Masters of Horror – Dream Cruise (TV)

Norio Tsuruta, this year's Japanese master of horror in Showtime's anthology series of the same name stands firmly on J-horror tradition in his episode, entitled Dream Cruise. Whip out the life preserver and prepare yourself for waves of soaking-wet spirits, long black hair, and a shipload of supernatural vengeance.

Jack (Daniel Gillies) is an American lawyer working in Tokyo, who, in spite of his deep fear of the deep blue sea, reluctantly accepts his top client Eiji's (Ryo Ishibashi) invitation to join him and his wife (Yoshino Kimura) for a day cruise out on the bay.

Not only is Jack still having childhood flashbacks to when he could not save his little brother from drowning, but he's doubly discomfited when it seems as though Eiji is wise to the affair Jack is having with his new, young wife. As the vessel gets further and further from the shore, it brings each of its passengers closer to their dire destinies.

I won't tell you what happens next, but let's just say that if you have seen two or three J-horror films, you have seen Dream Cruise. Well-executed though it is, there is nothing fresh or new about the story and if you're as weary of the water-logged ghosts as I am, then you'll steer clear.

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Reviewed by Staci Layne Wilson