My Review on 'Death Place'

I'm not a profesional writer, so don't expect a good review on me. But here's my review anyway:

I'm floored to know the movie is only about to be released tomorrow. I watched this movie few months ago and now only most cinemas in Malaysia will start screening.

Also known as Taihong, Still and Die a Violent Death, this chilling movie is made up of 4 different stories directed by 4 different directors. All stories are based on true events that became the hot news in Thailand. But of course, the stories in this movie will be strongly exaggerated and widely elaborated. The show is somehow similar to Phobia, a succesful horror movie that hit Thailand and Malaysia with commersial success. A sequal was made, Phobia 2, and it again topped the box office in both Thailand and Malaysia.

Let's review one by one:

THE BLAZE

New Year is something very exciting for all people. It's the beginning of a brand new year, where everything -- well, mostly -- will begin all over again. School kids begin their new school life, workers make new plans and budgets and whatnot. The eve of New Year usually draws people to pubs to celebrate.

A man decides to count down with his friends and girlfriends. But on doing that he inevitably ignores his girlfriend, making his girlfriend feels abandoned and incongrous. She feels sad and runs to the bathroom only to be killed by a violent fire caused by reckless bartenders. The boyfriend survives, but his life begins to deteriorate. He is always sombre, avoiding contact with others, refusing to accept the truth.

This sapiently directed 30-minutes short film is about love. It might have some terrifying scenes that'll make your hairs stand, but it is deserved to be praised as the audience are able to feel the romance and horror simultaneously. However, it is not a great start for this movie.

My rating: B-

IMPRISON

How will you feel when you are put in a haunted prison? I'll be living in horror every day.

A man is being put in a gaol. He has no friends, only some lonely old guys sitting around staring at him. Later he begins to sense something. He encounters weird incidents. Each incidents get weirder and weirder until finally his curiosity gets the better of him as he uncovers the mystery that lies behind.

This part is probably the worst part of all. The scenes, to me, aren't scary and the story is sloppy and haphazardly planned. No actual stories are being delivered. Only some random scares and stories that don't add up.

My rating: D+

REVENGE

A haunted apartment. This is what I'm scared of. If I am residing in an apartment and encounters weird things, my first instinct is to flee.

A girl finds a mute mule to get drugs. She later gets overdose and dies. The mule, instead of reporting her death, hides her body by disposing her into the water tank. Subsequently the water is contaminated, and everybody in the apartment is being supplied with water and body decays.

My favourite part of all. The story doesn't matter. The moral value behind it does, however. It tells us if we do something unpardonable, our guilt will take control of us. Eventually, justice will be served. This part makes me realised I hadn't wasted my time watching this movie.

My rating: A

HAUNTED MOTEL

Similar to 'In The Middle' in 4bia and 'In The End' in Phobia 2, this is a comedy-horror that tells us about a man and his friend. This story begins with hookers lining up at a street and a man and his friend get one for 500 baht (only RM50 for a night with a hooker? More men in this world are losing virginity) and then they go to a motel, where weird things happen.

This story has some kinkiness. The story is a little bit disconcerting, but if you try to fathom the story you'll get a storyline, although poorly constructed. But the fun and the horror are spellbinding enough to make you finish the movie.

My rating: B+