Television - DVD

The Twilight Zone: Vol. 5

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 9 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Essential Twilight Zone Disc!! 5 out of 5 stars.
7 of 9 people found this review helpful.

This is by far the best volume in the 1-5 set! It deals with themes of Artificial Life and a twist on the origins of man!

"Long Distance Call" -- a chilling episode about a little boy and his dying grandmother. [**]

"I Sing the Body Electric" -- an robotic nanny is built to take care of some children. They grow attached to her... [**1/2]

"The Lonely" -- Perhaps the best TZ episode ever? A prisoner on a lifeless planet is given a robot companion. He is at first reluctant to buy into this illusion, but this illusion becomes his reality... [*****]

"Probe 7, Over and Out" -- Great episode written by Sterling about a man who crashes his spaceship on a (seemingly) uninhabited planet. He later discovers his home planet destroys itself in a nuclear war... Fantastic suprise ending! [****]


---

If you're only passively interested in the TZ, this should be one of the first DVD volumes that you buy! It contains some truly exceptional episodes.

Editorial Review:

Episodes: "Long Distance Call" (Ep. 58, March 31, 1961) - Before Grandma dies, she gave Billy a toy telephone. When he uses it to talk to her, his parents dismiss it as imagination--until Billy decides to join his Grandma! "I Sing the Body Electric" (Ep. 100, May 18, 1962) - Anne (Veronica Cartwright) must learn to understand and accept that her new grandmother can be tender, loving, thoughtful and caring. Even if she is a robot. "The Lonely" (Ep. 7, November 13, 1959) - A convicted murderer (Jack Warden) incarcerated on a distant asteroid is dying of loneliness. Then a supply ship captain leaves him a female robot--and a dilemma! "Probe 7, Over & Out" (Ep. 129, November 29, 1963) - The lone survivors of two annihilated planets become stranded on the same remote world. Together they must begin new lives on this new planet. A planet called Earth.

The X-Files Mythology, Vol. 4 - Super Soldiers

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 9 Average rating: 3.0 of 5

inevitable repackaging of the brilliant television series 4 out of 5 stars.
14 of 16 people found this review helpful.

This repackaging of THE X FILES (1993-2002) according to the mythology arc has, no doubt, long been expected by most diehard fans of the now legendary television series. Having received the 4 volumes as a Christmas gift, this grateful recipient has not had time to peruse all 60 episodes + extras; however, a few observations do come to mind.

RE: THE X FILE MYTHOLOGY, VOL 1-4 ("Abduction"; "Black Oil"; "Colonization"; "Super Soldiers"):

Recommendations, divided into 4 categories of prospective buyers, are as follows:

1) FANATICS/COLLECTORS:

True fanatics or obsessive collectors will, irrespective of whether they own all 9 complete seasons, want to add these 4 volumes to their shelves. That there exists only a small amount of new material ( in terms of extras: audio commentary + documentary ) is really irrelevant to those who fall into this category. 5 STARS in terms of its appeal for this group of people.

2) "REGULAR" FANS:

"X-Philes" who exist on a lesser ( if saner ) plane of dedication may want to consider whether, possessing some ( if not, perhaps, all ) of the complete DVD sets, these repackaged sets actually add to their enjoyment. It seems indisputable that THE X FILES will never be understood on an aesthetic level by solely watching the myth arc episodes; therefore, it begs the question of why one would purchase the "complete" myth arc when it's possible to go the way the series did when it originally aired- i.e., by alternating between mythology and stand alone episodes. 2 STARS in terms of its appeal for this group of people.

3) CONFUSED BUT INTERESTED VIEWERS:

People with some familiarity with the show but who never quite watched with enough regularity ( or intensity ) to follow the intricacies of the mythology arc, may well consider purchasing these volumes. Presumably, those who fall ( more or less ) into this category will not have purchased the complete DVD seasons ( or at least not *all* of them ). It may well be financially (1/5 cost of 9 complete seasons) and aesthetically satisfying to purchase these 4 repackaged volumes and supplement ( by renting or borrowing ) selected stand alone ( "monster of the week" ) episodes. 4 STARS in terms of its appeal for this group of people.

4) NOVICES

For those who truly haven't watched THE X FILES, or at most, a few episodes, it seems a toss-up as to whether these sets are the right way to go. It is this reviewers suggestion that those in this category rent some episodes; specifically, the first 4 episodes of SEASON ONE in order to establish whether they find the show appealing. If they're hooked, and have the willingness to invest money through purchasing DVD's outright, it might be better to start purchasing all nine complete seasons over time ( most definitely *in order* ). The other option for beginners would be to purchase the 4 repackaged myth arc volumes ( again, paying attention to proper order ) and renting select stand alone episodes ( there are numerous books and websites which can guide one to the very best episodes ). 3 STARS in terms of its appeal for this group of people.

NOTE: The X FILES MOVIE ( "Fight the Future" ) is *not* included in this repackaging release. After viewing the first 3 episodes of Vol 3: "Colonization" (Patient X, The Red and the Black, The End), it is extremely advisable, for the sake of continuity and understanding, to buy ( or at least, watch ) the film *before* continuing with the remaining (Vol 3) episodes.


RE: THE X FILES MYTHOLOGY, VOL 4: "Super Soldiers":

The 14 episodes selected for inclusion in Vol 4, spanning Seasons 8 & 9, are representative of a unique period (David Duchovny's partial participation and consequent introduction of new characters). An unprecedented percentage (nearly half) of the episodes from Season 8 were devoted to the mythology arc; as a result, of all the volumes in the repackaging scheme, Volume 4 has the most claim to an artistic "raison d'etre". With composer Mark Snow's haunting "Scully theme" functioning as idée fixe, the mythology arc conveys a dramatic intensity ("Per Manum"/"This is Not Happening"/"DeadAlive"/"Three Words"/"Vienen" ) reminiscent of the THE X FILES dark Season 4. "Essence"/"Existence" reveals much of the series' philosophical (indeed, theological) underpinnings, scripts fashioned in such a way as to provide a satisfactory conclusion to both the 8th season and the series as a whole, should it have ended in 2001. As it turned out, many of its themes would be carried over into what would in actuality become the final year. The symbiotic partnership between Chris Carter & Frank Spotnitz continued with their co-writing of episodes airing in Season 9. The ambitious "Nothing Important Happened Today (I/II)" fuses the familiar "alien hybrid" concept with the newer element of "Supersoldiers". The Orwellian atmosphere of "Trust No1" is a compellingly well-framed continuation of the myth arc as well as a dark commentary on certain governmental strictures enacted in the wake of 9/11. An extraordinary degree of Christian symbolism pervades "Provenance" & "Providence" while "William" is taut, dramatic episode creatively directed (& co-written) by Duchovny- the clever double twist ending has dramatic ramifications that extend backward and forward in time (Gillian Anderson putting forth a customarily moving performance). The series finale ("The Truth") penned by Carter exudes a special glow, starting out ("in media res") with Mulder's return, lagging a bit during the court-room trial scenes and ending with a fireworks flourish which pulls out all the stops. The final scene of THE X FILES is a quiet coda; a truly beautiful moment between Mulder and Scully as they share their mutual belief that, in spite of all appearances, hope is not lost and that "the light shines in the darkness".

Editorial Review:

The Mythology is Chris Carter's visionary story arc of "The X-Files" comprised of 60 episodes from all nine seasons of the show. Now you can follow every government conspiracy, alien abduction, and hidden truth right from the beginning…

Masters of Horror - Dario Argento - Jenifer

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 65 Average rating: 3.0 of 5

Horror at its best 4 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

Masters of Horror - Dario Argento - JeniferThis is a wonderful horror flick. This is horror at its best, where you both love and hate the characters. Jenifer is both hideous and pitiful and her somewhat reluctant partner is a slave to his and her animal attraction. Brilliant, thought provoking, and just plain horrifying, enjoy!

58 Minutes Run Time is a good indicator 1 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

Jenifer is a DVD that has a run time of 58 minutes. It is 58 minutes of my life that I will not get back. There is much that could have been done with the story to add some surprise or twist, but it is less than a B horror movie. Save your time and money. This is something that may have been alright for Tales From The Crypt or something...58 minutes that I will never get back, but glad that it was not any longer since there was no surprise twist that made the movie worth watching in the remotest of ways.

Editorial Review:

Steven Weber of THE SHINING,THE STAND and DESPERATION stars as Frank Spivey, a detective who rescues a strange young girl (Carrie Anne Fleming) with a horribly disfigured face and lusciously ripe body from a deranged killer. But when Spivey takes responsibility for the mentally challenged orphan, she reveals herself to be a creature of untold carnal pleasures and unspeakable violent depravities that may lead him straight to hell. She is seductress, psychopath and succubus all in one…and her name is JENIFER. The legendary Dario Argento directs this jaw-dropper that features a haunting score by Claudio Simonetti of Goblin (DAWN OF THE DEAD,TENEBRE).

The Outer Limits - The New Series (2005) (Aliens Among Us/Death & Beyond/Fantastic Androids & Robots/Mutation and Transformation/Sex & Science Fiction/Time Travel & Infinity Collections)

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 32 Average rating: 3.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

There is nothing wrong with your DVD player: the creative minds behind the 1995-2002 version of The Outer Limits offer you six volumes of imaginative science fiction culled from the series to entertain and astound you. Viewers should know that this boxed set does not compile the complete series, but rather it takes 36 episodes from the show's full run and groups them by theme; also, two of the six volumes have been previously released as single discs (Time Travel and Infinity and Sex and Science Fiction were released in '02),but Aliens Among Us, Mutation and Transformation, Fantastic Androids and Robots, and Death and Beyond are brand new (and are also available as single discs).But that shouldn't stop both first-time travelers to The Outer Limits and veteran explorers from picking up this set, because it contains some of the program's most intriguing episodes, including the Emmy- and Gemini-winning "A Stitch in Time" with Amanda Plummer; "I, Robot," a remake of an original Outer Limits episode, and starring Leonard Nimoy; "The Grell," with Star Trek: The Next Generation's Marina Sirtis; "Double Helix," with Ron Rifkin and Ryan Reynolds in an unorthodox exploration of genetics; and "Beyond the Veil," with Michael O'Keefe in a story about alien abduction. Each disc offers "Origins of The Outer Limits," a talking-heads interview with the show's creators, as well as featurettes on the making of the episodes compiled on each disc (the Sex and Sci-Fi and Aliens Among Us discs offer slight variations on this format by offering a multi-part featurette and a documentary on a single episode, respectively). --Paul Gaita

Angel - Season Four

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 173 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Typical Joss - he ruins a once great show 2 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Although a once hard-core BtVS / AtS fan, I gave up on Buffy in Season 6 and Angel in Season 4. Typical Joss Whedon - he makes great characters and then can't resist ruining them by introducing more and more plot contrivances and less and less subtlety, in what I assume is an ongoing effort to one-up himself.

This season of Angel, though well-written and well-acted, takes the downward turn in plot that started in Season 3 (Connor, the Cordy ascension, the icky and ham-fisted Cordy/Angel 'romance'), and plunges even further into utter crap. The entire Cordy storyline is out of left field and a real character assassination, and the 'Big Bad' of the season is ridiculous and more annoying even than Holtz.

Honestly, I guess this season is worth a watch if you're a fan of the show, but it certainly isn't worth buying.

Editorial Review:

With both Angel and Cordelia still missing, Fred, Gunn and Connor try to keep Angel Investigations running while they search for their friends. Ironically, the man who everyone believes betrayed Angel is the one who finally comes to Angel's rescue. Then Cordelia mysteriously reappears with no memory of her life or her friends. Confused, she chooses to take refuge with Connor?setting into motion events that will alter their lives forever.

The Twilight Zone: Vol. 6

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 5 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

"The Passerby" is first-rate 3 out of 5 stars.
7 of 7 people found this review helpful.

Vol. 6 is worth seeing for the episode "The Passerby", an extremely well-produced show. The set alone is very impressive, as is the plot device of the continuous procession of weary, bedraggled soldiers, especially as night falls.

I am greatly disappointed at author Mark Zicree's negative remarks about this episode in his "TZ Companion"; believe me, his opinions are just that, and he totally misses the beauty and eloquence of this show. True, the pace is weary and measured, but that's exactly what the plot demands. He says that James Gregory is "too old" to play a Confederate Sargeant----has he ever seen actual photos from the Civil War??? Men of ALL ages fought---and they aged tremendously from the torturous rigors of war.

Johanna Linville is wonderful--always on the edge of tears, heartsick, lost in her dreams of the past. Sure Mr. Zicree, WE all know what's happening fairly early on in the show---but SHE DOESN"T---she's too "disconnected" from reality to grasp it.

Fred Steiner's noble and elegaic score is wonderful, and the overall look of the show is terrific. There's even a real shocker of a scene involving a Union Lieutenant---even though James Gregory's lead-in dialogue and explanation during that scene is pretty contrived and "over-the-top".

And the final twist----how touchingly understated!
----------------------------
The rest of the dvd is variable. "The Grave" is OK in terms of atmosphere, and we all like watching Lee Marvin but COME ON--the ending is really stupid--no other way to say it!

Joseph Schildkraut, one of the great actors of all time, is excellent in "Death's Head Revisited" ---- a very moody and gripping morality play---(and rather daring for its time).

"Jeff Myrtlebank" is OK. Zicree thinks it's fabulous. Cute, maybe, but its minor stuff.

Buy it and judge for yourself.

Editorial Review:

Episodes: "The Passerby" (Ep. 69, October 6, 1961) - On the road home from the Civil War, a Confederate soldier stops at a house. He and the owner, a recent widow, soon realize that all who pass are dead. Including them! "The Grave" (Ep. 72, October 27, 1961) - Before he died, notorious badman Pinto Sykes put a curse on hired-gun Conny Miller (Lee Marvin). If Miller ever sets foot on his grave, he will kill him--a threat Sykes carries out! "Death's Head Revisited" (Ep. 74, November 10, 1961) - A former Nazi SS Captain returns to the ruins of a concentration camp to re-live the good old days--until his long-dead victims appear to deliver overdue justice! "The Last Rites of Jeff Myrtlebank" (Ep. 88, February 23, 1962) - Ever since he came back to life at his own funeral, Jeff hasn't been the same! The townspeople want him out of town, but Jeff says they have no reason to fear him. Or do they?

Buffy the Vampire Slayer - The Complete Second Season

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 469 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

The best season! 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer - The Complete Second Season is by far the best and most suspenseful season of this cult/classic show. Sarah Michelle Gellar's character Buffy Summers falls in love with a vampire named Angel played by David Boreanaz. The scenes between them are explosive and romantic, the season finale just blew my mind, love it! Great season, have to check it out. Enjoy!

Buffy Season 2 DVD 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

This is really one of the best seasons of the ground-breaking series. From the first now two the second, it gets better as it goes on. Following behind season 5, it creates an image and leaves it in your mind making you want more. Buying this season is a great buy and you won't disagree.
All 22 episodes will have glued to the television. And the first 20 will lead up to the two part finale that will shock.
The DVD also comes with special features that have commentaries and interviews and a closer look into the Buffy world as their second year concluded.
5/5 stars, buy it to complete your collection.

Editorial Review:

THE CHOSEN ONE HAS ONLY JUST BEGUN... Now you can own the entire second season of BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER. All 22 classic episodes are available for the first time in this exclusive 6-disc collectorÂ's edition. From Â"When She Was Bad,Â" Â"SurpriseÂ" and Â"Innocence,Â" to Â"PassionÂ" and Â"Becoming, Part OneÂ" and Â"Becoming, Part Two,Â" these Season Two episodes are a must for every true Buffy fan.

The Twilight Zone: Vol. 11

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 8 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

One of the very best Volumes in "The Twilight Zone" series! 5 out of 5 stars.
5 of 7 people found this review helpful.

When I looked at the lengthy list of "Twilight Zone" DVD volumes this one stuck out more than any of the others. In my opion, it has three of the most outrageously entertaining(yet still quite frightening)episodes "The Twilight Zone" has ever made. "The After Hours" is about Marsha White(Anne Francis), a simple woman who is merely looking for a gold thimble in a department store. However, when she steps into the elevator, she is guided to the 9th floor of the the 8 story building! On this supposed floor she meets odd people who turn out to be even odder when(on one of the regular floors)she sees on of them..........in manicane form! This is one of my favorite episodes of "The Twilight Zone"! Partly because of the completely unexpected ending. "Living Doll" is another shocker! Erich Sleater is a man who feels that his step-daughter is spoiled with too many dolls. So, you can imagine how he feels when his wife and daughter come home with an extremly expensive doll! You can also only imagine how he feels when(after everyone leaves the room)the doll starts saying things like "I hate you!" & "I'm going to kill you!". This is another classic that had me biting my nails to the very end of the show. I also enjoy Rod Sterling's ending words that seem to make the story feel a little too realistic. "The Dummy" is about a ventrilogoust that has an evil Dummy named Willie! Everyone thinks he's crazy but somehow he knows he's not. The only way to stop the crazieness is to get a new dummy, which the man does. However, Willie does not accept the replacement! This is a great one too but the ending doesn't really make sense. "The Fever" is by far the worst episode on the disk. It's about a man who doesn't enjoy gambling at all but while in Las Vegas a slot machine calls his name and then it seems he can never stop! The story was a little too limited for my liking and too unreal. After all, it's weird than the guy just started gambling after he hated it. Again, this is one of the best Volumes in the entire "Twilight Zone" set!

Editorial Review:

Episodes: "The Dummy" (Ep. 98, May 4, 1962) - A ventriloquist (Cliff Robertson) is convinced that his dummy, Willie, is alive and evil. He makes plans for a new act with a new dummy. Plans that Willie does not support! "The Fever" (Ep. 17, January 29, 1960) - Tight-fisted Franklin Gibbs is not pleased when his wife wins a trip for two to Las Vegas. But things change when he falls under the spell of a slot machine that calls his name. "Living Doll" (Ep. 126, November 1, 1963) - Erich (Telly Savalas) is displeased when his wife buys an expensive doll for his step-daughter. He becomes even more displeased when the doll tells him it doesn't like him! "The After Hours" (Ep. 34, June 10, 1960) - A woman (Anne Francis) discovers that the floor of a department store, on which she bought a gold thimble, doesn't exist--and that her "saleslady" is really a mannequin!

The Outer Limits (The Original Series) - Volume 1

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 16 Average rating: 3.0 of 5

Excellent sci-fi television show! (Episode Guide) 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

Disc 1 Side A

The Galaxy Being
A radio station engineer uses an experimental receiver to contact an extraterrestrial being, but the radioactive alien poses a deadly threat when it is inadvertently tele-ported to Earth.

The Hundred Days Of The Dragon
A sinister foreign power replaces the President of the United States with its own agent via the use of a powerful drug allowing the skin to be molded into any likeness.

The Architects Of Fear
A noble scheme goes horribly awry when a group of scientists plans an elaborate hoax designed to frighten and ultimately unite humankind.

The Man With The Power
An experimental brain surgery gives a mild-mannered professor telekinetic powers and unleashes the dark side of his unconscious mind.


Disc 1 Side B

The Sixth Finger
There are unforeseen consequences when a brilliant but guilt-ridden scientist performs an evolutionary enhancement procedure on an embittered miner.

The Man Who Was Never Born
A horribly mutated man from Earth's bleak future travels back in time in an attempt to alter the past and save mankind from its hideous fate.

O.B.I.T.
The suspicious murder of a security guard sparks an investigation unveiling an insidious and far-reaching monitoring device, the ramifications of which are truly frightening.

The Human Factor
A remote outpost in Greenland is endangered when an experiment is disrupted, causing the mind of a psychiatrist to be switched with that of a madman.


Disc 2 Side A

Corpus Earthling
A doctor with a steel plate in his head questions his own sanity when he begins hearing the conversations of a strange race of alien rock creatures intent on conquering the world.

Nightmare
A band of Earth soldiers is captured and ruthlessly tortured---both physically and psychologically---by their alien captors.

It Crawled Out Of The Woodwork
An incredible being made of pure energy imperils the staff of a a research laboratory and hides a deadly secret.

The Borderland
A man hoping to contact his dead son becomes involved in an experiment designed to open a gateway to the fourth dimension.


Disc 2 Side B

Tourist Attraction
The capture of a dolphin-like creature stirs up trouble in a small republic as the country's dictator plans to use the thing to attract tourists.

The Zanti Misfits
Exiles from the planet Zanti arrive on Earth, and a startling truth is uncovered when two human renegades invade their privacy.

The Mice
A convicted felon volunteers for an interplanetary cultural exchange program and chaos ensues when a bizarre alien materializes here on Earth.

Controlled Experiment
Two Martians conduct an investigation at the scene of a murder to try to determine why humans kill one another.

Editorial Review:

"The best program of its type ever to run on network TV!" ?Stephen King

Perhaps marked for its opening sequence and eerie voice-over "There is nothing wrong with your television set. Do not attempt to adjust the picture. We are controlling transmission", The Outer Limits pushed the boundaries of television and viewers minds by introducing a new caliber of science fiction.

Masters of Horror - Imprint

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 64 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

4 ½ Stars: Takashi Miike's HORRIFIC Short Story about Perverse Vengeance and Twisted Secrets.. 4 out of 5 stars.
5 of 5 people found this review helpful.

Japanese director Takashi Miike has always been a master of controversial cinema. His films such as "Visitor Q", "Gozu" and of course, the cult hit "Audition" have always pushed the boundaries of horror filmmaking. "IMPRINT" is Miike's contribution to the "Masters of Horror" series; co-produced by American filmmakers, the film nonetheless, carries the Takashi Miike seal of disturbing images, creepy cinematography and a certain seductive execution that you just cannot take your eyes off its proceedings. This is the film's uncut version that almost never made it to U.S. audiences.

In 19th century Japan, (when the West began to influence Japan), an American (Billy Drago) arrives in an isolated area in search of a Japanese prostitute that he had fallen in love with. He has traveled far in search of a woman named Komomo (Michie), traveling from brothel to brothel in hopes of liberating the kindly woman from her plight. Night falls, and he has no choice but to spend the night in this forsaken town and he is kept company by a kindly courtesan with a deformed face. This mysterious woman (Youki Kudoh) has tales of his beloved Komomo and as to how she had passed away. The man insists on knowing the truth; little does he know that some stories are better left untold.

IMPRINT is a very disturbing mindblower of a story based on the Japanese horror novel "Bokee Kyotee" by Shimako Iwai and adapted for the screen by Daisuke Tengan (Audition). The film is an unspeakabe orgy of torture and depravity, extreme cruelty and perverse vengeance, twisted secrets and stunning revelations. The film's story is told in flashbacks as told by the deformed courtesan played by Youki Kudoh (Memoirs of a Geisha, Mystery Train) and the actress does a very excellent job. In a role such as this, one must consider displaying a certain mental imbalance all the while acting as if there is nothing really amiss with the character. Kudoh is convincing and well carries the film's burden.

The past of the deformed courtesan is actually the film's showstopper. The audience will be drawn to the tales of this mysterious woman; layers upon layers of her character will be revealed slowly. The style of its storytelling is actually very effective. Her story as narrated gets more twisted and disturbing as the film progresses. To sum everything up; this is a tale of curses, Karma and betrayals. Komomo is a courtesan with a kind heart and the torture that she underwent exceeds that ones displayed in Miike's "Audition". I felt a certain uneasiness as I became privy to her torment but at the same time I could not look away. The violent images of abortion will also be etched in my memory.

The direction by Takashi Miike is as solid and competent as ever. I have often said that Miike is a master of visuals and movement; this film displays the usual style that American audiences have grown to love. The camera work is well-executed and the cinematography fits the film's premise. Miike utilizes a lot of colors that represent the film's mood; some scenes have more color than others and shadows are oftentimes utilized. The wind signifies the symbol of change in one's life. The film is VERY DISTURBING, and it is to Miike's credit that he manages to keep a balance between its disturbing images and the film's actual screenplay. I do think the director wanted to keep the cinematography enchanting and mysterious; while the images become more disturbing as it progresses, all the more becoming more seductive. Asian Horror thrives on slow reveal and foreshadowing and this film is no different.

The film's final act and the final SINISTER secret may not be wholly original, but Director Miike is smart enough to play on the film's strengths rather than some of it's weaknesses. One other flaw it may have is that Billy Drago's performance does seem a little lackluster. I felt that he was trying a little too hard to convince. His character may come across as a little underdeveloped for the inexperienced movie watcher but not so if you paid attention to the film's entirety. Aside from Kudoh's performance, Michie also shines in her role as Komomo, however limited her screen time might be. I felt nothing but sympathy for her torment.

The film is also nicely paced. For a film that clocks in at little over an hour, the film does manage to generate the right scares and mental disgust, but I was left hungering for more; all the more being relieved that the film's depressing story had ended. This is a film that really gets under your skin and emotions, and the less you know, the better the experience would be. Takashi Miike has never disappointed me with his tales of surprising twists and violent imagery and "IMPRINT" is no different. Japanese horror may sometimes have the usual motifs of Karma and cursed retribution but after viewing this film, these motifs become quite strong when handled by the right Japanese director such as Takashi Miike. This film is not for the squeamish and those who cannot stand disturbing images.
Cruel, full of torment and mind-blowing uneasiness, the film stays enchanting and gripping with its seductive execution.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!! [4 ½ Stars]

Editorial Review:

Studio: Starz/sphe Release Date: 09/25/2007 Run time: 63 minutes Rating: Nr