SHUTTER (The Original)

DVD Review by David Blackwell

DETAILS: 95 minutes, original trailer, interviews, behind-the-scenes featurettes, Tartan trailers

VIDEO: 1.85:1 (Anamorphic Widescreen)

AUDIO: Thai 5.1 Dolby Surround, Thai 5.1 DTS, Thai 2.0 DS

Subtitles: English, Spanish

STUDIO: Tartan Video (Asia Extreme)/ GMM Pictures/ Phenomena Motion Pictures/ Tai Hub Company Limited

RELEASE DATE: 3-27-2007

SHUTTER is creepy that it gives pain on the neck a whole new meaning. It just gives me the shivers thinking of the final images in this film. It makes everything clear of what happened and why. SHUTTER recently was bought by an American studio for a big amount to be remade. I can see why this film appealed to them. I just wonder why black haired Asian women are so creepy as ghosts. Couldn't one just have Manic Panic hair once?

Jane and Tun (Ananda Everingham) are driving one night on a country road near Bangkok after a friend's wedding when they hit a woman on the road. They leave the scene without getting out to see if she is OK. They return later to find no signs of the accident ever happening or the woman ever being there. Spectral images start appearing in Tun's pictures (he's a photographer) and Jane is haunted by the woman ghost in her nightmares). Tun's friends start committing suicide and they must unravel what is happening and who the woman is. The answer surprises them as it may have a personal connection. To say more would spoil the suspense of SHUTTER.

I did like the point about how do you fake a Polaroid. The story says it is impossible. One scene of the ghost rising out of a photo developer tray reminds me of another scene in a dark room in THE GRUDGE 2. The directors of this film (Parkpoon Wangpoom and Bangjong Pisanthanakun) sure know how to make a creepy film and even plant fake suspense to let you off your guard before the real scares come. One of the creepiest Asian horror films I have ever seen.

SPECIAL FEATURES: The interviews with the director and two leads are a brief 2 1/2 minutes. The 4 Behind The Scenes featurettes look at how they did three pivotal scenes and a mysterious image they caught while on location. The original theatrical trailer and previews for A TALE OF TWO SISTERS, THE MAID, THE HEIRLOOM, THE GHOST, and RED SHOES are also included.

FINAL ANALYSIS: SHUTTER is a must-see Asian horror film that will give you creeps. Hope it doesn't give you nightmares.

this review is (c)3-22-2007 David Blackwell and cannot be reprinted without permission (except for excerpts and a link to the review). Look for additional content at http://enterlinemedia.livejournal.com and send all comments to lord_pragmagtic@hotmail.com