Pan's Labyrinth

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This seems to have been out for quite a while in other countries, but only just came out here. At any rate, it's easily one of the best movies I've ever seen.

Think a mix between Labyrinth and Schindler's List and you somewhat near what it's like. Definately part of the 'fairy tales for adults' genre.

All I can say is: go and see it. If the fact that it's in Spanish dissuades you at all, well, you basically don't notice that you're reading subtitles after a while.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0457430/

 

Seen it last week. I liked it, especially how they switched between the 'real' and the 'fantasy' aspects of the story.

The hand-eye monster was the creepiest yet coolest thing I've ever seen

Edit: RAAAAAARGH

(http://www.comicon.com/thebeat/panslabyrinthint1.jpg)

 

It was very brutal, but I think it benefited from it. It didn't show watered down Hollywood violence but rather something that felt more like the real thing. It was disturbing in the way that violence should be, rather than an excuse for the hero to look awesome like in far too many violent movies.

 

Just saw this film last night. And I'm glad I heeded your suggestions. Great film. I have to say that it was brutal, it's kind'a chilling watching people get shot at point blank range. The scene with Captain Vidal attending to his mouth reminds me a lot of Jack Nicholson as the Joker in Batman.

 

I watched it last night. It was spooky. I did not like the Faun or the Hand Guy. Even the fairies were a little spooky. Vidal was a harsh bastard. The ending was interesting, and overall I enjoyed it.

 

I have to wait until the end of the month, and so far, its only being played in small indie cinemas.

 

This movie left me with a chunk of lead in my stomach. At the same time I know I watched an amazing piece of cinematography.

I think after several days or weeks I'll really be able to sit down and think about it but for now I'm a little bit stunned. Brutal and beautiful are my words for now.

 

I really enjoyed this movie as well. Some things I thought were especially well done:

1. As others have mentioned, the violence was extreme, but realistic in a way that made the background story seem more real. This helped set off the realistic elements from the fantasy elements. The violence was less gory than a typical, sensational hollywood scene, but never the less more powerful. I was left sick to you stomach because people commit acts like these all over the world every day.

2. I really liked how the story is ambiguous till the very end. A girl with an overactive imagination or a true fairy tale? How you choose to interpret the story can teach you a little bit about youself and how you view the world. Even the true natur/goal of the faun is somewhat ambiguous.

3. The cinematography was fantastic. The dark, dreary lighting set the tone for the plight of the repressed locals and the brutal, realistic portrait of conflict. Contrast this with the bright, brillant colors in several of the fantasy scenes.

4. The scene with the eyeless creature should be required viewing in film school as an example of how to use subtlety effectively. Honestly, how creepy is the pile of children's shoes in the corner.

 

'Stunned' is a good word - though the one that felt most appropriate for me after walking out of the cinema was 'shellshocked'. I couldn't walk in a straight line

 

I had similar feelings with Visitor Q. That movie had broken every taboo in cinema. I was left wondering if I loved or hated the movie.

 

Loved the movie. It was sorta like an extra twisted version of Alice in Wonderland (yes, Alice in Wonderland is twisted. The cartoon always creeped me out, especially the part where she was crying and lost in the forest). Very imaginative and creative. The bittersweet (exactly how I like my movies, happy endings are just too cliched these days) ending was wonderful, letting the audience wonder if it was all in her imagination or not.

 

It was logical to think that it was all in her imagination, except for the question of a particular chalk door ...