Asian Horror Movies.

[Chez Daja]

This is the new thread for Asian horror. Here is where we can discuss Asian horror, old and new. Remakes may be discussed here, too.

So, first question... Favourite Asian horror title?

I personally liked Ju-On The Grudge a lot. I think it's a Hell of a lot scarier than the pretty crappy American remakes. There's a Ju-On 3 coming out later this year.

I also thought Dumplings was good. It's Cantonese or Chinese Mandarin or something to that effect. I really enjoyed this. It's not really much of a horror, but it's considered horror to some people. There's nothing particularly scary about it, but I find it a haunting tale.

Any others you want to see?

The Eye. Looks ****ing creepy. I've seen bits of the American remake, and it annoyed me. Jessica Alba is a terrible actress, and she now annoys me simply for the shitty role she played in that movie.

A Tale of Two Sisters.
Dark Water (saw the remake and thought it was awesome, now I want to see the Japanese version.)
Audition.
Infection.
Marebito.
Apartment 1303.
Whispering Corridors.
Shutter.
One Missed Call.

There are more, but I'm hoping others will reply first.

[Meier Link]

i personally couldnt stand jun-on even though as you stated it was far suppior to its american counter part. i just dont see why they dont release them here dubbed or subed in comparison to a complete remake of a brand new movie. i think i would enjoy them alot more that way. instead of watchin the butched american version then going and watching the original with very low expectations.

there have been quite a few i have seen but i cant think of them right now that have been awsome, i love the "originality" in them and the akwardness that the asians put behind them. i will post again on this topic when my brains in the right place haha

[Chez Daja]

I personally think the Japanese ones tend to be better.

And you can get them in America and Europe dubbed even before the American ones come out. Obviously because the Japanese ones are released first, it's possible to find them from Amazon or even in big stores before the American movies get released.

I saw Ju-On before I saw the American Grudge, though.

[Furore]

I'm afraid the only ones I have seen are Ring and it's sequel, both of which I got published by madman. They tend to be a slight bit harder to find here, and I'm not so often watching television when they're on anymore neither, though they do get the occasional one on SBS.

Guiltily, I have to say that I found them both kind of amusing, and that's the main thing that allows me to go back to them.

[Storm]

I've only seen Tale of Two Sisters, but I thought it was fantastic. The storyline was original and well-sculpted, great acting, and for once I did actually find it creepy! It was a great buy considering I found it for £3.99 in the games exchange store.

I've never seen a US horror thats scared me. I couldn't watch the opening of SAW4 merely for the fact that I have an odd dislike of brains (though oddly enough I can see them being shot out of skulls in horrors), but that doesn't really count! I would like to see some more Asian Horror movies, so is there any that you particularly recomend from the list or otherwise?

[ChloChloAriadne]

My favourites all depend on what we're talking about...

What irritates me with Americanised Asian horrors is when they try to keep it... By putting in one or two Japanese actors, or setting it in Japan. It takes it away a little for me.

Of course, both versions of The Grudge were beautiful. I probably prefer Ju-On, the original, but I quite appreciate the Americanised one also, mainly for the effort in it.. Watch the making of it, it's very impressive. Hard to explain, but if you watch it you'll know what I mean.

I think Dark Water was one that translated beautifully. Both the remake and the original are immaculate, really.

The remake of "The Eye".. Chez is right, a wooden board could act better than Jessica Alba. But the movie itself was really very well executed. They just could have had a much better choice of lead actor. Eva Green, perhaps?

Overall I'd say my favourite's Dark Water, for reasons mentioned above. Lovely.

[Chez Daja]

I'm afraid the only ones I have seen are Ring and it's sequel, both of which I got published by madman. They tend to be a slight bit harder to find here, and I'm not so often watching television when they're on anymore neither, though they do get the occasional one on SBS.

Guiltily, I have to say that I found them both kind of amusing, and that's the main thing that allows me to go back to them.

I haven't been fortunate enough to see the Asian Ring movies yet. I'd really like to. I saw the Americanized one, though, and that ruined any opinion on it for now. I'll have to see the original.

I've only seen Tale of Two Sisters, but I thought it was fantastic. The storyline was original and well-sculpted, great acting, and for once I did actually find it creepy! It was a great buy considering I found it for £3.99 in the games exchange store.

I'm so jealous. I want to see this film really badly! I've heard so many excellent reveiws for it.

I would like to see some more Asian Horror movies, so is there any that you particularly recomend from the list or otherwise?

I think Dark Water would be a good start, and then maybe Ju-On The Grudge. I've seen a lot of the Japanese Dark Water but not the whole thing. It really looks ace, though, and if it's even half as decent as the American one (which was the only fantastic remake I've seen), then it's worth a watch for sure.

Of course, both versions of The Grudge were beautiful. I probably prefer Ju-On, the original, but I quite appreciate the Americanised one also, mainly for the effort in it.. Watch the making of it, it's very impressive. Hard to explain, but if you watch it you'll know what I mean.

Nooo. Wow, you really thought the American one was impressive? I did appreciate the ghosts, in all honesty. They stayed quite true to the originals, which is a good thing. I think Sarah Michelle Gellar ruined any remake for me a little. Buffy The Vampire Slayer was a sweet little gem to get rich from, but I personally can't take her seriously anymore now.

I think Dark Water was one that translated beautifully. Both the remake and the original are immaculate, really.

Yeah! Not many people seem to like the remake, but I think it's a really good film. It's not scary, but it's a really nice way to use up a couple of hours.

The remake of "The Eye".. Chez is right, a wooden board could act better than Jessica Alba. But the movie itself was really very well executed. They just could have had a much better choice of lead actor. Eva Green, perhaps?

I love you for this comment! I think Jessica Alba was picked purely to lure more people into watching it, because lets face it, to people that aren't really interested in Japan-to-America remakes, The Eye probably doesn't look very interesting. Maybe I'm wrong, but I feel that way... Why else would they choose somebody who was willing to have a shower scene in the movie? I didn't like the invisible glass. It make me feel pretty sick, not because it's like "oh, naked lady", but the way she was bent over reminded me of somebody taking a shit down the drain...

I didn't like the lack of suspence in the clips I've seen of the remake of The Eye, either. In the original elevator scene, things last a lot longer, with the main character panicking but not daring to make a sound. Jessica Alba's banging on the elevator buttons and saying "It's not real, it's not real" annoyed me a little and reminded me of typical American teen movie.

And the hospital scene was different, too. I don't think the hospital was too bad in the American version, but I preferred the suspence of the Asian one, with the old ladies' pained moans could be heard from down the corridor.

Comparison is tough to execute when the American remake could've been something special had there been some level of suspence or ... lack of Jessica Alba. Hopefully she won't be a part of any other could-be/should-be good movies. Ever.

[Meier Link]

i still dont have the urge to watch the american verious of the eye. mainly because she is in it. theres something really scary about how she acts and i think that would be more terrifying then the actual movie.

but in all reality can the eye really be called a asain movie seening that there has been a few american movies made with the same principle? sure its been a few (15?) since they came out so doesnt that mean they stole it from us but then again it was an old bed time horry story long before that. i am not sure what the older title is but i know i have seen one simular to what i have read about the eye.

[Chez Daja]

but in all reality can the eye really be called a asain movie seening that there has been a few american movies made with the same principle? sure its been a few (15?) since they came out so doesnt that mean they stole it from us but then again it was an old bed time horry story long before that. i am not sure what the older title is but i know i have seen one simular to what i have read about the eye.

It's true, the concept of seeing ghosts has been taken before and used with the likes of psychics, children and clairvoyants not to mention Quija boards. However, I don't think I have seen the eye transplant scenario used in a horror film before.

There aren't many new things we can do with movies because it's pretty much all been done. Think about it, ghosts, aliens, even viral weaponry to decrease human nature, effectly turning them into "zombies."

Some ideas have to be reused, but given a different twist.

[ChloChloAriadne]

Nooo. Wow, you really thought the American one was impressive? I did appreciate the ghosts, in all honesty. They stayed quite true to the originals, which is a good thing. I think Sarah Michelle Gellar ruined any remake for me a little. Buffy The Vampire Slayer was a sweet little gem to get rich from, but I personally can't take her seriously anymore now.

I can definitely see what you mean by the acting. I think she's cute and all, but not the best actress for films like this.. She was good in Buffy, but I'm not sure she's any good at acting outside those limits.

Basically what I meant was more the movie than the acting. A massive amount of effort went into it, which tends to make me appreciate something a lot more. A lot of horror movies now are just a bunch of greenscreening and CGI - This was very different from those.

I love you for this comment! I think Jessica Alba was picked purely to lure more people into watching it, because lets face it, to people that aren't really interested in Japan-to-America remakes, The Eye probably doesn't look very interesting. Maybe I'm wrong, but I feel that way... Why else would they choose somebody who was willing to have a shower scene in the movie? I didn't like the invisible glass. It make me feel pretty sick, not because it's like "oh, naked lady", but the way she was bent over reminded me of somebody taking a shit down the drain...

Funny story.. In the trailer, there's a slight glimpse of Jessica Alba in the shower... Two of the people I went with went purely for that scene. There were many "Aw, is that all we're going to see?"s around the cinema. But really.. As you said, it was done to lure people in.. But it worked, didn't it? Obviously the person that cast her values money more than the quality of the film >.<. If it was an unknown, it may've been better, but not as many people would watch it. Simple as that, I guess.

Comparison is tough to execute when the American remake could've been something special had there been some level of suspence or ... lack of Jessica Alba. Hopefully she won't be a part of any other could-be/should-be good movies. Ever.

Haha.. Not sure that's going to happen. In my opinion, she should just stick to things like "Fantastic Four": Not a huge role, not a deep role, not a serious role, and she can fulfill that >.<.

[Sinister]

Oh dear me... Look at this... An excellent thread about Asian Horror Movies being wasted by talkings of Rings, Eyes and Grudges. Dear, dear me.

Japan is the only place where true horror movies exist, but they have little to do with movies like "The Ring". Where I will admit that Ju-On was very watchable...there is much more challenging fare for those with a strong stomach.

Just to name a few to get you looking in the right direction:


Tetsuo(The Iron man) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNtMIVOqLVg

Guinea Pig 1-7(please do not sue me because you watched these films and they sodomized your mind Also watch while you can, they're banned in most places) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6VFPI7HnwY

Uzumaki(ALWAYS a crowd pleaser with manga origins) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fd8a6BJT2cc


Have any of you been fortunate to see any of the above?

-Sin

[ekimeinna]

well... i just watch a movie called the "shutter" came from Thailand... i not sure if any of you know this movie.... it's kindda crazy at the end of the story... just check that movie out to see why i said that hehehehe...

(actually... i don't like horror movies... my friend just force me to cause she said it will just shock you because of an ugly face of a dead girl....)

[V_Translanka]

Although not strictly limited to the horror genre by having lighthearted comedic scenes that remind me a bit of Shaun of the Dead, the Korean monster movie Gweomul (The Host) is one of my favorite movies. I can't believe they actually went into actual sewers to film the sewer sequences...very disturbing guerrilla filmmaking from those non-unionized film crews in Korea I guess...>_>

One "asian horror" that looked really good that I haven't gotten to see yet is Audition...I've heard some pretty good things about it and from the clips/trailers of it I've seen, it looks freakin sweet.

[Chez Daja]

ekimeinna; I'm so jealous! Shutter looks awesome, did you enjoy it? I really wanted to see it, but it didn't come out in the cinema over here, I believe, so I may have to go ahead and just buy it instead.

I've seen a couple of random stills from that film and it looks really great.


As for Audition, I plan on buying that in the near future too. Or whenever I have some money. I've known about that film for ages.

[Joe]

Oh my god! I just watched half of Guinea Pig 2: Flower of Flesh and Blood! That was some seriously sick crap....IT WAS AWESOME!

granted I only watched part of it, but that's because youtube sucks.

[Sinister]

Told you. ^^ It's now banned in Japan to make anymore sequels to that film, btw. A serious gore fest. Now the further you go down the sequels the campier and sillier they get, mind. But I enjoyed them. Some of them are worth a laugh or two, either because the gore gets so ridiculously realistic and sick or because the jokes are compelling.

-Sin

[Craig]

hey chez do you know where i could pick up a coppy of audition? i saw a bit of it and it looked fing nuts! no this dosn't have any real input so this could be called spam but audition looked like a good one and i wanted to see it so.

[Chez Daja]

Hey, apologies for the late reply.

Sinister, I wasn't sure whether to go ahead and see Guinea Pig. I heard they were boring short films with little to no speaking.

Craig, you can buy Audition from Amazon... and HMV. You might have to order it from HMV, but that's a good option because it usually means you get money off.

[GazetteGuren]

ohh i realy love the ppartment film its on youtube in about 15 parts or something if you type in appartment chizuru and its subbed. im a big fan of korean horror and stuff like that. Has anyone seen battle royale its so worth watching again you can find it on youtube (y)

[Chez Daja]

I love Battle Royale! Both the films are intensely enjoyable and what's not to love about watching a bunch of teenagers'

Spoiler: necks' exploding.

I know it's not for a lot of people since it's more Action/Horror, but I think it's a really good start if you're just getting into Asian horror. It's not too weird and outlandish, but still very Asian.

And thanks a lot for the name of that film, I'm off to youtube it right now!

[GazetteGuren]

yeah i fell in love with battle royale and i cried so many timess

[Sinister]

Hey, apologies for the late reply.

Sinister, I wasn't sure whether to go ahead and see Guinea Pig. I heard they were boring short films with little to no speaking.

Sorry took so long to reply, Chez. >< But, Guinea Pig's first two films were just unkind essays in gore with little or no plot. They are unrelenting gore with realism that's never been seen to date and that just doesn't let up. From there, they had to lighten the mood because of the serial murder scandal and the investigations. So what followed were almost comedic versions with just as much gore, or more but with jokes and campy scenes and tons more plot.

But the first two movies had little or no speaking, they were very short. But their legacy stands as the most anatomically accurate and convincing gore of any movie, making scenes in movies like Hostel, positively laughable.

If it's plot, length and dialog you want, seek out the various sequels. And there are an array of other more worthy Asian titles associated with Guinea Pig that have all these and more.

Evil Dead Trap,
Junk
All Night Long
ENTRAILS OF A BEAUTIFUL WOMAN
ENTRAILS OF A VIRGIN
STAR OF DAVID
TOKYO PSYCHO
LIVING HELL
VISITOR Q
KICHIKU: BANQUET OF THE BEASTS

To name of few, I've not seen all of these. A great majority I've garnered from topercat on youtube's Asian Horror collections.


The grittier horror movies are the ones that don't make theaters or headlines. True horror is not something the public is fond of...not the REALLY nasty stuff. lol

Anyway, enjoys.

-Sin

-Sin

[Neo-Sephiroth]

the original grudge Ju-on

[sandman]

A Tale Of Two Sisters


The Ring (Three Part Japanese Version)



Phone


Mushishi - The Bug Master

[RamesesII]

Well i was initially going to make a thread about the Grudge but seen as this thread exsists i thought i might refresh it.

I love Japanese horror i can't say that i have seen the original Grudge or the original Ring but they are by far the best horror movies i have ever seen not only because the fact of the good acting and the brilliant scripts but the stories are just fantastic and not typical cliche horror stuff that many others contain, but i mainly love them because of the legends and curses behind it that's what make them so freaky. I really liked Grudge 1 the American version it creeped me out and i found it hard to sleep second one was a bit crappier and i just watched the third which in my opinion lacked the scariness of the first but still creepy nonetheless. I particularly love the fact that she lives on and isn't destroyed because if she was it would totally lose the whole effect of a curse that can't be destroyed.

I also liked shutter not as scary but brilliant as well.

[ZantetsukeN]

Ichii The Killer is one of the most messed up films I have ever seen.

Apart from that, I've only seen Ring, and Ju-On The Grudge, all of which were good. I saw the American Grudge and Ring before the Japanese ones, and wish I hadn't. The American Ring is one of the worst films I have ever seen.