Three short films by acclaimed Asian directors. “Dumplings” by Fruit Chan concerns an aging actress (Miriam Chin Wah Yeung) who finds a disturbing way to look more youthful. Park Chan-wook‘s “Cut” shows a director (Lee Byung-hun) taken hostage in his own home. “Box” by Takashi Miike involves a writer (Kyoko Hasegawa) whose horrible childhood comesContinue reading “‘Three…Extremes’: Quality Stuff”
Tag Archives: J-horror
‘House’ AKA ‘Hausu’ is Hilarious and Completely Unpredictable
*Sniff* This is a 2022 edit of my very, very first movie review. Not to be confused with the 1985 American movie of the same name; this is a Japanese movie from 1977. It revolves around seven schoolgirls (who sometimes dress similarly to Sailor Moon) off to spend their summer at a secluded house inContinue reading “‘House’ AKA ‘Hausu’ is Hilarious and Completely Unpredictable”
‘Ju On: The Grudge’–I Wuvs!
Japanese movie, directed by Takashi Shimizu. This is the film the 2004 American remake (also directed by Shimizu) draws the most from (there is also Ju On: The Curse), and I’m not counting the Japanese sequel. A woman named Kayako (Takako Fuji) and her son Toshio (Yuya Ozeki) are killed by her husband Takeo (TakashiContinue reading “‘Ju On: The Grudge’–I Wuvs!”
Hideo Nakata’s ‘Ringu’: Ya See, Kids, the ’90s were a Simpler Time…
The Japanese movie that was remade in America as The Ring. Asakawa (Nanako Matsushima) is a reporter investigating mysterious deaths (including that of her niece Tomoko), all occurring one week after the victims watched a strange videotape. Asakawa locates the actual tape and watches it. With seven days to live, in desperation she shows itContinue reading “Hideo Nakata’s ‘Ringu’: Ya See, Kids, the ’90s were a Simpler Time…”
‘Marronnier’: Compelling, Creepy, and Campy
Japanese movie, based on the manga by Junji Ito. Marino (Mayu) is a young woman who’s “hooked on dolls,” particularly those made by famous doll maker Iwata (Ochyazukenori). Her passion is ultimately detrimental, as Iwata’s loony assistant Numai (Hiroto Nakayama) becomes fixated on her. He eventually kidnaps her and reveals Iwata’s secret: the dolls areContinue reading “‘Marronnier’: Compelling, Creepy, and Campy”
‘J-Horror Anthology: Underworld’–Gore on a Limited Financial Plan
Japanese movie, organized into six segments. “Chain Mail” shows three snobby teens getting their comeuppance from a girl they accidentally killed; “Left Behind in the Mountain” features a cruel prankster being taught a lesson; “Tattoo” is about a prostitute with a supernatural ink job; “Lost in Memory” concerns three young men and their ethereal friend;Continue reading “‘J-Horror Anthology: Underworld’–Gore on a Limited Financial Plan”
‘J-Horror Anthology: Legends’–Scares and Campy Fun
Japanese movie, AKA Inagawa Junji no shinjitsu no horror. It consists of six short films. “Peony Lamp” concerns a young samurai and his ghostly paramour; “She Bear” shows two girls and their run-in with a monster; “Yamamba” is about two reporters looking for a legendary creature; “Nurarihyon” deals with a friendly ghost and the family heContinue reading “‘J-Horror Anthology: Legends’–Scares and Campy Fun”
‘Dead Waves’ is Creepy, Thoughtful, and Occasionally Hilarious
Japanese movie, AKA Shiryôha. Usui is the director of a popular supernatural TV show called Spirit Sightings. He is contacted by Tsuyoshi, who wants his apparently possessed sister Runa to get a free televised exorcism. Runa is opposed to the idea, and for good reason: the dead waves, which are “Radio waves believed to harborContinue reading “‘Dead Waves’ is Creepy, Thoughtful, and Occasionally Hilarious”
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