The Cure [1997]

The Cure [1997]
Original Title: Cure
Japan
Director: Kiyoshi Kurosawa
My Rating: 9/10

Among fans of Japanese horror films this is considered a classic, and I can see why.  It has similar overall vibe as the equally good Suicide Club.  The overall mood is bleak and mysterious.  The mystery isn't a typical whodunit, but more of a what the hell is going on?  It's violent and disturbing throughout.  Basically it's everything I like in a horror movie.

The acting is solid all around and the two leads were especially good.  The whole thing has a definite urban 90's feel to it.  There was one scene in particular, a long-shot, that I thought was especially effective at combining the senselessness of the violence with the matter of fact way it appears to be happening.  This is a near perfect film, a solid 9.