Starring Joshua Jackson, Rachael Taylor, James Kyson Lee, Megumi Okina
Directed by Masayuki Ochiai
Distributed by Fox Home Entertainment
Ever wonder what it’s like being a new grunge band in 2008? You’ve just hit the scene that was smoking hot over ten years ago, and though you’re talented, no one really wants to listen to you because there’s too much of a been there/done that stigma attached. I’m guessing that’s pretty much how the makers of J-horror ghost stories are feeling right about now. Even though they’re dressed to the nines, no one else really wants to go out to the old dance. Enter Shutter, an American Japanese-based horror film that no doubt would have been a lot hotter around ten years ago.
Benjamin (Jackson) and Jane (Taylor) are newlyweds who are off to the land of the rising sun to start a new life. Ben’s landed an incredible gig in Japan as a photographer, and things are looking nothing but up for the happy couple. That is, until Jane accidentally runs over a ghostly woman (Okina) on the way to their honeymoon cabin near Mount Fuji. Strangely enough, by the time the cops get to the scene, there’s no body to be recovered. Did Jane imagine this, and was vehicular manslaughter really the start of their troubles? Slowly but surely things begin unraveling for our duo and coming together for our mystery victim. Jane and Ben start seeing this woman everywhere, especially in photos. Good thing that they have a friend who works for a spirit photography magazine(!) to help them sort things out. Can the Mr. and Mrs. help put a soul so evil that she’ll ruin your wedding photos to rest before it’s too late?
Now for the big surprise. I expected this to be a bare bones release. Fox, however, had different plans. This DVD is packed to the gills with extras, and we’re not talking about just your standard behind-the-scenes stuff either. Get ready for the DVD package that gets my vote for the absolute hokiest release of the year! If you thought the movie was goofy, wait until you get a load of this bountiful bag of boffo. First there are your usual things like a commentary and several making-of featurettes (each of which clock in at about six to ten minutes each), but after that get ready to put on your waders and sift through the murky waters of the paranormal!
Shutter offers nothing new but manages to get at least a couple of things right. If you’ve been living under a rock for the last ten years and have never been exposed to J-horror, this may fit the bill to an extent, but everyone else will want to steer clear … unless you simply have to watch this for some of the extras, which I recommend for comedy’s sake!
Special Features
2 1/2 out of 5
Special Features:
3 1/2 out of 5
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