I've grown to fear knives. Ezra pointed out this scene from Luis Buñuel's Un Chien andalou (1928) of a knife piercing someone's eyes. So we start out with this reminiscent scene from that old movie. The protagonist receives this videotape sent my a fan of weird images. Naturally, she got curious and decided to check out the place (with her crew) because it makes a great story and its a horror movie after all.
This scene set the tone for the entire film. So for the most part, I knew it'd be a lot like Cabin in the Woods- full of movie references. But since this is 1988, there'd also be recent ones inspired by this Toshiharu Ikeda's classic. I set out to list things that I find amusing in the movie.
1. Everyone must go their separate ways. It is a horror movie after all so whenever there's a "Do not Enter" sign/abandoned/locked building, its always a good idea to just trespass. On a side note, the Japanese are always fashion forward. This was the 80s but I'd totally wear any of their outfit (minus the stockings). I love the skirt and sneakers combo.
2. Wear comfortable shoes, something that won't trip, and can be used for heavy duty running. Added points if you came in prepared with a flashlight and peppermint spray/tazer.
You cannot have it all. While you do get to abolish everyone, you still get stuck with hideous, ill-fitting wardrobe and slippers(?!!) for your suit.
Only Japanese serial killers have the time to put on moisturizers and take time to get bouncy hair with Clarins conditioner. Because even killers need hair that shine.
Don't forget the moisturizer. Must be the secret to flawless skin kahit puyatan sa pagpatay.
3. Get ready for your close-up. Take your cue from Argento's heroine, great hair and chic outfits. Before your untimely demise, make sure that your screen time is filled with your screeching scream and gorgeous ensembles. Let everyone know, I'm dying but at least I look stylish. Oh, fashion first. Why would you ever leave an expensive, designer blazer? Whether she's chased or getting killed, she makes sure she has that blazer in tow. The most painful expression on her face was when she had to rip away her tunic and skirt to escape.
1. At least she got laid before ending up dead.
Girl is rocking it even when she's dead. Totally love those shoes and the vest+long sleeves combo.
2. Another dude who got laid before dying. Epal lang naman talaga tong si kuya. He rapes someone and gets this after. Moral lesson: Dapat unahin muna ang pagtakas kaysa sa ...Seriously, you are trapped in this horror house for the longest time, the first thought that comes to your mind when a) may escape car b) hindi na nakalock ang pintuan ay ang mang-rape ng babae. Ibang klase ka rin kuya.
3. This chick gets the saddest death ever. After being tortured, raped, she gets strangled with this barb-wire. And to think she's the only one who wanted to go home, minalas lang siya sa boss niyang hayok sa story. Better luck next time, te.
Mako on the other hand, gets this. A hollow hand and an IT-inspired makeup. She also gets this very-Videodrome inspired scene. Before Saw was even conceptualized, this guy did it first. Aside from torturing the victims, he likes to videotape them and magparlor games habulan bago ang patayan.
Moral lesson: Keri na madeads, umeffort naman ung serial killer make-upan ka.
And never get Nami as a friend. After, escaping death she gets it by a friend tripping over a wire. What'd tell you about getting smarter friends next time. Maybe your life will depend on it.
So this is the elaborate trap that the killer had for Nami to figure out. The trigger was connected to the door. So when you actually open it, it will release arrows meant to kill this chick.
That's what divas do. They drink sodas and do retouches before even thinking of escaping.
But in the end there's no such thing as a happy ending. In a scene similar to Brood/Alien, Nami gives birth to this alien looking specie. And dies. The end.
