MasterChugs Theater: ‘The Grudge 2’

Low cost and high quality: Japan is king when it comes to assembly line production ethos and The Grudge 2 director Takashi Shimizu takes that manufacturing approach in constructing this latest edition in the Grudge series. Block by block, shock by shock, he builds a movie that runs fine and looks slick. It’s a solid product in terms of celluloid, but there is no soul, no artistry, in the merchandise. What went wrong? Enthusiasm. Shimizu seems to take pride only in the technical proficiency of his work. Actors be damned. Plot be damned. While there’s nothing wrong with a really well-made but vacuous art-horror film, there is no art in the The Grudge 2, just cleverly staged shock shots stapled on to the other like the reels of skin in Suicide Club.

Perhaps this calculating demeanor is because Shimizu’s essentially made the same film six times now. The first Ju-on in 2000. The second in 2000 as well. Then he did both of them again in 2003. Then the American remake in 2004. That makes The Grudge 2 the sixth version of the same film made in only six years-and none of them have been outstanding. It’s not surprising that the film feels mechanized, paint by numbers. Shimizu has either got it down so pat that he can operate on autopilot or he’s just bored senseless. Continue reading MasterChugs Theater: ‘The Grudge 2’

MasterChugs Theater: ‘The Grudge’

If there’s one thing you should know in your life, it’s that The Grudge is absolutely horrible. No, I take that back-it’s atrocious. Don’t watch it. Ever. Never ever. Never ever never ever.

In the event, though, that you take my advice, you could find yourself with approximately 90 some minutes and nothing to do. Fret not-I’m here for you, gentle soul. Hit the jump and you’ll know why. Continue reading MasterChugs Theater: ‘The Grudge’