Realm of Shadows, a new anthology thriller by filmmaker Jimmy Drain, takes you on a unique journey. The story is told through multiple short films with a wraparound book shelving the feature. Our main story revolving around the Dagger of Destiny. A coven of witches attempts to perform a ritual while some priest attempt to fight them from across the country. Thus, we enter the Realm of Shadows… They did it, they said the thing, they said the name of the movie. So, let’s break it down. There are a few spoilers ahead, you have been warned.
Mallick S Dreamlady
Have you ever been the guy that just can’t seem to get the girl? Well, all you need is a strand of hair and some bartender hoodoo. Who knew it was so easy.
Hike
I don’t have a whole lot to say about this segment. The guy from the previous story loses the girl because it takes him too long to ask her marry him, except I’m pretty sure it’s not the same guy, and then he takes a walk… for an eternity. But wait, it was all just a dream. I guess I had more to say than I thought.
Abashed
A better title might have been, “How to Join a Coven and Lose Friends in Ten Easy Steps”. This installment takes a significant turn in the style and feel from the overall feature. I will just say that I was totally unaware of the close tie between witchcraft and cocaine.
The Initiation of Professor Kimmer
We are introduced to Professor Dan Kimmer. When you get to this installment you may say to yourself…” Self, this guy looks familiar.” Ignore that thought and push through. This is Professor Kimmer. I’ll let you watch this one with no spoilers though. This is one is my favorite, so far. I am going to rename it though. I call it “How to Join a Coven and Lose Friends in Ten Easy Steps, Part Deux” Bitches be crazy, oh sorry, I mean Witches.
Cadaver
Cadaver makes the claim that it is based on “True Events”, If that is true, joining a coven can really ruin your dancing career, or start it, or wait, what the fuck actually happens in this one. I’ve watched it 3 times now. I don’t know. It is fucked up though.
Meet Michael
For our sixth segment in the film, we get an interesting version of a boogeyman story with a nice twist. There are a couple decent jump scares and some legitimate tension, with just a touch of the heebie-jeebies. This one is worth a watch.
Fate Upside Down
Finally! We are back to our bookend story and even better, Tony Todd, Vernon Wells, Harley Wallen and Mel Novak. All four actors definitely stand out in this finale, even though their screen time is mere minutes. The Witches are back too, that’s cool, I guess.
Overall, I felt the film as a whole felt very disjointed and incomplete. It felt very much like chunks of story were missing. I feel like parts of this film may have only made it as far as the cutting room floor. Hey, I liked it way more than Skidamarick, that movie was just unwatchably awful. Don’t take my word on anything, though. Get the fuck out there and watch this film for yourself! Seriously. It’s on Tubi. The link is right there. Go! Go watch it!
https://tubitv.com/movies/100020406/realm-of-shadows
https://www.imdb.com/video/vi1907212057/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk
