetiaroa Society, follow this link: https://www.tetiaroasociety.org/   Storytelling is a shared experience. A powerful story can emotionally affect the audience as much as the storyteller. A new independent dramatic horror film puts a dark spin on this concept. We’re Not Safe Here from filmmaker Solomon Gray is a story about Neeta who is dealing with her own personal issues as well as the disappearance of her friend Rachel. One night, Rachel shows up on Neeta’s doorstep, driven to tell Neeta a dark story she needed to get off her chest. As the night goes on and the tale gets more involved, the two start experiencing feelings of being watched, hearing odd sounds, and more. Neeta is driven to find out the truth behind Rachel’s story and uncovers a deep secret that will have a major impact on both women.  We’re Not Safe Here is a slow but steady supernatural thriller that explores the themes of shared trauma and the power of a story. Solomon Gray takes an old-school approach with the scares. We get creaking doors and movements out of the corner of the eye. There are also a number of times the audience is watching through the eyes of a mysterious stalker. All you hear is a raspy breathing during these moments, making things uncomfortable and creepy. The sound design is front and center throughout the movie. Not only does it maintain a creepy and uneasy atmosphere, but it is almost like another complete character.  With a character-driven story like We’re Not Safe Here, you need strong leads; Neeta and Rachel definitely fit the bill. Neeta is played by Sharmita Bhattacharya with depth and strength. She really makes you feel for her situation in her drive to find the truth in Rachel’s story. You also sense that she truly cares for Rachel, even as she starts to suspect that Rachel may have an ulterior motive. Hayley McFarland plays Rachel, and sells the idea that something has her truly scared, emoting fear in her facial expressions and body language. We are given glimpses of what might be terrifying her, but Gray leaves the details up for interpretation. I loved the dynamic between these two and their relationship is the moving force of the story.  There are brutal scenes that are visually and emotionally intense, especially the opening sequence. You will never see a pillowcase in quite the same way again. The makeup effects and use of blood are effective and efficient for a film of this budget. The cinematography also stood out. One of my favorite scenes involved shots of a foggy street, which helped set up the creepy atmosphere. Further adding to that was a shot of a shadow against the outside of a house that looked like a very scary claw following Neeta.
A high production value, combined with sharp direction, solid performances, and pitch-perfect sound design all help make We’re Not Safe Here the ideal movie for those who like supernatural horror mysteries. Solomon Gray's talent as a storyteller is as strong as Rachel’s, and I look forward to seeing what Gray will come up with next.  Bob Lindenmayer and Barry Bostwick ©2025 Making Megaforce The concept of fandom has evolved over the years, and today there is a fan group for just about everything. I personally love films that may not have been widely acclaimed by the masses but are great to me. One such film is Megaforce, which I have adored since I first saw it as a kid. That is why the new documentary Making Megaforce from Director Bob Lindenmayer has me smiling. Not only is this a love letter and deep dive into the making of the under-appreciated Megaforce from 1982, but it also shows the power a movie can have on an individual.  Bob Lindenmayer and Barry Bostwick ©2025 Making Megaforce Over the course of the ninety-seven minute runtime we are introduced to Bob Lindenmayer and his deep love for this obscure action-adventure film that, as many whom Bob interviews state, have forgotten existed. I haven’t forgotten it, so hearing the anecdotes from those who were directly involved in making the film filled me with joy. Not only because I was learning about what went on behind the scenes, but because the honesty of everyone Bob talks to was refreshing. We meet producers, stunt people, assistant directors, and more who talked about the challenges, triumphs, and danger they faced while making the movie. One thing that is interesting to witness is the smile that comes across every interviewee’s face as they talk about their experiences. I laughed every time one of them asked, “Why do you want to talk about Megaforce?”. We find out why as the documentary goes along.  Bob Lindenmayer and Barry Bostwick ©2025 Making Megaforce We witness a friendship between Lindenmayer and Barry Bostwick, Ace Hunter himself, develop. This friendship is the heart of the documentary, just as much as the love Bob has for Megaforce. Barry’s comedy shines, just like the glint in his eye as he remembers his personal experiences. We also get a portrait of how Director Hal Needham handled the making of Megaforce. It seemed to be as much of a wild west show behind the camera as it was in front of it. I learned a number of things while watching this documentary that squashed some misconceptions in the best way. If you have seen Megaforce, then you know the vehicles are a major part of the movie, so it only makes sense they are also featured prominently.  Bob Lindenmayer and Barry Bostwick ©2025 Making Megaforce I did not realize just how many full-scale vehicles were used in the film and how many still exist. We follow Bob on a number of trips as he seeks out the on-screen vehicles. Some are in wonderful shape, and others require a lot of love, but Bob’s drive to live out a dream does not deter him. The best parts of documentaries are when you get those unexpected moments that are a surprise even to the documentarian. Making Megaforce also has a double meaning: not only does it cover the making of the movie, but it is also Bob’s journey to create his own Megaforce short with the collection he has made over the years.
The energy and love that is featured here is a prime example of true fandom. Director Bob Lindenmayer manages to craft a heartwarming, humorous, and sharply executed documentary. Seeing him bring together so many people who share an appreciation for a film that was underappreciated is something special. Sometimes, toxic fandom can dominate social media and turn people away. Making Megaforce brings some polish back to the term 'fan' and presents a fun and welcoming atmosphere. I think it is a documentary that can be enjoyed by anyone who deeply loves a movie, book, band, etc. While Bob’s quest may seem crazy to some, to others it will seem like a completely wonderful idea that will uplift and motivate. 5 out of 5 Stubs.  Some adults spend their entire lives trying to figure out their mission in life. In the latest animated film from Isamu Imakake, two junior high students must literally go through hell to figure this out. In Dragon Heart: Adventures Beyond This World Ryusuke decides to spend the summer at his aunt’s house where he reunites with his cousin Tomomi. While on an outing to the Anabuki River, Tomomi falls into the river. Ryusake tries to save his cousin, and both end up dead. In the afterworld, the two meet a dragon as well as an old man who states they have a chance to make it back to the living. This chance is earned by them exploring the spirit world to discover their mission in life. Can the two venture through the various levels of hell and more to figure out their mission, or will they become permanent residents of the afterlife?  Dragon Heart: Adventures Beyond This World is a deep, heartfelt, and thought-provoking story that is beautifully animated and sharply directed. There were a number of surprising aspects to the screenplay. It is not often we see children going through various hellish worlds that involve mature sins. Our duo go from a world filled with people who are killers to a hospital filled with deadly, unethical staff with chainsaws to human traffickers, to name a few. The two are in constant peril for most of the runtime, maintaining an atmosphere of high tension for the audience. They even address the sin of lust, but it is handled tastefully. The art direction was fantastic. Each level of hell had its own unique look, as did the contrasting worlds of the Shambhala temple and Peachtree land. I particularly love the design of the various gods Ryusake and Tomomi run across. The dragon that is their ride through the spirit world also had personality, even though it never said a word.  When it comes to foreign movies, I try to watch them with the original audio with subtitles. This version was dubbed, and dubbed well. The voice acting of Zach Aguilar as Ryusuke and Ren Holly Liu as Tomomi felt very fitting for the characters and conveyed the emotions effectively. I particularly enjoyed Brook Chalmers as King Enma, a character who helped add some humor to a serious story. The score to the movie was beautiful, while the vocal songs were spot-on.  I love animated films that are made for both adults and children, and Dragon Heart: Adventures Beyond This World fits the bill. It is very on-the-nose with the religious aspects near the end, which may turn some people off, but I think the main message of the film is important. The story does not talk down to kids, trusting they will understand what it is trying to say while maybe scaring them a bit. Taking everything into account, I would not recommend the film for those younger than eleven. If you enjoy animated films with a message and great artwork,then this is definitely a film for you.
 Bokshi ©Lorien_Motion_Pictures One of the things I enjoy about international horror films is the different approach and perspective of the stories as compared to western horror. Many are influenced by religious stories or mythology, yet still work in modern day cultural topics. A prime example is the new fantasy horror film called Bokshi, which premiered at the International Film Festival Rotterdam this week. Bokshi is a story about a teen named Anhita who is dealing with PTSD after suffering a brutal event that included the disappearance of her mother. To make matters worse, she is continually bullied for being the “weird one” and is haunted by terrible dreams. After transferring to a boarding school, Anhita meets Shalini, her history teacher, who seems to understand Anhita and becomes her ally. When on a school field trip to a prehistoric site, Anhita not only confronts her past but also realizes her true horrific destiny.  Bokshi ©Lorien_Motion_Pictures Bokshi is a dark and emotional roller coaster ride with an ending you will not be prepared for. Director Bharga Saiki weaves together an engrossing story with the threads of coming of age, trauma, female liberation, human mistreatment of the Earth, mythology and horror. Saiki builds up a creepy atmosphere around Anhita in such a way where a flickering light can make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. I was so into the story that the extensive runtime just flew by. There are certain points where stylized and disturbing animation is skillfully used to present the mythology. All of these elements are used to effectively pull Anhita, and the audience, further into the darkness.  Bokshi ©Lorien_Motion_Pictures When we first meet Anhita, she is a shy, troubled teen who has an embarrassing condition due to her trauma. She has a dad who tries to be sympathetic and a grandmother who is far less understanding. Anhita is played by Prasanna Bisht. She immediately makes you feel for her character with her performance. She plays this part perfectly. It is also interesting to see how she changes over the course of the film. It is not an immediate change but Bisht does subtle movements or changes with her hair and demeanor to help to convey the changes she is going through. My other favorite performance is from Mansi Multani who plays the teacher Shalini. Shalini is the exact opposite of Anhita. She is a strong, confident and at times a scary character. Multani and Bisht make you feel the strong bond between these two characters. I loved the interaction between them as Shalini helps Anhita gain confidence, deal with her trauma and teach her about her true self. Dagi Ngomdir is Rebecca, a student who befriends Anhita. There is an attraction between the two that is briefly explored. There is also an interesting turn they take with Rebecca that was unexpected but refreshing.  Bokshi ©Lorien_Motion_Pictures When a story is named Bokshi, meaning “witch” in the Nepali language, you know there will be magic involved and you get plenty of it. I loved how it is portrayed here. Rather than using a lot of visual CGI effects, practical effects are used in combination with sharp editing and excellent performances. Like Anhita, we are pulled into this world of magic, gradually, allowing time to understand what is happening before hitting us with a bigger demonstration. By the last act you are full on board with whatever you witness. In the last fifteen minutes, everything gets dialed up to eleven. A number of scenes made me exclaim “Oh Damn!”. It is an excellent payoff for the journey.
Bokshi is not only an excellently crafted horror tale but its themes are relevant to all cultures around the world. It is a prime example of how horror can be a very effective tool to get your message across. If you are a fan of films like The Witch and Susperia, I think you will enjoy Bokshi. I think it will be in my top five horror films of 2025 by the end of the year.  The subject of the paranormal, being able see ghosts, and similar encounters from the beyond tend to be dismissed as hoaxes or mental illness. A new documentary called It’s Coming may help change that stigma. Director Shannon Alexander brings the story of Ashley Roland-White, a day-trader and mom of five who has been haunted by malevolent spirits since she was eleven. Fear of being considered unstable or accused of making things up has kept Ashley from talking to anyone except her closest family members about the subject. When her children started talking about seeing spirits, Ashley decided to make her supernatural experiences public in the hopes of ridding the spirits from her life and protecting her children.  In the world of found footage and reality TV, it would be easy to say this documentary is fictional. Alexander manages to present this story through a sympathetic and understanding lens. Through interviews with Ashely and her children, we get a sense of authenticity from the family who genuinely believe they are haunted. Further solidifying that there is something truly supernatural going on with the family, there are moments during filming that are unexplained. A boom mic lunging at Ashley, odd behaviors of the electronics the filmmakers are using, and even the appearance of something on a piece of detection equipment. The creepiness of the situation really comes through when the children are interviewed. Javier is the seven year old who seems to have the strongest connection to the main entity. His matter of fact descriptions of the existence of “Mr. Kitty” when he talks about it feels like more than just a kid's imagination. All of the children mention their experiences with honesty. Everyone believes what they are seeing.  A number of expert mediums are brought in during the investigation to try and help the family. These people are also presented with seriousness. Whether it is a medium who tries to do a cleansing but appears to have failed to a psychic who helps Ashley communicate with the spirits to the Christian couple who bring in equipment to detect the entities. The same couple also try to help cleanse the home through the power of faith. No hidden agenda or statement about the legitimacy is made about any of these individuals. The audience are just observers of this sliver of his family’s life.  It’s Coming is not necessarily trying to change the audience’s mind that the paranormal exists so much as show how much this family believes in it. How this belief in the haunting has continued to affect their personal lives and what they do to still try to lead normal lives. There is a constant creepy atmosphere given to everything thanks to the sharp editing that keeps the story compelling. If you are into the paranormal or looking for a decent horror themed documentary, you will want to check out It’s Coming.
It’s Coming comes to digital in the US November 8, 2024 and everywhere November 11, 2024.  ©2024 Epic Pictures Group A home is supposed to be a place where you feel safe and secure. But what if someone breaks into your home and decides to live there without you knowing? This is the subject of a new film from Director Jill Gevargizian. Ghost Game is about Laura who, along with a partner, participates in an internet challenge called Ghost Game. The challenge requires you to break into someone’s home and live inside the home, undetected by its current occupants for as long as possible. After Laura’s boyfriend, Vin, discovers what Laura has been doing, she reluctantly agrees to take him along on her next challenge attempt. The two break into a famous haunted manor called Halton House, where a new family has just moved in. After the couple successfully enter the house, they realize they may not be the only ones haunting the halls. While staying there, they begin to uncover the dark secrets held within the walls of the house as the family slowly unravels into chaos. When things turn deadly and the couple find themselves no longer playing a game but fighting for their lives.  ©2024 Epic Pictures Group Ghost Game is a dark, unnerving, multilayered film that explores the extremes that people will go to for thrills and notoriety. The idea of someone breaking into your home as part of an internet prank is not out of the realm of possibility in today's culture, making it an effective scare tool. When we are first introduced to Laura, we see her in the middle of a Ghost Game which doesn’t leave a great impression of her with the audience or her boyfriend Vin when he discovers what she has been doing. Add in Laura’s shady partner and you have a tension filled dynamic that adds an interesting layer to a straight-forward premise. Another layer to the story is the family who has moved into the house. They have their own history of challenges. The husband is a struggling author who has a troubled past and who seems to have trouble dealing with the autistic daughter of his wife. We witness the family unraveling through the eyes of our home invaders. Vin is the most sympathetic to the family, while Laura and her partner decide it is none of their business. There is one more layer which involves a surprise twist which I don’t want to spoil.  ©2024 Epic Pictures Group The cast of Ghost Game brings their A-game. Kia Dorsey’s Laura is a character that is torn between keeping the man she cares for and giving into the thrill of the game. There is a scene early on where she gets very upset and accuses Vin of spying on her when he comes across the video of her playing the Ghost Game. It is hard to tell if she is actually upset that Vin had found the video or if reality sets in at that moment about how wrong it is to play the game. Dorsey’s performance helps sell this inner conflict. Vaen Haidar plays Vin and has a great connection with Dorsey. Laura and Vin feel like a real couple. You can also feel Vin’s consistent reluctance to playing the game but also wanting to be with Laura. Then there is Sam Lukowski’s character. This is a creepy guy who enjoys sharing the experience of the Ghost Game with Laura. I appreciated that there did not seem to be a romantic element to their relationship but more of a partners-in-crime aspect. Michael C Williams as the father of the family was one of the scarier characters. You will not like this guy. Emily Bennett makes the most of her screen time and is a very sympathetic character. She had great chemistry with Vienna Maas who puts in a great performance as her daughter.  ©2024 Epic Pictures Group While I enjoyed Ghost Game it did feel like it was missing a bit of the edge that was in The Stylist, Jill Gevargizian’s first feature. She did not write the script for Ghost Game so that may have been part of it. I think this is another solid feature from Gervargizian, demonstrating that she is a director to keep your eye on. You should also keep your eye out for Ghost Game which will get a limited theatrical run beginning October 18, 2024 and on October 22, 2024 the film will be available to rent or purchase on video-on-demand (VOD). It is a well crafted thriller that has a few surprises and enough spooky season fun to make it worth a watch.
The Shade, directed by Tyler Chipman, tells the story of a twenty-year-old who is finding it hard to keep his family together after the traumatic death of his father. Ryan juggles trying to have a normal social life while taking care of his little brother when his mother is working. Ryan also suffers from anxiety which he fights to keep in check. When his older brother Jason comes home for a surprise visit mid semester, things get more complicated. Jason seems to be in a very dark place mentally. While Ryan tries to understand what is going on with Jason, he starts seeing a grotesque figure in the shadows that appears to be stalking him. Ryan soon finds himself trying to protect his younger brother from this creature - but is the creature real or is there something deeper and scarier going on?  The Shade is an unnerving slow burn horror film that doesn’t go for the immediate scares. It is more atmospheric in its horror, building the tension like a slow descent into madness. The figure Ryan sees stays in the shadows or dimly lit hallways for most part, there only a couple of moments where we see it in all its grotesque glory, and it is disturbing. The creature is there for more than just shock value, it is a representation of the mental illness that runs in the family. When Jason arrives at home, depression seems to have already overtaken him. While it is not directly addressed, you get the idea that he has already been having visions of this creature. Then Ryan starts to see the creature and we can see his behavior start to change, though he seems to be fighting it better than his older brother. His youngest brother James seems to be the one least affected by everything that is going on. It was interesting to see these three different stages. All of them are conveyed effectively by the performance of our lead.  Chris Galust is fantastic as Ryan. You feel his struggles as he tries to juggle all the different aspects of being a twenty-something while also managing the household. His anxiety attacks were not over acted and the various emotions he goes through felt authentic. Jason is played by Dylan McTee who also puts in a very grounded performance. You can tell he is fighting his inner feelings of depression and grief. There is something going on underneath the surface that he is reluctant to tell anyone about. Instead, it begins to overtake him. Sam Duncan does a great job as James. He seemed like a normal kid who cares for his older brothers and has a hard time understanding what is going on with them. The dynamic between these three made it seem like they were true brothers. Their relationship is the real heart of the story.  There are not a lot of special effects in The Shade, but the effects used are very effective. I loved the makeup on the creature. It is a very shocking image when we get the full reveal. The lightning used added to the characters overall scariness and it will definitely make your skin crawl. There are a number of other mysterious figures that show up that look like dark priests. The design of their look made them very foreboding. They show up sparingly, which I appreciated.
Mental Illness is not something new to horror. The Shade manages to present it in a unique way.There were a few surprises and its final image scene is definitely one I won’t forget anytime soon. While it leans a little more into the drama aspect than the horror, there are still plenty of hair raising moments. Add to that a solid, talented cast, and I think it is worth a watch. |
AuthorI have been reviewing films since high school. I love discussing films with those who share my passion for them. I also do video reviews on YouTube and on my podcast. Archives
October 2025
Categories
|
RSS Feed