The American Cinematheque in LA just screened a double bill of old Japanese horror films: "Hausu (House)" and "Goke: Body Snatcher from Hell." Here are a pair of clips they posted for "Hausu" that so delighted me that I had to share them. Technically these aren't trailers but they are such amazing teases for the film that I think they're appropriate to highlight here.
"Hausu" was made in 1977 by Nobuhiko Obayashi, who is still making movies now that he's in his 70s. Sure the effects are cheesy and extremely low budget but there is such energy, innovation and sheer delight in the potential of the medium that I couldn't help but smile with glee. I haven't seen something this wacky or fresh in years. The story involves a teenage girl named Oshare who along with some girlfriends goes off to the secluded country house of a relative. The house is dark and creepy. It casts an odd spell on the girls and prompts bizarre hallucinations. The house then attacks the girls. There's a piano that eats virgins and a killer lampshade, and that's just the tip of the iceberg. I hope you enjoy these clips as much as I did. A friend of mine is tracking down copies of the films since I wasn't able to make it to LA to see them so I can't wait to arrange a double bill at home to see both of these films. Hollywood can go ahead and remake whatever horror films they want because they'll never come up with anything as crazy or as original as Obayashi.
