Dark Water [2005] (DVD)

Walter Salles 2005 film 'Dark Water' is dark and mysterious, a truly chilling remake of Hideo Nakata's Japanese horror film which was originally released in 2002. It's an interesting concept that Walter Salles should take on a film of this sort, he'd previously had success with the film 'The Motorcycle Diaries' but 'Dark Water' is really something far different than this. What's more is that this is a major American remake and yet Walter Salles himself is Brazilian. Although this was not a predictable film for Walter Salles to have taken on, what I will say is that he has done an excellent job here and successfully directed a brilliant horror film. In the ...  Read the complete review

When young mother Dahlia splits from her husband, Kyle, she finds herself embroiled in a bitter custody battle for the couple’s daughter, Ceci. Unable even to agree where they will live, a cash-strapped Dahlia moves to Roosevelt Island in New York, leaving her irritated husband in Jersey City. With both time and budget available in limited amounts, Dahlia is forced to take on a dark, dingy apartment that has clearly seen better days and quickly moves in. A new coat of paint brings a new leash of life to apartment 9F and with Ceci just a couple of blocks away from one of the city’s best schools, the pair initially settle in quite comfortably. It isn’t long, ...  Read the complete review

It seems that there is no limit to the number of Japanese horror films that are remade with a Western twist on things, often with a varying degree of success. This 2005 film is one such production, being a remake of Hideo Nakata's successful chiller. It joins films such as The Grudge and The Ring in this sense, and while it seems to be a bandwagon that everyone is jumping on, it is a welcome one for many. Dark Water is a very aurally effective film, with the eerie score and elements of suspense and psychological chill adding to the horror nature of it rather than a gory or freakish sense of horror. Similarly, there are many parts of the film which merely serve ...  Read the complete review

Those responsible. Directed by Walter Salles Jr whose previous work included The motorcycle diaries and Central Station? Produced by Bill Mechanic Edited by Daniel Rezende With effects by Kaz Kobielski Released by Pandemoium films THOSE WHO PLAYED THEIR PARTS Lead is Jennifer Connelly A beautiful mind and House of sand and fog Supported by the likes of John C Rielly Tim Roth and Ariel Gade A preview The film is a remake of the 2002 release that was itself based on the novel penned by Hideo Nakata. If I were asked to give it a genre it would have to be some where between supernatural thriller and ...  Read the complete review