DVD Collectors Online

Shutter, a review by Jon

Shutter
3 out of 5



A photographer, Tun and his girlfriend Jane are driving home from a party when a girl steps out in front of them. Instead of checking on the girl, Tun persuades Jane to just drive on. Wracked with guilt they try to find out if she survived, but there's no trace. But Tun has started to see apparitions in his photographs and as something from his past continues to haunt him, his closest friends are dying.

Shutter is an effective J-horror, although strictly speaking, it's Thai. But it has all the usual ingredients that fans of Ringu and Ju-On will recognise. In fact, apart from some odd pacing in the middle, the only problem with Shutter is familiarity. It follows a similar pattern to the others and as usual it's a very emotional story; the spirit is restless because of Tun's guilt.

It has a very laidback, almost dreamlike quality, perhaps a bit too enigmatic at times, but there are a handful of solid scares. I usually measure scary moments by how far I throw my drink in the air and there's a definite damp patch on my ceiling. The strange thing is, I'd hadn't got a drink this time.

Much of it is predictable, both in plot and in where the next jump is coming from, but all credit to the film that those moments still work. And I found a bit with a polaroid camera very creepy because it's an instant picture and what Jane sees in the picture, must be in the room right now! Honourable mention for the flash sequence and darkroom. The DTS sound is used very well. In one scene the lights go out, but you can hear footsteps running around you.

The film loses momentum towards the end with a very odd, out of place scene in a roadside toilet. It picks up again for the last act where the truth of what happened is revealed. Jane gets a clue with a stack of photographs where the shadows form a flick book animation.

The final moments are a bit silly, but look great and the very last shot is very memorable!

If you've never seen a J-horror, then I highly recommend this as it's a perfect jumping on point to a worthy genre that might be starting to show its age. If you're a veteran, it's still worth seeing.

(From October Marathon: Horror! on October 19th, 2008)

Poltergeist, a review by Danae Cassandra

Poltergeist
Year of Release: 1982
Directed By: Tobe Hooper
Starring: Craig T. Nelson, JoBeth Williams, Beatrice Straight, Oliver Robins, Heather O'Rourke
Genre: Horror, Suspense/Thriller

Overview:
"THEY'RE HERE," playful at first...but not for long. A storm erupts, a tree attacks and little Carol Anne Freeling is whisked away into a spectral void. As her family confronts horrors galore, something else is here too: a new benchmark in Hollywood ghost stories. Producers Steven Spielburg and Frank Marshall and director Tobe Hooper head the elite scream team of this classic horror. Welcome to Home Sweet Haunted Home.

My Thoughts:
This was really good. I think I watched this as a kid when it was broadcast on TV, because there were definitely scenes I remembered. Yet so much of the film was new to me that it was like watching it for the first time.

I think the thing I appreciated most was the character of the mother. There were a lot of good things going on here - atmosphere, performances, some great effects for their time, but I liked the mother the best. I liked that she didn't just stand around and do nothing but scream. That she was the one that entered the portal to the other world, that she ran back into the house to save the kids. Glad to see a woman who takes action despite her own fear.

Watched For:  Hoop-tober 3.0, Scavenger Hunt 19, Horror/Halloween Challenge 2016

Bechdel Test: Pass
Mako Mori Test: Pass

Overall: 4/5

Horror/Halloween Challenge Films: 22/52

(From Horror/Halloween 2016 Challenge on October 10th, 2016)

"Due South" marathon, a review by Rick

Victoria's Secret - Part 2

Great 2nd part epidsode. Definitely one that will change both characters. They already showed a change in Fraser, when the lady whos purse was stolen went to him for help.

Good performance by yet another good guest star. This show really had some great guest stars over the years. Great ending as well!

@Pete - after these 2 episodes you should be able to make up your mind about the ghost of the dad. He is in them a lot. I loved the scene in the diner where Fraser was having a conversation with him 

Rating: Going with the for this one

(From "Due South" marathon on July 29th, 2009)