Hammer and cycle

I finally watched the end of the Re-Cycle DVD last night. In case you don't know, it's the latest Pang Brothers flick reuniting the HK filmmakers with Angelica Lee, star of their breakout movie, The Eye.


As you'd expect from the two, the movie has a great look. It starts off with Lee's character trying to write a supernatural novel, wishing she'd see ghosts for inspiration. When crazy stuff starts happening--a "greatest hits" of Asian horror--she's freaked out but seems more curious than crazed. Her relationship with her ex is more problematic than floating sheets of paper, mysterious phone calls, or a hairy ghost.

About halfway through the movie, the paranormal world starts taking over. Is it in her head or real? That's not the point as she steps out of a haunted elevator and the hallway widens into scope ratio--in the movies at least, according to the commentary which is subtitled in English. Stunning.

The ghost world is awesome: equal parts Kowloon Walled City and Labyrinth, with a little bit of Cronenberg thrown in. A grandfather figure and little girl help the novelist find her way out from the zombies and restless spirits. I was drawn in, but I could see some people getting bored by the lack of dialogue, etc. Lee proves to communicate without lines well.

The line between twist and gimmick is a fine one, and the end of this movie straddles it. There's a message about aborted ideas/unborn babies that stands out, too. But neither of those should distract you from the visuals, which will stick with you for a long time.

Sorry for the half-loaded pics. I'll try uploading them again later...