Seen one, seen 'em all?

Japanese Horror films are a strange thing. Typically more interesting than their US cousins, with more subtle acting, better suspense, character development etc. they have also become very same-y. Just saw One Missed Call (2004) on Sundance Channel.
Key differences between Japanese and US versions are typically that they are lighter on the horror, heavier on the story and the suspense. Also, they rarely have happy endings - or at least not by western standards. Hero/Heroine typically die, though it is portrayed as a peaceful and resolving ending to a turbulent life, whereas in the US versions, the hero/heroine usually triumphs and goes into the distance with just enough trepidation to supply a sequel should it be required/possible.
I like Japanese horror more than US counterparts but they are all to a formula these days -
Check it out... random heroine/hero, thrust into supernatural ordeal for no apparent reason. Friends/acquaintances start dropping like flies according to the rules of this particular supernatural vehicle - cell phone, video tape, mirror, haunted house etc. until the hero/heroine is themselves in danger. Along the way, the hero/heroine picks up a sidekick, often with required complementary skills and knowledge to solve the supernatural mystery. In the meantime we find out that there really is a good reason why the hero/heroine is really in this pickle - which also offers a solution of sorts. Then the sidekick may or may not buy the farm in the commitment of the dangerous counteracting mission to address the supernatural creature. Once solved, there is usually a twist that shows that the hero/heroine was subtly wrong in their analysis and they are still in danger. US - hero survives final attack, Japan, hero trades life for that of supernatural creature to balance the eternal books...
See - they all work like that... I'm bored. Luckily with TiVo, you can go at "1 bing" FFWD and totally follow the action and still read the subtitles... you can add in the scary music in your head.
So - I'm over Japanese Horror films - time to get bored of Korean Monster flicks (Dragon Wars already jumped that shark methinks...)

Metalocalypse on Adult Swim at the same time (thank God for dual tuners) was so much better and only 11 minutes long...