If you asked any horror fan the word on the street, most might tell you that the only true horror films are those coming from Asia. The Asian influence in films can be felt over here, as most of the recent horror films to grace our cinemas have been remakes of outstanding Asian horror (The Ring, The Grudge, and the upcoming Dark Water). There is a flare in the movies, a visual style not seen over here. They view the world different, so their horror is different. And yes, while at times that 'long black hair' gag loses some of it's creepiness, it does not stop being effective.
With the exception of just a few films, American horror is seriously lacking in all departments. Could it have anything to do with the studios demanding more teen-friendly PG-13 cuts to send out to theaters? (But that's another rant for another time). Asian horror really seems to have no "rules". It also has none of the established architecture of our films. There is rarely gratuitous nudity, graphic sexual encounters, or half baked plot ideas and killers in masks. Asian horror is about the visual and mental aspects; playing with your mind and scaring you that way.
While there are too many ghosts and ghost revenge plots in their films, each new film is so visually different from the last, it almost excuses for some repetition. The one thing most Asian films are filled with, however, is stomach churning gore. The non-horror flick "Ichi the Killer" or the serial killer thriller ''Tell Me Something" are prime examples, and the rare film "Organ" which had me almost running for a bucket. In a country that doesn't rely on showing bare bosoms to get people to watch, they use clever plots, unique plot-twists, and rabid visuals to sell their films.
So many are quick to turn away from Asian horror because of subtitles or not being able to understand what is going on, which occurs in many of the films as it does not follow the linear storytelling and editing that we, Americans, are used to. It's okay to be scared by this, but change and new things are good. How many people come to me and ask to see something "really scary" and how many are turned off by the thought of watching Asian horror films and settle instead on some B-movie retread? It saddens me.
I believe horror has cycles, through the 80's we suffered with sequel after sequel of horrid B-movies, and through the early nineties horror had all been stuffed away in straight-to-video hell. But then the resurgence, with the film "Scream," brought the pulse back to horror. It's been almost ten years now since that great film (and all thoughts are poised on whether Kevin and Wes can do it again in "Cursed"), and horror is once again treading downward. Sorry to say it, but it is. However, there is hope in these small, terrifying films from across the seas. I have no problem telling anyone "The best damn horror is from Asia." So if you haven't already, check some out for yourself. You will find yourself very surprised at the scares that await you...And with Tartan Films new Asian Extreme series, hopefully more Asian gems will be coming our way.
Hyde has spoken...
*special addition to Deaditorial -- Hyde's Top 10 Asian Must-see horror films!*
10. Phone: a woman's new cell phone is receiving strange calls from the other side. A truly eerie film with a one-two punch for an ending.
9. Inner Senses: a young woman's being haunted and no one believes her, until her Doctor starts seeing them too. A quite unnerving ghost film.
8. Uzumaki: An entire town becomes affected by the Uzumaki in a very eerie, very original horror film. This one just has to be seen, I can't even explain it.
7. Tomie: Perhaps the strangest Asian horror film I have seen. A story about young girl who will not die and all the people affected by her. (this one has spawned 5 sequels and each are as creepy as the first -- or so I am told as I have not seen all of them...yet)
6. Ringu: Could be billed as the one that started it all, but the story of little Sadako and her curse tape has made horror film history (and spawned 2 sequels and an a American remake and sequel.)
5. A Tale of Two Sisters: Kim Jee-Woon's terrifying little tale about a pair of sisters and sinister happenings in their house. This one has some plot twists that will knock your socks off.
4. Suicide Circle: The second strangest film I have seen on this list about people all over the city committing suicide and a website that records it all...before it happens. A tour-de-force of a film, confusing and beautiful at the same time. One that requires two viewings.
3. JU-ON: The curse of one who dies in a powerful rage and continues to make bad everything it comes in contact with. An exceptional horror film in its own right and worthy of a viewing. (Spawned 2 sequels in Japan and an American remake and rumored sequel.)
2. The Eye: Without a doubt the scariest ghost film I have ever seen...ever! A young blind woman has an operation to see, and what she sees will scare the pants off you. The Pang Brothers weave and exceptional ghost story in this visual film. (Has also created a sequel - not yet released over here. And rumors of an American remake.)
1. Audition: Takaski Miike's haunting film about a Widower looking for a new wife, by holding fake auditions for a film that will never be made. He chooses a young, shy woman and learns not all is it what is seems with her, which leads to the most stomach churning, jaw dropping final 30 minutes of screen history! (Only watch the unrated, unedited version of this movie!! Don't cheat yourself out of this one folks)
Honorable mentions: Cure, Ichi The Killer, Tell Me Something, Dark Water (only cause I haven't seen it to determine if it's top 10 material), JU-ON 2, Ringu 2, Ringu 0: Birthday Versus (once again only cause I haven't seen it), Organ (which if anyone can figure out please let me know). And some many more unseen treasures.
Originally Published on Horror-Web by Unimonster 3.25.04
With the exception of just a few films, American horror is seriously lacking in all departments. Could it have anything to do with the studios demanding more teen-friendly PG-13 cuts to send out to theaters? (But that's another rant for another time). Asian horror really seems to have no "rules". It also has none of the established architecture of our films. There is rarely gratuitous nudity, graphic sexual encounters, or half baked plot ideas and killers in masks. Asian horror is about the visual and mental aspects; playing with your mind and scaring you that way.
While there are too many ghosts and ghost revenge plots in their films, each new film is so visually different from the last, it almost excuses for some repetition. The one thing most Asian films are filled with, however, is stomach churning gore. The non-horror flick "Ichi the Killer" or the serial killer thriller ''Tell Me Something" are prime examples, and the rare film "Organ" which had me almost running for a bucket. In a country that doesn't rely on showing bare bosoms to get people to watch, they use clever plots, unique plot-twists, and rabid visuals to sell their films.
So many are quick to turn away from Asian horror because of subtitles or not being able to understand what is going on, which occurs in many of the films as it does not follow the linear storytelling and editing that we, Americans, are used to. It's okay to be scared by this, but change and new things are good. How many people come to me and ask to see something "really scary" and how many are turned off by the thought of watching Asian horror films and settle instead on some B-movie retread? It saddens me.
I believe horror has cycles, through the 80's we suffered with sequel after sequel of horrid B-movies, and through the early nineties horror had all been stuffed away in straight-to-video hell. But then the resurgence, with the film "Scream," brought the pulse back to horror. It's been almost ten years now since that great film (and all thoughts are poised on whether Kevin and Wes can do it again in "Cursed"), and horror is once again treading downward. Sorry to say it, but it is. However, there is hope in these small, terrifying films from across the seas. I have no problem telling anyone "The best damn horror is from Asia." So if you haven't already, check some out for yourself. You will find yourself very surprised at the scares that await you...And with Tartan Films new Asian Extreme series, hopefully more Asian gems will be coming our way.
Hyde has spoken...
*special addition to Deaditorial -- Hyde's Top 10 Asian Must-see horror films!*
10. Phone: a woman's new cell phone is receiving strange calls from the other side. A truly eerie film with a one-two punch for an ending.
9. Inner Senses: a young woman's being haunted and no one believes her, until her Doctor starts seeing them too. A quite unnerving ghost film.
8. Uzumaki: An entire town becomes affected by the Uzumaki in a very eerie, very original horror film. This one just has to be seen, I can't even explain it.
7. Tomie: Perhaps the strangest Asian horror film I have seen. A story about young girl who will not die and all the people affected by her. (this one has spawned 5 sequels and each are as creepy as the first -- or so I am told as I have not seen all of them...yet)
6. Ringu: Could be billed as the one that started it all, but the story of little Sadako and her curse tape has made horror film history (and spawned 2 sequels and an a American remake and sequel.)
5. A Tale of Two Sisters: Kim Jee-Woon's terrifying little tale about a pair of sisters and sinister happenings in their house. This one has some plot twists that will knock your socks off.
4. Suicide Circle: The second strangest film I have seen on this list about people all over the city committing suicide and a website that records it all...before it happens. A tour-de-force of a film, confusing and beautiful at the same time. One that requires two viewings.
3. JU-ON: The curse of one who dies in a powerful rage and continues to make bad everything it comes in contact with. An exceptional horror film in its own right and worthy of a viewing. (Spawned 2 sequels in Japan and an American remake and rumored sequel.)
2. The Eye: Without a doubt the scariest ghost film I have ever seen...ever! A young blind woman has an operation to see, and what she sees will scare the pants off you. The Pang Brothers weave and exceptional ghost story in this visual film. (Has also created a sequel - not yet released over here. And rumors of an American remake.)
1. Audition: Takaski Miike's haunting film about a Widower looking for a new wife, by holding fake auditions for a film that will never be made. He chooses a young, shy woman and learns not all is it what is seems with her, which leads to the most stomach churning, jaw dropping final 30 minutes of screen history! (Only watch the unrated, unedited version of this movie!! Don't cheat yourself out of this one folks)
Honorable mentions: Cure, Ichi The Killer, Tell Me Something, Dark Water (only cause I haven't seen it to determine if it's top 10 material), JU-ON 2, Ringu 2, Ringu 0: Birthday Versus (once again only cause I haven't seen it), Organ (which if anyone can figure out please let me know). And some many more unseen treasures.
Originally Published on Horror-Web by Unimonster 3.25.04
