Guillermo del Toro and "Pan's labyrinth".

[Neville]

Hi there. Looks like being a spaniard helps once in a while to see b-movies before anybody else :-P

I mention it because I just saw Guillermo del Toro's latest film, "Pan's labyrinth", and according to the IMDB you'll have to wait til december to see it. And let me tell you, it's a hell of a movie. It's certainly worth the wait.

Anyone of you seen "The Devil's backbone"? It's one of Del Toro's earlier movies, a supernatural horror story that takes place during the Spanish Civil War. This one is quite similar except, and here are the good news, that it works much better, and already "The Devil's backbone" was a very good movie. Del Toro has also mentioned, in his interviews with different Spanish media, that rthis film is the second in a trilogy, so we should except another one in a similar vein in the following years.

The story in this one revolves around a young teenage girl and her pregnant mother, who has recently married an army officer. They both move to the countryside, where the officer has been ordered to engage and destroy the local maquis groups. The girl is soon faced with another task, as a extrange creature appears to her and tells her of several trials she has to endure in order to obtain... something I won't tell you.

Anyway, it's a terrific film. Del Toro shows here he is a more mature filmmaker now, and the script he himself has penned is much better than the one of "The Devil's backbone". The casting is another improvement: instead of Eduardo Noriega, Del Toro has handed the role of the movie villain to a far more capable actor, Sergi López, and the young girl who portrays Ofelia, the main role, is fantastic.

It's a must see, I have to say that way. Meanwhile you can watch the trailers here:

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

[Scott]

Haven't heard of the director or film Neville, but I will definately keep watch for it.

[Neville]

Haven't heard of Guillermo del Toro before?! Where have you been hiding all these years? It's that Mexican director who made "Cronos", "Mimic", "Blade II" or "Hellboy". He's one of the best SF / Fantasy directors out there.

[Scott]

That is probably why I haven't heard of Guillermo del Toro. : ) I have been a little interested in seeing HELLBOY.

Films like that have to age before they are ripe for viewing.

[Yaddo 42]

I have been looking forward to this since I first read about it. I loved the mood and atmosphere of "the Devil's Backbone" which made up for the story which was a little lacking. Still an underappreicated film, I'll take more films in this vein rather than stuff like the "Blade" films or "Mimic". I liked "Hellboy", but less than I hoped I would.

[Ed, Ego and Superego]

I read a very positive review of this film, besides Neville's.  I will definitely see it.
-Ed