From a Place of Darkness (2008)

Thanks for the memories!

A great movie, one of the best of this year. There was a bit of confusion at one point in the plot, but nothing serious.

The film may be flawed, but its message is not.

Let me be very fair here, this is not the best movie in my opinion. But, this movie is fun, it has purpose and is very enjoyable to watch.

FROM A PLACE OF DARKNESS is an attempt at an indie thriller all about snuff films and the dark descent of the main character as he investigates this sinister world. Thematically it's similar to the famous Nic Cage film 8MM of the 1990s but in terms of execution it's anything but. Instead what we have is a film which is quite tame and intellectual in scope, featuring a little gore and plenty of overriding gloom in the dark sets and characters. There's some chasing about but mostly this is an atmospheric mood piece that feels quite threadbare in terms of plot.

You can't eat a steak without slaughtering the cow.John Savage is Vic, the interview subject of a hungry documentary filmmaker, Miles(Travis Schuldt), his 30 year career in the business of snuff movies the object of interest. Miles shoots inside the warehouse where Vic purported to have filmed his snuff movies using the dregs of society(offering them cash to star in a movie), chosen for extermination(normally a victim unknowingly enters a room to have sex with a prostitute, killed while in the act, the killer later taken out by Vic). Miles is a broke, starving artist whose passion for filmmaking is rejuvenated(as unhealthy as his subject is for a project)and his girlfriend, Brenda, has pulled money from her trust(out a love for Miles and his work)to fund his work. What Miles sees while journeying through Vic's "snuff warehouse" is especially extraordinary(and disconcerting at the same time)..ghosts of those who were killed inside this place! It's only through the lens of Miles' digital camera that he actually see paranormal activity, the tortured souls of those whose lives were cut from our world in a moment of intense horror. "Energy can not be created or destroyed," explains Vic, Physics 101. Vic, however, has new "recruits" for his latest snuff film, and Miles' doesn't want to participate. But, trying to stop Vic from doing what he does best won't be easy.FROM A PLACE OF DARKNESS uses snuff as a means for storytelling, how those who die in a horrifying way remain, unable to rest due to the method of their execution(this device has been explored in Asian horror for many years now, spirits in a state of unrest, having made their residence in a sort of limbo between our world and the afterlife, the time they last spent on earth repeating for Miles to see through his camera). I'm only disappointed that the movie takes a different turn(one for the worst in my opinion)when Vic starts taking over the bodies of Miles' loved ones, forcing them to commit acts of violence against one another. Snuff is certainly a polarizing topic perfect for a horror film..the idea that real murders are shot on film for an interested audience who derive a vicarious thrill for seeing such blood shed right before their eyes. There's an allure that the characters in this movie find as they watch Vic's work on screen, snippets of various murder scenes played out to their fruition.The warehouse is a great setting, with all the graffiti, rotted tile walls, and scummy atmosphere..what a place to die, huh? It really gets eerie when we realize that Vic isn't exactly "mortal" and seems to be gaining control to Miles' "family"(wife, Brenda and brother, Shawn). Vic has a way of getting into the heads of those in the same room where he had his interview with Miles, coercing them to actually harm others with a bit of motivation. It's almost as if Miles gave birth to the beast and now he continues from the grave. Something to ask yourself while watching: where did Miles find Vic? Who instigated the meeting between Miles and Vic? I didn't necessarily mind seeing Vic as a ghost, but this whole "power grip" he gains over people didn't really work for me personally. I did enjoy the spooky idea of capturing murders from the past on camera while looking outside the lens, there's nobody there.The cast includes the gorgeous Natalie Zea as Brenda, Conor Duffy as Sean, and Valery Ortiz as Sean's pregnant wife Rosa. Bronson Pinchot has a small role as a producer more than willing to put up the money to fund this snuff project, incorrigible slime who enjoys watching one particular murder over and over. The movie gets to about the 60 minute mark and all hell breaks loose with everyone trying to kill each other..quite successful, too. As Vic says, "This could be my best movie yet." Miles tries to stop the carnage and does a pretty poor job in his attempted heroism. The violence is almost exclusively limited to knife stabbings. John Savage seems to be having an awfully good time in the role of supernatural psychopath and his opening interview sequences are chilling. I most definitely liked the first hour of the film more than the "off the rails" final act where characters attack each other against their will.From a place of darkness..he will rise.

Had a chance to see this film at a screening. This is the kind of film that just plain creeps you out,and lingers with you. I can't even tell you how many times I had to look away. It's dark, suspenseful and shocking. The story is very thought provoked (yes you have to use your brain) the ending forces you to ask questions and the acting across the board is solid, especially Conor Duffy and Travis Schuldt, and as far as Savage goes well, he comes across in a way that I have not seen him in years, like he was made for the role. Can't wait to see it on BluRay as it should jump off the screen and make one go screaming even farther into the dark.

I was fortunate enough to see this movie last spring at a screening at Northern Arizona University. I was a film student at the time, and Doug Raines played it for a few of the students in a small auditorium in Flagstaff, Arizona, where he is an alum.I had a good time watching this film. I can't comment on the score or soundtrack, because it was still incomplete when I saw it, but Mr. Savage does a superb job, and the story and writing are both well thought out and interesting.This is the first film from Douglas Raines' production company, 110 In The Shade, based out of Tuscon, Arizona. I sincerely hope that his business does well and he continues to write and direct fresh material.