Search - Omen on DVD

Predictions

bonsai chicken | United States | 08/13/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"OMEN concerns three young graphic designers (played by Thai boy band D2B) who each make the acquaintance of three very different women on the same night while driving home from work: a child street seller with impressive sleight of hand skills, a young woman who is opening a coffee shop in the noisiest part of town, and an old woman who offers cryptic warnings that gradually increase in seriousness until a death is predicted.

The front cover of the DVD mentions that this film is from the Pang Brothers, who gave us THE EYE. However, it was not directed by them and except for some flashback sequences shows none of the style that that film did. They did write this one, but the story is also not very interesting for the most part. It drags on a bit even for an 83 minute film. The dialogue is uninspired and even annoying.

Also prominently featured on the package is a blurb from Asian Cult Cinema proclaiming "one of the weirdest and most inventive twist endings in years." This time the cover does not mislead; it is a great ending and of the sort I can't remember seeing anywhere else. It's surprising and even deeply touching, but it feels like it has nothing to do with anything that came before it. The predictions are explained, but it seems contrived, unless you believe that minor incidents are doomed to repeat themselves.

Taking into account the ending, OMEN is an okay supernatural thriller - not a horror film as the inaccurate back cover summary strongly implies. There isn't a scary bone in its body; it's more of a weird mystery. It's just a shame that the brilliant last ten minutes couldn't have been attached to something more involving."

Another excellent film from the Pang Brothers!

Flickhead | Los Angeles, CA United States | 07/01/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I received an advance screener of the US DVD of this title. What an amazing surprise! A very personal film that was well acted, realistic and suspenseful, without ever becoming unbelievable. Without giving away too much, I have to say that I was blown away by the ending -my sister even cried! The story concerns three lifelong friends (played by Thai pop group D2B, who are apparently the Thai N*Sync) who've started their own graphic design firm. One of them is involved in a mysterious car crash and finds himself in the presence of an old woman, a soothsayer, who can seemingly predict the future. Her "omens" (hence the title OMEN) at first seem to warn the boys, allowing them to alter their fates, but more sinister happenings threaten their friendship (and their lives) when a girl enters the picture. The film has rich character development - way more than I've come to expect from Hollywood movies, and the plot intertwines Thai superstitions with spiritual issues like reincarnation, and many other paranormal anomalies that create a very creepy atmosphere. The DVD has a ton of features, including trailers, band bios, still galleries, and essays; according to one such essay, one of the actors had a real near-death experience after the film finished, and there is a tribute to him from his fan club on the disc. I was able to find two Easter eggs in the menus, too. One of them is a great Behind-the-Scenes documentary with interviews with the cast and Danny and Oxide Pang. Really cool packaging, too. I can't remember the last time I received such a pleasant surprise.
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A spooky entry from New Wave Thailand.. this time with Boy B

Orson99 | Oak Park, IL USA | 07/01/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a cool movie and I was somewhat surprised to see that the main characters being the D2B boy band trio, can act as well as sing! This film is not pure horror.. I consider it a supernatural suspense film with a slice of romance. As with other Pang Bros films, the film is well paced and sets up several surprises. According to the DVD website this DVD is really loaded with special features and includes a bunch of stuff on D2B including interviews with them as well as the Pang Bros. I think it's great to see new Thai films appreciated in such a way. Thai Cinema is better then most people know!!!! Check it out and see for yourself what the Pang Bros can do. It's just a cool movie."

Horrible

TiGrBaLm | Canada | 11/04/2005

(1 out of 5 stars)

"This movie is the epitome of all that goes wrong when all you want to do is showcase pop stars. I don't know about you folks but I cannot stand it when music stars with mediocre acting skills take a foray onto the silver screen to enhance their popularity and milk the proverbial cow.

I couldnt follow the story in this one either because I had a strong dislike for the actors or simply the plot is garbage. I was expecting a scare but the only thing that freaked me out was how I managed to waste 2 hours of my life watching a steaming pile of refuse.

The old woman, the dog, the little boy and the girl are all somehow related to one another but it seems the Pangs really couldnt get you to figure that out without having to crack your head open in utter frustration

Dont get me wrong, I have an enormous Asian film collection (~800 movies) but this one has got to rate as one of the worst among them all.

Stay away from this if you value your time and have little patience with boy bands with little talent. If you want to see a decent Thai horror, check out "Shutter" or even "The Sisters", heck start it all of with the wonderful dramas "February" or "Last Life in the Universe"."