Pan's Labyrinth (El laberinto del fauno - Spanish title)

Plot: In the fascist Spain of 1944, the bookish young stepdaughter of a sadistic army officer escapes into an eerie but captivating fantasy world.

Like I said it before, Guillermo del Toro is obsessed with dark fairy tale creatures.

This movie is no exception, it is another dark fairy tale. But this one is a real masterpiece when it comes to dark fairy tales. Brutal and hearth touching movie, with beautiful acting and scenery. Directing is also very good.

The year is 1944, spanish civil war rages.. It all starts with a pregnant woman and her daughter moving away from the city, to an isolated house in the woods. The mother had to marry an army Captain out of interest - her husband died, and she had to marry because the captain could offer her safety and money. The young daughter (Ofelia) hates his new "father"..

One day she enters a labyrinth, and meets and old faun, and he tells her she is a princess, and must prove her royalty by performing 3 tasks, each harder than the one before.

A dark masterpiece... that is definetly not for children (there are some really brutal parts in the movie).

There is a huge contrast between the good Ofelia and the brutal captain Vidal. But somehow I understand the captain, I undestand that he must be bad and brutal, because his father was a great leader, and he must live up to his name..

Young Ofelia (12yo) carries the whole movie on her shoulders, and she really manages, and acts like a pro.

Everything is in perfect harmony... the acting, the landscape, the effects, and the music. It's nothing like Narnia, IMO it's way better (and Narnia was for kids... this is not for kids, but a fairy tale for adults).

So give this movie a try. It's a great movie, I really loved it, and I highly recommend it.

I rate this 9/10.

Don't be afraid of the Dark

Plot: A young girl sent to live with her father and his new girlfriend discovers creatures in her new home who want to claim her as one of their own.

Again another movie I was looking forward to. Yet it didn't impress me.

Guillermo del Toro also wrote and made Pan's Labyrinth, and that really was something (but in this production - Don't be afraid of the dark - he was only the writer)! Will do a review about it tomorrow, because that movie is worth watching.

Now back to "Don't be afraid of the Dark"

The story goes like this: a little girl is passed from her mother to her dad. The father is working on restoring an old house with his new girlfriend. Ofc there are some trouble at the beginning, the girl (Sally) has problems with her dad's girlfriend (she doesn't like her, etc.). After they discover a hidden basement, the story starts to spice up a bit, as Sally is hearing voices from the old basement's fireplace. Soon some rat sized gollum-like creatures are running through the house, and are after Sally. They are whispering that they want to be friends, and want to play, so she is excited about that. But soon it turns out that those things want more from her... They are "fallen" tooth fairies.

Sally tries to warn everyone when she finds out that those creatures want to destroy her family and take her away. But noone believes her...

Guillermo del Toro seems to be fascinated by creatures of fairy tales, but he gives them a dark twist.

This movie is labeled as Horror, but it's not scary at all. It's rather disturbing if you can imagine what the caracters are going through. Like I said, this is a dark fairy tale (just like Pan's Labyrinth).

Final words: average movie from a good/great writer, with mediocre directing. But it's enjoyable.

It still is way better than any other crap Hollywood is making today.

So give it a shot. Maybe you will like it.

I rate this 6/10.

Haute Tension (High Tension)

Plot: Two college friends, Marie and Alexa, encounter loads of trouble while on vacation at Alexa's parents’ country home when a mysterious killer invades their quiet getaway.

Another great french horror movie is Haute Tension. Brutal, bloody and suspenseful with a good story that will mess with your head.

This movie was released in 2003, so I was pretty young when I saw it (16 yo because I think I saw it in 2004) and had no experience with “real” horror movies, so I was affected by this movie. I saw the original french uncut version. It is gruesome and shocking. So the two girls travel to a farmhouse to study for some exams. That same night the doorbell rings and the action begins with 100% violence level and will continue untill the end credits.

If you liked Texas chainsaw massacre you will like this too. If you watch this movie you will raise your horror standards to a new level. This movie delivers exactly what the title promises: high tension. You will feel the adrenaline rush in your body while you watch this. So don’t miss out on this great horror flick. It’s not perfect, but it’s good/very good oldschool horror movie with no mercy.

"..Hearts will bleed.."

Martyrs (french)

Plot: A young woman's quest for revenge against the people who kidnapped and tormented her as a child leads her and a friend, who is also a victim of child abuse, on a terrifying journey into a living hell of depravity.
When I fist saw this movie I didn't know what to expect. I mean I knew that it will be good, but i didn't know that it will be great! Another horror masterpiece added to my collection. Hollywood can hide... AGAIN. I bet that they will remake this movie, because that's what americans and hollywood do these days. Lack of ideas? no problem, take a great foreign horror movie and turn it into american shit. I didn't say that no great horror movie came from the minds of Hollywood, but this "remake a good movie" is a new trend there.
So let's get back to the movie. I have to warn you, this movie is disturbing. French language (get subtitles, I say it again: don't be lazy to read) and a shocking story, with good acting, good directing and some bone-chilling moments. What more can you ask for? I really don't know what else to say about this movie, because it is such a new experience, you need to see it and then decide if you like it or not. Trailer or a review is not enough to show you what this movie is all about. It's not like the rest of the horror movies that you watch and make you jump over and over again, but that's not the thing that makes a horror movie a horror movie; this movie will make you feel sorry + angry + terrified + disgusted. It left me wanting more... Pity I don't see a horror movie like this every day, or pity that they don't make horror movies like this every day (or at least 1/month).
So again, no trailer because trailers are spoilers when it comes to a great movie that also messed with your mind. Just watch it, then tell me if you liked it :)

ils (2006) aka. Them

Plot: Lucas and Clementine live peacefully in their isolated country house, but one night they wake up to strange noise... they're not alone...
Before i start to review this movie in a few words (i will never ever give away any spoilers!) i have to tell you that i am a huge horror fan, and i have seen hundreds of horror movies, so i have high expectations when it comes to horror movies.
If you look at the plot, you will think "aw shit, another boring horror movie with a shitty plot", but i can assure you, you are very wrong. This is one of my favorite horror movies. It's even based on a real events (this story is NO fiction, it can happen and it is happening all over the world). I've been looking forward to see this movie, and was very excited when i finally got my hands on it. It's one of those movies, that will keep you on the edge of your seat, aka. oldschool suspense movie. Sound is everything in this movie. I really don't understand WHY would anyone put music playing in the background in a horror movie? Always was a fan of horror movies with natural sound, and no music to cover the silence (Blair Witch, REC, etc. but will review those movies later on). Makes it more real. Also this movie was filmed in Romania, my home country, so i know about the story being real (checked it after i watched the movie). I will not go into any details about the movie, because i don't want to plant any ideas in your heads. In a horror movie the less you know before you watch it, the better (when it comes to a good horror movie).
So if you like horror movies (or suspense movies) make sure you watch this one! It's a French movie, so you will probably need subtitles. Don't be lazy to read, it's worth it.

Trailer: