Remnants

I really liked the pace throughout the movie. The movie also succeeded in making me fall in love with the characters, the ending had me biting my nails! The zombies were not too realistic in my opinion though, like why were they getting in a fistfight with people? Shouldn't they try to bite them?

The humor between characters was great, they really did a good job with that. Great interactions, couldn't get enough of it. Really like that we get to dive in into the chracters past and find out who they really are, not what they try to seem like in front of their friends. Really enjoyed my Sunday night watching this.

The movie Remnants is one of those rare indie films that makes a big impression even though it was made on a little budget. The mood is immersive, raw, and tense from the very first frame. The caliber of the storyline, cinematography, and acting really astonished me. Jack Roberts, who directed, wrote, and performed in the movie, shows off his creative vision and range in an amazing way.

The idea behind the movie may sound familiar: a world after the end of the world, three survivors, and a search for refuge. But the way Remnants plays out is anything but normal. What makes it stand out is how deep it is emotionally and how it focuses on what it is to be human. There are a lot of exciting moments, but the story isn't only about surviving via action scenes. Instead, it looks at tragedy, grief, and the tenuous optimism that keeps individuals going even when everything is falling apart.

All of the performances were quite good. Jack Roberts does his part with intensity and inner strife without going too far. Ryan Wesen is another great actor. His portrayal of a man dealing with shame and responsibility gives the movie an emotional depth that stays with you long after the credits roll. Rebi Paganini's character is both strong and weak at the same time. The connection between the three of them seems real, and their relationship changes gradually as the tale goes on.

The movie looks great. The cinematography shows how gloomy the world is after the collapse without using a lot of CGI or over-the-top effects. The characters' physical and mental emptiness is well shown through the usage of forests, abandoned roads, and damaged houses. The way the movie is filmed is hauntingly beautiful; light and shadows are employed perfectly to match the mood of each scene. Because it looked so good, I had to convince myself that this wasn't a huge studio movie.

The soundtrack and sound design are also great. The movie uses both music and stillness well. There are times when a simple background sound, like a crackling fire or a rustling tree in the distance, makes things tenser than a booming soundtrack ever could. When music is employed, it's soft and melancholy, which makes the feeling stronger without being too much.

The rhythm of Remnants is also what makes it stand out. The movie never seems to be going too fast or too slowly. It takes time to develop its characters and their backstories, and the plot reveals bits and pieces of them as it goes along. There are times when you have to think about things quietly and times when you're on the edge of your seat. This back and forth keeps the audience interested and involved.

The writing is another big plus. There isn't much explanation, and the dialogue seems real. In a life-or-death situation, the characters talk like real people would. There are no speeches that have to be given or long talks that don't need to be. Every phrase and scene has a purpose.

I also like how the movie doesn't use cliches that are easy to guess. I thought I could foresee what would happen next in the tale, but it would always take a different turn. This wasn't done to surprise me; it was done to stay loyal to the characters and their arcs. The finale is fulfilling, emotional, and provides just the appropriate amount of room for thought.

I wish it were a little longer, but that's the only thing I would change. I wanted to spend more time with the characters and learn more about their pasts. That being said, the movie is just 1 hour and 35 minutes long, and it's extremely well cut with very little extra footage.

In general, Remnants is a strong indie film that is far better than it should be. It's interesting to look at, makes you think, and makes you feel. I can see why it won so many accolades at festivals. It really merits the praise. This movie is a must-see for fans of post-apocalyptic dramas that focus on human feeling rather than action.

Very highly recommended.

Father and son movie night ruined. I am absolutely flabbergasted by how many people gave such a positive view for this movie. Glad some people enjoyed. There was nothing about this film that was like "The Walking Dead". Even though my subtitle says "Biggest waste of my time" I was able to find the time to do my Duolingo for the day. That gives you any example of how boring the movie was. It was very slow and some scenes were drug out too long. Some scenes were irrelevant to the "plot" of the film. Also, my dad fell asleep. I saw that this film took 8 years to make and maybe should have spent more money of props and details. I liked the concept idea of the film, but it was poorly put together. I've seen better post-apocalyptic themed movies before, but this one was just not well developed.

This was a great film, because it's raw, feels real and doesn't follow the zombie movie playbook. It jumps right into the story without explanation and, if you pay attention, you can learn everything you need to know about the universe along the way. I liked that, because it kept me on my feet and wanting to know more.

One thing I haven't seen mentioned is the cinematography. Some of the b-roll of the beach landscapes is gorgeous. The director lived on the beach and shot a lot of the b-roll once conditions were just right. Shot compositions in the whole were out of the box and at times daring.

You almost don't notice that the film was shot for less than $100k. Pretty impressive, considering.

This is a gem. Despite it being written in 2014, it still does a lot of unique things for the genre. Sure, there are some similarities between The Walking Dead and The Last of Us, but that can't be avoided in an infected/apocalyptic film at this point.

You can definitely see why it won awards at so many festivals, it's artsy, a bit sad, but still has some great moments for action fans. The last 15 minutes are a wild ride, non-stop. If you like a film that really explores the characters, which are idiosyncratic and complex, then you'll especially enjoy this. This film really explores the human condition and depicts universal struggles we all have with connecting with others, processing traumas and finding meaning in what can often be a cruel world. It's only 90 minutes, worth a full watch through.