My Little Eye
Studio Executive one day thinks, 'hmmmm lets make a film, which capitalizes on the recent success of reality TV, but wait most of the bits, in theses shows are boring. Oh I know we'll add horror to the mix, and we're on to a winner’.
(Intro)
Studio Executive one day thinks, 'hmmmm lets make a film, which capitalizes on the recent success of reality TV, but wait most of the bits, in theses shows are boring. Oh I know we'll add horror to the mix, and we're on to a winner’. With that simple thought, My Little Eye was born! Ok, well it wasn't quite like that, there were writers and stuff, but my way, seems more plausible for some reason.
(Movie)
The best way to describe this movie, is as Big Brother, but if Wes Craven was the producer of the show. Not the first reality TV film, Series 7: The contender comes to mind, so what does this offer? The movie begins with 5 people, who are the contestants for a web based 'Big Brother' game. The contestants have been locked in the same old eerie house for 6 months, now coming towards then end, strange and spooking things begin to occur. It starts becoming a test of morality, as if one person were to leave the house, everyone loses the money. Each person has a dark secret, and the paranoia starts creeping in, leading to edge of the seat stuff, as you try to figure out, whets going on.
When the film started, I was not overly impressed. The biggest thing was that when the movie begins, you are lead to believe these people have been living together for 6 months and that doesn't come across, they interact as strangers. It might sound like a weird complaint, but being set on a Reality TV show, the very premise, is reality, and the start is unrealistic for me. Maybe they should have got the actors to live together for 6 months first, but I'm sure that would have a cost a bit. The acting was none to convincing either, I didn't recognize any of the actors, which makes me think they are all new, their fresh faces work as contestants, but the acting always lacked emotion. On the upside, the atmosphere is quite decent, thanks to the unusual camera angles. Peculiar angles, and even night vision cameras, are used to recreate the feeling of a TV show. There are also some nice cheap scares, the ones that make you jump, that's good to have in a horror movie.
Not being over impressed with the beginning, what did I think of the rest of the movie? Well it just got better and better, in fact it turned into a very good movie. The tension begins to rise, and it just does not stop. Not only that, but you are engrossed, as the twists and turns keep you guessing, on who's doing what. In fact it manages to keep the audience guessing as to what is actually happening by throwing numerous red herrings into the fold, all the way till the end. A tight editing, keeps the pace good, never leading to lagging parts, there are slow parts, but they just help build the tension. The direction has some great flair, as the movie feels very dynamic, which gives the movie a good 'rush' till the end. As you can see I am very impressed, though there were the odd bits that were not too hot. The dialogue was not the best, it was not clever or snappy, like the directing. There are some good quotes, but generally it is very lack lustre. Also, maybe because of the script, the acting did not improve, except for the man who played Rex, who was impressive, he reminded me of Jason Lee (Mallrats and other Kevin Smith movies).
Overall this is one cracking movie, its got good ideas, which are brought together with superb directing. I not only recommend to horror fans, but to anyone who likes films with twists and turns a plenty.
(Picture)
The film is presented in 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen. The picture quality varies from scene to scene. It was purposely shot, in a low resolution, imperfect manner, to help convince audiences of its Reality TV show background. Problem is, this leads to inconsistent lighting, poor colour reproduction. At times this can help with the atmosphere, but at other times it is simply annoying. Though unlike most brand new DVDs, expect to see grain, intentional or not, it can be annoying.
(Sound)
The film comes with a Dolby Digital 5.1 track, and its used to its eerie best. It helps build tension, as well as delivering those off the seat scares. No hissing, just clear and concise sound, surround speakers are used a bit sparingly, but as there is not much music playback, that can be forgiven. The woofer is also used to good effect, delivering good thudding base.
(Extras)
- Disc 1
- Standard Viewing Mode:
- Audio Commentary by Marc Evans and Producer Jon Finn
- Interactive Browser Mode:
- Enter a password (hidden in the packaging) to view the film from the perspective of an internet subscriber, with the option to:
- Choose to see selected scenes from different cameras
- Access archive footage (deleted scenes)
- Follow the movements of ‘the company’ within the house
- Eavesdrop into conversations between the people behind ‘the company’
- Monitor the housemates files change as the events unfold
- Disc 2
- Deleted scenes (available with Director/Producer Commentary – approx. 30 mins) - Nice, also available on Disc 1.
- Making of My Little Eye (approx. 30 mins) - Marc Evans’ perspective on the affair, not just self congratulatory rubbish (like most other "making of"), but some descent insight.
- My Little Eye Gallery - Its in a montage, which is quite cool, save you keep clicking a button on your remote, for each picture.
- Theatrical Trailer
- Teaser Trailer
- TV Spots
Disc 2 are just standard extras you would expect, some interesting stuff, as well as the usual rubbish disc fillers, but Disc 1 has something special. Ok you have a commentary with director and producers, its insightful, talking about budgets, plot revisions and the making of the actual film. That's not the special thing, what is, is the Interactive option given at the start. To be honest, this has to be the most ground breaking features I have ever seen.
Once you select Interactive mode, you have to enter a 4 digit code, which is hidden inside the packaging of the DVD. Once the code is accepted, you have really entered an interactive mode. In Interactive Browser Mode, we get to view the film as if we were a subscriber to the website the event is being broadcast on. The film itself is shown in the left half of the screen, as if being streamed over the internet, although this can be blown up to full screen at any point. To the right of this are small passport-type photos of each of the contestants, together with their current odds of winning. Selecting any of these allows us to view their audition tape. Along the top is a menu bar, allowing us to access an “archive” of extra footage which, in reality, is a way to view deleted scenes in context with the rest of the film, seamless branching basically. As you watch the film in Interactive mode, you'll can also view some of the scenes from multiple camera angles, there are 4 scenes in total. There are certain places, where you can over hear "company" conversations, you are given option to change audio track, if you haven't seen the film by then, it does give out a few spoilers.
1 Disc just for extras, and one of the coolest extras I've ever seen, the extras just scream high quality.
(Overall)
Surprisingly good horror movie with twists and turns to keep you on your feet, and a DVD with extra features to the brim, including one feature that will blow you away.
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