MovieChat Forums > Bangkok Haunted (2005) Discussion > If all Pang Brother films are this good....

If all Pang Brother films are this good...sign me up!

posted 19 years ago by flickhead
1 reply | jump to latest

I just received a screener of the Panik House DVD for this film, and the packaging is very impressive! I'm happy to report that the movie and the extras are every bit as impressive as well. This is an omnibus film co-directed by Oxide Pang, who along with brother Danny, directed THE EYE and BANGKOK DANGEROUS. There are three stories (told by three young women in a Bangkok Cafe) of horror and the supernatural shot in three distinctly different styles, while each fitting together quite nicely in the end. All of the stories have shocking moments of violence, but are never presented in an exploitive way, as thought the violence on screen is never superfluous and always serves to push the story forward. The first story, "Legend of the Drum" is a tale of murder and possession, and according to the "Making Of" featurette, the filming of this segment involved actual unexplainable circumstances, reminiscent of recently disclosed events on the sets of the original Exorcist and Wes Craven's Serpent And The Rainbow. The costume design is incredibly creepy. The second tale, "Black Magic Woman" involves an aphrodisiac, zombified prostitutes, and crazed axe-wielding killer, and may have involved actual cadavers. The third entry, directed by Oxide Pang, "Revenge" is the real payoff, and has a very original story structure and the best multi-level police procedural drama this side of CSI. Pete Thong-jeur gives a realistic and believable performance as a young detective convinced that a possible suicide is a case of murder, and the victim's spirit visits him throughout the investigation with ghastly consequence. The wrap-up is among the most original I've ever seen, and I'm going to run out and buy anything else with Oxide's name on it after this. The disc has a ton of extras. In addition to the documentary, there are trailers, a Pang Brothers bio written by Psychotronic Video Guide's Art Black (who also wrote the Thai Cinema Essay) and a lengthy still gallery. Oh yeah, it comes with a sticker, too. Great film, great disc.

[–] Kinematico 16 years ago

Hey men, no offense intended, but after reading ur post one might think that u r either a publicist for Panik House or the agent of the Pang Bros.

IMO the movie left much to be desired. The three episodes aren't scary at all, and that's a HUGE problem when you are making a HORROR movie.
The best episode is the last one. Not scary at all neither, but at least have some interesting (Twilight Zone-Like) plot-twists. Actually it works better as a suspense/thriller episode.

I just rented the Panic House DVD and although it contains a DTS track the sound is far from being impressive. The extras at 1st glance looks promising but ends being a disappointment.
I.E. One of the extras is called "Thai Cinema: An Essay by Art Black" With that title I was expecting to see some insightful docu about the history and actuality of Thai Cinema, but all I got to see were some linear notes on the subject. Finally the picture quality could have been better.

In short: "Bangkok Haunted" is a flawed but brave attempt to make an atmospheric horror film in the tradition of "Ringu".
I wouldn't recommend it to hardcore horror fans, But for those interested on the works of the Pang Bros, Pisut Praesangeam and Thai Cinema in general, it's certainly recommendable.

cheerios!