[1] Rucinski has editorial credits for Ford v Ferrari, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny and War for the Planet of the Apes.

Northern Shade revolves around Justin McLaughlin, a U.S. Army Afghan combat veteran suffering from post-traumatic stress syndrome, living a solitary life on his boat.

[9] In a review of the movie by the San Jose Mercury News, Randy Meyers wrote, "Rucinski is equally at home as a screenwriter as he is a director, and the of-the-minute Northern Shade — with a cast that consists, in a large part, of veterans — shows this first-time filmmaker is already walking on a firm foundation” and “that a blockbuster budget isn’t essential when making an intense, character-driven thriller".

It may miss the glitz and glamour of the big Hollywood productions, but the director pulls through with an engaging story that will keep you guessing until the end.”[11] Bobby LePiere, another Film Threat reviewer, added: "Rucinski keeps the whole thing moving swiftly while balancing the mystery of what happened to Charlie and characterizations pretty well.

"[12] Roger Moore of Movie Nation wrote that Gavin’s portrayal of the emotionally damaged lead character was a “breakout performance” comparing him to John Hawkes in Winter's Bone.