So I keep bringing up this movie because everything I hear about it points to a great movie. However, no one has ever heard of it. So I figured I would piece together something to let you know what this movie is about and hopefully get you excited about it.

 

 

Description: "Pan's Labyrinth" is a fanciful and chilling story set against the backdrop of a fascist regime in 1944 rural Spain. The film centers on Ofelia, a lonely and dreamy child living with her mother and adoptive father; a military officer tasked with ridding the area of rebels. In her loneliness, Ofelia creates a world filled with fantastical creatures and secret destinies. With post-war repression at its height, Ofelia must come to terms with her world through a fable of her own creation.

 

Trailer:

 

http://trailers.picturehouse.com/panslabyrinth/trailer_640x360.mov

 

Awards and Nominations

 

Golden Globe Nomination

2007 Best Foreign Language Film

 

Cannes Film Festival Golden Palm Nomination

 

National Society of Film Critics Best Picture of 2006

article: http://popwatch.ew.com/popwatch/index.html#a0015066645

 

 

Err, in Spain it won everything.... from Actor, Picture, Actress, Cinementograhpy, Director, etc...

Last night I watched fifteen minutes of a behind the scenes thingummy on it on HBO. It looks superdupercool. Definitely adult fantasy, with a mix of actual and CGI effects. I don't know that it will have the very best plot or the very best acting, but I am always interested in movies that are set along the line between reality and imagination.

Like a Charles de Lint novel... perhaps my favorite author. And you introduced me to him!

 

I totally plan on seeing this movie. I don't know when, or how. But it's planned.

Yveva are we going this weekend?

 

BAH no... cause you are working.

 

I hate you so hard!!!!

Also it is in Spanish... FYI.

 

Here is a user review I read which will be helpful.

 

So I saw this movie this afternoon. Whoa.

 

Definitely not warm and fuzzy, and definitely not kid friendly. It's a very bleak movie, but it's beautifully put together. It shows what Del Toro is capable of without a studio exec breathing over his shoulder.

 

The story takes place in 1944 in Spain. The Franco regime has just seized power, and now they are starting to tighten their grip on the people and the remaining rebels. The story centers on a girl, Ofelia, her pregnant and ill mother, and her mother's new husband, a sadistic captain in the Franco regime.

 

Ofelia likes fairy tales. In fact that's pretty much all she reads about. In a mountain retreat where her new father is stationed, Ofelia finds a faun by the name of Pan. Pan tells her that she is a legendary princess that must complete three tasks before the full moon to gain back her immortality and take her rightful place at the throne.

 

But this is only half of the story. The other half of the story deals with the captain trying to find and kill a group of guerillas that are hiding in the area nearby. He uses any and all means possible. And that's about as much detail as I can give you on the plot without giving things away.

 

The movie has some very graphic scenes of torture, brutality, and just general nastiness. It's not for the squeamish. Especially during the prolonged cheek sewing scene.

 

Anyway, all that aside, I liked the movie. It was well put together, well thought out, and executed with the right amount of timing and tension. Each scene has its place.

 

Rating: Bargain matinee viewing at least once. I don't know if I could go through it again on the big screen, just due to the brutality in certain scenes.

yeah CdL!!! PS. Emp is making me read the Dresden series and I think you'd like it too Karstar, more urban fantasy, lighter than CdL though. Imagine if House were a wizard.

I think I have to see this movie now....

 

Wait....

 

Yes, I have to see it.

Definitely see it, but don't bring kids along. Seriously. I wrote a thread with some more comments after seeing the film.

I went and saw this last week on the opening night. Everytime i end up going to see i movie these days i cant help but assume it is going to be garbage (which i blame on hollywood). Having said that Pan's Labrynth was one of the better movies i have seen in a long time, it was nothing like my expectations i had after seeing the preview, definately recommended

I agree, different than what Hollywood boxes for us and puts on the big screen. Thanks for the post!

I liked that even though I knew the background for the movie, and saw a special on HBO about some of the effects and actors, it still surprised me.