ambiguousnightmare Reviews

Audition (1999)

Beautiful until...

[8/10 · 4 January 2014]

This film starts as a delicate tale of romance. You might even feel deceived when a sweet romance blossoms instead of a horror film. Asumi, an seemingly delicate little flower is played beautifully. Any man would be enchanted by her bewitching eyes, silken hair and soft voice. Shigeharu Aoyama's son is suspicious of Asumi and plays the role of detective to discover more about the mysterious lady. This is when the film turns into a thriller as it is revealed that everything is not quite what it seemed about Asumi. This film has a very long build up to one of the most infamous scenes in horror. If you watched this film completed unaware of the dramatic and gory ending then the level of violence and how graphic it will come as quite a shock. Due to this one moment I would be careful about who I recommend this film to. Gorehounds would be impressed and arty film viewer. The film is beautifully shot and has substance I might recommend it to other horror movie fans with a warning about extreme gore.

It is a beautiful horror movie that works with or without that one famous scene. Don't be put off by the ending, just close your eyes and listen instead.

Man Behind the Sun (1988)

You won't enjoy this film but still watch it.

[8/10 · 3 January 2014]

This film is very heavy, full of gore, torture and suffering. If it was a curry (the hotter the gorier) it is the phaal; certainly not one for those with a weak stomach. Snow is meant to untainted and pure white. In Men behind the Sun it is a torture device. What was once a carpet of untouched white is scarred with crimson Children, babies, women, men and animals are tortured in this film. If you have sensitivities towards any of these groups then please avoid this film. If you can't handle very graphic images that are relentless throughout the film then don't watch it either. There is no light relief. This film shows how desire to win a war turns the human heart into ice.

So who do I recommend this film to? To be honest I can't think of anything beside those with a high gore tolerance. You won't enjoy this film and it was never meant to be. Every torture scene is not art, it is a stake warning. This kind of thing happened once and could happen again. How I wish I had the ability to delete certain scenes from my mind after watching. Despite this I don't regret viewing the thing. On the contrary, it isn't just a mindless gorefest with no purpose other than to titillate and stun the audience. It is beautifully shot and the acting of the large cast is realistic. Like other reviewers have said 'one viewing is enough'. This film will live with you for a long time.

Berberian Sound Studio (2012)

The subtlety of the loss of innocent.

[7/10 · 3 January 2014]

Don't expect the grandeur or beauty of a classic giallo film. This film gives a respectful nod by being based in the sound studio of said films. You watch as slowly a sound technician used to creating sounds for animal documentaries is slowly submerged into the world of horror. From the world of sweet tweeting baby birds to the mutilation of vegetables, harrowing screams and strange beastly sounds of reality you watch as an innocent soul is turned into the dark soul that surround him.

This film doesn't shout and scream at you. It is a wordless whisper in your ear. Toby Jones plays the placid and gentle Gilderoy, the foley artist. Jones is masterful in a role without many lines. He gives a master class in subtlety. Actions speak louder than words and Toby Jones's eyes and body language says more than words ever could. He doesn't fling his limbs around but slows the increasing difficulty of movement. The atmosphere in this perfectly 70's set is claustrophobic. Some people might that it causes a headache.

Who wouldn't I recommend this film to? If you are seeking gore or a giallo film I would steer you towards the door. If you like clear and concise plots with an ending tied up in a neat little bow then this isn't for you. If you have watched arty films previously then you might appreciate this offering.

Salò, or the 120 Days of Sodom (1975)

Prepare yourself for this one...

[5/10 · 2 January 2014]

It is hard to write a review on a film you are not meant to enjoy. The infamous Salo is not pleasure cruise. Perhaps seeming a little aged around the edges it still has the power to shock and appal. That is an impressive feat considering all the extreme horrors films that have been released since.

It is easy to say who should book a flight to the other side of the world when the film starts. It you dislike sexual humiliation, taboo themes, psychologically intense cinema, torture and the consumption of something which resembles chocolate. If you have never viewed a art film this isn't the one to start with.

Watch this film if you like your emotions tested. Your disgust monitor will be exercised. If you like a film to make you think then Salo will certainly do that. You may dart to the nearest message to rant about how vile the film is or you will be debating the socio-political meaning behind the films' imagery.

This film is a hard one to get out of my head. Scenes ( especially a disturbing circle near the end, I don't want to give away the 'key' moments), linger in the mind like a nightmarish gallery of torment. I might watch it in order to see if I missed anything which might change my evaluation of the film. I haven't done so yet.

Oldboy (2003)

Ride the crazy train.

[7/10 · 2 January 2014]

Oldboy has the pace of a comic strip. In a fight I half expected to see exclamation of Wham, Bam, and Smash as Dae-Su charges like a bull in a china shop into a fight. Almost everything in this film is exaggerated. Even Choi Min-Sik's performance is over the top. In any other movie this would be a criticism. But Oldboy is an exception. The acting style fits perfectly in the extreme circumstances served up to the main character. View this film as a living cartoon and prepare yourself for some dark comic laughs.

If you dislike violence and taboo subject matter then stay away from this film. Avoid if you like a ending to a film that is tied up in a neat little bow. A plot with more twists and turns than a roller-coaster finishes with an ambiguous ending.

Watch this film if you like to discuss what you have seen afterwards. I was left debating revenge once the credits rolled. Revenge is the central theme of the film. If you believe in 'eye for an eye' then Oldboy might make you reevaluate your view.

If you like gore then there are a view moments but I actually think the gore factor is at a medium level. If Oldboy was a curry I would say it was a Madras in terms of goriness. I would describe the film as intense rather than a splatter-fest.

I find Oldboy strangely appealing and have happily watched it several times. For me a good film is one you want to re watch. Just avoid the remake. It is a meagre and cowardly effort in comparison.

The Daisy Chain (2008)

Daisy, Daisy give me your answer do..

[5/10 · 30 December 2013]

If you like films without unanswered questions and ambiguity then this film isn't for you. I normally like to discuss these ambiguities and unanswered questions with other but this films ending was very unsatisfying. It left a gap hard to fill. The scenery was pleasing and was generally well acted. The movie was dependent on the charm and eyes of Daisy. I can't deny that she is charming but the film is a little to in love with her. The plot is predictable. Predictable plots are fine if the ride to the conclusion is enjoyable enough. Despite the charm of the film, the solid acting and lovely Irish scenery this film is seriously lacking. When a film is lacking something I can't help comparing it to other spooky child films.

If you like gore then this one isn't for you. This film is about suspense and human drama. This film is very accessible for those with a low horror tolerance. If horror film were based on curries then this would be tikka masala.

Slaughtered Vomit Dolls (2006 Video)

Has this film created the vomithound?

[4/10 · 30 December 2013]

It is hard to find anything to say about this movie that hasn't been said in a previous review. It contains the consumption of vomit which will make most people run for the exit. This is one for the 'endurance horror film viewer'. If you can stomach the porn and strange fetishes of this film then an endurance watcher has suddenly earned a badge of honour. If you manage to handle 'vomit dolls' then there are other vomit movies that will test your shock endurance further. Terrible Meal is perhaps an example.

Can it be viewed as art. As a damning critique of the porno industry then I can see some merit in calling it art. It features a girl who is self loathing and clearly unwell in a situation which she is taken advantage of. The film endeavour to show the extreme of exploitation. I view the infamous consumption of vomit as an extreme example of the sharing of bodily fluids. The dank flat and taboo images are meant to shock and disgust you because instead of lusting at porn, porn should disgust you. That is how I view the message of the film.

The film has a plot but it is pretty weak. However this film was never meant to tell a story. It is making a statement. The imagery that remains in your head after the film has ended is a gallery of vileness.