Before watching I was highly curious how this shoddy looking, bargain bin trash horror got such glowing reviews and became such a breakout hit. Never heard of it? It's got 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, 83% on this very site and made $30 million while costing only $25 thousand to make.
That's a profit over a thousand times it's budget!
I was still curious when I started watching, baffled even. You may be too. You may even be tempted to turn it off. But you have to stick with it. Trust those ratings. While it may initially seem awful, it rewards patience, evoking completely different emotions by it's superb end than you had during it's tacky opening stretch. That final half hour is such a blast, made by people with such clear passion for the film they're making.
I'll say no more as it's really best watching with as little knowledge as possible. I'd even advise against the trailer.
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Reply by Benedict
on April 23, 2020 at 8:03 AM
So glad I saw your comment. I started watching this on the basis of none other than Edgar Wright's recommendation, and after 20 minutes I was honestly wondering if he was doing a student a favour or something, it was so bad. Then I came on here to see if anyone had any explanation for how it could be so horrible and yet so highly regarded, and you encouraged me to stick it out. I'm so glad you did. I was half-expecting to get rickrolled or something, but this was just a wild ride as soon as it really gets going (which is about 35-40 minutes in). I imagine watching it for a second time would be even more satisfying, knowing what's around the corner.
Reply by JustinJackFlash
on April 23, 2020 at 8:45 AM
Ha ha, glad to be of service. I'm so glad someone actually watched it! This film doesn't get anywhere near the attention it deserves from audiences. Hopefully that'll change over time through word of mouth. Spread the word!
And yeah, I definitely need to give it a second watch.
Reply by Benedict
on April 23, 2020 at 8:54 AM
I'm gonna be encouraging everyone I know to watch it!
Reply by Benedict
on April 23, 2020 at 9:16 PM
let us know what you think :) But definitely stick with it, even though you won't want to
Reply by OddRob
on June 4, 2020 at 6:40 AM
Just saw it, I almost closed the window since it seemed so cheesy and weird. And not to mention confusing. But I stuck it out and glad I did. Really funny stuff.
Reply by Russ007
on June 15, 2020 at 12:24 PM
Spoilers!
One Cut of the Dead is a film definitely worth watching twice to truly appreciate it. While watching it for the first time I was a bit frustrated after the 'credits' because I of course thought that it was over and at that point it was honestly an awful film (or average for Higurashi ). But then again that's what makes it perfect later on when all those question marks become the strengths of the 'film film' through great comedy. Seeing it a second time makes you appreciate ALL the mishaps, even the less apparent ones, which makes it even funnier and you're not doubting the direction the film is heading either.
Overall a very wholesome and fun film but it did irritate me that I still can't figure out whether the short film actually is one continuous shot in the finished film. Judging from the real BTS it's made to look like they did in fact do 30min single takes. The camera man taking a drink break as if in a marathon, the crew setting up the stunts in real-time, or the lack of any obvious change in lighting etc. But I do not believe the finished film shows the same single take because even during the BTS when Chinatsu is walking up for the final crane shot we can't see the cast/crew behind her where they technically should've been. Something a bit more indicative are the painfully obvious moments where the camera pans away from the action for a second and captures a still frame/background/sky. So easy to edit between takes in those moments. Sure, perhaps the director wanted some safety nets but why bother when they were making it harder for themselves to shoot in a one-shot fashion in the first place? The BTS (and final third of the film to a certain extent) shows the lengths they went to continue the action. Unless they purposefully did 4-ish ten minute takes to create the short film but that's another question entirely.
Reply by JustinJackFlash
on June 16, 2020 at 8:45 AM
Yeah, I will definitely be watching this again at some point.
This film really seems to be taking off now judging by the sudden activity on this thread. When I first posted it last year it was met with tumbleweeds. But the recent surge of responses praising it suggests this is the time it's starting to get it's recognition.
Reply by JustinJackFlash
on June 18, 2020 at 6:12 AM
Does that mean you've seen it? Or did you just see the opportunity for a jest?