Sûîto Hômu (1989)

A little peculiarity.

Kurosawa manages to make a fairly standard haunted house movie. Entertaining at times, but quite dated. Although fans of 80s horror might still enjoy the atmosphere.

It gets a bit better towards the end, with a few more effects peeking around the corner. Nothing grand, but charming nonetheless. Otherwise, it is a film I find hard to link to Kurosawa, especially since he was also a precursor to the Asian suspense wave here in the West (Pulse, Cure), something this film has absolutely nothing to do with.

It is, then, little more than a curiosity, a film made according to the guidelines of the genre, but Kurosawa manages to weave in a few successful scenes and a satisfying ending.

2.0*

Translated from Dutch · View original

"When you use light, you make new shadows too.

Even inside your fist there is darkness."

The source of inspiration for the Resident Evil games and thus also the films. Just like in Dario Argento's Demons, Nostradamus comes lurking around the corner. Apparently, the legend surrounding this man appealed greatly in the 1980s.

What I do wonder now is whether I saw the film made by Kiyoshi Kurosawa or the version adapted for TV and home video by producer Juzo Itami? Which, incidentally, Kurosawa contested unsuccessfully. In any case, I suspect the adapted version, and that the film as it was shown in theaters is no longer available? Personally, I also have no idea what the adaptations consist of.

The image quality leaves just a little too much to be desired, meaning the displayed horror doesn't come into its own fully, which detracts from the chilling experience. Furthermore, it is a standard haunted house film, where the music stands out the most. Up until halfway through, it isn't worth much more than 2*. After that, however, there are a few more stunning elements and quite a few special effects, bringing me to 2.5. Possibly a bit on the low side, but for a film set in the almost 90s, I believe it could all have been a bit better.

Translated from Dutch · View original