Runtime: 115 minutes
Directed by: Koji Shiraishi
Starring: Jin Murakami, Satoru Jitsunashi, Marika Matsumoto, Rio Kanno, Tomono Kuga
From: A few different Japanese companies
Apparently, you can't say “psycho” on Japanese variety television.
This was viewed last night on Shudder; as for some reason it's never-officially-been released on disc in the United States, this seemed worth a shot due to all the positive buzz it has received over the years. For something that is akin to found footage (technically, it's a faux documentary that is shown as an unfinished product) it was quite well done.
At almost two hours, it certainly takes its time but in the end it was for certain a rewarding journey. Kobayashi is a paranormal documentary filmmaker who covers several mysterious events that surround several people who either die mysteriously or vanish, and all are connected to the titular curse. The movie burns slowly as what seems like disparate events are all tied together in a story that has a pretty terrifying villain w/ some scary lore. The final half hour or so are brutally effective and what an unforgettable ending.
The film has a character you may think at first would be an insufferable “loony”... after all, he is a proclaimed psychic who not only wears a tinfoil hat AND tinfoil jacket, but his place of residence has that same material all over. Yet, in this context it managed to work; him not having too much screentime also helped. What a tapestry that was woven with this tale that has a great mythology-the plot unfurls at the right moments. It's the type of tale where I don't want to reveal too much more concerning plot points; I have heard that the movie has a trailer which spoils everything so that should be avoided.
One last thing: I was personally tickled pink that this has a few minutes of fake Japanese variety show footage. It was so amusing to me as in the past I've seen clips of actual Japanese variety shows and without knowing the language I know they are rather peculiar with how it's presented... the cut-ins from the hosts offering random comments, a reporter on the scene also offering comments, the graphics, the editing, etc. That gave me some chuckles in what was otherwise a deadly serious film.
No comments:
Post a Comment