Cache (Hidden)

Amazon.com

Hidden throughout Caché is the sense that you should be watching every moment in this film closely, just as the protagonists are themselves being watched by someone unknown. Georges and Anne Laurent's (Daniel Auteuil and Juliette Binoche) enviable lives are terrorized by the sudden arrival on their doorstep of a videotaped recording of their Parisian townhouse. It's nothing but a long, unedited shot of the façade of their house, but it's disturbing nonetheless. Soon another arrives, this time of the farmhouse Georges grew up in, and then another of a car driving down a suburban street, and a walk down a hallway to a low-rent apartment. Again the videos are benign but unsettling. Then the mystery becomes more threatening when they receive gruesome postcards depicting child-like drawings of bloody, dead stick figures. Georges believes he knows who the culprit is, but for reasons all his own refuses to let his wife in on the secret. Clearly more is hidden here than just the identity of their stalker. In Caché, writer and director Michael Haneke skillfully, methodically pulls back multiple layers of deception, like new skin being pulled off an old wound. he masterfully fuses elements of his predecessors to create a film that is haunting and memorable. There is Bergman's fascination with the complexity of relationships, the suspense and lurking danger of Hitchcock, and the unique cinematic sensibility of Antonioni. In fact, the provocative final shot is practically a tribute to The Passenger--a lot of people will want to rewatch it many times to see what they can find in it (if, after watching it, you are still unsatisfied with the resolution, then watch the interview with Haneke in the DVD's special features for his insights). It's a film of great effect and intrigue. There are no easy resolutions, and the answers given in this mystery will only lead to more questions. --Daniel Vancini

Description

Academy Award®-winner Juliette Binoche (1997, Best Supporting Actress, The English Patient) stars in CACHÉ, a psychological thriller about a TV talk show host and his wife who are terrorized by surveillance videos of their private life. Delivered by an anonymous stalker, the tapes reveal secret after secret until obsession, denial and deceit take hold of the couple and hurl them to the point of no return. CACHÉ is director Michael Haneke's dark vision of a relationship torn mercilessly apart by the camera's unblinking eye.

Customer Reviews:

What really happened?.......2007-09-06

You will have to work to "get" this film. Attention to nuance, irony, scene composition and the ability to accept dreams as dreams, memory as faulty and people as liars, even to themselves: you need these to enjoy this great film. If you want a staightforward thriller with a neat resolution... watch something else!

This film is a brilliant character study with political overtones. The vision is cynical and bleak. I found it unsettling and mulled it over in my mind for some time. There are so many themes, but most are implicit: imperialism, racism, bourgeois complacency, betrayal, family, trust, paranoia --these are but a few of the grand themes tackled by Haneke in less than 2 hours.

If you like a film that makes you work a bit and don't mind being disturbed, even shocked, then see Caché. The pacing is slow and deliberate, but not "arty". The dialogue is crisp and intelligent; the acting, flawless. The camera is manipulated like a surgeon's scalpel (which is as it had to be, given the main plot points) and the vibe is tense and paranoid.

Not your everyday Hollywood piffle!

the linear plot isn't the point.......2007-09-03

I love the ending that isn't there. When the storylines aren't resolved, you become aware that they were not the most important things in the film for the director. Which makes you think of the other components that make up the film (character development), which is quite effective.

I also love the suspenseful camera work. A shot where the main character sits in a bedroom, waiting for his wife to enter is a particularly successful use of "nothing". He just sits there, the audience is looking at the door, and nothing happens. Except in your head.

Cache is "Hidden" ... and So are its Attributes .......2007-08-30

This is a puzzling movie to figure out. It alternates between taut drama and extended periods of tedium. After sitting through and watching the entire movie, I must confess that it left me sitting, wondering, and scratching my head trying to figure out what it all meant. Maybe its French meaning is beyond me.

You might be able to achieve the same level of entertainment by getting up at four in the morning and watching the TV test pattern or listening to the Milwaukee telephone dial tone for 30 minutes. It is that exciting and fathomable.

Your mileage may vary, but I found this a rather puzzling and inexplicable movie.

Most Amazing Movie Ever.......2007-08-10

This is an amazing movie from one of the best directors ever. There are some hidden (get it?) things that I won't spoil for you, but needless to say, some people don't catch all the clues. Also worth watching is just about every other movie this guy has ever done.

Disappointed.......2007-07-31

Based on all the positive reviews here, I expected a good movie. The actors, direction, cinematography, etc. are all good, but where's the story. It is like half a movie with a beginning and middle, but then the movie is over. The credits rolled and my wife and I looked at each other saying, that's all? Boy, we have better things to do in 2 hours than watch a silly film. I am disappointed. Can I have my 2 hours back?

Average customer rating:

one of the best of its kind
"Virginal" Encounters might be a better title [:-(
Virtually...
Another winner from Surrender Cinema.
Plenty of virtual encounters in this one

Virtual Encounters
Starring: Elizabeth Kaitan , Taylor St. Clair , Rob Lee (II) , Micky Ray , and Lori Morrissey
Director: Cybil Richards
Manufacturer: SURRENDER CINEMA
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: 1573470481
Release Date: 1997-12-23

Amazon.com

Not to put too fine a point on it, but Virtual Encounters is basically a porno film without the penetration shots. It certainly shares the threadbare script and the threadbare costuming of its triple-X relations. The involving, complex plot consists of an all-business woman visiting a virtual reality service and watching young actors and actresses play a game that was never included on those old Atari Pong cartridges. Probably too many lesbian scenes to qualify as a couple's film but all scenes shot with quality and some eroticism. All disrobe-ees are attractive but look too vacuous and dim to properly work a cash register or count change, so they had to pick up work somewhere, which is why they are here. Look to be heartily annoyed by repetition of main businesswoman taking off her headset and pronouncing, "It was like I was right there in the room with them!" We noticed. --Keith Simanton

Customer Reviews:

one of the best of its kind.......2006-05-05

"Virtual Encounters" is one of the better erotic soft-core DVDs I've seen. There are lots of crummy ones out there, but this one does NOT disappoint. True, there's not a lot of story to it beyond a girl getting caught up in erotic virtual reality scenes, but since most of the DVD consists of those scenes, how much story could you have? You've gotta make your choice. If I counted correctly, there are 8 boy-girl scenes, 2 girl-girl, and 1 boy-girl-girl. Anyone who complains about the actors in this must live at the Playboy Mansion, because to me they all look great and are very sexy. Two of my favorite scenes are with the bodacious Taylor St. Claire, one with her as a sizzling stripper who brings a guy from the audience onto the stage with her, and in the other, she's dominating another woman in a dungeon in a manner too hot to describe here. Other big name contributors are Jacqueline Lovell and Jill Kelly. Overall, the disc gets pretty close to x-rated, and to avoid that a few parts of scenes are done in a rather fake looking manner. For example, there's full frontal nudity of the women, but they had to compromise realism a little in order not to show men's privates and to avoid an x-rating. Other than that, they sure don't hold back much. The disc also has a nice extra with previews of 4 other Surrender Cinema DVDs. Overall, "Virtual Encounters" is very impressively acted and filmed, and there are quite many really HOT scenes in here. Especially at the very moderate price, this one is a winner!

"Virginal" Encounters might be a better title [:-(.......2005-09-07

All the promos made me think that this would be a really great Sci-Fi story with beautiful babes all over the place. Well, there WERE some beautiful babes but the anticipated provocative poses by sexy ladies, never materialized. Has the art of "posing" been lost by modern girls? Maybe all the good directors have retired or died! What a pity...Why, I couldn't even muster a stiff upper lip as I played this DVD through to the end.
In spite of my being a certifiable "dirty old man". [:-)

Virtually..........2004-04-03

Why do we need the canned music for each sex scene? These type of movies are so much more erotic with some actual noise from the participants. Also, some of the boobs in this movie are monstruously unappealing. They are sooo fake it is such a turn off. Give me some perky 'A' cups over huge fake 'D' cups anyday.

I'll give this movie two stars, because some of the scenes had potential...

Another winner from Surrender Cinema........2003-07-10

One of Surrender's good, early efforts. This is from the same director as Femalien and the two films are pretty comparable in quality. There are several sex scenes all tied around the concept of the main character's trip to a "virtual reality" studio. If the technology shown really existed, the company's profits would exceed those of GM, IBM, Coca Cola and Exxon-Mobil combined. :)

A couple of real highlights in the film were the strip club scene and the wet lesbian/three way. But all of the scenes were good.

Given the low price and high quality of the video, this is an easy recommendation.

Plenty of virtual encounters in this one.......2003-03-02

It is becoming pretty clear to me that Surrender Cinema is ahead of the game compared to other purveyors of erotic (all right-soft porn) movies. Virtual Encounters is an impressive effort. The look and sound of the movie are excellent, way beyond that of your typical naughty movie. The plot holds together, the acting is pretty good overall, and the players in the arena are generally pretty attractive. Amy (Elizabeth Kaitan) is a take-control kind of woman who is apparently somewhat reluctant to shift into intimacy overdrive with her boyfriend. He kindly gives her a deluxe pass to Virtual Encounters for her birthday. There she meets the disembodied, smooth-talking Rob, who guides her through a number of virtual reality sessions designed to help her discover her hidden desires and activate the wild gene that has been lying dormant inside her for too long. She starts slowly, simply observing, but eventually she becomes a participant in the sexual escapades revealed to her, taking on a number of different forms (including that of a man) in the course of the experience. The plot works pretty well because the moviemakers don't spend a whole lot of time worrying about it, preferring to simply jump from one virtual reality session to another fairly quickly. Things start slowing down a little bit midway through the film, but the last few scenes pick up the pace significantly. It goes without saying that Virtual Encounters is definitely for adults only. This is the kind of movie that will make an erotic movie fan out of anyone who sees it; basically, there's something here for just about everyone.

Average customer rating:

Some Memorable Images
TERI HATCHER NAKED? BIG DEAL - WHERE'S THE CURVES?
Awful.............. but for Teri Hatcher
Three Words.....Teri Hatcher Naked!
ok

The Cool Surface
Starring: Robert Patrick , Teri Hatcher , Cyril O'Reilly , Matt McCoy , and Shannon Dobson
Director: Erik Anjou
Manufacturer: Allumination
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B00092ZLLM
Release Date: 2005-07-05

Description

In a town where success is the ultimate aphrodisiac, two aspiring players find themselves living their wildest fantasies. Jarvis Scott (Robert Patrick) is an unknown writer whose luck changes when he meets a gorgeous actress named Danny (Teri Hatcher). Both lives are turned upside down when Jarvis writes a sizzling script about their tempestuous relationship and Danny is willing to do anything to get the role all of Hollywood wants. Soon, it becomes impossible to separate fact from fiction as these dangerous lovers push themselves, sexually and emotionally, to the breaking point.

Customer Reviews:

Some Memorable Images.......2006-10-25

I'm guessing this film would have been one heck of a lot better had there been a bigger budget for it. It comes off as a project made with limited resources and time, but one that also conveys a sense of passion on the parts of the director and producers. I saw this film the first time years ago after playing a football game in which Erik Anjou took part. My colleagues (a bunch of Army officers drinking beer on Sunday morning at West Point) had no idea who this guy Erik was, but our boss, his host, passed around a copy of this movie on VHS after the game telling us our guest beer-drinking footballer had directed it. The general impression was that Erik, a genuinely nice guy by the way, had been lucky to have cast Teri Hatcher before her fame. The movie is really raw in most respects except for Ms. Hatcher's appearance and the presence of some compelling images you will no doubt carry away with you after watching it. I bought it on DVD because those images are worth seeing again. For those aspects of the film I give it three stars.

TERI HATCHER NAKED? BIG DEAL - WHERE'S THE CURVES?.......2006-08-16

She's built like a 12-year-old boy... give me Vida Guerra anyday.

Awful.............. but for Teri Hatcher.......2006-02-17

Teri Hatcher fans can perhaps get some value for money. But for her, and her ample body on ample display, this movie is just not worth the time. Terrible direction, awful story, miserable music!!!

Three Words.....Teri Hatcher Naked!.......2006-02-07

Good movie, good cast, but most of all the best part is Teri Hatcher naked throughout!

ok.......2005-11-13

I saw the movie years ago while she was on Lois and Clark, before the Desperate housewives craze.It was an ok movie , nothing special and I really dont think anything changes because of her (Teri Hatcher) newfound fame. The big calling card of the movie is Teri Hatcher nude,if this is why you want to watch the movie it will not disappoint,and as I said earlier it was OK>

Average customer rating:

Film noir at its finest
Has you in the first moments
Another Christopher Nolan Masterpiece
If you liked memento, you'll like this one
It is like they dropped the slides of the movie and mixed it up

Following
Starring: Jeremy Theobald , Alex Haw , Lucy Russell , John Nolan , and Dick Bradsell
Director: Christopher Nolan
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B00000F3CD
Release Date: 2001-12-11

Amazon.com

Creepy intimacy, plenty of suspense, and a few surprises enliven this black-and-white treat from the director of Memento. Bill is a struggling writer who fills his time and mind by following random strangers he sees on the street. After breaking his own rule ("never follow the same person twice") he becomes fascinated by Cobb, a voyeur who takes things one step further--actually breaking into people's homes to sift through their things. As you might expect, the relationship soon becomes unhealthy. Writer-director Christopher Nolan already reveals a sure hand in this early neo-noir work. Like Memento, Following toys with timelines, jumping back and forth and carefully dropping bits of information exactly when they're needed. Short and sharp, Following features an intriguing plot line and fine, understated performances by the entire cast. Don't miss it. --Ali Davis

Description

An unemployed aspiring "writer" Bill (Jeremy Theobald) has a peculiar hobby, shadowing strangers at random in the streets of London. When Cobb (Alex Haw), a man Bill has been following, catches him in the act, Bill is drawn into Cobb's world of breaking into flats and prying into the personal lives of their victims. In Bob, Bill finds a strange companion - part mentor, part confessor and part evil twin. With an ingenious structure that involves flash forwards and doubling back, the film tests our knowledge and understanding just as the protagonist is being duped into an elaborate triple-cross. "Following" heralded Christopher Nolan as a promising new talent whose promise was amply confirmed with "Memento."

Customer Reviews:

Film noir at its finest.......2007-08-18

Christoper Nolan debut film is a rare treat. He expertly weaves a tangled web that ensnares you in its seductiveness.
It's the mind-boggling story of Bill, an ordinary seeming guy that has a strange habit of following people on the street. No reason, he just randomly picks strangers and watches there every step.
But his weird little habit backfires when a man named Cobb catches him in the act. Bill then unknowingly gets sucked into an elaborate scheme, and you the viewer are forced into this clever mystery along with him. The ending left me stunned, I love when movies can have such a profound impact on you.

This is a very well written story that is confusing the first time watching. It jumps around chronologically and will probably frustrate you, like Nolan's follow-up movie, Memento. One cool feature this DVD has is the option of rearranging the scenes, if you want to watch this unfold without the mystery. I wouldn't reccommend watching it that way the first time, but if you don't like being toyed with, then feel free.
I think it is truly amazing that such a clever story could be wound up in only 71 minutes. A must see for Nolan(The Prestige, Insomnia)fans. He is quickly becoming the next Hitchcock, in my opinion.

Has you in the first moments.......2007-02-06

More than anything, I was struck in this movie by how quickly and easily the director and main actor were able to pry me out of myself and put me in the shoes of the main character. Before I knew it, I was joining in his main passtime of Following strangers to see their lives. I've never wanted to do this before, but it was instantly effective filmmaking, and I could see how people would be fascinated by this activity.

I won't give away any plot points, but there is a very satisfying and unanticipated storyline resulting from the introduction.

Watch it for 5 minutes and see how well the film puts you into unfamiliar shoes with your unknowing consent.

Another Christopher Nolan Masterpiece.......2007-01-11

Following is the first full-length film directed by Christopher Nolan (Memento, Insomnia, Batman Begins). It certainly has the same feel as a Nolan movie, however, it's not quite as polished as Memento is. The film is short (only about an hour long), but its length serves as one of its strengths as you never lose interest in the story. The acting isn't exactly top-notch, but it's not really that kind of movie. Following is really one big showcase for the talent of Christopher Nolan. If you enjoyed his other work, you should defintely see this.

If you liked memento, you'll like this one.......2006-10-24

I have to say that Memento is the best movie I've ever seen. I decided to watch this because it's by the same director and I was wondering what else he could come up with. And I wasn't dissapointed. The movie is in black and white and jumps around the timeline in an interesting way, which keeps you focused and trying to figure out what's going on. I thought the general idea of the movie, about a guy who follows and watches random people, trying to figure out who they are and what they do, is quite original but at the same time common to everybody -- who hasn't wondered about the random person on the street (I sure have).

The way the movie is presented is involving and at times humorous. The way the camera is positioned you really get a feel for being right there, next to the characters and involved in the storyline.

The movie is just as good on the second or third viewing (like Memento), and that's definitely evidence to the fact it's good.

I would definitely recommend this movie to people who liked Memento; you won't be dissapointed with it.

It is like they dropped the slides of the movie and mixed it up.......2006-10-10

This movie is really fun because they mixed everything all around and made it confusing. Pay attention the other person is right. This movie is for people who like art movies. It is violent. Some people cannot follow it, but those who do love it. I really loved it. It is black and white so hopefully that does not turn you off, but it is really great. This is one you have to think with and pay attention to. This is not something to walk in and out of. It would not make any sense at all. Not one for kids. They will be really confused. It will take so long to explain it to them and still you may not be able to. A smart teen could probably understand it, but some adults cannot. If you are reading reviews I am sure you can. It is some great mental exercise and so much better than other movies when you want something of more substance.

Average customer rating:

3.5; warning: might make you paranoid
modest but innovative thriller
Complete Squirmfest, But Good

Alone With Her
Starring: Ana Claudia Talancón , Colin Hanks , Jordana Spiro , Jonathon Trent , and Alex Boling
Director: Eric Nicholas
Manufacturer: IFC Films
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B000N2HDHI
Release Date: 2007-05-22

Description

(Thriller) Obsession can be deadly. ALONE WITH HER is the harrowing story of a disturbed young man's attempts to win the affections of an unsuspecting young woman. As his fascination grows into obsession he's no longer satisfied with just watching.

Customer Reviews:

3.5; warning: might make you paranoid.......2007-07-06

Awhile ago, I had to watch a documentary based on the Crumb brothers, 3 artist/painter brothers with incredibly odd and bizarre personalities. One of them, Robert, responsible for the "keep on truckin'" and the comics of Fritz the Cat, is probably the most mature and seemingly intelligent of the 3 yet he's got abnormal views on racism and sexuality. The male character in this film is the same way: he's quite intelligent, he's friendly and there's nothing really off-putting about him...except you know, he's kind of crazy.

Shot entirely using small cameras, we follow Doug (Colin Hanks), a lonely kid who one day sees Amy (Ana Claudia Talancon) in a park. He becomes smitten yet he goes about it the wrong way: buys small cameras that are to be hidden around her house such as her bathroom, living room and bedroom. He then slowly gets into her life: rents a movie that she just watches, music that's rather obscure. But just because a guy is nice doesn't mean a girl will like you and he becomes a bit jealous and isn't above doing anything wrong to "teach her a lesson". Now it's just a case of how long until Amy figures it out.

There's a certain depraved quality when you're watching this movie, almost as if there's scenes that make you see things differently than what's on screen. Talancon for example, goes naked a couple times and normally this would be titilation but here, it's almost creepy and you almost hope you don't get turned on. But the big question is how believable does it feel and at times, depending on your view, this can stretch credibility. When he knows the specific movie and music she listens to and even conveniently calls when an accident happens, you kind of wonder how naive she is, or whether how trusting we all are.

The film is by and large a 2 character study and luckily we have 2 actors that pull it off well. Which is surprising considering they're not really flashy roles, there's no "Oscar moment" but it's that sense of normalcy and realistic that makes it more plausible. Initially I was worried about Colin Hanks since he's always been a more meek, mouse-y kind of guy in movies but here he's inviting but with a degree of weirdness. Playing the attractive sex bomb, Talancon is sympathetic although at times you kind of wonder how completely trusting she is since most girls I know would've been like "how the hell did you know that movie?"

It's the kind of film that's it best to watch once. There's not a lot to bring you back in; sure it's unique looking but it's also slightly hollow and wouldn't benefit from repeat viewings. Now let me go debug my room.

modest but innovative thriller.......2007-07-04

***1/2

Eric Nicholas` "Alone With Her" starts off with a rather alarming Department of Justice statement that every minute three new people become victims of stalkers, and that, thanks to modern technology, even your garden-variety voyeur, who used to be restricted to what he could see by aiming a pair of high-powered binoculars into the neighbor`s window, now has access to high-tech devices, once the sole province of the CIA and the FBI, to help him with his peeping. Through its innovative, you-are-there style, this low-budget, independent thriller really drives that message home.

The stalker in this case is a young man named Doug, a techno-savvy misfit with extreme sociopathic tendencies, who through an elaborate network of hidden microphones and cameras, has found a way to keep the object of his obsession - a beautiful young woman named Amy - under surveillance literally 24 hours a day without her knowledge. Slowly but surely, he worms his way into her life, manipulating her emotions and earning her trust along the way.

In form as well as in style, "Alone With Her" is a cross between "Peeping Tom" and "The Blair Witch Project," with the audience viewing the action entirely through the lenses of Doug's strategically placed cameras. This innovative technique effectively puts us in the shoes of the voyeuristic stalker, making us, in some strange way, complicit in his actions - and isn't all moviewatching, when you get right down to it, just another form of voyeurism? The real chill, of course, comes from the realization of just how easy modern technology has made it for our rights of personal space and privacy to be violated. If this movie doesn't turn you into a raving paranoiac, nothing will.

"Alone With Her" is more than just a mere exercise in style, however. Thanks to compelling performances from Ana Claudia Talancon, Colin Hanks (who appears off-screen for most of the film) and Jordana Spiro, the movie emerges as an engrossing human drama as well, one that makes us empathize with the various characters whose story we are being compelled to watch. For beyond the threat posed by all the technical hardware, the film unnervingly points out the risk we all take by simply opening ourselves up to friendships and relationships with people we actually know very little about.

Some people may find "Alone With Her" too low-keyed in its approach to be truly frightening. However, it is just that lack of sensationalism that makes it so convincing in its creepiness. It's true that the movie, like many thrillers, falls apart somewhat in its third act due to its budgetary constraints as well as a certain predictability in the plotting. Still, "Alone With Her" illustrates the truth of Marshall McLuhan's observation that "the medium is the message" better than any film of recent times.

Complete Squirmfest, But Good.......2007-05-13

**SPOILERS**

This movie chronicles a dysfunctional loner's ("Doug" played by Colin Hanks) voyeuristic obsession with a beautiful young woman ("Amy"), played by the interesting Ana Talancon. Basically, he commits a B&E and sets up hidden video cameras in her apartment. With the information he obtains from watching and listening to her, he is able to insinuate himself in her life.

Thumbs up to Tom Hanks' son for picking unique material like this. He does an excellent job playing the socially inept stalker, esp. when you consider it's probably 180 degrees from his real life.

What stands out about this movie is its verisimilitude, even in this age of reality TV. I thought the writer (Eric Nicholas) had a good grasp for the way things play out in real life. For instance, the scene with Doug and Amy's friend on the stairs right before he kills her was just spot on. She didn't over do it with seeming freaked out, but clearly she was unnerved by his sudden appearance on the scene. And the way she conveyed that just rang true.

Finally, the ending. Wow. I don't think audiences are ready for something that realistic and dark, but we'll see.

Overall, well worth watching. I love movies like this with a unique point of view.

Average customer rating:

Maybe It's Me
Aya Sugimoto rocks, Tiltilating as the first...

Flower and Snake II
Starring: Flower & Snake 2
Manufacturer: Tokyo Shock
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B000IMVE5U
Release Date: 2006-12-05

Description

The beautiful Shizuko (Aya Sugimoto) and her husband Tooyama Takayoshi (Jo Shishido) have a loving relationship, But Takayoshi is getting older and isn't always able to perform. His primary source of gratification involves observing his wife in sadomasochistic scenarios so he commissions a painter, skilled in the arts of bondage to bring these fantasies to life. Soon, Shiziko becomes a willing and submissive participant in fulfilling the S&M fantasies of not only her husband but a slew of rich lecherous men.

Customer Reviews:

Maybe It's Me.......2007-06-08

I always read reviews before I buy a video I am not familiar with. Maybe I'll stop doing that now. Can any of these people who gave this movie three or more stars possibly have watched the same movie I just did. Ok it's not offensive in anyway even though the S/m topic is not for everyone but neither was it informative insightful or highly erotic so what's the point.
But then again I did not like The Secretary either.

Aya Sugimoto rocks, Tiltilating as the first..........2007-01-15

I saw the first FLOWER AND SNAKE a week ago, and I was impressed with the lengths Aya Sugimoto, a popular pop star/model would go to make this film. I felt that I had to see the sequel, FLOWER & SNAKE 2:PARIS. I bought the dvd and saw it last night, for me, this film has a better story.

The story revolves around Shizuko(Aya Sugimoto) and her husband, Toyama Takayoshi(Jo Shishido)who is twice her age. Her husband oftentimes cannot perform in bed, thus, develops an insecurity. He seems to get his gratification in watching Shizuko in erotic pictures/situations, and believes that since he cannot provide her sexual needs, he'd rather watch her have sex with different partners, both in bondage pictures and actual situations.
The twists and turns begin when a painter gets involved in their lives. The beautiful Shizuko soon finds herself a willing participant in fulfilling not just her husband's fantasies but a slew of rich men.

Aya Sugimoto is still stunning, she's in her late 30's but still manages to keep her nice slim figure. She is quite an actress to be able to pull off this role. I liked the Deleted/making of scenes, it shows her being shocked at times with herself in the long sex scene in the film. The deleted/making of features are very good. Aya Sugimoto shows she is tough.

This film is superior to the first film in plot, but the first one pushes your buttons more. This sequel is much more about love, mixed up with wierd desire. A good film by Takashi Ishii.

The dvd from Tokyo shock is pretty good. The film I believe was intentionally shot to look a bit grainy and murky, to give the audience a certain feel of a painting. The deleted scenes were shot in regular camera and didn't appear murky.
Recommended, this is not just a film about S & M, it is very sexy and has heart.

Average customer rating:

The Sexual Story of O
Not what it seems.
DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY! IT'S 'NOT'
One of Franco's finest of the 80s
Don't Be Fooled!!

The Sexual Story of O
Starring: Alicia Principe , Carmen Carrion , Daniel Katz , and Mamie Kaplan
Director: Jesus Franco
Manufacturer: Severin
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Art House & International | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

( S ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video