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fearsmagazine · 3 years

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OPEN YOUR EYES - Review

DISTRIBUTOR: Gravitas Ventures

SYNOPSIS: Jason Miller is on a deadline and dives into his next screenplay With his mental state teetering on the edge, he meets his neighbor from down the hall, Lisa, and a relationship begins to form. Jason continues to burn the midnight oil to finish his script, but strange and mysterious things begin to happen, causing him to question everything. As a diversion he becomes more intrigued with Lisa, but his mind is unravelling and his life spinning out of control, Jason struggles to hold onto his grasp of his reality with the one thing he wants most, hope.

REVIEW: In deciding if I was going to watch OPEN YOUR EYES it was the trailer that swayed me to give it a go. In the press release they described the film as “The Shining” meets :The Dark Half.” That is a rather bold statement especially those are two films based on Stephen King novels and the later made by director Stanley Kubrick. Both the novels, and the film based on them, are of different style and feels, and would ghastly mashup at best. However, there was something about the trailer that convinced me to put all that aside and watch it.

OPEN YOUR EYES, as a narrative, feels like it shares more in common with the literary tradition of writers/screenwriters such as Rod Serling, Richard Matheson, and Robert Block, are a few that easily come to mind. This is Jason Miller’s story, and the other characters are triggers that are trying to bring him back to his reality. He is traumatized and disassociated himself from his world as it is. As the screenwriter, Greg Sager does an excellent job of building mystery and suspense, as well as keeping the viewer guessing as to the true nature of the tragedy that surrounds Jason. I know I made some assumptions as to what was going on and was proven absolutely wrong as Sager peeled back the final layer to reveal the central tragedy of Jason’s story.

As a director, Sager does an excellent job of keeping the viewer engaged as he shifts tones as the story unfolds. He offers us just a small hint at the beginning that something is amiss. He quickly shifts gears and with little dialogue he presents Jason as an intense, focused writer who is struggling with his screenplay and a deadline. From that point forward the director presents us with visual clues that allow us to perceive that something is not what it appears to be like a skilled poker player, not revealing his hand. Some things become a bit more obvious as the story progresses but it is an excellent example of misdirection that keeps the viewer guessing to the end.

OPEN YOUR EYES is a story that rests on the shoulders of the two actors, Ry Barrett and Joanna Saul, the majority of the film on that of Barrett’s I remember seeing Barnett in the 2018 zombie film “The Hoard.” Working with the director he brings a broad spectrum of emotions and an intensity that you believe his passion for his craft. He allows you to believe that the early ticks and visions the character experiences are a result of how he fully immerses himself in his writing and the stress of the deadline. He and Saul are excellent on screen. You feel they have a connection that is based on innocence and honesty. As the story evolves, Saul conveys a strength and passion that keeps the viewer guessing, but we understand there is a deeper connection. You know the performances are so good because the other elements of the film drift to the periphery as the viewer becomes focused on the drama. Okay, and the cat is creepy and adds atmosphere to the scenes he is in.

The technical elements of the film are just enough to allow the viewer entry into the story and support what the tale is trying to accomplish. It is not overly flashy in style and employs many traditional techniques to create a sense of being off-balance and in switching between realities. It’s just enough to keep the viewer interested and guessing.

Greg A. Sager’s OPEN YOUR EYES is a solid classical, surreal story that is supported by adept direction and solid performances. In many respects it is a timeless tale with a twist ending that the director manages to put a refreshing spin on. I’m curious why a film of this nature didn’t make the festival circuit as it easily could have won several awards. Greg A. Sager is a filmmaker who I will be on the look for his next project.

CAST: Ry Barrett, Joanna Saul, and Boost Boosh the Cat CREW: Director/Screenplay/Producer - Greg A. Sager; Producers - Gary Elmer & Soroush Saeidi; Cinematographer - Gary Elmer; Score - Rahul Shah; OFFICIAL: N.A. FACEBOOK: N.A. TWITTER: N.A. TRAILER: https://youtu.be/nG6_ryRuJDs RELEASE DATE: On Demand, Blu-ray, & DVD, June 1st, 2021

**Until we can all head back into the theaters our “COVID Reel Value” will be similar to how you rate a film on digital platforms - 👍 (Like), 👌 (It’s just okay), or 👎 (Dislike) Reviewed by Joseph B Mauceri

#movie review #film review #open your eyes #openyoureyesmovie #gravitas ventures #ry barrett #joanna saul #greg a. sager #thriller #horror #suspense #mystery #joseph mauceri #joseph b mauceri

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