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Review: Nacho Vigalondo’s ‘Open Windows’

Published

10 years ago

September 27, 2014

The webcam movie isn’t an entirely new idea. 2013’s The Den, for example, is still fresh in our minds, and the concept has been carried out to varying degrees of success throughout the Internet age.

That said, Open Windows feels like something entirely unique within this sub-sub-genre (is the webcam thing its own sub-genre within the found-footage sub-genre?). It makes use of a real-time element (which on its own is certainly not new either), and takes place entirely on a computer screen. If it sounds boring, it’s not. At least not through most of the 100-minute runtime.

First off, here’s the official synopsis:

Oscar-nominated writer-director Nacho Vigalondo (The ABCs of Death, Extraterrestrial, V/H/S Viral) creates an action-packed world of voyeurism and suspense in his thriller OPEN WINDOWS. Nick (Elijah Wood, Maniac, The Lord of the Rings) is excited to discover that he’s won a dinner date with his favorite actress, Jill Goddard (Sasha Grey, Would You Rather, The Girlfriend Experience). But when Jill refuses to honor the contest, her manager Chord (Neil Maskell, Wild Bill, Pusher) makes an offer he can’t refuse: the ability to view Jill secretly via computer. Nick begins watching the unknowing star on her webcam, not realizing that this decision will put both himself and Jill at risk as they enter a terrifying world of cat-and-mouse where nothing—and no one—are as they seem.

VOD Release: October 2nd / Theaters: November 7th

[youtube id=”_Qz7DDvTA-I” align=”center” mode=”normal” autoplay=”no”]

There’s no question that the project sought to bring something to the table that we’ve never seen, and it does this at a steady pace for the first hour or so before things start to take a turn toward the less coherent and substantially more unbelievable, though it’s certainly worth sticking around until the end.

The story basically follows a path from somewhat believable in a “Yeah, I guess that could happen if someone was dedicated enough” kind of way to stretching it a bit, to stretching it to the point where it completely snaps, and finally by the conclusion, your mind is completely fucked (this is the guy who made Timecrimes after all). In other words, it starts as more of a conventional thriller, but turns into something else entirely.

It really is more of a suspense thriller than a conventional horror film (especially if you compare it directly to something like The Den), but there are some creepy and otherwise uncomfortable elements that should satisfy genre fans. There’s also a guy in black gloves with a knife, so that’s certainly a familiar trait. Don’t go in looking for gore though.

The subject matter is actually fairly thought-provoking, and is particularly timely in light of “The Fappening” and various other celebrity leaks and scandals that dominate the Internet’s headlines. In fact, the film also offers a comment on our very culture which promotes the exploitation of celebrities. It also makes you think about just how vulnerable you are as a user of technology. Are you reading this on a device that has a camera pointed toward your face? Well, you’re probably being watched by somebody.

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I believe it also comments on the general objectification of women and men who think they are entitled to something from them. Watching the film, it was easy to recall the infamous Isla Vista mass shooting from a few months ago.

The performances were good, though some of the dialogue feels a bit forced to simplify things for viewers, which considering some of what happens, may actually not be such a bad thing in hindsight.

I don’t know if Open Windows is a must-own, but it’s worth a watch at the very least.

We’ll conclude with these words from Vigalondo: “This is a film about the opportunity of observing without being observed; about the fear of being exposed every second of our lives; about the right not to be in front of a camera. We follow the action from hundreds of different points of view, but the fundamental stance will be taken when we turn off the computer forever. I hope that watching the film is like making the movie – at least the adventure it was for us all.”

On a side note, I also couldn’t help but be reminded of the video for A Tribe Called Quest’s Scenario, which follows a similar visual format.

Open Windows is out on VOD on October 2nd and in theaters November 7th.

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Related Topics:Movie Reviews Nacho Vigalondo Open Windows

Movies

Trailer for ‘The Exorcism’ Has Russell Crowe Possessed

Published

11 hours ago

April 25, 2024

Timothy Rawles

The latest exorcism movie is about to drop this summer. It’s aptly titled The Exorcism and it stars Academy Award winner turned B-movie savant Russell Crowe. The trailer dropped today and by the looks of it, we are getting a possession movie that takes place on a movie set.

Just like this year’s recent demon-in-media-space film Late Night With the Devil, The Exorcism happens during a production. Although the former takes place on a live network talk show, the latter is on an active sound stage. Hopefully, it won’t be entirely serious and we’ll get some meta chuckles out of it.

The film will open in theaters on June 7, but since Shudder also acquired it, it probably won’t be long after that until it finds a home on the streaming service.

Crowe plays, “Anthony Miller, a troubled actor who begins to unravel while shooting a supernatural horror film. His estranged daughter, Lee (Ryan Simpkins), wonders if he’s slipping back into his past addictions or if there’s something more sinister at play. The film also stars Sam Worthington, Chloe Bailey, Adam Goldberg and David Hyde Pierce.”

Crowe did see some success in last year’s The Pope’s Exorcist mostly because his character was so over-the-top and infused with such comical hubris it bordered on parody. We will see if that is the route actor-turned-director Joshua John Miller takes with The Exorcism.

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News

Win a Stay at The Lizzie Borden House From Spirit Halloween

Published

12 hours ago

April 25, 2024

Timothy Rawles

Spirit Halloween has declared that this week marks the start of spooky season and to celebrate they are offering fans a chance to stay at the Lizzie Borden House with so many perks Lizzie herself would approve.

The Lizzie Borden House in Fall River, MA is claimed to be one of the most haunted houses in America. Of course one lucky winner and up to 12 of their friends will find out if the rumors are true if they win the grand prize: A private stay in the notorious house.

“We are delighted to work with Spirit Halloween to roll out the red carpet and offer the public a chance to win a one-of-a-kind experience at the infamous Lizzie Borden House, which also includes additional haunted experiences and merchandise,” said Lance Zaal, President & Founder of US Ghost Adventures.

Fans can enter to win by following Spirit Halloween‘s Instagram and leaving a comment on the contest post from now through April 28.

The prize also includes:

An exclusive guided house tour, including insider insight around the murder, the trial, and commonly reported hauntings

A late-night ghost tour, complete with professional ghost-hunting gear

A private breakfast in the Borden family dining room

A ghost hunting starter kit with two pieces of Ghost Daddy Ghost Hunting Gear and a lesson for two at US Ghost Adventures Ghost Hunting Course

The ultimate Lizzie Borden gift package, featuring an official hatchet, the Lizzie Borden board game, Lily the Haunted Doll, and America’s Most Haunted Volume II

Winner’s choice of a Ghost Tour experience in Salem or a True Crime experience in Boston for two

“Our Halfway to Halloween celebration provides fans an exhilarating taste of what’s to come this fall and empowers them to start planning for their favorite season as early as they please,” said Steven Silverstein, CEO of Spirit Halloween. “We have cultivated an incredible following of enthusiasts who embody the Halloween lifestyle, and we’re thrilled to bring the fun back to life.”

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Spirit Halloween is also preparing for their retail haunted houses. On Thursday, August 1 their flagship store in Egg Harbor Township, NJ. will officially open to start off the season. That event usually draws in hordes of people eager to see what new merch, animatronics, and exclusive IP goods will be trending this year.

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Movies

’28 Years Later’ Trilogy Taking Shape With Serious Star Power

Published

14 hours ago

April 25, 2024

Timothy Rawles

Danny Boyle is revisiting his 28 Days Later universe with three new films. He will direct the first, 28 Years Later, with two more to follow. Deadline is reporting that sources say Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Ralph Fiennes have been cast for the first entry, a sequel to the original. Details are being kept under wraps so we don’t know how or if the first original sequel 28 Weeks Later fits into the project.

**Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Ralph Fiennes**

Boyle will direct the first movie but it’s unclear which role he will take on in the subsequent films. What is known is Candyman (2021) director Nia DaCosta is scheduled to direct the second film in this trilogy and that the third will be filmed immediately afterward. Whether DaCosta will direct both is still unclear.

Alex Garland is writing the scripts. Garland is having a successful time at the box office right now. He wrote and directed the current action/thriller Civil War which was just knocked out of the theatrical top spot by Radio Silence’s Abigail.

There is no word yet on when, or where, 28 Years Later will start production.