PAN'S LABYRINTH one of the best of the decade

As 2009 comes to a close, I've noticed that PAN'S LABYRINTH has popped up on a few "Best Films of the Decade" lists.

In fact, Metacritic.com just named PAN'S LABYRINTH the overall top movie of the decade based on a score of theatrical reviews.

It also got a shout out in the NJ Star-Ledger. Metronews Canada called it "one of the decade's most amazing movies."

The best quote comes from Lucy Jones of the Telegraph, who said "I walked out of Pan's Labyrinth feeling like a piece of gum on a frozen pavement. Spat out by a serial killer." She ranks the scene with Ofelia in the Pale Man's lair as the #9 Scene of the Decade.

It is great to see that the film is sticking with people. This is evidence that it will remain as an all-time classic.

Avatar is Ground-Breaking

It takes a really special movie for me to get out of the house and make it to the theater. Having two children under 2 years old will do that to you. It is always hard finding a babysitter, and it is even harder for me to ditch the wife with the two young ones while I run off to see a movie (ESPECIALLY since she is a big movie-watcher herself).

But this weekend I got the "green-light" to go see AVATAR. And it was worth it.

I went with some friends to see it at the local IMAX in 3D. (The ONLY way to see this movie in my opinion). I got the tickets several days in advance because I knew it would be a sell-out. Got there 45 minutes early to make sure I wouldn't be straining my neck in the first row. There was already a line a mile long to get into the theater (I ended up sitting in the back row - still not as bad as the front). I think "blockbuster" is a given on this one.

The film is an amazing achievement technically. The alien world looks completely real, and is a feast of visuals and imagination. It isn't like the forest of Endor - the planet Pandora is completely alien - alien plants, alien trees. And every scene is peppered with alien life - insects, lizards and small animals are injected to add fascinating detail.

AVATAR is the future. Much like TOY STORY ushered in a new standard of animated film, I too believe AVATAR is going to change how fantasy movies are made. The key is in how life-like the aliens (the Na'vi) of Pandora appear. You may only see a movie like AVATAR once a year because it is too expensive, but I can see all special effect films expanding on its motion capture technology - particularly in how it was able to create faces with real expression. Gone are the "clay" and "stiff" emotions of characters in films like BEOWULF. AVATAR is putting actors in real digital "suits". I don't think we'll ever see a puppet again (sorry, Yoda).

The 3D didn't impress me as much as I thought it would. At times I found it a little distracting - so maybe 3D is better when you don't know it is there - when it is "immersive". I can tell you that the best moments of the 3D was when characters found themselves at tremendous heights looking out into empty space. The 3D coupled with the IMAX screen can make someone with a fear of heights a little nervous - it was a spectacular effect.

The greatness of AVATAR is purely within its technical achievement - much like STAR WARS. The story itself was good enough - kind of a space version of DANCES WITH WOLVES - and it kept me interested and entertained. The acting was good, too - and it was nice to see Sigourney Weaver playing a cranky scientist.

I would call this film a must-see "amusement park ride", and probably the closest I'll ever get to actually visiting an alien planet - which is probably exactly what James Cameron was going for.

On The HOBBIT "Delay"

Lots of talk on the 'net right now about "The Delay". I found a great blog post from our good friend Kristin Thompson that sums up the matter perfectly:

I cannot overemphasize that much of what the studio and filmmakers have said so far about dates is tentative. Until the two scripts are finished, the budget planned, and the greenlight given, no really firm dates can be devised. In the meantime, all announced dates are presumably targets, and they will change as the decision-makers gain more information.

So whether the principal photography begins in April or July or whenever, there is no real delay. It’s a delay only in relation to estimates, not a firm schedule. These procedures are normal in Hollywood. There is no need to imagine a crisis based on the Tolkien Trust lawsuit, MGM’s financial crisis, or some sort of creative disagreement between the scriptwriters and the studio.

Second, on the release dates of the finished films, the interviewer asks, “So you believe in December 2011 the first part is going to be in theaters. Peter replies, “At this stage, that is certainly the plan.”

Again, that’s tentative. Studios frequently change the release dates of films, especially if the release date was estimated very early on, before the scripting/greenlighting process was even begun. A delay would be disappointing, but it wouldn’t be indicative of some behind-the-scenes calamity.

Pay heed everyone - Kristin is a smart cookie.

GDT Active on TORN

TORN is "TheOneRing.net".

Guillermo has made a few posts recently on their message boards and I thought I would share them with you:

On writing The Hobbit with Fran Walsh, Phillipa Boyens:

They are so absolutely indispensable... We have a precious collaboration and they are amazingly talented and fluent and brilliant in their writing. Now, you would be surprised- some of the funniest and most tender moments come from PJ or me also- and the ladies can be quite ruthless with the character's fates!! our collaboration is not quite gender / trait specific. What is very beautiful is that we make it a point to be together in the writing process as much as humanly possible.

It also appears GDT is immensely enjoying himself:

there are times in our lives when a gift is offered to us. This experience has been that. PJ, Fran and PB are blessings in my life. The partnership is superb but meeting people with such great hearts to go along with imagination and courage is a rare thing in this world.

Guillermo was also enamored with some fan art, created by the user grammaboodawg.

WHERE can I get my hands ona copy of that art??? ITS GORGEOUS and FUNNY!! I am strangely flattered by the portrayal!!

They are in my image folder now!! (along with images of Goblins, Smaug, Spiders etc- you must know) I am happy-

The inspiration came from a Tom Scott cartoon he did for a NZ paper in December 2003



Finally, Guillermo elaborated a bit on his cameo appearance as a creature in THE HOBBIT

I had a hand on the design of the creature and I will personally sculpt the appliances that will be applied on my face and hands. I used to sculpt the creatures for NECROPIA (my FX company) and I miss it a bit. I will have a line or two and die quickly.

Blogging the SPLICE Clip

I don't know why, but this post title makes me giggle. Sounds like an edgy animated sci fi short film. Or should I say "SyFy short film."

So I watched the SPLICE clip. I was hoping for one of three things from it:

1. Biological horror
2. Ethical dilemma
3. Scary science

I should probably clarify what I mean by "biological horror." By that I mean like freaky, gooey, scary, organic horror. The perfect example of biological horror is ALIEN. Facehuggers, impregnating parasites, acidic blood, etc.

Well, I really didn't get any of those things from the clip. The beginning starts promising, with a scientist locked in a chamber when suddenly something in there starts to move. A slight sense of claustrophobia, as the camera shoots from inside the mask. My heartbeat raced just a tad.

But then I SAW the little booger. Unfortunately, he was kind of cute. Like a two-legged puppy dog. Nothing like the "facehugger" that Ripley and Newt battle. And what was kind of funny was that Adrien Brody was banging on the window shouting that it was dangerous.

That thing? That little cutey-pie? Maybe it was going to go all Monty-Python-white-rabbit on everybody.

Anyway, my point is that the clip was lacking the three things I was hoping to see from the clip. And probably part of the problem was that the clip was just out of context. Brody probably had a good reason to be freaking out, but out of context it didn't make a lot of sense.

I'm still looking forward to the film. I think it does have quite a bit of the three qualities I mentioned above. If some "spy" out there gets to see the film on Saturday at the Sitges Film Festival, drop me a line and give me a review!

Del Toro Disney Deal Deliberations

Yesterday, this blog entry had my initial thoughts on GDT's DOUBLE DARE YOU production label with Disney. My initial impression: not excited.

Today: VERY EXCITED.

I emailed Guillermo with my thoughts - which basically asked, "Is this going to be like GOOSEBUMPS?"

He replied on our message board today that it is definitely not GOOSEBUMPS - mainly for one reason: DDY is going to produce "theatrical, high end" animated films.

This is big news - a Disney animated theatrical Guillermo Del Toro film.

Disney has a historic record of creating iconic characters and classic stories. Their films span the generations. They last. They are special.

I couldn't wait to watch a movie with my 2 year old son for the first time. His attention span is short, so I wasn't sure when he would actually be able to sit still and watch a movie with his old man. One day, while the wife was out, I decided to give it a try.

I got him a sippy cup of milk, a few "cheesy poofs" for toddlers, popped in BAMBI, and sat him on my lap. From the very beginning he was mesmerized. It was like magic for him. He smiled, laughed and watched the whole thing from beginning to end. It was magic for me too, because I felt like I was sharing a part of my childhood with him.

Imagine my joy when it was over and he said, "Watch it again!"

BAMBI was made in 1942. Special.

I can tune out the cynical remarks about Disney and their pursuit of the "all-mighty dollar" because, to me that afternoon with my son is what Disney is all about.

I hope GDT's films can capture some of that same "Disney magic."

That would really be special.

Professor Guillermo

Did you know that Guillermo helped create the film school at the University of Guadalajara? Check out this excerpt from an interview with SLANT back in May of 2009.

GDT: But I went to school in Guadalajara, but it was a very small film school that we created. It became the film school of the university—but we created it. There was no film school in Guadalajara as a kid, so we said "let's make one" and eventually the university formalized it.

Slant: Were you teaching there for a while?

GDT: The first year I was learning, the second year I was teaching.

Slant: Did you like being a professor?

GDT: Yeah, I'd actually love to teach again. I really enjoy that process.

So there you go - you're little GDT fun fact for the day.