Phil's Shudder Picks: HORROR NOIRE: A HISTORY OF BLACK HORROR - Feb. 9, 2019

HORROR NOIRE: A HISTORY OF BLACK HORROR (2019)

Starring Jordan Peele, Keith David, Tony Todd, Rachel True, Miguel A. Núñez Jr., Loretta Devine, Paula Jai Parker, Ken Foree, Kelly Jo Minter, Richard Lawson, Ernest R. Dickerson, Rusty Cundieff, Ken Sagoes, Tina Mabry, William Crain
Written by Ashlee Blackwell, Danielle Burrows
Based on the book by Robin R. Means Coleman, PhD.
Cinematography by Mario Ricardo Rodriguez
Edited by Horatiu Lemnei, Scott Strobel
Produced by Ashlee Blackwell, Danielle Burrows, Robin R. Means Coleman, Tananarive Due, Phil Nobile Jr., Kelly Ryan
Directed by Xavier Burgin
Released by Shudder

February is Black History Month, and it is a time we celebrate the extraordinary achievements, accomplishments, and contributions made by African Americans. It's also a month that we reflect on the past; how these individuals and ancestors were mistreated, exploited, and ridiculed. One of these areas that African Americans were blantedly stereotyped was in the cinemas. Since its inception, movies have portrayed them as less than human; a bigoted slant that they were forced to see on the silver screen. This is true even in the horror genre; as they subjected to the same stereotypes and is usually the first to fall victim. But over the years, fans of the genre have witnessed a resurgence of new horror films told from a black perspective, courtesy of black filmmakers who have the courage and talent to tell their stories to a mass audience. The first of its kind, HORROR NOIRE: A HISTORY OF BLACK HORROR is a documentary about a subject that has long been overlooked, and quiet frankly, needed to be told!

The film's official synopsis: Delving into a century of genre films that by turns utilized, caricatured, exploited, sidelined, and finally embraced them, Horror Noire traces the untold history of Black Americans in Hollywood through their connection to the horror genre. Adapting Robin Means Coleman’s seminal book, HORROR NOIRE: A HISTORY OF BLACK HORROR will present the living and the dead, using new and archival interviews from scholars and creators; the voices who survived the genre’s past trends, to those shaping its future. A SHUDDER ORIGINAL.

Based on the 2011 book of the same name by Robin R. Means Coleman, PhD., the film examines how African Americans were portrayed in American films, and the racist stereotypes that Hollywood made into the norm. Starting with the 1915 film BIRTH OF A NATION, the documentary goes through the decades leading up to the transformative horror film NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD, which was released in 1968. Directed by the late, great George A. Romero, the movie shattered the norm by having a black actor as its lead and hero, giving orders to the white people in the house that they are all hiding in, killing white zombies, and then being killed at the end, The movie was made during the height of the civil rights movement, and was released right after the assignation of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

HORROR NOIRE: A HISTORY OF BLACK HORROR is one of the best documentaries of 2019, period!! Insightful, informative, and eye opening, the movie shines a light on a topic that has been living in the shadows for far too long! In this day and age, it's a reminder that history does repeat itself, if we don't learn from it. With the current administration, the climate of America is one of fear, racism, and idiocy. To combat these, we possess education, enlightenment, and to keep us moving forward! The same came be said in Hollywood, and in the horror genre! If this doesn't inspire you, then nothing will! It's now time more than ever for new voices to be heard, and the horror community welcomes it with open arms!! 5 out of 5 stars!! Highly recommended!!

HORROR NOIRE: A HISTORY OF BLACK HORROR is now streaming exclusively on Shudder. To view it, sign up on its website at www.shudder.com.

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the education! 

Phil's Shudder Picks: KING COHEN: THE WILD WORLD OF FILMMAKER LARRY COHEN (2017) - December 16, 2018

Hell again readers and welcome back to another thrilling installment of Phil's Shudder Picks! Today's film was just added to the streaming service a couple of days ago, and it's a film that I've been hearing about for a while now. It's a documentary about one of the most underrated filmmakers of all time. Now I've been a fan of his for years, and when I first heard about the documentary, I was super excited to see it. He was long overdue to have a film about himself, as he has countless stories to tell and a large fanbase, who are very loyal to him and his work. So let's no wait another minute, and let me tell you all about the documentary KING COHEN: THE WILD WORLD OF FILMMAKER LARRY COHEN.

The film's official synopsis: Buckle up for KING COHEN, the true story of writer, producer, director, creator and all-around maverick, Larry Cohen (BLACK CAESAR, GOD TOLD ME TO, Q: THE WINGED SERPENT, THE STUFF). Told through compelling live interviews, stills and film/TV clips, the people who helped fulfill his vision, and industry icons such as Martin Scorsese, John Landis, Michael Moriarty, Fred Williamson, Yaphet Kotto and many more, including Larry himself, bring one-of-a-kind insight into the work, process and legacy of a true American film auteur. Few can boast of a career as remarkable or prolific, spanning more than 50 years of entertaining audiences worldwide!

The first Larry Cohen film I saw was the 1974 fright flick IT'S ALIVE, and I saw it on cable when I was about nine or ten years old. 

Phil's Shudder Picks: FEMALE PRISONER SCORPION: #701's GRUDGE SONG (1973) - September 12, 2018

Well folks, this is it! What is it I'm talking about? Well, on today's edition of Phil's Shudder Picks, I'm going to review the final film in the FEMALE PRISONER SCORPION series! Yes my friends, all good things do come to an end. So let's not waste another minute, and let me tell you all about the final chapter of this immensely beloved franchise entitled FEMALE PRISONER SCORPION: #701's GRUDGE SONG.

Original Japanese Poster (1973)

The film's official synopsis: The final film in the series, FEMALE PRISONER SCORPION: #701's GRUDGE SONG (from director Yasuharu Hasebe; RETALIATION, MASSACRE GUN), shows a gentler side of Scorpion. When Nami falls in with Kudo, an ex-radical suffering from physical and psychological trauma caused by police torture, the pair become political rebels.

The film surprised me in several ways. The first being that we see a side of Nami that we haven't seen before. Actress Meiko Kaji brings a vulnerability to Nami that we really haven't seen since the first film, However, this doesn't last long, and at the end of the film, she becomes the Nami that we know and love!

Now, I'm debating on telling you how this movie ends. I'm not a big fan of spoilers, but the movie is 45 years old. If you haven't seen these films yet, for shame. Anywho, Nami kills the corrupt cop and Kudo. There, I said it! But it's pretty fucking sweet how it all went down!

As I said in my previous post, director Shunya Itō meant the franchise to be a trilogy. After he completed , he walked away from the series, even though the studio Toei Company had different ideas. Enter director Yasuharu Hasebe. Here, he gives a nice conclusion to the journey of Nami, even showcasing some cool exploitation compositions and set-ups that have become the trademark for Japanese grindhouse films of the 1970's. The overall effect is one that satisfies the hardcore fan of these type of genre films.

The Toei Company released the movie in Japan on December 29, 1973. What a way to close out the year!! The film wouldn't be available here in the states until Tokyo Shock released it on DVD in 2005. And then UK company released a 2K scan of the film as part of the Female Prisoner Scorpion: The Complete Collection boxset.

FEMALE PRISONER SCORPION: #701's GRUDGE SONG is a awesome conclusion to the original series of films!! While other companies have released their own film to the franchise, the original four films have earned their place in the annuls of cinema history! Now in the 21st century, old time fans and newbies can watch them all over again in the comfort of their home! 4 out of 5 stars! Highly recommended!!

FEMALE PRISONER SCORPION: #701's GRUDGE SONG is now streaming exclusively on Shudder. To view it, sign up on its website at www.shudder.com.

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the horror! 

Phil's Shudder Picks: FEMALE PRISONER SCORPION: BEAST STABLE (1973) - SEPTEMBER 12, 2018

So, I would like to know who the hell comes up with these titles?!? As you may have noticed from my previous two posts, I've been making my way through the series on Shudder, and I am just amused by the title for this one. First there was FEMALE PRISONER: #701 SCORPION . Then came FEMALE PRISONER SCORPION: JAILHOUSE 41. And now, the third film of the series and today's review entitled FEMALE PRISONER SCORPION: BEAST STABLE! Yeah, that's a fucking crazy title, and so is this movie!

Original Japanese Poster (1973)

The film's official synopsis: The 3rd Female Prisoner film, the Gothic horror-inspired FEMALE PRISONER SCORPION: BEAST STABLE finds Nami branded public enemy #1. She soon finds refuge with a sympathetic prostitute, but is on the run from a local gang, her ex-prison mate and a cop whose arm she hacked off (hell yeah).

The look of the movie is totally different than the previous two chapters. Director Shun'ya Itô abandons his arthouse meets grindhouse, supernatural lighting, sound stage sets look of the last film in favor for a more creepy looking, Gothic style movie. There's a lot of blues and greys in the film, almost melodramatic. It's a visually depressing representation of the environment of our old friend Nami is, now in another hell-hole women's prison. Itô also jettisons the European style directing in favor of a more straight forward exploitation found here. Overall, I missed the directing style of JAILHOUSE 41, but he, once again, delivers the goods and creates another classic flick, filled with nudity, violence, bloodshed, and a incestuous relationship between a sister and her fucked-up-in-the-head brother. What more could anyone ask?

Meiko Kaji proves once again that she is, without a shadow of doubt, the most beautiful and deadliest woman alive! Good grief, I love this woman!! I mean, how can you not?!? She's gorgeous, looks sexy as hell in her trademark black hat and outfit, and can kill you a hundred different ways!! I would love to see her in a movie today! But alas, she has long since retired from the silver scree, and as she puts it, she wants her fans to remember her the way she used to look in her films.

Now, this was supposed to be Shun'ya Itô's final film of the trilogy, and was written as the finale of the FEMALE PRISONER SCORPION series. And the way it ends, it does feel like a logical conclusion to the franchise, all wrapped up in a nice big bow. But when Toei Company released it to theaters in Japan on July 29, 1973, it was another huge blockbuster. However, this was the last FEMALE PRISONER SCORPION that Shun'ya Itô would be involved in.

FEMALE PRISONER SCORPION: BEAST STABLE is another Japanese exploitation classic in the franchise that fans will want to see over and over again! While not as visually stunning and experimental as FEMALE PRISONER SCORPION: JAILHOUSE 41, there's still plenty for audiences to go crazy for! So grab some popcorn, grab some drinks and then watch this movie!! 4 out of 5 starts! Highly recommended!

FEMALE PRISONER SCORPION: BEAST STABLE is now streaming exclusively on Shudder. To view it, sign up on its website at www.shudder.com.

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the horror! 

Phil's Shudder Picks: FEMALE PRISONER SCORPION: JAILHOUSE 41 (1972) - September 11, 2018

Welcome back to another installment of Phil's Shudder Picks! Today's movie is the first sequel in the FEMALE PRISONER SCORPION franchise. Again, I was able to check out the film on the Shudder App, which has been awesome! So, ladies and gentlemen, let's discuss the 1972 sequel FEMALE PRISONER SCORPION: JAILHOUSE 41.

Original Japanese Poster (1972)

The film's official synopsis: Scorpion returns. Nami and six other female prisoners are on the run in this 2nd FEMALE PRISONER SCORPION film, a visually stunning jailhouse escape spectacle.

Once again, actress Meiko Kaji returns as our heroine Nami, who is both bad ass and beautiful beyond description!! And like the first film, she barely says a word in this one too. If anything, I believe she had one line, maybe two. But then, she doesn't need dialogue to express herself. The way she moves, her glaring eyes, the expression on her face when she's sad, angry, and when she's cutting a bitch up! She looks indescribably breathtaking while looking like a prisoner being hosed by the cops in her cell or in her trademark black hat and matching outfit!

Kaji isn't the only one to return to the series. Co-writer/director Shun'ya Itô also returns to helm the movie, and holy shit it's batshit crazy!! The movie is leaps and bounds more visually stunning than the first chapter of the series. Itô showcases his maturity for set designs, mood lighting, sweeping on-location shots, and dynamic set-ups and compositions. Now remember, this film came out in 1972, five years before director Nobuhiko Ôbayashi's film HOUSE, which looks like it copied the look from this movie!! Coincidence? I think not!!

The film was originally released to theaters in Japan on December 30, 1972 from the legendary Toei Company. It was another success, but it didn't get discovered here in the states till years later. Thanks to the VHS boom of the 1980's, the movie achieved a cult-like status unheard of at that time. Eventually, the movie (as well as the rest of the entries of the series) were released on DVD, but the source material were on the rough side; the picture and sound quality weren't all that great. But then in 2016, British company Arrow Video released Female Prisoner Scorpion: The Complete Collection in a stunning Blu-Ray/DVD boxset! Arrow did a brand new 2k restorations of all four films, bonus features, and a booklet!

FEMALE PRISONER SCORPION: JAILHOUSE 41 is my favorite film of the FEMALE PRISONER SCORPION franchise! It's the perfect blend of arthouse movie, experimental film, and Japanese exploitation cinema!! Fans of the series have been raving about this film for decades, and now you can enjoy it in the comfort of your home! What more do you need to know!! Go watch this movie now!! 5 out of 5 stars!! Highly recommended!!

FEMALE PRISONER SCORPION: JAILHOUSE 41 is now streaming exclusively on Shudder. To view it, sign up on its website at www.shudder.com.

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the horror!

Phil's Shudder Picks: FEMALE PRISONER #701: SCORPION (1972) - September 11, 2018

Welcome back my fellow horror hounds to a new installment that I call Phil's Shudder Picks. If you are not hip to what the kids are watching, let me break it down for you: Shudder is an online horror streaming service that features the largest library of horror films. Backed by AMC, their catalog ranges from horror classics to indie darlings, silent films to cult classics, foreign fright flicks to Shudder exclusives not found anywhere, they have become the go-to app for horror fanatics. Recently, they've added a beloved Japanese exploitation series that I've been a huge fan of. So for today's review, I'll be talking about the grindhouse classic FEMALE PRISONER #701: SCORPION.

Original Japanese Poster (1972)

The film's official synopsis: When young Nami is framed and falsely imprisoned, she must find a way to escape and exact revenge upon the man who betrayed her. Meiko Kaji (LADY SNOWBLOOD) leads the 1st ferocious film in director Shun'ya Itô's stylish must-see FEMALE PRISONER SCORPION saga.

I've said it before and I'll say it again: The Japanese sure can make some awesome 70's exploitation classics! What makes it so much fun to watch is Meiko Kaji's stunning perfromance as Nami. She carries the film without hardly any dialogue. It's her mannerism, her body language, her facial expressions, and her ability take the audience with her on her journey. We sympathize with her; we want her to get revenge on those dirty bastards that put her in jail, the women that try to kill her, and those who want her to die. Kaji just radiates off the screen and grabs us by the throat and she doesn't let go until the very end of the film!

No only is Meiko Kaji a talented actress, but she is an amazing singer! Yup, she sing's the film's main theme song"Urami-Bushi", which became more well known when Quentin Tarantino used it for the soundtrack in his KILL BILL films. If that isn't cool, then I don't know what is? And yes, the song is available through iTunes, Spotify, and other musical platforms.

Credit for the movie's visuals and stylistic violence  goes to the outstanding Shun'ya Itô, Believe it or not, this was his feature film debut! He started out as a chief assistant director on the 1968 film ZOKE OTOSHIMAE before getting his big break directing this film. He also wrote "Urami-Bushi" for the film as well. While he did a great job making the film, he really matured by the time he directed his second film, which was the first sequel of the franchise FEMALE PRISONER SCORPION: JAILHOUSE 41, which I will discuss further in my review of that film.

Now, a warning for the faint at heart. There is A LOT of carnage, rape, violence, bloodshed, gore, and nudity in the movie! If you're familiar with the genre, then you have already come to expect this. But there might be some of you out there that have never seen the movie, let alone a Japanese exploitation from this particular era. They don't shy away from any of this, and the camera longingly captures all of the good, the bad, and the ugly. 

FEMALE PRISONER #701: SCORPION is a true, bona fide, 1970's Japanese exploitation cult classic that is regarded viewing for all horror hounds!! It's influence on western cinema is far reaching, and continues to attract fans and haters alike!! So make sure you watch this and see how what movies were like back then! 5 out of 5 stars!! Highly recommended!! 

FEMALE PRISONER #701: SCORPION is now streaming exclusively on Shudder. To view it, sign up on its website at www.shudder.com.

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the horror! 

Phil’s Horror Watch: NIGHT OF SOMETHING STRANGE (2016) from Hurricane Bridge Entertainment - May 3, 2018

Today's horror film has been garnering a lot of attention and acclaim. From Fangoria to Dread Central, its reputation has reached out all over the horror community. So far that, it was selected to be streamed on the horror streaming service Shudder back in February. Now that says something, however, I didn't see it on Shudder. Nope, I went and purchased a Blu-Ray copy for myself, and after watching it, I can honestly say that NIGHT OF SOMETHING STRANGE lives up to the hype!

The film's official synopsis: Five teenage friends set out for the beach on their Spring Break vacation. Good times are cut short when one of the group, Carrie, contracts a deadly sexual transmitted disease during a bathroom stop. When they stop for the night at an isolated motel, the real terror begins when the STD virus starts running rampant, turning those infected into the living dead. However, there's more going on at the motel than meets the eye.

If there was ever a film that promotes that abstinence as well as the dangers of necrophilia, it's this film!

Writer/director Jonathan Straiton, along with co-writers Ron Bonk and Mean Gene, crafted one of the most insane, gory, fast paced, batshit crazy, darkly sexual, horror film I have ever seen! His set-ups and framing captures every joke, every bloodshed, every grotesque killing and he makes it look like a work of art! He doesn't shy away form the violence, sex, and gore; rather, he embraces the nuances and the spirit of independent filmmaking while catering to hardcore horror fans. It's his vision, he's artistic vision, that he bares on the screen, and so far, horror fans are loving it! And this was Straiton's directorial debut!! What a way to make an entrance!! I cannot wait to see his next film!!

The film's cast was another aspect that made the film so much fun to watch. Highlights for me were Rebecca C. Kasek and Trey Harrison's performances as Christine and Dirk, respectively. Both have great on-screen chemistry and I was rooting for them throughout the movie, which was a good sign. We, the audience, want to invest in our protagonists, and we we find ourselves emotionally invested in them. Toni Ann Gambale's character Carrie is one evil looking zombie, thanks to our main zombie antagonist Cornelius, played by Wayne W. Johnson.

And I would be remiss if I didn't mention the awesome looking special effects. Kuddos to special effects artist Colby Flinchum and Nicola Fiore for an astounding job! The actresses and actors looked great, the blood was plentiful, and the gore was sick looking!

As I said earlier, I purchased a signed Blu-Ray copy for myself on their website, and it has some very cool special features, such as: an informative Behind the Scenes feature entitled Making Something Strange, a hilarious Gag Reel, Filmmaker's Audio Commentary, Cast Auditions, and trailers to other independent horror films like THE BARN, SHE KILLS, and others. Also, you can purchase other cool memorabilia like tee shirts, stickers, buttons, key chains, posters, and iPhone cases!

NIGHT OF SOMETHING STRANGE is one of my favorite independent horror films of 2018!! It's amazing to see so much great horror films coming out of the indie scene!! We are seeing a renaissance in the horror genre, and here is another example of a movie that fans will be watching and talking about for years to come! Just make sure you don't have sex with any corpses. 5 out of 5 stars!! Highly recommended!!

NIGHT OF SOMETHING STRANGE is available on both Blu-Ray and DVD on the film's official website at www.nightofsomethingstrange.com. The film is also streaming on Shudder. To view it, sign up on its website at www.shudder.com.

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the horror!

Phil sees LAKE NOWHERE from The Ravacon Collective/Ursidae Parade -September 1, 2017

I love horror films. You've probably heard me mention that on more than one occasion. Can you blame me? Having being raised on the Bay Are show Creature Features and the birth of VHS and video stores, there was a mountain of horror films that I had access to watch! Now in the 21st Century, we know have awesome streaming services that provides us the convenience to watch them anytime we want. Plus, it's another platform for young up and coming filmmakers to showcase their films. A perfect example of this indie spirit is the film I saw on Shudder entitled LAKE NOWHERE and it was totally awesome!

The film's official synopsis: From the vaults of the golden age of slasher films comes LAKE NOWHERE, a raucous, bloody romp which resurrects the thrill of gory midnight movies for an hour-long plunge into the depths of horror. Inspired by the dusty days of VHS, LAKE NOWHERE is preceded by original trailers & commercials, replicating the experience of watching a long lost bootleg tape. When a group of friends arrive at a desolate lakeside cabin, they are stalked and murdered by a Masked Maniac, whose lust for blood transcends our world. This age-old tale of senseless slaughter quickly spirals into the realm of supernatural horror and classic monster movies, as we learn the true power that lies within LAKE NOWHERE.

This was a very pleasant surprise! The film is a love letter to the days when VHS, video stores and cable stations ruled the world. Aesthetically pleasing, the film's appeal is that it looks as if it was recorded off of TV. We see a fake beer commercial (Wolf White Beer) and a cool fake trailer for an Italian giallo movie (HARVEST MAN). And as an added bonus to make it feel more authentic, we can see what was recorded over during the film! Yup, who didn't re-record and reuse the same VHS tape over and over again! This sick guy used to do that all the damn time!

The film itself is, "all thriller, no filler!" Clocking in at a lean, mean 51 minutes, directors Christopher Phelps and Maxim Van Scoy capture the look and feel of classic 80's slasher movies perfectly. Forgoing the standard character development and origin story, the movie contains the very basic ingredients: sex, blood and awesome kills! The visuals, combines with the radical synth soundtrack, the viewer is instantly transported back to the heydays of the slasher and VHS craze!

Since the release of GRINDHOUSE back in 2007, there has been a plethora of retro-styled movies that hearken back to the days when 42nd Street ruled New York. Once the VCR came into the mix, people began frequenting their local mom & pop video stores to rent these things called VHS tapes and watched them in the privacy of their home. The movie reminds me those good 'ole days of renting movies with my brother every weekend.

LAKE NOWHERE is a fun loving tribute to 1980's slasher movies, VHS tapes and late night cable channels!! This movie deserves to be seen by more people! So go support independent cinema and buy this movie so you can watch it over and over again! 5 out of 5 stars!! Highly recommended!!

LAKE NOWHERE is currently available on both Blu-Ray/DVD Combo and VOD. To purchase the movie as well as posters, visit the film's official website at www.welcometolakenowhere.com. The film is also streaming on Shudder. To view it, sign up on its website at www.shudder.com.

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show! 

Phil sees SADAKO VS. KAYAKO (2016) from Kadokawa/Shudder - April 23, 2017

In 1996, the late Wes Craven's film SCREAM had inadvertently ushered in a new wave of slasher horror films featuring, at the time, some of the most popular and young Hollywood actors and actresses like Jennifer Love Hewitt, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Neve Campbell, Freddie Prinze Jr., Skeet Ulrich, Ryan Phillippe, Bridgette Wilson and Rose McGowan just to name a few. At the same time, Japan was experiencing a horror revolution of its own. Influenced by the old horror and ghost story classics from Japanese folklore, a new wave of movies called Japanese Horror (dubbed J-Horror) were dominating theaters. RINGU was released in 1998 and become such a huge hit that in 1999 the movie was remade here in America called THE RING. In that same year JU-ON became another sensation in Japan and was given the American remake in the form of THE GRUDGE in 2002. Then in 2016, fans of both franchises finally got what they've been dying for. Last night I finally watched SADAKO VS. KAYAKO on Shudder, the online horror streaming service.

Original Japanese Poster (2016)

The film's official synopsis: After viewing a legendary cursed videotape, Natsumi discovers she has only two days before she will be killed by the demonic entity known as Sadako. The only way to break the curse: pitting the demon Sadako against Kayako, an accursed spirit possessing a haunted house where everyone who enters disappears. SADAKO VS. KAYAKO brings the characters from RINGU and JU-ON: THE GRUDGE back to the big screen in a wildly fun, tongue-in-cheek thrill ride that finally answers the question: whose curse is stronger?

Boy, was this movie a fucking blast to watch!!! Think J-Horror meets FREDDY VS. JASON and that's what we have here!! It's batshit crazy on a Level 10!! Where am I going with all this? I don't know but I love this movie!!

Kôji Shiraishi is the man responsible for directing this amazing movie. I first became aware oh him when I saw the 2007 film KUCHISAKE-ONNA, better known here in the states as CARVED: THE SLIT-MOUTHED WOMAN (which, by the way, is based on another old Japanese folklore). He's done some other fantastic fright flicks like GUROTESUKU (GROTESQUE), OKARUTO (OCCULT) and both TEKETEKE films. He keeps the film moving right along, giving fans elements from both franchises while providing new characters, new scenarios and new scares. His compositions and framing superb, pacing is great and does a fine job of combining random silliness and downright terror.

Yuri Kurahashi and Natsumi Ueno are our two main leads, portrayed by Mizuki Yamamoto and Aimi Satsukawa repectively. They have great on-screen chemistry together; the look and sound like they're best friends. Both bring emotional depth to their characters and are sympathetic to the audience. We really do feel for these two girls. At the same time, Suzuka Takagi (played by Tina Tamashiro) is being hunted by a curse of her own! When they team up with spirit medium Keizo (Masanobu Andô) and his blind psychic sidekick Tamao (Maiko Kikuchi), the shit hits the fan as they pit Sadako against Kayako in hopes that they will destroy one another.

Originally, the film first started out as an April Fools' joke when it was teased on April 1, 2015 but then became a reality when into production on December 10, 2015. It was promoted on social media like crazy and was released in Japan on June 18, 2016. It went on to play at several film festivals before it finally made its way here in the states where it premiered on Shudder on January 26, 2017.

SADAKO VS. KAYAKO is a balls-to-the-wall, J-Horror fans wet dream come true!! If you want to see something different and unique, then this movie is right up your alley!! Fans of both franchises will want to see this movie over and over again!! 5 out of 5 stars!! Highly recommended!! 

SADAKO VS. KAYAKO is now streaming exclusively on Shudder. To view it, sign up on its website at www.shudder.com.

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!