In the Shadow

taking chances
In the Shadow is a film you'd enjoy putting on without knowing very much about at all. I watched it without knowing anything about it, and I think that was to my benefit. The pacing was great, scenery & cinematography just lovely, and I was pleasantly surprised at the amount of character development that transpired considering the subject matter.

Honestly, I was left thinking about this movie after I had turned it off, which I think is genuinely rare. The subject matter is quite thrilling, but in the hands of other filmmakers, could have ended up being just another dumbed down, cheap thrill. It's a thought provoking movie with a solid performance by Jorge Sermini. Very moody, capturing some really cool moments & with some actual character/atmosphere about it... unlike a lot of debut films.

For someone looking to roll the dice on a smaller project or just a thriller in general - go for it.

Extremely Worthy Indy
The genre of horror is one often overlooked by film buffs. Too often the horror film succumbs to cheesey formula, blood, and gore while a few airhead teen characters die in the process. This film takes the best of film's attributes, and the sensationalist visuals of horror, and places it in a story that is lyrical, explorative, and subtly questioning of important political issues of identity between North America and Puerto Rico.

Set on the Caribbean island of Culebra, Puerto Rico, the film catches the psychological terror one healer experiences as he acts against Mother Nature's wishes, and brings people back from near death, or death entirely. The cinematography goes from the minute to the magnified, closeups to expanse wide shots that span for hundreds of miles. The flow and presence of water as a crucial element of island living plays both a part in the "real" world of Diego, the lead character, but in his dreams about his young daughter, and during the terror he...

Exelent Art House Film
If you are looking for a psychological horror/ drama film this is a great example of what is true indie film making. It take place in Culebra, Puerto Rico. It is beautifully shot and well acted. It has a great roll for Danny Trejo too, not one of his usual characters. Directed by Nicole Elmer. It is a heady film but it will be worth your time if you are into Art House Cinema.

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