The Heirloom
by Leste Chen
(Click here)
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
DVD Cover Information
Actor: Jason Chang (II), Tender Huang, Terri Kwan, Yi-Ching Lu, Yu-chen ChangDirector: Leste Chen
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Subtitled); Spanish (Subtitled); Cantonese (Original Language)
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DTS Surround Sound, DVD-Video, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.77:1
Running Time: 97 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2006-04-25
Audience Rating: R (Restricted)
Studio: Tartan Video
Movie Reviews of The Heirloom
Movie Review: A Haunted House I Wouldn't Want To Inherit
Summary: 3 Stars
This Chinese horror film, "The Heirloom," which is set in Taiwan, does have its flaws, but I still found the film interesting. I do advise caution though, and suggest you rent it first, but I am glad to have it in my collection. The film opens with a young woman crawling on the floor trying to escape a mansion where an entire family, [aunts, uncles, cousins, etc] have just committed mass suicide. Why? What secrets lay buried in this family? And why has this lone woman survived? One of the things I liked about this film is the creepiness of not only the mansion where the film takes place, but also the way director Leste Chan was able to give a creepy feel to the film when the viewer is given glimpses of the outside of the mansion too!
Make no mistake, you will either like this film, or not. If you are looking for a decent haunted house film, I would suggest you take a look at this one. Sure the film has its flaws, but I found the film as a whole to be different, and one with a strange twist to the legacy of this family which caused so much grief to themselves. The beginning of the film gives the viewer the history of Hsiano Guei [raising child ghosts]. The premise here is that it is an old Chinese folk practice in which dead fetuses are worshiped. These fetuses are kept in urns, and in turn these child ghosts, as they are referred to, then give the ancestors tremendous power and fortune. However, this practice of the dark arts also comes with a steep price to pay.
The viewer is introduced to James Yang (Jason Cheng) who has just inherited this mansion. He is an architect, and has been living abroad in England for many years. The mass suicide which occurred in the mansion took place over 20 years ago, and no one has occupied it since. This is an old and very big mansion that dates to the era of the Japanese occupation. Moreover, this mansion has seen better days. And although we see the chipped paint, and dusty floors, it is large and spacious: and the dark secrets it holds are about to unleash itself on Mr. Yang and his friends. Apparently, whatever caused the first mass suicide is not completely gone. The mansion has a life of its own--as too much evil has been done here, and the director has a way of making you feel this presence with the camera. The way the camera captures certain places in the mansion give the halls and rooms an eerie feel, and you just sense that a great tragedy has occurred here. And more importantly, that there is an unknown evil waiting, and something in this place is just not right.
The film reminded me a lot of the old-fashioned horror films from yesteryear, where you could feel the dread of a haunted house in films, by the way the director did not push in on the viewer [i.e.: a cat jumping out of a cupboard which has been closed for years, or a bird flying out of a room when the door has been opened]. No, in this film, the sense of dread has full weight due to the visuals which the camera-men have employed to the maximum. This was a plus for me. In the films narrative, Yi-Chen (Yu-chen Chang) is a guest at the mansion, along with another friend named Cheng. Both of these occupants keep finding themselves awakening in the mansion after they have gone home. Tragedy is about to strike once again, as the dormant evil of the mansion is awakened. There is more to the film I do not wish to divulge.
One of the eerie parts of the film also involves a detective named Wu, who while investigating a case, finds that he too keeps waking up in the mansion. With TV cameras installed in the halls, rooms, and outside of the mansion--he attempts to unlock what is happening by having his officers monitor the building. Like I wrote in the beginning, this is not a film for everyone. This is a different type of horror film. One that I liked quite a bit. It does have its flaws, but I am willing to overlook these due to the fact the film is not only different, but I found it to be very strange, creepy, and eerie. And not many horror films make me feel that way. Also, the cinematography is very good. Recommended with caution. Rent it first. [Stars: 3.5]
Summary of The Heirloom
Twenty years ago, an inexplicable mass suicide occurred in the millionare Yang household, where the entire family hanged themselves at the exact same time. Only one member survived. To this day, the case remains unsovled. Now, a distant relative inherits the house and moves in with his fiancee. Mysterious events begin to disturb their lives and force them to confront the evil within. The demented legacy of the Yang family comes full circle and the curse left behind is reborn.Art House & International DVD Video
DVD Video
- Action & Adventure
- African American Cinema
- Animation
- Anime & Manga
- Art House & International
- Classics
- Comedy
- Cult Movies
- Documentary
- Drama
- Educational
- Fitness & Yoga
- Gay & Lesbian
- Horror
- Kids & Family
- Military & War
- Music Video & Concerts
- Musicals & Performing Arts
- Mystery & Suspense
- Science Fiction & Fantasy
- Special Interests
- Sports
- Television
- Westerns
Movies most talked about in The BEST & WORST of Tartan Asia Extreme
SorumRelease date: 2005-07-26; DVD
Best price: $6.94
Price in other shops:
PrayRelease date: 2006-04-11; DVD
Best price: $7.70
Price in other shops:
AcaciaRelease date: 2005-06-28; DVD
Best price: $8.52
Price in other shops:
The Red ShoesRelease date: 2006-10-24; DVD
Best price: $11.95
Price in other shops:
Red EyeRelease date: 2008-01-15; DVD
Best price: $11.87
Price in other shops:
The BoothRelease date: 2006-05-23; DVD
Best price: $4.37
Price in other shops:
A Tale of Two Sisters (One-Disc)Release date: 2005-03-29; DVD
Best price: $8.96
Price in other shops:
Apartment 1303WELLSPRING/GENIUS; Release date: 2007-10-23; DVD
Best price: $10.98
Price in other shops:
The HeirloomRelease date: 2006-04-25; DVD
Best price: $7.30
Price in other shops:
The MaidRelease date: 2006-09-12; DVD
Best price: $11.60
Price in other shops:
Similar DVD Movies
Ab-Normal BeautyRelease date: 2005-12-26; DVD
Best price: $5.54
Price in other shops:
The Red ShoesRelease date: 2006-10-24; DVD
Best price: $11.52
Price in other shops:
CinderellaRelease date: 2007-04-10; DVD
Best price: $10.94
Price in other shops:
ShutterRelease date: 2007-03-27; DVD
Best price: $12.10
Price in other shops:
FaceRelease date: 2005-09-27; DVD
Best price: $12.23
Price in other shops:
MarebitoRelease date: 2006-03-14; DVD
Best price: $9.15
Price in other shops:
ArangWELLSPRING/GENIUS; Release date: 2007-05-08; DVD
Best price: $12.36
Price in other shops:
The GhostWELLSPRING/GENIUS; Release date: 2007-04-24; DVD
Best price: $10.44
Price in other shops:
The MaidRelease date: 2006-09-12; DVD
Best price: $11.00
Price in other shops:
Cello (2005)Release date: 2006-07-25; DVD
Best price: $4.95
Price in other shops: