Pan’s Labyrinth is a compelling story of a young girl and her fantasy world. This movie shows how young children can see more with their imaginations. There are aspects of dark fantasy that show the childish side of people. Pan’s Labyrinth excited all kinds of viewers and causes people to reminisce about their childhoods.
Pan’s Labyrinth shows the struggle of a young girl Ofelia (Ivana Baquero). Ofelia has never met her father. Her mother marries a well-off captain, Captain Vidal (Sergi López). The captain has money and power. Carmen marries him for his financial support. She is pregnant with the captain’s son. Both characters are using each other for something they want/need. Ofelia (Ivana Baquero) is a young girl that is said to be a princess that died in a past life and is being tested to prove she is worthy to be immortal. The tests are being administered by a terrifying faun. Guillermo del Toro shows his talent in Pan’s Labyrinth by illustrating the mind of a young child.
Most characters played their roles well, especially Sergi López who plays Captain Vidal. A viewer can get very angry at the Captain throughout the movie. He commits many acts of violence, some uncalled for. Ofelia (Ivana Baquero) is the most naïve of all the characters. She is the protagonist of the film. She was many struggles for such a young child. The audience has a real connection with Ofelia (Ivana Baquero) because everyone has been a child once and believed in fantasy creatures. Both Mercedes (Maribel Verdú) and the Doctor (Álex Angulo) portray characters that are helping the rebel army. Many of the Characters in Pan’s Labyrinth play their roles with emotion and attitude.
The set and special effects make the movie unforgettable. The Faun (Doug Jones), and the creature with its eyes in its hands, have elements of dark fantasy that are shown in the special effects. Without the effects, this movie would be plain and not as interesting. The special effects allow you to almost enter the movie and watch from the front row. The set is a dark wooded land. This set goes with the dark special effects. The special effects and the set are masterful creations of the mind of Guillermo del Toro. The movie was produced with perfection in mind. The characters perform their roles magnificently. The Special effects, Production, and Set help the dark fantasy get up close and personal with the audience.
Pan’s Labyrinth is very effective in involving the viewer in the movie. The story itself is magical and very interesting. Throughout the entire film you are pulled in by small details. It fulfilled my wants and needs in a movie. Pan’s Labyrinth is a must see for the serious movie watcher, or just a viewer that needs to get away from the world.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
The New Immortal
As I walked down the spiral staircase my knees began to quiver. My eyes were bloodshot and I couldn’t feel my face. There was a chilly wind that blew in from above. It cooled my entire body. The stairs seemed to go on forever. I could hear the faint whispers of mysterious voices at the bottom. As I neared the end I could see a dim light. It seemed to dance about the room like a flower blowing in the wind. I could now feel a sensation I have never felt before. It felt as if someone had taken a sharp object and jammed it into my side. I fell onto the ground writhing in pain. Three unusually tall figures approached and scooped me off the ground. Their hands were ice cold and very pale. They had finger nails that could cut through steel. But for some reason I felt safe with them. Two more mysterious figures joined us. I was carried into a small, dark room, and placed on a table. There was a foul stench in the air. One lone figure came in and handed me a cup with a reddish, brown liquid and told me to drink up.
The next morning I woke up to a loud bang. I had rolled off my table. I felt another sharp pain in my side. I lifted my shirt and was frightened to see a patch of skin that was different then the rest. It had been crudely sewn in and had a large “V” in the middle. I realized now that I had been transformed into a vampire. Every part of my body ached and I could barely stand. I felt weaker than a new-born cow. I had seen this before in a movie. I needed blood! That would help me regain strength. Another of the figures came in and took off her cloak. It was a woman; she had flowing black hair and magnificent brown eyes. She told me that her name was Elizabeth and she had been a vampire for 350 years. Elizabeth cut open her arm and forced me to drink. Blood tasted a lot better than I thought it would. It tasted like sweet honey. I have never felt so renewed in my entire life. After I was done, I sprang up and jumped on the table. My new found friends had given me new life.
Elizabeth and I walked down the halls of the underground facility. The walls dripped with discolored water. I was being taken to the room where I would get my name for my vampire life. I was now a member of a secret society, so of course I had to get a new name. I just hope they gave me one with a good ring to it. I sat down in a large leather chair. It seemed too fancy for an underground vampire facility. The head of all vampires was sitting right in front of me and I was forced to bow my head. He went on with the little speech about responsibility, but all I wanted to hear was the cool stuff. He said my new name was Mike. I thought to myself,” what a terrible name, I start my whole life over as a being of darkness, and my name is Mike”! The leader had told me that I was found in an ally, I was dying and Elizabeth had brought me to the society where they decided to turn me into a vampire to “save” my life. When I asked her why she saved me she responded,” You looked like my brother 350 years ago”. I told her I was grateful and she told me not to mention it. I left the room and went about learning the rest of the vampire life style.
I was brought out into the world to try my first kill as a vampire. It was a young woman. She was walking alone at two in the morning. She was on her way home from work. I could feel the pressure on me to get the kill. Elizabeth was with me. She was helping me stalk our prey. I had drunk some of Elizabeth’s blood just this morning so I felt strong and ready. My hands began to shake as I closed in for the kill. I could see the young woman as she shivered in the cold. Her hands were also shaking. I wondered if she had a family, and if I would be taking her away from it. I felt sad and began to second guess my decision to murder a living being. My cloak was blowing in the wind. There was a flickering street lamp in the street. The young woman looked back at us and began to run. We jumped from building to building. I had no idea the powers that vampires had until tonight. I could jump higher, run faster, and heal quicker. The woman ran into a back alley, and hid behind a dumpster. Elizabeth and I approached and we suddenly heard a loud shot. Elizabeth fell to the ground, she had been shot. The sound of the gunshot was louder than a semi colliding with a dump truck. I closed in by myself and proceeded to drink all the blood from the young woman. I felt proud for getting my very first kill as a vampire. I carried Elizabeth back to the complex to be examined by our leader. She was going to live through the traumatic experience. We made it back just as the sun rose and I went to sleep to live and drink blood another day.
The next morning I woke up to a loud bang. I had rolled off my table. I felt another sharp pain in my side. I lifted my shirt and was frightened to see a patch of skin that was different then the rest. It had been crudely sewn in and had a large “V” in the middle. I realized now that I had been transformed into a vampire. Every part of my body ached and I could barely stand. I felt weaker than a new-born cow. I had seen this before in a movie. I needed blood! That would help me regain strength. Another of the figures came in and took off her cloak. It was a woman; she had flowing black hair and magnificent brown eyes. She told me that her name was Elizabeth and she had been a vampire for 350 years. Elizabeth cut open her arm and forced me to drink. Blood tasted a lot better than I thought it would. It tasted like sweet honey. I have never felt so renewed in my entire life. After I was done, I sprang up and jumped on the table. My new found friends had given me new life.
Elizabeth and I walked down the halls of the underground facility. The walls dripped with discolored water. I was being taken to the room where I would get my name for my vampire life. I was now a member of a secret society, so of course I had to get a new name. I just hope they gave me one with a good ring to it. I sat down in a large leather chair. It seemed too fancy for an underground vampire facility. The head of all vampires was sitting right in front of me and I was forced to bow my head. He went on with the little speech about responsibility, but all I wanted to hear was the cool stuff. He said my new name was Mike. I thought to myself,” what a terrible name, I start my whole life over as a being of darkness, and my name is Mike”! The leader had told me that I was found in an ally, I was dying and Elizabeth had brought me to the society where they decided to turn me into a vampire to “save” my life. When I asked her why she saved me she responded,” You looked like my brother 350 years ago”. I told her I was grateful and she told me not to mention it. I left the room and went about learning the rest of the vampire life style.
I was brought out into the world to try my first kill as a vampire. It was a young woman. She was walking alone at two in the morning. She was on her way home from work. I could feel the pressure on me to get the kill. Elizabeth was with me. She was helping me stalk our prey. I had drunk some of Elizabeth’s blood just this morning so I felt strong and ready. My hands began to shake as I closed in for the kill. I could see the young woman as she shivered in the cold. Her hands were also shaking. I wondered if she had a family, and if I would be taking her away from it. I felt sad and began to second guess my decision to murder a living being. My cloak was blowing in the wind. There was a flickering street lamp in the street. The young woman looked back at us and began to run. We jumped from building to building. I had no idea the powers that vampires had until tonight. I could jump higher, run faster, and heal quicker. The woman ran into a back alley, and hid behind a dumpster. Elizabeth and I approached and we suddenly heard a loud shot. Elizabeth fell to the ground, she had been shot. The sound of the gunshot was louder than a semi colliding with a dump truck. I closed in by myself and proceeded to drink all the blood from the young woman. I felt proud for getting my very first kill as a vampire. I carried Elizabeth back to the complex to be examined by our leader. She was going to live through the traumatic experience. We made it back just as the sun rose and I went to sleep to live and drink blood another day.
Friday, September 18, 2009
Dozen Assignment
12. Click- Like most other movies with Adam Sandler playing the main character, Click is a story about a man who gets everything he wants and then loses it. I enjoy the plot of Click, with its interesting twists of fate for the main character. This movie employs many interesting features of science fiction that I like. Everyone would love to be able to control time, and Click helps these fantasies begin.
11. Fantastic Four- Fantastic Four is a story of ordinary people becoming extraordinary super heroes. I enjoyed the humor that was put in the movie. Even though it is a movie about superheroes, it has those not so funny puns that make you smirk. Fantastic Four also has a bit of romance which makes it a well rounded movie with something for every critic. This movie has elements of romance, comedy, and fantasy that make it enjoyable.
10. Wall-e – Even if it is a movie for little kids, Wall-e is a great movie! The multiple times I have watched this movie I always end up laughing out of my seat. I love how the main character is just a common trash collecting robot that falls in love with a top of the line probe. Earth has become uninhabitable and all humans have flocked to one ship in space. I find it funny how everyone has become so dependent on technology that they are blind to what’s happening around them. I think it is for this reason that it appeals to older audiences, as well as young kids. The dependency is showing what could happen to the world in the future. But more importantly, it is a hilarious movie.
9. Independence Day- From the movie Independence Day, the world learned that if aliens are coming, the only man to call is Will Smith. Out of my list this is one of two movies about aliens. But it is more serious than the other, so therefore it isn’t ranked as high, even if it does have Will Smith as the main character. This movie is a great movie, don’t get me wrong, or it wouldn’t be in my top ten. I love how everyday people help defeat the aliens. I really like how science fiction movies use everyday people as the main characters. It is a common theme throughout all my choices.
8. Mars Attacks- This movie is a surprisingly funny movie despite its title. I found it quite interesting how the only way to kill the Martians is to blast country music until their heads explode. Mars Attacks has an unusual set of main characters. I enjoyed how the Martians are tiny little beings, but they still manage to kill many people with their advanced weaponry and cunning tactics.
7. Terminator 2: Judgment Day- Terminator is a classic end of the world story. I like how one man has the ability to change earth’s entire future. This movie brings up a point about technology one day ruling the world, just like Wall-e does. Terminator is a classic Arnold Schwarzenegger movie. Arnold is a monstrous being that strikes fear into the eyes of all. This is a great movie that keeps you on the edge of your seat.
6. Back to the Future- All of the Back to the Future movies have a common plot. Marty has gone back in time and needs to get back to the “future.” These movies are fun to dream about. I’m sure at one point or another; most of us have wanted to time travel. I know that I have on countless occasions. I love how in detail these movies get with the time travel itself. The detail used makes Back to the Future a very respectable science fiction movie.
5. Final Destination- Let’s face it; death is a very scary concept, and Final Destination does a very good job of scaring the pants off some people. The way that the people get killed and how death has a plan makes Final Destination very scary. This movie kind of freaks me out. I like being scared. It’s a good thing and it makes Final Destination a great movie.
4. Transformers- My favorite part of this movie is how the lives of the robots and the humans intertwine. Transformers is a movie that has some romance and a lot of action. I like how the action mixes with the science fiction perfectly. This movie is an amazing example of what the future could be like, with giant machines and futuristic weapons.
3. I am Legend- Once again Will Smith helps save the world. I am Legend has a great plot about a virus that kills most of the world and turns some people into angry, killing beasts. I like how the main character thinks he’s the last on earth but more and more survivors turn up in the end. This movie has a great setting; New York is a great place to have a horror film take place, simply because there are so many interesting and unique places that can be used in the movie. I am Legend has a great plot and a great setting.
2. Monkey Bone- The movie Monkey Bone is probably the weirdest movie that I have ever seen. But that is one of the reasons why I put it as my second favorite science fiction/fantasy movie. Monkey Bone is memorable because it is half cartoon. I love how the humans interact with the cartoons. Reality is twisted and anything goes in this crazy movie. Monkey Bone is a weird movie, but it has a great story line and is one of my favorite science fiction movies.
1. Predator- Another masterpiece with Schwarzenegger as the main character, Predator is a great movie that appeals to a smaller audience than most movies. I like how the predator sees heat in addition to normal vision. Also the invisibility and super cool weapons are very appealing to viewers like me. This movie has the greatest setting that any movie can have. The jungle is a scary place as it is, but when a killing machine is added it becomes ten times worse. Predator is a fantastic movie that shows what fear can look like, even if you can’t see it.
11. Fantastic Four- Fantastic Four is a story of ordinary people becoming extraordinary super heroes. I enjoyed the humor that was put in the movie. Even though it is a movie about superheroes, it has those not so funny puns that make you smirk. Fantastic Four also has a bit of romance which makes it a well rounded movie with something for every critic. This movie has elements of romance, comedy, and fantasy that make it enjoyable.
10. Wall-e – Even if it is a movie for little kids, Wall-e is a great movie! The multiple times I have watched this movie I always end up laughing out of my seat. I love how the main character is just a common trash collecting robot that falls in love with a top of the line probe. Earth has become uninhabitable and all humans have flocked to one ship in space. I find it funny how everyone has become so dependent on technology that they are blind to what’s happening around them. I think it is for this reason that it appeals to older audiences, as well as young kids. The dependency is showing what could happen to the world in the future. But more importantly, it is a hilarious movie.
9. Independence Day- From the movie Independence Day, the world learned that if aliens are coming, the only man to call is Will Smith. Out of my list this is one of two movies about aliens. But it is more serious than the other, so therefore it isn’t ranked as high, even if it does have Will Smith as the main character. This movie is a great movie, don’t get me wrong, or it wouldn’t be in my top ten. I love how everyday people help defeat the aliens. I really like how science fiction movies use everyday people as the main characters. It is a common theme throughout all my choices.
8. Mars Attacks- This movie is a surprisingly funny movie despite its title. I found it quite interesting how the only way to kill the Martians is to blast country music until their heads explode. Mars Attacks has an unusual set of main characters. I enjoyed how the Martians are tiny little beings, but they still manage to kill many people with their advanced weaponry and cunning tactics.
7. Terminator 2: Judgment Day- Terminator is a classic end of the world story. I like how one man has the ability to change earth’s entire future. This movie brings up a point about technology one day ruling the world, just like Wall-e does. Terminator is a classic Arnold Schwarzenegger movie. Arnold is a monstrous being that strikes fear into the eyes of all. This is a great movie that keeps you on the edge of your seat.
6. Back to the Future- All of the Back to the Future movies have a common plot. Marty has gone back in time and needs to get back to the “future.” These movies are fun to dream about. I’m sure at one point or another; most of us have wanted to time travel. I know that I have on countless occasions. I love how in detail these movies get with the time travel itself. The detail used makes Back to the Future a very respectable science fiction movie.
5. Final Destination- Let’s face it; death is a very scary concept, and Final Destination does a very good job of scaring the pants off some people. The way that the people get killed and how death has a plan makes Final Destination very scary. This movie kind of freaks me out. I like being scared. It’s a good thing and it makes Final Destination a great movie.
4. Transformers- My favorite part of this movie is how the lives of the robots and the humans intertwine. Transformers is a movie that has some romance and a lot of action. I like how the action mixes with the science fiction perfectly. This movie is an amazing example of what the future could be like, with giant machines and futuristic weapons.
3. I am Legend- Once again Will Smith helps save the world. I am Legend has a great plot about a virus that kills most of the world and turns some people into angry, killing beasts. I like how the main character thinks he’s the last on earth but more and more survivors turn up in the end. This movie has a great setting; New York is a great place to have a horror film take place, simply because there are so many interesting and unique places that can be used in the movie. I am Legend has a great plot and a great setting.
2. Monkey Bone- The movie Monkey Bone is probably the weirdest movie that I have ever seen. But that is one of the reasons why I put it as my second favorite science fiction/fantasy movie. Monkey Bone is memorable because it is half cartoon. I love how the humans interact with the cartoons. Reality is twisted and anything goes in this crazy movie. Monkey Bone is a weird movie, but it has a great story line and is one of my favorite science fiction movies.
1. Predator- Another masterpiece with Schwarzenegger as the main character, Predator is a great movie that appeals to a smaller audience than most movies. I like how the predator sees heat in addition to normal vision. Also the invisibility and super cool weapons are very appealing to viewers like me. This movie has the greatest setting that any movie can have. The jungle is a scary place as it is, but when a killing machine is added it becomes ten times worse. Predator is a fantastic movie that shows what fear can look like, even if you can’t see it.
Monday, September 7, 2009
As we walked through the narrow passageway, the cave spoke with whispers from all around. The rugged ground seemed to latch onto my feet. With each step, the cave became more and more alive. Positioned high in the mountains this cave was secluded from all man. The large mouth on the Cliffside seemed to narrow exponentially for every minute spent inside. In the distance, four dark shadows approached, lurking in the darkness they jumped from wall to wall. The walls were covered with a grotesque mixture of bat droppings and cobwebs. The stench was equally unsettling to my stomach. Whispers of the cave became screams as we descended farther. The ground had now become wet with puddles and streams. Miniature life forms were swimming around splashing at our feet as we stepped over them delicately. The ceiling suddenly erupted with screeches of howling monsters. They frantically fluttered around our heads as we scrambled to cover, behind a sharp and scratchy rock jutting out from the ground like an iceberg shooting out of the water. The barrage of bats ceased, but the cave came alive again with movements from all around. The light at the end of the tunnel became visible. It grew larger and larger as we approached. The end of our journey was near, but the cave put up one last effort to hold us inside. The walls suddenly crumbled around us as we ran to the growing exit. Reaching the end, we looked back at the ominous figures inside that had been stalking us. Four armed men jumped out from the shadows, when all of a sudden they were pulled back inside mysteriously. The darkness that had frightened us had now saved us.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Why are We so Fascinated by Vampires?
The world is fascinated with vampires, its almost an obsession. Vampires are have qualities that some humans want to have. People are interested with all things that vampires do, wheather its drinking blood or not being able to be touched by the suns light. More and more movies and books have sprung up showing vampires as creatures that should be admired. These movies have placed vampires above normal humans with their abilities and life styles. These stories involve moments that make people wish they were in the story. Vampires are becoming a new trend in the worlds pop culture and its causing an obsession amung people all over the world.
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