I've started a bit of a marathon this week of asian horror movies. I've been watching them all in their respective languages.
Ju-on : The Grudge
While this movie didn't offer up any scares, it kept me very interested. The film was very gritty, unlike it's over produced American counterpart. While they are both the same director, I think having a lower budget made for greater creativity in the Japanese version.
9/10
Ringu
While I don't see the American version as being all that scary, it's terrifying compared to the original. What the japanese version destroys it with, is the overall composition of the film. It looks amazingly gritty. It reminds me of Jacob's Ladder at times, as far as look. It looks much older than it actually is.
7/10
Dark Water
I saw the American version a long while back. I didn't really hate the movie, I just felt it was more boring than scarey. This film like the others, isn't really that terrifying, but it definitely sets the mood. I loved the overall look of the film. Like Ringu, it looked more like it was shot in the 80's than the early 00's. This film doesn't really try to get you with many hooks. Like many J-horror films, this one plays on your emotions more than your fears.
7.5/10
Uzumaki
This wasn't part of my marathon, but I figured since it's j-horror, and this is an asian horror list, it had to get a mention.
Uzumaki is such an odd film. Like most j-horror, it's shot in such a different way. This film is weird. So weird, I laughed at times at how weird it is.
It's not effective as a horror film. I recommend watching this as you would a dark comedy.
8/10 as a comedy
3/10 as a horror.
To be continued...