Shadows of the Dead

This movie is certainly not as bad as some people try make you believe it is. It's by no means a great movie but it's still one I have to respect for what it's trying and also simply for what it is.

It's a low budget movie, made without many resources but for what it is, it's simply being a good film. The directing and overall story-telling is simply good, even though the story itself is actually being one of the weaker points of the movie.

The story, to be frank, can get quite ridicules at times. The whole way the two main characters are handling their situation are just beyond believe silly and highly unlikely. Without giving too much away about this movie, no way normal thinking humans would ever respond to a situation like this the way the characters in this movie do. It's still obvious what they tried to achieve with its story and attempted to make it more of a personal characters movie, rather than just an ordinary horror-flick. They tried to be original and till some extend they still succeeded in this. Even though the story wasn't that good throughout, it still makes this movie an original and good watch.

One of the things that the movie failed at was delivering some good horror. Especially in its beginning this movie was obviously meant to be horror-like but to be honest, some of it's moments were unintentionally bad and made me laugh at how clumsy it got all done. Every time the movie tries to get tense or scary the movie its shortcomings start to become more and more obvious.

Despite some really bad dialog, I still have to give credit to the movie its actors, who simply did a great job with their roles. It's a mostly character driven movie, so it's of course very important to have some decent characters and actors portraying them, which luckily is the case with this movie.

Just give this movie a shot and changes are you might end up liking it, despite of all of its very obvious flaws.

6/10

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This was a plish poor effort, a feeble script from the outset. An INSULT to the viewer. Work on the script before you commit these crimes to film. It sucked harder than George Michael in a public convenience. If I came across a dead body in the woods, I sure as Sherlock wouldn't react the way these two dopes did - as if they had just been told MacDonald's was out of ketchup. Kind of put out, but not really too fussed a whole deal. The woman was HORRIBLE. She looked wrong, she couldn't act, her character was foul, selfish, unhelpful. She actually looked more attractive with the ghoul make-up on at the end. And God, the ending. Wha the fuh? Was it, or was it not, the zombie's point of view. Or had the cameraman fallen down dead of boredom. Get the hell out of here!

I saw this movie and have to say that I was pleasantly surprised. It is not the typical boring slasher horror film you get used to seeing and that was a nice change for me. The director did a wonderful job with the look of the film and the dialogue was very tender and profound. If you ever wondered what it would be like to become a zombie then this is the film to watch. It actually gives the zombies a human side; a face behind the gore. Don't go into it expecting blood and guts because this movie is not at all like that.

However, if you appreciate the art of film and are open to the idea of viewing horror from a different angle you will enjoy this film. Don't get me wrong, a good slasher movie is great but this movie takes a look at the other side.

Shadows of the Dead is a rather longwinded lesson in appreciating your life, because it can be taken away so quickly. I do appreciate the moral, just not the execution.

A valuable lesson, but the movie lacked enough to make it interesting. The movie is very slow, and every scene seems to be leading to a inevitable conclusion, one we know from very near the beginning, so perhaps the film could have had a little more meat on the bone, while still getting across a solid message.

Overall I give the movie a 4 because although the atmosphere and intention was good, it wasn't a joy to watch in any respect.

I rented this movie. I take full responsibility for this. I will not forget this. Ever. What in the Holy Moses hell was going on in the head of the person who conceived this .....thing. Movie? No way. Bad teleplay more like it. The dialogue was dreadful enough only to be made more repugnant by Beverly Hynds delivery. She is the only actress I have ever seen who was acting trying to act. Five minutes into the movie and I was repulsed. I mistook her dramatic pauses for a series of gas attacks. I was more worried that the two main characters would live. I needed them to go. Quickly. But they didn't. And it went on...and on.....and on. Blockbuster should be ashamed of itself for renting this to me. I'm trying to defer the blame. Alas, I can't.