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Audition; ****/*****
Sort of a japanese horror classic. I was very into the story from the beginning, of course... I knew what was going to happen already. I could really see the main premise of this show being turned into an American romantic comedy. I could just see it, with over-the-top The Producers-like performances. Odd, isn't it? Considering most of this films subject matter. What I'm glad about in this film is it's ability to shock you, even if you know what's going to happen (it's best you don't read up on this before watching it). I usually watch horror films with my mother - or show her certain scenes, and wait for her reaction. She usually clasps her hands over her mouth, looks disgusted turns away, or cringes. Sometimes all in one sitting. I found myself doing exactly this. The noises alone make you shrink back and crinkle your nose. What I didn't like was some of the camera direction. A few scenes, a lengthy one in particular, use a shaky-camera affect. Whether it was on purpose, or due to the lack of a proper camera, it made me feel a bit queasy. The effect was held for too long, and mixed with the quick angle changes, made for a rather unpleasent viewing experience. I also have another gripe, just one. The man at the end is drugged so he cannot move, yet when inserting the needles into his body he is shaking. His head moves rapidly and his shoulders move as well. Then it's as if he realized this, and stopped doing it altogether. I thought that was quite wierd, but it may also be simply the medication had not kicked in fully yet.
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