Last seen ASIAN movie

[shadyJ]

I saw Charisma tonight, what is ostensibly a horror film by Kiyoshi Kurosawa, the guy who did Pulse, Seance, and Cure, among others. While Charisma is marketed as a horror film, and was made by a guy known for horror, it isn't a horror film at all. There are a couple of unsettling scenes, but this movie is almost purely an allegory. A cop who makes a major screw up at his job is placed on leave and decides to just wonder into a random forest. There he meets different people who all seem to have a fixation on a particular and unique tree. Some people think it's dangerous to all the other plant life in the forest, but others think it's precious and takes precedence over all the other plants. And others just want to sell it for money. The cop gets involved in the entanglement, and in fact becomes the crux, so that he must ultimately decide the fate of the tree, and thus the entire forest. The symbolism is not very subtle here, the tree represents individualism. Those who want it destroyed represent the forces of conformity. This movie's message might resonate more in Japan in the late 90s when it was made, as Japan has historically been a far more conformist culture, so maybe it's an issue of greater concern there.

Apart from the metaphorical content, there were a few entertaining scenes and a few tense moments, but Charisma is not really concerned about that. It is probably the most abstruse movie from Kiyoshi Kurosawa I have seen so far, and that is saying something after watching Cure. The movie strolled by at a casual pace, and the story unfolded but not at a breakneck speed. It's an entirely non-standard story, so it had unpredictability on its side. There was no telling what was going to happen next since there is no other movie like it. Even though the story as a whole was rather enigmatic, it was easy to follow and not challenging as far as plot goes, so you might be left wondering about the meaning of a scene but you won't be left wondering what actually happened. Unlike many other high-minded movies, this one was fairly watchable and never really taxed my patience.

On the technical side, the movie was professionally produced, so it looks and feels polished and competently made, so no cheap shot-on-video ugliness, sloppy sound mixing, or amateur acting here. There are a few interesting visuals, but mostly it's a guy wondering around a forest while talking to someone, so it doesn't look artsy despite its very cerebral premise. As with Kurosawa's other films, the characters are mostly shot at a medium distance, so there isn't a sense of intimacy or affinity for any of them. None of the characters are over-flowing with personality, they are a bit detached from each other, and the drama isn't derived from their relationships like normal movies. This is about what you would expect when the characters are largely symbolic. Charisma is all about the intellect and is not an emotionally stirring movie.

Would I recommend this? If you were in the mood for a offbeat, high-browed stroll or were interested in seeing an allegorical debate about conformity versus individualism, Charisma is the movie for you. That probably isn't a mood that strikes many people very often, so I think Charisma is probably going to be a let down to most, especially horror fans who are looking for a more visceral experience.

[Angra]

"Bedevilled" 7-8/10

One of those all-men-are-scum movies.

Cruel, brutal, sad and depressing revenge flick, with one of the worst friends in movie history. Great character depictions. You really feel for the main character (Wonderfully played byYeong-hie Seo. Yes, her)and hate pretty much everybody else.
Would have prefered a slight change in the ending. If you've seen the movie you'll know. ;)

[roshiq]

Deranged (2012)



A good pandemic thriller from Korea.

>>: B+

Confession of Murder (2012)



Though they have become the Master of this genre but this is just an entertaining, fast paced Serial Killer thriller from South Korea, not as great and as gritty & violent as their masterpieces like THE CHASER, I SAW THE DEVIL or NO MERCY. Here it comes with a bit of social commentary about today's cultural fascination towards this sort of crimes & the criminals and that just presented with well constructed humor & action. The story focused more on the mystery surrounding the identity of the killer, rather than his gruesome activities. Expected a better & far more tormented ending for the killer.

>>: B+

[Angra]

"13 Beloved/13: Game of Death" 8-9/10

Having just seen the american remake "13 Sins" and really liked it i had to give the original Thai version a watch. I was pleasantly surprised of how different the story was compared to the remake. Even most of the challenges were different. This one was slightly more comedy oriented and less brutal than the remake.

I recommend you watch both versions.

[roshiq]

Originally Posted by Angra

"13 Beloved/13: Game of Death" 8-9/10

Having just seen the American remake "13 Sins" and really liked it i had to give the original Thai version a watch. I was pleasantly surprised of how different the story was compared to the remake. Even most of the challenges were different. This one was slightly more comedy oriented and less brutal than the remake.

I recommend you watch both versions.

Seen it. The eating shit challenge almost made me vomit, it was disgusting to watch! Overall, a decent thriller. Looking forward to check out the American remake.

[Angra]

Originally Posted by roshiq

Seen it. The eating shit challenge almost made me vomit, it was disgusting to watch! Overall, a decent thriller. Looking forward to check out the American remake.

Thankfully you didn't really see him eat any of it. And it actually looked like he loved the taste. Totally cleaned that plate with his tongue. Yummy.

[shadyJ]

I finally got around to watching Suicide Club, and how the hell did it take me this long to watch such a terrific movie? The movie starts out with a bang as 54 cheerful school girls all jump in front of a train off a platform while holding hands. Japan then goes on to experience a rash of suicide pact deaths which leaves the detectives baffled as to whether these are suicides or murders. The movie is very playful and is really half comedy, with some scenes of horror and shock. The main theme of the movie seems to be a lament over the shallowness of pop culture and how that inhibits self-reflection. The movie is not played with a straight face and gets gradually more nutty and surreal as it progresses. Suicide Club doesn't really fit into any conventional genre formula at all. It's a unique work, and it is unpredictable and original. There is nothing quite like it. It is a funny and clever movie and entertaining as hell, I really enjoyed it.

[The Bloofer Lady]

LADDA LAND 2011

A family of four move into a new home where all manner of strange things happen around them. Supposedly based on a true story. Not horribly scary, but not horrible either.

[The Bloofer Lady]

CULT 2013

A film crew documents the exorcism of a demon from the Kaneda home. The main "exorciser"(?) was kind of cool and looked like a character from a graphic novel, but sometimes came across as trying too hard. I had no problem with this movie.

[roshiq]

Lesson of the Evil (2012)



Not as good as his other popular films, this is just a decently made psycho-thriller by Takashi Mike...about a School massacre!

>>: B