Sky High (2003)

  Yes, I know it's the exact same title as the one about the superhero high schoolers.  Trust me, it's not even close to the same movie.  I was kind of expecting it to be crap, frankly, since I didn't really know what to expect.  Steeped in Japanese mythology but set in present day, it's one of those movies that could have gone wrong but somehow manages to be badass instead of schlock.

Kohei (Shosuke Tanihara) is a detective on the trail of a serial murderer who has removed the hearts of three female victims when his fiancee, Mina (Yumiko Shaku) becomes the fourth on their wedding day.  She goes to the Gate of Rage before Izuku the Guardian (Eihi Shiina, the chick from Audition.  I totally did not recognize her.  Holy crap) and is told that she has three options:  1) forgive, head to Paradise, and wait to be reborn, 2) stick around as a ghost, or 3) curse one person and spend eternity in Hell.  She also has 12 days to decide.  Curious about her murder --and let's face it, who wouldn't be-- she digs around and finds that it involves some necromantic shenanigans.  Now she has to steer her unbelieving boyfriend onto the right track and keep him from doing any number of things that will keep them apart for eternity.

The special effects aren't necessarily seamless and some of the editing was a little choppy but the performances are pretty good.  I've been watching a lot more contemporary Japanese cinema lately and was pleased to recognize Takao Osawa from Ichi, although the Audition girl caught me completely off guard.

And, oh hey, it's my 400th post since starting this blog.  Yay!