I finally watched Pan's Labyrinth

[AlCzervik]

Wow what a downer. I did like it even though it was incredibly brutal. I was hoping for the best ther at the end, i won't give it away in case someone wants to see it.

[crim son]

1. My son told me a bit about the plot. I thought it was a kids' movie

but from what he told me, it isn't.

[AlCzervik]

2. well there is a kid in it, beyond that it's not a kids movie.

i thought it was good, way heavy but pretty intersting and original.

[crim son]

18. I intend to see it

but I'm not bringing either of my other two kids! :hi:

[Suich]

3. The special effects were great but

I had a hard time getting past the brutality...wasn't expecting it at all.

:hi:

[AlCzervik]

4. i wasn't expecting so much i guess but it had it place in the story so

i don't think it was gratuitous, course i may also have my head my ass.

that part with captain and the housekeeper==yikes!

[ghostsofgiants]

9. Fascist Spain, they were brutal times.

[Iris]

5. I want to see it, but am afraid it will be too much.

Do you think the brutality will stick in your brain for more than a few days?

[AlCzervik]

7. yes and no, other things from the movie will stay with me, not the violence.

[Iris]

8. ok. That makes me think it will be worth the discomfort. Thanks! n/t

[BarenakedLady]

6. I have it

but haven't watched it yet.

:scared:

[tigereye]

10. it has the quality of all the great children's tales, though

even though it isn't for kids, really. But putting Franco's fascism in that kind of fairy tale context was brilliant, if intense.

And the cinematography was beautiful. I have to admit, I don't know if I could sit through it again.

[AlCzervik]

13. no way will i be watching it again because there is no way i will forget it.

the cinematography was beautifully done and the story was original, i can see why it won oscars. I loved the Ophelia, she will have a big career i think if she wants it.

[ghostsofgiants]

11. Great film.

You might enjoy del Toro's other Spanish Civil War film, The Devil's Backbone.

[AlCzervik]

16. ok, writing that down, thank you.

[xmas74]

19. Devil's Backbone is good

and you can sometimes catch it on Showtime later at night or Sundance. You just have to keep your eyes open for it.

I haven't had the chance to check out Pan's but am planning to shortly.

[ghostsofgiants]

20. I've been meaning to pick up Devil's Backbone on dvd, it's only like $10.

[xmas74]

21. I'll need to look for it.

That's a really good price.

Most non studio releases tend to run high in my area.

[ghostsofgiants]

22. Same here.

I've dropped $30+ on some dvds. (Most recently Fugazi's Instrument, which was $32 and tax, haha, and never mind the ridiculous price for Criterion Collection DVDs.) I was surprised when I saw it there for so cheap.

It's $10 on Amazon, too: http://www.amazon.com/Devils-Backbone-Special-Marisa-Paredes/dp/B000274TLW/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/102-2351244-9558535?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1179716479&sr=8-1

[YankeyMCC]

12. I saw it a couple of months ago

An incredible film overall. Certainly dark and brutal at some points but it certainly provokes thought and emotion and not in a cheep meaningless way.

[AlCzervik]

14. i think it was integral to the story, brutal but understandable why it was in there.

[Pale Blue Dot]

15. A great fairy tale, and a great allegory of the Spanish Civil War.

If you read some of the "classic" fairy tales, you'll find that they were quite violent too.

I thought it was a great movie, but I'll probably wait a few years before I try to get my son to watch it.

[AlCzervik]

17. my daughter watched it with me, she's almost 13, she wasn't freaking out but

there were parts where i told her "Look away" she already had a blanket over her head.

[Evoman]

23. Saw it about 20 minutes ago. *maybe spoiler...just little bit*

I thought it was pretty good. I don't know...I'm just not a person who gets really enjoys movies so intensely that it could get "stuck" in my head or anything like that. I thought it was interesting, but I didn't bust a nut over it like I thought I would, given the critical acclaim.

There are just too many "stupid character" moments in it for me. The little girl eating the grapes? The servant spy running and packing after talking to the captain (should have known he was following you)? Not killing the captain when she had the chance? STUPID STUPID STUPID.

However, the actors and actresses were FANTASTIC. Especially the creepy Captain (he played an equally creepy character in Dirty Pretty Things) and the little girl.

[AlCzervik]

24. the deal with grapes and that thing, that awful thing

the monster that eats children, i wasn't sure exactly why that happened after it did happen. I think maybe it was some kind of test for her--"Don't eat anything, nothing!" but she did so was the faun testing her self control? I don't really know but that thing totally horrified me. On the other hand that chalk was awesome. Wants magic chalk.

[Ava]

25. after hearing from several people about how "brutal" and violent it was

i don't think i'll be seeing it - even though i love a movie with good direction.

[Az]

26. Yes its brutal. But

Its not brutal such as a slasher flick would be or some summer action movie. The brutality is there for a reason. It is a part of the movie as it is a part of the characters lives.