Distant Echoes

Playing out like a somewhat more hopeful version of a classic last-man-on-Earth 'Twilight Zone' or 'Outer Limits' episode is Clarke M. Smith's "Distant Echoes", an early effort by his Time Axis Media production company which showcases the quirky writing talent and flair for orchestrating the best in amateur special effects that Smith would become known for in his later films. I had as much fun looking for people in the background or movement in the windows of various establishments as I did listening to Mark Isham's quite impressive, often ominous soundtrack. While actor Gregorio De La Pagiano does a fine job of looking at first confused, then suitably depressed, he never quite pulls off the terror you would expect such an experience to instill. That said, however, he delivers his stream-of-consciousness-style lines flawlessly and manages to convincingly portray a man who chooses to get lost in alcohol and self-pity before rising to face his unimaginable situation head-on. If there is one weak spot (besides a clichéd vertigo spin sequence) in what is an otherwise thought and emotion stirring script, it may be that there is no real catalyst offered for the character change La Pagiano's omega man experiences near the end of the film. But for an early attempt at the genre, "Distant Echoes" is certainly a passable effort and gets high marks for capturing the morality-tale meets creepy atmosphere feel that a good science fiction short should. I would give it a solid Three out of Five.

S. Michael Simms IAJS Entertainment Division