Liao zhai Jin Ping Mei

The first five minutes of the film prepare you for what will surely be a unique cinematic experience: a few skinny-dipping ladies get down with some random guys and then turn into glowing vampire ghosts. Yeah, I had high hopes for this one right from the jump.

The next hour of the film is a softcore historical drama in the vein of Sex and Zen. Following whatever plot there's supposed to be was difficult, but it's really just an excuse to do what this flavor of Cat III movie usually does. I was expecting monster action, so it was a bit disappointing.

Finally, in the last thirty minutes, we get a little more of what was promised at the beginning. Unfortunately, it always remains closer to drama than horror and doesn't even go so far as any of the Erotic Ghost Stories. There just isn't nearly enough high-wire fighting, supernatural laser-blasting, or glowing skull faces.

Ghost Story isn't a bad flick. If you are looking for a variation on Sex and Zen, it should satisfy. As a horror movie, however, it's pretty limp.