Let's see where this one goes, shall we?
So...where shall we start?
A photo of my beautiful grandaughter is always a good:
Isn't she just adorable? The answer is "Yes!"For those who where wondering, Hunter is growing like a weed.
A charming, handsome, loving weed - that plays T-ball.
(Remind me to tell you an amazing story about him.)
Hideaway Update:
I have (I am assured) secured financing to make some improvements on the house.
Including (but not limited to):
- Double paned windows.
- A second driveway.
- Central heat/air.
- Exterior painting.
- A pretty, pretty pony.
Attempts to Lop Off My Finger Update:
I have some semi-dramatic scars and a tale of idiocy to go along with them.
All in all, things are on the mend.
Edie has confiscated my pocket knife.
Waist Management:
I can now wear a 36'' waist comfortably - but just barely.
I have been following a program of diet and exercise, based on the principals outlined by
Dr. Mehmet Oz. Based on real science, the principals espoused were intellectually appealing.
The attitude: "Remember, you are dieting without freaking out."
The principals revolve around using your physiology to best advantage, and some sensible non-extremist dietary guidelines.
It is amazing how much sense certain dietary principals are when they are based on the way your body actually works!
The proof is in the pudding - and by pudding I mean my belly.
Early indicators are quite favorable: I am wearing a new pair of 36'' shorts. A feat virtually impossible 3 weeks ago. We'll see!
The Review: Pan's Labrynth (El Labertino del fauno)
Amazing. Beautiful. Rich. Poignant.
And heavy heavy stuff, emotionally.
This was one of the most viscerally affecting horror film I have ever seen.
Set in 1944 (Madrid falls to Franco in 1939), it follows the story of Ofelia, a 12 year old girl whose widowed mother has "attached" herself to the sadistic Capitan Vidal. A man her mother insists on refering to as her "Padre". Naturally, Ofelia has no understanding of such relationships of convenience. She is merely made miserable by this attempt to supplant her recently deceased father. The situation is further complicated by the fact that her mother is carrying the Capitan's child.
One night, Ofelia is visited by a faun. An attenuated, eloquent and utterly alien faun, who informs her that she is a princess who has been estranged from her kingdom.
The faun goes on to tell her that she must complete three tasks before the full moon in order to claim her heritage.
It is never clear whether Ofelia's adventures in the Other World are real or a result of her intense desire to escape her unhappy sitution.
In fact, aside from one encounter with a monster in the Other World, all of the movie's horror is produced by the "real world" and the humans in it.
The rebellion against the Fascist regime provides the largest part of the movie's context - and
indeed, the lion's share of the horror.
The brutality displayed by various characters is utterly believable, and very graphic.
Real horror is sympathetic; it derives from things that can actually happen.
The acts of brutality depicted are, thier insane nature not withstanding, fully within the capabilities of the average human.
No magical powers or implements, no possesion by demonic forces.
Just pure, simple, human level brutality, realistically depicted.
The fact that such things could (and in all probability did) happen simply drives the horror home.
True horror derives from what we know ourselves to be capable of.
The dimly lit, less than beautiful good guys (and even more repellent bad guys), juxtaposed with the gorgeous Spanish countryside and pathos by the boatload all combine to create a world and situations that is easy to see oneself in.
This is the real magic of the film. Guillermo del Toro is a genius.
The Bottom Line:
Worth the Price of Admission? : Full price, even the second time.
Would I Watch It Again? : Absolutely - but I would need to be in a strong emotional place.
Worth Owning? : Absolutely
For next time: Wizards
