In the Shadow of the Moon
3/4
Starring: Boyd Holbrook, Bokeem Woodbine, Cleopatra Coleman, Michael C. Hall
Not Rated (probable R for Bloody Violence, Grisly Images and Language)
There isn't really anything new in the film "In the Shadow of the Moon." In fact, it revolves around one of the oldest questions in science fiction. But it has good performances, a solid (if underwritten) screenplay, and moves fast. It isn't anything special, but as a way to spend two hours (especially during this pandemic), it's entertaining.
Locke (Holbrook) and Maddox (Woodbine) are two beat cops in Philly. While Maddox seems content to remain where he is and lose money betting on basketball games, Locke is more ambitious, and seeks to become a homicide detective like his brother-in-law Holt (Hall). One night, three people die horrifying deaths and suffer identical wounds, Locke sees his chance. His attempt to catch the killer ends with her death. Nine years later, history repeats itself: same injuries, same symptoms, same killer. But how can this be?
Let's get this out of the way: "In the Shadow of the Moon" is not a great movie. It's b-movie science fiction with more action and movement than thought or originality. When viewed from that perspective it has enough to offer someone looking for an undemanding adventure yarn. It has the audience hungering for the next reveal, but isn't as daring or dense as something like "Memento" or "Minority Report." That's fine. There's enough room for low-budget fun like this.
The cast is made up of character actors. Boyd Holbrook (looking and sounding quite similar to Michael Dorman) continues to grow as an actor, bringing the right amount of machismo, humor and vulnerability to the character. The bond we form with him is instantaneous. Bokeem Woodbine gives Maddox a lackadaisical charm that's appealing. And Michael C. Hall is so good in his role as Holt that you forget it's the same guy who played Dexter Morgan.
"In the Shadow of the Moon" looks good. I mean, it's clearly a low-budget movie, but enough time and effort was spent on it that you could have mistaken it for any studio film. It helps that the film moves fast enough that one doesn't really notice such things, but I digress. I won't call Jim Mickle a great director, but he has nothing to be ashamed of.
The film is divided into three clear acts (bookended by two short segments). The first one is great fun with a lot of energy and tension. The second is fun, but not as great. The final act doesn't match up; the energy is deflated and I just wanted to see how things wrapped up. Part of it is because it has to tie everything up, and it can only end one of two ways. Still, at least it doesn't fall on its face, like "Triangle," which coincidentally actually starred Michael Dorman.
This movie is what it is.
Starring: Boyd Holbrook, Bokeem Woodbine, Cleopatra Coleman, Michael C. Hall
Not Rated (probable R for Bloody Violence, Grisly Images and Language)
There isn't really anything new in the film "In the Shadow of the Moon." In fact, it revolves around one of the oldest questions in science fiction. But it has good performances, a solid (if underwritten) screenplay, and moves fast. It isn't anything special, but as a way to spend two hours (especially during this pandemic), it's entertaining.
Locke (Holbrook) and Maddox (Woodbine) are two beat cops in Philly. While Maddox seems content to remain where he is and lose money betting on basketball games, Locke is more ambitious, and seeks to become a homicide detective like his brother-in-law Holt (Hall). One night, three people die horrifying deaths and suffer identical wounds, Locke sees his chance. His attempt to catch the killer ends with her death. Nine years later, history repeats itself: same injuries, same symptoms, same killer. But how can this be?
Let's get this out of the way: "In the Shadow of the Moon" is not a great movie. It's b-movie science fiction with more action and movement than thought or originality. When viewed from that perspective it has enough to offer someone looking for an undemanding adventure yarn. It has the audience hungering for the next reveal, but isn't as daring or dense as something like "Memento" or "Minority Report." That's fine. There's enough room for low-budget fun like this.
The cast is made up of character actors. Boyd Holbrook (looking and sounding quite similar to Michael Dorman) continues to grow as an actor, bringing the right amount of machismo, humor and vulnerability to the character. The bond we form with him is instantaneous. Bokeem Woodbine gives Maddox a lackadaisical charm that's appealing. And Michael C. Hall is so good in his role as Holt that you forget it's the same guy who played Dexter Morgan.
"In the Shadow of the Moon" looks good. I mean, it's clearly a low-budget movie, but enough time and effort was spent on it that you could have mistaken it for any studio film. It helps that the film moves fast enough that one doesn't really notice such things, but I digress. I won't call Jim Mickle a great director, but he has nothing to be ashamed of.
The film is divided into three clear acts (bookended by two short segments). The first one is great fun with a lot of energy and tension. The second is fun, but not as great. The final act doesn't match up; the energy is deflated and I just wanted to see how things wrapped up. Part of it is because it has to tie everything up, and it can only end one of two ways. Still, at least it doesn't fall on its face, like "Triangle," which coincidentally actually starred Michael Dorman.
This movie is what it is.
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