Shadowheart (2009)

Shadowheart begins with a reference to Matthew 6:14 – 15. These two verses command people to forgive those who trespass against them as God forgives us for ours. We expect the film to connect somehow to this theme.It never does.In fact, there are so many murders (I lost track after eight), only a war movie could produce more. Yet of all the pointless mayhem, only one was justified or meaningful. If we were paying attention to the Bible verse at the beginning, no one was forgiven and therefore God should not forgive us.Big SpoilerYet the very last scene shows the dead wife of James Conners, the main character, leading him through the white light to what lies beyond – presumably heaven. We expect to see something about forgiveness and we get pointless retribution.I did not like this film not because of the violence. I think the Godfather Saga is a timeless masterpiece. I did not like this because it had Christian overtones. I think Fireproof is a good film that addresses the difficulties of modern marriage. Fireproof has many weaknesses, which a viewer has to overlook including what I think is an impossible problem to overcome. Still it's an interesting film. I disliked this film because it was disjointed. I disliked this film because it did not seem to know what it was trying to do nor where it was going. I would like to say that there was some sort of redeeming feature, but I don't think there was.I gave it a four because I kept hoping something coherent would happen. There was enough writing to create hope, alas never fulfilled.

Just because you can, doesn't mean you should. Justin Ament...you are not leading man material, or a producer. PLEASE, PLEASE...stop making movies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I believe you have let your ego overwhelm you good judgment. You area supporting actor at best. Clichéd, predictable and formulaic! "Not that there is anything wrong with that!" There are reasons movies are released to video, not the theaters, that go beyond being an independent production. Under the above stated circumstances, Angus MacFadyen did some exceptional work, set in an environment of simplistic or unenlightened sets, dialogue, camera angles, lighting; etc., etc., etc. Or maybe I was just in a bitchy viewing mood.

I hate to write those words, as I can only imagine the work that the entire cast and crew puts into a production like this. However, it fell short -- way short. My 9 year old daughter, her friend, and I all agreed it was a "bad movie -- that was terrible" (their words.) No redemption as promised -- just revenge. Just plain bad acting early on; boring for the first 15 minutes; music intrudes constantly, not helping the dialog; many lines mumbled/unintelligible; continuity gaffes intrude; and so on. I will say the production values were pretty good -- lighting, color, some good shots. LMAO that the character of "spider" is the writer/director -- who, justly, gets it in the end. While the plot is entirely predictable, so what, it's a western. I take exception to the supposedly "Christian" values. Throwing in scriptural quotations, having a pastor as a sympathetic character and vague spiritual references do not count. "Shawshank" is a much more Christian film, IMHO, or any of a huge number of other films that actually engage your mind and faith in challenging ways. Sadly, this film was just plain disappointing. Even at $1 at Redbox.

The bad guy was too bad, no redeeming qualities. (and the good guy was too good, no redeeming qualities.) When the sheriff didn't just shoot him in jail - when no one with a gun would shoot him, well, there were no characters to root for and we had to turn the thing off! I don't know what else to say about it except we think the other reviewer was being kind. Too bad. We were looking forward to a good western for the family. I have to write three more lines, but I have nothing more to say... The bad guy was too bad, no redeeming qualities. (and the good guy was too good, no redeeming qualities.) When the sheriff didn't just shoot him in jail - when no one with a gun would shoot him, well, there were no characters to root for and we had to turn the thing off! I don't know what else to say about it except we think the other reviewer was being kind. Too bad. We were looking forward to a good western for the family.