Brian's Review - Shutter (2004)

Never use a Polaroid again.

Released: 2004
Genre(s): Horror, Thriller

Before America decided to rip-off yet another Asian horror film and turn it into something far less scary and far more stupid, Thailand's "Shutter" was busy scaring the crap out of audiences with one of the creepiest ghost photography-centric storylines around (maybe only surpassed by the outrageously terrifying video game "Fatal Frame"). While the idea of a vengeful, Asian ghost girl haunting a group of people is nothing new, the way in which this movie is executed makes it stand out from the crowd: the plot unfolds in a way that makes "Shutter" equal parts dramatic revelation and edge-of-your-seat thriller. Despite a handful of jump-scares, this film's horror aspect doesn't feel cheap or gimmicky at all; the pacing of the story makes almost every scene incredibly tense, allowing things to build to a pressurized head, before blasting you in the face with something dementedly creepy. The thrills come fast and hard, especially during the second half, but the story definitely has enough riveting twists and turns to make the movie more than just a mindless vehicle for cheap scare tactics. This iteration is in a completely different league than its American counterpart, making it a must-see not just for fans of Asian horror, but also for any fans of a good ghost story. Even those who might have already seen the remake may want to check this version out; the storyline may not be very refreshing, but the superior execution might bring about some newfound appreciation for this unsettling film.

Rating (out of 5): 4

Brian's Review - Ong Bak 2: The Beginning

Ong Bak 2: The Face Kicking.

Released: 2008
Genre(s): Action

Despite calling itself a "prequel," in reality, "Ong Bak 2: The Beginning" has absolutely nothing to do with the original. True, Tony Jaa goes around kicking people in the face in a wild, jaw-dropping (and jaw-shattering) manner, but the lack of any coherent or real plot means this views more like a giant showcase of Jaa's talents, as opposed to a story worth investing any real interest in. As a martial artist myself, I do have to commend Jaa for having some serious prowess in a large variety of fighting styles - his proficiency in weapons is especially focused on in this iteration. However, it may be due to the increased production value, or the incomprehensible situations Jaa's character is placed in that makes the action in this entry feel less visceral than in the first film. Don't get me wrong - Jaa still kicks all sorts of ass, but in a manner that doesn't seem as brutally-efficient as in "Ong Bak: The Thai Warrior." Still, the action is unrelenting and fun, playing out in a manner similar to Jackie Chan's "Drunken Master" series, or Jet Li's "Fearless." Martial arts fans should definitely check this one out, although those who enjoy more story than intense fight choreography and stunts probably won't be missing much.

Rating (out of 5): 3