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true · 01-27-2007, 04:37 AM

O M G
I was dragged into watching this from my gf's double date. This movie is based off (correct me if I'm wrong) of some Spanish fairy tale/folklore, and I say Spanish because its in Spain's Spanish, and English subtitles. This movie blows away almost all of the movies I've seen in a while.

"Pan's Labyrinth" is the story of a young girl who travels with her pregnant mother to live with her mother's new husband in a rural area up North in Spain, 1944, after Franco's victory. The girl lives in an imaginary world of her own creation and faces the real world with much chagrin. Post-war Fascist repression is at its height in rural Spain and the girl must come to terms with that through a fable of her own.

The closest comparable movie I think would be Narnia and this blows away Narnia. Anyway, Check it out if you can.

miketardis · 01-30-2007, 10:59 AM

PAN'S LABYRINTH opened in my neck of the woods recently, and early on when Sergi Lopez (WITH A FRIEND LIKE HARRY) appeared on the screen as the Fascist Capitan Vidal, I knew this film was going to be intense. Lopez is one of the most unnerving actors I've seen in a long time, with his handsome, placid exterior hiding a chilling, vicious psychopath inside. He definitely raises the fear factor to a fevered pitch in the film. You do not want to cross this brutal man.

All the other actors, especially the young actress who Played Ofelia , are also superb. Del Toro's breathtaking Gothic netherworld has to be seen to be believed. Guillermo Navarro's cinematography is rich and gorgeous and the editing is seamless and dream-like. Wonderfully surreal, this a powerful political allegory and horrifying adult fairy tale. Most likely my favorite film for 2006.

In addition to del Toro's PAN'S LABYRINTH & DEVIL'S BACKBONE, Arrabal's VIVA LA MUERTE & THE GUERNICA TREE, Erice's SPIRIT OF THE BEEHIVE, Cuerda's BUTTERFLY and Loach's LAND AND FREEDOM, anyone have any other films about the Spanish Civil War that they recommend?

true · 01-30-2007, 01:28 PM

Its nice to know someone else has heard it lol.

**Pepe_Navarro** · 02-02-2007, 06:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by miketardis

All the other actors, especially the young actress who Played Ofelia , are also superb. Del Toro's breathtaking Gothic netherworld has to be seen to be believed. Guillermo Navarro's cinematography is rich and gorgeous and the editing is seamless and dream-like. Wonderfully surreal, this a powerful political allegory and horrifying adult fairy tale. Most likely my favorite film for 2006.

I concur. It's a shame a lot of folks will be put off by the subtitles. If you don't have a lump in your throat by the end of the movie, you're Captain Vidal...

Quote:

Originally Posted by miketardis

...anyone have any other films about the Spanish Civil War that they recommend?

Off the top of my head, "Libertarias" (also starring Ariadna Gil, who plays Ofelia's mother in Pan's Labyrinth), "Soldados de Salamina" (Ariadna Gil - again) or Carlos Saura's "Ay, Carmela" (categorized as "War/Drama" but is in fact pitch-black comedy).

Hollywood seems to have largely ignored the Spanish Civil War (beyond "For Whom the Bell Tolls" which is a bit quaint these days). I suppose it's a controversial subject, almost impossible to approach without bias - the facts of the matter being in dispute. Even now, in Spain, it's hard to discuss it without tempers flaring...

Irrob · 02-02-2007, 06:41 PM

looking forward to this one

RickWJ324 · 03-08-2007, 10:35 AM

I saw it a couple of months ago and thought it was such a great film. I recently bought the 2 disc set (Korean edition, Region 3, NTSC). I love this film! Highly Recommended! I only have 1 region-free player, so I burned a copy to play on all of my other players and now all of my friends are asking for copies!

Rick

cruxis · 03-08-2007, 02:30 PM

I agree.

I didnt know what it was until I read up on it, and unless you hate fantasy movies how can this movie not interest everyone who have it looked up?
Ok, I admin I was a little sceptic at first, but that wore off about 10 minutes into the movie.

Highly recommneded.!

hopester · 03-11-2007, 12:24 PM

I have not seen a bad review of this movie anywhere, its just the subs that have put me off.

Guess I'd better give it a go as I love fantasy films

Tzen · 03-18-2007, 04:55 AM

I guess I'm in the minority on this one, or maybe the hype killed it for me, but I found it rather boring. So did my Mexican friend that watched it with me, and she loves pretty much any flick that's in Spanish.

I guess it's not really fair to call it hype. Rather, all of the positive reviews and word-of-mouth hyping from my friends is what I'm referring to.

**964 Pinocchio** · 03-20-2007, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tzen

I guess I'm in the minority on this one, or maybe the hype killed it for me, but I found it rather boring. So did my Mexican friend that watched it with me, and she loves pretty much any flick that's in Spanish.

I guess it's not really fair to call it hype. Rather, all of the positive reviews and word-of-mouth hyping from my friends is what I'm referring to.

I absolutely love Pan's Labyrinth, it was nice to see a new fantasy movie that has some dark/surreal tones to it.

But I understand what you mean when you say the the hype killed it for you. Since the movie does receive alot of praise, its naturally going to set your expectations for the movie pretty high, which can ruin a movie for anybody.