Mitsuo Togioka Movies
Japanese horror specialist Takashi Shimizu returns to the mythology that terrified audiences the world over with this terror-inducing sequel to the hit 2004 frightener. When a cursed Tokyo home is burned to the ground, the baneful spirit once confined within its walls is suddenly unleased to terrorize anyone and everyone who crosses its dark path. Original producers Sam Raimi, Rob Tapert, and Taka Ichise return to help Shimizu realize his hair-raising vision with this tale that finds Karen's (Sarah Michelle Gellar) sister, Aubrey (Amber Tamblyn), teaming with spellbound journalist Eason (Edison Chen) to investigate the spectral mystery. Meanwhile, the ghostly grip of Toshio (Oga Tanaka) and Kayako (Takako Fuji) tightens on a Chicago housewife (Jennifer Beals) halfway across the globe. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Amber Tamblyn, Arielle Kebbel, (more)
- 1998
Former assistant director to Takeshi Kitano, Hiroshi Shimizu spins this darkly comic work about a bus, a group of down and out salarimen, and a death wish. Just as the Asian financial crisis struck, a group of white-collar workers up to their eyebrows in debt plot to commit mass suicide so that their families can collect the insurance money. The plan is to go on a three-day bus trip around Okinawa. At the end of the trip, they careen off a cliff instead of piling into a plane bound for home. The ringleader is Niigaki (Dankan), who somberly shepherds the suicidal group through their final three days. Their plan is complicated when perky young lass Mitsuki (Nanako Okochi) -- who has no idea about the bus trip's grim final stop -- substitutes for her uncle. As she warms the hearts of the salarimen, they start of have second thoughts over snuffing it. But with the plan set in motion, can it be stopped? ~ Jonathan Crow, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dankan, Nanako Okouchi, (more)
