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Koma
Rating: 
- Despite a lot of of nonsense plot twists, its watchable.
There are some nonsense plot twists in the film involving the protagonist rendering decisions that no right-minded person ever would. My girlfriend and I had to pause the movie to discuss how absurd a few of them were. The worst is when the main woman in the story befriends her husband's mistress. This would never happen.
Despite the nonsense, they keep the film at a nice brisk pace where you don't worry much about that sort of stuff because something new is happening.
There are a few mystery elements of the story that are kept well hidden until the reveal at the end of the film. There are a few dead giveaways for others. The conflict between the actors seems well acted and the director conveys dread and suspense well. Its silightly above average, but only by a hair.
Rating: - A mediocre thriller
I viewed this film a few weeks ago, so I don't really recall all of the details. It's basically a "cat and mouse" thriller, not a horror. As an Asian Horror completist, I can't say that this film was particularly memorable, but I would recommend viewing it if you are a fan of Asian Horror or Thriller genres.
Rating: - Did you hear the one about the woman who woke in a tub of ice?
Everyone know the urban legend about the woman who wakes up in a tub of ice to find her kidneys have been stolen. "Koma" takes that urban myth and expands it into a 90 minute movie. A kidney thief is on the lose in Hong Kong. Following a friend's wedding reception, Ching, who is in need of a kidney transplant, encounters this killer and only narrowly escapes. From this point, the film could easily have turned into a standard serial-killer-chasing-screaming-teenagers type movie, which is what you would expect if it was made by Hollywood. However, instead of going down that path, the film becomes a case study of the actions and emotions of the three central character: Ching; Ching's boyfriend Wai; and Ling, a girl whom Wai is sleeping with, who Ching becomes friends with and who may or may not be the kidney thief. The fact that this film focusses on the actions of these three characters makes it more interesting that if it were just made up of a series of bloody crimes, and in fact, I found myself constantly wondering what the next plot development would be (something which rarely happens in most horror films).
Having said all of that, "Koma" is less than perfect. It took me about half an hour to figure out what was actually going on in the movie, and the motives of some of the characters actions are now always clear (even after reaching the end of the movie, I still found that the only way that some of Ling's actions could be explained is if she were clinically insane). Furthermore, I found the ending to be both predictible and completely ludicrous.
If you're looking for a teenage hack-and-slash along the lines of "Scream" or "Friday the 13th", then you will probably find this film to be slow moving and unsatisfying. However, if you are looking for a more intelligent horror movie that is different from what you have seen in the past, then it is worth giving this film a try.
Rating: - Did you hear the one about the woman who woke up in a tub of ice?
Everyone know the urban legend about the woman who wakes up in a tub of ice to find her kidneys have been stolen. "Koma" takes that urban myth and expands it into a 90 minute movie. A kidney thief is on the lose in Hong Kong. Following a friend's wedding reception, Ching, who is in need of a kidney transplant, almost encounters this killer and only narrowly escapes. From this point, the film could easily have turned into a standard serial-killer-chasing-screaming-teenagers type movie, which is what you would expect if it was made by Hollywood. However, instead of going down that path, the film becomes a case study of the actions and emotions of the three central character: Ching; Ching's boyfriend Wai; and Ling, a girl whom Wai is sleeping with, who Ching becomes friends with and who may or may not be the kidney thief. The fact that this film focusses on the actions of these three characters makes it more interesting that if it were just made up of a series of bloody crimes, and in fact, I found myself constantly wondering what the next plot development would be (something which rarely happens in most horror films).
Having said all of that, "Koma" is less than perfect. It took me about half an hour to figure out what was actually going on in the movie, and the motives of some of the characters actions are now always clear (even after reaching the end of the movie, I still found that the only way that some of Ling's actions could be explained is if she were clinically insane). Furthermore, I found the ending to be both predictible and completely ludicrous.
If you're looking for a teenage hack-and-slash along the lines of "Scream" or "Friday the 13th", then you will probably find this film to be slow moving and unsatisfying. However, if you are looking for a more intelligent horror movie that is different from what you have seen in the past, then it is worth giving this film a try.
Rating: - If You Ever Awake in an Ice-Bath, Here is How to Proceed ...
*Subtle Spoilers May Reside Within - Travel Carefully*
I always worry when I read a film-description involving the words "serpentine thriller." "Serpentine" like Miike's "Koroshiya 1" (Ichi the Killer)? Between the non-linear plot and reading the subtitles, a "fun film" turned into a gargantuan mental-exercise (this is not the film's fault, but mine). Or maybe it would be "serpentine" like Kim Ji-Woon's "Janghwa, Hongryeon" (A Tale of Two Sisters)? That film was two steps ahead of me throughout (again, this is my shame). So when I ordered Law Chi-Leung's "Jiu Ming" ("Koma"), I was worried ... needlessly.
The plot is linear and effortless to follow: think a combination of Blanks' Urban Legend (but featuring adults) with a dash of Lyne's Fatal Attraction (but sans the bunny-boiling). The main thrust of the film is the infamous "kidney heist" myth (including ice-baths and the "Call 911 or You Will Die" scrawl). But, twists abound. (Better add a pinch of novice-Hitchcock).
The cinematography is above-average. The use color is clever: Chi Ching's (Angelica Lee's) renal-disease is emphasized by her yellow wardrobe while Suen Ling's (Kar Yan Lam's) red wardrobe is used to foreshadow. Nicely done. Furthermore, the acting is both convincing and engaging ... but not enough to boost this film to stellar status. The film's flaw is the writing ... it was a bit transparent (especially the conclusion). Moreover, a head-on collision with a semi that results in no injury ... tooth extractions that go unnoticed until a mirror becomes convenient ... these moments challenge our suspension of disbelief. And thus, three stars for the great idea, but only adequate writing.
Nonetheless, if you are seeking a less-demanding but still interesting film (and can be patient with slow exposition), you may find this work worth your time.
- Despite a lot of of nonsense plot twists, its watchable.There are some nonsense plot twists in the film involving the protagonist rendering decisions that no right-minded person ever would. My girlfriend and I had to pause the movie to discuss how absurd a few of them were. The worst is when the main woman in the story befriends her husband's mistress. This would never happen.
Despite the nonsense, they keep the film at a nice brisk pace where you don't worry much about that sort of stuff because something new is happening.
There are a few mystery elements of the story that are kept well hidden until the reveal at the end of the film. There are a few dead giveaways for others. The conflict between the actors seems well acted and the director conveys dread and suspense well. Its silightly above average, but only by a hair.
Rating:
- A mediocre thrillerI viewed this film a few weeks ago, so I don't really recall all of the details. It's basically a "cat and mouse" thriller, not a horror. As an Asian Horror completist, I can't say that this film was particularly memorable, but I would recommend viewing it if you are a fan of Asian Horror or Thriller genres.
Rating:
- Did you hear the one about the woman who woke in a tub of ice?Everyone know the urban legend about the woman who wakes up in a tub of ice to find her kidneys have been stolen. "Koma" takes that urban myth and expands it into a 90 minute movie. A kidney thief is on the lose in Hong Kong. Following a friend's wedding reception, Ching, who is in need of a kidney transplant, encounters this killer and only narrowly escapes. From this point, the film could easily have turned into a standard serial-killer-chasing-screaming-teenagers type movie, which is what you would expect if it was made by Hollywood. However, instead of going down that path, the film becomes a case study of the actions and emotions of the three central character: Ching; Ching's boyfriend Wai; and Ling, a girl whom Wai is sleeping with, who Ching becomes friends with and who may or may not be the kidney thief. The fact that this film focusses on the actions of these three characters makes it more interesting that if it were just made up of a series of bloody crimes, and in fact, I found myself constantly wondering what the next plot development would be (something which rarely happens in most horror films).
Having said all of that, "Koma" is less than perfect. It took me about half an hour to figure out what was actually going on in the movie, and the motives of some of the characters actions are now always clear (even after reaching the end of the movie, I still found that the only way that some of Ling's actions could be explained is if she were clinically insane). Furthermore, I found the ending to be both predictible and completely ludicrous.
If you're looking for a teenage hack-and-slash along the lines of "Scream" or "Friday the 13th", then you will probably find this film to be slow moving and unsatisfying. However, if you are looking for a more intelligent horror movie that is different from what you have seen in the past, then it is worth giving this film a try.
Rating:
- Did you hear the one about the woman who woke up in a tub of ice?Everyone know the urban legend about the woman who wakes up in a tub of ice to find her kidneys have been stolen. "Koma" takes that urban myth and expands it into a 90 minute movie. A kidney thief is on the lose in Hong Kong. Following a friend's wedding reception, Ching, who is in need of a kidney transplant, almost encounters this killer and only narrowly escapes. From this point, the film could easily have turned into a standard serial-killer-chasing-screaming-teenagers type movie, which is what you would expect if it was made by Hollywood. However, instead of going down that path, the film becomes a case study of the actions and emotions of the three central character: Ching; Ching's boyfriend Wai; and Ling, a girl whom Wai is sleeping with, who Ching becomes friends with and who may or may not be the kidney thief. The fact that this film focusses on the actions of these three characters makes it more interesting that if it were just made up of a series of bloody crimes, and in fact, I found myself constantly wondering what the next plot development would be (something which rarely happens in most horror films).
Having said all of that, "Koma" is less than perfect. It took me about half an hour to figure out what was actually going on in the movie, and the motives of some of the characters actions are now always clear (even after reaching the end of the movie, I still found that the only way that some of Ling's actions could be explained is if she were clinically insane). Furthermore, I found the ending to be both predictible and completely ludicrous.
If you're looking for a teenage hack-and-slash along the lines of "Scream" or "Friday the 13th", then you will probably find this film to be slow moving and unsatisfying. However, if you are looking for a more intelligent horror movie that is different from what you have seen in the past, then it is worth giving this film a try.
Rating:
- If You Ever Awake in an Ice-Bath, Here is How to Proceed ... *Subtle Spoilers May Reside Within - Travel Carefully*
I always worry when I read a film-description involving the words "serpentine thriller." "Serpentine" like Miike's "Koroshiya 1" (Ichi the Killer)? Between the non-linear plot and reading the subtitles, a "fun film" turned into a gargantuan mental-exercise (this is not the film's fault, but mine). Or maybe it would be "serpentine" like Kim Ji-Woon's "Janghwa, Hongryeon" (A Tale of Two Sisters)? That film was two steps ahead of me throughout (again, this is my shame). So when I ordered Law Chi-Leung's "Jiu Ming" ("Koma"), I was worried ... needlessly.
The plot is linear and effortless to follow: think a combination of Blanks' Urban Legend (but featuring adults) with a dash of Lyne's Fatal Attraction (but sans the bunny-boiling). The main thrust of the film is the infamous "kidney heist" myth (including ice-baths and the "Call 911 or You Will Die" scrawl). But, twists abound. (Better add a pinch of novice-Hitchcock).
The cinematography is above-average. The use color is clever: Chi Ching's (Angelica Lee's) renal-disease is emphasized by her yellow wardrobe while Suen Ling's (Kar Yan Lam's) red wardrobe is used to foreshadow. Nicely done. Furthermore, the acting is both convincing and engaging ... but not enough to boost this film to stellar status. The film's flaw is the writing ... it was a bit transparent (especially the conclusion). Moreover, a head-on collision with a semi that results in no injury ... tooth extractions that go unnoticed until a mirror becomes convenient ... these moments challenge our suspension of disbelief. And thus, three stars for the great idea, but only adequate writing.
Nonetheless, if you are seeking a less-demanding but still interesting film (and can be patient with slow exposition), you may find this work worth your time.
