Customer Reviews

Grotesque Blu-ray DVD Combo

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Already banned in the U.K. and several other countries, Grotesque is the latest controversial film to come out of Japan. Of course the irony of the whole situation is that by banning the film they've actually heightened the interest and curiosity in what it has to offer, in fact what the BBFC decided to do was a godsend for the film. I think more hardcore horror fans would check it out just to see what all the fuss was about, the film while not really anything special is yet another entry in the torture porn sub-genre. Torture porn is the genre that I usually hate cause most of the films are quite dull to be honest, this flick however was great. Not only is it over the top and as the title suggests "Grotesque" but it also manages to be better made than those other torture porn flicks. The torture genre was brought more into the eye of the mainstream with the cinematic release of Hostel and other extremely average horror films not too many years ago, however it's in the footsteps of the underground classic Flower Of Flesh And Blood that this more closely follows. Although the one area that this immediately stands out as differing from the infamous Guinea Pig entry is with the improved budget of the film, including smooth camera work, effective set design, sharp image quality, very solid acting from the small cast of characters, as well as an atmospheric and at times dramatic score. Throw in at least an attempt at character building, with a little background information showing what a couple of genuinely nice people the unfortunate captives are and how the couple had just recently met (in fact they were on their way back from their first date when they were bundled into the waiting van). O.K. so there is no plot but it still manages to be one of the sickest films out there, the effects throughout the film are second to none, there wasn't one scene that had me shouting "that looks fake!" at the screen, whether it was the sexually coated torture or the unhealthy amount of cuts, piercing's or mutilation of limbs, this film brings these moments to the screen in all their graphic glory. I won't list exactly the things you'll witness, but I will say this to give you a little indication as to how messed up things get, the unfortunate male captive has large nails hammered into his (...). The central figure of the torturer himself has a good presence, cold blank eyes and showing almost no emotion or feeling as he commits his acts, a perfect look for the character. Despite its more polished look, it still manages to maintain the same level of dark and disturbing content that put the aforementioned Flower Of Flesh And Blood on the extreme underground map, alongside other such flicks like Aftermath, Philosophy Of A Knife and Men Behind the Sun. This is one of those rare films that managed to get under my skin and genuinely surprise me with its level of graphic content. I highly recommend this to extreme horror fans.

This is not a movie for the weak. This takes a lot to watch and I would not watch this with anyone who was not willing to know what was in it. A friend and I watched it. we both liked it and considered it a Mans Romance movie. The movie is nothing but torture. It tests the limits and the love one may have for another. How far would you be willing to go for the one you love types of movies.

A Japanese entry into the torture porn genre is more graphic yet at the same time less powerful (not to mention entertaining) than similar Western movies, like Saw, Hostel or a Serbian Film. A psycho who dresses as a doctor (and strongly resembles a young Takeshi Kitano) kidnaps a young couple and subjects them to all sort of degrading tortures. There is at least one powerful erotic scene as the captor fondles the bound captive girl genitals during several minutes. And there is an outrageous ending that resembles the ending of some of Takashi Miike's films. But for most of the time, I found this film pretty dull.

This movie is just dumb. Some weirdo kidnaps and tortures some poor couple. He cuts off various body parts and what-not. She pee's. This movie is just dumb and boring and dumb... did I mention dumb? Do not buy or rent. This is not shocking or amazing or anything, it's just dumb. Two thumbs down... And I typically love japanese (Tokyo Shock) cinema, but this was just poor.

This movie had the potential to be grotesque but unfortunately didn't quite cut it with the special effects. It had some mildly erotic moments but just didn't make it as a horror movie. If the actors had been Muppets in stead it could have been a killer comedy.

Sick, sicker, GROTESQUE! Nothing needs to be added. In torture movies the ASIANS are still the KINGS. Watch, vomit and safe it for your foes!

I guess this movie is okay by low standards.
It has some sexual torture,some chainsaw torture and some funny torture.
It's not enough for a good movie,though.
Watch it with friends and beer and get some laughs out of it.