Oculus: Chapter 3 - The Man with the Plan (2006)

A man sets out to prove an antique mirror is haunted.

Director:

Mike Flanagan

Writers:

Mike Flanagan, Jeff Seidman

Stars:

Scott Graham, Brandyn Feldman, Joe Wicker

12 wins.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Scott Graham	...	Tim Russel
Brandyn Feldman	...	Delivery Man
Joe Wicker	...	Delivery Man
Matthew Reynolds	...	'Daddy' (as Matt Reynolds)
Flip	...	Self
Danielle Zazula	...	Mirror Ghoul
Shea Cerveny	...	Mirror Ghoul
Kristin Gardner	...	Mirror Ghoul
Nathan D. McMahon	...	Mirror Ghoul
Chantelle A. Gil	...	Mirror Ghoul
Stephanie Gil	...	Mirror Ghoul
Lindsey Hughes	...	Mirror Ghoul
Sergio Beynaga	...	Mirror Ghoul
Michael Bloch	...	Mirror Ghoul
Robert M. Olson	...	Mirror Ghoul

Storyline

Years ago, Tim Russel's father committed a horrible atrocity; it was always Tim's contention that the large ornate mirror his father possessed was the cause of this terrible event. Now after years of research, Tim has traced the bloody trail of destruction that treads in the wake of this dark and forbidding mirror. With a history of over 300 years of mysterious circumstance, Tim intends to capture these horrors on tape and reveal the true nature of evil that lies within.

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Taglines:

No one knows who created it. No one knows what possesses it. But Tim Russel knows what it can do... and he's going to prove it.

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Genres:

Short | Horror

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Did You Know?

Trivia

The third chapter in a planned anthology about the sinister Lasser Glass, "The Man With the Plan" is actually the first installment to be filmed. Of the nine possible chapters to shoot, Mike Flanagan and Jeff Seidman opted for this one purely because of budgetary constraints - the single character/single location nature of this chapter made it ideal. This chapter also gives the viewer a detailed history of the mirror itself, which the filmmakers wanted to include in their first film so that the other chapters would have the proper context.

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Goofs

Boom mic and operator visible in Scott Graham's glasses during the entire "history" section of the film.

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Quotes

Tim Russel: I have met my demons and they are many... I have seen the devil and he is me.

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Alternate Versions

Early versions of the film featured an alternate ending in which Tim's friend Steve (Dave Levine) comes to see him after Tim stops answering his calls. Steve finds Tim near death, sitting in front of the mirror, the entire room in shambles around him. The video equipment is destroyed. Steve glances into the mirror and sees Tim's "father" perched over him, draining the life from him. Tim falls dead, Steve stumbles back in shock, and then becomes enchanted by the mirror. The earliest versions of this ending had Tim's dead body sit up and attack Steve, the later versions just left Steve staring into the glass, transfixed.

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Connections

Remade as Oculus (2013)

User Reviews

What a great movie.

I saw this movie at the Dragon*Con 2006 Independent Film Festival. It was awarded 2 awards at that festival and rightfully so. This is probably the best short horror film I've ever seen. The simplicity of camera usage really works.The main character is brilliant. His acting is quite good and is believable. The 3 cameras in the room with Tim Russel make his insanity that much more believable. I love it. I have talked with Mike and he says that they are in the process of making a feature film compassing the first three chapters together. I can't wait. I will be first in line for that film. The effects of the "mirror" creatures are used so well. You don't see them for very long so it scares the pants off of you when you do. I recommend this film to anyone who wants to watch a good horror movie for once. Best 32 minutes of spine tingling horror I've ever seen. Thanks Mike.

Details

Official Sites:

Facebook

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

March 2006 (USA)

Also Known As:

Oculus: The Man with the Plan

Filming Locations:

Venice Beach, Venice, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$2,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Back 2 One Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

32 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1