Ringu (1998, JAP) C-95m. *** D: Hideo Nakata. Starring Nanako Matsushima, Miki Nakatani, Hiroyuki Sanada, Yuko Takeuchi, Hitomi Sato. Journalist Matsushima mourns the death of her niece, who died mysteriously, allegedly after viewing a cursed video. She starts to investigate and views the video herself. According to the rumors she has now exactly one week before she will die. What is the mystery behind the video? Deliberately paced, almost tentative horror chiller creates an uneasy atmosphere and builds suspense well. The vanguard of the new Japanese horror wave; it was based on the novel by Kôji Suzuki. At the very least it stands as a monument of the (then-dying) video tape. Previously filmed as a TV movie in 1995. Followed by two sequels (RASEN, RINGU 2), a prequel (RINGU 0), a Korean remake (RING), and a Hollywood remake (THE RING). Also known as simply RING.