Orphanage, The (2007) [Blu-ray]
Drama | Mystery | Thriller

Award Winning visionary Gullermo Del Toro (Pen's Labyrinth, Hellboy) and acclaimed director J.A. Bayona present a "positively terrifying" (John Anderson, Newsday) new vision of the classic ghost story.

Returning to her childhood home - a mysterious, seaside orphanage - Laura and her family unknowingly unleash a long forgotten, evil spirit. Now thrust into a chilling nightmare, Laura must confront the memories of her past before the ghosts of the orphanage destroy her... and everything she has ever loved.

User Comment: fmagnet from Spain, 15 October 2007 • Let me begin by saying I DON'T like horror movies. I don't enjoy jumping in my seat. I don't like being afraid of the dark for the next 2 days, and I usually HATE Spanish movies. So usually I only see the big horror classics, and that is because I've read enough spoilers to confront the movie in a laid-back way.

Having said this, I was dragged to see this movie against my will. And I was right! I have never, EVER, been more uneasy, uncomfortable on any movie, from the Exorcist to the Prophecy, from Psycho to Halloween. The story seems obvious; the cliché-horror themes are there, and while I saw them coming, I was comfortable enough. But then comes the movie, the script, the score, the acting, all in perfect harmony... and you jump, and you chill and you shout and you wish you had never entered that dammed cinema.

It is good. It is great.It is moving and horrifying. It does not need CGI, sound effects or unreal characters. Its there. Its real. Its haunting. It WILL be a classic.

Summary: And I don't like horror movies.

User Comment: jmsnjms from United Kingdom, 29 August 2007 • I saw this at the Frightfest and its AMAZING, did the previous reviewer even see it? No real shocks!!, I've never seen a cinema jump like the audience at Frightfest for this film. I'm kind of tempted to name the shocks but I wont. Its such a stunningly made film, creepy, atmospheric, shocking, great story, beautifully directed, the main woman is incredible. I was never really sure if it was supernatural or psychological, but as it reveals...wow, its excellent. Its so well done I cant write more without giving stuff away, but go and see it. I was expecting a low rent " pan's Labyrinth " but I think it might be even better than PL, though very different. Best film i've seen in ages

Summary: absolutely incredible.

NOTE: Spanish with English subtitles.

[CSW] -4- The low frequency sound effects added greatly to the suspense. Although not billed as a horror movie it combines so many psychological and supernatural elements that it almost has the effect of being a horror story without the horror. It really is so well put together that it may well become a classic.
[V4.5-A4.5] VC-1

º º