ManicMuse Reviews

Shibito no koiwazurai (2001)

Very weird, and very random, ghost story from Japan (The World Capital of Weird)

[5/10 · 27 October 2015]

I watched this having no idea about the story it's based on, and having no expectations. This turned out to be a very weird ghost story, that was pretty bad, but kinda entertaining.

The acting is really bad, but in an almost campy way, so it's forgivable. The plot goes from completely predictable to throwing in the most random plot twist I think I've ever seen. The twists aren't even original, they just seem to be thrown together arbitrarily.

I thought the story was confusing, and didn't really make sense at times, yet I was still interested in what happened next. The ending is meant to be sad, but there were too many distracting elements to the story, which stopped me from getting into the story. It definitely hits all the major Asian Horror themes... including revenge, and guilt.

The main theme seemed to be that women in love can turn obsessive and dangerously crazy if you break their heart. If you thought the title meant something more romantic, you will be sadly disappointed. There is an obligatory "don't do this" curse too, where people of course do exactly what they are warned not to do, and I'm entertained by those horror scenarios, so that was a bonus.

Overall, by horror standards it's decent, and worth watching if you like J-Horror. However, It's certainly not a must see.

Across the Universe (2007)

Let's say Hair and Moulin Rouge had a baby...

[9/10 · 5 September 2007]

... and it's nanny was Julie Taymor ...

This probably sounds like I hated the film, but I actually loved it.

It has the time line and self-consciously-culture-smart soundtrack of Hair, yet the campy fun and karaoke stylings of Moulin Rouge. Julie Taymor takes this combination and makes it fun, instead of extra cheesy, and it is visually fascinating instead of the obnoxious MTV-video nightmare it could have been.

I cared about the characters - and the cast of 'unknowns' have great star power and voices. Even though I knew exactly what would happen, the journey there was great. The cameos were fun. The lead was sufficiently hot. The soundtrack is stuck in my head as I write this (the new versions, not even the original songs) All corny jokes and references, and lapses in plot are forgiven, because Ms. Taymor manages to take a movie chock full of things that have been done a million times before and makes it as fresh and exciting as if it were all done for the first time. You may know exactly what's going to happen but you never know how. This is the director's movie!

Definitely a movie journey worth taking.

Scary Hair (2005)

Well made crap script.

[5/10 · 14 October 2006]

This movie takes itself way too seriously. The title 'scary hair' says it all. The movie tells the story of a cancer sufferer who gets the gift of a cursed wig from her sister when she is released from the hospital. Did I mention that the sister is also mute and in a sucky relationship? Even though the script takes cheesy soap-opera horror to the next level, it is beautifully shot. The actors are good, but the script leaves a lot to be desired. Of course there is a twist or two at the end, but the road that leads there is confusing and cliché. This movie is more like Phone than a Tale of Two Sisters, but Phone seems Oscar worthy in comparison. Don't expect a remake.

Nightmare (2000)

I was tricked into seeing this movie...

[3/10 · 25 September 2005]

The reviews I read for this movie were pretty decent so I decided to check it out. BAD IDEA! This is another movie about a ghost out for revenge against a group friends. The story is stupid, mix two parts Ringu with one part Prom Night, a sprinkle of I Know what you did Last Summer, and add a tiny dash of Single White Female - now blend until completely nonsensical. There is nothing new to this plot, and revisiting the clichés I've grown so fond of wasn't even entertaining this time. This movie jumps to and from the past too much, and once I made sense of it all I realized it still didn't make much sense. Characters go from sane to psycho killer in the blink of an eye. Speaking of characters, they are all your stereotypical favorites - the greedy selfish lawyer, the egocentric actress, the has-been baseball star, the video voyeur, the bitter girl, the spooky quiet chick, the 'nicer-than-nice' nice girl, a freakin' black cat... and I didn't care about any of them. Perhaps a better writer could have made the movie work, there were some decent scenes in it, but overall this movie was a mess. I should also mention a certain 'video tape' that would have been IMPOSSIBLE to shoot.

This movie isn't the worst Asian horror has to offer by far, but it is still pretty bad. If you just want to see some creepy images in the dark, or just want to laugh out loud at some over the top acting, or just want to yell "you're stupid!" at a movie screen, or just want to have another Asian horror flick up your sleeve when someone asks you how many you've seen - this movie is for you.

Those seeking a decent plot look elsewhere.

Wishing Stairs (2003)

Yes Virginia, Bad Asian horror exists...

[3/10 · 10 August 2005]

This movie is simply bad. The plot drags on. The chick in the fat suit overacts more than Jim Carey doing a comic bit. I already knew the ending 10 minutes into the film, and waiting to get there was torture. This film stands on it's own having nothing to do with the preceding films in this 'series'. All 3 are set in all girl schools where bad things happen. This film seems to take elements from the first two mediocre films, but the result is nonsense. There are a few interesting scenes (a painful to watch dance sequence that was great), but most are scenes you have seen a million times before - and some are blatant ripoffs (of The Ring, The Shining, Bucket of Blood, Showgirls (lol)... just to name a few).

Unless you have a penchant for catty jealous girls, obsessive girls in 'like', or both - IGNORE this film.

*steps on the 29th step* "I wish I didn't waste my time watching this movie."

I guess not every wish comes true

Memento Mori (1999)

This is not a Horror Movie

[5/10 · 12 February 2005]

Yeogo Goedam II starts out as an interesting story about adolescent love and turns into a nonsensical "horror" film. I felt mislead by the first part of the film. The way Hyo-shin and Shi-eun's relationship is revealed to Min-ah through their diary gave me the sense that this film would be far better than it turned out to be (the diary is pretty cool). Instead the film has a lot of amusing school moments that are fun but distract from the plot, and adds a few subplots that are not only confusing but boring. I don't know how this can be defined as a horror movie when nothing really horrible happens outside of one tragic event. Even the supposedly scary moments at the end of the film do nothing but stall the ending of the film.

I would not consider this film a waste of time - there are many great moments in it,but they lead nowhere.

out of 10 I give it a 5 - an even split - >

the Drama part of the film was great - the Horror part of the film was terrible

O (2001)

"O" No!

[8 November 2002]

If you are looking to see this adaptation of Othello in an attempt to

avoid reading the cliffnotes to the original play you've been sadly

misinformed. I barely recognized Shakespeare's original story in

this awful remake. The character of Odin (Othello) is reduced to an

annoying stereotype, Hugo (Iago) becomes a whiney rich brat

(though it isn't Josh Hartnett's fault), and Desi (Desdemona) could

have easily been replaced with a cardboard cutout. I found myself

laughing during the 'emotionally charged' climax. Odin's final

monologue is embarrassing. The once interesting themes

become cartoonish. It made me really appreciate what Cruel

Intentions managed to achieve. I think there is an opportunity to

learn a very valuable lesson in watching this movie - and it has

nothing to do with jealousy, envy or trust - The Lesson : Do not cast

Julia Stiles in anymore Shakespeare adaptations (see 10 Things I

Hate About You -or better yet DON'T)

Good Will Hunting (1997)

Write movies with your bestbuddy, it works.

[8 November 2002]

Good Will Hunting is the story of a janitor who is really smart. If I just told you the plot of Good Will Hunting you would probably fall asleep but this is an amazing movie, a true testament to the secret of brilliant film making which is teamwork. Two best buds write a film about where they are from -They cast each other, their friends, family and current girlfriends (down to the extras)- They also get a great director and Robin Williams - Vision,Support & improv ensues. Oscars are won.

If you are looking for a well acted, lovingly crafted, rewindable movie - By george! I think you've found one. It may even get you thinkin' about life, your role in it, and what's important - but you definitely won't be sleeping through this movie. Yes the story could be considered cliche' but when the cliche' is served to you so well you have to admit you like them apples.

(just couldn't resist the 'apple' reference - see how the movie can influence : )

Heathers (1988)

Why I don't miss High School

[9/10 · 7 November 2002]

This is one of the best teen films ever made. Yeah, i said it.

Filled to the brim with satire, black humor and melodrama, this movie is teen angst at it's over-dramatic best. The dialogue is clever yet ridiculously quotable (there is strong language, for those who are sensitive to that kind of thing - used in interesting ways, for those who like that sort of thing). The plot plays on the heightened emotions of an "i'll just die if they don't like me," social pecking order. And heck, it's just funny.

Daniel Waters, the screenwriter, is John Hughes' evil twin and this is the anti-breakfast club. Those who are looking for a 'can't the jock, the princess, the geek and the misfit get along' feel good kinda flick look elsewhere (though all the major teen stereotypes are there). Christian Slater is great as the James Dean/Jack Nicholson-bad-boy-who-makes-us-feel-so-good, this is probably Winona Ryder's best role (besides in court w/ the whole arm bit), and Shannon Doherty is perfect in one of her first roles where she plays the character she plays best - a B****! It is also great that the teenagers are actually teenagers (ok, SOME of them were).

Overall, if it came down to a cool contest Heather#1 would kick Cher (from Clueless)'s butt. How very!

The Last Dragon (1985)

Cheesy 80's at it's best!

[7/10 · 7 November 2002]

*Not Quite Spoilers-More like look what you can look forward to : )*

I can't tell you how much i love this movie. Sure Taimak is a horrible actor and Vanity is a horrible singer but together they create enough eye-candy for everyone (U just Gotta love Bruce Leroy all glowin' without his shirt on - he's so darn cute!)

The Last Dragon is a *the power was inside of you all along* movie with a cheesy 80's video twist. Many Black & Asian actors found work in this film plus there are 'before-they-were-stars' cameos a'plenty (look for Chazz Palminteri, William H. Macy and yes our very own Rudy Huxtable aka Keshia Knight Pulliam).

Some may say 'Hey! it's no Crouching Tiger,Hidden Dragon', but did 'Crouching Tiger,Hidden Dragon' have The Master Sho'Nuff? I think not. On a guilty pleasure cheesy 80's movie rating scale this movie gets a 9! For those of you who still doubt "who's the master", who would you rather see doing martial arts Ralph Machio or Ernie Reyes Jr... i rest my case!