Shutter...This is a Japanese style horror film (or should I say suspense/thriller since it's not as graphic as today's 'horror' films). I think this film is very simliar to The Ring and Shikoku Japanese films that were released within the last 10 years with an American twist. These films aren't like your typical American style horror films where there is a lot of gore and graphic violence involved. The directors of these films tend to allow the viewers to experience some suspenseful and nail biting moments without the chainsaws in the background. These Japanese style films are more into using spirits or ghosts as the haunting or horrific figure instead of your traditional aliens, monsters, or mutants.

So, this movie begins with a wedding scene where Josh Jackson's (Dawson's Creek's Pacey) character Ben is getting hitched with Rachael Taylor's character Jane. Wow...exciting <sarcasm> All is well as they make the move to Japan for Ben's photography job.

Fast forward to a scene where they are driving through the countryside in Japan at night. Jane takes her eyes off the road for a split second and turns to see a Japanese woman walk in front of the car. She hits her and then spins the car around landing in the woods. The cops and ambulance arrive and they can't find a body or a trace of blood or anything. Hmmm...

I'm thinking this is another movie where a ghost of someone appears in random places and freaks people out...the question now is: what's the motive or better yet the relevance of this ghost?

Well, there seems to be a coincidence that there are some blurred images in Ben's pictures (remember he's a photographer) he takes during his photoshoots. Jane actually investigates these images and is told by a guy that these images are spirits of people who are dead and can only be caught on camera. So, basically the movie goes through an investigative process with linking the woman Jane supposedly ran over that night to the blurred images in Ben's photos. Apparently this ghost is a woman that used to work in Ben's office when he was in Japan before. The ghost of this woman appears to be haunting or following Ben and Jane since they arrived in Japan.

I won't reveal the ending as there is a twist that gives you all the answers you need.  Remember, there is always a reason why a ghost/spirit is haunting a house or someone.

Sponge Rating: 5/10 sponges

Scare factor: 4.5/10 blankets

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