Fleeting Moments That Offer up What Could Have Been

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MOVIE REVIEW
The Long Dark Trail
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Genre: Horror
Year Released: 2023
Runtime: 1h 19m
Director(s): Kevin Ignatius, Nick Psinakis
Writer(s): Kevin Ignatius, Nick Psinakis
Cast: Carter O'Donnell, Brady O'Donnell, Mick Thyer, Paul "Doc" Ignatius, Trina Campbell, Nick Psinakis
Where To Watch: Available for preorder here mvdshop.com, releasing February 21, 202

RAVING REVIEW: Venture into the unknown with THE LONG DARK TRAIL, a horror-tinged journey that takes you deep into the heart of the wilderness. A tale of two siblings as they embark on a treacherous journey through the forests of Northwestern Pennsylvania in search of a loved one who has disappeared and is believed to be with a questionable group.

This independent feature film offers a potent blend of suspense and terror. The film's musical score is brilliant, and the breathtaking aerial shots of the forest are a true standout of the film; they give you a sense of scale when watching.

For enthusiasts of independent horror, THE LONG DARK TRAIL can be a challenge but has some fundamental redeeming qualities. The Blu-Ray edition includes additional features, including a slide show, trailers, and more.

At its core, THE LONG DARK TRAIL is more a drama than a horror. The pace is slow-burning until the boys eventually have a breakthrough, and then it’s off to the races. However, they soon realize that their story has just begun.

Despite some intriguing ideas, the film couldn’t connect the pieces to get off the ground. The film relies heavily on the atmosphere and establishes a specific feeling while watching. Remote wilderness locations are another strength of the film, taking what THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT did and turning it up a notch.

Forests have long been a popular setting for dark tales, and THE LONG DARK TRAIL is no exception. While this slow pace is typical in art-house horror films, it doesn’t quite work here as the pacing seems to be off. As a whole, the film lacks the originality that could allow it to overcome other obstacles.

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[photo courtesy of CLEOPATRA ENTERTAINMENT/MVD ENTERTAINMENT GROUP]