In a Nutshell. Mini reviews of movies old and new. No fuss. No spoilers. And often no sleep.

Sunday 9 October 2011

Ju-on (2002)

aka: The Grudge

Ju-on is a haunted house film that makes 112 Ocean Avenue (Amityville) seem about as scary as a Wendy house. It's the most terrifying piece of film I've ever watched. I wanted to escape my own skin but I couldn't.
The structure is initially confusing, the episodic nature and different time periods, sometimes with no visual cues to signpost the change, can disorientate and you may wonder just what the hell is going on. A second viewing helps to clarify things.
The family is at the centre of Japanese culture and also at the centre of Ju-on; understand that and the film becomes much deeper than first impressions would suggest.

4½ black cats in the daylight out of 5

3 comments:

Borderline said...

A Wendy house? I had to look that one up. I'm just glad you weren't referring to the fast food chain Wendy's. :p

Dr Faustus said...

I didn't realise it was chiefly a British thing. My bad.

I've heard of Wendy's through movies and YT vids but I don't know if we have them over here.

Borderline said...

It's no problem. I'm certain I've referenced exclusive American things in my nuts.