Gui jie

This unremarkable Asian ghost story has virtually nothing going for it (save for some rather attractive actresses, mostly in short skirts/dresses): the plot is trite, the 'stylish' cinematography is overdone, the special effects are weak, and the direction is slow and ponderous, with more time spent on over-sentimentality and melodrama than on scares.

The instantly forgettable plot sees two couples being terrorised by the ghost of a dead friend, who was killed when an earthquake hit as they explored a cursed cave. Lots of spooky stuff ensues, but director Jingze Yang's uninspired handling of proceedings, which includes lots of unnecessary slow-motion, robs the film of any atmosphere or tension.

The film draws to a dull conclusion, offering very little worthy of mention along the way. Even avid fans of Asian ghost movies should give this one a miss.