21 reviews
Interesting single location story with a disjointed approach
- Leofwine_draca
- Apr 24, 2017
- Permalink
Sometimes good,sometimes terrible.
This movie was a little hard to rate or sum up because some scenes and character development was well done in terms of the emotions conveyed and how they showed the paranoia and tension builds up but some scenes seemed rushed and happens all of a sudden. Those scenes felt like it was purposely inserted to create a shock value and maybe because movies of similar theme had scenes like that in them. Some may not like the movie at all since it's not action oriented. The movie tries to focus on the emotions of a small group of people trapped in a very bad situation. I enjoyed certain scenes and definitely felt that the film makers should be praised for those. However,the acting and the pacing should have been a lot better. So many things ended up as a cliché that are usually present in movie like this. The director did manage to offer certain fresh things in the movie by not making the character too cliché or boring. Each had there characteristics and scenes that make us understand and feel for them. That was one of the plus point of the movie. If only the director made it a more tense and gripping thriller or a more emotional drama,this movie would have been a lot more memorable. A good effort though and worth watching once.
- nathan_kugan
- Oct 4, 2015
- Permalink
More questions than answers
This copied...
45 minutes too long
Fairly interesting movie but way too long. The numerous flashbacks are annoying and unnecessary. I came close to either stopping it or fast forwarding. But, I stayed with it. The ending is very unsatisfying.
You'll be frustrated and disappointed.
You'll be frustrated and disappointed.
Only a couple of lines will be enough
I'll only say this about this one: how I ache, how I grief at the idea of the last 97 minutes lost! How I wish I could get it back! But I can't. It's too late now. I have last the full duration of that abomination and I'll never recover from it.
- danthepoetman
- Jan 28, 2022
- Permalink
Gets better as it progresses
I read the other reviews before watching this and was not expecting a whole lot. I agree, the acting was inconsistent. Sometimes good and sometimes bad. I also agree that the pacing was a bit off.
That said, I found myself enjoying it. It started out sorta average but as the movie went along I started to get into it. I really liked how it kept swapping between time-lines and the cuts between past and present were done well. I also liked the ending and don't understand the other reviewers comments about unanswered questions, I think it told you everything you needed to know.
It wont be everybody's cup of tea but if you appreciate a good B movie I recommend giving it a go. It has a good story, it is told in an interesting way and has a nice (sort of twistish) ending.
That said, I found myself enjoying it. It started out sorta average but as the movie went along I started to get into it. I really liked how it kept swapping between time-lines and the cuts between past and present were done well. I also liked the ending and don't understand the other reviewers comments about unanswered questions, I think it told you everything you needed to know.
It wont be everybody's cup of tea but if you appreciate a good B movie I recommend giving it a go. It has a good story, it is told in an interesting way and has a nice (sort of twistish) ending.
One room suspense, low budget
- gamelordofsony
- Mar 16, 2020
- Permalink
Well worth watching
I am a massive fan of films set in one room, because it drives both the writers and the actors to the top of their game. I have seen a lot of films and I like to see an original script. OK, people in a post apocalypse bunker is nothing new, but I have to say that the script, the music, the acting and cinematography was on point.
I wish they had descent sound equipment because the volume was all over the place, and the cover art is beyond terrible, but overall I thought it was a great effort for a low budget film, and with a tag-line of 'One Room. Five Strangers. No Escape.' it delivered on what it promised, without stupid twists or dumb blondes.
I wish they had descent sound equipment because the volume was all over the place, and the cover art is beyond terrible, but overall I thought it was a great effort for a low budget film, and with a tag-line of 'One Room. Five Strangers. No Escape.' it delivered on what it promised, without stupid twists or dumb blondes.
- AnonymousCritic
- Mar 27, 2016
- Permalink
Filmed on a budget of $85 and 2 large cheese pizzas
This movie is so boring and utterly stupid I am 100% positive the reviews are fake. The director should be banned from ever possessing a camera. Six days in and they can't stand each other and they have another 8 months to go. They should all kill each other and end the movie. Then I might like it.
Provocative Film
I happened onto this film after watching several apocalypse movies and this one is certainly worth my time. Tho' the acting is a bit amateurish at times, the plot is engaging throughout.
I am reminded of Jean Paul Sarte's "No Exist": essentially that hell is other people. This theme seems to run throughout. I don't know what else to say because I don't want to slip into any spoilers. Leave it to say that if you have some time, this film is worth it for the pace, the camera work, and the the theme. . .
I am reminded of Jean Paul Sarte's "No Exist": essentially that hell is other people. This theme seems to run throughout. I don't know what else to say because I don't want to slip into any spoilers. Leave it to say that if you have some time, this film is worth it for the pace, the camera work, and the the theme. . .
- markkbranson
- Sep 12, 2017
- Permalink
More like a play than a movie, and not bad
Five people penned in a box, supposedly for their own safety, but with lots of room for doubts about what's really going on. Shelter isn't an action scifi movie, it's more like a tense little play. The scenes have been shuffled out of order to keep the reality of the box and the fates of the characters mysterious for as long as possible, much like Lost. And it succeeded in keeping me curious about that until the very end. The characters are believable. The acting was good enough to keep me immersed in their reality. I get the comparison with The Divide, but I wasn't able to stay interested in The Divide's mysteries long enough to finish it. And even though The Divide has many more recognizable faces in it, I didn't find its characters to be plausible or even likable. The writing in Shelter is much better, more like real life than a science fiction comic book. I look forward to seeing more of what the creators can do. It's obvious they don't need big money and fancy actors to do something compelling. Rock on.
- russmillerwy-957-682439
- Jun 2, 2016
- Permalink
low budget garbage, not even worthy of Asylum
The only reason I watched this turd was because it's on Amazon Prime and was "recommended" after watching 2012's "The Divide" - which is far superior in terms of low budget filmmaking and cuter lead actress. It's similar genres, but the production value is completely lacking on this one and there's no story plot to speak of.
Albeit there's some suspense as you want to know what happens to the survivors, but alas it's a total snoozefest until then and the payoff isn't worth it.
I'm sort of interested in these types of movies because as an aspiring filmmaker these one location projects are the only stories that can be made at the ultra low budget level and still have some sense. But this movie has no point and isn't even entertaining enough to keep your interest as you fast forward just to get to the end.
A total waste of time.
Albeit there's some suspense as you want to know what happens to the survivors, but alas it's a total snoozefest until then and the payoff isn't worth it.
I'm sort of interested in these types of movies because as an aspiring filmmaker these one location projects are the only stories that can be made at the ultra low budget level and still have some sense. But this movie has no point and isn't even entertaining enough to keep your interest as you fast forward just to get to the end.
A total waste of time.
- sir_humpslot
- Dec 20, 2015
- Permalink
Cool story!
Terrible movie
This takes the title of the worst movie I have ever watched in my life! I have seen my share of bad movies!!! But...this!!!! This movie was way too long to have such a terrible ending! I even fast forward through a few times and it still felt like I was watching this movie for hours! I feel like I wasted a part of my life I could never get back! In my opinion...Do not waste your time! I mean it was really Dreadfully boring and you'll feel like it's sucking the life out of you!! I literally don't know how and who approved this to be a movie available for humans to watch! How??? Why??? And who??
- zakii-44643
- Jun 24, 2023
- Permalink
As Boring As Actually Being Locked in a Room
Want to feel nostalgia of being bored out of your mind during lockdown? Well this is the film for you, feel that real time boredom and loosing your mind along with the characters. One character even gives themselves that lockdown hair cut.
Like there were some moments that peaked a little bit of interest, but as a whole it just went no where. The time jumps didn't really add to the plot, and honestly the editing needed to be a lot better. It lacked drama, and overall left you feeling unsatisfied.
The characters felt flat and one note, like they didn't really develop during the plot. Even though they were trapped for a while.
Like there were some moments that peaked a little bit of interest, but as a whole it just went no where. The time jumps didn't really add to the plot, and honestly the editing needed to be a lot better. It lacked drama, and overall left you feeling unsatisfied.
The characters felt flat and one note, like they didn't really develop during the plot. Even though they were trapped for a while.
Apocalyptic Mind Bender
A bunch of random people get ushered to a bomb shelter after an emergency.
The unknown length which they will be contained since the disaster outside continues to escalate creates the tension as they all lose their marbles and turn on each other.
Not all films can be or need to be on a blockbuster budget and this one makes good use of the time exploring the outcome of prolonged confinement.
It's a "in the mood for" type of movie. Slow burner. Deliberately twists around, simple but somewhat intriguing.
The unknown length which they will be contained since the disaster outside continues to escalate creates the tension as they all lose their marbles and turn on each other.
Not all films can be or need to be on a blockbuster budget and this one makes good use of the time exploring the outcome of prolonged confinement.
It's a "in the mood for" type of movie. Slow burner. Deliberately twists around, simple but somewhat intriguing.
- Crankgorilla
- May 20, 2017
- Permalink
Extremely smart and interesting little film
I went into this one blind and was surprised at the movie's qualities.
Well written and directed, the film takes place for the most part in a single room with five people who are in the same office building when an emergency alarm sends them down to a bomb shelter in the basement of the building.
The film explores the limits human beings can be pushed as they wait out what they believe to be the effects of a nuke set off in the city.
Films like this test a director, writer and cast, as keeping interest relieve on the quality of the work, rather than on effects or varied sets.
Shelter does an admirable job in being unpredictable and reasonably believable.
The cast's acting services the story well enough to keep things interesting, but it's the writing here that manages to surprise and give the viewer something to think about.
It's a terse little film well worth watching through to the end, which pays off nicely.
Well written and directed, the film takes place for the most part in a single room with five people who are in the same office building when an emergency alarm sends them down to a bomb shelter in the basement of the building.
The film explores the limits human beings can be pushed as they wait out what they believe to be the effects of a nuke set off in the city.
Films like this test a director, writer and cast, as keeping interest relieve on the quality of the work, rather than on effects or varied sets.
Shelter does an admirable job in being unpredictable and reasonably believable.
The cast's acting services the story well enough to keep things interesting, but it's the writing here that manages to surprise and give the viewer something to think about.
It's a terse little film well worth watching through to the end, which pays off nicely.
Worth watching
I really enjoyed watching this one. For a low budget movie I was impressed with the acting though Marissa's deep breathing and chest heaving at one point was a bit over the top. The plot idea was an interesting one and though others have disliked the time jumping I found this made the film more interesting and less predictable making it easier to keep watching. Overall I think a good film has been made on a shoestring and gives higher budget movies a run for their money.
I enjoyed it
Even though the story wasn't that well written.
The acting was pretty decent
Plus I enjoy one room settings.
Drama with a Hint of Mystery
I figured this movie would be poorly executed at first. That feeling faded quickly.
The mystery portions of the film, specifically the way the information is dispensed, carries the film with the plausible acting.
It is a drama. Not a thriller or horror film. A drama. It plays like an extended episode of an anthology I wish existed.
Finally, this film is not at all related to Cube. At. All. Cube is one of my favorite movies, though.
The mystery portions of the film, specifically the way the information is dispensed, carries the film with the plausible acting.
It is a drama. Not a thriller or horror film. A drama. It plays like an extended episode of an anthology I wish existed.
Finally, this film is not at all related to Cube. At. All. Cube is one of my favorite movies, though.
- payasoingenioso
- Mar 10, 2021
- Permalink