Open Water

I was talking with my friend, Jason H., the other day regarding scuba diving. I am looking at getting certified in the near future. He suggested I watch "Open Water" since it made him think twice about getting certified. I took him up on his suggestion and bought the video this weekend.

First, I really like jittery, nervous cinematography. It's a style I've seen used by the Pang Brothers (BangKok Dangerous, The Eye) and the movie Blair Witch Project that I have come to really appreciate. So, if you get seasick / carsick easily, you may get a little nauseated while watching the movie. The movie was shot with a video camcorder so it almost had that documentary feel instead of a hollywood recreation.

Second, since it was based on true events (not true story), it actually proved to be more frightening to me than JAWS or Deep Blue Sea especially with the realistic swimming with sharks. At first you only see what they see - which is just the surface and dorsal fins poking in and out of the water. I'm biting my nails due to the suspense of when the sharks will attack. I am reminded of a snorkeling adventure in Key Largo. While snorkeling, I saw a baracuda swimming at my side. That alone sent me swimming to shore. I can only imagine the fear seeing a shark and no shore in sight.

Third - I can't see how more realistic you can get with the ending (considering it was a shark movie).

In final -- IM F^&%%^$%NG SCARED NOW!!! Great movie.. I highly recommend it!