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adamwatchesmovies · 1 month ago

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Ring (1998)

I enjoy comparing original films to their remakes. 90% of the time, the original proves itself the superior film but seeing the same story done by a different set of hands is exciting. In theory, the remake is an opportunity to polish away the blemishes, set up the sequel(s) no one knew was coming, give the standout character more time to shine, etc. I saw 2002’s The Ring by Gore Verbinski before Ring (also known as Ringu), so this was an interesting experiment. This horror film starts with a great premise. This 1998 film is scary and takes some unexpected turns, culminating in a terrific ending. You can immediately see why it was remade by Hollywood four years later - but is it the superior movie? After her niece’s mysterious death, journalist Reiko Askawa (Nanako Matsushima) investigates an urban legend about a videotape that supposedly kills anyone who watches it. First, you get a phone call, then, one week later, you die. Thinking nothing of it, Reiko watches the tape. After receiving the ominous phone call, she reaches out to her ex-husband, Ryūji (Hiroyuki Sanada). They search for the video's origins, hoping it can save Reiko from the vengeful spirit it unleashes. One of the film’s big strengths is the killer recording. Before the tape, you see the curse's end results: the victims and their twisted faces. You're curious, so you watch along with Reiko. At that point, your heart sinks. It’s a series of black-and-white, disjointed scenes that concludes with a shot of a well and a screeching sound. "Weird" is an understatement. Where do you even start? Keep in mind, Reiko had to track down the tape in some cabin where its victims stayed a week ago and everyone who’s already seen it is dead. Making things even more dire is that she catches her young son (Rikiya Ōtaka) watching the video one night. Now, if she fails to decrypt this mystery, he'll die too. The thing with horror films like this is that you want to see what happens, but your instinct tells you to run away. The "danger" is engaging, which makes Ringu a fun enigma. You could ever solve where it came from yourself but you're eager to find answers. Like Reiko and Ryūji, you’re scrutinizing every frame of that tape. Are the contents metaphorical? Is it real footage? Could the people we see be real, but the images be fake? The unique thing about Ringu is that while each clue might bring us closer to the finish line, it doesn’t feel like it’s getting any easier. The more clues we gather, the spookier things become. You know what’s happening is fiction, but there’s a small part of you that can’t help thinking you shouldn’t be watching. If you suddenly received a phone call midway, you'd jump out of your skin.

The biggest difference between Ringu and The Ring is the curse's rules. In some ways, it’s clever. In other ways, it feels like a bit of a cheat. Without revealing too much, the key to solving the mystery in Ringu depends heavily on Ryūji’s psychic visions. With no supernatural abilities, it would be impossible to figure everything out so Reiko’s niece and her friends never had a chance. In a way, that explains why the thing is an urban legend. You only get the phone call under certain circumstances and receiving the phone call doesn't mean you get those much-needed visions - only psychics get those. This means most people would watch the video, go “Well, that was weird” and then die a week later for reasons no one could figure out. The tape is so obscure it would take a long time to make the connection. That makes it feel like a "real" urban legend. The downside is that it makes the scenario feel a tad convoluted. We're asked to believe in 1) cursed videotapes, 2) ghosts and 3) psychic powers. While these do come together during the conclusion, it’s still removed from reality by one more level than the Gore Verbinski film. It also feels much more Japanese than the American version, which is neither a good nor a bad thing, but worth mentioning. This might be controversial, but I like the simplified horror of the American remake better.

I say 2002’s The Ring is an improvement over the original for several reasons, the biggest of which being that the story feels much more universal and its mechanics are less complicated. Don't let that discourage you from viewing Ringu. It’s a more subdued, stranger-feeling horror movie that’s steeped in Japanese culture. It’s also scary and memorable, with a great premise and scares that will stick with you. (Original Japanese version with English subtitles, June 7, 2023)

#Ring #movies #films #movie reviews #film reviews #Ringu #The Ring #Hideo Nakata #Hiroshi Takahashi #Koji Suzuki #Nanako Matsushima #Hiroyuki Otaka #Miki Nakatani #Yuko Takeuchi #Hitomi Sato #Yutaka Matsushige #1998 movies #1998 films

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ozzgin · 1 year ago

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WORST Characters x Reader

Featuring Tsukishima Hana, Kawachi Tesshou, Hisashi Amachi, the Muroto Brothers, Tsukimoto Mitsumasa and a reader in her senior year of high school.

If you’re not familiar with the characters and want to give it a try: it’s high school delinquents, the leader of a biker gang and a pair of hired thugs that got out of juvie. (Once again I’m begging y’all to read the manga so I can share my delinquent daydreams with other people ;-;)

Tsukishima Hana

Hana is such a sweet and honest boyfriend. At first he can’t even tell he’s in love with you. He really enjoys spending time with you, just like he does with his other friends, like Sakota, Renji, Tora, Takumi…Which can only mean you’re also part of the group. Right? It takes a whole intervention for him to understand it’s an entirely different feeling. The rest of the Umehoshi household members are gathered around the table and offer him examples to make it clear: he wouldn’t hold Sakota’s hand and Tora would probably be dead if he tried to kiss him on the cheek (not that he’d ever want to, anyways). So no, whatever he has with poor (Y/N) is not just friendship. It finally clicks.

He will be very shy initially. He’s barely interacted with girls before and has no idea how to handle you. Before he would just treat you like any of his friends, but as a girlfriend? He’s a fumbling mess. Once he becomes comfortable with the idea, he’s extremely affectionate. He’ll insist on holding your hand everywhere and loudly introduce you as his girlfriend to everyone. Often he’ll get an incredulous reaction of “How the hell did you pull someone like her?” and he’ll scratch the back of his head, goofy and proud. He has no idea either.

Hana can’t wait to introduce you to his grandma. You know once things get serious he’ll insist on bringing you to his village in the middle of nowhere. Unlike the time Tora accompanied him, though, he’ll be hovering all over you making sure you’re not tired or uncomfortable. The moment your breathing becomes audible from the effort he’ll pick you up and carry you the remaining way. He lives to serve you.

Kawachi Tesshou

Similar to Hana, Tesshou is incredibly awkward and wary of you at first. He’s head over heels the instant he meets you, but the idea of dating you is just too ridiculous to him. He might be the leader of a fearsome biker gang, but when it comes to you he feels like a scoundrel that has no business being around a pretty girl. So there’s two possibilities: either the other members will eventually let him know he’s an idiot and should just ask you out already, or you’ll have to confess first. He’ll stare at you in disbelief and ask you to repeat yourself several times, wondering if you’re joking or just teasing him, his blush gradually turning into a deep red.

Let us assume that no tragedy happens in this scenario. Tesshou is extra careful on his bike and he frequently takes you on rides, so he can’t afford any accidents. Now that you’re dating, he might as well be a cool boyfriend for you, eh? He likes to wait for you outside the school or part time job, resting against his motorcycle as people pass by whispering and glancing over. He wants everyone to know you’re his.

Naturally you’re now a package deal, so you often hang out with him at the junkyard belonging to TFOA. If you sneeze or mention it’s getting cold, he’ll instantly rip his jacket off and carefully place it over your shoulders. He’s thought of getting you your own custom leather jacket, but if he’s being honest, he just loves having you wear his instead. It emphasizes your small frame compared to his, and afterwards it will smell just like you. The other guys may or may not be planning his assassination, having to deal with his constant cocky grin and offhanded comments about having a cute girlfriend. Sometimes they will tease him by approaching you with “Hey (Y/N), if Tesshou’s ever being an asshole, you can always date me instead.”

Hisashi Amachi

In a way, Amachi acts a lot like a spoiled child. Things must go his way and rejection only challenges him to press further. So if he sets his eyes on you, in his mind, you either accept it now or after some convincing, but at the end of the day it will be a yes. He has money and authority, what else could you possibly want? So his initial approach will be rather cocky, mainly focusing on impressing you with his plans of ruling the city. Once his army crumbles and he loses to Hana, he finally begins to accept that you’re not with him for money or influence. He will be terribly frustrated and ashamed for losing, although this motivates him to try harder for your sake. He’s not like his father. You’re his reason to continue living no matter what.

I feel like he has the biggest potential as a yandere. He probably has significant trauma around abandonment and would immediately cling to you once in love, but in a not so obvious way. He doesn’t want you to see him as weak or needy, so instead he’ll act jealous and possessive towards anyone that could pose a threat. Hell, he might even doubt his own subordinates. He needs the occasional reassurance and secretly adores being praised by you. He wants to be the kind of man you trust with your life.

Amachi is more of a stoic boyfriend and prefers to listen to you talking, quietly going along with whatever you’re doing. While he has dropped his arrogant act, he still has some leftover tendencies, mostly in the shape of gift giving. Every now and then he’ll show up with some ridiculously expensive item he thought you’d like. Old habits die hard. Especially when they involve spoiling his Princess. I suspect he might be into slightly kinky jewelry, like dainty necklaces that need a key to be opened. He enjoys the visible, tangible proof of owning you.

Muroto Zenmei & Koumei

Now, the Arson brothers were paid for a very specific task. That doesn’t mean, however, they can’t take their time and have some fun while at it. The town has plenty of cute girls, but you really caught their attention. And they’re not very fond of sharing, but they can always figure it out as they go. What’s certain is that they won’t give up easily in their almost predatory pursuit.

Koumei is the more reserved sibling. He’s a bit cautious about parading you around, because he doesn’t want to put you in any danger. He has a lot of enemies and he worries about you becoming a potential target. That’s not to say he wouldn’t be able to protect you, he does have quite the reputation after all. He’s a bit clumsy when it comes to romance, but he does his best to spoil you. He’s always been preoccupied with fighting, so he hasn’t really considered the scenario of having a girlfriend. If he’s completely honest, he didn’t even expect you to actually accept his confession given he’s…well…the worst of the worst. Worry not, you won’t regret it. He’ll prove to you no other guy compares.

Zenmei is the cockier sibling. If he had patience or self-control, he wouldn’t have landed in juvie. He wants you and he won’t make it a secret. In fact, he’s a big fan of PDA and loves letting everyone know you’re his. Your designated seat whenever you’re with him is his lap. He’s not too worried about others harming you because either him or his twin lackeys will always have you under their watch. Additionally, who would be mad enough to mess with the girlfriend of Muroto Zenmei? Most small fries will cross to the other side of the street if they see you. And you can’t blame them, really. Zenmei can be very territorial and dominant. He can’t help it. You’re his pretty little thing.

Tsukimoto Mitsumasa

Mitsumasa has two younger sisters, so he’s probably the most relaxed when it comes to approaching you. He can be very charismatic if he wants to, and what better motivation than the girl of his dreams? I also feel like he’d be so easygoing in general. He’s one of the strongest students in Housen, yet one wouldn’t know it when he’s with you. He’s all smiles as you brush and braid his hair, occasionally blushing at your compliments. God forbid anyone messes with you, though.

His biggest hurdle are his brothers. It’s an inside joke that in terms of looks, he’s the least threatening. They didn’t expect the statement to come bite them in the ass once the blonde brings you home for dinner, introducing you as his girlfriend. His mom is over the moon and immediately begins to call you “daughter in law” (to Mitsumasa’s great embarrassment), occasionally asking you if her son didn’t somehow coerce you to date him. You reassure her awkwardly while simultaneously avoiding the burning stare of the other boys. “This bastard, landing a cute girlfriend out of nowhere” is the unified inner monologue at the table. You don’t know it yet, but poor Mitsumasa will be harshly interrogated after your departure.

Bonus points if you like playing video games or have nerdy interests. Mitsumasa spends most of his time playing, so he would absolutely love to share this hobby with you. Then he could spend his lazy days with you in his arms as he finishes quests or levels up, and you could do your own thing, whether reading, watching something or also playing a video game. As long as you’re cuddling him. He’ll be giddy all day in anticipation and can’t wait to hang out with you. Even better, he gets to brag about it the next day. He’ll yawn dramatically and apologize with a cheeky grin: “Sorry guys, I was up all night with (Y/N). Time sure flies when you’re having fun, you know~?”

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