Pan's Labyrinth

I just finished watching Pan's Labyrinth, and I have to say, it's one of the best movies I've seen in a while...it just oozes style and dark fantasy. I like the position of the main character, Ofelia, who is struggling to keep her fairy-tale world alive while being thrust into the ominous world around her. Ironically, she seems more at home in her scary fantasies than in her own bedroom.

But back to the style --- it's just amazing. You have to see some of these costumes and effects to believe them. There's just something undeniably refreshing and kick-ass about this movie. Take the faun, for example. You're never quite sure if he's a good guy or a bad guy, as he interacts with Ofelia. He has deliciously evil posturing and says really sketchy things, but some of his actions turn out to be quite helpful.

Two more notes: you can tell this is a foreign film, just by the way they choose to show grotesque moments...haha. It's definitely not based on hollywood. Also, I have to admit, this reminded me of American McGee's: Alice, another awesome "twisted" fairy-tale story (although it's a computer game). Both are awesomely stylish and entertaining, if you can dig the themes. Also reminds me of the movie The Cell for some reason.