HORROR MOVIES 101

Favorite Foreign Scary Movie

Re: Favorite Foreign Scary Movie

Here's the thing.  I don't scare at horror movies.  I just don't.  I'm probably just desensitized.

But then I saw The Descent.  And I just about crapped myself.  Not only is it actually scary and not in a cheap thrills kind of way, it's really well directed and acted.  And you don't have to bother with subtitles because it's English (in a British way).

Re: Favorite Foreign Scary Movie

I'm down with The Descent. Great flick! I put 28 Days Later in the same world-cinema category, but I can't recommend 28 Weeks Later. Completely Americanized piece of

Anyway, favorite foreign horror...wow, where to begin. It might come as a shock to some people, but my favorites are from Asia. The ones I like the best are slow-moving and weird, so Marebito and The Uninvited are up there. Also Miike's Gozu, although I need to watch it a couple more times, because I'm still not sure I understand it. The Ju-on flicks are probably my favorite franchise.

msjunebug, you had mentioned Shutter and Witchboard in another thread. I liked Shutter, too, but I haven't seen Witchboard yet. It's sitting right here -- just have to find the time to watch it.

I saw Brotherhood of the Wolf in the theaters and wasn't really blown away by it, but this was back when it first came out, and I should give it another chance. Another one I remember seeing in the theaters was a Spanish quasi-vampire flick called Cronos. Decent but not extraordinary was my verdict at the time, but that's another one I should watch again.

Re: Favorite Foreign Scary Movie

Re: Favorite Foreign Scary Movie

I have to say that I loved both Vanishings.  Was the original Dutch?  I can't remember.  Anyway, that was a great psychological thriller and the ending still disturbs me when I think of it. 

I have to agree with IronAbacus too, I really enjoy Asian horror the best I think.   I loved the Ringu movies, the American Ring was really great, but the second one was just horrible in my opionion, but I absolutely loved Ringu 2, it so spooky.  I think I love Asian scary movies because it is more supernatural than blood and gore.  I love ghost stories and wondering what's around the corner in the dark, or under the table.  So cool.  Have you seen Two Sisters?  That was really good and very sad.   I did like the ending though.  The Ju-on movies were much scarier to me than the American versions, although I did really enjoy Grudge 2. 

To be honest, I think I really liked Brotherhood of the Wolf because of the excellent choreography of the fight scenes, the mystery of what the creature was, the very cool story, and to see Mark Dacascos running around in a loin cloth through most of the movie...very nice scenary...lol. 

 I have several other Scary Japanese, Chinese and a couple of movies from India coming up on Netflix.  I also have a German scary comedy coming up called NIght of the Living Dorks, it looks really cute and had some good reviews,  so I will have to see how those are. 

June

Re: Favorite Foreign Scary Movie

I like some of the Asian Horror film, myself.  But I have to say that the best foreign film (it's British...is that too terribly foreign?  or not foreign enough?) I've seen is Rawhead Rex.  I must admit, I was quite disappointed with the ending, but I loved Rawhead.  He scared the bajeebies out of me.  I would have liked the movie to have remained closer to the story, not integrating the whole "woman idol" thing, but it was still pretty good and I still love it.

Speaking of 28 Weeks Later, I just got back from the theaters and I think I have to throw away these pants because I wet them so much.  That movie is brutal.  At one point, my buddy said to me, after something horrible and scary happened, "I think I peed!"  Yes, dear boy, so did I.

Re: Favorite Foreign Scary Movie

Re: Favorite Foreign Scary Movie

A Tale of Two Sisters? Yeah, I can't believe I forgot to mention that one. It's in my all-time top 5.

I saw both Vanishings. I liked. The good word on Rawhead Rex has got me intrigued, all the more so because this one had slipped by me somehow.

Froggy, I produced moisture at 28 Weeks, too, but it was in the form of tears, not pee. I thought the first ten minutes were exceptional. After that...ugh.

Re: Favorite Foreign Scary Movie

I actually have A Tale of Two Sisters, but have not yet watched it.  I believe it is sitting on my floor, looking sad and bloody.

But yes, catch Rawhead sometime.  It is exceptional.

As for 28 Weeks, I was impressed with it.  It was uber-brutal and my buddy and I spent most of the movie saying, "Oh, Lord!  What...?  How...?  Oh Lord!"  I didn't like it as much as 28 Days, but I still htought it was quite good.  But, to each his own.

Also, back to foreign films, I would recommend Riki-Oh.  It is a kung fu-like movie that is super gore filled and their is little plot but lots of blood.  I enjoy it.  It's not scary, per se, but there are a few elements in it, along with the gore, that I would say put it in the horror category.

Re: Favorite Foreign Scary Movie

I have to wholeheartedly agree with the recommendation for Riki-Oh.   The resolution of the final fight is one of the most gruesome scenes I can ever remember seeing.  

I cannot share the recommendation for the US version of the Vanishing.  It should be stressed that the US remake makes some rather crucial changes to the plot.  For me, the changes turned a masterpiece into just another mediocre Hollywood film.  It is either the original Dutch/French version of the film or nothing.