Post #19 - Shutter

Please note this is a complete SPOILER and I am basically relaying how insanely stupid this movie was for your enjoyment. I suggest seeing the movie before reading this if you have any interest in it being surprise.

2008 Release
Directed by: Masayuki Ochiai
Written by: Luke Dawson
Starring: Joshua Jackson, Rachel Taylor & James Kyson-Lee

Yes I do realize this is a remake of the 2004 Asian version, which I have seen, but I am reviewing the US one because it's worse. Ok, so, this movie STUNK.

The movie opens with an American couple, Ben (Jackson) & Jane (Taylor), getting married & relocating to Japan so Ben can pursue a career in photography. Shortly after arriving in Japan the couple hit a woman with their car on a dark country road. When they regain consciousness the girl is gone and the couple assume she was either able to walk away or received assistance. They continue on their journey but Jane is uneasy and questions their decision to leave the scene. They try to enjoy their honeymoon before Ben must report to work.

Once settled in the new apartment Jane is left to her own devices during the day and begins to explore the city. She picks up the photos from the couple's honeymoon and they all contain odd bursts of light and smudges. Ben's assistant Seiko believes the photos reveal a spirit following the couple. Ugh, all this thought about the plot is exhausting me. Basically, Jane becomes convinced they are being haunted by the spirit of the girl from the road. She is able to piece together that the girl knew Ben and he admits to having a relationship with her in the past. He claims he doesn't know where she is because she disappeared after he broke up with her. Of course this isn't the truth. Ben not only broke the poor girls heart but participated in the rape and murder of the girl along with his pals who have all committed suicide.

Jane leaves Ben and the movie ends with Ben taking polaroids of the apartment in an attempt to discover where the ghost of the dead girl is hiding. The camera takes a picture of Ben and we see that the spirit is sitting on his shoulders. This would explain the pain he has been feeling and he tries to burn the spirit but of course that doesn't work. Flash forward to the hospital where he is being treated for his injury from the burn and we see that the spirit is still with him, sitting on his shoulders for eternity. CRAP!

This movie is not scary. It's all Grudge-like with the Japanese chick having long hair that is pulled over her face and she constantly has an O face going. Not only is it not scary, its not funny, it feels really long and is even worse than the Japanese version.

SO having said all that, I give this movie:
Terrible movie, boring, dumb characters and a stupid plot. The Japanese version was slightly better except the chic who plays Jane's voice made my ears bleed.