Eko Eko Azarak - Wizard of Darkness

Rating:
Summary: WOW
Review: I really didn't know what to expect from this movie. Japanese horror flix can sometimes turn into gore and bore type movies without much substance. This one, however was a very nice surprise. Very sexy, exciting, and scary. I highly reccomend it.

Rating:
Summary: Better Than Ringu.
Review: Of the only two Japanese horror films I've seen, Eko Eko Azaraku (Wizard of Darkness) and Ringu, I enjoyed Wizard of Darkness far more. I didn't find myself watching the clock as I did with Ringu and it seemed to be just the right length for this type of movie.

Kimika Yoshino did a fine job in the leading role and is a fine actress. She grew on me more as I got further into the movie. Ryôka Yuzuki was another actress I enjoyed watching, as she was probably the best looking female in the movie. She didn't have a very big part but the part she had was fine with me.

Overall, no one stood out as a bad actor or actress, which is rare, but it was in Japanese so what do I know? I looked all right from my perspective.

And finally, the plot wasn't too terribly original, but the movie did have it's own unique feel to it. I really couldn't find much wrong with the movie as a whole. 3/5 stars

Rating:
Summary: finally...
Review: to say i've waited a while to see this film with english subs is an understatement! i first saw EKO EKO AZARAK over 5 years ago on the japanese laserdisk release, loved it so much that i then tracked down the prequel "Birth of the Wizard"... and was then left speculating as to the actual plot (as my grasp of japanese is very limited!).
basically, these films are what "Buffy the vampire slayer" trys to emmulate, and lets face it - the japanese have been using the theme of a chosen one, a slayer, usually a female virgin, for probably centuries!
a great cast, (especially the gorgeous Kimika Yoshino), great SFX, and some very, very cool set pieces make this a film that any fan of the genre shouldn't miss.
and if you've seen the 3rd film (which has been available for a few years), don't be put off - the first two make the third look very poor... i'm pre-ordering mine now!