Hansel & Gretel - Korea

          Director:  Pil-Sung Yim

          Year:  2007

          Plot:  "On the way to visit his ill mother, Eun-soo gets into a car accident.  Disoriented, he wanders in the forest until he meets a young girl.  She leads him to her home deep in the forest, but the fairy tale like house encompasses a secret."

          I have been meaning to watch this movie for some time now, but never really got around to it.  My current knitting project (a rainbow tank top) calls for a lot of time, so I figured I would try to catch up on some movies.  It turns out that I had been missing out on a wonderful movie by putting this one off.  I am not sure what it was that made me put this one a list and forget about it, but I am glad I finally got around to watching this.

          It only took a short time, about 10 minutes, before I was hooked.  Now I usually don't talk about sets and lighting or anything because I don't have a clue what I am talking about, but even I know this had some great sets.  The house had a nice creepy feeling too it even with the fairy tale quality.  To me, the sets and all really added to the feel of the movie.  When everything seems normal and you might question the genre, the set just doesn't feel right and causes you to start questioning what you are seeing.

          Of course, the set can't carry the movie on its own.  A good movie need the actors to sell what the set is showing you.  This movie did well in that manner as well.  I thought the acting was great, especially from the kids.  The children in this movie really had some depth to them.  One minute you can be against them and their slightly skewed idea of how things should be, and the next, you are worried about them.  This really was the point of the movie that I loved.  It is the fact that the bad, isn't always bad.  It is something I was taught as a writer, a character cannot be all good or all bad and be believable.   There has to be a some good and some bad in all.

          This is definitely a movie I suggest.  It wasn't a 'scary' movie, but it definitely had a creepy feel to it, especially at the beginning.  This movie might not be a good one for a night when you want to be forced to hide under the covers, but it is one that should be watched.

Yoga Institute - Korea

          Director:  Jae-yeon Yun
          Year: 2009
          Plot:  “After the co-host of a shopping channel TV show loses her job to a younger rival, she enrolls in an intensive yoga course.  The very strict trainer informs her students that there will be serious consequences if they do not follow her rules.”


          This is a strange movie to me.  Not that the movie itself was necessarily strange, but my feelings about it are strange.  I am kind of neutral about this movie.  It wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t all that good either.  While watching it though, I was interested in finding out the ending.  That is the one good point about this movie.  Once you start, you really do want to know what happens in the end.
           I felt kind of unsatisfied with the ending.  I wasn’t sure what was going on exactly, and that is not something normal for me.  I understood that this movie kind of runs on a form of witchcraft that is never fully stated, but that still doesn’t rationalize the complete ending sequence.  Even with some of what is stated, the ending still makes no sense and really did nothing for me.  I really felt that there was no real resolution to this movie.
          This movie wasn’t completely bad though like I said.  It had some good points.  I did enjoy some of the death sequences like the one who breaks the “no showering one hour after training rule.”  For the most part, I think that this movie could have been rather good.  All it really needed was a great ending.  Without it, it just leaves this movie as a decent time waster.


          I would suggest to definitely skip this movie if you are in the mood for a great one.  This is a movie that though not completely bad, lacks some much needed points.  This movie is more for a boring day when there isn’t anything better to watch.

Evil Twin - Korea

          Director:  Kin Ji-Hwan

          Year:  2007

          Plot:  “A peaceful Joseon village is disturbed by the sudden awakening of So-yeon, a young lady who has been in a coma after surviving a drowning accident 10 years before.  But So-yeon's identical twin sister Hyo-jin, who also fell into the lake, was not so fortunate.  Unable to rest in peace, Hyo-jin returns as a phantom and a series of unnatural deaths ensues.  Eerie weeping sounds presage the appearance of the "han" or grudge-ridden ghost, who takes one victim after another.”

          More than once, I had thoughts about turning off the movie.  The problem was that this movie was so confusing, I wanted to know what was going on.  That really was the only reason I watched this movie till the end.

          The deaths in this movie were really pointless.  That’s not something I usually say during a horror movie.  They really didn’t add any edge for me whatsoever.  It also didn’t help that our grudge style ghost was in no way scary.  Most of the time it just stood in one spot.  It’s not the grudge like ghost that bothers me, as I love that style, but it didn’t do very much.

          I also have to say that the big secret reveal was a complete flop in my opinion.  I love movies where I can have some idea about the truth before it is revealed.  I love the “Ah!  I was right!” moments, but this one didn’t really give me that.  The fact was so obvious to me that I really didn’t have any doubt as to the characters true identity.

          I must admit that there was one truly good part of this movie, and that was the ending.  No, not because it was finally over, but because I really enjoyed how it was done.  After the big reveal, mother and daughter end up on the dock and daughter ends up in the water.  Things turn into the same situation as 10 years prior and the mother has to choose again.  I love the choice that she makes, as it would be the only right way to deal with a ghost like that.

          I would suggest skipping this movie.  The only way I would suggest this movie to someone is if they were extremely bored and had no access to anything better.

Death Bell - Korea

          Director:  Yoon Hong-Seung
          Year:  2008
          Plot:   "After Kang Yi-na is nearly strangled and another student throttled in the restroom, the classroom TV screen switches to an image of top-ranking student Hye-yeong trapped inside a fish tank that is slowly filling with water. A disembodied voice announces that her life depends on the exam questions he will set for them, and that a student will die for every question the class gets wrong."


          I have to say that I found this movie pretty entertaining.  The storyline is pretty good and kept together well with the death scenes.  I wasn't however scared by a single point in the entire movie.  It just wasn't scary.  I suppose this has to do with the fact that the deaths and such were very impersonal.  I was however very upset when one of the guys died, not going to say who, but I liked him.  Lately it seems my favorite characters are always the ones who get it.
          Oh yeah.  The thing that kept me interested was the questions that tried to point out the truth about a girl's suicide.  You constantly try to figure out what is really going on when watching the movie, but this isn't possible until the end.  I love movies that attempt to challenge you, though this one is not possible for you to solve on your own before the ending.  Despite that it was still very entertaining to watch.
          The only other problem I had with this movie, other than it not being scary, was most of the students.  They got on my nerves a lot, but that is pretty normal for horror movie characters.  It was the main two students who held the stupidity and craziness of the others in some sort of balance.  Without those two, the story wouldn't have held up with the other students involved.


          This movie is one that I do suggest, though not really for those who are looking for any scares.  However, though it may not be scary, the storyline is interesting enough not to waste your time entirely.

A Tale of Two Sisters - Korea

          Director:  Ji-woon Kim
          Year:  2003
          Plot:  "Two sisters who, after spending time in a mental institution, return to the home of their father and cruel stepmother. Once there, in addition to dealing with their stepmother's obsessive and unbalanced ways, an interfering ghost also affects their recovery."


          So I finally decided to watch this one after seeing it a number of times listed on peoples top Asian horror movies lists.  I have to say that it is a good movie.  I don't really consider it horror; there was nothing scary about it.  Now that doesn't mean I didn't enjoy the movie, it just wouldn't be on my top list of horror movies.  More like top list of mystery or thriller movies, seen as I reserve top horror for those that actually scare me.
          Anyways, like I said I did enjoy this movie.  It was really well made and the plot kept you guessing until the end, and I am saying this having known what the truth was about the girls, somebody spoiled it for me.  Even knowing that little plot twist, I was still surprised by the results of the movie.  Even though the stepmother or what ever wasn't as bad as she is portrayed, I still couldn't stand her.  The whole thing was her fault anyway.  She could have tried to save everyone from the pain they go through, but instead she walks away.
          The relationship of the girls is touching and leads to a sad movie.  This is another reason I wouldn't classify this as horror.  Though there have been other movies that have been touching and even made me cry, but have still been horror, but that is because they actually had scary scenes.  Like I said, this one did not have any scares in it for me, but the movie was wonderful.


          This is one movie that has been suggested many times, and rather rightfully so.  If you want something really scary, put this one off for later, but definitely watch it.  The story is so well done, it won't be a waste of your time.

Into the Mirror - Korea

          Director: Sung-ho Kim
          Year:  2003
          Plot:  "Woo Yeong-min retired from the police force after trying to save his partner and causing his death.  He must face both his own fear of mirrors and the mystery surrounding the fire that closed down the mall."


          Again, I have to admit that I watched the remake and the sequel to the remake before having ever watched this one.  Few things about the remakes first.  The first one was "scary".  It didn't get me, though I thought it was a good movie, but it did get my sister quite a few times.  The problem with the first remake was that a lot of it didn't make sense.  I just didn't understand how the mirrors worked even at the end.  It was never explained to the audience about the rules of the mirrors.  Also the whole demon thing was a little irritating.  Once again, you have to face a religion being forced on you through a movie.  If you aren't religious and don't believe in demons, this one just didn't work on the plot level.  Though it was an okay movie as far as horror goes.
          Now for the remakes sequel.  I found this one to be rather enjoyable.  It was hard to keep from laughing when Christy Carlson Romano was in the shower and awaiting her end scene.  It wasn't because there was anything funny about her.  No, my sister was just having a major issue with seeing the sister from Even Stevens naked.  When she finally covered her eyes, I was able to see a pretty great death scene.  The death scenes looked much better in this one.  I had an issue with the jaw separation scene in the first one because it looked super fake, but the death scenes in this one were rather good.


          Finally, let's move on the the original.  I have to say that this one though not "scary", I doubt even my sister would be scared, but it has a great well put together story.  If you have already seen the remakes, this one fills in all of the holes, about how the mirrors actually work.  As an audience we are given the story about the world inside the mirrors and how even if you die on the outside of the mirror, you can still be living within it.  All of this is plainly stated in the movie during a scene with the main character's friend.  Now if I would have been told this during the remake, the movie would have made a lot more sense, thought the whole demon thing would have had to be ditched.
          The plot of this one is completely different from the first remake, with the "ghost" or "spirit" within the mirror being a lot like that of the Korean movie "Shutter".  By this I mean that the spirit isn't like Kayako the Grudge, killing everyone it comes in contact with; no, this one only kills those who it has a previous involvement with.  Well, no more on that subject or I will give away too much (that is if you haven't seen Mirrors 2).


          Definitely check this movie out, even if you have seen the American remakes.  Into the Mirrors will allow you necessary insight into how the mirrors really work.  Even if you haven't seen the remakes, give this movie a watch.  It is a very intriguing story.

Nightmare (Gawi) - Korea

          Director:  Byeong-ki Ahn
          Year:  2000
          Plot:  "Hye-jin's homecoming should have been a joyous occasion. She was especially happy to see her childhood friend again, the shy Eun-ju. However, when a secret is revealed, harsh words are exchanged. Seven friends will die one by one for protecting a terrible secret. Can a vengeful spirit be stopped? What is this mysterious tape that everyone is asking about?"


          I found this one on IMDb as a recommendation for one of the movies I was looking for more information on.  Now the plot keywords sparked my interest (the first one) and I just had to check this one out.
          Now this movie had its good points, but I didn't find it at all scary.  The problem with this one was that I found the ghost to be rather sad and just in what she did.  They all deserved it, for what they did to her.  I mean she didn't hurt Hye-jin who had nothing to do with it.  Also all Eun-ju wanted was to be friends with Hye-jin and her group.  She didn't deserve what she got, so I didn't feel at all sorry for the rest of them.
          There was a few good death scenes in this one, which made the movie worth while.  I also have to say that the actors and actresses in this one are all rather attractive. ^.~
          I would have to say that one of the only "bad" points in the movie is when the lawyer guy goes crazy.  He is a little over the top and it gets a little irritating while it lasts.  Other than that there weren't any notable "bad" parts in the movie.  It could be a little choppy at points, but not too bad.


          I do suggest watching this movie.  It is worth your time, though it isn't scary at all if you feel for Eun-ju at all.  It will definitely use up a some down time and not leave you feeling completely disappointed.

Possessed - Korea

          Director:  Yong-Joo Lee
          Year:  2009
          Plot:  "After Hee-jin's younger sister So-jin, who is possessed by a spirit,disappears,the neighbors die one by one and a secret underlying their deaths is revealed."


         Now I decided to watch this one because it was on the recommendations section of asian-horror-movies.com.  This one, though not a complete waste of time, wasn't very good.  There was no scary, creepy, gory or even gruesome scenes, and the crazy religious woman just simply got on my nerves.
          This movie has a few plot holes, but I guess they could be overlooked.  The problem is that this movie was nothing special.  It wasn't a waste of time though because the plot was decent enough.
          The only really point that keeps your interest in this movie was So-jin, and what really happened to her.  Because you don't find out until the end, it can keep you from turning off the movie, like it did with me.  If it wasn't for her and actually feeling sorry for her through different parts of the movie, this one might have been a waste of time.  They did good with creating a character that you actually feel bad for in the end, at least I do.  After all, she was stuck with her crazed christian mother while her elder sister moved out.


          Give this movie a shot only if you are really bored.  If you want a scary horror movie, no, an actual horror movie, skip this one.

Whispering Corridors - Korea

          Director:  Ki-hyeong Park

          Year:  1998

          Plot:  "While investigating the school files, the frightened teacher Mrs. Park startles and calls the young teacher Eun-young Hur, telling her that the deceased Jin-ju Jang is back.  The line dies and Mrs. Park is attacked and killed by a ghost.  On the next morning, the teenager Jae-yi Yoon waits for her friend Ji-oh Lim, who has the ability to call the spirits, and they begin a close friendship.  The abusive and aggressive Mr. Oh, a.k.a. Mad Dog, is the substitute of Mrs. Park and prohibits Ji-oh to paint and compares the performances of the pretty So-young Park and the weird Jung-sook Kim, raising a barrier between the two former friends.  Miss Hur misses her former friend Jin-ju, who committed suicide, and while trying to contact her, she discloses a dark secret about the past of her friend and Mrs. Park."

          So I have found many places where people list Whispering Corridors in their top 10 best Asian horror movies list, but I really have to disagree with this.  I just didn't find anything appealing in this movie.  The killings were as bland as that from a tv drama, and the time between killings was so drawn out I almost turned the movie off.  And I rather regret not doing so.

          I know they were trying to show the relationships of the girls to show the motives of the ghost, but it kind of ruined the movie for me.  It was a little reminiscent of a soap opera albeit one with a vengeful ghost.  I've never been one for movies like Whispering Corridors.  I like a good heavy fast paced storyline, and this movie just failed in that perspective.

          This is one movie I do not consider to be horror.  Only three people died in the movie and not in any extravagant ways.  It might have been more worth while if the deaths were more interesting, but they weren't.  I doubt even after I watch all the Asian horror movies I can, that I will even bother watching the other Whispering Corridors movies.  I would hope the others are better but I don't really want to waste my time if they turn out the same as this one.

          If you want a fast paced storyline with clever death scenes, skip this one.  I know there are some out there who liked this movie, but if you can't stand really slow movies it is pointless. 

Cinderella - Korea

          Director:  Man-dae Bong

          Year:  2006

          Plot:  "Hyun-soo's happiness comes to an end as her friends who have received facial surgery from her mother start to commit mysterious suicides by cutting out their faces.  She also starts to feel that there is someone else in the house where she lives alone with her mother."

          Cinderella turned out to be a decent movie.  The storyline had a twist that was enjoyable, but there was absolutely no scares in it for me.  Nothing even got my heart going.  Even so, I would definitely watch this movie again when I am not in the mood for being scared.

          I really felt sorry for both of the girls, Hyun-soo and the ghost girl.  The mom on the other hand was just horrible.  I know she wanted her daughter, but what she did was so wrong.  That one act destroyed their lives and that of Hyun-soo's friends.  It was just selfish.  You can't really forgive someone for being that selfish even if it was for a mother's love.

          I don't have all that much to say about Cinderella.  There were no scenes that scared me, so I can't comment on any of those.

          If you want a scary movie, definitely skip this one.  It is not scary.  Though if you are looking for an interesting movie, I suggest you give this one a shot.

Bloody Reunion - Korea

          Director:  Dae-wung Lim

          Year:  2006

          Plot:  "A group of elementary students return years later to visit their former teacher-who has recently took ill-in the countryside.  Once the group arrives, the film briefly jumps back and forth between the past and present, showing us that this sweet teacher (Mrs. Park) had a cruel side to her.  We also find out that most of her former students have murderous intentions towards their teacher.  And they're not the only ones with murderous intentions."

          The plot doesn't sound too great.  It seems to be a little chaotic with all the information that they suggest in the plot, but the plot isn’t really as chaotic.  It isn’t hard to keep track of things while you watch this movie.

          The storyline of this movie was rather lacking for me.  It had a twist in the end that made me think, "Are you kidding me?"  It wasn't that the story was shocking or anything.  It was that you spend the whole time on something that didn't happen as it is told.  Those kind of movies always make me made.  It just seems to be a copout and is pretty much the equvalent of saying it was all a dream.

          Even though the storyline was rather irritating, there are a few gory scenes that are enjoyable.  I am more of a plot makes a good movie kind of person rather than one who would rather see a lot of gore and a shabby plot.  However, I still liked this movie.  It is odd for me, but the gore really made this movie quite memorable.

          Check out this movie if you like gore.  It doesn't have an over abundance of gore but what it does have might just stick with you.  Though, if you want a clever plot and a creepy atmosphere, you might want to skip this one.

APT 9.56 - Korea

          Director:  Byeong-ki Ahn

          Year:  2006

          Plot:  "Se-jin, a young woman who lives in an old apartment in a Seoul suburb, amuses herself by observing the windows of the apartments on the other side.  One day, she notices that the lights of some of these apartments are turned off at the very same time.  She begins to suspect that this pattern is somehow related to a series of mysterious deaths in the neighborhood.  She becomes more and more deeply involved as she attempts to solve the mystery."

          The plot didn't really catch my attention when I first read it, and I had been searching for another movie with the same sort of title.  I decided to give it a chance anyway, and I am glad I did.  What I found is a rather interesting movie.  The featured ghost is reminiscent of Ju-on or The Grudge, but still different.

          The killings take place in a very vengeful way.  The people seem to be getting what they deserve based off what they did.  There is an exemption to this, but the others stick to a very vengeful pattern.  There is also a very big twist to the movie that I have to say I didn't see coming.  The twist has to do with the ghost.  The thing is, if I tell you anymore it will ruin it.

          In Closing, I suggest this, if you think you have seen too many grudge-like movies, you might not want to see this movie. If however, you like this sort of genre, which comes around a lot in asian horror, you should definitely check APT out. It is rather good despite some other people's reviews. n.n

          Also I would like to note that grudge like ghost occur a lot in Asian horror, much like crazy killers in American horror.  It is just a cultural thing.  People like them, so they are made in different ways often.   It just happens.