Mark Hobin (hobster1)

Snow White and the Huntsman fails in virtually every way possible for a movie to fail. The screenwriters have decided to once again mangle the source material a la Mirror Mirror in foolish ways. But Mirror Mirror was a splendid joy compared to this dreck. There's nothing presented here to engage the emotions. Snow White never even falls in love with anyone. There is no Prince Charming! There is no love story! What about the person who frees Snow White from the wicked queen's spell? He leaves right after kissing her so he's oblivious to what his contact has accomplished. But before that important act, he gives a lengthy speech that is mind numbingly dull. Just kiss her already! You'd think that was the end, but the action continues to limp along, piling on more plot. By the end the spectator is so dissatisfied you may not realize that Snow White has actually morphed into Joan of Arc as she leads her countrymen into battle. But by then we've ceased to care. The film is one long 127 minute debilitating yawn. It's a poisonous curse more poisonous than any apple could ever be.

Almodóvar's fixation on human flesh unsettles and is unsettling. If one asserts that Brian De Palma referenced the sexual ideas in Hitchcock's Psycho when he made Dressed to Kill, then Almodóvar completely perverts De Palma's obsessions past the breaking point. Almodóvar has always been concerned with identity, sexuality and gender. But here he has abused his preoccupations into horror. I'll admit that Almodóvar's storytelling talents are never in doubt. The film has a gorgeous facade. The set design, cinematography and music, promote a lush setting that belies something much more sinister. It's a stylish mix to be sure. The tale grabs your attention, but then so does a ghastly accident. Peel back the artistic flourishes and we're left with a sophisticated version of The Human Centipede with art house pretensions.

Dramatically The Skin I Live In fails to answer key questions. It remains at heart a superficial trip within the mind of a sicko. Given that premise, the motivations and the reactions of the characters should make sense. This isn't the case. Robert's desires are hard to believe. His lack of scruples are further disquieting. How did he develop this personality? There's precious little insight into his abhorrent behavior. The script really doesn't have anything to truly explain about this psychopath, other than to offer there are some really messed up people in the world.