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[tempestsarekind]

I'm trying to decide whether I want to bump Pan's Labyrinth up in my Netflix queue for Halloween. The reason I am hesitating is the same reason I haven't seen it yet: I am a big, big wuss. I *want* to see it, I do, but I am worried about the violence (which several people have warned me about. Which may have had the effect of exaggerating the

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[lareinenoire]

Pan's Labyrinth is very, very good and totally worth seeing. There is only one particular scene where I had to close my eyes, and thankfully I was warned in advance, as it hit one of my very particular squicks (strangely enough, there was a scene in Scott Lynch's The Lies of Locke Lamora that gave me nightmares for the same reason; it wasn't even an important scene!). That being said, if you look out for it and know it's coming, you can close your eyes.

It's the only scene that comes to mind that bothered me, for what that's worth.

I actually need to watch all of Spiderwick sometime -- they were showing it on the plane and I was actually sleepy, so I only saw bits. One of the charity shops near me had a full hardcover set of the books for £12, and I was deeply, deeply tempted. Maybe if they're still there next time, I will consider it a Sign.

[tempestsarekind]

Then perhaps I'll go ahead and have it sent--thanks!

I still haven't read The Lies of Locke Lamora; I never seem to remember to look for it when I'm at the library!

And a full set of the Spiderwick books would be useful; part of the reason I haven't read the books yet is that they're short enough that I'd want to get a few at a time.

[lareinenoire]

I remember taking out all the Spiderwick books at the same time, with good reason, as they're all so short!

But, yes, The Lies of Locke Lamora is so much fun. I'm waiting for the third one now, which I believe is out early next year.

Basically, the bit to watch out for in Pan's Labyrinth is when the Captain hears about two Resistance guys captured (it's soon after they arrive at the camp near the labyrinth in question). The really squicky bit is when he's questioning them. I can give the director major props for being willing to show a character doing that sort of horrible, brutal questioning, but I personally could not watch it.

[tempestsarekind]

Thanks for the heads-up!

[skirmish_of_wit]

I tried to post a comment earlier but livejournal crapped out.

You should totally get Pan's Labyrinth. It's wonderful. I don't remember the violence as much as I remember the amazing creatures and one kind of freaky (but non-violent) scene. (ETA: Ohhh, wait, there is a bit of violence in that scene, but it's not gory or anything that I recall. But my memory apparently isn't very reliable...)

So... I've never actually read any Holly Black, though I've looked at Tithe several times. Should I start there, do you think?

[tempestsarekind]

I think I will have to get Pan's Labyrinth after all--and just hope I can close my eyes fast enough if I need to. :)

I quite liked Tithe, although it wan't the kind of story about Faerie that I usually tend to go for; it's more urban, I suppose. But I thought Holly Black really managed to get at the strangeness of Faerie in a way that people don't always manage. It's a good starting point, I think.

[spacklegeek]

There were definitely bits of Pan's Labyrinth that scared the bejeezus out of me, and other bits that left me bothered for days, but I came out of the theatre with the firm conviction that it was one of the most beautiful films I had ever seen. I still believe that.

[tempestsarekind]

I'm looking forward to it, though I'm glad I'll be going into it prepared.