sgcim When I watched this movie the first time, I was doing something at the same time, so I wasn't paying full attention to it. By the time I got to the ending, I realized I had no idea what the heck was happening, so I watched it a second time, still practicing my musical instrument, but this time paying closer attention to the film.I had seen the same director's "Shock Labyrinth" the day before, and recognized the fact that the brother and sister were in the movie theater watching Shock Labyrinth when things started going crazy. Some members of the movie theater audience were yelling out, 'What the heck is going on?', probably a private joke from the director towards the reaction of audiences towards Shock Labyrinth. Spoilers...My brother who has a PHD watched this movie and thought it was ridiculous with its big bunny running around causing trouble, so don't feel too bad if you don't understand this movie on first viewing. The key is what the bunny represents to the mute girl. That's about all I'll tell you, because the IMDb isn't paying us a cent for all of our brilliant reviews, so why should I strain my brain...

rgblakey Takashi Shimizu is known for his ghost horror films like The Grudge and the lesser known Shock Labyrinth. His latest Tormented is actually a direct sequel to Shock Labyrinth although there is very little talk of the two films being connected. While Labyrinth was fine, it was a bit all over the place and was received mixed reviews. Can Tormented 3D step it up to deliver more that the fans love or will it be another convoluted addition to the genre.Tormented 3D follows a young boy with an unusual friendship with a stuffed toy rabbit. With his father lingering on the brink of insanity and his sister struggling between life and death, the boy sinks ever deeper into the bizarre relationship leading to a shocking series of events. While this works fine as a standalone film, it will make more sense if you see Shock Labyrinth. In this film the main characters see the previous film in the theater and have supernatural consequences in regards to the rabbit aspect. From there this film pretty much goes its own path using the rabbit symbolism to an even bigger scale. This film is better structured than its predecessor which may be why they tried to create an all new film experience and succeeded. The imagery of human sized stuffed rabbit is really disturbing creating an unnerving film experience if you really see what is going on. There are some really cool uses of the rabbit to create some strange moments that builds the bizarre nature of this film.Takashi has once again delivered a thought provoking film that works even if it is a bit confusing and out there. That is most likely the reason it does work and is way better than the previous film. If you've enjoyed his previous films then you will be sure to enjoy this bizarre tale. While not all that scary, there are some strange moments that come off a bit creepy making it work well. It's recommended you check out the Shock Labyrinth prior to watching this, but if not you will not have any issues following it, but it will create a broader understanding of what is happening.

ersinkdotcom My first exposure to the films of Takashi Shimizu was "Ju-on: The Grudge." I remember seeing it and literally gripping my armchair in horror while hoping the freaky dead lady crawling down the stairs wouldn't find a way out of my television to get me. I also remember thinking to myself, "Why can't Americans make horror flicks like this?"When I received an e-mail that Shimizu was going to be in town promoting his new movie "Tormented 3D" for the Dallas International Film Festival (DIFF), you better believe I jumped at the opportunity to interview him and see it in a rare theatrical screening. I was blown away by the twisted tale that unraveled in front of me. After seeing a 3D horror movie featuring a stuffed white rabbit, siblings Kiriko and Daigo begin seeing it in a life-sized form. The giant creature stalks them and seems to be trying to tell them something. What is the rabbit attempting to communicate to them and what sort of psychological doorways will it open?Director Shimizu told me "Tormented 3D" was a companion piece to his film "The Shock Labyrinth 3D." I never realized how much it relied on "The Shock Labyrinth 3D" until I saw it again. It's basically the trigger for all the misery Daigo and Kiriko suffer through in this movie. It's the proverbial key that unlocks the dark recesses of their minds.I know the idea of a giant white bunny rabbit running around grabbing people and stalking them might sound absurd. Trust me when I tell you, Shimizu takes the seemingly goofy concept and twists it around in your psyche to the extent that you'll never want to participate in an Easter Egg Hunt or read the story of Peter Cottontail ever again.If you love Asian cinema, "Tormented 3D" is an essential addition to your collection. It's not likely you'll only watch the film once, as it takes several viewings to truly take everything in that it offers visually. This is so much more than a typical horror film and offers an emotional journey as well as a thrill ride.

ebossert You know, after seeing "Shock Labyrinth" (2009) I thought Takashi Shimizu was losing it. Sure, it was only one movie, but it was a really lame movie that felt like amateur hour. Most fortunately, Shimizu rebounds nicely with "Rabbit Horror." A young mute woman (Hikari Mitsushima, arguably Japan's best young actress) and her little brother experience nightmarish visions involving a large rabbit. While there's nothing particularly scary here, the horror imagery is creative and fun to watch (there is an emphasis on dream logic, various "forms" of rabbits, an amusement park, and a nifty spiral staircase). The psychological elements are nothing new, but they unfold nicely and are engaging. Ironically, this has certain similarities to "Shock Labyrinth" but does everything a lot better. At only 83 minutes this is a cool movie that flies right by.By the way, the highly acclaimed Christopher Doyle (In the Mood for Love, Hero, Green Tea) is the cinematographer, so that helps too.Some other recent Japanese horror films that I recommend are "Tomie Unlimited" (2011), "Kyofu" (2010), and all four of the "Kaidan Horror Classics" (2010) films.