It's always nice to be pleasantly surprised by an indie, low-budget horror flick, and this is one that fits the bill. Shallow Ground is unique in it's premise, but actually falls into some classic genre staples, like sound induced scares, and people being stalked in the woods. But what's nice about this film, is that it looks, and more importantly, FEELS like something you haven't quite seen yet, and that is this movies biggest asset. The film starts out eerily enough, with a blood covered boy entering a soon to be abandoned police station in the middle of BFE, if you catch my drift. Things begin to take shape after that, and we get an actual mystery involving some disappearances of some local yokels from a year ago. That's as far as I'll go on the plot, other than to say it keeps you thinking, and you're never quite sure where it's going until the climax. That's the good, along with some very good editing, a very disorienting soundtrack (it works), and some actual acting abilities on display. There isn't much bad to say about this film, other than the strange addition of Ray, who I think was the deputy's dad (she calls him Ray), who seems to know more than anyone else, although how or why he does is never explained. A little back-story on him would have helped. All in all, I can't count how many times I have been duped by a DVD cover, proclaiming movies to be the next generation in horror movies. This time, the accolades are justified. The director has obvious skills (catch the making of documentary) and imagination, along with a creative vibe to bring something original to the table, w/out copping out to being yet another 70's homage film. Yes, the influences are there, but they take a back seat to a fresh approach to a genre that is being over-run with the same things over and over again. This one's worth a view. 7 out of 10 stars.
Review of Shallow Ground
