Shelter (I) (2008) User Reviews

A film that starts slow... and stays that way until the end.

[arturo-ramirez · 1/10 · 22 November 2010]

I have been watching post-apocalyptic movies for a while and have heard of this one. What a waste of time! Wooden acting with reaction to what is been said lagging behind a second or two, directing that was very much absent and on the technical side, the audio is so out of sync it seems dubbed.

I just could not believe the logic behind the choosing of the survivors; it was simply absurd. There is no passion to what -according to the movie-, should have been a life or death situation. And you just don't care about the characters. I was rooting for all of them to run out of time and die.

Do yourself a favor, save your two hours time and go watch something else. If you are into the post apocalyptic genre, check out "Testament".

This is a student film made by a church volunteer theater company... and directed by the worst student in the class.

A desperate attempt to capture the desperation...

[Midyetava · 1/10 · 30 November 2010]

A shelter that can filter air for only 10 people is the last chance of some folks unfortunately more than 10, while an apocalyptic event is approaching. The nature of this event is unknown to the viewers, although the shelter is referred to as "a bomb shelter" a couple of times in the movie. But it is made clear that all remaining outside the shelter would be dead.

My first bet was that it was a nuclear bomb, yet it appears in the final scene, it most likely was not. Because when the shelter door opens, (the time they have spent in the shelter is unknown after the catastrophic event takes place, looks like they've spent only 1 night) you can see the sunlight and no trace of a fallout or nuclear winter. So there is a catastrophe but apparently we don't have to know what's all the fuss about. Because the important thing is how the people - a doctor, a priest, a teacher, a mechanic, a mayor, a cop and an "a**h*le" people of different color and ages (sounds like an entertaining circus right?,but it ain't...) will react when their life is at stake. I'll tell you; these people will yell each other, young ones and women will be protected, sneaky politicians and cops will try to save their a*ses, the remaining men will act like idiots. And some honorable and old folks and without any doubt the priest and his wife will sacrifice their lives for the sake of remaining 10 idiots that are supposed to "re-populate" the earth and form a new civilization. The way they leave the shelter by saying "bye bye" to everyone is the most entertaining part. That's what the movie's all about.

As a conclusion a very interesting idea is wasted with many clichés and poor script, poor dialogs, and some poor acting. I know it's hard to make a movie with a low budget, but this might not be an excuse for a good writer and director, remember Richard Schenkman & Jerome Bixby's 'The man from Earth' or Nuri Bilge Ceylan's 'Distant' . This film is just an an amateur and desperate attempt to capture the desperation of some folks about to die.

Solid Effort Without A Budget Or A Recognizeable Actor

[blindvisionaries · 10/10 · 29 August 2011]

This movie is far from perfect but, reviewers are also way too hard on micro-budgeted movies and a balance must be struck. This is an intriguing concept and could be an excellent film with more money to spend on cast, crew and production equipment. As is, it's not bad but it's also not something I'll watch over and over again. However, I'd love to see it remade with a seven figure budget. It could be an actor's showcase type of film - a modern "12 Angry Men" or "Glengarry Glen Ross" - not now but could be if re-done properly. As it is, it's more like an excellent feature-length student film. It's not something I'd recommend to all movie goers but, something I would suggest to true film buffs looking to find the next generation of independent filmmakers before they get their big break with a million dollar film that will find a theatrical release. This appears to be done by young filmmakers still cutting their teeth and, as such, deserves that context and a certain amount of respect. I'm looking forward to the next step in the careers of several people from this project. We need more new voices to rejuvenate Hollywood. Bring 'em on!