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The Orphanage by Juan Antonio Bayona
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DVD detailsActor: Bel?n Rueda, Fernando Cayo, Mabel Rivera, Montserrat Carulla, Roger Pr?ncep Director: Juan Antonio Bayona Brand: Warner Brothers DVD: Region Code 1 Audio: Spanish (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround; English (Subtitled); Spanish (Subtitled) Format: Color, Dolby, DVD-Video, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen Picture Format: 2.35:1 Running Time: 105 minutes DVD Release Date: 2008-04-22 Audience Rating: R (Restricted) Studio: New Line Home Video
DVD Reviews of The OrphanageDVD Review: Chilling story of mystery, horror and love Summary: 4 StarsThis movie was a very subtle yet intriguing thriller. It's not hard to guess what the premise of the plot is - but know that the suprisingly good mixture of tenderness and love is well intertwined into the chilling storyline. The superb acting of the leading lady really lends a hand to the believability of what haunts and what lives....
In this film, less was more - there didn't need to be blood and gore to make this movie scary. You are on the edge of your seat unravelling the mystery along with the main character, and cringing whenever the mere thought or appearance of "dead children" haunt the screen.
Thoroughly different and creepy movie. You lose nothing in Spanish to English with subtitles - but something to note for those who didn't know it IS a subtitled film.
DVD Review: Excellent Thriller from the Spanish Team Summary: 5 StarsThe Orphanage, does bring sophistication in ghost stories which is rarely heard of, but Guillermo Del Toro manages to pull it off time and time again, and somehow he even managed to inject his magic into this one, which he only produced - as this very much plays out like one of his own films. Not to discredit Mr. Bayona, though, for he has done a fine job. This is a dark, powerful, and moving masterpiece that both adheres to convention and brings some new, more artistic elements to the table in the direction and storytelling.
There was nothing about this film I didn't like. The acting, the thrills, the cinematography, the story, and the atmosphere. Everything was not short of sheer brilliance. The chilling moments freaked me out a couple of times, which I'm glad they did. That was what I wanted out of this film, but I was offered so much in return. Since I knew Guillermo Del Toro was involved with this project, I had a feeling it would be good. I just didn't think it would be THIS good. It was also very heart-warming, which was something I did not expect.
The acting is great, Belen Rueda as Laura is magnificent. Fernando Cayo as the husband Carlos is also good; he looks like a Spanish version of Josh Lucas. The kids do a decent job. And seeing Geraldine Chaplin (Charlie Chaplin's daughter) was a surprise, and she delivered an excellent performance as the 'seeing' medium. The bond that Laura, Simon, and Carlos shared is very sensitive and is carried out well throughout the movie.
This is definitely one of those horror films you should see more than once. The horror films you see nowadays are weak, not scary, and most of all; not worth your time. This one is WORTH the time. Believe me, his film has absolutely everything you need to know on how to make a well-executed ghost story and more.
DVD Review: An Absolutely Outstanding Thriller!!! Completely Underrated! Summary: 5 StarsBecause this movie was directed by Guillermo Del Toro, I was expecting it to be good. Pan's Labyrinth was very, very well directed. But this movie exceeded my expectations. An excellent ghost story, very creepy and chilling to the bone. I have been a horror movie buff since i was 10 years old, and movies don't scare me nowadays, but the suspense in this movie was superb. On my top favorites. Definately.
DVD Review: The Orphanage Summary: 5 StarsYou'll be creeped out, have your heart broke, and have it mended, all in one hour and a half. Well, maybe not, but if you're like me you will!
All I really knew going into this movie was that it was Spanish, and that that kid with the sack on his head scared the crap out of me! So I was pretty prepared for the scary stuff, but didn't think the movie would be so moving as well. In a way, it's not so much a horror movie, as it is a movie about dealing with loss. Don't get me wrong, there's a lot of creepy moments in the movie...just not as much as your average everyday horror movie. Most the scary moments are due to atmosphere and tension as opposed to jump scares. So if you like the monsters popping out at you, you'll be bummed out. But if a sense of impending dread is something you enjoy, I think you'll dig the movie.
The movie's basic plot is this; A woman was an orphan, and moves back into her childhood orphanage as an adult in hopes to reopen it. Her husband and son move in as well, and her son begins to gain more and more imaginary friends. Where it goes from there, I will not say, but it's not always what you expect. I don't think it's much of a spoiler to say that the son goes missing, and from there the movie become much more of a psychological study of loss...and a rather good one at that.
The conclusion of the movie wasn't quite what I expected, but that's a good thing. The Orphanage is really a beautiful take of the classic Peter Pan story, and a movie I look forward to visiting again!
The movie is also beautiful on BluRay and a very nice upgrade from the DVD.
DVD Review: Good movie! Summary: 4 StarsI do like this movie with its uniqueness. It has a great storyline IMO. I just can't put my finger on why I cannot give it a five star (yet). Overall, I like it.
Description of The OrphanageA woman discovers dark secrets hidden within her cherished childhood home in the supernatural drama THE ORPHANAGE the feature film debut of acclaimed young Spanish director Juan Antonio Bayona. A superbly atmospheric and emotionally powerful tale of love loss and guilt.System Requirements:Running Time: 105 minutesFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre:?HORROR/PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER Rating:?R UPC:?794043120718 Manufacturer No:?1000038293 It's only his first film, but Spain's Juan Antonio Bayona has already figured out the secret to a successful supernatural thriller: emphasize character over special effects. Like Walter Salles's Dark Water and Alejandro Amen?bar's The Others, The Orphanage pivots on a pretty woman and an unusual child. When her old orphanage goes on the market, Laura (Bel?n Rueda, Amen?bar's The Sea Inside) and Carlos (Fernando Cayo) settle in with their son, Sim?n (Roger Pr?ncep). Once acclimated to the remote seaside surroundings, they plan to re-open it as a home for special-needs children. Meanwhile, their seven-year-old doesn't know he's adopted or that he has a life-threatening illness. He does, however, have a lot of imaginary playmates. When Sim?n disappears without a trace, his parents contact the police, but to no avail. Because Laura has been hearing odd noises and having strange visions, they proceed to consult a medium. Aurora (Geraldine Chaplin, speaking perfect Spanish) is convinced they aren't alone. Carlos has his doubts, but Laura makes like a detective and revisits her childhood--through photographs, home movies, and exploration of the spooky stone manor--to determine who or what abducted her son. Produced and presented by Guillermo Del Toro, The Orphanage is less fanciful than his works, though it does bear a vague resemblance to the ghostly Devil's Backbone. There are a few gory make-up effects, but Bayona mostly preys on our fear of the unknown to craft a first-rate fright fest. --Kathleen C. Fennessy
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