Shadow Land movie review

MOVIE TITLE: Shadow Land

This dramatic thriller is now playing in select theaters and available for purchase on Amazon Prime and Fandango at Home. To get a free Amazon trial, click on this link:

RATING: R

LENGTH: 1 hour 29 minutes

Movie Review Mom GRADE: C+

SPONSOR of Today’s movie review:

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IN A NUTSHELL:

Sequestered away on his remote ranch, former American President Robert Wainwright begins to have nightmares that someone is scheming to kill him. The President summons his former psychiatrist, Elliot Dumont, who discovers that he may in fact be in danger.

The film was directed by James Bamford, and written by Ian Corson.

TIPS FOR PARENTS:

Violence
Profanity, including F-bombs
Various firearms are used to kill people
Kids will be bored.

THEMES:

Diplomacy
Politics
Revenge
Secret Service protection for our presidents
Paranoia
Dreams
Reality vs. memories
Truth
Doing your job and not letting people down

THINGS I LIKED:

Academy Award winner Jon Voight certainly looks the part of an aging, former US president. He won his Oscar for Best Actor in the movie 1978 Coming Home. Fun fact: His daughter is Angelina Jolie.
The cast also includes Marton Csokas, Rhona Mitra, Philip Winchester, and Sean Maguire.
There are a few red herrings that keep you guessing who the bad guy is.
The movie was filmed in Bulgaria.

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:

Not much happens until an hour into the film.
Slowest shoot-out scene ever with ridiculous monologuing.
Predictable romance side story.
We’re given a piece of information in Act 1, but don’t recognize it’s a real threat with consequences until Act 3.

FUNNY LINES:

“You die and I will never forgive you.” – Rachel Donnelly (Rhona Mitra)

INTERESTING LINES:

“When I signed up, I agreed to take a bullet FOR him, not from him.” – Brett Cahill (Philip Winchester)
“I like Big Duke. It reminds me of the heroism our country once had.” – Brett Cahill (Philip Winchester)
“I’m not paranoid. I’m right!” – President Robert Wainwright (Jon Voight)
“If you stand on the sideline too long, the game’s going to be over.” – President Robert Wainwright (Jon Voight)