Asian Horror Film Review 1 - A Tale of Two Sisters

Alright, so just to keep all my options open in this blog, I'll also be doing some reviews on Asian Horror Films.  I have grown increasingly obsessed over AHFs over the years, and I'd like to discuss some of my favorite ones.  The first one will be the very movie that got me turned onto AHFs, a Korean film called A Tale of Two Sisters.

Plot
Two sisters who, after spending time in a mental institution, return to the home of their father and cruel stepmother. Once there, in addition to dealing with their stepmother's obsessive and unbalanced ways, an interfering ghost also affects their recovery.

Characters

Sumi
Sumi is the older sister who seems to be angered by her mother's death.  She is very protective of her younger sister, Suyeon, and comforts her and sticks up for her.  She shows a lot of hostility towards her father's new wife, probably because she has replaced her dead mother.

 


 Suyeon
Suyeon is the younger sister of Sumi.  She is very quite and only speaks to Sumi and usually follows in her sister's steps.  Right away, her sadness tells you that she is the most effected by her mother's death.  While Sumi is hostile towards the step mother, she is very timid around her, mostly because she is afraid of what she might do to her.  Throughout the movie, you will also begin to notice that Suyeon has a dark secret.  Without spoiling anything, moving on...

The Stepmother
Obviously, the viewer is meant to hate the stepmother, almost like a Cinderella deal.  While she is very proper and seems to be a good housewife, she is rude and particular around Sumi and Suyeon.  After a while, she becomes a bit intimated by Sumi and resorts to only picking on Suyeon harshly.  She seems to also be haunted by something in the house, which she assumes to be associated with the sisters.

Review
Ok, so at first glance, this movie seems like it would be empowering and full of drama and maybe sad.  This only lasts for about a moment when you realize that the sisters and the stepmother are very bothered by something supernatural in the house.  Though it seems to only be a dream for a while, they ignore it for a while.  As it increasingly gets worse, the true nature of the characters come to life.

I have to admit, this movie started off a bit slow for me.  It still keeps my interest, but you don't quite think it's a horror film until about 30-40 minutes into the movie.  As most Asian Horror Films do, there are a lot of creepy scenes that had me shaken a bit, but there's a good balance and it's not all just jump-out-of-the-closet-cheap-scares that American movies create. 

This is a plot twist, or two, I should say.  And without spoiling anything, I would say the closest clue I can give is the cover (the first photo shown).  The stepmother grasping Sumi's shoulders, the father who isn't touching anybody, the younger sister Suyeon slumped over to the side.  It may not be a big clue to you yet, but once you watch the movie, the cover will suddenly make sense to you, trust me.  That cover is a piece of art to capture the horrors of the movie so accurately without even noticing it.

Overall, this movie would receive a 8/10 stars.  It's slow and misleading at first, but the plot twist and scary scenes make up for it.  There is no gore, but the movie is a bit disturbing in other ways.  If you are looking for a good example of why Asian Horror Films are different and better in nature than American horror films, then this movie is perfect for you.  Enjoy!

The American Remake
As all perfectly simple Asian Horror Film, America has to rip the storyline and create it into something corny and weak that doesn't add up to it's Asian counterpart.  The movie is called "The Uninvited."

Now if you're reading this and you've already seen this movie, that's a real shame, because the plot twist was completely ripped from "A Tale of Two Sisters".  While I must admit, this was a horrible remake of the Asian version, the film "The Uninvited" by itself was ok.  The plot was a bit cliche, but it made up for it with convincing acting and pretty awesome plot twist.  There are a lot of differences in the remake.  For one, the stepmother isn't as cruel than the Asian version, but more so psychotic than anything.  The motives behind the stepmother are entirely different as well. 

The only thing I liked about "The Uninvited" that I liked better than "A Tale of Two Sisters" was the ending.  While they shared the same plot twist at the end, I really like the connection that one of the sisters had to it.  That may sound a little confusing to you, but I don't want to spoil anything, so I'm trying not to reveal much.  The twist ending in "A Tale of Two Sisters" comes as a surprise to not only the audience, but the sister Sumi as well.  Ugh, I'm sure I just confused the shit out of you, sorry, but I really don't want to spoil the plot.

Overall, I would prefer "A Tale of Two Sisters" over "The Uninvited".  But watched them one after the other is interested to see the differences because they were both pretty well done in their own unique way.  If you haven't seen any of them, I would watch the original first and then move onto the remake.  Have fun watching and enjoy!!!

Otaku-Rants

I guess I'm going to rant about the frustrations I've been experiencing lately.  Perhaps it's just PMS, whatever it may be, it's bugging me a lot.  As I'm growing older, I'm growing more and more comfortable with myself as an "otaku".  I talk about it more openly, I write and draw things about it more frequently, and I also have been trying to watch it at least once a day, if I can fit it in my full time schedule.  It's making me happier.  I've been feeling a lot less stress and I'm beginning to suddenly figure out who I really am.

This is where the problem comes in.  I guess because when I was younger, I wasn't too open about being otaku because I wasn't sure if there was anyone quite like me in school or wherever I was.  Now that I'm sure there are plenty like myself, as I've said, I'm becoming more open.  Just recently, a friend of mine had pointed out to me that she "would have never guessed I was one of them."  At first, I took this as a compliment and laughed about it.  I thought it was funny.  It wasn't until a few days afterwards when she started referring to me as "the geek".  Mind you, she never called me this before.  It started to bother me.  Why am I suddenly someone different to her?  Because she never would have guessed that I was, in fact, someone who enjoys Japanese cartoons and video games?  I've noticed it's been happening more and more, but I never took it as a bad thing until now.  All of my friend who don't quite have the same interests as me are beginning to not want to associate too much with me.  "Because I'm different now."

I am the same person.  I can still hold a conversation, I can still go to the movies and watch horror, I still know how to have a good time just as much as the next non-otaku folk.  Yet why, because you found out that I like someone that's only associated with "nerds" or "geeks" am I suddenly different?

I don't want this to turn into a crazy venting blog post, so I'll just end it here.  I wanted it to just be a rant.  It's my thoughts on the matter.  Anyway, thanks for reading my rants. 

MangaNEXT!

So MangaNEXT has released it's date!  It's February 24-26.  Time for an epic countdown!



Make your own Countdown Clocks

The Different Types of Otaku

This is something I kinda made up, but I'm not the first to come up with something like this.  I have thought a bit about this and I think I have come up with a pretty good and solid map to the otaku attitudes starting from the Barely-Otaku Mellow Admirers to the die-hard unhealthily obsessed weaboos.  I'm sure one of these descriptions will fit you or someone you know.  Enjoy.

Level 1 - The Come-Acrosser
This can hardly be considered an otaku, but it exists nonetheless.  The Come-Acrosser are people who suddenly found one episode of one anime on televsion, usually Cartoon Network or Adult Swim.  They take interest in this show because of the story line or a specific fight scene or character and begin to watch it, but really can't watch any other anime.  Usually the anime they "come across" is Naruto, Dragon Ball Z, Pokemon, or Inu Yasha.  Eventually, the Come-Acrosser gets tired of sticking around for so many episodes and they realize the show will keep going on and on and on and they finally get bored of it and stop watching it.

Level 2 - The Mellow Admirer
This is usually the stage every otaku goes through but only sticks with it for a few months before moving onto the next level.  Some people never leave this stage.  The Mellow Admirer likes anime and watches whatever they can find on television, Comcast OnDemand, or YouTube.  They enjoy dubs and can't stand it when they find a subbed anime.  Mellow Admirer's usually like the anime that every otaku has known, but to them, it's as if they just discovered it and it's the most awesome thing in the world!  Their behavior is actually seems silly to the much older and more experienced otaku.  Mellow Admirer's also can't stand higher levels of otakuness because they feel that "they like anime, but they don't believe they can ever act like THAT".  Mellow Admirers should never be invited to a convention.  They usually won't appreciate going to one.  Usually it is the Mellow Admirer who discovers hentai.  Lucky them!

Level 3 - The Fanboy
This is usually when an otaku can start being called a "Weaboo".  The Fanboy expresses interests in going to conventions and might go to one or two and enjoy the panels, usually cosplaying as a Death Note character.  They also start liking subs but still prefer dubs over subs.  About 30% of their money goes to anime-related things like posters and plushies.  They also might start buying manga from their favorite anime.  They also are starting to get into better anime, but the kind that you don't usually know about from just watching television.  You may find Fanboys searching anime websites and forums for some great anime.  Their speech may also be speckled with words like "Kawaii" and "Baka" as well as a lot of things they talk about have to do with anime or the manga they read.

Level 4 - The Actual Weaboo
This is when an otaku because extremely annoying to non-otaku folk and some people may even not enjoy their company at all.  The Actual Weaboos now watch anime that have no dubs at all and actually they become increasingly annoyed with dubbed anime and claim that there "isn't enough emotion" in Ameircan anime.  The well-known anime like Naruto and Pokemon become their least favorites and reffers to those types of anime only as "my starter animes".  Conventions are a yearly thing for them and they usually spend months trying to save up money for them just so they can splurge in the mountains of merchandise.  Usually 40% of their money goes to anime related things.  They also start buying cosplay costumes on the internet or in stores and sport them at conventions.  Usually, they dress as Kingdom Hearts, Final Fantasy, or some well-known anime character.  Their speech has also gone from only a few Japanese words to entire phrases they ripped from an anime, and also pronounced and said just like the character who delivered the line.

Level 5 - The Otaku
 This is the level every Actual Weaboo reaches.  Their room is covered with plushies, posters, and Japanese toys.  The anime The Otakus watch are usually anime that no one knows about, except those who have already reached this level too.  Otakus not only attend conventions multiple times a year, but they usually run panels at the conventions or volunteer with a show at one.  About 60% of their earnings go to anime merchandise.  Otaku usually never buy manga unless it's on sale or brand new and usually reads anime on the internet.  If they didn't do this, almost all their money would go to manga, with the amount that they read.  Usually Otakus become interested in visual novels and other Japanese video games.  Though Actual Weaboos and Otakus can be very similar, the major difference between the two is that Otaku have a deeper appreciation for Japan as a whole, not just the anime and manga.  They may try to go to more Japanese restaurants or cook Japanese dishes.  Japanese culture absolutely fascinates them and they yearn to go to Japan one day.  Some even try to save up or enter contests to win trips.  Otakus are usually looked up to from other levels as the big sister.  If someone from a lower level wants to ask about a certain anime, usually the Otaku will know something about it.  Otaku isn't something to be ashamed of and usually takes years to get to.

The Unspoke Pleasures (and Horrors) of the Otaku Lifestyle - by Your's Truly

1.  Inu Yasha is anime puberty.

2.  Up-skirts past the time.

3.  Fangirls (and some boys) falls for every bishonen that crosses the screen.

4.  Fan art makes people's dreams come true.

5.  Hare Hare Yukai is the Japanese Macarena.

6.  Roleplaying is a lifestyle.

7.  Fuck Caramelldansen.

The Frustrastions of "Otaku"

Ok, I figured that it would be fun to right something that would be informative to otaku as well as those who aren't.  I haven't written anything epic in a while so I guess this may be a good start.

So let's start with what an otaku is.  Though in Japan, it may be considered a tad different, but from anywhere else, it means that it is a person who is widely infatuated or obsessed with anime, manga, or the Japanese culture in general.  This can go from one extreme to the next, which I will talk about in the article later.  In actual fact, most people don't realize that otaku can be normal just like non-otaku folk.  I said "can" in that sentence because there are a few exceptions to that.  Of course, most people only know about the "Weirdos" or "weaboos", which only make up maybe < 10% of the population of the otaku.  That's over 90% of "normal" than most people thought.  To prove my point, I'm going to point out the 3 major stereotypes of otaku and shoot them down one by one.

Stereotype 1 - Otakus can function in society.
Most people think that otaku can't be sociable or go outside because they are so used to being stuck up in their basements watching anime or hentai or reading manga.  I can't tell you how much far from the truth this really is.  While there are some exceptions to every stereotype mentioned, most otaku are very friendly and enjoy time going out with friends.  Of course, most of these "friends" will probably get together and watch anime or talk about anime, it basically kills the whole stereotype without even meaning to.  In my opinion, some of the most friendliest people I've ever met were otaku.  And that isn't because we "got along" or had "something in common".  Half of the time, I didn't know they were otaku until much later on in the friendship.  People that have gone to anime conventions would agree that otaku are very fun and easy to befriend and be socialble with.  At conventions especially, you are quicker to make friends there than anywhere else.  Thinking about going to any other public event.  Could you ever imagine just walking up to someone and suddenly talking the night away or slipping onto your DS and play each other in Tetris while you wait for the line to get smaller?  No, chances are it wouldn't happen often anywhere else.

Stereotype 2 - Otakus don't shower.
This one is a big one.  It's actually gotten so big, that most conventions actually post "please shower" as one of their rules of conduct.  Of course, I can't argue that there are some terribly smelly people I've met at conventions, the fact that most of us do in fact shower proves that this statement is naught but a stereotype.  I see it as otaku is a like a clique.  Other cliques include jocks, preps, and gothics.  There are definitely smelly jocks, definitely smelly preps, and gothics are smelly too.  Thought are some, but not all.  And just because a few otakus are smelly, it shouldn't be right to say we all don't shower.  There is a lot of points to shoot this stereotype down.

Stereotype 3 - Otakus are fat and ugly.
This is one that utterly disgusts me when it is clearly not true.  I can waste my time to try to shoot this stereotype down, but it may be better to see for yourself.  Try googling "Tifa Cosplay".  My point has been made.

In Reality
Otakus are no different from either of the "cliques" or "subcultures" around.  You may be friends with someone right now that you may not even know is an otaku.  That's because though there are a small handful of those that practically started these and many other stereotypes, there is a whole nation of otaku that's fits the definition of "normal".

I'm going to write another article tomorrow about the levels of otaku-ness, so stay tuned!

Learning More Japanese

I am still learning Japanese, though very steadily.  I am on lesson 17.  My 1-15 lesson review was 93%!  I passed!  It's starting to get a little more challenging for me, but I'm still managing!  Time to right my little blog post in Japanese!



Victoria desu!  Genki desu!  O-genki desu-ka?  Ja, kore-wa watashi-no kazoku desu.  Haha-no Teri desu.  San juu has-sai desu.  Imouto-no Amenda desu.  Juu kyuu desu.  Otooto-no Jani desu.  Juu san sai desu!  Watashi to Okaasan to Imoutosan to Otootosan-wa Amerika-jin desu.  Yo ne?  Arigatoo.  Ja mata!

It's Victoria!  I'm doing fine, how about you?  So, this is my family.  My mother is named Terri.  She is thiry-eight years old.  My younger sister is Amanda, she is nineteen.  My young brother is Jonny, he is thirteen.  Me, my mother, my younger sister, and my younger brother are Ameircan.  Ok?  Thanks!  See ya!

I think I'm getting better.  lol