Movie Review: "Hellboy" (2004)

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Movie: "Hellboy"

Director: Guillermo del Toro
Year: 2004
Rating: PG-13
Running Time: 2 hours, 2 minutes

A demon raised by humans must combat the evil sorcerer Rasputin, who wishes to open a portal to hell and unleash its fury on mankind.

Movie Review: "The Devil's Backbone" (2001)

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Movie: "The Devil's Backbone"

Director: Guillermo del Toro
Year: 2001
Rating: R
Running Time: 1 hour, 46 minutes

A young boy is dropped off at an orphanage while his guardians leave to fight for the rebels in the Spanish Civil War. Once there, he begins to see the ghost of a young boy, which eventually leads him to uncover a sinister plot by one of the orphanage employees.

"What is a ghost? A tragedy condemned to repeat itself time and again? An instant of pain, perhaps. Something dead which still seems to be alive. An emotion suspended in time..." This opening quote drives the entire theme of Guillermo del Toro's historical ghost story "The Devils' Backbone." The film follows a young boy named Carlos, played by Fernando Tielve, who, after his tutor drops him off at an orphanage, begins seeing the ghost of a young boy who died there. Jaime, played by Íñigo Garcés, an older boy at the orphanage, gives Carlos a hard time upon his arrival and even pulls a knife on him at one point. Most of the adults at the orphanage have the kids' best interests at heart, except Jacinto, played by Eduardo Noriega, who grew up in the orphanage and now works there as an adult. He is only interested in himself and the gold that Carmen, played Marisa Paredes, the woman who runs the orphanage, is rumored to be holding for the rebels fighting in the Spanish Civil War. Jacinto will stop at nothing to get the gold all for himself.

This film is a period piece drama with a half-horror twist. Not only is it scary at some points, but it has an interesting story to go along with it. The ghost element is extremely engaging and intertwines very well with the drama of the sinister Jacinto and his desire to find the hidden gold. The ghostly storyline also acts as a metaphor for the Spanish Civil War. As we mentioned, the movie references a ghost being "an emotion suspended in time," much like the unexploded bomb that sits in the front courtyard of the orphanage. The rage it took to drop the bomb and the fact that it will remain there as a reminder of that anger long after the fighting has stopped. This is a very powerful, extremely haunting notion. The makeup work is really great, though this is not the type of story that needs a ton of it since the ghosts aren't the central focus of the film. There are some gruesome death scenes, but nothing like what you'd see in a traditional splatterhouse horror film.

This is not the scariest horror movie you'll see, but it is a beautiful, tragic, eerie story about life, loss, and war, complete with lots of strong emotion. Guillermo del Toro is a fantastic director, and he puts a lot of attention into the small details when he makes his films. He also puts his heart and soul into each picture he crafts, and that has never been more apparent than it is in "The Devil's Backbone."

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My Rating: 8.5/10
BigJ's Rating: 8.5/10
IMDB's Rating: 7.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 92%
Do we recommend this movie: Yes!

Movie Review: "The Shape of Water" (2017)

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Movie: "The Shape of Water"

Director: Guillermo del Toro
Year: 2017
Rating: R
Running Time: 2 hours, 3 minutes

A mute woman working on the custodial staff of a secret government facility falls in love with a fish-man that is imprisoned there. When she discovers he is in danger of being killed, she risks everything to help him escape.

There are a lot of romance movies out there, but there very few are told with the grace, beauty, and imagination seen in director Guillermo del Toro's latest film "The Shape of Water." It stars Sally Hawkins as Elisa Esposito, a mute woman who works as a cleaning lady at a secure government facility. One day, a curious looking creature, played by Doug Jones, is brought to the facility where it is imprisoned and regularly tortured by security officer Richard Strickland, played by Michael Shannon. Elisa befriends this creature, and over a short period of time, they bond with one another over music and eggs. She even begins to fall in love with it. When Elisa discovers this amphibian-man is to be dissected, she makes a plan to free it with the help of her best friend Giles, played by Richard Jenkins. She also gets some surprise help from her co-worker Zelda, played by Octavia Spencer, and a scientist named Dr. Hoffstetler, played by Michael Stuhlbarg.

"The Shape of Water" is the most gorgeous film of 2017. We don't mean this simply from a visual standpoint, but also in the way the story is written by del Toro and Vanessa Taylor. The art direction is fantastic, capturing almost an ethereal version of the 1960's with a color palette that ignites the senses and transports us to this world created by del Toro. The makeup work on Doug Jones is brilliant, and the creature design of the amphibian-man is nothing short of incredible. Jones gives an amazing performance as the amphibian-man, and though he looks like something straight out of a Universal monster movie, we quickly empathize with him and feel connected to him. Sally Hawkins gives her second award-worthy performance in less than a year as Elisa. She is able to convey so much emotion without even speaking. Through the use of expressions and body language, she tells stories and speaks of her isolation, her sadness, her longing, and her want and need to be accepted. Michael Shannon plays a sinister, alarmingly splendid villain. Seriously, he's scary good here. Michael Stuhlbarg never gives a bad performance and more people should know his name. His character has secrets to hide and is forced to choose between what he has been tasked to do and his undying love of science.

This story is juxtaposed against the backdrop of the Cold War and during the Civil Rights movement. People of color and people of different sexual orientations are treated as less than human by those around them in several instances. We see the treatment of the amphibian-man parallelled with the stories of characters like Giles and Zelda, and we come to comprehend him as more than just an animal or an asset. As these disenfranchised individuals come together in the name of love, we see those who have been marginalized rise up and become the heroes of the story, all while we explore our own ideas of what it truly means to be human.

We were drawn into this slightly twisted adult fairytale from the opening credits. We remained absolutely enthralled and utterly moved by each and every second of "The Shape of Water." It is enchanting, touching, and even horrific at times, yet it is all balanced into a perfectly lovely piece of cinema. Every moment of this film, from its intricate and odd score to its poignant fable, will delight all your senses. Guillermo del Toro has done an exquisite job directing this modern day fantasy romance and reminds us time and time again why he is our favorite director.

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My Rating: 10/10
BigJ's Rating: 10/10
IMDB's Rating: ~8.0/10
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: ~94%
Do we recommend this movie: ABSOLUTELY YES!!!

Movie Review: "Mimic" (1997)

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Movie: "Mimic"

Director: Guillermo del Toro
Year: 1997
Rating: R
Running Time: 1 hour, 45 minutes

When a disease that is spread by cockroaches plagues New York City and kills scores of children, entomologist Dr. Susan Tyler develops a new species of bug, a predator with the ability to wipe them all out. Unfortunately, the solution may turn out to be worse than the problem.

Nature versus science is a common theme in cinema. In Guillermo del Toro's second feature-length film, he tackles that very subject with a heaping helping of fantasy and sci-fi horror to go along with it. "Mimic" opens with the children of New York City dying from a strange virus that is spread by cockroaches, and as you may or may not know, New York has no shortage of cockroaches. In response, the CDC has entomologist Dr. Susan Tyler, played by Mira Sorvino, develop a new species of bug she calls the "Judas Breed." These Judas bugs are developed to kill off the cockroach population, which will, in turn, kill the disease. They were bred to be sterile, but as we all learned from "Jurassic Park," "life, uh, finds a way." When the Judas bugs start to breed, it may turn out that the solution Susan created is far worse than the problem it was meant to solve.

Every director has their stumble, and "Mimic" is Guillermo del Toro's. This is not to say the film is a complete lost cause, but it is by far the most generic, formulaic film in del Toro's filmography. There are some good elements to like here, namely the effects work and creature design of the fully evolved Judas Breed bugs. There are a lot of neat and gross looking slimy creepy-crawlies all over the place that work well in the context of the film. Not all of the visuals in this movie are practically made. Del Toro used a lot of computer-generated effects as well which, at the time, were probably state of the art. In 2017, however, these effects are remarkably dated and look terrible. One of the other biggest downfalls of "Mimic" is the acting. It isn't good at all. Mira Sorvino's main purpose in the film is to deliver exposition and not much else despite the fact that her character is a freakin' doctor. Most the acts of heroism get passed on to Jeremy Northam's Dr. Mann, who works for the CDC. All of the other characters are simply there to be victims, to be killed off, or to serve as objects to be rescued. Outside of the intriguing general concept and the design of the creatures which can be cool looking at times, "Mimic" is probably one of the least del Toro-like films on his resume, which may be one of the reasons he has disowned the film. It is blatantly obvious studio intervention took its toll on the final product of this film. The characters and story aren't fleshed out enough, and we know from del Toro's other works that these are strong points of his. We have to wonder if his later director's cut helped improve these issues, but even still, we can't recommend this movie.

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My Rating: 4/10
BigJ's Rating: 5/10
IMDB's Rating: ~5.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: ~59%
Do we recommend this movie: Meh.

Movie Review: "Cronos" (1993)

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Movie: "Cronos"

Director: Guillermo del Toro
Year: 1993
Rating: R
Running Time: 1 hour, 34 minutes

A man finds an antique invention that is said to give its user eternal life, though using this device may have some unforeseen consequences.

Would you trade your humanity for a longer life? Apparently, some people would, and there are some who would even kill for it. "Cronos" is the first feature-length film written and directed by Guillermo del Toro. It stars Federico Luppi as Jesus Gris, an antiquities dealer who discovers an odd little ancient machine inside one of the angel statues he has for sale in his shop. He doesn't really know what the device does, but there is a man out there who does know and is looking for it. Claudio Brook plays wealthy businessman Mr. De la Guardia, who desperately wants to get his hands on this device, which he knows grants its user everlasting life... with a few massive side effects. He has sent his nephew Angel, played by Ron Perlman, to get it for him by any means necessary.

Guillermo del Toro is one of the most imaginative filmmakers out there, and "Cronos" shows he has had that amazing imagination since the very beginning of his career. What this film winds up being is del Toro's take on the vampire mythology set around a clockwork device that drinks the blood of its user. It is an engaging and sometimes humorous tale. There are elements of drama, horror, fantasy, and even a little bit of heart. There is an interesting dynamic in the story where protagonist Jesus Gris knows he is being affected by the Cronos device, but doesn't know how or what it is really doing. The only one who can help him and offer the answers he longs for wants the device for himself and will stop at nothing to get it. The film also has a touching family dynamic between the kindhearted Gris and his granddaughter Aurora, played by Tamara Shanath, who helps her grandpa despite his recent changes. There also the antithesis of that family bond laid out between De la Guardia and his nephew Angel, who is forced to do his uncle's bidding out of obligation in the hopes of inheriting his millions. Therein lies a bit of irony: if Angel completes his task, he will not get what he wants, but if he upsets his uncle by failing him, he also won't get what he wants. Federico Luppi, Ron Perlman, and Claudio Brook all put on great performances in this movie.

While "Cronos" isn't our favorite Guillermo del Toro film, it is still a very good movie that showed what talents and potential he was capable of very early on in his career. It is a horror film that restrains itself but still has enough blood, gore, and intrigue when the story calls for it. This is definitely a flick worth checking out for its makeup work, macabre themes, and an interesting premise. 

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My Rating: 7.5/10
BigJ's Rating: 7.5/10
IMDB's Rating: 6.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 90%
Do we recommend this movie: Yes!

Movie Review #328: "Crimson Peak" (2015)

Movie: "Crimson Peak"
Director: Guillermo del Toro
Rating: R
Running Time: 1 hour, 59 minutes

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Edith Cushing (Mia Wasikowska) is an aspiring writer and the daughter of Carter Cushing (Jim Beaver), a wealthy, self-made businessman. When a British baronet named Thomas Sharpe (Tom Hiddleston) comes to the states looking for financial backing to revive his family's clay mining business, Edith is quickly enamored by his charm. Her father disapproves of Thomas, but after a tragic accident befalls Carter, Edith marries Thomas and moves to his family estate, Allerdale Hall, in England where she will live with Thomas and his sister Lucille (Jessica Chastain). Soon, Edith realizes this place is shrouded by secrets and death, and her new husband and his sister may not be quite what they seem.

We are huge fans of Guillermo Del Toro, always have been. Though the marketing for "Crimson Peak" was misleading, billing it as much more of a horror-driven film, it is actually more of a gothic romance with ghosts that just happen to be in it. Our expectations were obviously pretty high because of our affections toward del Toro's previous works, even though we try to go into movies with a clear head and conscience, and though the film was not what we expected it to be, it is still a really great movie. This is a visually stunning film, as all of del Toro's works are, with wonderful sets, costumes, and special effects. But, the beauty of "Crimson Peak" is not limited to its visual spectacle. There is a good horror mystery surrounding this dark love story.

Mia Wasikowska plays Edith, an aspiring writer who seems headstrong and very independent. She doesn't really have much of an interest in love or trysts with men. She is completely fine being single, that is, until she meets Thomas Sharpe, played by Tom Hiddleston, though who can blame her? It's Tom Hiddleston. Their short courtship leads to marriage once tragedy befalls Edith's father as she packs herself up and heads to England to live with her new husband and sister-in-law. Almost from the very beginning of the movie, we know Thomas and his sister Lucille, played by Jessica Chastain in one of the more sinister roles she's ever played, have ulterior motives when it comes to Thomas' interest in Edith. Though Lucille is wary of Thomas choosing Edith as a mate in particular, what the Sharpe kids don't know but the audience does is that Edith can see and hear ghosts. Until moving into the Shape estate, Allerdale Hall, Edith only ever saw one ghost: the ghost of her mother, who repeatedly gave her cryptic messages the few times she appeared, leaving Edith shaken to her core. Once in the hall, she seems them more frequently. These ghosts are eerie, haunting, and gruesome, and yet somehow manage to stay alluring in their look. The CGI implemented for the ghosts in this film is nothing short of great. Once moved into Allerdale Hall, the Sharpe family's old, rundown mansion with red clay oozing from the floors and walls, Edith finds out it is located at Crimson Peak, dubbed this name because of the way the snow turns red in the winter because of the clay in the ground. The imagery of the clay seeping through the openings of the house, oozing through cracks and ceilings, the way the wind flows through its corridors, as well as how the decaying mansion settles and creaks constantly, it makes it feel like Allerdale Hall itself is breathing, bleeding, and has a soul, and in a way, it does. Edith is soon confronted by the many ghosts of this estate as it has a troubled past, one Edith hopes to eventually uncover. Del Toro, as always, captures these images beautifully as he has a wonderful cinematographic eye. We have come to expect no less from him, and his signature stellar visual style comes through in almost every shot. Though their estate is decaying, it does so in a gorgeous manner dripping in a stark juxtaposition between dark, brooding colors on the outside and bright red bloody ones inside.

Jessica Chastain steals the show here as Lucille Sharpe, who never fully seems likable or trustworthy in the slightest. Donning a British accent and darker hair, her wickedness is only offset by her creepiness. Tom Hiddleston does a wonderful job as Thomas Sharpe, slick and conniving and yet earnest and compassionate. Mia Wasikowska is fine as Edith, though her character goes from being a headstrong and fiercely independent writer to little more than a wife and shut-in. Charlie Hunnam, who Guillermo del Toro has used in the past, still hasn't quite captured a knack for the American accent, even after 7 seasons on the television show "Sons of Anarchy." He plays Doctor Alan McMichael, someone who has always admired Edith from afar and senses something is off with Thomas Sharpe when he rolls into town. Together, this cast performs well with what they are given.

Now, if you are a fan of the modern Hollywood jump-scare ridden formulaic horror movies like "The Lazarus Effect," "Ouija," "Annabelle," "The Woman in Black 2," and others like these, "Crimson Peak" is not the film for you. But, if you like the more classic ghost stories of yore wrought with mystery, romance, and intrigue, "Crimson Peak" might be as fun for you as it was for us. Others have complained about how formulaic, trite and lengthy this movie feels, but to us, it breezed by its run time and we were engaged almost always. Even though this is more of a Gothic romance with ghosts interwoven into the story than a straight horror movie, it still has a few graphic, very brutal death scenes to appease fans of gore. One scene in particular that is both unbelievably violent yet artistically beautiful at the same time. Some call Guillermo del Toro overrated, and we don't understand why this is the case, and if it is, shouldn't directors like James Cameron, Steven Spielberg, and Terrence Malick be called the same? Each director has their own niche, and del Toro is no exception. "Crimson Peak" might not be what we were expecting, but it's still certainly worth watching.

My Rating: 8/10
BigJ's Rating: 8.5/10
IMDB's Rating: 7.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 70%
Do we recommend this movie: Yes!

Movie Review: "Pacific Rim" (2013)

Movie: "Pacific Rim" (Click here to buy the Blu-Ray!!!)
Director: Guillermo del Toro
Rating: PG-13
Running Time: 2 hours, 11 minutes

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Giant robots fighting giant monsters...what's not to love?

When a huge dimensional rift opens up under the ocean in the near future, enormous monsters, or Kaiju, begin attacking cities all over the planet. It seems impractical to use weapons on the Kaiju because of their size and durability; in order to combat the Kaiju, the countries of the world join together to create Jaegers, equally large and badass robots designed to take down the Kaiju. After numerous successes, the Kaiju seem to be growing increasingly stronger and are adapting to the Jaegers fighting capabilities. Without worldwide government funding for operation and maintenance of the Jaegers, the program becomes discontinued, and a new program called the "wall of life" begins with the hope that the implementation of coastal walls will keep the Kaiju out of major cities. The remaining Jaegers are brought in for a private assault on the Kaiju in an attempt to eradicate them once and for all.

BigJ and I both loved this movie! It was a great action/sci-fi fantasy film without being overly mindless (looking at you, "Transformers"). The CGI in this movie is absolutely phenomenal. The battles between the Jaegers and the Kaiju, while extremely loud in nature, are quite a sight to see. The Kaiju were very reminiscent of some of the monsters Guillermo del Toro has created for his other films, and in a way, become his own take on a Godzilla-type being.

I have heard several people talk about how this movie lacks a plot and that certain characters were unnecessary, and I find those assumptions to be completely inaccurate. I think each character possesses a purpose in the movie, and the plot is stronger than other movies of this type. You can tell Guillermo del Toro really cared about the film he was making.

I'm surprised this movie didn't do as well as I thought it would, considering it has such a fantastic director, an awesome cast, and what I assumed was a big summer draw in monsters vs. robots, judging by past years where Transformers movies have achieved HUGE box office numbers.

Everywhere you turn, you hear critics and moviegoers alike complaining about the current lack of originality in cinema, with nothing but unnecessary sequels and endless remakes. It's hard to blame Hollywood for the regurgitation of these types of films when people continue to avoid movies with originality such as this one.

My Rating: 9/10
BigJ's Rating: 9/10
IMDB's Rating: 7.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 72%
Do we recommend the film: ABSOLUTELY YES!!!