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[Meiko]

I don't like very much Japanese horror, so I don't mind them remaking these movies. It's not that I don't like Asian actors, it's that I find the movies really weird, with no meaning and difficult to follow because they make no sense to me. And most of them are about cursed girls with long hair and phones or computers. Silly! I liked the American version of The Ring and The Grudge for these reasons. They sort of got rid of all the nonsense of the originals.

[Pu the Owl]

Originally Posted by Meiko

I liked the American version of The Ring and The Grudge for these reasons. They sort of got rid of all the nonsense of the originals.

Isn't the American remake of Ju-on directed by Takashi Shimizu, the same person who also directed the Japanese movies? I think in this case the question is a bit different.

[merylsilverburg]

Originally Posted by Meiko

I don't like very much Japanese horror, so I don't mind them remaking these movies. It's not that I don't like Asian actors, it's that I find the movies really weird, with no meaning and difficult to follow because they make no sense to me. And most of them are about cursed girls with long hair and phones or computers. Silly! I liked the American version of The Ring and The Grudge for these reasons. They sort of got rid of all the nonsense of the originals.

I think what you are speaking of are the modernized and cheap Asian horror films that are prominent nowadays; similar to many Western horror films now that overdo the gore and blood to appeal to the mainstream audience. Unfortunately, I have not seen any classic Asian horror films since they are probably hard to find now and my sister does not know the English translation for the titles, but my sister has when she was a child. She described them to me as disturbing and eerie and compared them to classic Western horror that were disturbing and/or gave you the shivers, like "Nightmare on Elm Street" or "The Exorcist" or "The Shining."

As silly as stories of cursed phones or computers or videos may sound, Asians believe in them greatly since these sorts of situations have and do happen (whether you believe it or not, that's up to you ). Which is probably why such themes or subjects occur often or are overused in some cases.

As for the lack of meaning or understanding, could it be a cultural difference? Perhaps certain things that are written into the movie are things that people wouldn't "get" unless you're Asian or have an understanding of Asian customs/thoughts (this is not in offense, so don't misunderstand). It's true that films are now made where everyone can and should understand its meaning but there are quite a couple of things that I sometimes don't "see" due to my lack of Asian behaviorism...in these cases, my sister would have to point it out to me (I'm ashamed, I admit). EDIT: I'm interested to know which films you didn't understand Meiko because I would like to see them for myself.

Well, I prefer Ringu over "The Ring" because the latter just seemed too overdone while I enjoyed the subtleties and the quiet tone that were in the first.

[Berserker]

Originally Posted by Panuru

Isn't the American remake of Ju-on directed by Takashi Shimizu, the same person who also directed the Japanese movies? I think in this case the question is a bit different.

Yes, it is.

He simplified it for the western audience, cause most of them don't care for subtleties in horrorflicks they watch them to be scared or shocked rather than given an eerie disturbing feeling IMO.
One thing I like about japanese horrors is that they tend to avoid the easy cash-in for a sequel but rather try to go somewhere with the story. Just look at the ringu 2 they could have gone the easy route but instead they took a gamble and turned it almost more into a drama/scifi movie IMO. I've never seen something like that in a western horrorflicksequel(and I've seen tons).

[merylsilverburg]

Originally Posted by Berserker

He simplified it for the western audience

I'm curious, simplified it how?

Originally Posted by Berserker

One thing I like about japanese horrors is that they tend to avoid the easy cash-in for a sequel but rather try to go somewhere with the story.

That might be true when it comes to films since they do enjoy perfection and doing things right. Unfortunately, not all Japanese films (sequel or not) take great care in plot, filmmaking, design, etc...the one recent film I can think of is Noroi which sounds like a JP version of "The Blair Witch Project." Apparently, this film scared people a lot that they dubbed it "forbidden" because of the realistic imagery and the subject of some ancient ghost/evil/curse. Don't know much about it but I would like to see it, I guess...but it seems cheap to me because, if it's like the Blair Witch, then it doesn't sound too appealing.

[Berserker]

Originally Posted by merylsilverburg

I'm curious, simplified it how?

I find the movie contains more dialog(easier to follow that way) and it focusses(??) more on getting the story told faster instead of leaving it a bit more open for interpretation IMO.
The thing I like about japanese horror films like Tale of three sisters(korean??), premonition etc. is that there is very little dialog needed to tell the story, it gives this eerie ambience and leaves alot open for interpretation. I find myself discussing the movie with my g/f about exactly what happened and what did it mean? Whereas in hollywood movies the characters tend to talk throughout the whole movie screaming out tough/yet funny one-liners at ghosts/monsters...I find it rather stupid. They need to carefully explain the whole story to the audience otherwise they don't buy it or something...

[Frozen]

Borat.

Oh my god. I had never bent and twisted of laughter at a movie theater before, not like I did watching this movie, I probably looked like I was having seizures.

Highly recommended.

[Phenom]

I haven't been watching too many movies that came out this year. Hell, I haven't seen too many movies that came out last year.

Although I have been watching a lot of Tyler Perry plays. If you're ever in the mood to laugh I'd suggest checking out

Diary of a Mad Black Woman
Madea's Family Reunion
I Can Do Bad By Myself
Meet the Brown's
Why Did I get Married
Madea's Class Reunion
Madea Goes to Jail

They're christian based plays, but the stories are nice, and hilarious.

[trunks69420]

Beerfest. comes out december 5th. watch it. because it is amazing.

[Berserker]

I watched an older movie lately called Goodbye Lenin, wanted to see it for a long time...never got around to seeing it. Recommend it to everybody who hasn't seen it yet, great movie!

[Berserker]

This is one for you all:

The duel project, two japanese director were having a drink late night and challenged each other to a duel....Make the best one room/area movie about a duel between two persons which has to be shot within 7 days and nights and let the audience decide during a screening.
I just only saw the first one called 2dlk about two beginning actresses in Tokyo and I'm going to buy the second Aragami very shortly.
Excellent flick, cool idea and don't forget to watch the extras cause it's hilarious to see how they shot it in 7 days and nights...true classic!

[Pu the Owl]

Originally Posted by Berserker

I watched an older movie lately called Goodbye Lenin, wanted to see it for a long time...never got around to seeing it. Recommend it to everybody who hasn't seen it yet, great movie!

Goodbye Lenin was great. A very touching and nostalgic movie. I remember watching it when it was released and before seeing it, from the title I thought it was a musical

I also wanted to say that I finally got to see The Departed and I have to agree it's a really good movie, one of the best of 2006 IMO. Too bad Scorsese isn't probably going to win awards for it. It seems Clint Eastwood's Letters from Iwo Jima is going to steal the show. Poor Martin, he never wins anything

PS: can anybody give an opinion about the latest Eastwood's works? I've heard so many good things about both, especially about Iwo Jima, but Flag of our Fathers isn't going well at the box office around here and the distribution isn't helping either, and I don't know when Letters from Iwo Jima will be released in Italy. I'm very curious.

[Berserker]

I'm pretty biased against Eastwood, so I can't say anything about it cause I tend to avoid his work.

I'm looking forward to a movie called Curse of the golden flower, which is another massive, beautiful looking wuxia movie(and with the stunningly beatiful Gong Li and Chow Yun Fat).

I also would love to see the Banquet which is the chinese adaption of Shakespeare's Hamlet, it's getting mixed reviews but that's mainly because I think people expect a pure martial arts movie but from what I've read it's more a period drama with some martial arts in it.

[Zebraman]

Pursuit of Happyness was an enjoyable movie.

[trunks69420]

the descent comes out on tuesday.. and its an awesome horror film.. IMO anyways. i loved it. scared me a lil bit too.. i cried like a sissy. jackass2 comes out as well.. and that is seriously funny stuff if you enjoy that shit. soooo funny. ten times better than the first one adn so many awesome deleted scenes.

check it sonnnnnnnnnnnn.

[merylsilverburg]

Just recently I saw this very nice, though very heartbreaking, film called Joyeux Noel (Merry Christmas). It's based on a true story of Scottish, French, and German soldiers in the middle of WWI calling a truce on Christmas Eve just to spend the holidays with one another. But this simple act put their purpose of life into perspective and also changed their lives. It's really a story about humanity and how wars are inevitably pointless because everyone is the same no matter what you are, what "side" you may be on or fighting for. The tagline goes: Without an enemy, there can be no war.

I usually try to avoid films like this because I know the outcome will leave me depressed. But this was a film I wanted to see for a while so I'm glad I was finally able to get a copy. All the actors played their roles very well and were so believable; the major stars were the three lieutenants and the priest, IMO although it seemed like there was a large focus on the tenor and soprano singers. Well anyway, this was a very good film that I'd recommend.

[Pu the Owl]

I wanted to see that movie months ago meryl, but I couldn't find the time Maybe I'll rent it, if you say it's good.

A funny movie I recommend is Little Miss Sunshine. It's a cute feel-good kind of movie with some good moments of comedy. Nothing too taxing or sarcastic, but definitely above average comedies.

[merylsilverburg]

Originally Posted by Panuru

I wanted to see that movie months ago meryl, but I couldn't find the time Maybe I'll rent it, if you say it's good.

Yes, I would say it's good. It's a slow-paced movie and I've read reviews where people say it's boring but I don't think so. And I like how it's not too over-the-top emotional or too sentimental...the sad parts are more internal aching than external expression although there are parts where you may cry. I hope you will like it whenever you get to see it.

Originally Posted by Panuru

A funny movie I recommend is Little Miss Sunshine. It's a cute feel-good kind of movie with some good moments of comedy. Nothing too taxing or sarcastic, but definitely above average comedies.

I've heard people praise this movie a lot. Could you please explain it in more detail in story and feeling because although I've read the plotline (and I don't doubt your opinion of the film either), I'm not sure if I would like these sort of stories. I've read reviews where people compared it to "Garden State" which I never saw because I know I will hate that movie. So, that's why I'm a bit wary of this film. Thanks in advance.

[Pu the Owl]

The story is very simple, as you probably know: a little chubby and clumsy girl wanting to become a beauty queen, getting her whole family involved. I think the best aspect of the movie is how characters are depicted, how they interact, how the focus shifts from one to another. It's good comedy and funny portrayal of some of the many clichés of American pop culture. As I said, it's nothing very new, it's not a masterpiece, it's just... cute and sometimes witty. Can't compare it to Garden State because I haven't watched it.

[merylsilverburg]

Yeah, I read about the beauty pageant thing which was kinda surprising to me because I didn't expect it. But thanks Panuru, I'll check it out at Netflix.

Oh, and has anyone seen El Laberinto del Fauno (Pan's Labyrinth)? I want to see this film so badly but it's not showing around here.