Ab-Normal Beauty

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A surprisingly refreshing horror film, 2010-04-22
I'm a huge fan of Asian cinema, especially horror. When this film came in the mail the other week, I put it off until tonight, I got it for 5 dollars and I didn't expect much considering most films try to emulate what has already been done so many times before. This film however is extremely fresh and well worth watching. It kind of reminded me of an Argento film, back when Dario was making good films, only with Asians instead of Italians. I realize that isn't the best comparison but the cinematography (watching this in a bluray player upscaled to 1080p is phenomenal) was outstanding and the twist at the end was nicely done and both reminded me of Argento films. br / br /Overall, definitely check this film out if you enjoy Asian cinema and good thrillers.

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An Attractive and Dismal Film, 2010-01-06
Ab-Normal Beauty was a film that I had purchased on a relative wim based on a quick Youtube trailer search other reviews on Amazon. I had little expectations and was completely surprised in the best of ways. br / br /The film documents two young women passionate about photography as well as each other. And as the movie progresses, the one girl witnesses a car accident which shifts her perception of beauty. This new-found appreciation of death and lifelessness led her into a world where which teased her very boundaries, distances herself from her partner and puts her in a position where her life and the lives around her are in immediate jeopardy. br / br /The acting in this film is very good and left me engrossed in the film. Even through the translation into English, the passion and genuine distress felt by the characters is easily communicated and felt. The imagery and cinematography excel in this movie and really emphasize the core of the plot. Scenes stand out as being dark and dismal as well as others being beautifully done and elegantly presented. The visual presentation of the movie is a strong point. br / br /The story moves along nicely with somewhat sub-par attempts at misleading the viewer's conclusion but this is maybe the low part of the film. The ending of the movie dives deeper into a world that combines a morbid obsession with an interpretation of beauty. By this point, you feel for the protagonist and her scenario. br / br /Ab-Normal Beauty is a film that left me pleasantly surprised and had me wide-eyed in numerous spots. The suspense is thick, and the plot is rife with substance and enticing visual effects. br / br /I would give this movie a 4 1/2 out of 5 if possible as it was beautifully done with a compelling story with genuine suspense and tasteful horror.

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Poor asian horror, 2009-10-29
This movie was not one of the best asian horror movies ive seen alot better. br /This movie stars out slow then takes a twist by the ending it was a big disappointment.I watch a lot of asian horror and gore but this one i dont thank ill bother to watch again.Could have had a better ending.

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Lovely, 2009-01-13
A good movie. Not perfect but nothing is. The shots at the end that explain how the cousin died should have been left out. I think what happened to the cousin was obvious as soon as he was introduced without this intrusion. Maybe they were left in to show the character fully acknowledging everything that happened to herself; she was moving on? The large painting could serve a similar purpose, if that's the case, in addition to it's more obvious interpretation - Jiney's discovery of beauty in life. br / br / There are a few off moments I won't bother pointing out so four, instead of five, stars. (I've never given anything 5.) br / br / In my opinion - I didn't write the story, so I won't put my view forth as the absolute truth - the main character is not a lesbian. She simply understands her gay friend's interest - been there - and promises not to see anyone else out of respect for her friend's feelings - haven't gone that far -; she doesn't want to hurt her friend. She says she won't see anyone else; she does not say she returns her friend's romantic love. br / The scene that suggest the two main characters spent the night in the same bed looks innocent. It looks like a sleep over. Mutual comfort after a traumatic day. There's nothing that suggest the two characters just made love. The conversation that follows the scene is about the events of the previous day. If something happened during the night, wouldn't it be mentioned? Anyway, the lesbian aspects of the story are just a support to the film's themes. It's lovely, the ideas surrounding it and added to by it. That's all I'll bother to say about it in an Amazon review. br / Finally, to those who complain that there are no lesbian love scenes in the film, grow up and read the credits. The two actresses are blood relatives; Race WONG and Rosanne WONG. Did you think they were going to make out? Seriously?

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strange..., 2008-04-04
I really enjoyed this film, although I'm not sure I can really say why. It's definitely beautiful and artistic, as well as morbid. If you like Japanese movies, it's a good buy, but it's not for everyone.