(2001/THAILAND)
REVIEWED BY-STEVE GENIER DIRECTOR-OXIDE PANG and PISUT PRAESANGEAM CAST-PIMSIREE PIMEE, PRAMOTE SEANGSORN, DAWAN SINGHA-WEE, KALYANUT SRIBOONRUEN and PETE THONG-JEUR. SOURCE-PANIK HOUSE ENTERTAINMENT (NTSC REGION 0 DVD (2005)
Three girls sitting in a local pub during present day decide to share three different stories that pertain to the supernatural. Though essentially the storytelling of the three girls is the main thread tying the different stories together, there is also another strong common bond between them, that being obsessions. Three obsessions that are all quite different in the sense of how they are played out in each story. Well to a point that is, there is also other levels of obsessions that are very much alike, for instance, the obsessions of wanted to be liked or loved which is prevalent in both LEGEND OF THE DRUM and BLACK MAGIC WOMAN. In Oxide Pang's REVENGE, it's the obsession of wanting revenge for the passing of a loved one, of course that is pretty much hidden until the of the story though.
LEGEND OF THE DRUM (Directed By-Pisut Praesangeam)
Upon receiving the wrong shipment of a mysterious drum, an antique dealer decides to find the truth about it's origin. As she digs closer, she begins to have nightmares and visions that seem to be projected from the drum. Visions that date back seventy years in the past. The story of a young women and her mysteriously disfigured friend who grow up together. As they get older, she begins to be courted by a young man, this however doesn't sit right with her long-time friend who has formed a secret love for her. He decided that if she will not be with him, that one can have her.
BLACK MAGIC WOMAN (Directed By-Pisut Praesangeam)
Upon discovering a secret love potion called "Black Magic Women" a young women finds that it seems to be working on those she is attracted to. One slight problem, there's a price to be paid. After making love to her first attraction, he becomes violently sick and dies. The second attraction is hit and killed by a car just outside her apartment. They come back to haunt her in the worst way.
REVENGE (Directed By-Oxide Pang)
After the mysterious suicide dead of a young women, a cop continues on with the investigation which he believes to be a murder. As he gets closer to proving he is right, by uncovering several keys point, he becomes to involved. It becomes clearer that there is an underlining reason why he is perusing this case. A reason that gets in the way of his better judgment.
The funny thing with BANGKOK HAUNTED is that it’s in a group of films that I have seen once before and with the second viewing they are like fine wine, they age much better. The first viewing of this film after I had seen the Pang Brother’s highly successful film THE EYE, I decided I wanted to see more of their work. So, with a bit if investigation, I stumbled across BANGKOK HAUNTED. I guess with the massive appeal their film THE EYE had on me, had me expecting the same out of BANGKOK. Of course that is certainly the wrong way to approach this film as it is totally different on some many aspects. So, with this latest viewing with the new DVD offering from Panik House, a company who are pretty much fresh to the Asian Cinema scene, though you’d never know that after viewing this very stylish and highly professional release. Anyhow, upon viewing BANGKOK HAUNTED again, I certainly got a different vibe then the first time. Not only did I erase the fact that was the second time I had seen this film, but I also felt more coming away from it as well.
All three stories certainly were filled with their fair share of style and well crafted structures. This is something I failed to notice in the first viewing, or something I just completely over looked due to the coming high that THE EYE had left on me. Each segment had their differences in strengths and weaknesses, but they were all well balanced indeed. LEGEND OF THE DRUM is driven by it’s solid story and it’s ability to carry each character to fruitition. You really gain a respect for each of the main characters as they are brought to the forefront of the story. The acting is the major reason for this, though not the only reason. Pisut Praesangeam’s ability to create a hauntingly beautiful atmosphere, almost like a fairy tale dredged up by the Grimm’s Brothers. Flowing like a dark nightmare, woven with an element of hope dwindling into a pit of despair. This story was certainly the driving force behind BANGKOK HAUNTED on a whole. Not to knock the other two stories, as they are quite strong in their own ways as well.
For instance, the second segment of BLACK MAGIC WOMAN, there is a since of shear creepiness. Driven by gory details of corpses or the dead giving life to love really can make the skin crawl. The story alone is enough to get the mind working in over drive. Though the acting wasn’t as strong as in the first segment, it is still quite passable. REVENGE, directed by one half of the famous Pang Brothers seem to be the weakest link in my opinion, though was still a very good segment, it seemed rushed. Once again, that could be from the left over high that THE EYE has left on me, who knows? Both the story and the acting were quite good as the one major element that seem to stick out from this offering were the technical aspects like the cinematography and the film’s various transitions. Something that both Pang Brothers are very keen at conveying onto the screen.
Enter Panik House, new to the Asian cinematic offerings onto DVD. Something I have mentioned earlier in this review, you wouldn’t know that these were their first two releases given that BANGKOK HAUNTED and THE OMEN reflect total professionalism both inside the cover and outside. They have certainly came to the plate with an offering that any Asian Cinema fan could not resist. A print that is fully restored to it’s original aspect ratio of 1.78:1/16:9 wide-screen, which I might add is strikingly clear and full of color. With the great picture comes an equally as great audio, given the options of it’s original Thai language in either 5.1 Dolby Digital or DTS or a 2.0 Dolby Digital, all of course with optional English or Spanish subtitles to choose from. Of course the goods do not stop there as along with the disc’s main feature, you are also treated to a host of very in-depth special features. Extras that start off with a 30 odd minute behind the scenes look at the making of BANGKOK HAUNTING where several of the cast and crew are interviewed. All of which is offered with English subtitles. Once the featurette is finished, you are then treated to a bio entitled Cinema Pang where author/writer Art Black discusses the Pang Brothers’ background in films. Something that is very thorough indeed. Art Black also treats us to an essay on Asian film or more importantly Thai cinema to be more exact. Once again, this essay is spot on and very educational. Along with these essays, there are also poster/stills galleries as well as production notes. All in which is incased in a wonderfully and effect packaging. One can not forget that you also get a sticker of the film’s front cover, something that is different from other releases. I personally look forward to future releases from this very promising company.
STORY/FILM-3.5 BITCH SLAPS PICTURE-4 BITCH SLAPS AUDIO-4.5 BITCH SLAPS EXTRAS-4 BITCH SLAPS OVERALL DVD-4 BITCH SLAPS
