Crimson Peak

Guillermo del Toro's Crimson Peak is unlike most other films you'll see this autumn. It's a film that has an atmosphere unlike what you normally see at the cineplex. (Then again, this is something from the mind of del Toro, so it's not too much of a shock.)

At first glance, Crimson Peak appears to have the decorum of Jane Eyre (fitting considering one of the stars) and the ambiance of Hammer Films-produced titles. But as the film unfolds, it's clear there's so much more to it.

Indeed, many elements of Crimson Peak pay homage to numerous films of a similar nature. (Rebecca and The Shining come to mind.) del Toro makes various references to horror films from throughout the years. (Come on, the main character's surname is Cushing.) Many other films of this nature resort to blatant spoofs of famous works; Crimson Peak, however, prefers the subtle approach.

And it's not just the homages that make Crimson Peak work wonders. The production design gives the viewer a glimpse into del Toro's imagination. (The decrepit walls of Allerdale Hall would make Edgar Allan Poe proud.) The combination of Dan Laustsen's cinematography and Fernando Velázquez's score turn the film into a dreamy nightmare. And the performances from Mia Wasikowska, Tom Hiddleston and especially Jessica Chastain would make the likes of Charlotte Brontë and Daphne du Maurier very happy.

Crimson Peak is a very effective film. It has the right amount of scares, nothing overdone. Its many details result in something that's not only a tribute to Gothic romance but also a gorgeous piece of cinema. So many beautiful details....

My Rating: *****

Pan's Labyrinth

Guillermo del Toro is one of those directors working today whose visions are truly one of a kind. None can compare to the fantastic creatures and world from del Toro's mind. (That, um, rhyme wasn't intentional, I swear.)

And what better film proves that than Pan's Labyrinth? Blending the horrors of reality with the fascination of fantasy, the film showcases the dream-like and nightmare-fueled perspective of a young child. (That aspect alone makes the film even more terrifying in parts.)

In a way, Pan's Labyrinth is del Toro's twisted variation of Alice in Wonderland. A girl falling into a world of make-believe which is almost as dangerous as the world she lives in? Yep, sounds like something from the mind of Lewis Carroll.

But it's not just del Toro's story that makes Pan's Labyrinth so mesmerizing. It's also the many visual accompaniments as well. There's David Marti and Montse Ribe's makeup which is solid proof as to why CGI is somewhat pointless (and also deservedly won an Oscar). There's also Guillermo Navarro's cinematography which embodies the difference between the two worlds (and also deservedly won an Oscar). And I also must mention Javier Navarrete's Oscar-nominated score, all the creepy gorgeousness of it.

You've probably heard enough people tell you to see this. Well, here's another person telling you to see Pan's Labyrinth. Seriously, what more do you need to prove you're missing out on one of the best films of the last decade? (Besides that, I mean.) Honestly, go!

My Rating: *****