Movie Review: The Orphanage
The Orphanage is very much in keeping with producer Guillermo del Toro's brand of chiller, which blends visceral shocks with moving character-based drama. It's the story of a couple who decide to reopen an old orphanage, but find their lives torn apart when their adopted son goes missing. In general it relies on a build-up of tension and uncomfortable psychological anguish rather than traditional shocks, however it does contain one of the single best jump-out-your-seat frights since Carrie decided that being buried wasn't much fun after all...
While it's trendy these days to look to the Far East for exotic horror thrills, there has been a tradition of Spanish language horror that dates back decades and has largely gone unnoticed over here. Luckily, we've got Pan's Labyrinth director Guillermo del Toro to raise the profile for his native tongue, and The Orphanage is the latest film to have his name attached to it.
This movie is actually just 'presented' by him, but it's very much in-keeping with his brand of chiller, which blends visceral shocks with moving character-based drama. It's the story of a couple who decide to reopen an old orphanage, but find their lives torn apart when their adopted son goes missing...
The most famous orphan in cinema is probably little Annie, and let's face it, you've got to work hard to make a parentless child more terrifying than the carrot-haired freak-child of John Huston's 1982 musical. The Orphanage director Juan Antonio Bayona clearly realises this, so has his spooky ghost kid – a creepy little squirt called Tomas – wear a nasty cloth bag on his head while scaring the crap out of our grieving parents.
In general though, this is a film that relies on a build-up of tension and uncomfortable psychological anguish rather than traditional shocks, despite containing one of the single best jump-out-your-seat frights since Carrie decided that being buried wasn't much fun after all.
Much of the success of The Orphanage comes from the moving lead performance of Belen Rueda, as the woman who refuses to give up hope that her child has gone.
Although the film is most reminiscent of The Others and del Toro's The Devil's Backbone, there are also shades of Poltergeist, as Rueda brings in a team of paranormal experts to investigate the strange sounds she hears in the house. But luckily, we're spared the high-pitched squawking of Poltergeist ghost-hunter Zelda Rubinstein, who in 1982 gave Annie a run for her money when it came to diminutive annoyances.
The Orphanage may not quite hit the heights of del Toro's best work, but it's still one of the strongest horror movies of the last 12 months. It's beautifully shot, with a deeply moving climax that achieves that rare trick of being both tragic and uplifting. And let's face it, you don’t get that with the Resident Evil movies.
This video was recommended by 2 users out of 2
- Your comments
Anonymous Coward 25 June 2011 02:44am
However <a href="http://www.guccioutlets.us/gucci-accessories-gucci-rings-c-82_92.html">Gucci Rings</a>, the final analysis, it also is her idea of ??a person , not considering the feelings of people around think of this , gucci from gucci mane will be the hand grip seriously the way to travel long distances , and indeed will be very hard , if you do not want to Go and I can not force , it is better , I will send you another to find a cab back to the capital. so I?m looking for a place to settle the minds want to write again to inform you that time, if you still willing to follow me, Come to me , if not, I?ll give you a sum of money , so you find a good home in the capital , himself a married , very calm over the future of your own life. Miss you are mistaken. did not treat her Finished <a href="http://www.guccioutlets.us/gucci-shoes-women-gucci-boots-c-40_48.html">Women Gucci Boots</a>, gucci mane they hastily interrupted her, I did not mean that . I?m just worried that if we just go, he?ll come at us if princes . gucci by gucci looking guy she has that and more Pink Friends , t
Anonymous Coward 05 June 2011 09:04am
Very interesting post. Well when there is so much a new. Many thanks.
Anonymous Coward 19 August 2010 01:52am
I will bookmark your blog and have my kids check up here frequently <a href="http://www.airjordanshoes.cc/air_jordan_2010/" title="Air Jordan 2010">Air Jordan 2010</a>. I?m very certain they will understand lots of new stuff <a href="http://www.airjordanshoes.cc/air_jordan_1_I/" title="Air jordan 1">Air jordan 1</a> here than anybody else. I do appreciate that youve added relevant and intelligent commentary here though. Thank you!
Anonymous Coward 16 April 2010 01:19am
As you see, Fashion Jewelry, Costume Jewelry, Wholesale Jewelry are equivalent. If you don't know where to buy a brilliant wedding ring, you must visit www.jewelry-seller.com . Good luck ;)
http://www.jewelry-seller.com
http://www.hello-free.com
http://www.hello-free.com/au/
http://free.hello-free.com/
http://www.jewelry-seller.com/TitaniumSteelJewelry/
http://www.jewelry-seller.com/925SilverJewelry/
http://www.jewelry-seller.com/Watches/
http://www.jewelry-seller.com/KeyRing/
http://www.jewelry-seller.com/Jewelry-Paypal/
http://www.jewelry-seller.com/index.php?route=formation/sitemap
www.jewelry-seller.com
- Sponsored Links
Anonymous Coward 23 November 2011 08:44pm
www.freechristmasguide.com Enjoy all the holidays with these fun kids crafts, recipes, printables and fun activity ideas for Christmas, Halloween, Valentine's Day, Easter and more.
Post your own comment here