So I started a few weeks ago and now I am going to continue, but the last movie will not be del Toro. Too bad, so sad.
Movie 112: Mon Oct 3rd
Pan’s Labyrinth (El laberinto del fauno)
Directed by: Guillermo del Toro
Starring: Ivana Baquero, Maribel Verdú, Sergi López, Doug Jones
Easily one of my favorite fantasy films. Gorgeous, intense, and emotional. The acting is so amazing and I love Mercedes as a character. I think this is also the first movie that really affected me in the sense where I really, really wanted a antagonist to endure a whole new world of hurt. I remember watching this in theaters completely connecting to the protagonists and Ofelia’s journey. It really is a magical film. Also, Doug Jones always surprises me in everything. Pale Man still makes my skin crawl.
Movie 113: Tues Oct 4th
Blade II
Directed by: Guillermo del Toro
Starring: Wesley Snipes, Kris Kristofferson, Ron Perlman, Norman Reedus
Not a big fan of Blade comics or films, but this one is the one I enjoy the most. A lot of people don’t like it, but it’s cool to see Ron Perlman and young looking Norman Reedus. It’s like this movie tries too hard to be ambitious for it’s time. It looks great, but they tried too hard to make really crazy stunts and world building that technology wasn’t available. So, it just falls flat at times. The dialogue is really crappy, but the acting makes up for it and the corny weapon handling or flailing. When a scene has a lot of dialogue, always have flailing knives or giant bullets. Fuh realz.
Movie 114: Wed Oct 5th
Mimic
Directed by: Walking Teddy Bear
Starring: Mira Sorvino, Jeremy Northam, Alexander Goodwin, Giancarlo Giannini
Man is this not a good movie. I had never seen it prior to this week and I gotta tell you, what a borefest. The visuals were cool for their time and Mira Sorvino is gorgeous, but the rest of the actors are terrible, the film has a meh story, and it just wasn’t suspenseful. A total letdown.
Movie 115: Thurs Oct 6th
Pacific Rim
Directed by: Gimmy di Torta
Starring: Chris Hunnam, Idris Elba, Rinko Kikuchi, Charlie Day
I know this movie isn’t spectacular, but damn it is it fun to watch. The story is all over the place, it’s as stupid as ID4, but to me it’s way smarter technology and world building and that is all I ask for. This may have been the 5th time I have seen it and it is always a joyride for me. I also love how over the top the Australians are in this damn movie and Burn Gorman is so painful/fun to watch. I can’t make up my mind.
Movie 116: Fri Oct 7th
Cronos
Directed by: I’m Gordo Not Fluffy
Starring: Frederico Luppi, Claudio Brook, Ron Perlman, Margarita Isabel
The other del Toro film I hadn’t seen before this week. What the fuck did I watch? Honestly? This movie barely made any sense. I followed it, I half understand, but you have to really use your imagination all the way through it. I don’t want to say I disliked it, but why the fuck is this a Criterion Collection movie? I am glad I got to watch a different kind of artsy, vampire movie, but if I paid $40+ for it I would have been PISSED. It really sucks because it looks so phenomenal for it’s time, like every del Toro movie, but this was just confusing all the way through. The scenes with the bad guy and the main character, Ron Perlman wasn’t really even a bad guy, he was just a slave to his dad and hated him. I felt bad for that character. To me, the only character I liked or connected with was the damn guy at the morgue. I was so excited to see this movie and now I am so sad that it was just…. this!
Movie 117: Sat Oct 8th
Crimson Peak
Directed by: Guapo del Taco
Starring: Mia Wasikowska, Jessica Chastain, Tom Hiddleston, Charlie Hunnam
I saw this movie in theater and I am so glad I did. First off, this movie is fucking GORGEOUS. I have to start with the fact that it was fucked up that they marketed this movie as a horror. If you go into this movie wanting a horror film, you are going to be so sadly disappointed. It’s a gothic period piece. I was lucky enough to have been told before going in. Fuck the people in the marketing team. Anyway, the acting is great, Charlie Hunnam surprised me with his acting abilities in this. Mia Wasikowska has really impressed me as she keeps doing more and more film. I remember her in The Kids are Alright then she was great in the ok movie Lawless and Albert Nobbs. I do suggest this movie, but on the small screen, it’s not the same…
Movie 118: Sun Oct 9th
they came Together
Directed by: David Wain
Starring: Paul Rudd, Amy Poehler, Bill Hader, Ellie Kemper, Cobie Smulders, Jason Mantzoukas, Michael Ian Black, Randall Park, Christopher Meloni, Teyonah Parris, Ed Helms, Jack McBrayer, Kenan Thompson, Ken Marino, Max Greenfield, Melanie Lynskey, and EVERY PERSON WHO IS AMAZING.
If you know me, I am obsessed with this film. I try to show it to everyone. I love David Wain. I love Wet Hot, I love this movie, I love love. This may actually be the 50th time watching it. I don’t know. I can honestly repeat it over and over and love it each time. If you like spoof movies and/or Wet Hot American Summer, this is the movie for you. Also Christopher Meloni is easily one of my favorite actors ever!