I did not begin to get interested in Japanese horror until around the time that the American version of "The Grudge" came out. Having always been a loyal fan of the horror genre, when a friend told me that "The Grudge" was so terrifying that he came close to wetting himself in the theater, I decided to see it. After seeing it, I have made fun of that friend every year since. Although I enjoyed the movie, there was nothing scary about it. When I went to college at NIU, I took Japanese as my minor and one of the classes had us watch "Ringu." I enjoyed it so much more than the American version, which was saying a lot since I loved the American version. So began my love affair with Japanese horror and my parallel interest in seeing "Ju-On" in order to see if it were any scarier than the American version.Sadly enough, although I enjoyed "Ju-on" and the sequel, I was disappointed because it wasn't remotely scary. It was only upon giving the film a second chance that I realized it was not the first film in the series and that the one I am reviewing now is.After seeing this original offering in the "Ju-on" series, I finally get it. I have been watching horror for over 3 decades and it takes a lot to scare me. This movie actually gave me the creeps. Even though I knew what had happened due to watching the other movies, even though I knew Toshio was a ghost, there were certain scenes in this short film that actually scared the crap out of me.I think this movie proves that not only does a horror movie not need a huge budget in order to be scary, the big budget can ruin the movie. No CGI and just some makeup on Toshio's face, and the less pronounced death rattle...this was a good and scary movie and definitely the strongest offering in this series. Amazing.

I think Ju-on- The Grudge (2002) was amazing, it one of movies that really scared the living daylights of me. I have seem Ju-on-The Curse once before, that was a while ago, i see 2002 remake few times. So I had to give this movie re-watchThis movie is short and it had some really good creepy tone throughout the whole movie and some very good chilling moments and i feel like this movie had bit more of story then 2002 remake, it had did so what of different plot, which I never really pick on my first watch. I did not find it scary as the 2002 version but in this movie that Kayako saeki coming down stairs seem to feel a lot more scary in this movie, then 2002 remake, it raise the hairs on the back of neck. The acting was great from most of cast there was one or two actors that could have done a better but they are still watchable. I going give this movie 5 out of 10 __________________

Jealous of his wifes love for another man, a teacher from her high school, a man brutally kills his wife and young son. Searching for the son who has missed a lot of school, the teacher enters their house, only to find the dead ghost of his mother, and consequently has a heart attack and becomes a ghost himself. The story goes on to tell of the new tenants of the house and what they experience, and an investigation by two police officers into why so many people are dissapearing.Well if it's the same as the longer version more or less, I've most likely seen this too in many ways. Too many versions of these.Bottom line. Pick your poison.6/10

For a low budget movie, this should rank as one of the best Horror movie, and certainly one of my favourites. All the comments have been posted, so I'll now disclose the Story - Spoilers.Scene 1: (Past) A male teacher realised that a student has been missing for some time, so he went to the house. He found the boy (Toshio) badly scratched and injured and alone in the house.Scene 2: A female social worker was coaching a student in a room. The girl rushed off to school leaving her alone and strange things start to happen. While the curse took place, the brother was in the next door but didn't realise anything.Scene 3: The brother's girlfriend was waiting in the school long after everybody is gone, because the bicycle and mopbile phone were still around. The school attendant chided her for staying late and left her alone in the office while she went looking for the boy. Strange things start to happen and Toshio (His spirit) appeared.Scene 4: The girlfriend's body was lying in the morgue and 2 police inspectors were discussing how/who left a behind chin in the murder scene. Back to the house, the mother was came home and nobody was around. While answering a call, the girl returned, badly injured from scratches and guess what body part was missing? Scene 5: (Back to the past) The teacher was reading the journal by the mother and she mentioned the husband's jealousy and his name. He realised that a murder could have taken place. But a noise from the attic attracted him and he found the body. As he hurried to leave, a phone call by the murderer (house owner) that he has killed the teacher's wife. He was stunned and froze at the spot. This is the climax of the movie!!! The murderer did not escape too as somehow his dead wife came back to life in the plastic.Scene 6: Final scene and back to the present. A real estate agent tried to sell this house and asked his sister, who has some supernatural instinct for advice. As she came to the house, she felt a strong presence of evil and advised that only those who do not find the wine bitter will not be harmed in the house.I'll be back for part II.