Three...Extremes - DVD

These pieces are simply beautiful and unique. The acting is wonderful. I love foreign films and I am really glad I didn't pass on this. Of course there is a bit of horror, but it is all very well done.

Much of modern horror does not explore terror in as visceral ways as "Three Extremes". Each scenario illustrated unique types of madness that very much exist in our lives, turned up to extremes. This is what makes the otherwise phantasmal scenarios feel real; because the symptoms very much are. If you're looking for narrative-driven horror, free of cheap scares, well-shot, and gripping until the very end, you won't be disappointed.

This is the perfect jumping-off point for anyone curious about diving into Asian Shock Cinema. It contains 3 Extreme Tales, that encompass the brunt of what Asia has to offer. For those interested in creepy gross-out fests; Fruit Chan's "Dumplings" will deliver. For those interested in tales of vengeance; Chan Wook-Park's "Cut" will leave you in pieces. And for those seeking a ghost story; Takashi Miike's "The Box" will haunt you. I personally ordered this flick twice from Amazon; - once for myself - and once for a friend of mine who also loves Eastern Horror To both my suprise and delight, this is a 2-disc set The second disc containing the full version of "Dumplings", which quite honestly, is worth the purchase alone. Anyways ... on to the movies: Fruit Chan's "Dumplings" is easily the most extreme of the 3. It tells the tale of a woman, whose Home-made Dumplings can restore the youth of anyone who can afford them. Subsequently, she also runs a clinic out of the back of her shop, where she aquires her youthful ingredients. Needless to say: This one is not for The Feint of Heart or Weak of Stomach. Chan Wook Park's "Cut" is the most intense of of the 3 Extremes. More than once it had me on the edge of my futon. Another tale of of retribution, from the man who masters in the subject. This tale concerns a POMPOUS director, who is kidnapped by a demented extra he once employed. Tied up with a giant rubber-band, that allows for minimum movement, he must make the most dire decision of his life. Is he willing to take the life of a little girl to save his wifes? Takashi Miike's "The Box" is the most artistic of the 3, yet sadly, it's the least extreme. For those who know his work, you will be thoroughly disappointed. For those who don't know his work (good for you, you may enjoy this) he is the most extreme of the extreme. So Extreme "Showtime" wouldn't air his episode of "Masters of Horror" due to graphic content. (Interesting Side Note: "Showtime does however play "Ichi the Killer" & "Gozu" - Go Figure) Anyway he's a cult favorite in both America and his native Japan. The guy practically screams "extreme" from hemisphere to hemisphere, so naturally, he seemed like a shoe-in for this project. Regretfully though, his installment is totally not "Miike" But since you don't know of his work, it should be fine. Whatever the case may be.... This ghost tale revolves around 2 Sisters (Sound Familiar?) Both of whom fall in love with their dance instructor. The one sister becomes jealous when she finds the other is intimately involved with the trainer, so naturally she locks her sister in a box to keep her safe. (Sounds Rational) - Loads of artsy atmosphere, gorgeous settings, and enough chills to keep you on ice; but ulimately none of that could save me from the impending confusion, and dare-I-say, boredom that ensued. - Maybe if you've never seen a "Miike" film before you'll enjoy this one, or maybe if you still like "Ringu" you'll get a kick out of it. But for me.......... when I order Wheat, I don't want rye.(If you catch my drift) MORAL OF THE STORY: Youth has its price Fame has its price Love has its price These are the 3 Extremes

Basic plot NO SPOILERS: Three different gruesome stories are told about taboo subjects. There's the lady that wants her youthful appearance back and will go to any length to get those wrinkles to disappear. Next is the story of a washed up actor who cannot accept the fact that the director would not cast him as the main character in a movie - his only way to make himself heard is through revenge. The last story is that of a circus, a box and conjoined twins just as messed up and gory as ever. *This is a foreign film so there are subtitles. Don't bother turning this on if you won't be able to pay attention 100%.

this title should be 3 masterpieces instead!!3 short films by 3 master film makers!i will particularly stand at the last film"box"by takashi miike.what you get here is film with very little dialogues,basing the most part of its narration in the sceneries the director creates..desolate scenes with minimal use of actors,that achieve thru lyrical photography,to create at some points,a phantom of abscence.a loss of what was..the key character is present in this film only by her abscence,while both halves are with thoughts of guilt,longing and salvation that originate from deam.two different minds united by fate and set as actors on the stages of their own dreaming,creating parallel stories that are bound to come across,at awakenings cold touch..salvation never comes,"when the actors stop acting,does the film become real?"

You know how it is with anthologies - they're always hit and/or miss, even when you get top directors. This one really has good names. I was wary of this film when I learned two of the three directors were Park Chan-wook and Takashi Miike. I saw their previous movies and they freaked me out. Miike, especially, really traumatised me with "Ichi the Killer". All three mini-movies are beautifully shot and there are hints the directors really are trying to be extreme but trying doesn't mean that they are. It was really surprising that non-horror director, Fruit Chan, is the one who comes closest. His "Dumplings" - a tale of abortion, cannibalism, dumplings and beauty supplements - is the only one truly worthy of the price of admission. It's uncomfortable, disturbing and macabre, all the more by relying on suggestion and being relatively gore-free. Ironically, Park's and Miike's segments are the weaker ones. Park's entry, "Cut" is silly psychobabble nonsense while Miike's "Box" is too bizarre and incoherent to be horrifying. There's a lot of fluids,body parts and mad people but that only makes it icky, not extreme.

i enjoyed the product a lot... pretty much like it was advised and even more... i can say im satisfied

Ich mag Filme mit skurrilen, nicht absehbaren Handlungen. Für mich gehen die Filme an die menschliche Ekelgrenze und darum finde ich sie gut. Ist halt nichts mit großer Action oder Metzelei.

...bedeutet entweder 3 x 4 Sterne, 2 x 5 und 1 x 2 Sterne oder 1 x 5, 1 x 4 und 1 x 3 Sterne. Letzteres trifft zu. Der japanische Beitrag von Miike Takashi "The Box" ist über jeden Zweifel erhaben: ein beklemmendes Kunstwerk mit trauriger Geschichte und wunderschönen Bildern. Der chinesische Beitrag von Fruit Chan "Dumplings" ist leider geschnitten, wodurch man kaum mitbekommt, dass die Protagonistin von ihrem wohlhabenden Ehemann andauernd mit anderen Frauen betrogen wird, was die Betrogene allmählich zu einer gewissenlosen "Schönheitsfetischistin" macht. Trotzdem 4 Sterne für den Regisseur. Und schließlich der koreanische Beitrag von Park Chan-wook "Cut", der trotz seines Titels ungeschnitten ist. Die Handlung ist so sehr an den Haaren herbei gezogen, dass ich für diesen Film nicht mehr als 3 Sterne vergebe, in welchem sich ein Psychopath Zugang zu einer Villa verschafft, um dort einen (erfolg)reichen Regisseur und dessen verwöhnte Frau zu foltern. Der Grund dafür: Weil der Regisseur ein guter Mensch wäre, was sich für einen Reichen nicht ziemen würde!!

It consists of three stories each by independent directors from China, Korea, and Japan. The first one (called "Dumplings") is simply disgusting, but what makes it impressionable is that its storyline goes through different levels that one gets the impression that the disgusting part of the film is nothing more than an accessory, a method that puts you in the right frame of mind and creates the kind of tension that makes you think. I was hanging on to the arm of my couch for the duration of this segment. Also, "Dumplings" has a full-length version as part of this 2-DVD set - very worth watching. The second segment (called "Cut") is simply brilliant and with a lot of symbolism. I would consider this more of a disturbing art film rather than a horror film Yes, there is dancing too (and well done). It explores Evil, and the way it portrays how we are held by a kind of "rubber band" that stretches and prevents us from going too far is simply brilliant. The last segment (called "Box") deals with guilt. It is one of those films where you cannot distinguish between reality and fantasy. Which is the dream and which is the real world? I love films like that! The revelation at the end is disturbingly powerful. If one is a film buff or has any sense of artistry in them, I would highly recommend this film. For those used to "Hollywood" you might find a hard time. It does require you to think and, in my case, for days. Regardless, I will say that once you see it, you will never forget it.

A very well curated mish-mash of interesting foreign horror films! Some really great filmmakers and films in this anthology! I highly recommend!