dbspencer777

First off, I have to say that this is the best horror movie that I have seen in the last two years, from any country. It combines the aspects of action movies like The Matrix, and all out gore and zombies from The Dead Trilogy by George A. Romero. Add quite a bit of swordplay, and you have the perfect combination for a great movie. This would be ranked #5 in my list of all time favorite movies. To say the least, I was really impressed with this movie. Proves that the horror scene is still alive in certain areas in the world. Being from the states, I cannot offer any insight in the actor's abilities, except for the roles they play in this movie. But all the performances are superb, from the main characters to the zombie extras. This movie is all about 666 existing portals to the "other side". The main character is a prisoner who has been broken out of jail for an unknown reason. He is unaware of his surroundings or what his captors have in store for him. But the agenda is laid out soon enough. He comes in contact with strange yet familiar characters who are small time gangsters and cold blooded murderers. He then meets a woman who is being held hostage that he feels a strong bond with. After the first zombie is introduced, they break from the group and try to sort things out. Now that his prisoner friend has been executed, he is all alone taking on a small band of gangsters and a forest full of zombies. Have to say that it is very comical to see a zombie with a gun. Don't think that it has been done before. These zombies are also capable of a few acrobatics also. They start to sort things out and realize that they are in the Forest of Resurrection. That the have been here over and over in their lives. And there are many powerful forces within their surroundings. And eventually find out who has brought them there and for what purpose. Seems that the female contains the blood of resurrection, that can only be used once in her life. The main antagonist in this movie is a total bad-ass. Appears to be an expert with various weapons and martial arts styles. There are a couple of time shifts in the movie that show exactly how lethal this character is. They all keep crossing paths until the final battle. All the secrets have been revealed and it becomes known that the whole purpose of getting them together is to send them to the "other side" so they can all be on the same side again. But it is not that easy, due to the fact that the protagonist has some skills also. In the end, you see that this is a neverending battle, that continues over time and was started during the age of the samurai, or maybe even before. This movie is really hard to find in the unrated version. You can pick the r-rated version up at almost any movie chain, but have to search the net for the 2 disk unedited version. There is a U.S. version with an English dubbed track, for those who don't care for subtitles. I would recommend this movie to anyone who is a fan of horror and/or action movies. I rate this one 5/5 for great cinematic detail, perfect setting, great fighting scenes, and plenty of zombie gore. A very powerful film that reminds us that Japan still has a few masterpieces up its sleeve. Makes Ringu look like an episode of Sesame Street.

I have to say first that everyone will not be ready for this film. First, it's not the typical linear beginning to end film. And the plot cannot be picked up in the first five minutes. It sheds light on a society that we see everyday but tend to stray away from, or possibly even overlook. It deals with a dysfunctional family and the encounters of a brave Julien, played by Ewen Bremner (Snatch, Trainspotting). He portrays a young man dealing with schizophrenia in an upbeat urban town, pretty much based on Harmony's real life uncle Eddy. You experience and discover what it is like existing in a world that might not totally make much sense. You meet his loving and caring sister, played by Chloe Sevigny, starring yet again in another Korine story. She is forced to play the role of sister and mother to a fragile Julien. You hit the streets with Julien and encounter a very powerful cast of strangers. Of them are a very talented armless man, an African American albino, and quite a few more people with minor physical and mental handicaps. As most people would feel sorry for these individuals, I tend to go another route. You see the strength and ability of all these characters. Juleins favorite places to frequent are a local bowling alley, a southern pentecostal church, and the skating rink. He goes to these places to appear normal and fit in with society. But his family life is quite a different story. You see the environment in this household that is filled with many points of culture, but very distorted and unorthodox. A household that is filled with music, morals, fashion, but mostly the absence of a mother/wife figure. The whole of the family is forced to cut their losses and move on with life the only way they know how. Depending on each other to fill the void. The camera work is very non-traditional and covers many different formats. Yet again, another element that would shake the average viewer. I give this film 4/5 for its honesty, artistic value, and how much you really identify with the characters. If you are into cinema that doesn't take you from point A to point B, I highly recommend this film. Full of wonderful performances and true to life characters. Favorite parts for me: armless man's drum solo, the skating rink scenes, and all the solo Julien scenes. This film taught me that there is two sides to everything and a curse for one might be a blessing for another. But mostly how we all survive obstacles in life, despite the hand we have been dealt. This film is closer to a documentary than that of a fictional story. I have never seen a Harmony Korine production that I didn't like. Full of every emotion and very witty, he is a very talented writer/director.

Perhaps there is some confusion about this movie. The first ten minutes or so is a condensed version of the whole story of the first movie. When Ash gets put through the trees and whatnot, the second movie begins. It is the same night in the cabin and all, but a totally different story. Bruce Campbell pretty much carries this movie from start to finish. All of the sequences from the first movie are carried out in this one, to a point where all questions are answered. His girlfriend is unearthed and comes back to settle the score. Lot of great special effects in this one. But, they were threatened by the MPAA, so most of the blood is rainbow colored. You won't see much red blood is this flick. Sam Raimi's brother Ted gives his best performance to date as the late Henrietta Knowby. "Someone's in my fruit cellar, someone with a fresh soullllll". Bruce teams up with Prof. Knowby's daughter to send the evil forces back to their origin. Seems that she has a major in translating the necronomacon. After a couple of incantations from the book, a portal is opened, forcing all the spirits back in, and Ash as well. Some of my favorite parts are the Henrietta skit, the possession of Ed Getley, and the whole evil hand skit. Lot of funny moments in this one. And when all the objects are animated in the parlor. This was a cabin completely constructed by the film crew, since the original cabin in Tenn. was torn down shortly after the first movie. If you look close enough, you can see where they forgot to put the ceiling up in a couple of shots, especially when Ash is running through the length of the house. You can also notice The Three Stooges inspiration in some of the gags, especially the eye in the mouth bit. Pure slapstick throughout the movie. You should notice the same style of effects in From Dusk Till Dawn, because it is the same company. I have heard that Rodriguez kept saying "Give me something like Evil Dead 2" through the whole shooting of Dusk. This movie is in my top 10 of all time for all the zany antics and Ash's super ego. The ultimate protagonist. I rate this movie 4/5 for the multiple replay value. I watched this movie every day for a week after I got it on DVD. You can pick it up almost anywhere for under 15 bucks. But be sure to get the version with all the interviews, bonus footage, and making of. You really gain more appreciation after viewing the bonus footage. And if you already own the vhs, flip the cover over and read the liner notes. I found them by accident. Only printed on the animated cover though. Don't miss this one. I personally think it beats the hell out of Spiderman and Raimi should return to his roots. And I don't mean more Darkman films. I think that Evil Dead 2 is the perfect marriage of comedy/horror/gore.