Here's a thread to talk about Japanese Horror - if you experience something from the RINGU or JU-ON/THE GRUDGE series, or any of their other Japanese counterparts, talk about it here!
If you're a newcomer to the genre, do check out Ju-On, new on Jaman. It's a great place to start, an essential horror that introduces many aspects that define Japanese horror, from the subtle (steadily building atmosphere, the notion of horror as a viral entity that will never let you go) to the overt (white-painted and theatrical performances by actors as ghosts, tactfully-detonated moments of gore). It's a film I quite like (and ideal Halloween viewing) - if you watch it, post your thoughts on it here!
I've actually never seen any of the original Japanese horror films ( besides Godzilla vs. (fill in monster here) which technically isn't a horror movie ).
However, I did see the remake of the Ring.
I will never see it again. It is the most frightening movie that I have ever seen in my life. I don't ever want to see the original even if Jaman ever offers it free. No way. No how.
There is something about the way it's filmed that heightens the fear. It could be the black and white shots or the staccato movement of the ghosts... I dunno. I just found Ring to be a "turn all the lights on" type of movie.
asian movie horrors are a lot better than any other foreign films.. what makes it best is the STORY.. the story has more sense than the usual bloody scenes, sharp teeth, chasing someone with saw, axe, knives, etc.. a movie can only be good when a story is also good..
skypoet - if RINGU scared you, JU-ON will absolutely terrify you.
Precioustin - agreed about the strengths of the story in Asian horror. Something about the JU-ON/THE GRUDGE series that doesn't get enough emphasis is the movies' non-linear storylines. Shimizu's really great at balancing the different timelines of his characters, and the way they intersect throughout his films is nothing short of masterful. This carries through to his American remakes - the climactic coming-together of the Japan and Chicago timelines is a powerful moment, indeed.
I watched RIng ang Ring 2, aswell as the Grudge and Grudge 2, which is the best horror movie ever!
I haven't found any other movies that as scary as these 4 japanese movies ever since.
I must jump on the Ringu and Ju-on band wagon here. Absolutely, without a single doubt; in my mind two of the most breathtaking movies I've seen to date. For me it is the cut-a-way slip of an image against the audio that drives the ethereal essence straight into one's bones.
Three... Extremes (traditional Chinese: 三更2 Saam gaang yi) is a 2004 international Asian horror film collaboration consisting of three segments by three directors from three countries. . The three segments are, in the following order:
Dumplings, directed by Fruit Chan (Hong Kong)
Cut, directed by Park Chan-wook (South Korea)
Box, directed by Takashi Miike (Japan)
Fruit Chan later released Dumplings, a 90 minute version of his segment.
Plot ... SPOILER
Dumplings - An aging actress wishing to reclaim her youth goes to a woman who makes dumplings that supposedly have regenerative properties; however, they contain a gruesome secret ingredient.
Cut - A successful film director and his wife are kidnapped by an extra, who forces the director to play his sadistic games. If he fails, his wife's fingers will be chopped off one by one every five minutes.
Box - A soft spoken young woman has a bizarre recurring nightmare about being buried in a box in the snow. Searching for her long lost sister, she realizes her dreams and reality may possibly be connected.
