Well, at another board people were asking me to write some reviews of Asian films. I decided to tackle Kiyoshi Kurosawa's Kyua first. Woof...what a tough one to cut my teeth on. Anyways, I decided I might as well share it with you guys also. Please excuse the fact that overall I am a terrible writer. 
Kyua (Cure) - 1997
I am hesitant to classify this as a horror movie, but as more of a completely engrossing film that is very disturbing on a deep psychological level. Written and directed by Kiyoshi Kurosawa, a true master of his field, Cure dares you to delve deep within your own psyche...and makes you fear what you may find.
Basic Plot Summary: A wave of gruesome murders is happening across Tokyo. All of the victims have an "X" carved into their necks. The crimes have all been committed by different, seemingly sane people who cannot remember why they committed the crime. Detective Takabe and psychiatrist Sakuma must try to find a connection between the murderers.
Through Kurosawa's impressive direction, this film manages to blur the lines between sanity & madness and good & evil. Even scenes where you can predict what is going to happen next still manage to catch you off guard. Considering the subject matter, there is surprisingly little gore, but what gore is present is very well done and used out of necessity instead of for shock value.
The acting is superb...I can find no flaw with even the smallest of parts. The two leads are definitely set apart from the rest though. The protagonist, Detective Takabe, is brilliantly played by the always superior Koji Yakusho (one of my favorite Asian actors...he never disappoints) and the antagonist, Mamiya, portrayed by Masato Hagiwara. Without giving too much away, I have a deep respect for Hagiwara for excelling at what has to be one of the most difficult roles imaginable...an empty person...a man devoid of memory, emotion and personality. Hagiwara somehow manages to pull it off beautifully without appearing "wooden".
Another detail that sets this film apart is the general lack of a score. For the most part, Kurosawa uses ambient sounds in lieu of a score to set the tone and allows the tension of the scene dictate your emotions. When a score is used, it melds well in a very unobtrusive manner and is more of a blending of sounds than music.
Slow paced without being boring or bland, this film will hold your interest from beginning to end. You don't even realize the full extent of its affect on you until it's over. It leaves you with an unsettling feeling that lasts long after the credits roll. I found myself still analyzing the details and finding new angles even days after watching it.
In conclusion, Cure is a smart film that allows you to fill in the blanks and make your own interpretation. There are some loose ends, but they serve to make you think instead of feeling cheated. If you like everything wrapped up nicely with a pretty little bow at the end, you may want to look elsewhere. This is a film that demands repeated viewings...and you will be more than happy to oblige. You won't find any cheap scares, only a movie that will absorb you completely. After watching this film, ask yourself "Who are you?". Can you truly answer...and do you really want to know?
Overall rating: 4.5 out of 5
Kyua (Cure) - 1997
I am hesitant to classify this as a horror movie, but as more of a completely engrossing film that is very disturbing on a deep psychological level. Written and directed by Kiyoshi Kurosawa, a true master of his field, Cure dares you to delve deep within your own psyche...and makes you fear what you may find.
Basic Plot Summary: A wave of gruesome murders is happening across Tokyo. All of the victims have an "X" carved into their necks. The crimes have all been committed by different, seemingly sane people who cannot remember why they committed the crime. Detective Takabe and psychiatrist Sakuma must try to find a connection between the murderers.
Through Kurosawa's impressive direction, this film manages to blur the lines between sanity & madness and good & evil. Even scenes where you can predict what is going to happen next still manage to catch you off guard. Considering the subject matter, there is surprisingly little gore, but what gore is present is very well done and used out of necessity instead of for shock value.
The acting is superb...I can find no flaw with even the smallest of parts. The two leads are definitely set apart from the rest though. The protagonist, Detective Takabe, is brilliantly played by the always superior Koji Yakusho (one of my favorite Asian actors...he never disappoints) and the antagonist, Mamiya, portrayed by Masato Hagiwara. Without giving too much away, I have a deep respect for Hagiwara for excelling at what has to be one of the most difficult roles imaginable...an empty person...a man devoid of memory, emotion and personality. Hagiwara somehow manages to pull it off beautifully without appearing "wooden".
Another detail that sets this film apart is the general lack of a score. For the most part, Kurosawa uses ambient sounds in lieu of a score to set the tone and allows the tension of the scene dictate your emotions. When a score is used, it melds well in a very unobtrusive manner and is more of a blending of sounds than music.
Slow paced without being boring or bland, this film will hold your interest from beginning to end. You don't even realize the full extent of its affect on you until it's over. It leaves you with an unsettling feeling that lasts long after the credits roll. I found myself still analyzing the details and finding new angles even days after watching it.
In conclusion, Cure is a smart film that allows you to fill in the blanks and make your own interpretation. There are some loose ends, but they serve to make you think instead of feeling cheated. If you like everything wrapped up nicely with a pretty little bow at the end, you may want to look elsewhere. This is a film that demands repeated viewings...and you will be more than happy to oblige. You won't find any cheap scares, only a movie that will absorb you completely. After watching this film, ask yourself "Who are you?". Can you truly answer...and do you really want to know?
Overall rating: 4.5 out of 5
I say crappy because I have kind of a strange writing style. It's like I take random thoughts and somehow form them into paragraphs without there being a real "flow" to it. I don't know...either that or I'm just being very self-critical. I do tend to do that. 
My sincerest condolences. I'm wasn't trying to be a pest about it or anything. I just got the copy made and all ready to go and then I didn't hear from you again. That's completely understandable.
