While in Japan on vacation I blind bought 5 horror movies (without English subtitles) for my DVD collection: "Egg" (2002), "Uniform Survi Girl" (2008), "Uniform Survi Girl 2" (2008), "Shock Labyrinth" (2009), and "Monoroi" (2010). Without question, "Egg" was the most entertaining of the lot.
"Egg" looked interesting by the DVD cover and it delivered nicely. One of the more entertaining horror/comedies I've seen in a while, even though I wasn't really expecting a horror/comedy. The director is Yukihiko Tsutsumi, the man who gave use the awesomeness of "2LDK" (2002) and a mix of other good and not-so-good titles. It looks like 2002 was his best year, cause he also made this very cool, little known flick called "Egg" about a woman who sees an odd egg-like object in her head (when she closes her eyes) that torments her psychologically and eventually causes physical harm. As can be expected, lots of weird stuff happens and these incidents mostly straddle the line between spooky and humorous. There are a number of giggle-worthy sequences and even a few laugh-out loud moments to be had. The night time "inner battle" will please horror fans with an appreciation for big rubber suits (you know who you are).
Most surprisingly, the visuals are excellent. Lots of great camera-work, lighting, and set designs to please the eye – which is all the more impressive if the budget was as low as I assume it to be. Another positive is the lead actress, who is not only beautiful but also gives a solid performance and hits her comedic timing nicely with subtle mannerisms and facial expressions. She really does carry the film from start to finish, and helps to make the slower moments more bearable.
One negative is that some of the visions are overly repetitive, but that shouldn't be a big problem for more patient viewers. Overall, this movie has a certain X-factor that makes it fun to watch. Maybe I'd call it "heart", but whatever it is it works. Unfortunately the only possible online purchase I could find is on YesAsia for $55. I wouldn't say it's worth that kind of investment, but if you can find it somewhere else for less it might be worth a look for fans of low budget and/or wacky Japanese horror.
"Egg" looked interesting by the DVD cover and it delivered nicely. One of the more entertaining horror/comedies I've seen in a while, even though I wasn't really expecting a horror/comedy. The director is Yukihiko Tsutsumi, the man who gave use the awesomeness of "2LDK" (2002) and a mix of other good and not-so-good titles. It looks like 2002 was his best year, cause he also made this very cool, little known flick called "Egg" about a woman who sees an odd egg-like object in her head (when she closes her eyes) that torments her psychologically and eventually causes physical harm. As can be expected, lots of weird stuff happens and these incidents mostly straddle the line between spooky and humorous. There are a number of giggle-worthy sequences and even a few laugh-out loud moments to be had. The night time "inner battle" will please horror fans with an appreciation for big rubber suits (you know who you are).
Most surprisingly, the visuals are excellent. Lots of great camera-work, lighting, and set designs to please the eye – which is all the more impressive if the budget was as low as I assume it to be. Another positive is the lead actress, who is not only beautiful but also gives a solid performance and hits her comedic timing nicely with subtle mannerisms and facial expressions. She really does carry the film from start to finish, and helps to make the slower moments more bearable.
One negative is that some of the visions are overly repetitive, but that shouldn't be a big problem for more patient viewers. Overall, this movie has a certain X-factor that makes it fun to watch. Maybe I'd call it "heart", but whatever it is it works. Unfortunately the only possible online purchase I could find is on YesAsia for $55. I wouldn't say it's worth that kind of investment, but if you can find it somewhere else for less it might be worth a look for fans of low budget and/or wacky Japanese horror.
