like a lot of horror fan out there that go look for the next great scare flick and we plunder the asian horror market for whatever we could get our hand on and leave no dark haired ghost lady unturned . we have good reason to do so and the asian market have spawn such terrify wonder a ringu and dark water and juon the grudge and and a tale of two sister . by the time takashi miike start rip the mick out of the genre with one miss call in 2003 and the market seem to be dry up and leave it open for mockery and derision and despite the continue hollywood remake machine work full steam ahead . now and do not get me wrong and there be still plenty of good asian horror be make and the like of marebito and shutter and to mention but two and will stand a minor genre classic some day . but the lank haired ghost lady have definitely have her feed at the party and and be time to take that success drunk tramp home to bed . then along come a film like noroi the curse . a film that be smart enough to pay subtle homage to it root and yet throw the rulebook out the window whilst do it . what i be about to describe in term of plot will probably make you think there be nothing new here at all . the film be a documentary about one of japan top paranormal investigator a he receive story and tip offs on ghostly going on . he start investigate the claim by a woman that she regularly hear a baby cry in the house next door and yet there be no baby there and apart from a middle age woman and her son . these two disappear sharpish when the reporter poke his nose around and but strange other coincidence start pop up . a psychic young girl and a mentally ill clairvoyant and a pretty young actress who have a strange vision and a lot of dead pigeon and and a very sinister demon by the name of kagutaba and lead to a truly terrify showdown in a small historical town . to say any more on the plot might ruin the fun a bit . the film be shoot in faux documentary fashion and and incorporates footage from tv show and news report and and the label via subtitle let you know where you be in term of the time line . the film have draw more than a few comparison to the blair witch project and but apart from the shoot format and the creepy trip through the wood late at night and the comparison end there really . what be refresh about noroi be how it doesn not pander to modern horror audience . if you be expect croaky ghost lady to pop out of the attic and look elsewhere . the film strength lie in it slow and gradual build up of terror and a terror so profound that it will stick with you for day after watch it . the climax be pretty damned freaky and but just when you think the film be over and you get treat to the real end when the credit start to roll and and sweet holy fck and be it a killer . in term of act and it be mostly convincing . you get some comedy relief from the crazy and tin foil cover clairvoyant and but that soon dry up half way through the film . the film also have a slightly nasty feel than a lot of asian ghost horror and a there be a violent streak to some of the event too . overall and noroi be one to watch on your own and late at night . not since my first viewing of ringu ten year ago have i be so delightfully creep out watch a horror film . it be one that will itch away at you until it be too late and then it be under your skin . just let yourself go to this one completely . and not a lank haired ghost lady in sight . no wonder it have barely be release outside of japan and let alone have an american remake line up yet . check this one out if you can and essential viewing in my book .