Stars : Matsushima Nanako & Sanada Hiroyuki

Anyone who watches a mysterious video that aired on late night Japanese TV receives a phone call shortly after saying that they will die in one week. When a young girl is found dead, with a look of sheer terror frozen on her face, this takes the interest of a reporter Asawaka (Nanako). The more she delves the more she uncovers that a series of deaths, exactly the same, are related to a GROUP of friends that went away to a cabin, where it is believed they watched this tape.

After tracking down where the cabin is Asawaka finds and watches the tape, she then receives the phone call and has one week, with the help of her ex-husband Ryuji (Hiroyuki), to find out the secrets of this tape, before she dies the same way. What they discover is a horrific and disturbing tragedy that must be solved to end the curse, or so it seems.

This film is very intense and terrifying, not only in the actual storyline, but the creepiness factor. Much like, The Blair Witch Project, it is what you don’t see that can be the most scary, as you can make up what you like in your imagination. But this film doesn’t disappoint when it comes to some horrific moments. Personally, this kind of film can do so much more than the blood and guts horror of some films. The fact that you may need to read the subtitles doesn’t change the overall feel of the movie.

I have since discovered that an American version of this movie will be released soon starring Australia’s Naomi Watts in the lead role.

THE EXTRAS

* Sadako’s Video : This is the video that is what the whole film is based on. Watch it if you dare!!!!

* Ring Trailers : Trailers for Ring & Ring 2 in both English and Japanese. Don’t watch either before watching the film as they give away simply too much information.

* MadMan Diversion - Boogiepop Phantom : This is an episode of the cartoon series of the same name. The principle is that “If you meet her one dark night you will disappear….” Total running time is 20 minutes.

* MadMan Propaganda : Several trailers for other MadMan DVD releases. These are Ghost In The Shell, PI, Amores Perros, Spriggan, Perfect Blue & The Circle.

CONCLUSION

A pretty good scary movie, mostly for people that may have enjoyed the Blair Witch Project, but probably a lot more spookier….