Cake prolonging the magic songs Cake, a popular American alternative rock band, has gained a reputation for their unique and eclectic sound. One aspect that sets them apart from other bands is their penchant for prolonging the magic in their songs. This can be seen in their use of extended instrumental sections, repeating melodic lines, and unexpected shifts in tempo and dynamics. In many of Cake's songs, the band takes a simple melodic idea and expands upon it, creating an almost hypnotic effect. This can be heard in tracks like "The Distance" and "Short Skirt/Long Jacket," where the main melody is repeated throughout the song, gradually building momentum and intensity. By prolonging these catchy hooks, Cake ensures that they become ingrained in the listener's mind, leaving a lasting impression.
But the most shocking of all and the most gruesome and violent is Seiko’s final act. Although not explicitly shown, the knowledge of what he is doing is sickening and something you didn’t expect from an atmospheric film. It really is too horrible to even think about what he did.
Some familiar scenes, the crawling down the stairs, the arms through the bars, the creepy cat sounds and creepy white Toshio became horror icons throughout the franchise. The film establishes that the house is able to warp reality, allowing characters from across time to meet, as seen when Toyama briefly meets Izumi as a teenager.
By prolonging these catchy hooks, Cake ensures that they become ingrained in the listener's mind, leaving a lasting impression. Furthermore, Cake's use of extended instrumental sections adds an element of surprise and experimentation to their music. These sections often feature unconventional instruments such as trumpets, vibraslaps, and glockenspiels, giving their songs a distinctive and somewhat retro sound.
[Movie Review] Ju-on: The Curse (2000) ★★★☆☆
Ju-on: The Curse is a Japanese supernatural horror film about a sinister curse. Although this first installment of a very much alive franchise, and a direct to video film isn’t that well-known as the third installment Ju-on: The Grudge that had its own theatrical release and an American remake, it really brought Kayako and her malicious revenge to life.
“Ju-on is a curse born of a strong grudge held by someone who died. The place of his death gathers his grudge. Anyone who comes in contact with this curse shall lose his life, and a new curse is born.”
Still this first film is where it all started. With a non-chronological narrative, different characters through time, a sinister story is born. With a low budget, a small amount of blood, a much creepy atmosphere and a very shocking and violent scene, this is the beginning of a true vengeful story.
Plot
It starts with an elementary teacher Shunsuke Kobayashi who worries about one of his kids Toshio who hasn’t come to school for a few days. When he goes to his house, only Toshio is home and Kobayashi worries even more and goes exploring the house, after a strange conversation he hears Toshio having with someone.
A few years later another family, the Murakami’s have moved into the house. They and everybody who spent much time in the house fall victim to the terrible curse. Daughter Kanna, son Tsuyoshi and his girlfriend Mizuho and her tutor Yuki, all await a terrible fate.
Through different characters and through time we learn what happened to Toshio’s mother Kayako and how the curse was brought upon the house.
Why you should watch it
Although it’s a direct to video film and low budget and has sometimes a bit of an amateurish quality about it, it still is a very scary and gruesome film. The six segments each tell the story of a character who either lived in the house or spent time there. These are pieces of the puzzle that will be unraveled at the end of the film. Each piece has a slightly different tone and atmosphere building up the tension and suspense creating a horrifying story. Although not with many words it is explained what happened and how the curse came to be.
With a lot of tension and atmosphere using great camera angles to increase the creepiness the horrifying curse becomes all too real. But there are a few gruesome scenes as well. Although no death is shown on screen, what precedes it, is very much horrifying. A girl with a missing jaw is one of them and shot with great suspense and a shocking final shot.
But the most shocking of all and the most gruesome and violent is Seiko’s final act. Although not explicitly shown, the knowledge of what he is doing is sickening and something you didn’t expect from an atmospheric film. It really is too horrible to even think about what he did.
The story itself is simple, but in choosing different characters to tell the story in fragments, putting eventually the whole story together is greatly done. This creates a mysterious vibe, and a story that’s not straightforward and has some terrible surprises up its sleeve. Some familiar scenes, the crawling down the stairs, the arms through the bars, the creepy cat sounds and creepy white Toshio became horror icons throughout the franchise.
My favorite part
Toshio might well be one of the scariest kids in horror films. His behavior, his appearance which are so creepy and surreal it gives me the creeps every time. He isn’t a mere jump scare but a frightening figure that shows up to really scare you. The use of letting out most explicit graphic scenes, leaving it up to the imagination of the viewer, makes it all the more terrifying.
Also the last segment of the brother who bought the house after the Murakami family to sell it, and his sister who might be a medium, tells us a bit more about the folklore which makes it more interesting and we know it’s far from over.
Ratings
Read more about Ju-on:
Cast and crew
Ju-on: The Curse is directed and written by Takashi Shimizu. It stars Yūrei Yanagi (Kobayashi), Chiaki Kuriyama (Mizuho), Hitomi Miwa (Yuki), Asumi Miwa (Kanna), Ryōta Koyama (Toshio), Takako Fuji (Kayako), Takashi Matsuyama (Takeo), Kazushi Andō (Tsuyoshi), Yūko Daike (Kyoko), and Makoto Ashikawa (Tatsuya).
Duration: 70 minutes. Music: Geirȋ Ashiya. Cinematography: Nobuhito Kisuki. Produced by: Takashige Ichise, Kazuo Katō, Masaaki Takashima. Production company: Toei Video Company.
Black Ghost tells a more unusual tale about a hospitalised girl, Fukie Yokota (Hana Matsumoto), whose strange behaviour leads her mother Kiwako (Maria Takagi) to discover she has a cyst; actually the spirit of her unborn twin. Like any good mother, she summons her sister Mariko (Yuri Nakamura) to exorcise the evil spirit. What connects the two films together is Mariko’s house will later be occupied by Mirai’s family. While White Ghost meandered in its pace, Black Ghost is more engaging, particularly as its own mystery unravels and the curse created is caused by multiple parties. All with tragic consequences.
By allowing these instrumental breaks to stretch out, Cake keeps the listener engaged and curious about what musical surprises await. Another way Cake prolongs the magic in their songs is through unexpected shifts in tempo and dynamics. They masterfully play with the listener's expectations, starting a song off slow and subdued, only to ramp up the energy and intensity later on. This can be heard in tracks like "Never There" and "Sheep Go to Heaven," where the band gradually builds the momentum until it reaches a climactic point. These sudden changes in tempo and dynamics add excitement and unpredictability to Cake's music, making it all the more enjoyable to listen to. In conclusion, Cake has successfully mastered the art of prolonging the magic in their songs. Through their use of extended instrumental sections, repeating melodic lines, and unexpected shifts in tempo and dynamics, they captivate their audience and create a unique listening experience. Whether you're a longtime fan or a newcomer to their music, it's hard not to appreciate the creativity and ingenuity that Cake brings to their songs..
Reviews for "Rescuing Stale Cake: Creative Recipes to Repurpose Overlooked Treats"
1. John - 2 out of 5 stars - I was really disappointed with "Cake Prolonging the Magic Songs". The songs lacked originality and creativity. It felt like the band was just going through the motions and trying to recreate their previous hits without any innovation. The lyrics were also quite dull and lacked depth. Overall, I found the album to be uninspiring and forgettable.
2. Emily - 1 out of 5 stars - I cannot believe the hype around "Cake Prolonging the Magic Songs". The album was a complete letdown for me. The melodies were repetitive and the instrumentals were bland. It felt like a half-hearted attempt at producing new music. The lyrics were also shallow and lacked any meaningful message. I expected more from a band with such talent, but unfortunately, this album fell flat.
3. Alex - 2 out of 5 stars - I have been a long-time fan of Cake, but "Cake Prolonging the Magic Songs" did not live up to my expectations. The album felt disjointed and lacked a cohesive sound. It seemed like the band was experimenting with different styles, but none of them really worked for me. The album lacked the catchy hooks and infectious energy that Cake is known for. I was left feeling disappointed and longing for their earlier works.