kairothon Reviews

Séance (2000 TV Movie)

Old-timey scares

[6/10 · 24 March 2003]

Something a bit strange for a Kurosawa movie, Korei is (debatably) a remake of an old American movie (of the same name, if memory serves). It seems that in some of the scenes Kurosawa is much more focused on replicating the emotions of the domestic experience than trying to scare. After all, anyone who's seen Kairo, Cure or Charisma knows he has nearly master the latter. Because of this, if find that Korei is not as frightening as his typical fair. Also, some of the household drama comes off forced for the near first-timer in this field.

But another way of thinking about it: it seems there is a pronounced old-time hollywood feel to some of the home scenes which may have been very intentional. All of the movie is presented as a sort of reference to this: the lightning behind the characters as they think evil thoughts, the simplicity of most of the shots (devoid of the overwhelming atmosphere typically present in K. Kurosawa films), even the fair simplicity of the characters. If it is seen this way (which i am increasingly convinced is how it may have been intended) then it is possible that the unlikely touches seen in this movie are not a failure at all, but an attempt at a homage. Whether that homage is a failure or not, I am in no position to say.

Irreversible (2002)

sc'rape'ing the bottom of the crappy movie barrel

[2/10 · 22 March 2003]

yes, there are some SPOILERS.

somewhere i saw someone mention that this joint was LESS boring than Memento (that ol' thing) because it didn't show the shots at the end of time sequences to remind you that the film was in reverse. Well, i hate to break it, but not only was irreversible incredibly more boring than the afforementioned (which didn't bore me at all), it also wouldn't have worked out re: understanding had Memento not come before it. in addition, Noe fails to be aware of and use the backwards device: the movie would have had more build up told straight forward and there is no plot twist (or plot, for that matter) at the end (beginning) of the movie that you should watch out for. that said, let's review: story is weak and uninteresting, once i had seen the head smashing and the rape i was wondering when the film would be over (when it would start?) and what Noe could do to keep me even moderately interested. Unsurprisingly, what he came up with was the two usual suspects, the rest of the film revolved around talk about sex and nudity. a note about the rape sequence, IT WASN'T GRAPHIC AT ALL. in the same way that last year's crap critics choice "y tu mama tambien" was filled with 'sexual openess' but utterly failed to depict any of what was to be its only gay sex scene (and possibly the best interaction in the movie), irreversible gives us the 'brutal' rape from one angle for 10 minutes. here's what you see: Monica Belluci screaming with her face muffled and the film's antagonist on top of her, presumably giving her the prison treatment. the guy behind me actually fell asleep during the rape scene. throw in some cheesy film school 'poster-symbolism' (via the 2001 poster at the end, amongst others) and mind bogglingly stupid statements about time that mean nothing, and there you have it.

i must mention that i am quite disapointed that what was some fairly intense camera work and vincent cassell's great "maniac" portrayal went to waste on such an intentional turkey.

Serpent's Path (1998)

Light hearted crime drama from Professor Kurosawa

[15 March 2003]

Forget moral intent (don't shame Boston, buddy), as it has never been one of K. Kurosawa's goals in his films. What is here is his typical great, atmospheric camera work, an excellent storyline and complex characters. By the way, the temporal order of the film is not in the least confusing, the principal has a flashback or two, but they are not obtuse at all. That said, this is probably one of the few movies Kurosawa has made of late which betrays his sense of humor. I may be going a bit far here, but it may be the blackest comedy EVER. Just have a look at the flashback at the end and the cheesy credit music tell me its not supposed to be a bit humorous. Anyhow, a great film by a great director, even though it was made on a limited budget with the same actors and crew from what could be called its sister film, "Eyes of the Spider" (Kumo no hitomi).