Pan's Labyrinth

So, I've been hearing about Pan's Labyrinth for the past few months-and as it was directed by Guillermo del Toro (of Hellboy, one of my favorite movies) I really wanted to see it-and it finally opened up in the nation's capital. I don't know why it didn't open sooner, but that's me. Anyway, I loved this movie. It was poetic, beautiful, sad and uplifting all at once. It's worth it just to see the little girl who plays Ofelia (Ivana Baquero), because her face is so expressive, it's amazing. If you can't make the leap into a movie that has creatures or monsters, then you should give this movie a pass. But if you can make that leap, this is a wonderful movie-yes, it's a fable for grown-ups and it's about love, hate, power and sacrifice, but it's also just a great movie.

I also watched Gosford Park, and sad to say, I spent most of the time saying to myself " is that Helen Mirren playing a frumpy maid?" and "Is that really Clive Owen?" Yes, it has a great cast and the setting really is impeccable, but I'm afraid I was too busy paying attention to everyone in the cast, who in the years since the movie (and especially in the last couple of years) have become very known actors-and if I was paying too much attention to the cast and not very much to the plot...well, you get my point.