theglovesareoff Reviews

Kansen (2004)

Good Horror Because It's Not Typical; Watch for Color and Lighting

[8/10 · 21 February 2009]

I give it an 8 because I think it's a pretty good horror film, better than most Asian films I've seen with similar themes. I'm not unlearned on the topic, I just like how this one takes time to set up a story, and even though people think it's not subtle, I think too many Asian horror films are almost unintelligible because of the subtlety.

Things I liked about this film: SPOILERS: -It's use of color was fantastic. A topic mentioned in a thread below was that Akai (a doctors name) means 'Red' in Japanese, and the significance of red is explained in the beginning by a doctor. It makes a connection between reality and the minds active interpretation thereof. Also the title is written in two Kanji characters meaning, roughly, 'emotion' and 'color.' These two elements are repeated throughout the film. -The film also used gore really well. Instead of just drenching the audience in gratuitous violence, the violence and gore in this film usually means something or is more nauseating/creepy than it is brutal. I really liked this.

So, the film is not for anyone, but it's definitely worth a watch. The story keeps you wondering, the cinematography is great, and for a horror film, and for an Asian horror film at that, it is solid. It's no "Ring" or anything like that, but it's precisely because of this that I liked it so much.

Masters of Horror: Valerie on the Stairs (2006) Season 2, Episode 8

Great Horror, Good Entertainment

[8/10 · 28 July 2008]

Everyone is a critic on this site, which is probably an ironic first line for me to start this review with. But if you've found this title, then you're probably into horror, and you're probably willing to approach this film different than other people.

This film is good. The acting is great for horror, good for any other genre. The technical aspects are not so cheesy that it alienates the viewers, and the plot is wonderful. The characters and the story make for a great time watching this film. Compared to the rest of the series, this film stands out as one of the best. It's an even more enjoyable watch because the characters are self-aware of their situation, and if you're a writer yourself or just enjoy the process of the creation of art, then you'll chuckle at a lot of the quick exchanges between the characters.

I think that everything in this film is really well done. The violence, the makeup, the characters, the sex, all of it is appropriate and poignant. If you're into horror, this is a definite must see. If you're not into horror, then this is a film that is a good hour of entertainment. Either way, this film is good and certainly does not deserve any slams that it has been given.

Andre the Butcher (2005)

Exactly what's expected . . . terrible

[3/10 · 2 June 2007]

Before people get all crazy, the above rating is on, overall, how good a movie it was. It was somewhat clear, and had some funny/creative moments in it. Now, for more specifics.

The Cons: This movie drags. It's about an hour and a half, and if this is the only entertainment or focus for the time you watch it, it will be hard to resist turning it off. However, if you're having a get together or friends over or something like that, this would be fun. The acting is bad. The special effects aren't good. And it's nowhere near scary or disturbing.

The Pros: (1) At one point, there is a fight between two cheerleader squads. I've never seen a horror movie with two cheerleader squads, much less two of them duking it out. (2) Ron Jeremy is the killer. It's really nice to see this guy branch out, clean his image up a bit for the kids. (3) There's this guy who's always screaming for mercy. He's been severed at the waist, and he asks for people to kill him. He's like a mini, hugely-apparent easter egg every time he shows up. (4) The end, while somewhat boring, gets points for creativity. Let's just say that Holy Urine used to condemn a butcher to hell, well, that's pretty funny. (5) Oh, yes, and the narrator: an old guy playing the harmonica as he uses modern vernacular. Pretty priceless.

Conclusion: If you're looking for a good piece of film or a thrill, do not get this movie. If you're looking for a good, half-brained, 'interesting' piece of horror to keep on while doing something else, it might be worth checking out.

United 93 (2006)

The way I hoped this event would never be portrayed . . .

[1/10 · 29 May 2007]

This movie was not a good movie. It is easy to go for tragic emotional impact with an event such as 9/11. In fact, in making a movie about 9/11, an amazing amount of tact and respect are necessary for this. The events in this movie were highly dramatized is highly speculative, but in melodramatic way. This review is not an attempt to belittle what happened that day or on that flight; rather, this is an attempt to say how far off this movie was from reality, to say how far off this movie really was from telling the story it was going for.

While the movie tries to capture the essence of the shock of that day, and while it somewhat outlines events that happened, it cannot help but be taken in a soap opera way. It is a watering down of an important day. It is hardly deserving of awards, and it seems as though the only reason this film gained notoriety is because it was made about 9/11. If one steps back from the film and really watches it, it is no where near a great film. Mediocre at best, but as mentioned before, when tackling an event such as this, mediocre falls tragically short. See it if you want, but don't expect to be impressed.

28 Weeks Later (2007)

Stunning

[9/10 · 29 May 2007]

Absolutely stunning. This film was amazing. Right from the beginning, the audience is transported into the story until in finishes. The pace of this movie is dead on. The action sequences go fast, but there are still parts of the movie where there is silence and reflection on what is happening to help the audience process the events of the film.

The entire story follows a single family and their interactions during the whole ordeal, so there is a heightened sense of relation between the characters, and in many of the scenes, the zombies are not nameless. It makes you question what you would do in their situation. It makes you question what it means to he part of a family and what it means to be alive.

I've seen this movie twice now, and I don't know if I could see it again very quickly because the movie is so emotionally exhausting, and the violence, while it is the same thing happening again and again, never loses its effect. Each time you're left alarmed, scared, wondering what will happen next. I would highly recommend checking this movie out, as it is a carnal zombie movie, but there are deeper, dramatic developments and beautiful images to make this movie rise above the normal zombie flick.

Bug (2006)

Interesting movie with interesting premises, but un-enjoyable.

[5/10 · 29 May 2007]

I'm kind of left on the fence after this one. This is not a film that one 'enjoys,' as it is a portrait of insanity and insanity's effects on the vulnerable. Here are some pretty cool things about it:

1. The setting is entirely done in a motel room, and it is interesting to see how it changes throughout the film. 2. The main character, Agnes, changes from a vulnerable, lonely woman into a psychotic self-destructive woman who severs ties with everything but her boyfriends delusions. Once again, another interesting change to see take place. 3. It forces the audience to make decisions as to who to empathize with and why. And to be honest, the basis for reality is not established until the end.

Like I said, it's a beautiful film to watch, especially since it is shot in a small space with a lot of fixed angels, very little panning. The lighting is something pretty spectacular, as well. The acting is dead on, and the characters are believable and consistent throughout the movie. The only significant criticism that I can bring against this film is that empathy with the characters is challenged by the radical nature of their circumstances.

This movie is worth a watch, but don't expect jumpy-type horror or unnecessary gore. This one is meant to make your question, to puzzle. So if you don't like that, you won't like this one.