A remake of the Japanese horror hit JU-ON (widely considered to be one of the scariest movies ever made), THE GRUDGE is helmed by its original director Takeshi Shimizu. Like its predecessor, this Hollywood version of the film takes place in Tokyo, but most of the main characters are American, including Karen (Sarah Michelle Gellar of BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER), a young social worker, and her peers. When Karen enters a seemingly abandoned home to look after a mentally disturbed resident, she soon discovers that there's an evil--and very aggressive--presence in the house, and it's lashing out at every person that sets foot inside.
Having directed both the original JU-ON and its sequel in Japan, Shimizu was very familiar with his own tale of terror by the time he directed its 2004 incarnation. Using many of the key actors from the previous films (including Takako Fuji and Yuya Ozeki who have unforgettable roles), Shimizu recreates the story with the added advantage of a Hollywood budget (acquired with the help of producer Sam Raimi of SPIDER-MAN fame, who is also a noted horror-movie director). As with many Japanese horror films (particularly the original RING, which strongly influences this movie), THE GRUDGE relies on atmosphere over plot, resulting a series of utterly chilling moments that will leave viewers fascinated and unbelievely frightened.
DVD Features
Blu-ray Disc Features:
Region 0 Package Note: Region ABC Anamorphic Widescreen - 1.85 Audio: Dolby True HD 5.1 - English, French Subtitles - English SDH, French Additional Release Material: Deleted Scenes: 1. Deleted Scenes with optional commentary Bonus Footage: 1. JU-ON Short Film: In a Corner 2. JU-ON Short Film: 4444444444 Featurette: 1. Myth of the Ju-On 2. Under The Skin Featurette - A Medical Explanation of Fear Response In Film Audio Commentary: 1. Sam Raimi, Ted Raimi, Sarah Michelle Gellar & More 2. Takashi Shimizu, Director; Taka Ichise, Producer; Takako Fuji, Actor Interactive Features: BDLive Text/Photo Galleries: Production Art: 1. Sights and Sounds: The Storyboard Art of Takashi Shimizu 2. Production Designer's Notebook: The Sketches of Iwao Saito
Perhaps I need to watch the original version of this movie and not the remake. I mainly ended up watching this one because I'm a fan of Clea DuVall but I understand that it was Gellar's fanbase which... Read the whole review at MatchFlick
Posted on February 12, 2007
Reviewed by: Zach
The Grudge Movie Review Director: Takashi Shimizu Actors: Sarah Michelle Gellar, Jason Behr, and KaDee Strickland Rated PG-13: For Mature Thematic Material, Disturbing Images, Terror Violence and... Read the whole review at MatchFlick
Posted on May 15, 2006
Reviewed by: Joe
I went into this movie without any pre-conceived notions. The first five minutes of the movie, however, had me laughing in stitches, even though it wasn't anything really to laugh about, how it... Read the whole review at MatchFlick
Posted on September 8, 2009
Posted on February 12, 2007
