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nymus2004
Reviews
The Grudge (2004)
Lost In Translation...
Asian films do not translate well to western culture, which is probably why Sam Raimi tried to cross the divide by setting The Grudge amongst the American community in Japan whilst retaining the original Japanese director. A bold move for a Hollywood movie, but it really didn't help much. Apart from an insight into what it might be like for a westerner to live in Japan, I found the whole experience unengaging, incongruous and mystifying. What was mean't to be scary was actually quite laughable, and when I went for a meal afterwards I found myself mimicking that strange rattling sound every time I saw a Japanese girl with heavy make-up. The Box Office results for this film are the result of three key ingredients; the producers reputation, the actress from Buffy, an excellent poster and the financial P&A might of the studio. None of it has anything to do with the film itself. If you want good horror, check out the following; Saw, Switchblade Romance and The Last Horror Movie
The Last Horror Movie (2003)
Deserves to be huge
ames Handel's brilliant script for The Last Horror Movie has a lot to say and does it without preaching or getting heavy handed. It's an uncomfortable film, but a compelling one and that modern day rarity, a horror film that makes you think while scaring the hell out of you. Howarth takes centre stage throughout and is simply amazing as the unreadable Max - he himself admits that he's not mad, but offers no motivation for why he commits his appalling crimes other than that he wants to create the "last horror movie you'll ever see." The Last Horror Movie will work even better on video and DVD than it does on the big screen though one has to wonder what its prospects will be. With no big name stars and the still unshakeable stigma attached to British horror films, this could go unwatched by many who would love its perverse charm and uncompromising violence. And that would be a shame as this is one genre film that deserves to be huge.