Movie.
Shutter (2004)
Directed by Banjong Pisanthanakun
Plot: A young photographer, Thun, and his girlfriend, Jane, discover mysterious shadows in their photographs after fleeing the scene of an accident. As they investigate the phenomenon, other photographs containing similar supernatural images emerge and they find out that Thun's best friends are being haunted as well. As the supernatural surrounds them ever more threateningly, Jane starts to suspect her boyfriend has not told her everything. Soon it'll become clear to them that you cannot escape your past.
Review: First let me warn you: Stay away from the American version. I know, I know, Joshua Jackson is so cute, but trust me, not even his baby face and vulnerable eyes can salvage this disaster. With that in mind, let's talk about the Thai version. I saw this movie on the theater with a friend. The whole place was in utter silence, terrified to even put popcorn in your mouth. By the mid-point of the movie I was holding my legs and I didn't dare lower my feet even when I started to cramp, lest the monster under my seat grab them. Shutter is a wild ride full of surprises and a final twist to leave you horrified of back pain. I had a really hard time shaking that last image out of my mind.
Book.
Sineater by Elizabeth Massie.
Published by Pan Books in 1992.
Blurb: Winner of England's Bram Stoker Award, Massie's first novel works better as a convincing and original story about the potential horrors of backwoods religious fervor than as a traditional supernatural thriller. Young Joel Barker lives with a special stigma: his father, Avery, is the "sineater," chosen by their Blue Ridge Mountain religious sect to live alone in the woods and bear the sins of the community's dead. Though Joel is universally ostracized, Burke Campbell, the nephew of the sect's leader, Missy Campbell, befriends him in defiance of his aunt, whose mumbo jumbo he despises. When death and mutilation falls upon anyone who has dealings with Joel's family, Missy blames the sineater and mounts a crusade against him and his kin. The two boys set out to stop the sineater and to end the religious madness that is sweeping the town, only to discover that they may be seeking the wrong enemy.Review: Sineater is an excellent novel deserving of the Bram Stoker Award recognition. Massie's storyline focuses on a tradition and is more realistic than supernatural. Religious fanatics like Missy Campbell really do exist in our world. Massie’s sharp eye for detail brings the characters alive. Sineater is not only a horror/mystery/coming of age novel that has a bit for everyone. The town must face the fact that their traditions are archaeic and unfounded. I travel quite a lot between Montreal and Southern Connecticut and we pass through many a small towns. The very detailed setting Massie protrayed made me avoid at all costs to drive at night on our last trip.
5 comments:
Since I love books more than movies, I'll say that Sineater sounds positively eerie. I love reading books where the author has such an eye for detail. Thanks for the visit over at my house today. *waving*
What a fun A-Z theme! I'll have to check out some of these movies. Great job!
Hollywood remakes are never as good as the original film. Shutter is great, as was the Japanese version of the Grudge and Ring.
J.C. Martin
A to Z Blogger
i saw shutter and thought it was pretty good--i am sure it was the american version--i will have to look for the original
Robyn, *waving back with a wide smile* I love books too. They're my solace and most precious treasure, after my kids. Thanks for paying back the visit!
Sarah, I'm glad you like my theme. I'm sure you'll find this movies quiet interesting. Thanks for stopping by!
J.C., you are right about the remakes; they just never seem to get the right feeling into them. Thanks for commenting!
Lynn, if you like the american version, I'm sure you'll love the Thai one. Thanks for coming back!
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