Author Archive

El laberinto del fauno (Pan’s Labyrinth)

Two Cents of the Dingo – Quickest Review in the Outback

Mommy, what’s the Spanish Civil War, and why are the hobbit’s friends there?

Cinema takes on a dual role of entertainer and sage in this parable that uses the Spanish civil war and an underground fantasy world to illustrate lessons about blind faith, unquestioning obedience, and selling out one’s ideals.

The DVD packaging makes this look like a movie for little kids, but it most certainly is not, unless you’re into alternately traumatizing and boring your young offspring, in which case, this is the movie you’ve been waiting for.

Screenshot from El laberinto del fauno (Pan's Labyrinth)
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Screenshot from El laberinto del fauno (Pan's Labyrinth)

Skřivánci na niti (Larks on a String)

Two Cents of the Dingo – Quickest Review in the Outback

Are there any volunteers to sign up for a subversive romantic dark comedy, set in a government-run scrap yard?

Junkyards (and governments) are considered by many to be humorless and somewhat less than romantic, but this captivating scrap heap offers daily opportunities to forge those special bonds that come from working together to meet ever-increasing production quotas, and sharing a few resigned laughs along the path to overcoming unseemly bourgeois habits, such as playing saxophone, teaching university courses, and attempting to leave the country.

Being oppressed has never been so much fun, and nothing ever sullies the mood except for the forced labor… and the fences… and the guards… and prison. Good times, I tell you. Good times.

Screenshot from Skřivánci na niti (Larks on a String)
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Screenshot from Skřivánci na niti (Larks on a String)