Film: ชัตเตอร์ กดติดวิญญาณ (Shutter)
Directors: Banjong Pisanthanakun
Parkpoom Wongpoom
This is a Japanese Korean Chinese Thai ghost story following the exploits of the ghost with long, wet, black hair who stands with her arms and head hung limp and who's major manifestation power is showing up accompanied by loud stings of music in an attempt to make you jump (seriously, why don't they just have someone yell "BOO!" loudly into a mic and save us the effort).
At this point I am convinced that all these movies, Ringu, The Eye, The Grudge; all of these are actually a serial following this one ghost from exploit to exploit. She's actually a franchise, the Jason Bourne of the ghost world as it were. Not to knock any of those films, I enjoyed the first two at least. This film however feels like a Mockbuster of these flicks à la Metal Man.
No serious ghost film should bring to mind the Marx Brothers, but I found myself thinking of Groucho more than a few times in this one. Seriously, some parts (the ghost on the hood of a car, the "big reveal" with the Polaroid at the end) had me flat-out laughing. They were cut straight from Evil Dead 2, albeit unintentionally.
I understand there may be a cultural difference that makes it difficult for me to appreciate what this film was trying for, but I still find it hard to accept that finding a years-dead body in someone's attic is something you calmly talk about with them over tea (yes, that happens). There's one bit where the main character actually asks the ghost for toilet paper in a public bathroom stall. Again, this is not a comedy.
I had high hopes looking at online reviews of this film. I love world cinema and I want to appreciate Thai films as well. But for now I think the best I have seen out of Thailand is a baby elephant being thrown through a plate glass window. Here's wishing the next one I see restores my faith in what they have to offer.
A friend wanted me to add ratings. Also, I'm only going to link videos and pics in these ramblings. Wikipedia links are drowning the good stuff.
Rating: π/10
Favorite bit: I love the fact that public restrooms in Thailand have ashtrays on top of the toilet paper holders.
Reminds me of (or made me pine for):
- The Host
- The Asphyx
- The Ring (and yes, I think the American one was better)
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