Pan's Labyrinth

[Mike Mignola]

I had the chance last night to go to a screening of Guillermo DelToro's new film, PAN'S LABYRINTH. I knew it was going to be great, but I was unprepared for just HOW great. Stunning. A real thing of beauty--head and shoulders above anything he's done before and, considering his other films, that's saying something.
One word of warning--If you don't speak Spanish be prepared to see the film at least twice--Once to read it (It's his best writing so far) and once to just stare at it. There is so much on the screen, so many beautiful, haunting (sometimes disturbing) images that I found myself forgetting to read the subtitles. Pan in perticular...When he's on screen I found it very difficult to look away from his amazing face. The production design is wonderful and the creatures design....words fail me. Doug Jones (Abe Sapien) here plays two creatures, two of the most original and beautiful creatures since the original Alien.
I could go on and on and, I suspect, I will. If any of you run into me at San Diego be prepares--This is the thing I'll be talking about.
Mike

[David Glassey]

I have been looking forward to seeing it for some time now myself. The film apparently caused quite a stir at Cannes and I am hoping that Guillermo is going to screen it at the Toronto Film Festival on a day that I can go down and try and see it. Apparently it is out in December in general release but the film will probably not be shown in Barrie.

The film looks incredibly stylish and creepy, I hope there is a book published examining the making of the film. Here is a link to the official website, unfortunately there is not a great deal of content at this time but there is a link to a message board:

http://www.panslabyrinth.com/


Here is another trailer website:

http://www.themoviebox.net/movies/2006/NOPQR/Pans-Labyrinth/trailer.php


Here is yet another interesting website on the film. There is a great deal more content on this one its just too bad that I don't speak or read Spanish.

http://www.clubcultura.com/clubcine/clubcineastas/guillermodeltoro/ellaberintodelfauno/fotos.htm

[Mike Cross]

Guillermo's non-Hollywood movies are always great..I like Devil's Backbone a lot, so this can only be great!

Also, if this is finally the real Mike Mignola, welcome! If not, oh well.

Cheers

[CBM]

Guillermo's non-Hollywood movies are always great..I like Devil's Backbone a lot, so this can only be great!

Also, if this is finally the real Mike Mignola, welcome! If not, oh well.

Cheers
It's the real one!

[Mike Cross]

Awesome! I wasn't going to directly ask you Christine if it was really Mike, but you know the forum people will all be pumped to see Mike. Now we need GDT here....

[Hellmistress]

Thanks for the wonderful report, Mike - and if it's okay with you I'll forward it on to Doug. He is incredibly proud of being involved in the film, and I know your words will delight him beyond measure. I know how long it has taken Guillermo to get this film made, and I know how he put his heart and soul completely into its creation. I can't wait to see it - and I know I will be seeing a masterpiece.

HM

[THE REAL kirk]

A review with some real weight. There is no way I'm missing this one. And thanks for the tip on seeing it twice, MIke. I suspect that will be the minimum for many of us.

[Cyber_Ghost]

I'm -really- looking forward to this one.. it's nice to be looking forward to a movie. It's been awhile.

http://www.thedougjonesexperience.com/pan.htm

[Mikolaj]

We don't have much Polish dubbed film here so It's rather common that a movie has subtitles-> still if it's a good movie it desserves to be seen at least a few times. From what is shown on the teaser trailer and what Mike wrote I say it is deffinitly something to look forward to. The climate somehow reminds me of the Sleepy Hallow- one of my favorite movies. Hope we won't have to wiat a long time for the european relese.

p.s.
As it was allready said before-> it's great to see Mike post something on our humble forum. :)

[Petersen]

I was curious about this film, now I have it on the 'get out to see it' list.

From what I saw of the trailer, Pan himself looks amazing!

And welcome to the forum Mr. Mignola!

[Andrew Hein]

I was pissed when the movie was pushed back a couple months. Good to hear that its not some sort of problem with the film, but the studio just trying to make us wait (hehe).

[Hellmistress]

I was pissed when the movie was pushed back a couple months. Good to hear that its not some sort of problem with the film, but the studio just trying to make us wait (hehe).

The rumour is that the film is being held back to December 29th Stateside so that it can be fresh in the minds of Oscar voters. God, I'd love this film to get a nod or three - Best Foreign Film, Best Director, Best makeup ... da woiks.

HM

[morna]

It's the real one!


Kool!! Welcome Mike!

morna waves in a southward direction

[Myron L]

Nice to see you here, Mike....I can't wait to check this out...thanks for the info !

[Hellmistress]

The film looks incredibly stylish and creepy, I hope there is a book published examining the making of the film.

Yes indeed, there will be a book published, much like the 'Art of Hellboy the Movie' book. And I DO know there will be some fantastic extras on the DVD.

HM

[jscott]

"December 29th"?!
Oh, please let that be just a rumor!
The film looks amazing, and the design work is just breathtaking. I've been scouring the net for any word on this film for the past few months and came across a review where one rather unkind soul gave away the ending.
Man, I hope he/she was fooling around...might need some professional hypnosis to scratch that little tidbit from the grey melon...:rolleyes:

[jscott]

And hey, it's Mike Mignola on the boards.

Cool beans...:cool:

And oh yeah: If you happen to come across these words, I just want to say thanks for the kind words regarding the Bubbleguts and the rest of my portfolio/"tryout". Meant the absolute WORLD to me...

[Elegance Liberty]

I'm going. And if I can't get my older sister to go with me (even though I'm old enough to see R rated movies now, heh heh), then I'll go by m'self.

Looks tres cool!

[Hellmistress]

These are the official release dates so far:

Spain : OCT 11th, 2006
France : NOV 1st, 2006
USA / Canada : DEC 29th, 2006


HM

[David Glassey]

The set design for the Pale Man's dining room is fantastic. Creepy as heck and I love the paintings on his ceiling. Great work by the crew for the film.

http://www.thedougjonesexperience.com/panimage~17.htm


I am reminded of F. Paul Wilson's The Keep constantly while looking at the trailer for the film. I know the plots are different but the images of the Spanish military and the supernatural horror aspect just remind of The Keep. I can see why Mike like's it so much because he has stated he really enjoyed reading The Keep, apart from the other reasons to go and see the film.

[jscott]

These are the official release dates so far:

Spain : OCT 11th, 2006
France : NOV 1st, 2006
USA / Canada : DEC 29th, 2006


HM

Sigh...now that's a bummer.
Oh well. If it's part of the grand master plan of triving for Oscar gold, then I'll gladly wait.
Okay, maybe not gladly, but...;)

[Hellmistress]

The set design for the Pale Man's dining room is fantastic. Creepy as heck and I love the paintings on his ceiling. Great work by the crew for the film.

http://www.thedougjonesexperience.com/panimage~17.htm


I am reminded of F. Paul Wilson's The Keep constantly while looking at the trailer for the film. I know the plots are different but the images of the Spanish military and the supernatural horror aspect just remind of The Keep. I can see why Mike like's it so much because he has stated he really enjoyed reading The Keep, apart from the other reasons to go and see the film.

You'll get a closer glimpse of the painted panels in the longer trailer on line - this isn't the best rez, but it gives you a better flavour of the film.

http://www.lashorasperdidas.com/noticias/002975.htm

If DDT Efectos Especiales don't get a big award of some sort for their makeup on this one then there is no justice in the world.

Oh, and this is my favourite image - although it's not from the film itself.

http://www.thedougjonesexperience.com/panbehind%7E1.htm

HM

[Hellmistress]

I've put up a screen cap of the painted panels for the Pale Man.

http://www.thedougjonesexperience.com/panimage%7E19.htm

HM

[Elegance Liberty]

December 29th?! Well, I have waited longer for stuff...

I just hope it's not one of those limited release deals. Considering Nebraska never really gets any of the sweet limited films, I'd be very dissapointed if it ended up being one. =(

[Neil Hill]

One more reason to run out see this movie when it premiere's- an official stamp of approval from our favorite comics creator! :D Glad you liked it Mike and, as others have echoed, glad to see you post on the Messageboard.

Also, kind of cool seeing a 1 next to your number of posts Mike. Now if we can just convince you to get that number up into the hundreds if not thousands. :p Of course, only if that doesn't take away from your time at the drawing board.

[Tad]

I just hope it's not one of those limited release deals. Considering Nebraska never really gets any of the sweet limited films, I'd be very dissapointed if it ended up being one. =(

Considering it's a Spanish language film subtitled in English, I don't think it'll be taking over half the screens at the local multi-plex. You might have to do a little searching.

[Hellmistress]

Considering it's a Spanish language film subtitled in English, I don't think it'll be taking over half the screens at the local multi-plex. You might have to do a little searching.

I think Picturehouse will be going for a platform release Stateside, so it might easily make it to Nebraska. Gawd knows what we'll get here in the UK - I might have to go to Edinburgh or Glasgow to see it, or if I'm lucky there might be a special screening in London. I'd be at that if there is one.

HM

[Kelly Tindall]

I can't wait... I think Guillermo generally does his best work in his native tongue. Seeing "The Devil's Backbone" (which is my favorite del Toro movie so far) in a packed theatre was one of my favorite theatre-going experiences yet.

-K.

[Jake Capps]

You just know they are goingto have a sweet trailer & presentation for PL at SDCC. And maybe some cool free PL swag! Man to I love free swag!:D

[Typhon24]

They actually just announced over at the DelToroFilms boards that the sweetest of the sweet free swag available at the Pan's booth with be a Mike Mignola Pan's Labyrinth promotional poster! Niiice! Limited to 500, tho, so make sure you get your spot in line on time :)

[Hellmistress]

You just know they are goingto have a sweet trailer & presentation for PL at SDCC. And maybe some cool free PL swag! Man to I love free swag!:D

As far as I know there will be a PAN presence for the whole con from Picturehouse, so go along and see what they have and give 'em lots of support - the more fans go mad over the film, perhaps it might get them to push a wider release. Worth a try. :D

HM

[Elegance Liberty]

Considering it's a Spanish language film subtitled in English, I don't think it'll be taking over half the screens at the local multi-plex. You might have to do a little searching.

Dang. And the last thing I want to do is drive to Iowa or 4 hours down to Missouri to see one movie. =(

Well, I'm keeping m'fingers crossed one of the 'art house' theaters around here gets it. This is one film I *really* want to see on the big screen.

[Neil Hill]

They actually just announced over at the DelToroFilms boards that the sweetest of the sweet free swag available at the Pan's booth with be a Mike Mignola Pan's Labyrinth promotional poster! Niiice! Limited to 500, tho, so make sure you get your spot in line on time :)

Arrrrgh, another one of these?! Don't get me wrong, I love seeing new Mignola posters and I will be at SDCC to grab one, but this thrill of the chase, trying to hunt down swag, gets kind of tiresome after awhile.

I know, I know, just don't do it if you find it tiresome. But it's MIGNOLA!! How can I say no to that!? :D

[Celtic_Fiddler]

They actually just announced over at the DelToroFilms boards that the sweetest of the sweet free swag available at the Pan's booth with be a Mike Mignola Pan's Labyrinth promotional poster! Niiice! Limited to 500, tho, so make sure you get your spot in line on time :)

Why must I live on the opposite coast? Why? Why??

Whoever gets swag, please post pictures of it.

Come to think of it, maybe I should post pics of mine....

Andrea

[Jake Capps]

I will try to post the pic of "Incredibles" poster that MM did for SDCC back in 2004. It looks uber-sweet all framed up, and signed. More to come...

[absenter]

Has anyone read a book called "The Holy" by Daniel Quinn? Or along this same mythical line, "Jitterbug Perfume" by Tom Robbins?

('the pale man' is a particularly creepy creation)

[Cyber_Ghost]

Does anyone by chance know when the panel will be? I'd be greatful for the information.

You guys can have the swag, I've got an actor to go support. :)

[Neil Hill]

Does anyone by chance know when the panel will be? I'd be greatful for the information.

You guys can have the swag, I've got an actor to go support. :)

All of that information (in detail) gets reported about a week or so before the Con on www.comic-con.org, under their Scheduled Events listing. Keep your eyes peeled Cyber. :)

[Cyber_Ghost]

All of that information (in detail) gets reported about a week or so before the Con on www.comic-con.org, under their Scheduled Events listing. Keep your eyes peeled Cyber. :)

Yeah, I know about that..they like to make us wait. Figured it was worth asking, though. Thanks Stygian.

[Neil Hill]

Yeah, I know about that..they like to make us wait. Figured it was worth asking, though. Thanks Stygian.

Sorry I couldn't give you exact rooms, times, etc., but I just don't know. :) Like I said though, comic-con is usually really good about making sure there are clear maps and plenty of information as to what panels are taking place when and where.

Hope to see you at one of these shindigs Cyber! I was right behind you in Mike's line at WonderCon, but didn't know you posted here and therefore didn't want to introduce myself and seem the lame fool. :D

[Cyber_Ghost]

Sorry I couldn't give you exact rooms, times, etc., but I just don't know. :) Like I said though, comic-con is usually really good about making sure there are clear maps and plenty of information as to what panels are taking place when and where.

Hope to see you at one of these shindigs Cyber! I was right behind you in Mike's line at WonderCon, but didn't know you posted here and therefore didn't want to introduce myself and seem the lame fool. :D

Oh don't lie to me, I've been to comic-con before. :D The info will be up when I board my plane, but I'm impatient! Three weeks feels like three months. You guys seem to know more than I do about..things.

Don't worry about the lack of introductions. I don't talk much, either..and didn't want to just jump into the conversations I wasn't invited into. I'm glad to have met who I did at Wondercon, even as briefly as it was.

[Hellmistress]

Does anyone by chance know when the panel will be? I'd be greatful for the information.

You guys can have the swag, I've got an actor to go support. :)

I have a tentative time and date but it has to be confirmed yet - as soon as I get it I'll let you know.

HM

[Cyber_Ghost]

I have a tentative time and date but it has to be confirmed yet - as soon as I get it I'll let you know.

HM

Fantastic. Thank you!

[Neil Hill]

Oh don't lie to me, I've been to comic-con before. :D

OK, so you caught me. :)

[gary bolt]

I had the chance last night to go to a screening of Guillermo DelToro's new film, PAN'S LABYRINTH. I knew it was going to be great, but I was unprepared for just HOW great. Stunning. A real thing of beauty--head and shoulders above anything he's done before and, considering his other films, that's saying something.
One word of warning--If you don't speak Spanish be prepared to see the film at least twice--Once to read it (It's his best writing so far) and once to just stare at it. There is so much on the screen, so many beautiful, haunting (sometimes disturbing) images that I found myself forgetting to read the subtitles. Pan in perticular...When he's on screen I found it very difficult to look away from his amazing face. The production design is wonderful and the creatures design....words fail me. Doug Jones (Abe Sapien) here plays two creatures, two of the most original and beautiful creatures since the original Alien.
Mike

I remember reading this post last summer and thinking that this movie must be pretty spectacular if it motivated Mike to register here on this forum and start a whole new thread about it. Tonight I finally saw it and I have to say watching it was one of the most meaningful and moving theatre experiences of my life. The story pulled me in and I could barely look away, even when truly horrific things were going on on screen. I hope this movie wins awards galore, and not just for set design and special effects. The Spanish Civil war setting and context seems very real and that grim reality sets off the compelling and strange world that Pan inhabits. I love that this movie was able to surprise and astonish me and I wish Hollywood could make movies that take these kinds of chances to tell a story instead of always catering to formula and market research. Guillermo del Toro is a genius!

[Mikolaj]

http://www.labirynt-fauna.pl/

Woo-hoo!
Pan's Labyrinth's comming here, to poland!
March 23rd to be precise. just don't know why they had to change the tittle to:
"Faun's labytinth"... It's the same idiotism that lead to naming "Die Hard" "The Glass Trap", here. [just imagine how riddiculous is it for the rest of these "diefranchised" movies...]
Anyways... I'm looking forward to finally having a chance to watch it! :D

[Ivar_L]

I think the original Spanish name is "El Laberinto del Fauno". And it just got nominated for Best Foreign Film and Best Original Screenplay Oscars! Congratulations!!
:)
Edit:
ok, here are all the nominatons:

Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen - Guillermo del Toro
Best Achievement in Cinematography - Guillermo Navarro
Best Achievement in Art Direction - Eugenio Caballero, Pilar Revuelta
Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Score - Javier Navarrete
Best Achievement in Makeup - David Martí, Montse Ribé
Best Foreign Language Film of the Year

6 NOMINATIONS!!!

[Celtic_Fiddler]

6 NOMINATIONS!!!


Was just coming over here to post the very same! Woohoo!! Go Guillermo!!

Andrea

[Petersen]

Wow! That's great!
The movie deserves that many nominations and more


The last movie to 'huant' me like this (where I feel I need to spread the word and discuss it with people who have seen it and I continue to find nuances of scenes/elements from the film when I'm not even trying) was Gangs of New York.

[Kelly Tindall]

Amazing film. I can't get it out of my head, and I cannot wait to see it again.

-K.

[Ivar_L]

A very good year for Mexican directors:

Pan's Labyrinth - 6 nominations;

Babel (Alejandro González Iñárritu) - 7 nominations:
Best Motion Picture of the Year
Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role - Adriana Barraza
Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role - Rinko Kikuchi
Best Achievement in Directing - Alejandro González Iñárritu
Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen - Guillermo Arriaga
Best Achievement in Editing - Douglas Crise, Stephen Mirrione
Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Score - Gustavo Santaolalla

Children of Men (Alfonso Cuarón) - 3 nominations:
Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published
Best Achievement in Cinematography - Emmanuel Lubezki
Best Achievement in Editing - Alfonso Cuarón, Alex Rodríguez

[Mikolaj]

I think the original Spanish name is "El Laberinto del Fauno".

6 NOMINATIONS!!!

well... That explains everything. ;) Awww, man! can't wait to see it!
It seems that Del Toros movie skills are as wine- the older he is the better they get. That boads very well for HB2!! :D

[morna]

6 NOMINATIONS!!!

it also bodes well for a lot more people being able to see it, as I imagine Oscar nominations equate to better distribution - good! It's a VERY interesting and haunting film.

[hellboyone]

The last movie to 'huant' me like this (where I feel I need to spread the word and discuss it with people who have seen it and I continue to find nuances of scenes/elements from the film when I'm not even trying) was Gangs of New York.

Wow. I thought that movie was pretty bad. And I'm a big Scorcese fan. (I like watching it though because of the filmmaking...it's still fun to watch a bad Scorcese movie.) But it did make me want to learn more about that era of New York and I went out and bought 3 books about New York gangs that day.

I thought Pan's Labyrinth was my favorite movie of the year. It still might be, but after seeing Children of Men, it's neck-and-neck with that now. Children of Men is just as brilliant.

I didn't get to see Babel, although it was on my list of movies to try and check out. :(

[Kelly Tindall]

I hated Gangs of New York as well, (the only movie I've ever turned off, actually) but I'm hoping that Pan's sweeps the awards; it's magnificent.

Although if I have to hear somebody moan, "It's too violent!" or "There's not enough fantasy!" I think I'll scream.

-K.

[hellboyone]

I'm hoping that Pan's sweeps the awards; it's magnificent.

Although if I have to hear somebody moan, "It's too violent!" or "There's not enough fantasy!" I think I'll scream.

-K.

Me and you, both. On TWO message boards! :)

I'm also happy that Little Miss Sunshine got nominated in a couple of spots, including Best Picture. (Although I really don't care about awards, it's nice to see the underdogs recognized, Pan's included.)

[Petersen]

I don't know that I would even put Gangs on my faves list, but I was affected by it. I can also say I didn't hate it or find it 'bad'. Bill the Butcher was an amazing character (I think Lewis was robbed of an oscar that year) and it was most of the incidents revolving around him that I was intigued by: Using his own authority to do as he pleased, his own code of honor, his take on immigration, etc. (Not that I agree with him, but found his character fully realized and not just a 2 dimentional villian.) I found Leo's story with revenge and Cameron Diaz to be fairly ho-hum

Sounds like it 'haunted' you in some ways too Rick.

Pan's, on the other hand, both haunted me and I can say it belongs on my faves list. I just had lunch with Jeremy Bastian and we did nothing but talk about the film and it's merrits. He and I are pretty good about nitpicking things we don't like about movies we like (ballanced and fair) and we were hard pressed to come up with much.

Something about the fantasy to reality ratio (that I thought I wouldn't like and ended up thinking it made the film considerable stronger) was that it makes this a 'real' movie. It shouldn't get piegon-holed as a 'fantasy' movie. The imapct it has because it's so firmly rooted in a real situation with real problems in a very real place, is ten times as powerful than if it had been a JHP/Froud Labyrinth style story (not that I don't enjoy that movie, because I do, but it's already been made)

[hellboyone]

Cameron Diaz didn't need to be in the movie. She was a big part of why I didn't like it. Not that I don't like Diaz. She was just part of an unnecessary subplot. Daniel Day Lewis was pretty incredible in it, though. He rarely disappoints.

The people who haven't cared for Pan's, overall, have pretty much complained about there not being enough fantasy in it. I can see that considering the way it was advertised. But wanting it to be a fantasy movie misses the point. Like The Devil's Backbone before it, it's ultimately about how children deal with the horror of war.

[Kelly Tindall]

The three complaints about the movie are about the violence, the ambiguity of the fantasy, and the perceived lack of actual fantasy in it.

All three objections are totally baseless, in my mind.

From The Onion, a great interview with Guillermo: (http://www.avclub.com/content/node/57606)

On the violence:
"When we're kids, brutality registers differently than when we are adults. I tried to make the violent scenes—in what is essentially a war movie and a fantasy movie mixed together—disturbing and unsettling and heartbreaking. That contrast is great, because it has not only that childlike sense of wonder, but the brutality that only a child would sense. Because as adults, we get too used to violence."

People that complain about the fantasy are... just... Man, I don't know what to say. My wife thinks that fantasy fans are so starved that they latch on to movies like this like mosquitoes, and that's not far off. If they have an issue with the amount of real-world in this film, they should maybe blame the advertising or their own expectations before they blame Guillermo and this excellent film.

-K.

[David Glassey]

I would say that it is the best film that I have seen this year. Mike Mignola's praise for the film is certainly justified, it is definitely Guillermo's best effort to date and the film deserves any and all accolades it is getting.

I agree with Mike that the Pan character is absolutely marvellously crafted and executed. I really can't say enough about how a wonderful experience it is to watch the film.

[Angilas-Man]

A theater near me finally got Pan's Labyrinth. I'm sure I can't add anything more to say except for "if you haven't seen it then go now!"

[Neil Hill]

I'm sure I can't add anything more to say except for "if you haven't seen it then go now!"

That's kind of how I feel. I caught the movie several weeks ago, but haven't added a report because there isn't anything I could say that would come even close to the great reports that have already graced this thread. Suffice it to say (echoing Angila-Man), go see it now if you haven't already. You won't be disappointed.

[THE REAL kirk]

Just got home from seeing it.

Wow.

It was worth the wait.

[lerochelle]

Alas, I have just found out that in my tiny part of the world, we will not be recieving Pan's Labyrinth as apparently, the only theater in town doesn't think that it would be an apropriate movie to show in my totally christian town... I don't think we even got HELLBOY!!!! Man, this town STINKS.

L.R.

[The Comic Book Guy]

Guillermo Del Toro is a genius. I love his films. And I'm sure when I get around to watching PL it will be worth whatever I spend to see it.

[Neil Hill]

Alas, I have just found out that in my tiny part of the world, we will not be recieving Pan's Labyrinth as apparently, the only theater in town doesn't think that it would be an apropriate movie to show in my totally christian town... I don't think we even got HELLBOY!!!! Man, this town STINKS.

L.R.

Sounds like it's time to move! :)

[Ken O]

Saw it Sunday night and even with high expectations from all the praise I was floored. Amazingly it was only playing in one theater here.

[SpydaWeb]

Pan's is now playing in like 5 theaters in the Atlanta, Georgia area. I've seen it twice and much like Hellboy, I like it more each time I see it.

[dogboy443]

Ok, here goes...breathe deep..."I was dissapointed by Pan's Labyrinth." OK, I said it. Was I floored by it...NO. Did I like it...YES. I was dissapointed that the fantasy side of the movie only covered about 30% of the movie. The Faun was wonderful, the Pale Man was intruiging, except we only saw him for a few minutes. Eye candy. Nothing substantial. We got suggestions that he's been eating children for centuries, but he really wasn't in it all that much. The fairies were nice but not enough. We had two different movies here and if it was a GdT war movie then I would have gone to it in a different way, however, all the advertising, reviews and interviews all talked about the Faun and the Labyrinth and didn't elude that this was a war movie with some fantasy elements. We went as a foursome. The ladies hated it and calle dit a blood bath with a big blue horned guy. The two guys liked it, but were dissapointed by it. I do love GdT. I think he's a fun, creative director, but this time I wasn't wow'd by what I saw. I needed more fantasy and less war storyline. If it was so important for the Princess to perform her three tasks to ascend, then that should have been the focus...did it really take death to ascend back to her parents and kingdom/escape from the horrors of war? Then focus on the aspect of the movie that people wanted to see and that everything eludes too.

My 2 cents,
Mark

[SpydaWeb]

Ok, here goes...breathe deep..."I was dissapointed by Pan's Labyrinth." OK, I said it. Was I floored by it...NO. Did I like it...YES. I was dissapointed that the fantasy side of the movie only covered about 30% of the movie.

Effectively you were disappointed by it because it wasn't what you wanted it to be.

You're entitled to your opinion ofcourse, but my suggestion. Go see it again, or rent it when it hits DVD. Try to judge it for what it is, not what you want it to be. You might just enjoy it more.

[Tad]

Although the reviews have been very specific about the war element and the violence and how sad the movie is... the commercials have shown little but the fantasy element. For people who try to avoid reviews before seeing a movie, it's definitely a shocker.

[THE REAL kirk]

Dogboy, I can relate to what you are saying. My friend also said he thought there would be more of the fantasy stuff. And, while there are a lot of "war" movies out there, there are not as many fantasy movies. But, more importantly, there is only one war/fantasy movie like this one. Of course "Devil's Backbone" touched on war and the supernatural but not like this.

Sure, I wish there was more of the fantasy stuff in the movie as well. I enjoy that more for the escapist nature I have when going to the movies. But it is funny that the very reason I want to see more of it is the same reason it is even in the movie - to escape reality. Kinda makes me think.

So, yes, more would have been nice but, as Spyda points out, that's not the movie Guillermo wanted to make. We can wait for HB2 for that. I also want to see it again to really appreciate the movie and the tale that Guillermo wanted to tell.

[Elegance Liberty]

I haven't been able to see it yet because I've been ultra busy with college (FINALS! ART FINALS AAAAAAAHHHHH!!!) and I'd prefer to go see it alone. =(

Some guys in my art class were talking about it today too, so word IS getting out about this movie in my area. Yay!

[hellboyone]

Ok, here goes...breathe deep..."I was dissapointed by Pan's Labyrinth." OK, I said it. Was I floored by it...NO. Did I like it...YES. I was dissapointed that the fantasy side of the movie only covered about 30% of the movie. The Faun was wonderful, the Pale Man was intruiging, except we only saw him for a few minutes. Eye candy. Nothing substantial.

I thought the whole movie was eye candy. Sometimes brutal, always gorgeous. And the movie was filled with style and substance. I'm as big a fantasy fan as anyone, but I just never felt I was getting short-changed on it here. I wasn't sitting there waiting for crazy imaginary shit to start flying at me. I was just too engrossed in the story, so beautifully crafted.

Pan's is so good, I like the Hellboy movie less now.

[Maija]

Pan's is so good, I like the Hellboy movie less now.This happened to me after watching The Devil's Backbone.

I'm hoping to see Pan's this weekend. It released to four more theatres here on Friday.

Meanwhile, the local free weekly paper has this interview with Doug Jones (http://www.ffwdweekly.com/Issues/2007/0125/film1.htm).

[SpydaWeb]

Pan's is so good, I like the Hellboy movie less now.

I really want to make a comment, but I shant. I also incidentally wrote all this as an excuse to say shant....

shant. :D *sigh*

[hellboyone]

Bring it. :)

[-=Valkyre=-]

Saw it.(Sunday) Loved it. Will gladly see it again.

Oh, make sure you don't see it if some stupid a** brings his eight-year-old DAUGHTER into it or if there's some squealing fangirlish types in it. (first one happened to a friend of mine who chewed the guy out for it, second one happened to me, and every time something 'dark' happened, the chick would SQUEAL... AUGH.)

[Elegance Liberty]

Oh don't worry. If some weeaboo starts squealing, she'll get a nice full cup of soda in the back of her head.

Seriously, anime fanbrats should be banned from seeing this movie.

[fitzroy]

We had it over here at the end of last year, my wife and I had to travel to the city to watch it, but it was so worth it. the Devil's Backbone has always been my favourite GDT movie, but Pan's has edged it out.
It's great to see it getting Oscar noms, all well deserved.
Roll on Tarzan (if the rumours are true)

[Mike Cross]

An woe to those that get in the way of a city-bound Fitroy.

Aside, i couldn't win tickets to the preview on the radio, so I will buy mine when it opens this weekend.

[Ivar_L]

UK DVD news here:
http://www.dvdactive.com/news/releases/pans-labyrinth.html

[Ivar_L]

DVD from Korea has Mignola's artwork on the cover:

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w238/akkinzer/PAN3.jpg

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w238/akkinzer/PAN2.jpg

[THE REAL kirk]

DAMN! Now that is a nice set. Even better than the metal box version. I REALLY hope we get one like this here in the US when it comes out.

[fitzroy]

Damned UK edition

[Kelly Tindall]

Oh man, I want that. Covet, covet.

Amazing movie.

-K.

[parrish]

I am going to see it tonight, finally. I told my wife that I wanted to see a movie in a foreign language and she said "no." So I just told her it would be a date for us, and she said "yes."

[shonokin]

Wow, that Korean box set is absolutely beautiful looking. I hope the R1 package will come close to looking like that.

Speaking of sets, if you like behind the scenes production images and you love the Fairy kingdom sets in Pan, you really want to click here (http://tertre-rouge.iespana.es/films/fauno.htm).

[SpydaWeb]

I want the Korean box for sure. If the US version doesn't beat it, I'm definately getting both.

[parrish]

Just got back from seeing it. All I can say is "wow." Beautiful, frightning, incredible.

I liked it a lot better than the Hellboy movie.

[hellboyone]

I wonder if the Korean version has English subtitles...?

[THE REAL kirk]

It looks like the movie does but I am not sure about the features. This alone keeps me from ordering this right now.

If anyone finds out, please pass it on.

[sofaking]

i've just ordered the korean version from yesasia.com (dts sound and mignila art)

so much better than the uk version


can't wait

[THE REAL kirk]

Sweet. I know you'll enjoy it. It is a beautiful set with some nice extras - great pictures of the set at Yesasia too.

You'll have it in three weeks!

By the way, took THE REAL MRS kirk to see Pan tonight. She loved it and was just blown away by the beauty of it. I wasn't sure how she would react to it with the cringe-worthy scenes and all but she really rolled with it, carried along by the story and the characters. She felt everyone did such great jobs acting, especially "Ophelia" and "Mercedes." She thought Guillermo was talented before but now she considers him a true master and a genius. How could I not love this woman?

[hellboyone]

It looks like the movie does but I am not sure about the features. This alone keeps me from ordering this right now.



Yeah....this is the bummer about a lot of beautiful Asian DVD sets.

[gary bolt]

Morna and I went and saw it for a second time yesterday and still really enjoyed it. I didn't notice much new stuff plot-wise but I was much more aware of how the camera and the music were used to heighten the emotions in the scenes. The fantasy elements are all fully realized and the scene with the Pale Man still had me on the edge of my seat. The acting in this movie is excellent and I agree with THE REAL MRS kirk that the roles of Ophelia and Mercedes are particularly deserving of praise. I will definitely own this film when it is available on disk.

[Maija]

I finally saw it today.

I will buy the DVD. I will definitely get whatever sort of "art of..." book GDT produces for it. I liked it more than The Devil's Backbone, but...

...shit I really wish I hadn't known a single thing about this movie before going into it. I'm actually a little pissed about the way the promotional material was put together, focusing entirely on the FX part of it, such that I was familiar with much of the fantasy part of the story, including one entire scene (Doug Jones said a little too much in that article I linked earlier). I was glad of the final fantasy scene because I hadn't seen it before! I so wish that I could have been awed by seeing Pan for the first time on the big screen.

Also, there are patterns in The Devil's Backbone that are repeated in Pan's Labyrinth that make it somewhat predictable, right down to the physcial transformation of the monster at the hands of his victim (I won't say more so as not to spoil). In a lot of ways Pan's is like a more thorough exploration of the idea in The Devil's Backbone which is not at all a bad thing, but being familiar with The Devil's Backbone made Pan's Labyrinth less surprising for me.

So overall, I wasn't as transported as I had hoped I would be, because I kept getting tripped up by what I'd seen before, what I'd read before, and making comparisons to The Devil's Backbone. I'll probably enjoy it more on the second viewing.

[Tad]

I just saw it for the second time today and had a different reaction to the end.

Here's a challenge - to explain without describing - the first time I thought it was a thoroughly tragic ending and that if Guillermo had just resisted cutting back to reality one last time it would have had a more uplifting, if bittersweet, ending.

But at the second viewing, I felt that's exactly how it played as is. I also appreciated the further blurring of fantasy and reality in the anti-climax.

I use the terms "fantasy" and "reality" to separate the two sides of the film, but really there's no conflict between the two. In the universe of the movie, both sides really happened.

The toad under the tree sequence doesn't get talked about but it had a great feel to it.

[Petersen]

Just got back from my second viewing as well.

My Mother-in-law mentioned seeing a movie while we were out to dinner. She seemed interested, so we took her to Pan's.

I want to echo everything I have already said. I really really like the storytelling of the movie. Everything in the movie, every scene, character, all the dialouge, the visual aids (color, mist, rain, etc.) pushes the story along at exactly the right pace.

I tend to think of poetry as taking some larger than life concept and then using as few words as possible, paring down, until the words you use are the most barebone/elegant way of demonstrating the concept. Pan's works that way for me. I can't imagine it being cut together any better. Adding more, would be too much, taking away would be to little. Even in terms of effects, performance, and dialouge.

It's a shame that as a 'foriegn language film' this movie won't get the real attention it deserves (it seems to be pushed as either an art-house film or a fantasy tale alone) If my mother-in-law saw it and raved about it on the car ride home even saying, "I'd like to know more about this director", and "what an interesting time in history, I'd like to read up on WWII era Spain", you know it deserves a wider audience!

[gary bolt]

I use the terms "fantasy" and "reality" to separate the two sides of the film, but really there's no conflict between the two. In the universe of the movie, both sides really happened.

Well put, Tad.

[fitzroy]

I've only seen Pan's once back in October, (currently waiting for the DVD) so my memory is a little sketchy, I remember being very happy at the ending and felt that it had the right amount of 'pay off' to the story and the experiences the characters went thru. Upbeat probably doesn't sound right but that's the word I'm gonna use.

As a side bar to all these posts, anyone reading these who haven't seen The Devil's Backbone, go out and buy or rent it, you won't be disappointed. A very different feel to Pan's Labyrinth but still a cracking and sometimes disturbing movie.

[gary bolt]

As a side bar to all these posts, anyone reading these who haven't seen The Devil's Backbone, go out and buy or rent it, you won't be disappointed. A very different feel to Pan's Labyrinth but still a cracking and sometimes disturbing movie.

I tried to rent it today but my local video store doesn't have it. The hunt is on!

[shonokin]

Tad and Gary, I'm right there with you. Tad, my experience is very close to yours. In fact I'm not even sure I can describe how I felt after the first viewing, but it was something like relieved, happy and heartbroken all at once. On the second viewing it was less sad and more like you said, seeing things as evening out.

There might be movies that have moved me more, for good or bad, (Grave of the Fireflies stands out in my mind as having a significant emotional effect to put it mildly) but I've never felt the effect that Pan had on me, this sort of almost swooning funk after the first viewing and then a more contemplative and adjusted happiness after the second viewing. Del Toro is the Man.

And Gary, you want to BUY The Devil's Backbone (http://www.deepdiscountdvd.com/dvd.cfm?itemID=COL005676), $10 and free shipping for a 2 disc set with all the incredible features this has, it's worth it. ;)

So has anyone put up the oscar nominations? If so I missed it so here it is again:
Pan's Labyrinth
* Achievement in Art Direction
* Achievement in Cinematography
* Best Foreign Language Film of the Year
* Achievement in Makeup
* Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures (Original Score)
* Original Screenplay

[parrish]

So has anyone put up the oscar nominations? If so I missed it so here it is again:
Pan's Labyrinth
* Achievement in Art Direction
* Achievement in Cinematography
* Best Foreign Language Film of the Year
* Achievement in Makeup
* Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures (Original Score)
* Original Screenplay

I really think it deserved a best director nod, too. Best picture I wasn't expecting, since it seems like most anything labeled fantasy gets ignored, no matter how good the film was.

[6are54]

GORGEOUS!
I cried silently at the end. Something I've never done at the movies before.
Awesome job Mr.Del Toro!
I found it hard to detach myself from it after too...that haunting image from the end...chilling.

(My friend who was with me cried because just as we sat down in our seats and the lights went out, he clumsily dropped a brand new, unopened bottle of 30$ wine on the cement floor. It shattered loudly, spilling all over my shoes, pants, back pack and coat. I think the people in front got splashed as well. So for the entire movie, the whole row stank like red wine.
Thank god I only wear black.)

[Jankenstein]

I was rather suprised when the Regal Cinema at the local mall picked it up....I figured I'd have to catch it at the local university theater, and pray for a parking space anywhere near campus.

I liked it very much, and was glad I had avoided knowing too much about it before I actually saw it.

One aspect that struck me was that the real world elements (well, with the exception of the Pale Man chase sequence) were so much more horrific than any of the fantasy elements were. The acting was fantastic; the fellow that played The Captain really made you hate that character. I thought the lady that played Ophelia did a stellar job as well.

[Ivar_L]

Some news about Korean Limited Edition DVD -
it will be out already on this Friday (not on 23rd Feb)!
Also, from some new pictures it looks like there will be a real key included with it:

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n130/kfelon/pans%20labyrinth/dvd023613_4.jpg

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n130/kfelon/pans%20labyrinth/dvd023613_7.jpg

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n130/kfelon/pans%20labyrinth/dvd023613_5.jpg

(Pictures and updated info from the people who ordered it, here: http://forum.dvdtalk.com/showthread.php?t=488232&page=4)

[rhboyd]

crap!!!!!!!!!!

:mad:
-r!

[Jawa]

I can't wait to own this movie on DVD!

[Hellmistress]

DDT Efectos Especiales designs ...

http://www.thedougjonesexperience.com/panDDT.htm

HM

[shonokin]

Those are really great pics Hellmistress, I love the behind the scenes stuff!

I really wonder what the R1 DVD set is going to look like, because that Korean set really looks sweet.

[Petersen]

Thank you Helen! Those are great!

[rhboyd]

awesome awesome awesome!!!

My world is now complete knowing that El Fauno had 4 nipples...

beautiful stuff!!!
-r!

[Ivar_L]

Thanks, there are some very useful pictures! If someone (like me :)) wants to try to sculpt Faun/Pan... It's much easier to get the proportions and details right, if it's clear how exactly there's real person inside...

[Eric Lofgren]

I had the chance last night to go to a screening of Guillermo DelToro's new film, PAN'S LABYRINTH. I knew it was going to be great, but I was unprepared for just HOW great. Stunning. A real thing of beauty--head and shoulders above anything he's done before and, considering his other films, that's saying something.
One word of warning--If you don't speak Spanish be prepared to see the film at least twice--Once to read it (It's his best writing so far) and once to just stare at it. There is so much on the screen, so many beautiful, haunting (sometimes disturbing) images that I found myself forgetting to read the subtitles. Pan in perticular...When he's on screen I found it very difficult to look away from his amazing face. The production design is wonderful and the creatures design....words fail me. Doug Jones (Abe Sapien) here plays two creatures, two of the most original and beautiful creatures since the original Alien.
I could go on and on and, I suspect, I will. If any of you run into me at San Diego be prepares--This is the thing I'll be talking about.
Mike

Had to chime in here, if only for the opportunity to quote Mike Mignola :D

But seriously, the movie is a real charm. I didn't really know what to expect going into it other then my previous postive experiences with GDT's work and I was pleasantly (in an ironic sort of way given the story itself) at how it turned out. This one is definitely a DVD purchase.

And the Baby Eater sequence is truly one of the most harrowing sequences I've ever seen. That my wife was able to endure it and come out of the theatre highly praising the film is a credit to the movie's brilliance. She's a hard sell on genre material :)

And, ideed, Pan is a wonder to behold. Certainly due to Doug Jones amazing abilities, coupled with the creature's design and construction.

[lerochelle]

This may have been asked before... but... when is it due to hit the states?

Me thinking I'm gonna buy it without renting due to all of your great praise on it.

[Eric Lofgren]

This may have been asked before... but... when is it due to hit the states?

Me thinking I'm gonna buy it without renting due to all of your great praise on it.

It's been in the theatres here in Western Canada (or at least the theatre I saw it at) for about 3 weeks now.

It occurs to me that you are probably talking about the DVD release. So just ignore my previous comments :)

[Ivar_L]

I think the unofficial date for USA DVD is May 15. That's the only info I've seen yet.

[lerochelle]

DDT Efectos Especiales designs ...

http://www.thedougjonesexperience.com/panDDT.htm

HM

Well, I'd like to thank and wonder at the creators of El Fauno...

This comes about while I was scanning the pics and my daughter came up and looked at on of doug in the prostetics... she pointed at the picture and asked what that was. I said it was doug jones in costume as the faun.

She says "No, mommy! What's THAT?"

I abruptly realize that she is pointing between the legs. Thinking quickly, I tell her it's his "branch" (Hell, hes part tree, why not?).

She then replies to me (mind you she's going to be three in march) "No, mommy. That's his penis!" (sorry if I can't say this word, let me know and I will remove it)

So here is my question...

Is it another of Del Toro's "things" to have somewhat anatomicly correct creatures?

Now don't get me wrong, I have no problem wth being anatomicly correct. I am just seeing a similarity here. Baby hellboy, El Fauno... is it a pattern or just coincidence?

I am now thinking that I will have to preview the movie before letting my daughter see it, was planning on it anyway. (scary factor and all) But now also to see how prominent his "branch" is and how many times I can expect to have my daughter pointing and telling me "look, mommy! thers his..."

(there might be a need for a "Artificial Genitalia" Warning on some new movies comming out. LOL.)

I'm not saying that it shoudn't have been done, I do like that it seems to complete the costume. It would definitly be lacking if hellboy were to not have had the codpiece or baby hellboy and El Fauno to be blank there. It just wasn't something I was ready for. LOL.

and YES.... I am Weird!

[Ivar_L]

I am now thinking that I will have to preview the movie before letting my daughter see it, was planning on it anyway. (scary factor and all)This movie is NOT for 3 years old, and not because of Faun's "branch"... I didn't know it was there before you wrote... :)
It's just because fantasy parts are scary but real life is much more scarier and brutal.

[shonokin]

This movie is NOT for 3 years old, and not because of Faun's "branch"... I didn't know it was there before you wrote... :)
It's just because fantasy parts are scary but real life is much more scarier and brutal.

Have to agree with Ivar. This is a truly amazing movie, but you really might want to see it before letting your daughter see it. There's some very brutal scenes here and there, some of them pretty traumatising even for adults.

[lerochelle]

This movie is NOT for 3 years old, and not because of Faun's "branch"... I didn't know it was there before you wrote... :)
It's just because fantasy parts are scary but real life is much more scarier and brutal.

Good to know...

Btw I know what you mean about the reeal life versus fantasy. She knows what fake is. But when she saw kroenen stabbing clay for the first time she freaked. She handled the sammy's slicing and dicing moss and stone and rasputen melting but when kroenen stabbed clay... that was when she reacted.

I'm beginning to think that I will have to rent this first.

Thanks guys!

[Ivar_L]

This is not only violence why I'd not show it to too young children. The story has many details you need to explain, if you want them to understand what's happening - who are the men in the woods and why they are there, who is this man if he's not Ofelia's father, why is he acting like this, what kind of war is this, what's happening with pregnancy, what is doctor doing etc etc. I don't think life must be so complicated for a 3 year old... And violence here looks like real life violence with all the consequences.

About renting - I don't think you need to rent it to see if you yourself will like it. This movie is really worth owning!

[gary bolt]

Thanks to the folks who recommended The Devil's Backbone earlier in this thread. Morna and I watched it last night and quite enjoyed it. It is not the masterpiece that Pan's Labyrinth is but is quite good in a creepy way.

[Maija]

I expect that GDT included El Fauno's "twig" because he's not American and has far more European sensibilities. It's just a natural attention to detail. It would be bizarre to put pants on the God of Nature. Anyway, I never noticed it in the film.

But this film is most definitely not for children. There was one particularly brutal scene during which my friends were covering their eyes and asking me to tell them when it's over. No kidding. wimps :p

As well, as Ivar said, the story would be very difficult for young children to grasp and consequently very disturbing and upsetting (well, it would be even if they did understand it). Not to mention the film features a character that is the embodiment of a child's worst nightmare.

[SpydaWeb]

Thanks to the folks who recommended The Devil's Backbone earlier in this thread. Morna and I watched it last night and quite enjoyed it. It is not the masterpiece that Pan's Labyrinth is but is quite good in a creepy way.

I much prefer Devil's Backbone to Pan's, for many reasons. I'll leave my full comments on Pan's for another time.

[gary bolt]

I much prefer Devil's Backbone to Pan's, for many reasons. I'll leave my full comments on Pan's for another time.

I'd like to hear what you have to say when you are ready.

[Angilas-Man]

I expect that GDT included El Fauno's "twig" because he's not American and has far more European sensibilities. It's just a natural attention to detail. It would be bizarre to put pants on the God of Nature.



Reminds me of when I was watching some of Studio Ghibli's animated films (which are for the whole family) and you see animal's gentitals. In Japan they wouldn't think about it being dirty, it's just a natural part of the animal. Why wouldn't you draw it?

[lerochelle]

Reminds me of when I was watching some of Studio Ghibli's animated films (which are for the whole family) and you see animal's gentitals. In Japan they wouldn't think about it being dirty, it's just a natural part of the animal. Why wouldn't you draw it?

Lemme guess.... Pom Poko? :D hehe. Yup, I'm a Miazaki fan through and through (even if I can't spell his name right lol.)

Sheesh, My daughter may know what his "branch" really is supposed to be, but she doesn't know how or exactly what it is used for.

(she still thinks that baby's come out of the mommy's tummy through the belly button. (they go in there too...:rolleyes: )...)

[SpydaWeb]

Has everyone seen this (http://www.dvdactive.com/news/releases/the-guillermo-del-toro-collection.html)?

[6are54]

OH MY SWEET LOVING GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I NEEEEEEEEEEEEEEED THAT.

Is there a non-euro version???

[SpydaWeb]

Not that I know of. I already have his other films though so, I don't know that I'd get this anyway, but this is really cool for those that havn't gotten around to picking up his stuff.

[Ivar_L]

I just wanted to note that in this collection there's only 1 disc with Pan's Labyrinth. So, if one wants bonus materials, he/she needs to get 2 disc Special Edition.

But if this collection helps people to discover Del Toro's older films, it's ok!...
:)

[Neil Hill]

Three Oscar's and counting thus far! Guillermo is beaming from ear-to-ear with each Oscar snag for the people involved with his great film. I certainly hope Guillermo gets his due tonight at the Oscar's also.

[Blake Petit]

Three Oscar's and counting thus far! Guillermo is beaming from ear-to-ear with each Oscar snag for the people involved with his great film. I certainly hope Guillermo gets his due tonight at the Oscar's also.

Freaking brilliant film. Easily the best of 2006 in my opinion.

Of course, it got snubbed for best picture, so what're you gonna do?

[SpydaWeb]

Travesty! Jennifer Hudson was not best actress.
What?! An Inconvenient Truth for best doco. What?!!

[rhboyd]

No foreign film.... :(

I've heard that the one that DID win... "other people's lives" is brilliant....

No real sadness here... monumental achievement, and hearty congrats to GDT!!!

we luvs ya, amigo!!!
-r!

[SpydaWeb]

Ennio Morricone wins an Oscar. Finally, something makes sense.

[SpydaWeb]

Snubbed again!

[The Xenos]

Woot.

Pan's Laberynth won for

Best Achievement in Cinematography

Best Achievement in Makeup

Best Achievement in Art Direction

It didn't get Best Foreign Language Film of the Year. That went to German film The Lives of Others. (Considering 'Inconvient Truth' just won Best Doc and Lives of Others is about wire tapping, kinda seems they're trying to tell our administration something via these awards.)

It also lost out in Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Score and Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen. Babel got the score one and Little Miss Sunshine got Screenplay.

Still, I think the film did pretty well.

To be honest, I was torn on Cinematography. Children of Men and The Prestige were also beautifully shot. (Didn't get around to seeing the other two unfortunately.) I really couldn't decide between those three wonderful movies I saw. Also, I love the category and think it's terribly underrated. Being somewhat of a photo buff doesn't hurt.

[THE REAL kirk]

I am crushed that Guillermo didn't win for either screenplay or best film. It just didn't seem right. I am however VERY happy that it did win three Oscars. It is too great a film to not get recognition. And those awards were up against the entire field, not only foreign film.

A bittersweet victory for Pan's, imo.

[gary bolt]

Three Acadamy Awards!

Woooot!

[gary bolt]

Three Academy Awards is an awesome accomplishment!

Yaay Guillermo!!

[Mikolaj]

That's a great achivment! Congrats to GdT and every one on his team! It's a shame they didn't get the best non-english movie award, but I do believe that "Das Leben Der Anderen"( The Lives of Others) is a movie that deservse thsi tittle. I guess if Pan's Labirynth got only this one nomination It would have won. The verdict of the Academy shows a somewhat compromise: they've showed their appreaciation for the Pam while giving an Oscar to the other flick for a stunning way of showing how was Life back here behind the steel curtin.

[Jawa]

Didn't get Best Foreign Film, but alas, at least it won several others. Good job, Guillermo and co.! :)

[parrish]

I think the biggest crime against it would have been if it had lost for cinematography.

[Neil Hill]

I think the biggest let down (I'd say crime, but I don't feel any film that won in the Foreign categories- technical achievement or otherwise didn't deserve it) was that Guillermo Del Toro himself wasn't recognized directly with an Oscar. Guillermo Navarro won and several other deserving people from the film, but alas, Guillermo Del Toro himself did not. That saddens somewhat, as the one guy who I felt deserved the most accolades of anyone at the Kodak Theatre last night was GDT.

[Neil Hill]

Oops, forgot that Mike had created this Thread already.

Jonell, please feel free to combine the Pan's Thread I created yesterday with this one. Thanks in advance!

[Celtic_Fiddler]

I am SOOOO HAPPY for Guillermo!!!!! :) :) :) :)

Andrea

[hellboyone]

Nobody feel too bad. They're just completely arbitrary awards. The film is achievement enough. :)

[Catlin]

I'm glad it got so many awards. It wakes Hollywood up from the cut and paste movies.

I am beyond thrilled that Martin Scorsese won. So freaking glad. Sort of dissapointed that Kate Winslet lost again, but she keeps going against tough competition, poor thing. I am not sure about Jennifer Hudson, I was really rooting for Abigail Breslin to win. She was so awesome in Little Miss Sunshine. And I am beyond happy for An Inconvient Truth.

[SpydaWeb]

Boo to an Inconvenient Truth, Boo to Jennifer Hudson. Not that either sucked, but neither was worthy of the win.

and with that. I'll go back to never watching another Oscar presentation.

[ChrisTheHomunculus]

I'm really happy that this film has received some recognition!
Lets hope this will add some much needed funding to Hellboy 2!

[Celtic_Fiddler]

and with that. I'll go back to never watching another Oscar presentation.

Yeah, you say that now Spyda! Just wait till next year!! :p

I watch the Oscars for the dresses. They did NOT disappoint this year. Not one was a dog.

My favorite comic moment was when Ellen handed her screenplay to Martin Scorcese!! Hahaha!! I laugh but I cry too - I would want to do the same thing.

Best Oscar Moment: the look on Guillermo's face when G. Navarro recognized him was precious. He told stories in that look - pride, respect, love, gratitude, it was all there on his face for three seconds, but it will be in my memory forevah!

And so HANDSOME! Wasn't Guillermo del Toro handsome last night!?

Andrea

[MackSztaba]

Finally saw the movie, and WOW! Really great movie, and like Mike said you have to see it at least twice. Going again.:D

[SpydaWeb]

Yeah, you say that now Spyda! Just wait till next year!! :p

Andrea

Seriously, before this I'd last watched the Oscars in the early 90s. I watched this time as a show of support for GDT, but I'll happily pass another sitting of this.

[Jawa]

I'm really happy that this film has received some recognition!
Lets hope this will add some much needed funding to Hellboy 2!

From all indications, yes, it is indeed helping HELLBOY 2 quite a bit. It's certainly giving Del Toro a lot more room to be creative and do what he thinks is right.

[Catlin]

I never even watch, I just put up the page where they list the winners and keep hitting refresh :p I just cannot sit through hours of that kind of thing, unless it was someone I really, really, really liked presenting.

[redoogie]

I'm really happy that this film has received some recognition!
Lets hope this will add some much needed funding to Hellboy 2!

No Kidding! We have been talking about it here:

http://forums.comicbookresources.com/showthread.php?t=162352

[SpydaWeb]

Ellen was a disappointing host. She's normally quite funny, but I found myself yawning at some of her monologues.

[estee]

I liked this movie a lot.

I especially like Ofelia, the little girl. She had a quiet courage about her. She acomplished the tasks set out for her with little fuss.

But she was also a realistic child. In that her mother just died, her step-father is evil incarnate, Mercedes can't help her, now she's all alone, so when Pan appeared again she embraced him. Just like any child would. He had shown an interest in her and that is enough for a child to latch on to him like gangbusters. Very nicely done.

[Ivar_L]

I got some DVDs today - Prestige, Flushed Away and Peter Pan from USA and Korean Pan's Labyrinth from Hong Kong. Some impressions:

Cover material is maybe a little too shiny and retro-looking brown, but it still looks good. Like a book, with edge printed like pages from an old and misused book. No slipcover, it just opens to 3 pages, like on the photos posted here.
Booklet is in English, 2 pages with synopsis and 24 pages with conceptual artwork. Key is metallic bookmark, "18K G/P" written on it. Gold plated with 18 Karat?...

Someone wrote in the net that black levels in the picture are disappointing. I don't know, for me it looks very good. It may be that some scenes are just very dark, this is not the transfer's fault. I compared some frames, contrast and brightness are the same as on one 4 GB pirated "for your consideration" screener I've seen in the net, but the picture is without black borders and shows a little bit more image on the sides.

Only extra materials are trailer on first DVD and 45 min "Making of Pan's Labyrinth" on the second. Chapters are:
*Movie & Characters
*Special Effects & Visual Effects
*Costume Design & Production Design
*Cinematography
*Motif
Movie itself has English subtitles, documentary has only Korean subtitles. I think the same documentary will be on other releases. Or not?... Weird thing is, this doc is 4:3, so is all the footage (scenes from the movie are letterboxed). But Del Toro interview clips there look like 16:9 streched vertically to fill the 4:3 ratio...

This DVD is really nice and pretty book-like Special Edition to have in one's collection, I pretty sure US DVD will look different. I will get this one too, as I'm sure there will be much more bonus materials. Probably something like on UK DVD:
Disc One
1.85:1 Anamorphic Widescreen Transfer
Spanish Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo and 5.1 Audio
Director’s Commentary
Disc Two
Video Prologue by Guillermo del Toro
Guardian Interview at the NFT with Guillermo del Toro
'The Power of Myth' Featurette
DVD Comic Sketches: The Pale, The Fairies, The Giant Toad and Pan
'El Fauno Y Las Hadas' Featurette
'The Colour and the Shape' Featurette
Storyboard/Thumbnails Compares
VFX Plate Compare: Guillermo del Toro and the Green Fairy
Director’s Notebook
The Melody Echoes the Fairytale
Mercedes' Lullaby
Poster Gallery
Trailers

[Ivar_L]

News abut region 1 DVD, from http://www.dvdactive.com/news/releases/pans-labyrinth3.html

Released: 15th May 2007
SRP: $29.98 & $34.99
New Line Home Entertainment has today sent over some early details on the Guillermo del Toro directed Pan's Labyrinth which stars Ivana Baquero. The film will be available to own in single ($29.98) and double-disc ($34.99) editions from the 15th May. The film itself will be presented in 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen, along with Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1 and 2.0 Stereo Surround tracks. English subtitles will also be provided. The full details have yet to be revealed on the extra material, although we can confirm that the two-disc edition will include a director's prologue, director commentary, featurettes, interviews, galleries, storyboards, and DVD-ROM features. We'll bring you the full details early next week. Stay tuned.

[Jake Capps]

Thanks for the heads-up Ivar!

[Ivar_L]

Take a look at the comments on the same DVDActive page - comment #45 has the whole press release with all the detailed information about the DVD.

[Ivar_L]

Some more region 1 Pan's Labyrinth DVD news:

Menu screens are posted here:
http://www.dvdactive.com/news/releases/pans-labyrinth3.html

And, there will be an exclusive cover in Futureshop:

http://www.futureshop.ca/multimedia/products/large/dvd2132446.jpg

I think it's a Canadian shop - .ca web address, Alliance Atlantis logo and bilingual cover...

[Ivar_L]

I got region 1 DVD today. Two discs, nice slipcase, sadly no insert/booklet. Had no time to watch all the documetaries yet, but there are some cool drawings there. In DVD comics:

http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/7448/pldvdcomicszg8.jpg

and in documentaries:

http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/2460/pldvdfairytalesbw5.jpg

Some of them are by Guy Davis, not sure about the others...

[Donald]

Has anyone else seen the TV ads for the DVD release? Does the ad make it look like a happy, Disney, Labyrinth-ish kids movie to anyone else? I liked the movie but I'd hate to see anyone plop their 5 year old down if front of it while they go do the laundry.

[Juno Reactor]

Ivar, those DVD comics are AMAZING. Are those all of them, or are there more?

JR

[Ivar_L]

Ivar, those DVD comics are AMAZING. Are those all of them, or are there more?There are 4 of them and they are animated with texts and some image elements moving/changing. Black and white images are from the first documentary - The Power of Myth. There's more, they are what I found when fast forwarding through it.

[SpydaWeb]

GDT just posted this (http://arts.guardian.co.uk/filmandmusic/story/0,,2065832,00.html) at DTF. Pretty cool, if you ask me.

[gdeo]

cool article and a beautiful poem

[Typhon24]

Those DVD comics are great! Can't wait to pick this up...

[David Glassey]

I have watched some of the supplementary material on disc two, Guillermo owns the Abe Sapien origin page from Seed of Destruction, you can see it in the background during interviews with Guillermo.

I was hoping for a book, an "art of" or "design of" but I guess that is not in the works for this film. As an alternative I would check out the Winston Effect book, I took a look at it in the local Chapters (Canadian equivalent of Barnes and Noble), fantastic FX stuff inside it's pages.

[Neil Hill]

Thanks for the pics! I have yet to purchase this DVD, but as soon as I can find it I plan to.

[Vakanai]

Finally got to see it on DVD.
Pan is one scary faun!
Never knew Doug could play scary, he did it wonderfully.