Pan's Labyrinth

Phenomenal cinematography, darkly appealing creatures and prolonged moments of visceral fear abound in the explosion of creativity and spooky visual entertainment that is Pan’s Labyrinth. Del Toro perfectly showcases his dark side with this disturbingly enticing film.

The journey Del Toro takes us on begins with our heroin, Ofelia (Ivana Baquero), lying motionless on a cold grey slab of stone overlooking an ancient earthen cavity. Before we’re allowed too much time to ponder how she might have come to such a dower place, we are whisked back several days to her arrival in a remote part of Spain in 1944.

Ofelia is nearing the end of a long, bumpy trek to her new father’s military station, an old grey and decaying house in the mountains, with her pregnant mother. The closer they get to their destination, the more Ofelia begins to notice strange, almost magical, occurrences in her surroundings.

Upon their arrival, Ofelia meets her step father; the war hardened Captain Vidal (Sergi Lopez). Before Ofelia can fall into the strict regime the Captain has in store for her and her mother, she finds her way to an untouched ancient labyrinth. Before she can delve into the abyss, the reserved and haunted Mercedes catches her by the arm and warns her of the dangers of such a place.

Mercedes takes on many roles in the house; head maid, nanny and informant to name a few. Maribel Verdu quietly fills the role of Mercedes and brings to the screen a subtle force that steals your heart from the moment she appears.

Once night falls, Ofelia makes her way back to the labyrinth and descends into an ancient orifice where she meets a faun. The creature charges her with several dangerous tasks to enter his world. Optimistic and unfaltering Ofelia takes them on without as much as a whimper.

This is where the fun REALLY begins. Those of you with weak stomachs, please exit the theatre. You're about to be taken down a horrific path of violence, bodily fluids, gore and abuse. The height of fright comes with the C hild Eater. Suspense builds and builds within this scene - you'll get very familiar with the edge of your seat. Del Toro's intimate knowledge of what goes bump in the night is brazenly displayed on screen.

Pan's Labyrinth does an excellent job of moving back and forth between reality and fantasy. It’s easy to forget what is real and what lies just beyond reality. The only thing that seems to stay a constant in Ofelia’s world is gore. Despite the sometimes overwhelming (but beautifully crafted) visuals, Pan’s Labyrinth is a deliciously unhurried and captivating film.

More from my emails

Here's a couple (so far as I'm concerned) clever clips I found when going through my sent box:

"...and loooooove artsy peeps. Not so much people who like to discuss art, per se (or is it say? Or seh? Oh Jesus, never mind), but I guess people who make it. You can see some of my older stuff at www.taylorkhartley.com. I need to get back into that – god how I used to love sitting and drawing aimlessly for hours on end. Ah well, I guess adulthood finally caught up w/ me. (subconscious: 'or did it? Little do you know that every night when you sleep, oh conscious mind, I carve my rendering of the last supper on our back with a jagged pen!') "


"I’m glad someone else gets as aroused by the holidays as I do. The day after Halloween I was out getting holiday decorations and popped my most recent holiday mix in the cd player. I’ve been walking around in a winter wonderland, letting it snow and god resting merry gentleman for a solid month now. Didn’t actually get the tree up until last weekend though. Shame!"

Yay Ya'll! Yaaaaaaaaaaaay!!!!

Well, here we go with another youtube post. It all began when I got this interesting email from Carter today:

From: Carter To: Taylor Subject: DeAundra and Duffy Odom's Hi Class Hall of Fame - MUST SEE TWISTED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Back in the late 90's, Suzi and I watched this public access show on PeopleTV in Atlanta sometimes called "DeAundra and Duffy Odom's Showcase Hall O' Fame". We watched it b/c it was so insanely bizarre and hilarious. I never thought I'd see it again, but here it is. I can't imagine what you will all think or say but it is some good stuff.

FYI, this cast of characters are obsessed with RuPaul and try to fit his/her name in anywhere it seems possible. They also love to bring up Decatur, Dacula, and Dekalb County.

WHAT?

Sorority Girls from HELL

So, over the weekend, a friend of mine introduced me to Sorority Girls From Hell. You'll have to watch it for yourself, but if you, gentle reader, take stride after me, you'll fall head over heels in lurve with this brilliant piece of hillarity and watch it over, over and over again. I especially enjoyed the bad girls' theme song. I may have been heard humming it on my way into the locker room, followed by a mad cackle just before I regained control of myself... Enjoy!

Myspace Ramblings

From: Sheila Platte (Poop Stain)
To: Taylor Hartley (Poop Stain also)
Subject: No Subject

Hey darlin. I miss you.I'm so sorry I don't call you but I don't call anyone. I'm so busy, it's nutts. I'm broke and losing my mind. I have a band now. You would like my song. Check it out on my myspace. I have my own song playing. I'll myspace you with my new band site this week. I think you will like our stuff. I love your art. It's coming a long way. CAtch me up on you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

From: Taylor Hartley (Poop Stain also)
To: Sheila Platte (Poop Stain)
Subject: Re: No Subject

You'll never believe it, but I lost your number when I switched phones. Well, I didn't really lose it. More like, I still have my old phone, but I'm hoping that you'll go ahead and send it to me online or txt me so I don't have to go search for it. Please, oh god, indulge my lazy behavior and send me your number.

I miss you too! You were on my mind for at least two hours after I read this on Saturday. But then I started playing Gears of War on Xbox 360, and... Well, let's just say you were moved back a few slots in my brain's ram.

I LOVE YOUR MUSIC!!! (Even if it scares me a little.) I heard it many moons ago when your band friend'd me. I thought I sent you a letter. I may have gotten lost amid the hub-bub and anthrax of the fan mail that I'm CERTAIN you're receiving, you talented harpy, you.

Things are good in Atlanta. Keeping busy with work. Very busy of late, actually. But I want to open a branch in LA. So if you know anyone who might be looking for a mortgage, or a real estate agent, please introduce us, as it would be a great way for me to come back out and visit.

I had been seeing this guy for about a year. We dated for about 6 months, and were bf's for 2 more, then broke up over some crazy dramatic bullsh*t. I just moved out last week into my friend's 4rth floor at his town house. It's quite beautiful. About 500 Square feet and my very own... get ready for it... bathroom!

I'm so very happy to be out on my own and single. It's a big change over from having someone to wake up to every morning, that's for sure. But I enjoy having a door I can close and the private time... Even if it is mostly filled with masturbation, movies and nintendo DS.

What else? I've been a bit of a slug over the winter, but found new motivation to go to the gym. That motivation being virile young men at the new gym location I'm at. It's right next to a college, so we get a lot of 'chicken' in the door. But, boy-howdy, they sure are juicy. And by juicy, I mean their bodies are so pumped that it looks like if you poked them with a pen (or some other sharp pokey device), juice would spray out. Get me a cup.

All right, Poop-Stain, it's been great typing to your digital effigy here on the myspace. I hope all your dreams and wishes come true.

Much Love,

Poopie

My post-Xmas post

Greetings and salutations all. I've been getting some flack lately that I haven't been keeping up with my blogging responsibilities. How was I to know that I had more than two loyal viewers. Well, I'm posting from work today, so I'm not sure if I'll be supplying anything more than a few clever metaphors and quips.

I (somewhat) recently returned from Dallas (Tx), where I saw my little brothers for the first time in nearly two years. They are SO cute! The smaller one looks just like me. Just precious. Well, if they're anything like their older brother, they won't start seeing any leg hair until they're well into their twenties. My arms and legs were bare as a freshly sheared lamb for many, many years. How embarrassing. How does one stack up in the locker room when his legs look like a drag queen's on Saturday night?

But I'm happy to tell you, dear readers, that my leg hair has fully bloomed into a lovely patchwork of browns and blondes. And boy howdy, it's thick. I mean, I could braid the stuff - seriously. (Note to self: Braid leg hair Friday night.)

Digressing... Seeing the family was a phenomenon befitting Joan of Arc. A great mix of high school friends, bud light and chain smoking. I don't usually give in to smoking so prevalently, but... everyone else was doing it! Thank goodness I picked it up, so I had something to give up for New Years. I figure if I develop some revolting trait every year, about a month before the new year, it supplies me with a wonderful New Year's resolution that's easy to keep with.

Sadly, I didn't get to see everyone I wanted to over the holiday. My mother, who lives in Denver, was left out of the loop this year. I've decided to see her in the spring instead. Lovely woman. Blonde hair, green eyes, big booty - I guess that's where I get it from. Lord, it must be freezing there right now.

What else is happening in my life, of late? I've moved into a brilliant room in Toco Hills, a stone's throw from the gym, supermarket, blockbuster and my office. I basically have an entire floor to myself. There's plenty of room, a delightfully cozy bathroom, several closets and... get ready for it... wall to wall CARPET!!! Yaaaaaaaaay!


Yes, that's the girls and I with Amy Sedaris, aka - Jerry Blank.

Ah, almost forgot - this weekend was a friend's birthday. 10 of us decided to head out to Helen, GA and rent a cabin. The drive was about 2 hours, but very much worth it. We had a beautiful view of the Blue Ridge Mtns (I think that's what they were. But really, who can tell?) We had a ton of fun. The deck had a hot tub which was a great bit of fun when the temperature dropped. I'll see if I can round up some pictures at some point.

I'm off to work. Hope you all have a blogging fantastic day. Now blogger off!