Open Windows (2014) (Blu-ray Review)
Directed By: Nacho Vigalondo
Starring: Sasha Grey, Elijah Wood, Neil Maskell
Rated: UR/Region A/1:85/1080p/Number of Discs 1
Available from Cinedigm
When Nick (Elijah Wood) discovers that he’s won a dinner date with his favorite star Jill Goddard (Sasha Grey), he’s incredibly excited to finally get the chance to meet her. That excitement deflates when Jill refuses to honor the contest and all of Nick’s hopes are dashed. He’s intrigued when Chord (Neil Maskell), a man claiming to be Jill’s campaign manager, offers him something he can’t quite refuse: Chord will give Nick the ability to constantly view Jill via computer. Nick is initially reluctant but is finally persuaded, unaware that this decision will put both himself and Jill at risk.
I saw a great movie. I saw a movie that took place that was made up entirely of stuff being recorded on a computer screen through various video sources. It was “found footage”, but it was different. It was a breath of fresh air in a other-wise dulled down sub-genre. That movie wasn’t Open Windows, that movie was actually called, The Den. Had I not saw that film, then I would be much more inclined to sit here and spout to the high heavens about the format used in this movie. I’d blog about it, I’d update my Facebook status about it, hell, I’d even Tweet about it! Instead I’m just going to write about this in a review and say that if it hadn’t of been done already and better in, The Den, then I’d be much more impressed here. Yes, this whole thing takes place in real time (That part is actually cool), while a screen records what is taken place on screen from various internet sources. To its credit, it isn’t a bad plot at the start and it does suck us in a bit. Elijah Wood as our leading nerdy fan-boy, does a great job of imitating me if I were ever in a similar situation involving the lovely Katy Perry, as Sasha Grey (a lady I’ve been a fan of for a loooong time before her “real” movies), plays our movie star in distress. Toss in some hackers and one guy with a nasty plan and we have our movie. The movie had a format that had been done, but still cool. It had a plot that sucks you in at first, but it is in the second part of the movie when this one shoots its self in the proverbial foot.
The great Hulk Hogan once said a great quote, “You know its a work when you work a work and work yourself into a shoot”. What does that mean? Well, I’m not sure we want to open up that can of worms, but lets just say that before the credits roll, Open Windows, tosses so many twists and turns at us that former wrestling writer Vince Russo would blush. I mean this is the type of stuff that would make the King of the Twist, M. Night Shyamalan, stop and say, “WOW! Easy on the twists there.” A twist is alright. A few curve balls in the cinema of movie watching usually keeps us movie goers in the batter’s box on our toes. This movie does soo much in the last act that it puts us on our backsides in confusion holding our heads kind of way. The great performances and the plot that is built up our good graces while watching literally get shot at point blank range and that is only the start of it in this one. The movie is creative, I’ll give it that. These actors can act, I’ll give it that as well. However, I am willing to bet that by the time the credits roll here, most people won’t have a clue what the heck is even going on anymore. The Den does this style better and with less money and without the twists. Not to mention less headache.
Extras
– The Making of Open Windows
– Visual Effects Reel
– Trailer
Quality of Transfer: 89%
