Welcome back to the CDJ blog, this week will be volume two of my series "Depressing Reviews for My Favorite Artists." As promised, this week brigns dour news of the latest film from one of my favorite horror directors, Kiyoshi Kurosawa.

First, the build up. My favorite horror film ever has got to be Kurosawa's "Kairo," (which recently got the unfortunate honor of getting a teen-fueled American remake as the film "Pulse"). While not exclusively a horror director, Kurosawa really shines in the genre. Unfortunately, since "Kairo" his works have been in either the human drama or semi-comedy vains (with, of course the odd horror element). "Loft" marks Kurosawa's first return to pure horror since "Kairo" in 2001, and as such I couldn't wait to see it.

. . . At least it should have marked Kurosawa's return to horror. "Loft" is billed as a pure horror film, is shot like a pure horror film, and scored like a pure horror film, but at its core is a comedy. "Loft" has ghosts, "Loft" has grudges, but where "Kairo" only hinted at the horrors the ghosts wrought on their prey, "Loft" reveals the true extent of the ghost's power. Yes, they have the power to be jerks, they can embarass you during your love scene, they can use a winch to knock you out, they'll even hang out in your room when you're trying to do something. In short, they are about as scary as a college roommate.

However, the film fails not on its comedy, but in the way it seems to give up a coherant plot to create it. Characters change, people die, but I can't tell you why. At times the film feels like an hommage to classic love stories, or a send up of Kurosawa's horror films, but never ever does the film feel like a cohesive work. As a director known to lace his films with messages, Kiyoshi Kurosawa has created a decidedly simple film. I liked the film, but in the end I found "Loft" empty.