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It’s funny that in my own website, I’ve
become truly feared by filmmakers. Even filmmakers who happen to be
buddies of mine. Why is that? I’m not sure. But if you send me a film,
expect an honest opinion. You have to either have to accept that, or
don’t send anything at all. I’m glad director Jeremy Vaeni for “No One’s
Watching” seems to know and appreciate that, as he sent his film to me
with the letter stating that whether I love or hate it, he would love a
review. I’m honest, and that’s just what’s what. Once upon a time I was
a huge UFO expert. I read books, and watched programs, and wanted to
know more.
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More was never enough, and
enough was always too little. When I discovered that about
sixty percent of the sightings ever documented were bogus, I
basically relinquished much interest, and moved on. Every
now and then though, I tend to believe that there are other
beings out there. With an odd sense of humor, “No One’s
Watching” explores the life of an alien abductee, or more
importantly Jeremy Vaeni. |
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After checking out “No One’s Watching,”
I can’t be sure if I believe most of what I see on screen, and that
seems to be the general intent. Jeremy is a fascinating gent even if
he happens to be completely full of shit. Whether he’s been abducted
or not, the audience just really has to decide for themselves, but
the true question is what is Jeremy trying to gain by this? Even if
he discovers he’s been abducted, then what? And he wants to resolve
some of these feelings by traveling to a UFO landmark to help him
gain some sense of closure. He’s not a bad guy judging by his
interaction with friends and family, but you have to think if he’s
honestly convinced he’s been abducted, or if he’s pining for
attention. “No One’s Watching” never quite convinces, either way.
One true question I was left with was: Was
this actual accounts or just an endless string of staged interviews, and
dialogue? Most of the scenes here seem awfully orchestrated to work in a
humor favor, as we sit with his parents, and even his confrontation with
his girlfriend whom we discover is actually just an actress. Can we
really believe a man who tries to fool us by hiring an actress to play a
friend and girlfriend? Vaeni seems to be vying for a huge hoax for the
purposes of making a film. And then you’re left to wonder if he was
actually abducted at all. I’m not sure what Vaeni is trying to sell us
on, throughout the run of the film. I just kept replaying the “Jaws”
quote in my head over and over while watching: He’s either really smart,
or really dumb.
It has an understated stupidity to it, but
“No One’s Watching,” is an interesting and effective take on one man’s
testimony that he’s been abducted by aliens and his family’s attempts to
decide if he’s telling the truth, and if he’s just fucking nuts. I
enjoyed it for what it offered.
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