Tale of Tales (2015)

[Drunk Monk]

This film had me at Salma Hayek.  From Italian director Matteo Garrone - his first film in English - it's a visionary fantasy tale (of tales) that weaves three classic stories from the Italian poet Giambattista Basile from the 17th century, who set the precedent for some eternal fables like Sleeping Beauty and Rapunzel.  

This ain't no Narnia.  It's rated R for gratuitous toplessness and sanguinositimo.  The image of Salma eating a sea monster heart in an all white room is enough to set the tone (happens early as is the promo poster)



The film is stunning, shot in amazing castles and lush forests. The costumes are also very lavish. And the special effects are solid - not over the top - just enough to sell the story.  Good performances, especially from the lovely Salma, who remains enviably stunning into her 50s.  It captures that sense of dark magic, like the original Grimm fairy tales, full of horror and dread, karma tales of wish fulfilment gone awry.  I was really engaged throughout this film and might look into other works by Garrone.  An all-around visual feast.  DOOM approved.  Netflixable.

[cranefly]

DM nailed it.  Far better than I was expecting.  Matteo Garrone uses minimal dialog and lets the visuals do the storytelling, which works extremely well because the visuals are stunning.