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"

[soniag.livejournal.com]

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

[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.

[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...

[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.

[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. :)

[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. :)

[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.

[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.

[himmapaan.livejournal.com]

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

[dianora77.livejournal.com]

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

[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.

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. :)