Leofwine_draca FROM A PLACE OF DARKNESS is an attempt at an indie thriller all about snuff films and the dark descent of the main character as he investigates this sinister world. Thematically it's similar to the famous Nic Cage film 8MM of the 1990s but in terms of execution it's anything but. Instead what we have is a film which is quite tame and intellectual in scope, featuring a little gore and plenty of overriding gloom in the dark sets and characters. There's some chasing about but mostly this is an atmospheric mood piece that feels quite threadbare in terms of plot.

TucsonLawDog I saw a screening of this movie in Tucson, Arizona, and have been watching Amazon to see when I would be able to buy it. Already reserved my copy! The subject matter (snuff films) is totally sick, but what better vehicle to launch a horror/suspense film. John Savage did a great job as the totally creep guy, especially in his first scene where he describes what he does, but I won't spoil you by saying more. Pinchot conveys how slimy he is so well that you want to shower after his scenes. For an independent film, the quality of the acting is a pleasant surprise.What I really liked is that Raine (director/co-writer) doesn't dumb it down, but he plays the story out, making the viewer figure out what's going on. The direction is downright creepy, and the shots and angles keep you on edge until the last minute. The idea of shooting a shot through another camera was brilliant, and made it even more unsettling. This is one of those movies where the second time through will be better than the first. Best part - the very last line is worth the wait!

spam-2192 I just watched this movie and it wasn't worth the time. Admittedly the idea behind it is somehow creepy, but the actors (and most of all the actresses) did an unconvincing job. The dialogs were stiff and sometimes the story wasn't really conclusive. Besides that one gotta have a sick mind to get a kick out of snuff you gotta be truly patient to watch this movie straight from the beginning to the end. The cuts were a la mode - sometimes they reminded me of some of those FBI TV series, but they didn't help building up tension. Considering the fact this was the first appearance of Douglas A. Raine as director, there's still a chance of improvement. If you're looking for a movie that deals with the snuff topic, you better watch "8mm" but don't waste your time with "From a place of darkness".

chazrothvi I was fortunate enough to see this movie last spring at a screening at Northern Arizona University. I was a film student at the time, and Doug Raines played it for a few of the students in a small auditorium in Flagstaff, Arizona, where he is an alum.I had a good time watching this film. I can't comment on the score or soundtrack, because it was still incomplete when I saw it, but Mr. Savage does a superb job, and the story and writing are both well thought out and interesting.This is the first film from Douglas Raines' production company, 110 In The Shade, based out of Tuscon, Arizona. I sincerely hope that his business does well and he continues to write and direct fresh material.