Crazy Eyes

House

Directed by Obayashi Nobuhiko, starring Ikegami Kimiko, Jinbo Miki, Oba Kumiko, Matsubara Ai, Sato Mieko, Tanaka Eriko, Miyako Masayo, Ozaki Kiyohiko, and Minamida Yoko.

Just prior to their Summer Break, best friends Gorgeous (Ikegami) and Fantasy (Kumiko) talk about their vacation plans. Gorgeous is planning on spending time with her father, while Fantasy and their group of friends are going on a training vacation with one of their teachers, Mr. Togo (Ozaki). When both plans fall through, Gorgeous suggests they all go to visit her aunt in the country.

The journey allows the stock personalities of each member of the group shine through. Accompanying Gorgeous and Fantasy are Kung Fu (Jinbo), Prof (Matsubara), Mac a.k.a Fatty (Sato), Melody (Tanaka), Sweet (Miyako) and Gorgeous's cat. Everything is fine and dandy, replete with cringeworthy upbeat music and sight gags, until the gang arrives at Gorgeous's aunt's mansion. Once there, they are greeted by Auntie, a wheelchair bound older woman with a very peculiar personality.

As the girls get to know Auntie, she and Gorgeous's cat become increasingly odd. When Mac goes missing, Fantasy begins to grow suspicious of Auntie's suspicious behavior. The group, seemingly oblivious to the strange happenings, discount Fantasy's claims out of hand, while Auntie begins to taunt her.

A bevy of oddities, including Kung Fu having to fight flying flaming logs of wood, follow as the group slowly comes to the realization that something isn't quite right. One by one, the girls get picked off amidst Scooby-Doo-esque chase scenes by the now outwardly evil Auntie. Her special relationship with the cat is revealed to be one of demonic origin, and their plan is to eat the souls of the virgin girls to sate Auntie's living but soulless body's vengeance over lost love.

House is not good cinema. Director Obayashi was allowed to make House any way he wanted, and it is painfully obvious. That being said, the wacky self-indulgeance does make for a very enjoyable experience. Laughs, intentional and otherwise, are easy to find. The ridiculousness of just about everything in the film makes it perfect for viewing with a group of friends and a healthy amount of alcohol.




Next time: My thoughts on the remake of Fright Night.