The Eyes (2017)

Did you people see the same film I saw?

It's not great by any means, but it's a pretty good movie that didn't leave me filled with regret for investing time in it.

Fun premise, good actors, bad writing. This film seemed to have potential at the beginning but it quickly devolves into a trite action film. Ultimately it's very boring.

Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

Well, rarely do I write reviews for a film which could be acted out on stage, but despite its terrible reviews, I have to give this a 6/10 for the plot twist alone. I didn't it see coming, and it was quite original. 6 strangers are tied up and bound in a cellar. They all have no idea how they got there. Along the way, they are told that only 1 will leave alive, and it's up to them to decide which one. As the plot goes along, we find that a government agency is behind it, and there is a secret reason they are all there. But is the reason given true, or is there something else going on? They all confess to being sinners, but despite the flashbacks we are shown, can their confessions be trusted?"The Eyes" is not a well acted film, but to be honest, there is a reason for that too, as you will understand at the end. One can argue that this is hardly a film by normal standards. It's a play that happens to be acted out on film, and despite its wooden Direction and shoe string budget, who cares? I wasn't expecting Doctor Zhivago, and for those who expect "Saw" because of the setup? Not even the same Genre. What we really have here is an elaborate game being played out- a cat and mouse tale, whose sole purpose is to set up a very unique and clever twist which made it worth watching. It held my attention throughout, and the twist was the icing on the cake. As time goes on "being original" is becoming harder and harder. They at least tried something clever. It does keep you guessing, and the ending makes it worthwhile for those who are willing to hang with it..

I seen bad TV-movies, really cheap, with budget around maybe 1 000 or 2 000. But this! This something, internet companies like amazon, netflix, hbo - invest good money in series, but original films - one lousy another. This film maybe cost around 200 bucks, and half of that go on food. And maybe actors play for this food. Who knows? But script not so bad, just... call this theatrical play or something, don't sell it like it is a film, because its don't. And Vincent Pastore! Oh my god! What an actor... really, he was ridiculously bad.

About six minutes before the end Nicholas Turturo's character says something like "I have hired these fine actors here..." That is the overstatement of the day, in my opinion. Now, I don't think the actors are dilettantes per se. They do seem very unmotivated in the sense that they all just act each one his or her own part. Isolated, no chemistry between them. The film plays in one room only, the filming however may well have happened at each actors home, and afterwards cut together. I'm not sure about the plot, is has been done before, nothing even close to "Saw", but anyway. If you plan on going to acting school, maybe you should watch it, if only to ask the right questions in class about how to avoid bad acting. Or maybe, for the same reason (acting school attendance) you might want to skip on this film.

The Eyes is a very good suspense thriller film shot at one location only (almost)yet enticed its viewers by emotionally captivating them with the backstories of the characters and of course, with its deceitful plot. Aside from the good plot, it also has a good music and cinematography. If you have a penchant for mind-blowing movies, this movie is definitely for you. Go check it out at Redbox.