My Little Eye [VHS] [2002]

In the edgy and at times disturbing My Little Eye a website called Reality Webcast persuades two young women and three young men to spend six months cut off from the civilisation in a remote and VERY creepy house in snow covered Nova Scotia. Inevitably faced with such constant contact and so little stimulation tempers begin to fray, sexual tension increases and the contestants are in turns flirtatious and irritating with each other. As the plot progresses and the cameras watch strange things begin to occur, which lead to more confrontation between contestants and a whole lot of skeletons emerging from several different closets. With various members of the group at loggerheads a stranger appears (on Alpine skis) adding another dynamic and variable element to the groups dynamics and with paranoia and intrigue on the increase the friction amongst the group threatens to blow the group apart with only a few days left before the competition ends. As strange occurrence precedes strange occurrence the five begin to question whether the internet company playing mind games by withholding food and heat, with them or whether they are all part of a more sinister and darker plot as cruel psychological tricks inevitably lead to violence.

The third feature of talented Welsh filmmaker Marc Evans (Resurrection Man), this intends to disturb from start to finish. However, I have to say although the first three quarters of the movie keep you on the edge of your seat the last quarter of the movie doesn't quite match its initial set-up. The threat and intrigue of hidden forces, possible enemies from within and secret outside agendas lead to a descent into your more stereotypical schlock horror fare and the pay off does not succeed in living up to its promise. Your enjoyment of this movie may also be tempered by the quality of the picture. Filmed on digital video with what was obviously a tight budget the picture has that blurred and sepia quality that Digital video often provides in comparison to traditional film stock. Personally I'm not a fan of digital video and much prefer watching movies in more natural colour, however it must also be recognised that digital video is a powerful medium that allows creative film makers to realise their visions and showcase their talent without having big budgets. To this end Director Marc Evans for the most part succeeds by making use of classic nerve-fraying suspense tactics in what is a fairly stylish, relatively original, dark and often thrilling movie. Its just a shame that as the bodies inevitably pile up toward the edge of the movie much of the earlier promise fails to be fully realised.

To the feature first. Five sexy kids answer an internet ad to stay in a remote house. Six months for a Million bucks! What could be easier? But of course if you've ever lived in a student house with no telly and no contact with the outside world, sexual tension and boredom inducing squabbles gradually wear you down and turn you on one another in more sinister ways. Manipulated by the seedy 'Company' whose watchful web cast cameras force us into their Point Of View, the cast are tested to their limits. Do they break and run from the monotony and probable set-up losing out of the dosh, Or sit it out, believing that ultimately no one would pit them against one another to their probable death. No, not just for ratings, surely?

This is a step up from the similarly themed slasher 'Halloween Resurrection' which just happened to be around in cinemas at the same time. Evans' film is just about clever enough to deliver a satisfyingly unexpected ending with a slow build up of tension throughout.

But it's not the actual film that is the star of this double DVD. It's the way that the content is delivered. Disc 1 has an interactive viewing choice that can only be accessed through a code hidden in the packaging itself. Once inside you can watch a whole host of hidden angles on certain scenes. Giving you control as a 'Company' watcher from different hidden cameras. You can also listen to the Voyeur comments as the cast are put through some scary events. It makes you feel you're taking part in your own evil version of 'Big Brother'. The multi-angle option on DVD has rarely been used to good effect and this is the perfect subject matter for it's experimentation. Any shoddiness or slow interactivity through slower reaction DVD players on these sections can be forgiven as the footage as mostly viewed through rough video camera lenses anyhow. Giving it a more eerie and dangerous feel altogether. Even if the subject matter is not to your taste the construction of this DVD should pave the way for more Directors to utilise the format to give the viewer more to do than skip scenes or watch a 'Making of'. Which brings us the Disc 2 which is a little more standard in presentation but certainly interesting in it's detail. Surprisingly enough the 'Making of' is quite interesting, describing the career threatening risks of the film-maker and his last gasp efforts to get a hit under his belt. Deleted Scenes with accompanying Directors Commentary completes the detail on disc 2 along with standard trailers and Picture Gallery.

Put away your latest console game and study the Instructions to this little beauty