Shadow Land

This movie has a lot of reality to it. I loved the trailer and many I hate to say give it bad reviews since Jon Voight is a right winger and Trump supporter. The story was very good and it does turn into a mystery. Good life advice "Get off the sidelines or the game is going to be over." I find the acting very good, vibe is good, also and a good honest adults movie. I was interested in movie throughout. Not a movie you will like if you like endless violence or scary movies. My sister saw it too and liked it. These are type of movies I like with a strong story and a professional actor. Wish there were more like it in a sea of duds.

Thoroughly enjoyed this. The production, storyline, plot, and cinematography as well as the director was great. Folks who provided poor reviews simply did not get the psychological aspects, the need-for-redemption perspective as well as the connections made (avoiding spoilers here). Take time to "think" as you watch and not seeking instant "crash bang boom" of typical Hollywood cgi fake explosions. The story has depth and portrays the plot realistically. Jon Voight is spectacular as are the rest of cast. Don't miss this! The subplot of a reestablished connect, the connection between seemingly at-odds characters gives more realism as well.

Former President Robert Wainwright (Jon Voight) is haunted by nightmares of an intruder which he sees as premonition of an impending attack. His secret service protection (Philip Winchester) is concerned. His psychiatrist Elliott Davrow (Marton Csokas) believes it's dementia. Rachel Donnelly (Rhona Mitra) is ghost-writing his autobiography despite hating his politics.

The premise has potential, but this B-movie stalls out rather quickly after introducing all the main players. The audience is left waiting and waiting for something to happen. Mostly, the audience is waiting for the inevitable attack. There are no stakes if it's only dementia.

Rarely does a film fail so spectacularly on every conceivable front, but "Shadow Land" manages to achieve this dubious distinction with aplomb. From its incoherent plot to its abysmal acting, this movie is a masterclass in how not to make a film.

The storyline, if you can call it that, meanders aimlessly, offering no logical progression or compelling narrative. Characters appear and disappear without explanation, subplots are introduced and then promptly forgotten, and the climax is a nonsensical jumble that leaves viewers scratching their heads. It's as if the writers were throwing ideas at a wall to see what would stick, only to abandon them halfway through.

Then there's Jon Voight. An actor of his caliber should have been able to bring at least a semblance of gravitas to the project, but instead, he delivers a performance that is nothing short of cringe-worthy. Voight's portrayal is a baffling mix of overacting and disinterest, making his character neither believable nor engaging. His line delivery is stilted, his expressions are exaggerated to the point of parody, and he seems utterly disconnected from the material. It's almost as if he realized midway through just how bad the film was and decided to phone it in for the rest of the shoot. Or who knows, maybe the dementia is kicking in?

The supporting cast fares no better, with each actor seemingly competing to deliver the most wooden performance. The dialogue is clunky and unnatural, leaving the cast with little to work with. Even scenes that should evoke emotion or tension fall flat, weighed down by poor direction and lifeless performances.

Visually, "Shadow Land" is a drab and dreary affair. The cinematography is uninspired, the special effects are laughable, and the set design looks like it was cobbled together from leftovers of better films. The soundtrack, a cacophony of ill-fitting musical choices, only adds to the disjointed experience.

In conclusion, "Shadow Land" is a colossal waste of time. It's a film that seems to actively defy entertainment, and Jon Voight's shockingly bad performance is the final nail in its coffin. Save yourself the misery and steer clear of this cinematic disaster.