Dark Waterproof Backpack for Hiking & Travel

Dark Water is a Japanese horror film directed by Hideo Nakata (Ringu, Ringu 2, Death Note: L Change the World & most recently Words With Gods) about a leaky apartment. Yoshimi Matsubara (Hitomi Kuroki) has been going through a divorce and her child is caught in the crossfire between her mother and father. During this time, Ikuko (Rio Kanno) and her mother move into an apartment; however, it is a little leaky. Not to mention there have been some strange things afoot.The film barely has a soundtrack which builds tension really well and when there is not much sound, the smallest things make you jump. This is why I love Japanese horror, they are usually filled with Shintoism, have very realistic makeup effects and are genuinely scary (most of the time)! American films hardly phase me anymore. Ghosts and monsters are in your face all the time! Whereas Japanese horror films--especially Dark Water, Ringu, Ju-On to name a few--tend to keep the gore, ghosts and goblins tucked away until the very end. This is what made the original Ju-On so suspenseful and creepy: the big reveal. Dark Water is along the same lines when it comes to scary-time. The atmosphere feels real and seeing character development in a horror film is great for a change. When you’re overwhelmed by monsters and gore for the better half a film, you are not focused on characters; however, if you are not focused on all the creepy aesthetics it forces the writers and directors to flesh out the characters.As far as story goes, Dark Water has a different kind of ghost story to present, which surprised me. However, part of the big reveal can be called within the first ten minutes. This is okay, but when Ringu had you wondering for the latter part of the film--unless you got to that film late and everyone had spoiled it for you--Dark Water becomes a bit of a let down. Don’t get me wrong, Dark Water is a great film and is totally worth your time, just don’t go in expecting Ju-On or Chakushin ari (One Missed Call).However, I’ve noticed a trend in most Japanese entertainment. Their stories seem to revolve around loss and failure a lot. Dark Water surprised me with it’s sentimental mother/daughter appeal, but Ringu 2 had a similar drive to its narrative. Looking back, the film really seems to be about protection--as in a mother protecting her child from harm! Just thought I’d clear that up for all the perverts of the internet. When viewed in the correct context, Dark Water is an amazing, heart wrenching and suspenseful title you won’t soon forget.