Shelby Oaks

[olivermoss]

I finally saw this because Amazon gave me a random coupon for digital content. Not sure why, but there it was. I'd wanted to see this because I was intrigued by how it was an indie project with youtube based marketing. Also, recently I saw it mentioned a lot in comparison to Iron Lung because they are both indie film projects by youtubers.

Honestly, I am divided about this film. It was very well shot. I really liked the found footage aspect of the start, but then suddenly it's not being told in that style and there's a big name actor talking on screen. That was jarring. Keith David doesn't exactly disappear into the role. Especially after the Night Mind cameo, making the switch to it feeling like a fictional video essay to being a traditional movie didn't work well.

It was tense. I liked most of the style. The ending just didn't work for me. Also, it's got fridge logic galore so the more I think about it the more the ending feels like a cop out. I really wanted to like it.

Honestly, how did a movie critic of all people make a film so unresolved? The opening was so good and really invited viewers to examine the footage closely, like how someone would interact with actual paranormal footage. But then it just becomes a fairly generic horror film. I want to go see the other half of the film I thought I was getting.

Comments

[mistressofmuses]

I was delighted to see Keith David, but overall I do feel the same. I really liked the found footage aspects, and I thought it started out really strong! Then it just sort of... felt like it lost its way and decided to be a different movie entirely. I'm with you: I want a second half that does justice to the first half!