REVIEW: Shudder at "Shutter's" tedious plotline

@SL_body_copy_ragged:About half way through the new film "Shutter," I hit upon an answer to the long-baffling question of why movie theaters are filled with horror flicks in late winter and spring.

It's sad to think it has taken me 40 plus years to figure this out, but, if nothing else, I am persistent.

So first, a quiz: Quick, name your two favorite horror films. Now think back to how old you were when they came out. I'll bet good money you were in your mid- to late teens. Am I right?

Each spring millions of fresh drivers and libidos come of age and start going to any and all movies, and the studios know this. They (the kids and the studios) don't care too much about the product. They (the kids) just need a place to go and hang. It's dark, it's entertaining and you get to sit really close to your guy or gal.

What's up on the big screen doesn't really matter, they just need fresh movies every week so they can take their sweeties out. In fact, any excuse to get out of the house will do.

"Shutter" is such an excuse and not much more. It's a derivative -- not to mention a flat-out remake -- of a Japanese film and is more creepy (as in "man, she's creepy") than scary.

It's also quite slow-paced for a horror film. The basic story is that newlyweds Ben and Jane (Joshua Jackson and Rachael Taylor) travel to Japan for a combination honeymoon and job. He's a professional photographer who used to work in Japan and has now been hired for a shoot.

On their first night in the country, Jane is driving late and accidentally runs over a woman. When they and the police can't find a body nor any blood, they chalk it up to being too tired.

But the woman appears again, though this time in photographs. Now hold on, is it a ghost? Is it in her head? Does she have a connection with Ben? Whichever it is, the slow pace and the too many scary music cues that turn up false leave a storyline that becomes, if not unimaginative, then a little irritating.

This short film seemed extremely long and a waste of time. But I'm over 40 and wasn't with my sweetie. So who knows?