Mixed reviews for Manhattan's film festival

When I sat down in the center of the very spacious theater at the 44th Annual New York Film Festival with a complimentary muffin and a chocolate chip Danish, I knew that the critic's life was the life for me. Watching Guillermo Del Toro's "Pan's Labyrinth" with bona fide critics was a unique experience in itself, as I had the opportunity to mingle with journalists from all around the world.

The fantasy movie, preceded by a screening of the violent "Lump," a disturbing short film about a young woman who continually gets a lump removed from her breast, tells the story of Ofelia, who is played by Ivana Baquero. A young girl with an incredible imagination, she is brought by her pregnant mother to be with her stepfather, played by Sergi Lopez, a cruel captain in Franco's fascist army on the front lines of the Spanish Civil War. To escape the realities of the fighting, Ofelia incessantly reads fairy tales. One night, a fawn appears and promises to transport her to the underworld to join her true parents, if she can complete three tasks.

Del Toro, director of "The Devil's Backbone" and "Hellboy," brilliantly builds an elaborate fantasy world within the historical context of the war. The environment never rings false, thanks to a visual style which balances CGI and traditional effects, especially makeup. Remarkably textured visuals give the film a very chilling, organic vibe.

Most of the performances in "Pan's Labyrinth" are fully realized. Baquero as Ofelia endows her character with both strength and desperation. One notable exception, however, is Sergi Lopez as Captain Vidal, who plays a Nazi as a caricature, breaking the illusion of a "real world." Besides this minor flaw, "Pan's Labyrinth" is a great film worth seeing when it comes to theaters this winter.

Two days later, I returned to New York to attend a director's dialogue, when Gavin Smith, editor of "Film Comment" magazine, interviewed Del Toro. Del Toro was articulate and funny, and it was clear that he had a passion for horror, which he described as the "only purely cinematic genre." Del Toro said he would give up the entire oeuvre of some obscure art director for the moment where "Godzilla stomps on Tokyo." After the interview, Del Toro stuck around chatting with all his fans. When it was finally my turn, he gave me a high-five. The director's dialogue was a fun and illuminating experience that was worth every penny.

The last movie I watched at the festival, a French film called "Poison Friends," was a fairly pedestrian affair compared to the first. It is about a group of students who are manipulated by Thibault Vincon's seemingly brilliant Andre. Like a puppet master, Andre is able to control everything his friends do, though he may not be as smart as he seems. The film's bland direction by Emmanuel Bourdieu makes it look like a TV drama. What makes the film worth watching, however, is Vincon's performance as Andre. He endows the character with so much charisma that even as one feels repelled by his controlling attitude, it is easy to see his devilish magnetism.

One great film and a spectacular director's interview notwithstanding, I have come away from the festival unable to make a wholehearted recommendation because of the mediocre "Poison Friends." For the smaller, independent films, watch at your own risk, because at the New York Film Festival, you never know what you are going to get.

Three out of five paws.

PROs: "Pan's Labyrinth" is a twisted, excellent fairy tale. Guillermo Del Toro's director interview provided a fascinating and funny look into the horror genre.

CONs: The French "Poison Friends" is a bland film that is no better than a good TV movie.