ivony
Joined May 2003
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Reviews55
ivony's rating
Now, I must warn you that this isn't your typical scare fest of a movie. Del Toro tends to pull the most out of his actors, pushing them to give the best performance and with Backbone he succeeds. Geniusly, he uses the location of the orphanage (in the middle of nowhere) as a means to create feelings of isolation, helplessness and, believe it or not, even claustrophobia. The movie is methodical in building the plot, allowing the tension to simmer and boil as it slowly gnaws away at us, the viewers. Guillermo del Toro directs with patience, employing the use of effective atmosphere rather than overwhelming us with CGI. His ghost story is a subplot, designed to further the real meaning of the movie but never does it truly take a backseat. Instead, the story lines all become a richly woven tapestry where one loose thread would unravel the next, all being necessary to create the image as a whole. Del Toro allows us moments throughout the film to contemplate and to make the allegorical comparisons between art and reality. And it is here that the movie becomes so much more than simply a ghost story. It almost becomes a narrative on life, greed, passion, war...and the overall, sometimes explosive effects these things can have on people, but more so on our children.
While I wouldn't recommend this movie to those of you who only enjoy slasher films, hack n stacks or supreme gore fests, I must say that for any fan of the horror genre this is a must see. Del Toro sufficiently uses the most basic elements to create a sense of haunting and dread, though perhaps not fear itself. These feelings linger long after the credits roll and the movie is complete. The best type of film to compare this to is perhaps The Others or Session 9, although neither of those are quite accurate. If you get the chance, see it!
While I wouldn't recommend this movie to those of you who only enjoy slasher films, hack n stacks or supreme gore fests, I must say that for any fan of the horror genre this is a must see. Del Toro sufficiently uses the most basic elements to create a sense of haunting and dread, though perhaps not fear itself. These feelings linger long after the credits roll and the movie is complete. The best type of film to compare this to is perhaps The Others or Session 9, although neither of those are quite accurate. If you get the chance, see it!
Smoke is an excellent title for this little gem of a surrealistic short film. What blurs the images between reality and perception is the smokescreen of the mind and such is what I garnered from "Dym". The beautiful and haunting imagery may seem nonsensical, but upon further examination there is depth and meaning in this short film. Far too many 'surreal' films are nothing short of ridiculous imagery meant to look clever without ever conveying meaning, but such is not the case for "Dym". There is cohesiveness and coherency and it's obvious each scene is meant to have understanding beyond that of what first meets the eye. There is no dialogue, but the acting is fantastic...much is said through the expressions of the face and particularly the eyes. There is a professional quality to the film that lends itself to remind the viewer of something Lynch or even Kubrick would have made, and I consider that a high compliment and no easy feat.
What begins as a quest to learn more about filmmaker Kurt Kuennes murdered friend, Andrew Bagby, ends up becoming a tribute to Andrew's parents David and Kate. This is a poignant and gut-wrenching story of love, loss, betrayal, and the will to endure. Im finding it difficult to accurately describe the emotional roller coaster this film takes you through; and while its a sad and difficult journey for David and Kate Bagby there is a profound sense of endurance and perseverance that is nothing short of inspirational. Its difficult not to laugh, cry, and get angry right along with the Bagbys throughout this film and by the end you almost feel as if you know the people involved. This is a heart-wrenching and emotional film that is definitely not for the lighthearted.