78 reviews
I watched writer/director Nacho Vigalondo's Timecrimes a few years ago and was very impressed by the film generally, but especially by the unabashed ambition and imagination on display in what was a first feature-length effort. Open Windows demonstrates that Vigalondo's ambition and imagination is undiminished, but he could do with a little more restraint.
The set-up has echoes of Rear Window and Phone Booth, as Elijah Wood's super-fan Nick (a supposed competition-winner in town for a meeting with his favourite actress) finds himself let down. The curiously London-accented "campaign manager" for said actress (equally curiously named Chord) gets in touch, but evidently has motives of his own as he begins to manipulate Nick. The situation gets increasingly disturbing as the suspiciously tech-savvy Chord continuously ups the ante. To summarise the plot from here would take as long as the film given the density of events and twists, but overall the story gets progressively more bonkers and convoluted before careering off the road in admittedly entertaining fashion.
Vigalondo might be too imaginative for his own good at times, and I'd class Open Windows as a noble failure, but it's entertaining nonetheless.
The set-up has echoes of Rear Window and Phone Booth, as Elijah Wood's super-fan Nick (a supposed competition-winner in town for a meeting with his favourite actress) finds himself let down. The curiously London-accented "campaign manager" for said actress (equally curiously named Chord) gets in touch, but evidently has motives of his own as he begins to manipulate Nick. The situation gets increasingly disturbing as the suspiciously tech-savvy Chord continuously ups the ante. To summarise the plot from here would take as long as the film given the density of events and twists, but overall the story gets progressively more bonkers and convoluted before careering off the road in admittedly entertaining fashion.
Vigalondo might be too imaginative for his own good at times, and I'd class Open Windows as a noble failure, but it's entertaining nonetheless.
Nacho Vigalondo's Open Windows opens on an extremely promising note plenty of twists , turns and surprises . This is a Techno-thriller that addresses questions of life , computers , fans and belief against a strange antagonist . A jilted fan called Nick Chambers (Elijah Wood) soon finds himself pulled into a twisted chase after he accepts the opportunity to spy on his favorite player called Jill Goddard (Sasha Grey) via his laptop . As it takes place on a variety of screens and locations using different types of footage .
This Spanish/US co-production succeeds because of the thriller , tension , Kafkaesque suspense , as well as an interestingly written script concerning a complex intrigue in which our protagonists are in such extreme situation and their subsequent instinctive urges for survival . This laptop-set thriller deals with a deadly game of cat-and-mouse in which video cameras capture everything , and the internet has turned into a cesspool of surveillance that's hundred times more horrifying than Leatherface's dugout . We immediately see that the story is going to be told from some unorthodox perspectives as each scene is broadcast through a window on a computer monitor . Despite its average budget the picture manages to be intelligent , intriguing and thrilling but also a little bit boring and hard to follow . The good thing about this film is that the director made it on a limited budget only having to do a few sets , yet the movie works on many levels but is constantly reconfigured . Looking for a monologue from Elijah Wood you'll get it in the form of a confessional style Webcam appearance . There is here in separate windows featuring a Webcam feed , even the action sequences are showcased in this format . In spite of being technically a "Techno thriller", the film nods at everything from a technological world to Hitchcock to Giallo . The final result is an offbeat thriller that's captivating , in spite of not being all that fun or especially thoughtful , neither thought-provoking .
The motion picture was original and innovately directed by Nacho Vigalondo . Here Nacho adapts to the times and find thriller/action/mystery in the ways people are living today . Filmmaker Vigalondo manages to not seem completely daft and he is attacking our vulnerability online by setting his Techno film entirely unsettling . This picture relatively cheap was tautly written and directed by Nacho Vigalondo in his third movie , his first was the international hit titled ¨Time crimes¨ with Karra Errejalde , Barbara Goenaga and going on ¨Extraterrestrial¨ with Michelle Jenner and Julián Villagrán , both of them showing up in ¨Open Windows¨ as guest stars . Nacho , who usually turns up in his movies at brief appearing , is a good young filmmaker , a little prolific director because being usually writer for television and shorts filmmaker , he has only realized three films . ¨Open windows¨ is without a doubt a weird , mysterious film to be liked for thriller and suspense fans , turning out to be one of the most original Spanish movies of the last years . Rating : 6 . Acceptable and passable .
This Spanish/US co-production succeeds because of the thriller , tension , Kafkaesque suspense , as well as an interestingly written script concerning a complex intrigue in which our protagonists are in such extreme situation and their subsequent instinctive urges for survival . This laptop-set thriller deals with a deadly game of cat-and-mouse in which video cameras capture everything , and the internet has turned into a cesspool of surveillance that's hundred times more horrifying than Leatherface's dugout . We immediately see that the story is going to be told from some unorthodox perspectives as each scene is broadcast through a window on a computer monitor . Despite its average budget the picture manages to be intelligent , intriguing and thrilling but also a little bit boring and hard to follow . The good thing about this film is that the director made it on a limited budget only having to do a few sets , yet the movie works on many levels but is constantly reconfigured . Looking for a monologue from Elijah Wood you'll get it in the form of a confessional style Webcam appearance . There is here in separate windows featuring a Webcam feed , even the action sequences are showcased in this format . In spite of being technically a "Techno thriller", the film nods at everything from a technological world to Hitchcock to Giallo . The final result is an offbeat thriller that's captivating , in spite of not being all that fun or especially thoughtful , neither thought-provoking .
The motion picture was original and innovately directed by Nacho Vigalondo . Here Nacho adapts to the times and find thriller/action/mystery in the ways people are living today . Filmmaker Vigalondo manages to not seem completely daft and he is attacking our vulnerability online by setting his Techno film entirely unsettling . This picture relatively cheap was tautly written and directed by Nacho Vigalondo in his third movie , his first was the international hit titled ¨Time crimes¨ with Karra Errejalde , Barbara Goenaga and going on ¨Extraterrestrial¨ with Michelle Jenner and Julián Villagrán , both of them showing up in ¨Open Windows¨ as guest stars . Nacho , who usually turns up in his movies at brief appearing , is a good young filmmaker , a little prolific director because being usually writer for television and shorts filmmaker , he has only realized three films . ¨Open windows¨ is without a doubt a weird , mysterious film to be liked for thriller and suspense fans , turning out to be one of the most original Spanish movies of the last years . Rating : 6 . Acceptable and passable .
- praveer-mishra
- May 4, 2014
- Permalink
God bless Nacho Vigalondo ('Timecrimes' / 'Extraterrestrial'); he is a madman in person and in practice. 'Open Windows' is another attempt at an unconventional, high-concept thriller exploring the medium of film at its heart - action through time - and in ways that no one else has even conceived of. Elijah Wood's character is set up in a hotel in Austin having won a sweepstakes to meet his favorite actress, played by Sasha Grey - who, based on some of her IMDb titles ('Anal Artist' / 'Pop Goes the Weasel' / 'House of Ass 3'), isn't likely a Disney alum. When Wood is notified by her representative, 'Chord', that she has canceled their meeting and that being rude to her fans is nothing new, as a supposed retaliation, he's presented with the opportunity for remote access to the actress' laptop, phone, and webcam.
The film doesn't take much time dealing with the ethics of spying on someone but, rather, jumps right into a fast-passed thrill ride that has Wood's character jumping for A to B to C as Chord's true intentions unfold. The story is told in real-time, almost entirely on the screen of a laptop, with practical cameras following multiple events, and various plot points reveled through pop-up windows on the screen. The film was cleverly introduced as a modern-day 'Rear Window' and the gimmick does work; it took some time to get used to but, the tension ramps up quickly and, though the format is pivotal to the story, you almost forget that you're watching anything but a standard narrative. Unfortunately, it's the technology within the narrative that stretches disbelief a bit too far as the twists and turns become more and more bizarre. I'm always curious to see what Vigalondo has up his sleeve and his ambitions did not disappoint but the limitations he imposes on himself as a filmmaker seem to have pushed the state of modern technology into the realm of 'fantasy' which distracts from what is, otherwise, an inventive hostage/who-dun-it scenario.
The film doesn't take much time dealing with the ethics of spying on someone but, rather, jumps right into a fast-passed thrill ride that has Wood's character jumping for A to B to C as Chord's true intentions unfold. The story is told in real-time, almost entirely on the screen of a laptop, with practical cameras following multiple events, and various plot points reveled through pop-up windows on the screen. The film was cleverly introduced as a modern-day 'Rear Window' and the gimmick does work; it took some time to get used to but, the tension ramps up quickly and, though the format is pivotal to the story, you almost forget that you're watching anything but a standard narrative. Unfortunately, it's the technology within the narrative that stretches disbelief a bit too far as the twists and turns become more and more bizarre. I'm always curious to see what Vigalondo has up his sleeve and his ambitions did not disappoint but the limitations he imposes on himself as a filmmaker seem to have pushed the state of modern technology into the realm of 'fantasy' which distracts from what is, otherwise, an inventive hostage/who-dun-it scenario.
OK, the most frightening aspect of this film is that it was actually included in today's line-up at London's Frightfest.
Not scary, not thrilling, just extremely tedious. The director got caught up in his gimmicky virtuoso approach to a sub-par screenplay with a mildly interesting premise. At one point things got so convoluted and ludicrous that he attempted to claw his way out of the plot contrivances hole he dug himself in, not with one, but with two car chase sequences.
During the Q&A people left 'en-masse', brutal but necessary payback.
What a stinking mess!
Not scary, not thrilling, just extremely tedious. The director got caught up in his gimmicky virtuoso approach to a sub-par screenplay with a mildly interesting premise. At one point things got so convoluted and ludicrous that he attempted to claw his way out of the plot contrivances hole he dug himself in, not with one, but with two car chase sequences.
During the Q&A people left 'en-masse', brutal but necessary payback.
What a stinking mess!
- Scream_Meister
- Aug 23, 2014
- Permalink
For most of its short running time, Open Windows is riveting. It involves a nebbishy guy who runs a website creepily devoted to an actress who finds himself pulled, step by step, into and insane and disastrous crime.
The movie begins on Nick's (Elijah Wood) laptop. He is messaged then given intrusive software that allows him to spy on the actress. As the movie progresses he gets in deeper and deeper; he is complicit for taking that first step but then is simply caught.
The film is cleverly shot entirely through screens open on the laptop. I'm not sure how this would work in the movie theater but it works great on TV.
The movie was written and directed by Nacho Vigalondo, who specializes in elaborate twists, but after digging himself in deep in the first hour he can't find an elegant way to dig himself out again, and the last part of the movie is a long, convoluted mess that is like he was trying to get every twist ending he could think of in one movie.
I loved most of this movie, and would have rated it a 9 if it had all been as good as that first 70 minutes, but the last part is maybe a 5 or 6.
A final note: this would make a great video game. There's a fairly obscure adventure video game called The Experiment that involves doing everything through security cameras, and I would love to see something similar done with this.
Anyway, if you're a fan of Nacho, check it out. For all its issues it's pretty entertaining overall.
The movie begins on Nick's (Elijah Wood) laptop. He is messaged then given intrusive software that allows him to spy on the actress. As the movie progresses he gets in deeper and deeper; he is complicit for taking that first step but then is simply caught.
The film is cleverly shot entirely through screens open on the laptop. I'm not sure how this would work in the movie theater but it works great on TV.
The movie was written and directed by Nacho Vigalondo, who specializes in elaborate twists, but after digging himself in deep in the first hour he can't find an elegant way to dig himself out again, and the last part of the movie is a long, convoluted mess that is like he was trying to get every twist ending he could think of in one movie.
I loved most of this movie, and would have rated it a 9 if it had all been as good as that first 70 minutes, but the last part is maybe a 5 or 6.
A final note: this would make a great video game. There's a fairly obscure adventure video game called The Experiment that involves doing everything through security cameras, and I would love to see something similar done with this.
Anyway, if you're a fan of Nacho, check it out. For all its issues it's pretty entertaining overall.
OPEN WINDOWS is a high-concept thriller that works better as an exercise in form and style than as a movie. Directed by Nacho Vigalondo, and starring Elijah Wood and Sasha Grey, the story is about a guy named Nick Chambers (Wood) who wins a date with actress Jill Goddard (Grey) through an online contest. After finding out the date has been canceled, a mysterious stranger named Chord (who claims to be affiliated with Jill) allows Nick to watch her secretly from his laptop, and things start to get crazy from there.
When I first started watching this, I was reminded of a couple of films that Elijah Wood did before this one: MANIAC and GRAND PIANO. I thought of MANIAC because every shot in this movie is from the first person point of view, and of GRAND PIANO because his character is constantly being given instructions by a mostly unseen third party. What I thought this film did effectively was integrate technology in an interesting way, and the way the story was presented was at least creative. It takes a while to get used to, but once you accept the concept then it's easier to get into the film. It's actually not too bad of a film either, for the first two-thirds of it. You have this rather timid individual who is given the opportunity to spy on someone he admires through the miracle of modern technology, and when things start to go wrong the film is able to maintain a good level of tension. Nothing in this film is predictable, and that is probably the highest praise I can give it. Still, despite the modern trappings it is rather silly and convoluted. I won't give away any twists, but it takes a turn about two-thirds of the way through that kind of ruined the experience for me.
As far as the acting is concerned, nobody really gave a bad performance, but nobody was spectacular either, including Elijah Wood who seemed to be doing another variation on the type of character he's played in his last couple of films. Sasha Grey wasn't too bad, but I wasn't expecting too much from somebody who came out of porn. Overall, I thought that the story, as implausible as it was, started out pretty good but then derails in the final act. There were some good observations on obsession with celebrities and the terrifying possibilities of modern technology, but it is mostly lost in a standard thriller. It's being billed as a 21st century REAR WINDOW, but most people would probably be better off watching that instead.
When I first started watching this, I was reminded of a couple of films that Elijah Wood did before this one: MANIAC and GRAND PIANO. I thought of MANIAC because every shot in this movie is from the first person point of view, and of GRAND PIANO because his character is constantly being given instructions by a mostly unseen third party. What I thought this film did effectively was integrate technology in an interesting way, and the way the story was presented was at least creative. It takes a while to get used to, but once you accept the concept then it's easier to get into the film. It's actually not too bad of a film either, for the first two-thirds of it. You have this rather timid individual who is given the opportunity to spy on someone he admires through the miracle of modern technology, and when things start to go wrong the film is able to maintain a good level of tension. Nothing in this film is predictable, and that is probably the highest praise I can give it. Still, despite the modern trappings it is rather silly and convoluted. I won't give away any twists, but it takes a turn about two-thirds of the way through that kind of ruined the experience for me.
As far as the acting is concerned, nobody really gave a bad performance, but nobody was spectacular either, including Elijah Wood who seemed to be doing another variation on the type of character he's played in his last couple of films. Sasha Grey wasn't too bad, but I wasn't expecting too much from somebody who came out of porn. Overall, I thought that the story, as implausible as it was, started out pretty good but then derails in the final act. There were some good observations on obsession with celebrities and the terrifying possibilities of modern technology, but it is mostly lost in a standard thriller. It's being billed as a 21st century REAR WINDOW, but most people would probably be better off watching that instead.
- brchthethird
- Oct 5, 2014
- Permalink
I hate writing bad reviews. I really do. Bad reviews aren't helpful and only serve to make well-meaning artists feel bad about their work. They worked hard on their piece. Submitted for your approval. "Open Windows" Overly complicated. Overacted. Overly stupid and in some choice "nuggets" of scenes, I found myself cringing from embarassement- you know the feeling, like when your chin gets pulled down to your neck and your face turns red? And yet I *still* gave it 7 stars. Why? It was weird fun and I stuck with it to see what happened next. There certainly are worse films for sure, but not too many "Golden Turkeys" like this one.
- donovandesign
- Nov 22, 2019
- Permalink
- chrismackey1972
- Oct 1, 2014
- Permalink
The Plot
An actress named Jill refuses to have dinner with Nick, a fan who won a date with her in an Internet contest.
In return, a guy named Chord, posing as Jill's campaign manager, helps Nick to follow in the footsteps of the actress from his own computer.
Nick starts a game in which he realizes that is only a puppet into the maniac plans devised by Chord, to hunt down the star.
Sort of a tech movie written by some one who knows nothing about technology.
It's really dumb, even though parts of it are watchable despite being completely unbelievable. And that's really the problem with the movie. It's a bit like Rear Window without the believability.
An actress named Jill refuses to have dinner with Nick, a fan who won a date with her in an Internet contest.
In return, a guy named Chord, posing as Jill's campaign manager, helps Nick to follow in the footsteps of the actress from his own computer.
Nick starts a game in which he realizes that is only a puppet into the maniac plans devised by Chord, to hunt down the star.
Sort of a tech movie written by some one who knows nothing about technology.
It's really dumb, even though parts of it are watchable despite being completely unbelievable. And that's really the problem with the movie. It's a bit like Rear Window without the believability.
I really don't see how this movie deserves so many bad reviews. At the very least, it is interesting formally and esthetically. It gives a whole new meaning to the classic drama concept of unity of time and space: About 80% of the action takes place within the confines of a laptop computer screen, and the rest is confined to other screens; most of it takes place within a few hours, and the rest is introduced via video playback.
The production design, which in this case is actually UI design, is beautiful. The acting is nothing special but adequate. The thriller aspect has its interesting twists and turns, but that's not really the point. I do not believe the social commentary should be taken too seriously either. The point of the movie is providing a reflection of how media construct the world, and today's media are digital and delivered via the internet. If you don't just like to be taken on a ride, but if you appreciate if it's done in a smart way, give this one a chance.
Oh, and of course: God bless Sasha Grey!
The production design, which in this case is actually UI design, is beautiful. The acting is nothing special but adequate. The thriller aspect has its interesting twists and turns, but that's not really the point. I do not believe the social commentary should be taken too seriously either. The point of the movie is providing a reflection of how media construct the world, and today's media are digital and delivered via the internet. If you don't just like to be taken on a ride, but if you appreciate if it's done in a smart way, give this one a chance.
Oh, and of course: God bless Sasha Grey!
Our little Frodo is becoming quite the horror icon. Actor Elijah Wood might always be first associated with his role as the hobbit in Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings trilogy, but his dabbles in the horror genre should not be overlooked. After playing a serial killer in 2012's Maniac remake, Wood has also lent his talents to the thriller Grand Piano, the indie horror Cooties and presently as lead in Nacho Vigalondo's Open Windows.
Spanish director Vigalondo is best known for his brilliant Timecrimes (2007) and it has been 6 (too) long years since his last feature. With Open Windows, Vigalondo casts Elijah Wood as Nick Chambers who wins a contest to have dinner with his favorite celebrity, Jill Goddard (Sasha Grey). But when Jill seemingly cancels the date, a mysterious man by the name of Chord (Neil Maskell) contacts Nick and offers promises and ideas on how Nick salvage his trip to Austin and get close to his idol. Nick is too naïve to realize he is being used as a pawn in a dangerous cat-and-mouse game that is seen entirely through technology devices such as computers and camera screens. Nick follows Chord's orders and questions motives in necessary situations. But when Nick gets involved so deep that walking away from Chord's demands would lead to incarceration or worse, Nick has to devise his own plan to save both himself and Jill from the villains maniacal plans.
Open Windows is a complex thriller that demands your attention from start to finish. Answers to questions posed by the enigma of a plot are not spoon fed to the audience and those that go to movies to see talking transformer cars wreak havoc on our cities will be challenged to keep up with the overlapping story developments on display in Open Windows.
With the entire movie having been presented through the eyes of camera lenses and computer screens, Open Windows offers as unique a filmmaking experience you can find this year. With multiple windows opened on a screen there are plenty of things to watch and catch as things unfold and we can't imagine the complexity of post-production putting the pieces together.
Elijah Wood continues to show his versatility and although Sasha Grey does nothing to convince us that she is the next Meryl Streep she isn't a distraction either. Some of the other voice overs are less convincing in their conveyance of stress or urgency but again, the plot is thick enough that hanging on such trivial sidebars is a futile adventure.
Open Windows ends up being a two-viewing necessity. You might not understand everything or follow all plot points on the first go. But upon a repeat viewing, I am sure that Open Windows will serve itself as an adult and taut thriller that zig zags in unexpected directions until the curtains close.
www.killerreviews.com
Spanish director Vigalondo is best known for his brilliant Timecrimes (2007) and it has been 6 (too) long years since his last feature. With Open Windows, Vigalondo casts Elijah Wood as Nick Chambers who wins a contest to have dinner with his favorite celebrity, Jill Goddard (Sasha Grey). But when Jill seemingly cancels the date, a mysterious man by the name of Chord (Neil Maskell) contacts Nick and offers promises and ideas on how Nick salvage his trip to Austin and get close to his idol. Nick is too naïve to realize he is being used as a pawn in a dangerous cat-and-mouse game that is seen entirely through technology devices such as computers and camera screens. Nick follows Chord's orders and questions motives in necessary situations. But when Nick gets involved so deep that walking away from Chord's demands would lead to incarceration or worse, Nick has to devise his own plan to save both himself and Jill from the villains maniacal plans.
Open Windows is a complex thriller that demands your attention from start to finish. Answers to questions posed by the enigma of a plot are not spoon fed to the audience and those that go to movies to see talking transformer cars wreak havoc on our cities will be challenged to keep up with the overlapping story developments on display in Open Windows.
With the entire movie having been presented through the eyes of camera lenses and computer screens, Open Windows offers as unique a filmmaking experience you can find this year. With multiple windows opened on a screen there are plenty of things to watch and catch as things unfold and we can't imagine the complexity of post-production putting the pieces together.
Elijah Wood continues to show his versatility and although Sasha Grey does nothing to convince us that she is the next Meryl Streep she isn't a distraction either. Some of the other voice overs are less convincing in their conveyance of stress or urgency but again, the plot is thick enough that hanging on such trivial sidebars is a futile adventure.
Open Windows ends up being a two-viewing necessity. You might not understand everything or follow all plot points on the first go. But upon a repeat viewing, I am sure that Open Windows will serve itself as an adult and taut thriller that zig zags in unexpected directions until the curtains close.
www.killerreviews.com
- gregsrants
- Oct 20, 2014
- Permalink
-Open Windows, which opens this weekend in limited release I believe, follows a website designer who gets dragged along on a string of escalading events by a hacker and thief. It is a little more complicated than that, but I don't care about it enough to explain it.
-So Open Windows feels like a student film, but not the good kind. Because it was really lame. Its story was unreal and cheesy, with some forced plot twists and an ending that was dumb and didn't make ANY sense. Still a better ending that The Maze Runner.
-It's tone, well it doesn't really have a set tone. I wasn't sure if I should be nervous or anxious or excited or laughing.
-It's acting is very on-par with short films. Even Elijah Wood isn't good in it, and you can tell he doesn't really care. Everyone else is pretty lame.
-I will give it one thing, a lot of it looked like a continuous shot and it had a good pace because of it. But at the same time, it felt very cluttered, and like it just didn't know where it wanted to go.
-It's effects were not terrible. But nothing in it looked good or believable.
-Content: There is no listed rating, but it is not unrated, so I didn't know what to expect. Apparently it has a few F-words and some partial nudity. So R. That's all you had to say IMDb. R.
-Overall Open Windows was very below the standard of acceptable films. It was not good, but not quit so bad it's good. So I will easily say that Open Windows is not worth seeing. Ever. 3/10. Which for those of you keeping track, is even below Transformers 4.
-So Open Windows feels like a student film, but not the good kind. Because it was really lame. Its story was unreal and cheesy, with some forced plot twists and an ending that was dumb and didn't make ANY sense. Still a better ending that The Maze Runner.
-It's tone, well it doesn't really have a set tone. I wasn't sure if I should be nervous or anxious or excited or laughing.
-It's acting is very on-par with short films. Even Elijah Wood isn't good in it, and you can tell he doesn't really care. Everyone else is pretty lame.
-I will give it one thing, a lot of it looked like a continuous shot and it had a good pace because of it. But at the same time, it felt very cluttered, and like it just didn't know where it wanted to go.
-It's effects were not terrible. But nothing in it looked good or believable.
-Content: There is no listed rating, but it is not unrated, so I didn't know what to expect. Apparently it has a few F-words and some partial nudity. So R. That's all you had to say IMDb. R.
-Overall Open Windows was very below the standard of acceptable films. It was not good, but not quit so bad it's good. So I will easily say that Open Windows is not worth seeing. Ever. 3/10. Which for those of you keeping track, is even below Transformers 4.
- rprince-832-6294
- Nov 3, 2014
- Permalink
'Open Windows' was not a bad concept. The 'found footage' genre is still alive and kicking (despite what some may say) and little innovations like this are most welcome. But when the script you're doing it with is as poor as this one was, you're doomed before filming even starts. The dialogue is unbearably bad, the plot is far too convoluted for its own good and not one character has an iota of likability about them. Not a good recipe for a successful film.
There was potential here somewhere. The plot actually had something going for it I'm pretty sure but the execution simply wasn't there. I hadn't even realised it until just now (I didn't even know he was behind 'Open Windows') but I was actually criticising writer/director Nacho Vigalondo for the exact same thing the other day for his segment 'Parallel Monsters' in 'V/H/S: Viral' - a whole lot of potential with no execution. The man obviously has a creative brain but is lacking the filmmaking skills. A real shame.
The acting was pretty feeble. Elijah Wood is incredibly flat and makes the already cringe-worthy dialogue even worse. Pornographic actress Sasha Grey would probably have to be called the stand out performer in this. Don't get me wrong she was nothing great, the rest of the cast was just that bad. She held her own though and I'll be interested to see what she comes out with next. Altogether the film is a complete misfire. The amount of plot holes will give you a headache and for that matter so will every other aspect of the film. Give it a miss.
There was potential here somewhere. The plot actually had something going for it I'm pretty sure but the execution simply wasn't there. I hadn't even realised it until just now (I didn't even know he was behind 'Open Windows') but I was actually criticising writer/director Nacho Vigalondo for the exact same thing the other day for his segment 'Parallel Monsters' in 'V/H/S: Viral' - a whole lot of potential with no execution. The man obviously has a creative brain but is lacking the filmmaking skills. A real shame.
The acting was pretty feeble. Elijah Wood is incredibly flat and makes the already cringe-worthy dialogue even worse. Pornographic actress Sasha Grey would probably have to be called the stand out performer in this. Don't get me wrong she was nothing great, the rest of the cast was just that bad. She held her own though and I'll be interested to see what she comes out with next. Altogether the film is a complete misfire. The amount of plot holes will give you a headache and for that matter so will every other aspect of the film. Give it a miss.
- jtindahouse
- Jun 28, 2015
- Permalink
Good idea, but a lousy realization. All in all, likable hacker thriller that kept me at the edge of my seat from time to time, but disappointed me with its excessive finale. Nothing in this movie is excellent, but everything is satisfying. I did not predict any of the twists and, for me, it was pretty much entertaining. The highlight of the movie is the scene with the lead female character getting naked in front of a camera. I have no idea how they persuaded her to lose her clothes, but after so many years of eager anticipation, finally we have a chance, for the first time in a movie, to see Sasha Grey naked.
7/10
P.S. OK, for the first time in a mainstream movie. :D <3
7/10
P.S. OK, for the first time in a mainstream movie. :D <3
- Bored_Dragon
- Nov 20, 2016
- Permalink
Review: I wasn't a big fan of this movie. I didn't have a clue what was going on half of the time because the plot kept on changing without much explanation. When it all came together at the end I was quite surprised with the outcome but I don't think that it was well put together. The director over complicated the movie and he made it go in different directions which just became annoying after a while. Anyway, the movie is about a man whose obsessed with an actress and when he finds out that he has won a contest to have dinner with her, he really can't believe that his dream has come true. When he finds out from a mysterious caller that she has cancelled the meal because she can't be bothered to go, the mysterious man offers him exclusive access to the actress life, via cameras and hacking into her laptop and phone. After snooping into her private life, he realises that the mysterious man isn't all that he seems and he's ends up trying to save the actresses life whilst putting his own life in danger. Its an original concept but it's executed badly. Elijah Wood put in a good performance because he brought intensity throughout the whole film and he made the situation seem real. On the plus side, this movie does show how easy it is to get into people's private lives with ease but for entertainment, it could have been much better. Watchable but not that great!
Round-Up: Elijah Wood has taken on some weird projects since playing Frodo in the Lord of the Rings franchise, like Grand Piano, Maniac and Revenge For Jolly, and most of his films seem to go straight to DVD. At 34, I doubt that he would be happy with the way that his career has turned out after the major blockbuster but he has got a film with Vin Diesel coming out soon, called The Last Witch Hunter, so that might bring him back in the spotlight. The moody and dark settings in this movie, worked well with the subject matter but it seemed like the director lost the plot. Some of the clever camera work was impressive and I liked the use of the different computer windows throughout the movie but it's a shame that the script was so sketchy.
I recommend this movie to people who are into their thrillers about an man who obsessed with a famous actress and wins a competition to have dinner with her but he finds out that the dinner is off so he seeks revenge with the help from a mystery caller. 4/10
Round-Up: Elijah Wood has taken on some weird projects since playing Frodo in the Lord of the Rings franchise, like Grand Piano, Maniac and Revenge For Jolly, and most of his films seem to go straight to DVD. At 34, I doubt that he would be happy with the way that his career has turned out after the major blockbuster but he has got a film with Vin Diesel coming out soon, called The Last Witch Hunter, so that might bring him back in the spotlight. The moody and dark settings in this movie, worked well with the subject matter but it seemed like the director lost the plot. Some of the clever camera work was impressive and I liked the use of the different computer windows throughout the movie but it's a shame that the script was so sketchy.
I recommend this movie to people who are into their thrillers about an man who obsessed with a famous actress and wins a competition to have dinner with her but he finds out that the dinner is off so he seeks revenge with the help from a mystery caller. 4/10
- leonblackwood
- May 15, 2015
- Permalink
- MoviesReviews101
- Nov 7, 2014
- Permalink
*I tried to leave out any major story spoilers* It's day 6 now of the SXSW Festival in Austin, Texas. I went to check out "Open Windows," starring porn star Sasha Grey, at the Alamo Drafthouse on 6th Street downtown. I introduce her as "porn star" because her career as an actress has not really taken off, even after a title role in "The Girlfriend Experience" from Steven Soderberg, one of the greatest movie directors of all time. She was also in many episodes of "Entourage" on HBO. I've been kind of rooting for her since we don't hear many stories of porn stars becoming successful movie stars. They...can't be taken seriously. "The Girlfriend Experience" proved that wrong. Entourage played with the idea. Now, after hearing the premise, I was expecting Ms. Grey to be embracing her career in porn and actually let us watch her through "Open Windows" get naked in theaters.
The film...did...not...deliver.
What we do get is a world of technology. Almost futuristic, the film is shown through multiple webcams and security cameras. The villain has all of these at his disposal as well as the entire internet (apparently). Whatever statement the director was trying to make, I felt was lost. The third act really lost me. It's not even worth explaining. As for the rest of it, basically, we have an actress who sucks (Sasha plays an actress who's supposed to be popular), and her number one fan has a website and is set to meet her. The villain set this up to capture her and blame him for it. There are too many twists that the director couldn't even keep up with, and there were some applaud-worthy moments that were ruined by the way the film was made. It plays like a found-footage film, but we're watching it on a computer. The entire thing is real-time so it feels like it's all done in one take.
What it SHOULD have been... Was a "Rear Window" homage. That's what I was expecting based on an article in the Austin Chronicle that actually mentioned "Rear Window" as if "Open Windows" was going to pay respects to Hitchcock. Instead, "windows" here aren't the ones we look through to engage in voyeurism like a pervert at our favorite porn star. They're the ones we look at on a computer screen! Elijah Wood (oh yeah, he was in it) shouldn't have been forced to leave his hotel room, as if the director wanted us to leave our comfort zone so early, even though a car chase erupts when he chases down the bad guy. This was actually the best scene in the film, and with a low camera angle through much of it from inside the car (via webcam on laptop in passenger seat that is somehow not sliding around everywhere). That should have been the climax, because it was actually mildly gripping until it kept going, slowing down the whole pace of the film. The narrative goes crazy with twists, too. Like, too many. They didn't make sense, either. The director admitted to this in a Q&A after the show. Audience members were asked for questions, yet unwilling to participate until the director just plain asked if anyone hated it so much that they wanted to slap him. True story.
This is an opportunity we should have for more directors, actually.
However, this guy was SO nice, I just felt bad for him. When a shot of Maker's Mark was offered, someone took the opportunity. He slapped the director on the stage. He knew his movie wasn't good. Someone did actually ask if there was any commentary about being a celebrity or our current technology. He said that we're all okay with living lives that should be private and aren't. This answer was unrelated to the film. I wish Sasha would have showed up at the screening. Sasha Grey was basically playing herself, in the movie, an actress even. Except, one the world has never seen naked.
That's a joke, right?
This flick will not help her serious movie career.
The film...did...not...deliver.
What we do get is a world of technology. Almost futuristic, the film is shown through multiple webcams and security cameras. The villain has all of these at his disposal as well as the entire internet (apparently). Whatever statement the director was trying to make, I felt was lost. The third act really lost me. It's not even worth explaining. As for the rest of it, basically, we have an actress who sucks (Sasha plays an actress who's supposed to be popular), and her number one fan has a website and is set to meet her. The villain set this up to capture her and blame him for it. There are too many twists that the director couldn't even keep up with, and there were some applaud-worthy moments that were ruined by the way the film was made. It plays like a found-footage film, but we're watching it on a computer. The entire thing is real-time so it feels like it's all done in one take.
What it SHOULD have been... Was a "Rear Window" homage. That's what I was expecting based on an article in the Austin Chronicle that actually mentioned "Rear Window" as if "Open Windows" was going to pay respects to Hitchcock. Instead, "windows" here aren't the ones we look through to engage in voyeurism like a pervert at our favorite porn star. They're the ones we look at on a computer screen! Elijah Wood (oh yeah, he was in it) shouldn't have been forced to leave his hotel room, as if the director wanted us to leave our comfort zone so early, even though a car chase erupts when he chases down the bad guy. This was actually the best scene in the film, and with a low camera angle through much of it from inside the car (via webcam on laptop in passenger seat that is somehow not sliding around everywhere). That should have been the climax, because it was actually mildly gripping until it kept going, slowing down the whole pace of the film. The narrative goes crazy with twists, too. Like, too many. They didn't make sense, either. The director admitted to this in a Q&A after the show. Audience members were asked for questions, yet unwilling to participate until the director just plain asked if anyone hated it so much that they wanted to slap him. True story.
This is an opportunity we should have for more directors, actually.
However, this guy was SO nice, I just felt bad for him. When a shot of Maker's Mark was offered, someone took the opportunity. He slapped the director on the stage. He knew his movie wasn't good. Someone did actually ask if there was any commentary about being a celebrity or our current technology. He said that we're all okay with living lives that should be private and aren't. This answer was unrelated to the film. I wish Sasha would have showed up at the screening. Sasha Grey was basically playing herself, in the movie, an actress even. Except, one the world has never seen naked.
That's a joke, right?
This flick will not help her serious movie career.
- TopherAllen1112
- Mar 12, 2014
- Permalink
If you've seen "Timecrimes", a movie previously made by the same director (he did another one in between that and this one, which I haven't watched yet), you'd be excused by thinking that this is a mess. Looking at it and especially towards the end, the movie goes off the rails. It loses all sense and logic. Where "Timecrimes" makes sense in every aspect (although it's highly complex), this is far from it.
But, you can still have fun with this movie. A lot of fun actually, especially considering the nature and the way this is shot (found footage light/like). You might get sucked into the struggle of our main actor, who's seemingly trying his best to move forward and get through. This might be great a great role for Elijah Wood (and even for Sasha Grey, who's still trying to find her place away from the adult career she had), but it won't be for every viewer ... consider the plot, how the movie is made/shown (found footage over a web cam, but with several other cameras outside shown in those ... windows) and decide for yourself ...
But, you can still have fun with this movie. A lot of fun actually, especially considering the nature and the way this is shot (found footage light/like). You might get sucked into the struggle of our main actor, who's seemingly trying his best to move forward and get through. This might be great a great role for Elijah Wood (and even for Sasha Grey, who's still trying to find her place away from the adult career she had), but it won't be for every viewer ... consider the plot, how the movie is made/shown (found footage over a web cam, but with several other cameras outside shown in those ... windows) and decide for yourself ...
I read the reviews, took a chance, lots of action for sure just not a very realistic story line. Nothing wrong with acting, it is quiet good. It just was a bit nutty for me. And unrealistic..but it is a movie. 5/10 at best.
- bethsgem-13693
- May 15, 2022
- Permalink
This movie was a thrill ride from beginning to end. All the actors did well, the graphics and direction was amazing, and the story unfolded nicely with some great twists. Anyone saying the plot was 'messy' or 'convoluted' obviously didn't pay much attention:/ It's extremely easy to follow and doesn't take us too far from reality (it's a movie anyways). Characters make good decisions for the most part, and overall a great watch if you like the scifi/hacker/thriller/suspense/mystery genre... which don't we all?
Once again disregard the haters and give this innovative and uncharted gem a watch 10/10 to balance out the cynics, and let fairly happy movie watchers know it's worth it.
Once again disregard the haters and give this innovative and uncharted gem a watch 10/10 to balance out the cynics, and let fairly happy movie watchers know it's worth it.
- keepitgoan
- Nov 29, 2014
- Permalink
Whilst the social commentary on our obsession with celebrities, alongside a reasonably intuitive and inspiring concept threaten to produce a relatively good product, Open Windows underwhelms in its final, climatic act, convoluting a number of well designed subplots, as well as the protagonist and antagonist's intentions and motives. Ever yet, it is a visually stimulating film, providing fantastic cinematography for a genre (that of found footage) which is so often entirely lacking in energy or originality. The story in general is also one of suspense, leaving the viewer consistently on the edge of their seat.
The performances and writing, though, are the two elements that reign in the opportunity for a purely entertaining suspense film. Whilst performances from Elijah Wood and (surprisingly) Sasha Grey are genuinely impressive, Adam Quintero and Neil Maskell give less rounded portrayals of their character, adding a flavour of melodrama to the movie. But it's the writing that truly undoes the film in the final, pivotal act; whereas much of the film is relatively easy to follow, the film's final portion drops far too many new developments on our head in a short span of time, and the final plot twist is utterly poor.
However entertaining and well edited, Open Windows still falls down due to rookie errors in relation to acting, pacing and writing. Nevertheless, it's certainly worth a watch; whether to examine Grey's first major cinematic release since her retirement from the pornographic industry, or to examine a suspense film which is willing to embark upon untouched ground, whether visually or story-wise.
5.4/10
This was a brief summary of my thoughts. For more in-depth reviews on films and scores, check out my website: www.entjunkie.blogspot.com
The performances and writing, though, are the two elements that reign in the opportunity for a purely entertaining suspense film. Whilst performances from Elijah Wood and (surprisingly) Sasha Grey are genuinely impressive, Adam Quintero and Neil Maskell give less rounded portrayals of their character, adding a flavour of melodrama to the movie. But it's the writing that truly undoes the film in the final, pivotal act; whereas much of the film is relatively easy to follow, the film's final portion drops far too many new developments on our head in a short span of time, and the final plot twist is utterly poor.
However entertaining and well edited, Open Windows still falls down due to rookie errors in relation to acting, pacing and writing. Nevertheless, it's certainly worth a watch; whether to examine Grey's first major cinematic release since her retirement from the pornographic industry, or to examine a suspense film which is willing to embark upon untouched ground, whether visually or story-wise.
5.4/10
This was a brief summary of my thoughts. For more in-depth reviews on films and scores, check out my website: www.entjunkie.blogspot.com
- Callum_Hofler
- Oct 16, 2014
- Permalink
You know those movies,that keep you at the edge of your seat and your afraid to blink,cause you just night miss out on something? This is not one of those movies.
This is one of those movies that makes you wanna claw your eyes out after 10min. after 30 you wonder why you still watching,after 45 your about ready to slice your jugular,just to end this. The story is stupid, and you don't really care for any of the characters. Worst of all the script seem to be a poor excuse to see Sasha Grey naked,but it shows just how over rated and bad actor Elijah wood is
What kind of idiot, accept a bunch of random links from a voice on the internet? I've seen porn with better script than this.But the lines are almost juts a cheesy
Sasha may have talent,but she don't get to show it in this movie
This is one of those movies that makes you wanna claw your eyes out after 10min. after 30 you wonder why you still watching,after 45 your about ready to slice your jugular,just to end this. The story is stupid, and you don't really care for any of the characters. Worst of all the script seem to be a poor excuse to see Sasha Grey naked,but it shows just how over rated and bad actor Elijah wood is
What kind of idiot, accept a bunch of random links from a voice on the internet? I've seen porn with better script than this.But the lines are almost juts a cheesy
Sasha may have talent,but she don't get to show it in this movie
- Eddie_weinbauer
- Nov 25, 2014
- Permalink
- ArchonCinemaReviews
- Oct 9, 2014
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