#fromtheshadows

[fearsmagazine]

FROM THE SHADOWS - Review

DISTRIBUTOR: Stonecutter Media

SYNOPSIS: Enigmatic leader of the Hidden Wisdom cult, Dr. Joseph Cawl , and eighteen of his followers die in a suspicious fire. Five young survivors, suspected of igniting the blaze, reach out to paranormal researcher Amara Rowan in hopes of uncovering the real cause of the blaze. When they expose the truth behind the disappearance of Cawl’s partner, Dr. Leonard Bertram, they become the target of a deranged killer who is dead set on terminating them all.

REVIEW: FROM THE SHADOWS mixes smartphone footage, computer conference footage and traditional cinematic narrative to present a tale of spiritual academics who unleash an ancient power that threatens to destroy things. It’s an awkward mix of narrative and visual styles that becomes a bit confusing and is more of a classic b-movie horror tale.

There’s nothing new to the plot, I’ve seen one version or another of it over the years regardless of the visual style. The story doesn’t capture many of the more current genre themes. Survivors are taken out one by one, and as it is whittled down to the core few mysteries are revealed. At their university library location Amara and her colleague are under attack by phantom creatures. As he tries to assist her and the folks on the computer he endeavors to keep them from getting in. The story is slow paced due to a lot of talking heads grinding exposition out. Much of it is explaining what is going on for what is supposedly the audience’s benefit.There are “ancient” images, V-Tech, that tap into this mystical power, which was the cause of the fire and unleash these spirits. AT one point one of the characters brings in a Native American element to the story. Some of the dialogue is a bit rough, such as “this is a scary situation and we need to figure this out together.” There is nothing that makes these characters stand out and I couldn’t find a hook for my emotions or any empathy for them.

The film’s production values are utilitarian. Talking heads and sequences that feel like late night infomercials, cut together with Amara and her assistant doing things and looking at screens.. As such, the film frequently flips between aspect ratios to accommodate the formats. They play with a variety of formats sometimes it doesn't make sense, especially for the horror sequences where characters are just yelling at screens. Many of the locations are adequate, some look like computer backgrounds and there is a sequence with Doctor Dré that appears to be thrown together on short notice, his wardrobe looks like what he walked in wearing. The visual effects were okay, looking like 90’s computer game animation, especially the shadow people. The physical effects and creature designs by Vincent J. Guastini are interesting and thought it could have been shot more effectively. At one point in the film they ask Amara to focus on a series of images. Of all the different artistic styles and artists, even computer generated images, these didn’t have any gravitas.

I appreciated the sound design and enjoyed the score by composer Alan Howarth. The score covers a lot of the film, the driving force of the film’s atmosphere. The two work in tandem to enhance the film’s scares.

The film is carried by the acting talents of Keith David, Bruce Davison and Selena Anduze. The rest of the cast comes across as a collection of horror character cliches waiting to be murdered. They spend most of the time creating a limited number of facial expressions in an attempt to hold the audience’s interest.

FROM THE SHADOWS feels like an old school horror film bogged down by an attempt to be clever by adapting it for new technologies. As they are not hard fast with their use of the technology format, it might have added a bit more energy if they shot some more traditional styles for the other characters. The film is definitely a better film than many of the genre submissions I review for the festivals, it did take me a few views to get through.

CAST: Keith David, Bruce Davison, Selena Anduze, Jim Thalman, Claire Mack, Ester Tania, Ian Whitt, Ed Lover, Doctor Dré, and T-Money. CREW: Director/Screenplay - Mike Sargent; Screenplay/Producer - Michael Kuciak; Producers - Michael Alden, Stacia Fernandez, Ian Holt, & Tom Polum; Cinematographer - David Landau; Score - Alan Howarth; Editor - Ryan Kelly; Production Designer - Alanis Jarlson; Special Effects Makeup - Vincent J. Guastini; Sound Designer - Cece Hall OFFICIAL: fromtheshadowsfilm.com FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/FilmFTS TWITTER: N.A. TRAILER: https://youtu.be/2w2EFQNnYpE?si=wn3poWc4gQ4ypBrg RELEASE DATE: Premiere in LA Sept 19th & in Theaters Sept 22nd, 2023

**Until we can all head back into the theaters our “COVID Reel Value” will be similar to how you rate a film on digital platforms - 👍 (Like), 👌 (It’s just okay), or 👎 (Dislike)

Reviewed by Joseph B Mauceri

[violentnonretirement]

“One day, you will be face to face with whatever saw fit to let you exist in the universe, and you will have to justify the space you’ve filled.”

Raw | Accepting

“Nothing saw fit to allow me to exist. I carved out my place.”

“It tried to get rid of me- and it failed. The only thing this world will ever get from me now is vengeance.”

[urbanlitmag16-blog]

@harlequinbooks @hqnbooks @_mira_books_ Check out my new book purchases!!! #fromtheshadows by @b.j.daniels #findingyouagain by @debbiemacomber #theperfectmurder by @katmartinauthor #wrongalibi by @christinadoddbooks #murder #mystery #romance #secrets #suspense #entertaining #engaging #bestsellingauthors #newbooks #newreleases #mustreadbooks #recommended #bookblogger #reviewer #Amazon #goodreadschallenge2022 https://www.instagram.com/p/ChaTS2bLRs4/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[authorljbradley]

From the Shadows

“It feels different with you,” he said when his eyes came back to hers.

Affection rushed through her, and she shifted on his lap to face him more fully. She took in his deep brown eyes, his thick brows and lashes. She stroked her fingertips down his temple and trailed them over his jaw. Her mouth met his again, and she kissed him, letting her lips linger when she asked, “A good kind of different?”

He clasped her face and pulled back to look her over. “What do you think?”

Evie saw the humour in his eyes and bit back a smile. “A very good kind of different?”

Luke growled, and without warning dumped her on her back on the couch, leaning over her to place a rough kiss on her throat.

(Excerpt from my current novel, out soon)

[corriethorne]

All stories have three sides, this, that and the truth. Your convictions and unwillingness to look deeper may cost your heart more than it will want to bare when the narrator of the story changes the storyline again. Curiosity frees the mind of a limited believe. Curiosity is liberating! #lookbeyond #deeper #selfactualization #selfactualizationcoaching #thisthatandthetruth #curiosity #fromtheshadows #shadowwork #morethanexistingwithcorriethorne (at Corrie Thorne - The Spiritual Healer) https://www.instagram.com/p/CK4onnWjzro/?igshid=xch6jri0fhnx

[orlok666]

Yet from those flames no light, But rather darkness visible. -John Milton #paradiselost #johnmilton #milton #blackflame #fromtheshadows #darknessvisible #exu

[sithshadow]

Starter Call!  I might message about plots if that’s alright? I haven’t actually used tumblr since the chat system was introduced--so you could consider me REALLY new to this whole thing. Regardless--starter call!! 

[holt5-blog]

Going for a bit of a classic earthy villainous type here. Hand-drawn and given some color/lighting work with the tablet. Also, hope you're doing well! Lots of crazy stuff going on, but it doesn't help to be stuck in a funk over it. . . . . . . #art #artwork #drawing #mixedmedia #mixedmediaartist #rat #anthrorat #ratcharacter #villain #fromtheshadows #fromthedark #anthro #anthroart #anthroartist #furryart #scrawny #stylizedart #pencilart #tabletart #dirtyrat #peering #cautious

[zovertang]

🌟 We will meet any printing requirement! 🖨 At Zovertang we supply all printing accessories such as Card Holders, Lanyards, Ribbons, Inks, Cards and all other consumable parts such as printheads. We also supply Industrial and Desktop Card and Label Printers. If you have any requirements, please do not hesitate to contact us or check out our store. E: sales@zovertang.co.uk T: 0333 577 9983 W: www.zovertang.co.uk #printing requirements #printing #custom #cardprinter #label printer #3dprinter #repair #service #maintenance #fromtheshadows #2020 #istheyear (at Kingston upon Hull) https://www.instagram.com/p/B5JAVo8lQ73/?igshid=vzkr58jebdru

[jvs86]

We all need a bit of mystery in our lives! #fromtheshadows #blackandwhite #shadows #gay #gayboy #instagay #instagayboys #instagayboylife #selfie #snapseed #playingintheshadows #mystery (bij Deurne, Belgium) https://www.instagram.com/p/B1k88Z9CBi9/?igshid=15cni63o5b5b4

[books-are-my-escape]

#currentlyreading #neilwhite #fromtheshadows #read #books #mystery https://www.instagram.com/p/BtPXB1wArC2a-NREqdjCwH0Kka8uw5lIkfVVno0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=ljqbc38k22ff

[torihime]

#BunnyReaper signing off for tonight! Catch you tomorrow, #Katsucon! #Bunnysuit #reaper #overwatchreaper #bunnywatch #diediedie #cosplaygirl #cosplayfemale #cosplay #bunnysuitcosplay #overwatch #overwatchcosplay #fromtheshadows (at Katsucon)

[faster-than-a-bullet]

@fromtheshadow

They had just let him out of the medical wing by himself for the first time since he had been brought here. He could have gone anywhere in the base. Doctor Ziegler had even told him there was a small courtyard he could visit to get some fresh air and that they would come find him once they needed him. Instead, he found himself in the training room throwing himself at the training bots.

His new body was strange and he felt that no amount of time would change that. The thought only fueled his constantly simmering anger and he pushed himself that much harder in his current training. 

He was vaguely aware of Doctor Ziegler’s mention of him meeting the commander of his future team but was too wrapped up in his other thoughts to think much about it. Even when he felt eyes on him from the observation deck.

[vodon-doctor]

@fromtheshadow

Octavius slid Reaper off his shoulders. They had made it to an abandoned building to hide for a moment but only a moment. The last thing someone like him needed was to be caught with a terrorist, especially Reaper. He had been stabbed and it looked like whatever stabbed him broke off; he was bleeding-- smoking? Seemed to be both. Either way it looked bad. "You're lucky you're worth something alive or I wouldn't be saving your ass right now," he said, opening Reaper's coat to get a better look at the wound.

[the-swiss-angel]

Rp starter for @fromtheshadow

The Talon agent known as Mercy had just returned from a mission and was told to bring a report to the agent known as Reaper. She slowly made her way towards his office and once outside the door, she knocked on the door. "Are you in there Reaper?" She asked.

[drxpthebeat]

@fromtheshadow

Lucio found Gabe the moment he got back from his last concert. The whole thing had turned into a clusterfuck. Someone had brought a pack of rabid dogs or something; Lucio ended up jumping into the crowd, fun drawn to try and keep them from hurting anyone. A few people were mauled, but most were alright. Lucio ended up getting sombre scratches, and a bite to his shoulder that didn't seem to get the memo that his music was supposed to heal it. He'd needed actual stitches on the flight back.

He leaned against the taller man the second he found him, "You would not BELIEVE what happened in France. Was it on the news? I hope not; pretty sure me getting jumped by a big dog thing is gonna be a meme."