J-horror legend Takashi Shimizu is the next master of horror to pick out a handful of films that you’ll want to check out on our SCREAMBOX streaming platform. (Sign up now and get 30 days free!)
The director behind several of The Grudge films and the awesome Marebito is back with Suicide Forest Village, which is now available on VOD platforms from Cinedigm before haunting the Bloody Disgusting-powered SCREAMBOX on May 6th.
As you know, Bloody Disgusting recently took the reigns on the newly-relaunched SCREAMBOX, a subscription-based streaming platform loaded with movies that also hosts our live channel, BDTV. We have such sights to show you over the next year, but we kicked it off with five films Barbara Crampton was watching on the streaming platform, and followed it up with six from veteran horror director Mick Garris, another handful selected by Joe Dante, and even more from William Malone.
Celebrating his latest chiller Suicide Forest Village, Shimizu digs deep into the SCREAMBOX catalog, curating four films he’d have pulled straight off the video store shelf!
Go straight to Takashi’s picks here. And read his write-ups for each of the films below!
“I was really surprised at these geeky horror titles,” explains Shimizu. “Most of them have never been screened in Japan and are not even available for home video and streaming services. They are entirely new for me! Though it was hard to pick up, I expect the following titles would definitely be an exciting line-up for the big horror movie fans.”
Here are his picks that were translated from Japanese.
Carnival of Souls | D: Herk Harvey
Coincidentally, I’ve just seen the film at a theater last year (2021). It’s been a while to see it again but on a big screen for the first time, which got me entirely in an eerie mood and I came to realize that this film was certainly worth rewatching. I’m not sure if it’s all planned but there is a genuinely eerie atmosphere throughout. The film is credibly directed, especially in how it maintains such a great sense of dream-like and decrepit mood with some shooting techniques which are brilliant at that time. Well worth watching. In every era, abandoned places and a world that go along with someone’s story and remains are always creepy… it led me to reflect on the selfishness of human beings.
Hell Night (1981) | D: Tom Desimone
This film might be orthodox. I’ve watched it on my friend’s recommendation, and it was the time when I just got used to horror movies. To my horror at the atmosphere and music, I was easily scared as a teenager. I wish I could go back to the days when I was purely frightened and enjoyed watching scary films. Anyway, there was certainly an upward trend in horror movies at that time and it is credible that this is one of the greatest horror films ever made.
The Hills Have Eyes | D: Wes Craven
I never get used to scaring with continuous violence, a spatter of blood, or cruel expression but I was stunned when I knew that the film was based on a real case. No doubt that its sequel and remake were made. The remake was especially excellent work.
Sleepaway Camp | D: Robert Hiltzik
When I was a college student, my friend brought the VHS to me being like, “This is insanely great!” We could easily see that it was made on a shoestring budget and actors played terribly yet how hilarious it was. My friends and I reacted like, “Hey, isn’t he the same man showing up before? In different clothes, though.” “Hey, isn’t his mustache just a piece of black paper?” Anyway, there was a lot to be said… but the twist ending is jaw-dropping. I would say the film is brilliant, in some senses. In Japan, only the 1st and 2nd installments were available on VHS. But later, during my stay in the US, I found out that the film had the 3rd and 4th installment, and that the series was also rebooted in 2008. I clearly remember that I bought the DVD box right away and I showed it to my buddies.
Subscriptions include unlimited movies and shows, with no ads: Month to month pricing is $4.99, while you can get discounted rates at 3 months ($11.99) or one year ($39.99).
Sign up now and get 30 DAYS FREE.
Click here to become a premium subscriber!
The post Takashi Shimizu Selects Four Horror Movies to Stream on Screambox Now! appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!.