...Huh?

[thessalian]

For the Sourcebook Central 2.0 standard dinner entertainment, I decided we should call hiatus on the X-files marathon we've begun and finally get around to watching some of the DVDs we got for Christmas. Okay, specifically some of the DVDs I got for Christmas. Even more specifically, The Suicide Manual. So I will tell you approximately what I thought of it in a spoiler-free manner, which is generally fairly easy with Japanese horror films anyway because it's generally impossible to describe exactly what happens in it anyway.

I think my reaction can be summed up in three letters: WTF?

First of all, everyone in that damn film was either incredibly stupid, stark raving insane or both. No one knows the first thing about how to deal with the suicidal; and I'm not talking stuff that you need a degree to understand, either - I'm talking "Why are you letting someone who has openly declared their intention to commit suicide stand on the edge of the roof of a very tall building?!?" basics. And seriously - I know people in horror movies have to be stupid to allow the villains to get their licks in, but ... we're talking single-figure IQ stupid here. On the whole, this tends to make characters a bit unsympathetic, and you tend not to care about them very much.

Which I suppose helps in creating what I call the Rice Ball Effect. Those on my friends list who have seen "When The Last Sword Is Drawn" will have some idea what I mean by this. Those who haven't ... let's just say that it can be summed up as follows: you're watching a character dithering about committing suicide, and your entire reaction boils down to "Fine, go ahead, but get on with it already!"

Now, I'll admit that the film is quite cleverly done. I can see why it was controversial. It certainly had its creepy moments, and bits of it were just plain disturbing. And yes, I do still want the sequel ... if only so I can possibly work out just what the fuck happened. Besides, from the sounds of the one review on Amazon, "Intermediate Level" might actually be better than the original. I hope one sympathetic character isn't too much to ask for...

Comments

[malkavelli.livejournal.com]

But do the right people die? Whenever I watch a bad movie I usually catch myself wishing certain, if not all, characters would just kill themselves. At least with this film there is a fair chance that might happen!