Bennie's Blog

My Review of 'Pan's Labryinth'

2008-01-10T14:30:00.000Z

First released in December 2006, Guillmero Del Toro's Pan's Labryinth is a very interesting film and particular great example of World Cinema. The film is set in 1944 during the Spanish Civil War in Spain, where Ofelia (the film's protaganist) has moved into a remote town along with her pregnent Mother, in the company of Ofelia's Stepfather a ruthless military commander. However all the while this is occuring Ofelia is told by a Faun(the kind of creature she fantasises about)that she is a reincarnation of a princess/Queen of a magical kingdom, where the Faun comes from. However in order for this to happen, Ofelia has to perform three tasks, which result her in encountering several other magical and bizzare creatures such as a Gaint Toad and the Faceless Man, as well as crossing paths with her cruel facist Stepfather.

The film does a wonderful job of juxtiposition in the narrative, with the harsh and gritty reality of the Civil War contrasting with Ofelia's surreal adventure, of which as Children we've dreamt about. This in fact reflects Del Toro's childhood, escaping particular unpleasentries in life through his fasinaction in fairytales and monsters. The film is very enjoyable (depending if you have preferences to subtitles or not), with there being several memorable scenes such as the gruesome toture scenes with the Stepfather, Ofelia's encounter with the Faceless Man (quite disturbing actually) as well as the dramatic climax, which leaves the viewer interpreting whether or not its a happy or sad ending for Ofelia.

I feel that the film is a beautiful mixture of light fantasy and dark realism, which almost echoes the challanges of growing up as a child, beginning to see both the good and bad sides of life. The film is accessible for a large audience particulalry those who enjoy other mainstream films that have a similar genre such as 'Lord Of The Rings', 'Harry Potter' or 'The Chronicles Of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, which does have some very close parrallerls. Overall, 'Pan's Lab' is a uinque gothic fairy tale, which deals with escapism from the real world and its problem, being perfectly told by us thanks to Guillmero Del Toro, seeing that the film is right up his alley.

4/5

Textual Analysis of 'Pan's Laberyinth' and 'Volver' Trailers

2008-01-10T12:30:00.000Z

Pan's Laberyinth Trailer

The Trailer for Pan's Laberyinth displays many codes and conventions of Western/UK film trailers, it is most particularly noticeble is how the pace and editing increase speed towards the end of the trailer, somthing that is seen quite often in todays trailers particulalry those of suspense, thrillers or action films, bearing in mind that this is a Spanish film.

It must also be noted how the trailer pays more attention to the Fantasy elements of the narrative and plot rather then the Civil War contextual drama, with the choice of this most likely being that this will (and certainly has) catch the attention of the target audience, fans of Harry Potter etc. A feature that may give away the film's Spanish origin and roots is the fact that theres no narration throughout the trailer, though there is text, narration however is a common feature in Western fantasy films.

The trailer also notes the film's director Guillmero Del Toro who had previously directed Hellboy and Blade II, two films that were not only targeted to more mainstream audiences, but also have roots in the Western comic book industry, this also helps to draw in UK auidence members to see Pan's Laberyinth as they may have possibly seen the films mentioned above. Another convetion used for the film's trailer is that use of a classical/orchestral score,which again builds up along with the pace and intensity towards the end.

Overall, for a Spanish film, Pan's Laberyinth's has a very traditional UK/Western trailer, its obvious that there was intention for the target audience to be wided to larger UK auidences as well as more local or focues Spanish and World Cinema auidences.

Volver

For Volver, I was able to compare both the original Spanish and UK trailers. As I expected, the two versions do have a few similarities and a couple of differences when compared to one another. The Spanish trailer gives away alot of the film's entire plot, where as the UK trailer only explores one side of the film's plot (the fact that the mother of Raimunda ,played by Pene'lope Cruz, has seeminlgy returned from the dead) though in fairness, this was mostly likely done due to the fact that this is the film's main plot. Both trailers indicate to the audience that the film is a piece of world cinema, rather then a mainstream Hollywood blockbuster, as seen through the English subtitles.

One particular noticeble difference between the two trailers is how they open and introduce the film's story, with the Spanish trailer opening in a more calmer and slower pace compared to the UK trailer, which opens much more in the style of a suspenseful thriller.

The UK trailer also shows then intention of the film being marketed to serious film fans , with several awards, achivements and praise that the film has recived, such as a reviews from several London papers, this causes to influence the audience to go and see it with the expectation of it being a good film.

Volver and Pan's Labyrinth Survey

2008-01-03T14:23:00.000Z

Well to start off the New Year , here is small survey (to be later updated) on peoples thoughts having watched Volver and Pan's Labyrinth, the first being none other then the head of Canon Palmer Media Studies, Ms Ward.

Volver

1. How did you first come across the film?
'Saw a trailer, possibly in Sky.'

2. How would you describe the film from viewing the trailer?
"Vivid, Intricate and Lovely".

3. Had you heard about Pedro Almodovar (the film's director) previously?
"Yes, I had previously seen All About My Mother.

4. What were your thoughts after seeing the trailer?
"Made me want to see it".

5. What elements of the film, gave it away that the film was a peice of Spanish cinema?
"Subtitles gave it away, but the whole production shows how it is world cinema as opposed to mainstream."

6. And what was your overall thought on the film?
" A visual spectecle, a fairground cruize 4/5" (Pun most likely intended)

Pan's Labyrinth

1. How did you first come across the film?
"Saw a trailer in the cinema, when seeing Harry Potter".

2. How would you describe the film from viewing the trailer?
"Dark, Emotive and Surreal".

3. Had you heard about Guillermo del Toro (the film's director) previously?
"Had heard of Del Toro because Hellboy".

4. What were your thoughts after seeing the trailer?
"Ohhh Whens that out"

5. What elements of the film, gave it away that the film was a peice of Spanish cinema?
"Use of subtitles, particularly the juxtiposition used in the narrative,when somthing bad happended, it contrasts to Ofelia".

6. And what was your overall thought on the film?
"Awe-Inspiring 4/5".

'Film's New World Order' by Michael Gubbins

2007-11-26T20:24:00.000Z

'Film's New World Order'

Over the course of the weekend I was able to read through this article (title mentioned above) writen by Michael Gubbins, the current editor of the Screen International and Screen Daily, disscuses how modern day Hollywood is strugling with several problems, particularly of the economic sort and how this will present Independent film companies and European Union member states with the chance to expand thier film industry.

Gubbins lists the problems being the looming 'credit crunch', the writers' strike, debates with actors as well as the fear of DVD revunes because of their new media successors. Also Gubbibns also mentionshow news analyst Global Media Intellegence (GMI) claims that this summer's record breaking were in fact covering economic losses for major studios, and that blockbusters last year collectively lost $1.9 billion, while back in 2004 blockbusters made profits that altogether summed up to $2.2 billion.

Ira Deutchman founder and CEO of Emerging Pictures suggests that that this has offered the oppurtunity for Indie's to make sure that the business remains dominated in the studios rather then online, though Deutchman states this will take place over a period of time and that the public will not see this potential right now. Deutchman claims how major studios are not able to handle money responsibly and that there are less expensive way of making and distributing these movies, "they take way too much money out of the equation".

Chris McGurk of Overture Films, states how films are more successful when directors have tighter control particularly on marketing and distribution. Gubbins metions Pedro Almodovar (director of Volver suprisingly!) and how that he works close with his brother Agustin, through their company El Deseo, making sure they have input in the marketing process of their films, with Agustin Almodovar quoting "We make business our ally." This is a possibble reason why Pedro enjoyed such success with Volver, because Almodovar clearly had the intention to market the film to a Western audience.

A particular quote from the article that relates back to my hypothesis is 'Many film companies focus largely on local film or look outward to wider global audiences'

Guillermo Del Toro Interview

2007-10-23T13:07:00.000+01:00

Wow, sorry guys, been a while. Anyway heres an interview from IGN.com with no other then Guillermo Del Toro regarding Pan's Labyrinth. The interview provides a good example of how Spanish cinema is marketed to a Western audience (The UK in particular), since its quite rare for world cinema to appear on such a website that focuses on more 'general' films such as Hollywood blocksters i.e. Spiderman 3 or Transformers, where as world cinema is a much more specific audience. This results in Pan's Labyrinth gaining much more publicity and exposure then perhaps the average Spanish film.

Pans Labryinth Fanbase

2007-09-02T00:03:00.000+01:00

With many successful films there often fanbases and particular websites that pay tribute to that film or its director, Pans Labryinth is no exception , just a small post here showing a Thread dedicated to the film from the Del Toro fansite, (which in turn, decdicated to the director of the film).

It could be said that fansite and forum, as well as this particular thread support that Pans Labryinth has earned a cult status among film fans and movie goers due to its large success.It is most likely that good UK/western marketing has played a part in this. Click on the post title to view the thread itself.

Cheers
Alec

Reception for Volver

2007-08-21T15:57:00.000+01:00

As with "Pan's Lab", Pedro Almodóvar's Volver was well recieved with the film being nominated for an Oscar, along with another 39 wins & 47 nominations of various award which include:

Academy Awards, USA
Year Result Award Category/Recipient(s)
2007 Nominated Oscar Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role
Penélope Cruz

Argentinean Film Critics Association Awards
Year Result Award Category/Recipient(s)
2007 Won Silver Condor Best Foreign Film, Spanish Language (Mejor Película Iberoamericana)
Pedro Almodóvar
Spain.

BAFTA Awards
Year Result Award Category/Recipient(s)
2007 Nominated BAFTA Film Award Best Actress in a Leading Role
Penélope Cruz

Best Film not in the English Language
Agustín Almodóvar
Pedro Almodóvar

Bodil Awards
Year Result Award Category/Recipient(s)
2007 Nominated Bodil Best Non-American Film (Bedste ikke-amerikanske film)
Pedro Almodóvar
Spain.

British Independent Film Awards
Year Result Award Category/Recipient(s)
2006 Nominated British Independent Film Award Best Foreign Independent Film

Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards
Year Result Award Category/Recipient(s)
2007 Nominated Critics Choice Award Best Actress
Penélope Cruz

Best Foreign Language Film

Cannes Film Festival
Year Result Award Category/Recipient(s)
2006 Won Best Actress
Penélope Cruz
Carmen Maura
Lola Dueñas
Blanca Portillo
Yohana Cobo
Chus Lampreave
To the female ensemble cast.

Best Screenplay
Pedro Almodóvar

Nominated Golden Palm
Pedro Almodóvar

Chicago Film Critics Association Awards
Year Result Award Category/Recipient(s)
2006 Nominated CFCA Award Best Actress
Penélope Cruz

Best Foreign Language Film
Spain.

Chlotrudis Awards
Year Result Award Category/Recipient(s)
2007 Won Chlotrudis Award Best Supporting Actress
Carmen Maura

Nominated Chlotrudis Award Best Director
Pedro Almodóvar

Cinema Writers Circle Awards, Spain
Year Result Award Category/Recipient(s)
2007 Won CEC Award Best Actress (Mejor Actriz)
Penélope Cruz

Best Director (Mejor Director)
Pedro Almodóvar

Best Film (Mejor Película)

Best Score (Mejor Música)
Alberto Iglesias

Best Screenplay, Original (Mejor Guión Original)
Pedro Almodóvar

Best Supporting Actress (Mejor Actriz Secundaria)
Carmen Maura

Nominated CEC Award Best Cinematography (Mejor Fotografía)
José Luis Alcaine

Best Editing (Mejor Montaje)
José Salcedo

Best Supporting Actress (Mejor Actriz Secundaria)
Lola Dueñas

Best Supporting Actress (Mejor Actriz Secundaria)
Blanca Portillo

Czech Lions
Year Result Award Category/Recipient(s)
2007 Won Czech Lion Best Foreign Language Film (Nejlepsí zahranicní film)

César Awards, France
Year Result Award Category/Recipient(s)
2007 Nominated César Best Foreign Film (Meilleur film étranger)
Pedro Almodóvar

David di Donatello Awards
Year Result Award Category/Recipient(s)
2007 Nominated David Best European Film (Miglior Film dell'Unione Europea)
Pedro Almodóvar

Empire Awards, UK
Year Result Award Category/Recipient(s)
2007 Won Empire Award Best Actress
Penélope Cruz

European Film Awards
Year Result Award Category/Recipient(s)
2006 Won Audience Award Best Film
Pedro Almodóvar

European Film Award Best Actress
Penélope Cruz

Best Cinematographer
José Luis Alcaine
Tied with Barry Ackroyd for The Wind That Shakes the Barley (2006).

Best Composer
Alberto Iglesias

Best Director
Pedro Almodóvar

Nominated European Film Award Best Film

Best Screenwriter
Pedro Almodóvar

Flaiano Film Festival
Year Result Award Category/Recipient(s)
2006 Won Best Actress
Carmen Maura

Fotogramas de Plata
Year Result Award Category/Recipient(s)
2007 Won Fotogramas de Plata Best Film (Mejor Película Española)
Pedro Almodóvar
Tied with Laberinto del fauno, El (2006).

Best Movie Actress (Mejor Actriz de Cine)
Penélope Cruz

Nominated Fotogramas de Plata Best Movie Actress (Mejor Actriz de Cine)
Lola Dueñas

Best Movie Actress (Mejor Actriz de Cine)
Carmen Maura

French Syndicate of Cinema Critics
Year Result Award Category/Recipient(s)
2007 Won Critics Award Best Foreign Film
Pedro Almodóvar

Golden Globes, USA
Year Result Award Category/Recipient(s)
2007 Nominated Golden Globe Best Foreign Language Film

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama
Penélope Cruz

Goya Awards
Year Result Award Category/Recipient(s)
2007 Won Goya Best Director (Mejor Director)
Pedro Almodóvar

Best Film (Mejor Película)

Best Lead Actress (Mejor Actriz Principal)
Penélope Cruz

Best Original Score (Mejor Música Original)
Alberto Iglesias

Best Supporting Actress (Mejor Actriz de Reparto)
Carmen Maura

Nominated Goya Best Cinematography (Mejor Fotografía)
José Luis Alcaine

Best Costume Design (Mejor Diseño de Vestuario)
Sabine Daigeler

Best Make-Up and Hairstyles (Mejor Maquillaje y/o Peluquería)
Ana Lozano
Massimo Gattabrusi

Best Production Design (Mejor Dirección Artística)
Salvador Parra

Best Production Supervision (Mejor Dirección de Producción)
Toni Novella

Best Screenplay - Original (Mejor Guión Original)
Pedro Almodóvar

Best Sound (Mejor Sonido)
Miguel Rejas
José Antonio Bermúdez
Manuel Laguna
Garrido

Best Supporting Actress (Mejor Actriz de Reparto)
Lola Dueñas

Best Supporting Actress (Mejor Actriz de Reparto)
Blanca Portillo

Guldbagge Awards
Year Result Award Category/Recipient(s)
2007 Nominated Guldbagge Best Foreign Film (Bästa utländska film)
Pedro Almodóvar

Hollywood Film Festival
Year Result Award Category/Recipient(s)
2006 Won Hollywood World Award
Pedro Almodóvar

Image Awards
Year Result Award Category/Recipient(s)
2007 Nominated Image Award Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture
Penélope Cruz

Outstanding Independent or Foreign Film

Irish Film and Television Awards
Year Result Award Category/Recipient(s)
2007 Nominated Audience Award Best International Actress
Penélope Cruz

London Critics Circle Film Awards
Year Result Award Category/Recipient(s)
2007 Won ALFS Award Foreign Language Film of the Year

Nominated ALFS Award Actress of the Year
Penélope Cruz

Director of the Year
Pedro Almodóvar

Film of the Year

National Board of Review, USA
Year Result Award Category/Recipient(s)
2006 Won NBR Award Best Foreign Language Film
Spain.

Online Film Critics Society Awards
Year Result Award Category/Recipient(s)
2007 Nominated OFCS Award Best Actress
Penélope Cruz

Best Foreign Film

Polish Film Awards
Year Result Award Category/Recipient(s)
2007 Won Eagle Best European Film (Najlepszy Film Europejski)
Pedro Almodóvar
Spain.

Robert Festival
Year Result Award Category/Recipient(s)
2007 Nominated Robert Best Non-American Film (Årets ikke-amerikanske film)
Pedro Almodóvar

San Sebastián International Film Festival
Year Result Award Category/Recipient(s)
2006 Won FIPRESCI Film of the Year
Pedro Almodóvar

Satellite Awards
Year Result Award Category/Recipient(s)
2006 Won Satellite Award Best Motion Picture, Foreign Language
Spain.

Nominated Satellite Award Best Actress in a Motion Picture, Drama
Penélope Cruz

Best Director
Pedro Almodóvar

Best Screenplay, Original
Pedro Almodóvar

Screen Actors Guild Awards
Year Result Award Category/Recipient(s)
2007 Nominated Actor Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role
Penélope Cruz

Spanish Actors Union
Year Result Award Category/Recipient(s)
2007 Won Award of the Spanish Actors Union Film: Lead Performance, Female (Protagonista Cine - Categoría Femenina)
Penélope Cruz

Film: Performance in a Minor Role, Female (Reparto Cine - Categoría Femenina)
Chus Lampreave

Film: Supporting Performance, Female (Secundario Cine - Categoría Femenina)
Blanca Portillo

Nominated Award of the Spanish Actors Union Film: Supporting Performance, Female (Secundario Cine - Categoría Femenina)
Lola Dueñas

Film: Supporting Performance, Female (Secundario Cine - Categoría Femenina)
Carmen Maura

Spanish Music Awards
Year Result Award Category/Recipient(s)
2007 Won Music Award Best Score (Mejor Álbum de Banda Sonora de Obra Cinematográfica)
Alberto Iglesias

Valdivia International Film Festival
Year Result Award Category/Recipient(s)
2006 Won Audience Award
Pedro Almodóvar

Special Jury Award
Pedro Almodóvar

Vancouver Film Critics Circle
Year Result Award Category/Recipient(s)
2007 Won VFCC Award Best Foreign Language Film

All the above are from and can be found at the Internet Movie Database Website, click the title for more.

Second Critical Review for Volver

2007-08-08T21:28:00.000+01:00

Hey back from a very enjoyed holiday and now having wacthed Pedro Almodóvar's Volver, which i found interesting and pretty good, heres the second review for it, from Total Film's website.

"Plot
Domestic goddess Raimunda (Penélope Cruz) has plenty on her plate, working drudge jobs to support her lecherous, loutish husband and 14-year-old daughter (Yohana Cobo). When hubbie’s murdered and her mother (Carmen Maura) returns from the dead, the stage is set for some bad behaviour, shock revelations and all-round female trouble...
Volver – to come back or return – is an exceptionally fitting title for Pedro Almodóvar’s Palme D’Or contender. It’s a return, after the male-dominated duo of Talk To Her and Bad Education, to a story saturated with Almodóvar’s love and compassion for women of all shapes, sizes and sentiments; a hearty tribute to the Spanish maestro’s rural La Mancha roots and a captivating reunion with two of his former muses – Cruz, who appeared in All About My Mother, and Maura, the gleaming star of his career-launching ’80s movies.

They play mother and daughter in a feisty, supernatural-inflected melodrama about the redemptive power of female bonding, although Almodóvar keeps his muses apart until a third-act crescendo, when the emotional floodgates are opened. If you only know Cruz from her insipid English-language forays, prepare to be astounded: as spirited mama Raimunda, she’s earthy, sensual, electric – a radiant combo of Mildred Pierce (one of many camp classics Pedro tips his hat to) and Anna Magnani, made up as the spitting image of Sophia Loren at her sultry, early-’60s peak. Almodóvar’s camera can’t get enough of her, zooming in for soul-scorching close-ups on her limpid eyes (framed by chunky black eyeliner and frequently welling with tears), ogling her like a builder as she swings her hips through the Madrid barrios or lingering above her remarked-upon cleavage while she does the washing-up.

Despite La Cruz’s force-of-nature turn and Almodóvar’s clever, peppery writing (which sees a welcome re-emergence for his trademark farcical trimmings), Volver falls short of being a masterpiece to equal All About My Mother, the usually adept blend of comedy, thriller and melodrama not always gelling here. But it’s still the work of a poised and ambitious creative force. His early, giddy lunacy may have been replaced by a more sober maturity, but Almodóvar’s ability to generate vibrant, brightly hued characters and powerful, engaging drama remains as strong than ever.

Verdict
As career-salvaging efforts go, this is a corker for Cruz. It’s also a strong return to the female-oriented melodramas of Pedro’s early years."

As always click on the title to go the site itself.

Cheers
Alec

Holiday

2007-07-29T12:17:00.000+01:00

Hey just posting to say that i'll be leaving to go to Chichester in the countryside today. So there wont be updates in a while, sorry bout that, however as you may have noticed i have left two new posts to suffice.

I'll be back in a week so until then, see you later and take it easy.

Cheers
Alec

First Critical Review for Volver

2007-07-29T12:01:00.000+01:00

Hey, well now heres the first crictal review for the second film im studying Pedro Almodovar's Volver released in 2006. The following review is from the Empire Online website.

"Plot
A story about three generations of women. Raimunda (Cruz) works menial jobs to support her daughter (Yohana Cobo) and deadbeat husband three years after the death of her mother (Maura). Her sister Sole (Dueñas) is lonely, and her friend Agustina (Portillo) suffers from cancer and the disappearance of her own mother.

Verdict
A mature and beautifully told tale of family and the ghosts that haunt us.

Reviewer: Helen OHara"
****

As ever for the full Empire review just click on the title.

Cheers
Alec

Reception for Pan's Labyrinth

2007-07-28T17:46:00.000+01:00

The post deals with the success director Guillmero Del Toro's 'Pan's Labyrinth' enjoyed when released November 2006.

Awards included the film winng 3 Oscars as well as another 55 wins & 51 nominations for other awards which were:

Best Art Direction
Best Cinematography
Best Makeup

Ariel Awards
Best Director
Best Movie

BAFTA Awards
Best Costume Design
Best Foreign Language Film
Best Makeup & Hair

Constellation Awards
Best Science Fiction Film, TV Movie, or Mini-series

Fantasporto
Best Film

Goya Awards
Best Cinematography
Best Editing
Best Makeup and Hair
Best New Actress (Ivana Baquero)
Best Original Screenplay
Best Sound
Best Special Effects

National Society of Film Critics
Best Picture

Saturn Awards
Best International Film
Best Performance by a Younger Actor

Spacey Awards
Space Choice Awards

Also the film made $37 million in North America while making $80 million worldwide. In its native country Spain, it almost made $12 million, and it is the fourth highest domestically grossing foreign film in the United States (according to Wikipedia).It has made a furhter $16 million from its DVD release.

Second Pan's Labyrinth Critical Review

2007-07-18T09:40:00.000+01:00

Hey, after viewing Del Toro's 'Pan's Labyrinth', which I throughly enjoyed, Im now back to post another critical review of the film, this time from Total Film.

The following review is from their website.

"In the aftermath of the Spanish Civil War, young Ofelia (Ivana Baquero) travels with her pregnant mother (Ariadna Gil) to stay with her new stepfather Captain Vidal (Sergi López). As Vidal hunts diehard anti-fascist rebels, Ofelia discovers a magical labyrinth in the forest and is given a series of tasks by mysterious faun Pan (Doug Jones)...
A young girl draws a magic chalk door on her bedroom wall and pushes it open. She steps into a banquet hall, where a slumbering monster sits at a table loaded with food. The Pale Man (for that is his name)doesn’t notice her; his deformed, domed head has no eyes, just a bloody mouth and two gaping nostrils. The little girl approaches, terrified but brave. Forgetting every warning, she steals a morsel of food. The Pale Man jerks awake, picking up his eyeballs from the plate in front of him. He inserts the peepers into the palms of his hands and chases her through the corridors...

Sometimes even adults need fairytales. Guillermo del Toro’s Pan’s Labyrinth is Grimm for grown-ups, its pantheon of monsters destined to send ankle-biters screaming back to playschool. It’s refreshingly mature, a dark and majestic piece of fantasy full of satyrs, toads and fairies more likely to shape-shift into praying mantises than Tinkerbell. Imagine Alice In Wonderland marinated in the bug/body horror of David Cronenberg, Spanish painter Goya (the gory picture Saturn Devours His Children is a touchstone) and del Toro’s favourite Victorian illustrator Arthur Rackham (Google away... it’s worth it).

A stark, disturbing fairy story for adults. Its provocative vision of the monsters of fascism and childhood packs chilling power."

Blimey, quite alot eh, however for those of you who wish to read on, as always click on the blog title.

Cheers
Alec

Pan's Labyrinth Critical Review

2007-07-16T09:43:00.000+01:00

Heres a short review for Pan's Labyrinth from Empire Online.

"Plot
Spain, 1944. Young Ofelia (Baquero) is taken by her pregnant mother (Gil) to live with her Fascist commander stepfather (López) in a remote town. There she meets a faun (Jones) who tells her that if she performs certain tasks she will become queen of a magical land.

Verdict
Dark, twisted and beautiful, this entwines fairy-tale fantasy with war-movie horror to startling effect.

* * * * *
Reviewer: Kim Newman"

As always for those of you who wish to view the full review, just click on the Blog title.

Cheers
Alec

Volver

2007-07-12T12:10:00.000+01:00

Hey me again, heres the second film i'll be looking during my critical research, Volver released in August 2006 last year, directed by Pedro Almodovar. Well lucky for you i have both the original Spanish and UK trailer.

Original Spanish Trailer

UK Trailer

Well hopefully you should be able to see the differences in marketing, between the two trailers.
Well thats me for now.

Cheers
Alec

Research Methods

2007-07-11T09:58:00.000+01:00

Here are several types of research i am planning to use throughout my critical research.

Quantitavie Research - Usually based on numbers, statistics or tables, that attempts to 'measure' some kind of phenomenon and produce 'hard' data. It often involves working with large groups of people.

Qualitative Research - A type of research that attempts to explain or understand somthing and may necessitate much discussion and analysis of people's attitudes and behaviour. It usually involves working with small numbers of people or 'focus groups'.

Primary Research- First hand research; interviews, questionnaires, surveys.

Secondary Research- Second hand research, data found/created by someone else.

Pan's Labyrinth

2007-07-10T21:40:00.000+01:00

Hey back again, now that my Hypothesis has been listed, heres a trailer of one of the two films that show will show how Spanish Cinema has been marketed to more conventional western UK audience, the trailer is for Pan's Labyrinth released in December 2006 and directed by famed Spanish director Guillmero Del Toro.

Well thats the Western Trailer for now, if found the original Spanish trailer shall be posted as well. Oh and if you want try, analyse the trailer and see if you can see several ways it is marketed to UK audiences.

My Hypothesis

2007-07-09T09:10:00.000+01:00

Ive decided that my critical research will be based on how World Cinema is marketed towards Western audieneces.

My Hypothesis is, "How is Spanish Cinema marketed to a UK audience?"

Seven Samurai 1954

2007-07-02T09:47:00.000+01:00

Hey new post here, this post deals with the idea of how certain films from other parts of the world have influneced Western cinema, a particular good example is 'The Seven Samurai'. The following plot summary is from Wikipedia.

"Seven Samurai is an Academy Award-nominated, 1954 Toho film co-written, edited and directed by Akira Kurosawa. The film takes place in warring states period Japan (the late 16th century, around 1587/1588). It follows the story of a village of farmers that hire seven masterless samurai (rōnin) warriors to combat bandits who will return after the harvest to steal their crops."

Hmmm sounds familar dont it, well in the West, a film called 'The Magnificent Seven'was released in 1960, which many movie fans and 'film buffs' feel and agree that it is/was heavily influenced by Kurosawa's 'Seven Samurai'.

As always feel free to click on the title if you want to read more.

Cheers
Alec.

World Cinema British Cinema

2007-06-27T13:27:00.000+01:00

Hey, just dropping by to post a small extract from Monty Python's Life Of Brian, a fairly memorable British comedy which created much Religious contraversy when released in 1979.

Comments much appreciated.

Thanks
Alec.

'World Cinema' what is it?

2007-06-27T09:51:00.000+01:00

While i am still considering on studying 'World Cinema', i've just posted a quick post to define what is meant by the term 'World Cinema'.

World cinema is a reference to the films and cinema industries of non-English language speaking countries.If you feel a little curious then just click the title to read more on Wikipedia.

Thanks
Alec.