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By ALEXIA ARGYROU
This supernatural horror
film is based on the premise that if someone's
death is brought about by rage, a curse remains
behind in the place where they died, and anyone
who may occupy that space will come to a similar
fate, and so on.
It is a remake of the popular 2003 Japanese horror
film, "Ju-on: The Grudge." Both versions were
directed by Takashi Shimizu, who's built a
"Grudge" franchise (he's already working on sequel
two and three). It seems remaking Japanese films
for the American market is becoming a genre onto
itself -- 2002's "The Ring" was a remake of 1998's
"Ringu."
Sarah Michelle Geller stars as a caregiver, who
soon realizes that the house she is in while
taking care of an elderly woman, is afflicted by
the "Grudge" curse and is tormented by a spectral
presence. She discovers that another young woman,
who preceded her to the house, arrived but has
disappeared, and that the woman they care for is
unkempt and the house is in shambles. A feeling of
impending doom permeates everything.
The "Grudge" is truly one of the creepiest movies
I have ever seen. Indeed, during the first three
quarters of the movie excruciating chills
tantalize, as we try to guess what might be
happening, and who might be causing what is
happening, and what might have already happened.
Unfortunately, when the film starts actually
delivering answers, it also starts to fall apart.
The psychological creepiness and the teasing give
way to a dark and angry gorefest, and unless
you're a horror fan only for the bloody bits, you
will be left unsatisfied.
The bonus features are plentiful: Producers Ted
Raimi, Sam Raimi and Rob Talpert, actresses Gellar
and Clea Duvall, actor Jason Behr and screenwriter
Stephen Susco participate in a jovial audio
commentary, which was recorded after the movie's
theatrical release; a making-of featurette, "A
Powerful Rage," has 5 chapters ("The Birth of The
Grudge", "Myth of the Ju-On", "Culture Shock:
American Cast in Japan", "Designing the Grudge
House" and "A New Direction: Understanding Takashi
Shimizu") and runs about three quarters of an
hour; the 12-minute "Under the Skin" looks at the
autonomic physical responses to watching horror
movies; and several trailers for this and other
Columbia titles, some of which are upcoming
theatrical releases, are included ("Forgotten,"
"Anacondas," "Boogeyman," "Riding Giants,"
"Spider-Man 2," "Man of the House," "Mirrormask,"
and "Guess Who?"). |
