Review by Chris Rennirt
Years ago, at a local Half Price bookstore, while looking through a vat of $2.00 DVDs (the ones they really want to get rid of), I happened upon a movie called Shadow Puppets. From the title alone, I thought it was a children’s movie; or, perhaps an instructional video for creating (you guessed it) “shadow puppets.” Just before I tossed it aside, something caught my eye. On the cover, was Jolene Blalock! Being a fan (and never having seen a movie with her as the star), of course, I bought it. What did I have to lose? Two dollars was nothing. And, even if the movie was terrible, I could do a lot worse than see Jolene Blalock for 105 minutes. The most I had seen of her previously was in Star Trek: Enterprise, as the ever-logical Vulcan T’Pol. With a cast including Tony Todd (the legendary horror icon from Candyman), this was a no-brainer purchase.
“I already know what’s going to happen to us. We’re all going to die.” ~ Amber
“You can’t hide from your own shadow,” was the tagline on the DVD box. “But, what does this mean?” I thought. “Is this a film in which shadows are monsters?” A kind of horror with hide and seek, perhaps?
Jolene Blalock, awake and confused in a rubber room!
Yes! One of the biggest mysteries about the movie may be why it’s called Shadow Puppets. Everyone will get the reasoning for the “shadow” part; but the “puppets,” maybe not–unless you’re well versed well in culture. Or, until you “Google it,” as I did. According to worldartswest.org (a legitimate source for such information), shadow puppetry is “an ancient art in which shadow images of elaborately handcrafted puppets are projected onto a screen.” While the title may not make sense out of context (and without spoilers), you’ll get their intent watching the movie. Whether or not it’s the best title is another question. It still makes me think about a puppet theater for children, and anything but horror. I read somewhere that the original title was something different. In this case, different might have been a good thing.
Ah, Ms. Blalock again!
“They don’t know WHO they are. WHERE they are. OR what is trying to KILL THEM.” Yes! The words I capitalized are the words capitalized on the DVD box. And, that’s a lot NOT to know! But, all the more intriguing for sure!
Years pass by as Shadow Puppets sits on a shelf at home, neglected, unnoticed and dusty.
Flash forward! While looking for something different, something lost and forgotten, perhaps a hidden gem, I see it again! Jolene Blalok, on the cover, beckons me. Off the shelf, in the player she goes. And now for our feature presentation!
Diahnna Nicole Baxter, in Shadow Puppets
Shadow Puppets (written and directed by Michael Winnick) opens with the beautiful Ms. Blalock (our sultry lead heroine, with anime eyes, red hair and full lips), screaming, suddenly awake in a “rubber room.” In her underwear, barefoot and confused, she checks her hands as if seeing them for the first time. “Why did I wait so long to watch this,” I think already. “Let me out of here!” she yells. “Open this door!” Soon enough, the sound of something outside suggests the door should stay closed.
Jolene Blalock and James Marsters
Are there other people in Shadow Puppets? Yes. Without giving character names, additional actors include Marc Winnick (the brother of director Michael Winnick, I believe), Diahnna Nicole Baxter, Natasha Alam, Richard Whiten, Jennie Ford and last, but not least, James Marsters (Buffy the Vampire Slayer). Most of them are (like Ms. Blalock) also barefoot, in their underwear, during most of the movie. In most reviews, it would be routine to give a run down of characters and their names. Here, doing that would reveal too much–a big spoiler, for sure! Part of the suspense is in not knowing who everyone is, just as the characters don’t know. Along with not knowing their names, they also don’t know where they came from, where they are, or who imprisoned them. Finding out is what it’s all about. Without, saying who it is, there is a very interesting supermodel nymphomaniac; the fact that she suffers from a nervous breakdown makes her all the more interesting. How many horror films have a character like that? Off hand, I can’t think of another.
She’s the one you’ve got to worry about, they say! But, is she?
As for being in the dark about details, the less you know about Shadow Puppets the better. Not knowing the who, what, when, where, why, and how is, again, what makes the movie work. The simplicity of the set–mostly the rooms and hallways of a mental asylum–and the slow-burning plot require the mystery of everything to hold our attention. I was hooked from the beginning. On the movie, as well as Ms. Blalock!
No! She’s not your average, ultra-beautiful horror victim. The look says it all!
Tony Todd’s character is a man who acts on primal instinct, and, while potentially dangerous, is a force that keeps them moving along–sometimes, even when hope seems lost. Todd’s distinctive voice, deep and ominous, makes us think he’s a villain, even if he’s not. But, is he? I’m not telling. Blalock, besides being the beautiful heroine, is the even-handed voice of reason and strength, when others unravel.
Tony Todd, in Shadow Puppets
The special effects (particularly with, as I will call it “The danger”), while clearly B movie CGI, are effective enough…and actually quite good! Although lower budget and primitive at times, like the movie, they worked. Yes! 2007 had better effects available, but Shadow Puppets is no Paramount production. All things considered, I gave it one more star on the Rocket Meter. They did their best with the money they had…and it worked.
“When all sanity is lost…insanity may be your only hope.”
What did I think of Shadow Puppets? I liked it. With that being so, I am sure it’s not a movie for everyone. Some will hate it. Some will curse me for causing them to see it…especially if they spent money on it. Some, like me, will appreciate it’s simplicity, mysteries, lack of frenetic action, lack of Hollywood formula, and abundance of unpolished effort…effort that often shines nonetheless. Some, like me, might even watch it again and again…not only for Ms. Blalock…but for everything else too.
And yes! Ms. Blalock, one more time!
What is the danger that lurks within the asylum? What does it look like, and from where does it come? Why is it trying to kill everyone? Where are the people who once staffed the asylum? Will these characters in search of an exit ever find one? (Yes! I’m thinking of The Twilight Zone right now!) Again, those are questions better left unanswered here, all the better for you to discover yourself. I’m sure you’re already looking for a used copy on Amazon. Hopefully, you’ll find one for $2.00. With Ms. Blalock as the star, I got a hell of a deal! 🙂
Rocket Rating – 7
An encore? Of course!
And finally this time–I promise–is a photo of Jolene Blalock as T’Pol (from Star Trek: Enterprsie), as a Starfleet officer most commanding of attention! Beam me up, Jolene!
Chris Rennirt (the author of this review) is a movie critic and writer in Louisville, Kentucky, as well as editor in chief at Space Jockey Reviews. He has been a judge at many film festivals, including Macabre Faire Film Festival and Crimson Screen Film Fest, and he attends horror and sci-fi conventions often. Chris’ movie reviews, articles, and interviews are published regularly on Space Jockey Reviews and in Effective Magazine. His mission statement (describing his goals as a movie critic and philosophy for review writing) can be found on the “Mission” page, here at SJR. For more information about Chris Rennirt (including contact details, publicity photos, and more), click here.
You may also like these!
