Films: El Orfanato + Perfect Creature

[alexandral]

El Orfanato
Storyline: Laura, her husband and her adopted son Simon move to live into an old orphanage where Laura spent her childhood. Her dream is to create an orphanage for disabled children there. But strange things start to happen and Simon seems to be in danger.

Prior to my research I have been completely sure this film was directed by Guillermo Del Toro. It resembles "Pan's labyrinth" and has all the staples of the latter: darkness, psychology and Catholic undertones. Both films have left a big impression on me and both had a similar little minus. As "Pan's Labyrinth" in some way is a scary macabre version of Narnia so "El Orfanato" was a different take on "The Others".

I would call this film more of a psychological mystery with horror elements than a true horror. Though it contains few of my personal "this is guaranteed to make me frightened" scenes and screeching sounds the horror is quite soft. The scariest moments involved old dolls. What is it about old dolls that makes them so frightening? A new doll is just a piece of plastic and doesn't seem to be even slightly scary, but a battered old doll always reminds me of a dead child. Every time I see one in a pile of rubbish I quietly die inside. (Sorry, I digress).

For the acting part I would really single out Belén Rueda. She is fabulous and exquisitely beautiful, in her movements as well as in her voice and gestures. She played her part with heart-breaking honesty and chilling understanding of THE BIGGEST fear any mother has of losing her child. This fear of losing your child (in a crowd, in a swimming pool, anywhere) grew in me since my own joining of motherhood. Even to think of it makes my insides churl. I guess for me this was the most frightening part in the film , not the classic horror scenes which it contained in abundance.



To summarise, I liked the film very much and would highly recommend it, especially for the fans of psychological films. The ending is marvellous and I didn't see it coming. There were many unforgettable images and I liked the poster scene in particular.

Perfect Creature
I watched this from the recommendation by the_grynne and I loved it. It is one of "very underrated because it wasn't made in Hollywood" films that not many people have seen but which are good nonetheless. Great visuals, characters you will hold your breath for; all in this new take on the Vampire myth and angels.



I know few fans of vampire stories and "vampire romances" on my friends list – I would really recommend to watch this film as a beautifully filmed and intelligent version of the story we all like. If you need more information, here is a great promo post by the_grynne with trailer and pictures.

Comments

[petzipellepingo.livejournal.com]

Alas, Perfect Creature isn't available in the U.S. "pouts"

[endlessdeep.livejournal.com]

It's on Netflix. I just put it in my queue. :)

[nutmeg3.livejournal.com]

deepdiscount.com has it, too.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

I hope you found it!

[soniag.livejournal.com]

I loved El Orfanato -- glad you enjoyed it, too!

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

It is excellent, isn't it? Did you guess the ending? I often do in films but not this time.

[winterspel.livejournal.com]

Thank you for this lovely post! I've been wanting to see Le Orfanato since I first heard about it months ago, but I missed it in the theater (I even had free passes!). I'll be sure to check it out, however.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

Oh, thank you! I remember how you liked "Pan's LAbyrinth" and "El Orfanato" has a very distinct feel of "Pan's Labyrinth". It is so beautifully made.

[arathisiewen.livejournal.com]

Oooooh, will look for second movie immediately. I mean, I'll have to watch itmyself since husband doesnt' care for vamp movies but...

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

As the_grynne said is is very much of a good "graphic novel" film. I wonder what you'll think!!!!

[bzoppa.livejournal.com]

I totally thought The Orphanage was a Del Toro movie too, everytime I heard about it.

These are both great suggestions. Thanks! I never heard of Perfect Creature but I do adore Dougray Scott. Hate Saffron Burrows but if I was willing to put up with her for Jason Statham in The Bank Job (which I didn't wind up seeing), I can deal with her for some vampires and angels and Mr. Scott.

[bzoppa.livejournal.com]

Also, thanks for the link to the_grynne. I friended her, her posts look right up my alley.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

I totally thought The Orphanage was a Del Toro movie too, everytime I heard about it.

He is a producer of it (this must show his influence!) but the director is J.A. Bayona.

These are both great suggestions. Thanks! I never heard of Perfect Creature but I do adore Dougray Scott

I think you may be can like "Perfect Creature" too. :D I really liked him there :D I have got "Hitman" to watch next.

[baleanoptera.livejournal.com]

I must really check out this "Perfect Creature" film. Thanks to you post as well as the_grynne I'm fairly convinced that this is my thing. I love new takes on the vampire myth after all. :)

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

I loved it . I like the description the_grynne gave, it is very much of "graphic novel" film with vampire/dystopia themes. It is not a masterpiece, take me right, but I really enjoyed it. Very stylishly filmed.

[endlessdeep.livejournal.com]

I just put Perfect Creature in my Netflix queue and moved it to the top. Thanks for fueling my vampire obsession. I have 30 Days of Night from Netflix, but I haven't watched it yet. I think my husband might be interested so we will watch it Saturday night. Tonight is Moonlight and BSG. :)

[arathisiewen.livejournal.com]

I saw 30 Days of Night a month or so ago and honestly? Not particularly impressed. I was more impressed with the anime that had an episode included ion the DVD. Otherwise, the movie was just a bit awful really.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

May be my suggestion will be to watch "Perfect Creature". I liked "30 days of Night" for it's uncromromising vampire brutality and (again!) am interesting take on vampires but I don't know what you'll think. However I thought it could be useful for your research on the matter.

[nutmeg3.livejournal.com]

El Orfanato has been on my must-see list, but I've never even heard of Perfect Creature. I'm going to go look into it right now.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

but I've never even heard of Perfect Creature. I'm going to go look into it right now.

It is by no means perfect but I really liked it. Very stylish and an excellent atmosphere.

[reen212000.livejournal.com]

Scary movies involving children freak me out. Kids are pretty damn scary when they're alive, much less wee ghosties. But when I saw the previews for this movie, I was totally drawn to it. I love a good ghost story, even though they scare the crap outta me. It looked dark and moody, the type that has me afraid of dark corners.

Loved The Others movie. But does anyone remember the TV show The Others from years ago? Scardies.

[dianora77.livejournal.com]

Scary movies involving children freak me out. Kids are pretty damn scary when they're alive, much less wee ghosties.

Lol! I'm just like you. Creepy, waif-like children in horror films scare me more than any chainsaw-wielding mask-wearing madman.

[himmapaan.livejournal.com]

Ah, I really wanted to see El Orfanato. I'm glad you recommend it too. :)

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

It is a beautiful and deep film, really must watch!

[dianora77.livejournal.com]

Adding this to memories, if you don't mind. :D

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

I am so glad you liked it!!!

[aprisea.livejournal.com]

I really liked El Orfanato, one of the few spanish films that I liked.
And the perfect Creature was really boring to me.I watched because was about vampires but I almost fall sleep Z_z.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

I really liked El Orfanato, one of the few spanish films that I liked.

I am a huge fan of Pedro Almodovar movies. I like them even more than I like "El Orfanato", I must admit.

And the perfect Creature was really boring to me.I watched because was about vampires but I almost fall sleep Z_z.

Oh my! I was clutching my seat few times and I adored the main pairing beyond anything. So beautiful.

Оne of the fans of vampire stories and "vampire romances" on your friends list. ))

[elec3nity.livejournal.com]

Oh yes, I'll watch "Perfect Creature" as soon as I can! Thank you for recommendation. :)

Re: Оne of the fans of vampire stories and "vampire romances" on your friends list. ))

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

I hope you will like it - it was really a good film of "graphic novel" style for me. Not perfect but I watched few scenes several times. :D