Bullets 'n' Babes

I've seen and own:

Ringu, Ringu 2, Ringu 0, Kairo, Whispering Corridor, Three (Original)

I've seen but do not own: "The Eye"

I also own "Dark Water" and "Phone" (I ony own this one as I have a direct port Korean bootleg) but haven't seen them yet.

My topic has two parts to it:

I plan to get "A Tale of Two Sisters" as I understand this is excellent and the most unique out of all the "Ringu" clones but should I even bother with these? :

Ju-on: The Grudge, Ju-on: The Grudge 2, The Eye 2, Chaos, Into the Mirror (I'd never heard of this but Tartan has a 2 discer coming out)

I realise films like "Chaos" aren't strictly Ringu thrillers but it looks pretty close to me.

I love "Ringu" and "Kairo" is also very good but the formula has been over used so much lately. Every week a new Ringu thriller seems to be coming out and more often than not they're the same film with a different title. Don't get me wrong I enjoy them but am starting to think I can't be bothered with them anymore.

I'm not sure if I can be bothered to buy "The Eye" anymore (the R4 looks most promising) or "Whispering Corridor" (R1).

Are any of the titles above I've not seen worth getting? or what about any others? Should I just get "A Tale of Two Sisters" and leave it at that?

The second part to my topic. Has the time for these sorts of films past?

Hollywood is set to make yet more of them (no original ideas though!).

Definately get "A Tale of Two Sisters" - despite having one iconic image that is derivative of Ringu it is an absolutely amazing film that is far more than just a horror yarn, its brilliantly acted, stunningly shot and far more rewarding.

I too rate Ringu and Kairo as the best of the bunch - Juon is a fun exercise in horror but is too vacuous to be emotionally affecting, The Eye was entertaining but copped out with a somewhat over-dramatic ending, A Tale of Two Sisters however, stands shoulder to shoulder with Ringu.

Also - just a small comment - it may be advertised as such but Chaos is about as far from Ringu and the derivative horror staple as possible - its more like an homage to Hitchcock - a twist filled thriller full of double crosses - its got a similar plot to "G@ME" but without the annoying hip-hop soundtrack and an added element of uncomfortable eroticism that makes the relationships all the more interesting than the latters super smooth pretty boy protagonist.

I'd say definitely watch Ju-On (not seen part 2 yet so can't comment) as I really enjoyed that one. Watched it late at night, on my own with lights off and surround sound - scared the shit out of me!!!

Into the Mirror is decent enough. Yes it is very similar to the likes of Phone and is an inferior Ringu style clone, but it is still entertaining enough to watch.

But I second that MUST get A Tale Of Two Sisters. Everythign about the film is brilliant, the acting is superb, the film looks amazing and it is a good story with plenty of little scares, AND it will make you think. One of my all time favourite films, and I'm not just talking Asian films here.

I've got the Thai release of Whispering Corridors, but have no plans to watch it, but do intend to get the Tartan release. Want to see that trilogy, including Memento Mori and Wishing Stairs.

bradavon wrote:I plan to get "A Tale of Two Sisters" as I understand this is excellent

Ju-on: The Grudge, Ju-on: The Grudge 2,

I'm not sure if I can be bothered to buy "The Eye" anymore (the R4 looks most promising) or "Whispering Corridor" (R1).

Get "A tale of two sisters", it's certainly eccellent, very psychological.

I also enjoyed all the Ju-On movies (2 TV episodes, 2 theatrical ones), but they tend to get a bit repetitive. If you can get them for cheap, they are nice and scary, though.

I'd also like to suggest Memento Mori: quite good, IMHO.

BTW, I used to think that no english-subtitled version of Whispering Corridors existed... Can you specify? What is the best (the only?) version? I would really like to buy it!

Beer - there is an abysmal Thai release of Whispering Corridors, that is 4:3 and with some of the worst pic quality I've seen on a DVD. Looks like a very poor VHS more than anything else. I've got it, but don't want to watch it cause I think the poor quality will ruin the film for me.

Tartan USA are releasing it sometime soon (or have released it, I'm not sure) on Region 1, with English subs. I'm pretty certain, given the lack of competition, that this will be the version to get for english speaking people.

There may be more info on this in the Tartan Asia Extreme or Tartan USA thread.

Thanks guys.

I'll definitely be getting ATOTS. I'll probably pick The Grudge up also it looks decent going by the trailer and it's finally being released in proper SE form.

I've waited so long for a half decent Eye DVD I've now gone completely off the idea. The R4 isn't due out until June anyway and by then I can't see myself wanting it. It's a decent film but isn't in the same league as Ringu or Kairo.

It's in the same league as Whispering Corridors though which I no longer want. I need to get around to watching Dark Water also.

Beer wrote:BTW, I used to think that no english-subtitled version of Whispering Corridors existed... Can you specify? What is the best (the only?) version? I would really like to buy it!

As Degeneration says.

Tartan (the same as the UK company) has the US rights. The Tartan DVD is out now and is bare-bones but is anamorphic WS and has DD5.1 or DTS:

Cover art and info about the DVD: http://www.dvdasian.com/cgi-bin/dvdasian/18484.html
Review 1: http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/read.php?ID=14615
Review 2: http://www.dvdverdict.com/reviews/whisp ... ridors.php

Considering how bad the Thai DVD is I'm sure it's pretty good to great. I don't know why they've not released a UK DVD not that it matters. Put simply up until the 22nd of February 2005 no decent English subtitled version did exist!

I've just realised the Thai DVD incorrectly calls it "whispering corridor" instead of "whispering corridors".

Thanks guys!

I was eagerly looking for that one: Memento Mori is a flawed but very atmospheric movie, so I think I will enjoy Whispering Corridors too...

I thought Ju-on and the Hollywood remake were absolute bollocks. Cheap scare tactics achieved by quick editing and loud bursts of score; and it had a broken episodic narrative. IMO The Yank remake was a little better since it had a more cohesive/continous structure, but it was toned down a wee bit.

I feel different...

Having watched the Japanese ones first, I found the American version quite flat and boring.

The first theatrical Japanese Ju-On is very fragmented, very eerie and full of quick terrifying flashes (cheap scare tactics, as you say). Entertaining, but not deep. Just like the two TV episodes (but with slightly better production values).

Ju-On 2 has a much better plot, richer and more convoluted. The quick scares are still there, but it is a superiorly written film compared to the first.

well you should check out memento mori box set: http://www.dvdheaven.com/dvd/dvd_detail.php?idx=10941

hellbanker wrote:well you should check out memento mori box set: http://www.dvdheaven.com/dvd/dvd_detail.php?idx=10941

Reportedly none of the extras have English subs, what's the point then? Utter waste of money IMO.

The coming R1 Tartan release is more than adequate. Out 12th Apr, it's anamorphic and has a DTS track.

well i think the extras is a nice compilation, and the soundtrack is included, which i think is absolutely ravisihing. and compared to 20$ for a movie with a behind the scenes look and 40$ for a 6 disc set, i would go with the 6 disc.

Thanks guys for your comments.

Personally I'm with EvaUnit02 on this one. It maybe better value per disc but paying twice the price when you can only use 2 of the 6 discs is a waste of money to me. Does the extended cut and HD Windows Media version have English subs?

Besides it looks like one of those releases where quantity is put before quality. I love extras but can't help feeling now a days it's all gone well over board. SIX discs OMG talk about OTT! To me extras are useless if I can't watch them.

I imagine there is a reason the film was cut down to 98 minutes, so releasing a 186 minute version can only be VERY boring to watch. It must be full of every drop of footage they shot that doesn't mean it's good footage. I can live with 2 discs of extras this is becoming more common but paying for a HD Windows Media version that I'd never ever use (watching films on a PC is awful) plus it will need such a powerful to work properly.

Are you sure Hellbanker the R1 will have extras? I can't find any evidence of this. I do find it odd that Tartan UK is not releasing this or Whispering Corridors.

well according to deepdiscountdvds.com it will have a behind the scenesand the usual tartan extreme trailer show. EvaUnit02 what is that if i may ask?

hellbanker wrote:well according to deepdiscountdvds.com it will have a behind the scenesand the usual tartan extreme trailer show. EvaUnit02 what is that if i may ask?

By the sounds of it, yes.

dvdanswers wrote: The movie itself will be presented in anamorphic widescreen along with Korean Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS Surround tracks. English subtitles will also be provided. Extras will include a behind the scenes featurette, a photo gallery and trailers for Tartan Asia Extreme's upcoming releases.

Just to add to other comments... Yes, there are a lot of clones but I don't believe the time has come for the genre as a whole. The "tiredness" of the genre is partly exacerbated by recent Hollywood remakes and some obvious clones (Phone, One Missed Call 1 & 2, Ghost System, Ryung/Dead Friend/The Ghost to name a few that quite obviously capitalise on the genre).

I'll just comment on some other interesting ones I can think of right now that are worth noting as not being in the Jap horror mould:

Korean
The high-school horror trilogy is worth a look but isn't really a trilogy anymore as a fourth is being released theatrically in Korea in July simply called Whispers. Acacia is another new one that looks good and keep a look out for Red Shoes when it comes out (also theatrically in July) as it looks like it'll be a good horror that's a bit more original. Into The Mirror is worth a look even though it's not very scary, it is well-written and well-acted.. call it a good supernatural thriller rather than a ghost horror. For something really different try Antarctic Journal when it comes out (I think it premieres in Cannes so not out yet). I haven't seen it but it's at least different and interesting. And yeah Tale of Two Sisters like everyone has recommended already.

Koreans also do something different by forging a decent ghost horror-comedy genre with films such as Ghost House, Sicily, 5km/To Catch a Virgin Ghost and The Quiet Family.

Japanese
The progenitors of the genre and of too many clones. I don't agree that Kairo is a clone, though. On the surface it is but really it's quite original with its techno-horror angle. Kiyoshi Kurosawa's new film The Loft (working title) looks pretty good and not typical either. I highly recommend his 1997 film Cure... it's more in thriller territory but easily one of my favourite horrors. If you wanna try pre-Ringu there's stuff like Tomie (incidentally there's a new one being made). Japan isn't done churning out clones though so select carefully.

Thai
ehhh... mostly miss than hit I think but P looks excellent (but it has a British director and hasn't been released yet).

Hong Kong
Hmm.. The Eye. Besides that HK haven't had a good track record for decent horror. It always seems to range from overstatement (New Blood) to something that you really need to avoid at all costs (The Park).

Taiwanese
I'm not aware of any in existence but if anyone knows, I would love to see one. I guess Darkness Bride is partly Taiwanese but I haven't heard anything good about it.

If I think of any others I'll post em up.

slightly off-topic but still fun...
http://sinuhe.jypoly.fi/~c6732/Morning_ ... e_Ring.mpg

Thanks for the link Y-Long and thanks for the lengthy comment Memetic.

I agree Kairo isn't a clone it's in the same genre though hence why I included it, actually genre is to much of an open word. You know what I mean.

A Thai film with a British director, that sounds interesting with nothing more said.

Yi-Long wrote:slightly off-topic but still fun...
http://sinuhe.jypoly.fi/~c6732/Morning_ ... e_Ring.mpg

OMG I'm not sure if I should laugh or cry. That is the funniest thing I've seen in a long time. Make sure you watch it until the end.

When Sadako jumps out of the box I couldn't stop myself laughing.

Where did you find it?

bradavon wrote:A Thai film with a British director, that sounds interesting with nothing more said.

If you're interested, here's a trailer (14.7Mb).

Incidentally, I just finished watching Shutter which turned out to be really good Thai ghost horror - it's even a little better than The Eye

well Acacia is a very atmospheric movie, a kinda under your skin film :-) very good indeed. Quiet Family is much more a dark comedy, Miike tried to make a mix of musical horror comedy remake out of quiet family, but did not succeed very well IMO. 5km sicily, is truly the only one that succeeds in poking fun at the "girl" from Ringu, so for that alone you should check it out
i believe Double Vision is taiwanese, an older film by now, but still worth checking out. I liked the eye2 better than part one, i must admit. And while we are in Hong Kong, Dumplings is a real "treat" as well.

Thanks

memetic wrote:If you're interested, here's a trailer (14.7Mb).

I am thanks.

bradavon wrote: I am thanks.

Warning Will Robinson, I detect Engrish!

Ringu is on TV (UK) Wednesday night for any Brit who hasn't yet seen it. 8)

EvaUnit02 wrote:Warning Will Robinson, I detect Engrish!

Huh?