Toire no Hanako san is a very scary and effective adaptation of the Japanese manga of the same name. Although many horror/suspense cliches are trotted out: the ouija board (although the Japanese version, kokkuri), whispered voices, an animated doll, and a group of kids that look like they stepped right out of a Japanese version of 90210 and always go into that darkened room when they shouldn't, the movie worked. It was an original touch how the opening narration explaining the events was played over candid shots of the young students with black strips superimposed over their eyes so as to "protect" their identities from being linked to the events that transpire. The quick glimpses of "Hanako san" (we never really see the wholly reanimated version)build tension throughout the film a la the original Alien, and the climactic scenes in the crematorium were very unsettling. It's possible this film might one day come to the attention of someone in the US film industry and be re-tooled and adapted for a US audience.

kahane Yu (Komatsu Nana) transfers to Harumi High School, which has a dormitory, due to her father’s job relocation. Dreaming of a brilliant high school life, she attempts her “debut” by making seven resolutions such as “laugh”, “make friends”, “get...

Ah Huat is an orphanage autistic child and is brought up by his grandpa Da Chai. Da Chai is a struggling small town performer, and as any parent will be, he worries about Ah Huat’s future as he has learning disorder. Though being mocked by villagers all his life, Ah Huat is highly sensible and intuitive. In fact, he’s just introverted and inept in expressing himself. However, one incident changed his whole life and he became famous instantly…

High school student Aya Tsukimori becomes cursed and is unable to leave her school dormitory. Meanwhile, many students begin reporting ghost sightings at the school, while others go missing and are later discovered to have drowned mysteriously. Soon, Aya attempts to communicate with fellow student Michi Kazato, who begins investigating the disappearances of her friends.

N/A

On April 5, 2007, a couple married in a church. At first glance, it was a typical wedding. The bride, however, was suffering from late-stage breast cancer and had been given only a month to live.

As a child, Masaki Sata was teased and bullied because of his appearance and called “Demekin” (popeyed goldfish). He decided to fight back and eventually became unbeatable in fights. His red hair also became a trademark. Masaki Sata and his buddy Atsunari then spent their days fighting and riding motorcycles. After middle school, Masaki Sata went on to high school and Atsunari begins to work at a ramen restaurant. One day, Atsunari comes up with the idea of starting a motorcycle gang with Masaki Sata. What awaits for them are enemies.

Cheryl (Sylvia Chang) is a Hong-Kong based film director. She uses the story of her first true love as the basis for her next project. As she tells the tale to a screenwriter, Cheryl relives old memories from a time of innocence: Ho Jun is a shy youngster, more interested in his guitar than school. A chance encounter between Ho Jun (Takeshi Kaneshiro) and Sheo Rou (Gigi Leung) leads to a first sweet taste of romance.

Duration: 1 hr. 55 min.

Cinematographer: Mark Lee [李屏賓]

Art Director: Man Lim Chung [文念中]