I was always genuinely scared by The Grudge. The environment, set pieces, and vibe finds a very specific prism, and it's unnerving and all-consuming.
As far as remakes goes, The Grudge one of the best ones for three reasons: 1) it actually revitalizes the story for American audiences, and I would argue makes itself more focused as a result. Takashi Shimizu is brilliant in this regard; 2) the use of a disjointed timeline is one of the best I've seen in a horror film, and The Grudge tells the story in a non-linear fashion in order to create a greater dramatic effect; 3) the proverb at the heart of this series is timeless, and this film unfolds it so well.
It achieves its aims, knows to attract and appease its audience, and creates/maintains its unique aesthetic. People are ridiculously hard on The Grudge. It's quite good.
I miss the days SMG ruled the box office.
As far as remakes goes, The Grudge one of the best ones for three reasons: 1) it actually revitalizes the story for American audiences, and I would argue makes itself more focused as a result. Takashi Shimizu is brilliant in this regard; 2) the use of a disjointed timeline is one of the best I've seen in a horror film, and The Grudge tells the story in a non-linear fashion in order to create a greater dramatic effect; 3) the proverb at the heart of this series is timeless, and this film unfolds it so well.
It achieves its aims, knows to attract and appease its audience, and creates/maintains its unique aesthetic. People are ridiculously hard on The Grudge. It's quite good.
I miss the days SMG ruled the box office.