SHUTTER by Angie F.

Before I get into this, let me just say that I am all about the Japanese horror remakes that are so popular with the kids these days. The Ring was pretty fun for me. The Grudge ruled.

This is the kind of cinema whore that I am. I am prepared to fully admit it. I haven’t even seen the original Japanese versions in most cases.

And when I finally did get around to watching Ju-On (that’s the original Grudge, if you’re a dumbass like me), I found it sadly confusing with a jagged timeline that was rather taxing on my poor, flabby American brain.

And yet I consider myself a horror aficionado. But I guess that’s a delusion to discuss some other time. What I’m getting at is this. By the time Shutter came out, I was all psyched for the next trendy re-hashing of a much better film I’ll probably never see.

Shutter is, basically, a paranormal love triangle. Boy meets girl. Girl mysteriously dies. Boy meets second girl and marries her. Dead girl gets really pissed off and, um, shows up in photographs. Mayhem ensues. Positively Shakespearian.

And by now you’ve probably guessed all the plot twists. Oh wait. I don’t remember plot twists. I do remember leaving the theater somewhat depressed that I was no longer stupidly terrified of Japanese women. But that’s probably for the best.


Redeeming Elements:

- Nice shot of some chick walking away in short shorts and red cowboy boots.
- The person two rows behind me laughing during the cremation scene.
- The grossness factor was okay.

The Basics:

- Nipples -- none
- Pop-up-scares -- not so great
- Shout-outs to other horror movies -- other than being a remake, none that I noticed.


RATING: 2 out of 6 chicken wings

(Angie F. is the official "Horror Movie Reviewer for DFR" ... Stay tuned for more Angie F. reviews)