El laberinto del fauno (2006)
Set in Spain during World War II. This is the story of a young girl named Ofelia. Ofelia who has a passion for fairy tales escapes into an eerie but captivating fantasy world.
I’ll quote again one of our best reviews by area: ” There aren’t many films that manage to blur the lines between fantasy and reality as effectively as ‘Pan’s Labyrinth’. The effortless transition between the real world and the underworld and the way the two worlds are interlinked really is something special and I’ve never seen it done as well before.
The combination of convincing and easy to buy into the storyline and the magical fantasy underworld works perfectly. The fact that both parts of the story could easily stand alone without the other, and yet go together seamlessly, is an indicator of just how good it is. The horror elements also bring something completely different and unexpected to the film, though they are tastefully added and never overdone. Overall, a wonderful film and one of the best fantasy/adventures of the 00s.
Relatos salvajes (2014)
Wild Tales is a completely different Spanish film. It is about 6 dark stories, involving 6 savage situations full of revenge, dangerous and unexpected arguments or misunderstandings, suspicious conversations, and deals, which change the lives of people who are involved in them.
We can call it dark comedy or a really realistic observation, but one thing is for sure. It is dark, real, funny and brilliant at the same time. Most of us couldn’t believe there could be a connection professionally speaking but the movie was crafted really well and the performances were on point. If you want to be ‘multidimensional’ in Spanish cinema, don’t miss this one! It has a rating of 8,1 for a reason 😉
La Piel que habito (2011)
The skin I live in (2011). Please allow me to say: Holy fokin shit! This Spanish gem deserves to be called horror and thriller! It really gets under your skin, you get goosebumps when you’re watching it. Our beloved Antonio Banderas portraits a brilliant plastic surgeon, haunted by past tragedies, creates a type of synthetic skin that withstands any kind of damage. His guinea pig: a mysterious and volatile woman who holds the key to his obsession.
Despite its good rating, it didn’t win its Golden Globe but trust me, give it a shot!
Amores Perros (2000)
Now we’re raising the bar with one of the Oscar-nominated Spanish movies, Amores Perros, which is a unique thrilling drama that tells us the events of a horrific car accident that connects three stories. Each involves characters dealing with loss, regret, and life’s harsh realities, all in the name of love.
Top Rated Movies #229 probably says a lot about its quality. It’s a difficult film to watch, one which continuously challenges its audience, but a reward in itself for those who can withstand its brutality. It puts a magnifying glass to the pain of love, and those who are destroyed by it. It is graphic and disturbing but I believe that was its purpose.
El Hoyo (2019)
Spanish movies are rarely symbolic like The Platform, a horror/thriller film that reflects and represents society. We have a vertical prison with one cell per level. Two people per cell. Only one food platform and two minutes per day to feed. An endless nightmare trapped in The Hole.
It is really amazing if you understand that the levels represent society classes and hierarchies. Let’s not spoil everything but let me tell you it is a really interesting movie that can be analyzed differently but every outcome is humane and meaningful! It is not a sci-fi-like it’s called.
Roma (2018)
The 3 Oscar-winning drama movie Roma, one of the most talked about stories in 2018 from Alfonso Cuaron says the story of Cleo, a domestic worker who helps Antonio and Sofia take care of their four children in 1970s Mexico City. Complications soon arise when Antonio suddenly runs away with his mistress and Cleo finds out that she’s pregnant.
Roma is a challenging movie. Either you’ll be disappointed entirely and bored with it or you’ll get really emotional. It’s the truth, some parts of it tend to make it pointless or fake. Not sure why viewers felt that way but maybe acting was a big part of that ”why”.
I am a lifetime movie addict and cinema is my passion. I’ve been a movie writer for 8 years. My goal is to teach people how to watch movies and how to appreciate them instead of hating them. Some gems are hidden out there but I’m here to show you them all!
Masterpieces!!!