Video Link: GUILLERMO DEL TORO speaks the truth

Thank you so much Guillermo for stating this to so many people who need to hear this. Thanks on behalf of all us film lovers, who think that animation is just as important a part of movie history as live action and that it is more than capable of being great art. 

Movie Review: Pinocchio

 

Note: This film is available to watch on Netflix.

Michael's Movie Grade: A+

This wonderful stop motion movie is one of Guillermo del Toro's best films. 

Guillermo del Toro has been wanting to make this movie for a very long time and when he finally made it, it was a pure passion project. This passion can be felt for the entire film. There is so much love put into every moment here and it is filled with the magic that only movies can bring. This is far from a straight adaption of Carlo Collodi's famous story nor is it a remake of Disney's infamous 1940 film version (though it borrows aspects from both). This is clearly its own story and it creates its own world. This world is an incredible world that can be magical at times and dark at others. The sheer amount of imagination that went into this film is simply wonderful. This is especially true of the Land of the Dead, which is not only wonderfully designed (seriously it is simply breathtaking to look at) but also quite intriguing and thought provoking when you stop to think about it. Yet this world can also often eerily similar to ours, despite the fantasy. The film takes place in WW2 era Italy, which allows the filmmakers to comment on fascism, war and political indoctrination of children. Yet this is not forced into the movie in any way but is a natural part of it. They play an important role in Pinocchio's journey and become necessary to move the story where it needs to go. The scenes that deal with these issues are not only thought provoking but downright chilling. There is little more frightening than children being made to play a part in the war games of grown-ups and this movie delves into that horror. Though we see a sea beast and have to deal with death itself, it is these scenes that are the most terrifying. Yet this is not the only deep delve into topics that are not seen often enough in animated movies. This film also takes a look at the idea of immortality. It does not treat this topic with a good or bad type of simplicity but rather can heavily look at the dark side of it, while not overlooking the obvious appeal. This movie's look at this often-difficult topic, leads to a powerful conclusion that will forever stay in my mind. Yet this film does not forsake its entertainment value for these topics. Instead, this movie is a joy to watch. First off this film looks incredible. This may be one of the best looking animated films since the golden age of animation. There is so much detail that goes into every little thing you see. The result is something that draws you completely into the world of the movie. There are times when you can forget you are looking at animation and instead feel like you are looking at a window into another world. This is helped by wonderful character animation that makes the characters feel completely alive. This movie also benefits from a good sense of humor, some exciting action scenes, fun songs and a true sense of wonderment.

A true masterpiece. 


 

Movie Trailer: Pinocchio

Movie Review: Nightmare Alley

 

Michael's Movie Grade: A-

A fantastic modern day film noir that shows director, Guillermo del Toro at his best. 

One could argue that this story did not need to be told again on the big screen after the excellent 1947 film version, but Del Toro's new adaption of William Lindsay Gresham’s novel proves that wrong by being a truly great movie. This story definitely plays perfectly to the strengths of Del Toro as a director, and as soon as the movie starts his stamp is fully felt. Though this movie takes place in 1940's America, it feels like it takes place in a world all of its own. This is especially true of the early scenes in the carnival which has a creepy and disturbing vibe before anything even happens giving the audience and uneasy feeling of dread, perfectly foreshadowing what is going to follow. However, the sense of atmosphere is prevalent even when we leave the carnival. Much of this is due to the excellent work of not only Del Toro but also cinematographer Dan Laustsen (who previously worked with Del Toro on The Shape of Water and Crimson Peak), who does not waste a single shot of this movie. Yet none of this atmosphere overwhelms the story or characters. This story is a dark and disturbing fable that hits hard emotionally. Even if you figure out or already know where this story is going, the ending still sends shivers down your spine. That is because nearly everything in the story is perfectly setting this up and leading you to this natural conclusion. Despite how melodramatic these twists and turns can be looking back on them, when you watch the film, they are completely gripping. This movie also serves as a character study of a man whose greed and cockiness leads him down a dangerous and deadly path. This is not an easy role to play, but Bradley Cooper does an incredible job. He makes this character feel real and relatable. And while the character is in no way traditionally likable, we are fascinated by him and feel a sense of pity towards him that emotionally pulls us into the story. Cooper does all this seeming effortlessly. This is not to say the rest of the cast isn't excellent as well. This film features a wealth of great actors who all do an incredible job. This movie also benefits from incredibly intelligently written dialogue. The scenes our "hero" shares with the movie's femme fatale are so incredibly well written that it is hard not simply have your eyes and ears glued to the screen. 

For any fan of Film-noir, this movie is a must watch. 

Movie Review: The Shape of Water

Review Written By Michael J. Ruhland










Michael's Movie Grade: A+

Review: A beautiful work of cinematic art and a perfect love letter to cinema itself.

Guillermo del Toro  is a true lover of film. More than just a story about a mute woman's relationship with a sea creature, this movie is del Toro's  intense passion of cinema put right up there on screen. Probably the most obvious tribute is the showing of clips of various movies from Hollywood's golden age. One particularly delightful scene involves our main character mimicking Bill "Bojangles" Robinson. There is even a dream sequence in which she imagines herself in an old musical. This love of films is made even more clear by her living in an apartment above a classic movie house. The love of cinema does not end at references to old movies though. Every shot in this film was so beautifully and masterfully thought out. The amount of detail that went into the visual filmmaking in this movie is absolutely incredible. Such an incredible feats as the cinematography, sets, lighting and so much more shown in this movie can only be accomplished by a crew who was passionate about what they were making. Praising the visuals so strongly is by no means saying the story is extremely strong as well. While this may be an "R" rated fairy tale, the movie is never an excuse for vulgarity and gore. This story came from just as much passion as the visuals. Del Torro has said that his idea for making this film came around the age of six from seeing Julie Adams swimming as the Creature of the Black Lagoon watched. In his own dark and twisted way this movie is paying a passionate tribute to that 1954 classic. Still the film never copies that earlier movie but is its own unique piece of cinema.

It is rare in modern times to find such a beautiful and passionate film playing outside an art-house theater and I believe when something like this comes along we must truly cherish it. I don't know how the average audience member would react to this movie, but if you are (like me) a lover of cinema you should not miss this incredible movie.

-Michael J. Ruhland