Revisiting Two of Takashi Shimizu's Japanese Horror Movies

Reincarnation

Reincarnation concerns a director making a film about a massacre that occurred over 30 years prior, where 11 people were murdered in a small hotel. The film seems to stir up the spirits of the original victims, who begin targeting their reincarnations in an apparent attempt to avenge their deaths.

I originally watched this film upon its release in the mid-2000's as part of the initial run of After Dark Horrorfest's 8 Films to Die For series. Upon my first viewing, I was less than impressed, finding the film un-engaging and a little confusing. I recently decided to give it another go and am happy to say, I really enjoyed it this time. Most of the parts I found confusing were cleared up upon a second viewing, and I discovered that Reincarnation is actually a stylish, suspenseful film, with some particularly compelling creepy doll imagery. Recommended for fans of J-horror.

Ju-On: The Grudge 2

The first time I saw this, I actually enjoyed it better than the first Ju-On: The Grudge. However, I think part of my dislike of the first one might have more to do with me watching it directly after having seen the American remake, rather than any failings on its part. The first Ju-On: The Grudge and the American remake are almost identical, so seeing the original after the remake just seemed repetitive.

On rewatching Ju-On: The Grudge 2, I have to admit that I was initially a little bored. The scares aren't as effective the second time around; if you've seen Toshio and Kayako in action before, you've seen them here. And honestly any original frights really depend on how menacing you find long hair.

Things do pick up in the second half though, and the film climaxes with a nightmarish birth scene before wrapping up on an appropriately bleak note.