5/5 Finally; a horror film that I can really sink my teeth into...
  by Andrew Ellington (Mulholland Drive)
I only had to go back 45 years to find it!

Ok, I'm going to just vent a little bit here. I am one who really enjoys a good scare. I want to be scared. All too often my high hopes for a nice fright are shattered by these poorly made American horror films that are far too clichéd and rely far too much on blood and guts to get a jump that they leave no lasting terror. They are ridiculous to put it bluntly, and they are far, far too common. It's very rare that one actually manages to riddle me with fear (the recent `The Strangers' was one such film; delightfully terrifying). If you, like me, are disappointed with the common standard for horror films today, have no fear (hehe) for I am going to let you in on a little secret...

...1964's `Onibaba' is one of the most terrifying films ever made.

The film tells the story of a mother and wife of a soldier who are struggling to survive in medieval Japan. In order to eat they have stooped to killing soldiers and selling their armor for rice. When a war-deserter returns home they find themselves at odds with his presence. The mother is offended almost, desiring he live his life separate from theirs, but the daughter-in-law, missing and longing for contact from a man, falls pray to him. When the mother gets the opportunity to sever the ties formed by the new couple, she takes it; with devastating results.

I know this doesn't `sound' like a horror film; but it is, believe me.

Much like the recent `Bug', `Onibaba' is not a typical horror film (although it is more terrifying than `Bug' in a conventional sense). What I mean by this is that the basis for the films primary chills come from the inner human being exposed in all its demonic glory. The film is really about jealousy and the way that it can take hold and manipulate us into doing disturbing things. Jealousy leads to selfishness which leads to condemnation, and `Onibaba' redefines the way we look at that dark smudge on the inner-person. Writer/Director Kaneto Shindo really works at fleshing out the atrocities that surround this sinister tale, using sharp camera angles, flourishing black and white photography and engrossing character development to cement `Onibaba' in our souls.

And then there is the acting, which is beyond outstanding.

Nobuko Otowa is so commanding as the mother here that I am blown away each and every time I watch this film. She just sinks completely into this woman's mental deterioration, coming off strong in the beginning as a woman concerned for the welfare of her family and then allowing her guard to drop and her selfish panic to rise before utterly blowing us all away with her insane trip into chaotic disturbia. Her performance alone is the most terrifying aspect of this film. Jitsuko Yoshinura is also very, very good as the young and naïve daughter-in-law, and Kei Sato, while outshown, is effective as Hachi, the man who comes between these two women.

If you want something truly terrifying yet very smart and creative then look no further than `Onibaba'. This is not your conventional horror film. It has brains to back up the chills.

Be afraid; be very, very afraid.

5/5 A story of doomed souls
  by David Bonesteel (Fresno, CA United States)
An old woman (Nobuko Otowa) and her daughter-in-law (Jitsuko Yoshimura) eke out their living by selling the armor of the wounded samurai they murder while they wait for the man of the house to return from war. One of his comrades (Kei Sato) returns instead to report that he has died, thereby setting in motion a vicious triangle. The man wants the daughter-in-law, but the old woman fears that she will not be able to make a living by herself and is offended by her daughter-in-law's transfer of affection. The situation comes to a head when a mysterious samurai wearing a demon mask appears.

Director Kaneto Shindo has crafted a powerful film about elemental human impulses toward survival and sex and the terrible consequences that can result. Given their desperate circumstances, it is difficult to condemn the characters for their actions, but this will not save them from the bad karma they have accumulated. The sea of wind-blown grass that serves as the setting for the film is visually stunning and emphasizes the restlessness of the characters. The black and white photography is beautiful as well.


1/5 A STINKER!
  by JOJO DANCER
This is one of the worst movies i have ever watched. Poor acting and poor plot. Silly ending. It starts out rather exciting then it starts going downhill like a rocket. The movie is also pornographic. It turns into a porno about 50 minutes into it. If you must watch it, rent it. If you want a great and spooky japanese thriller, watch kwaidon. It is a 5 star production. Four seperate tales that are awesome.

5/5 Swamp Love
  by Fanshawe61 (Japan)
This is one of those classic Japanese films that I had managed to miss till now. To tell too much of the plot is to give it away, so I won't but it's a really well-told tale with fantastic photography and a cast of three central characters. The title translates as something like 'Devil Woman'. My U.K. Eureka DVD (I can't speak for the Criterion) has Alex Cox doing a nice little intro (though I've yet to listen to the commentary), but what was obvious from the start is that for 1964 and in Japan at that there is a lot of nudity. Given the sweltering setting of the swamp where the main characters live and the indeterminate historical setting (it could be the Middle Ages, for all I know), it makes sense for them not to be covering themselves up all the time, so it's a breath of realistic fresh air for the period it was shot in. The performances from the two leads as the possessive, bitter mother-in-law (by turns hag-like and then very sexy) and the young daughter-in-law, are great. The only thing that nagged me: most of the scenes take place at night and some in a deep hole in the ground and even though you see a full moon in one shot, there's no way to explain how everything is lit half the time ... just dramatic license, I suppose. This would make an amazing double bill with Teshigahara's Woman of the Dunes or even Polanski's Knife in the Water.

2/5 ALLOW ME TO BE FRANK...BUY MoC INSTEAD OF CRITERION.
  by HAN XIAO (CHINA)
The features on Criterion disc is almost horrible. Not only the image quality is not good as expected, but also the special features are not superior to other editions. Just buy the EUREKA MoC editions #13. The EUREKA one included all features on Criterion disc, and besides, a bonus booklet and ALEX COX introduction. The image quality was more proper for a dual-layer disc.