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

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

Oh, I liked the lovely sheriff all right. But the main appeal for me was the films "feeling for snow" and vampires. I didn't have any expectation before I watched (I find this works the best way for me! ) and when I saw the scary vampire leader I thought "I LIKE". He had a personality!!!

[arathisiewen.livejournal.com]

They DID seem to have mroe of a motive than most, but all in all i wasn't pleased with the movie. Meh. Teach me to read reviews before I see a movie maybe. However, the same thing happened with THe Covenant... and nwo I own the damned thing!!

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

Although "The Covenant" is not a good movie, the collective amount of pretty in it is overwhelming. :D

[arathisiewen.livejournal.com]

Yes yes - not a excellent movie but the pretties make up for it. You have to admit there was a good backstory that they could have done better with... I was really disappointed when Aaron Abbott didn't have a bigger part than he did, because you see him first before Chase I think.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

Yes, the movie could have been made into series with more time given to each actor. :D

[arathisiewen.livejournal.com]

The locker scene would be non-existent though.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

Or may be they could have it in every episode? :D

[arathisiewen.livejournal.com]

Nah, on US tv it wouldn't exist - Covenant would be a CW type of show, maybe Sci-Fi if they did it right... they wouldn't let that much nudity be in a show that they would market to teenagers.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

Could be true. However, Sci-Fi's "Battlestar Galactica" had Jamie Bamber and some other guys having virtually nothing in locker rooms.

[arathisiewen.livejournal.com]

Yes, but facing facts, Covenant (with it's "teen" cast) would be a CW show, and since that means it is being marketed for 12-17 a LOT of things wouldn't be allowed. I mean, I know "Gossip Girl" is having these "racy" commercials but PLEASE... you see two characters fully clothed having sex. I haven't seen the Chuck and BLair scene but....

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

I think you are right..

[arathisiewen.livejournal.com]

:D