Demon Pond
(2005/Cinema Epoch DVD/Takashi Miike/Stage Play)
Picture:
C+ Sound: C+ Extras: C Main Program: B-
Director
Takashi Miike took a break from his graphic style of Horror filmmaking to
recreate the stage play Demon Pond
for home video release and the result is decent and one of his best works by
default. Forced off of blood, gore,
gutted color and quick edits, his talents in telling the story of a man
searching for a missing friend and the many issues on the road to the truth.
In the
Kabuki style at times, the story turns instantly mythical and fantasy-like with
fancy clothes, sets and extravagant ideas.
There is also humor and they had a good audience the night they
performed, which is a plus. The Kyoka
Izumi novel (adapted by Keishi Nagatsuka) has pints to make about life and
people that work more often than not, but I still felt the big pay off was not
always effective. Still, this is some of
Miike’s best work to date and al his fans, especially the Horror ones, should
give it a chance.
The 1.78
X 1 image is soft but colorful, taped in digital video, but not high definition
from the look and the credits. The Dolby
Digital 2.0 Japanese Stereo is simple, has no surrounds, is recorded well and
is not bad. The only extra is a Miike
interview on camera, subtitled, which is not bad.
- Nicholas Sheffo
