What if some mastermind of horror movie work together to create a new horror story? Ken Oishi, The author of Japan horror blockbuster “The Grudge” and Ataru Oikawa, the director of manga based horror “Tomie” with the cinematographer who also worked on “The Grudge”, Tokusho Kikumura. From their handwork it’s came the new J-Horror movie “Apartment 1303”, from the title we can guess that the story will set most on an apartment room, like what we have seen on previous Korean horror “A.P.T”. So, is there anything new from this apartment 1303 set horror? Just check out the synopsis below, before Tartan Asia Extreme release the region 1 DVD to frighten home cinema market on October 23rd.
Apartment 1303 is white, bright and airy with a sheer white curtain blowing from the wind off the balcony, and is on the 13th Floor of a large building. The view onto the sea is magnificent, but the history of the Apartment is awful. Numerous young women have committed suicide by jumping off the balcony and it is now about to happen again!
When Yuka, a young woman, moves into this stunning apartment, she can’t believe her good fortune, however as she unpacks the moving boxes she feels as if someone is there in the room. Yuka shrugging off her fear knowing her boyfriend will soon be there. As her boyfriend come up to the building he surpasses a mother and young daughter who live next door. The little girl grabs his arm pulling him and pointing up to the top floor of the building. There he can see Yuka screaming as she comes over the edge of the balcony and falls.
A few weeks later, Sayaka Midorikawa moves into Apartment 1303. Her older sister, Mariko, who has chosen to continue living at home with their mother, is proud of her sister renting an apartment of her own. Sayaka’s boyfriend, Ryota, and other friends come over to help unpack and celebrate with Sayaka. During the party, Sayaka enters the bedroom and a mysterious force draws her to the closet. When she returns to the living room, Sayaka behaves strangely with a blank stare. Suddenly, she puts on a scooter helmet, and with deliberate intention runs for the balcony and over the edge. Her friends are stunned and horrified.
Mariko can’t believe her sister committed suicide, knowing she was very happy and had many plans for her future. Moments later Mariko sees her sister’s ghost and thinks Sayaka is asking for her help in uncovering what happened Mariko goes back to Apartment 1303 to pack her sister’s belongings and soon convinces herself something terrible “lives” in the Apartment. Mariko begins to investigate and learns the history of Apartment 1303 in order to stop the curses before her or someone else becomes another victim of the terrible grudge.
Actually there’s nothing new on this tale of horror. In fact, it seems like this horror masterminds have ran out of their ideas to give something fresh to the J-Horror nowadays. The plot is only a repeating of what have been told before in a lot of horror movies ever made, a haunted unit where someone once lived, after being died very terribly, they haunted and spread their grudge to anyone who in touch with their remain facilities. The only fresh thing on this movie is the appearance of Japan actress Eriko Hatsune who played Mariko character. But this movie is still recommended if you are planning a fright night with friends over pop corns in weekend, while waiting for any Asian horror movie that will come with more fresh idea and new terrifying formula.
Product Details:
* Actors: Noriko Nakagoshi, Eriko Hatsune, Yuka Itaya, Naoko Otani, Arata Furuta
* Directors: Ataru Oikawa
* Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD-Video, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
* Language: Japanese
* Subtitle: English, Japanese, Chinese
* Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
* Number of discs: 1
* Rating: NR
* Distributor/Studio: Tartan Video
* DVD Release Date: October 23, 2007 ( Order your copy now ! )
* Run Time: 94 minutes
Source: Amazon.com & www.apartment1303.com(official movie site)
Year 1896, Vietnam during the French colonial era, in the small village called Da Lat, portrait of a lady was discovered. The residents were both fascinated and disturbed by the enormously beautiful woman on the portrait, and rumor of a curse began when calamity befell those attached to the mysterious picture. Over a century later, a famous Korean novelist needs fresh idea for her new book. Her Korean friend who is living in Vietnam sparks her attention when she tells her of this century old Vietnamese legend dealing with a portrait of a woman named “MUOI”. But little do both friends know that the simple legend mystery will turn into a living nightmare as they try to uncover the truth behind the woman in the portrait. The consequence of their fascination is the curse which now attached on them.
“Muoi: The Legend of A Portrait” perhaps the most ambitious Korean horror movie from this summer. It was the first feature film co-production by South Korea and Vietnam, based from well known Vietnam urban legend “Ghost of Lady Muoi”. Kim Tae Kyeong who has scared the Korean movie scene with his horror work, The Ghost starring Kim Ha Neul in 2004, backs to helm this new terror to the silver screen. Partially shot in Vietnam, the film is wonderfully captured the luscious Vietnamese background on the sets and the actresses are ravishing in luxurious silk "Ao Dai" or traditional Vietnamese dresses, crafted a horrifying, yet captivating ambiance. Muoi starred by well known Vietnamese actress Anh Thu with Korean stars Jo An and Cha Ye-ryeon. Jo An began her film career with Sorum and Wishing Stairs, she returns to her roots by taking the role on this new horror movie.
For more information and preview of the movie go to Movie Café previews on Muoi Portrait the first Korean-Vietnam horror.
The home cinema version for this movie that was released in Korea and Vietnam on last July is expected to haunting on September 22, 2007 in Region 3 DVD format. The DVD with label “Muoi: The Legend of A Portrait” Special Edition will comes with the following special features:
* Audio Commentary
* Making Of
* Interview
* Legend of Muoi Documentary
* CG Featurette
* Press Screening and Premiere Gala
* Poster Shoot
* Music Video
* Photo Gallery
* Theatrical Trailer
Product Details:
* Product Title: Muoi: Legend Of A Portrait (DVD) (Special Edition) (Korea Version)
* Actors: Jo An, Cha Ye-ryeon, Anh Thu, Hong Anh.
* Directors: Kim Tae Kyeong
* Format: Widescreen 2.35:1 (Anamorphic), Color, NTSC
* Language: Korean
* Subtitle: English, Korean
* Audio Specs: Digital Surround 5.1, Dolby Digital 2.0
* Region: Region 3 South East Asia (including Hong Kong, S. Korea and Taiwan)
* Number of discs: 1
* Country Made: South Korea
* Genre: Horror
* Distributor: Tae Won Entertainment (Korea)
* Run Time: 93 + 117 minutes
* Release Date: September 22, 2007 (order your copy now!)
Source: YesAsia, HanCinema (Photo)
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Opening at the end of June in the number one spot when its releases all over Korean cinema, “Black House” being one of the least Korean movies that succeed to topping the Box office Charts among the attacks of Hollywood movies this year. The last Korean films to top the box office was Kim Han-min's thriller comedy "Paradise Murdered", back in April and "Voice of A Murderer" in February.
“Black House” is a horrific psychological thriller directed by the director of low budget 2005 sci-fi “Brainwave”, Shin Tae Ra. The story based on popular Japanese writer Kishi Yusuke’s novel, which ever being filmed too in Japan on 1999 by Yoshimitsu Morita with titled “Kuroi Ie”. But Morita formula that mixed the thriller with black comedy goes unsuccessful, so, the producer Kadokawa Pictures decided to hand the good source material over to CJ Entertainment for this Korean take. The home cinema version for this scary, thrilling psychopath movie is expected to release on September 22, 2007. The copy can order now on YesAsia.
The story begin When insurance investigator Jeon Jun Oh (Hwang Jeong Min) arrives at the scene of his latest case, a bleak, run-down house in the middle of nowhere, he is greeted with the sight of a little boy hanging from the ceiling. The child's father, Park Chung Bae (Kang Shin Il), is jumpy, shifty, and eager for insurance compensation, while frail, grieving mother Shin Yi Hwa (Yu Seon) bears signs of physical abuse on her body. The police close the case as suicide, but Jeon suspects Park of foul play and fears that his wife may be the next target. Projecting his own troubled past into the case, Jeon wants to help Shin escape from danger, but soon discovers the shocking repercussions of digging too deep. For another synopsis and reviews of the movie is available on Movie Café.
Despite to some small weakness on the storyline such as for whom haven’t read the novel that might be baffled with some sequences that are in turn confusingly presented, inefficiently clarified or a little of simply illogical scenes, “Black House” still works as an effective psychological horror movie. The big twist of the story comes about an hour into the film, which loads on the suspense in one set piece after another. With good characters driven by the leading actors Hwang Jeong Min and Kang Shin Il, which really helpful on increased the thrilling tension from the beginning of the movie until the horrifying chaotic climax. Frankly, those absolutely terrifying finale and the acting of the actors that made us forgetting about some weak points from this movie before, and made us enjoy the thrilling ride which the film offers with 100% fun.
Product Details:
* Product Title: Black House (DVD) (Special Edition) (Korea Version)
* Actors: Hwang Jeong-min, Yu Seon, Gang Shin-il, Kim Seo-hyeong.
* Directors: Shin Tae-ra
* Format: Widescreen 1.85:1 (Anamorphic), Color, NTSC
* Language: Korean
* Subtitle: English, Korean
* Audio Specs: Dolby Digital Surround 5.1, Dolby Digital 2.0
* Region: Region 3 South East Asia (including Hong Kong, S. Korea and Taiwan)
* Number of discs: 1
* Country Made: South Korea
* Distributor: CJ Entertainment
* Run Time: 103 minutes
* Release Date: September 22, 2007 (order your copy now!)
This edition comes with the following special features:
* Audio Commentary with Director, Hwang Jung Min, Yu Seon, and Kang Shin Il
* Making Of
* Secret of the Black House: Set Design and Art Direction
* Interview with Hwang Jung Min, Yu Seon, and Kang Shin Il
* Deleted Scenes with Director Commentary
* Poster Shoot
* Theatrical Trailer
Source: YesAsia, Hancinema, Koreanfilm.org
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“Alone” is already became an Asian horror blockbuster hits this year. This Thailand release movie is the recent project of two guys behind the success of another horror blockbuster “Shutter”, Banjong Pisanthanakun and Parkpoom Wongpoom. So, it’s not too astonishing if “Alone” is being very much anticipated, long before its slate to releases on the market, due on the high hopes of the movie viewers to another high quality Asian horror like what Pisanthanakun and Wongpoom have offers in their first hits “Shutter”. After satisfied lot of viewers and delivered a solid Box Office earning during its releases in Thailand and other Asian countries on March, now is time for “Alone” to scare you up on your home cinema collection, the Korean DVD version with English subtitles will releases September 22nd.
Helming previously in “Shutter”, Pisanthanakun and Wongpoom know a good story when they see it and they are masters at manipulating tension, even if you know what’s coming but still make you jump when they deliver it. After made a story around haunted photograph, in this second film they has some thing to do with myths about Siamese twins that will scarified you with a thought of what’s most horrifying than a Siamese ghost twin which always coming to get you, with no place to run or hide that the ghost is attached on you.The conjoined Siamese twins are Pim and Ploy that was being separated by Thailand doctors, after 20 hour of operation Pim has survived but Ploy died. Pim buries her past and starts a new life with her husband Wee in Korea, all seem well before Pim had informed that her mother has fallen very ill due to a yet un-diagnosable disease, which takes Pim and her husband back to Thailand. From the moment she arrives in her hometown, Pim finds herself constantly haunted by these lingering feelings of being attached to another person by organ that bonds two lives in such a way that she could never be free. It’s her dead sister that begins to angrily intrude upon her life to not allow her to forget what does not want to be forgotten…. (Synopsis sources in Movie-Café) 
With plenty of expertly-crafted scary sequences and a slow-burning storyline that gradually draws the audience into its web of intrigue before knocking them sideways with a wholly unexpected plot twist towards the end of the movie, Alone has the potential to become a second Thailand movie that will remaking by Hollywood after the predecessor “Shutter”, which now being remade by 20th Century Fox and will smash U.S and global audiences in 2008.
The intriguing story is nicely backed up by the wholly impressive lead performance from Marsha Wathanapanitch, one of Thailand favorite actress that the directors were luckily have on board at the time she decided to make her cinema comeback after fifteen years concentrated on her pop music career. At 36, Marsha is considerably twice the age of actresses one usually sees in Thai horror movies, but her maturity suggests a greater depth to the pictures. On one creepy sequence, Marsha as Pim takes a walk on the beach. Where there should be one set of footprints in the sand, Pim turns around and finds two, and is horrified. The look on her face is priceless. Also find this another scary sequence when the ghost of Ploy hanging on the ceiling fan scarifying Pim that laid on the bed. And it keeps getting scarier and scarier, as the thrills, surprises and action keep building up.
Even on some plot I found less unreasonable, including the twist ending and the storyline isn’t that original. But, “Alone” is still one of the best Asian horror movies that come highly recommended for its very decent horror. By the way –who’s that standing beside you?
Alone (DVD) (Korea Version) DVD Region Code 3
Product Details:
* Actors: Masha Wattanapanich, Vittaya Wasukraipaisan, Banjong Pisanthanakun, Ratchanoo Bunchootwong
* Directors: Banjong Pisanthanakun and Parkpoom Wongpoom
* Format: Anamorphic, Color, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
* Language: Thai (Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround), Thai (Dolby Digital 2.0 - Stereo)
* Subtitles: English, Thai, Korean
* Region: Region Code 3 - South East Asia (including Hong Kong, S. Korea and Taiwan)
* Number of discs: 1
* Studio: GTH Pictures
* Publisher: S.M. Pictures
* DVD Release Date: September 22, 2007 (order your copy now!)
* Run Time: 1 hr 35 mins
EXTRA FEATURES
* Interview
* Audio Commentary
* Video Commentary
* Behind The Scenes
* Deleted Scenes
* Storyboard Comparison
* Music Video
* Music Score
* TV Spots
* Stills Gallery
* Poster
* Trailers
Source: YesAsia
Official Website: www.faddthemovie.com
P.S: Like “Shutter” or new release Thailand horror “The Victim”, maybe “Alone” will also soon be release by Tartan Asian Extreme in Region 1 DVD.
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What if some mastermind of horror movie work together to create a new horror story? Ken Oishi, The author of Japan horror blockbuster “The Grudge” and Ataru Oikawa, the director of manga based horror “Tomie” with the cinematographer who also worked on “The Grudge”, Tokusho Kikumura. From their handwork it’s came the new J-Horror movie “Apartment 1303”, from the title we can guess that the story will set most on an apartment room, like what we have seen on previous Korean horror “A.P.T”. So, is there anything new from this apartment 1303 set horror? Just check out the synopsis below, before Tartan Asia Extreme release the region 1 DVD to frighten home cinema market on October 23rd.
When Yuka, a young woman, moves into this stunning apartment, she can’t believe her good fortune, however as she unpacks the moving boxes she feels as if someone is there in the room. Yuka shrugging off her fear knowing her boyfriend will soon be there. As her boyfriend come up to the building he surpasses a mother and young daughter who live next door. The little girl grabs his arm pulling him and pointing up to the top floor of the building. There he can see Yuka screaming as she comes over the edge of the balcony and falls.
Actually there’s nothing new on this tale of horror. In fact, it seems like this horror masterminds have ran out of their ideas to give something fresh to the J-Horror nowadays. The plot is only a repeating of what have been told before in a lot of horror movies ever made, a haunted unit where someone once lived, after being died very terribly, they haunted and spread their grudge to anyone who in touch with their remain facilities. The only fresh thing on this movie is the appearance of Japan actress Eriko Hatsune who played Mariko character. But this movie is still recommended if you are planning a fright night with friends over pop corns in weekend, while waiting for any Asian horror movie that will come with more fresh idea and new terrifying formula.
