Phil sees THE SKIN I LIVE IN at the Camera 7 Pruneyard-November 5, 2011

OK folks, welcome to Day Two of my massive movie binge weekend! So I went to the Camera 7 in the Pruneyard Campbell and saw five films there. The first film I saw was THE SKIN I LIVE IN (La piel que habito), the new film by Spanish director Pedro Almodovar.

Theatrical Movie Poster (2011)

 Antonio Banderas portrays Dr. Robert Legard, a brilliant plastic surgeon who's wife burned to death in a terrible car accident. Haunted by this memory, he has become obsessed with creating a new type skin that is indestructible. To complete his vision, he needed a guinea pig. After spending 12 years experimenting in his mansion laboratory perfecting, he has succeeded, thanks to his guinea pig: a tempered and violent woman named Vera Cruz (Elena Anaya). However, his obsession with Vera turns into lust, but will she stay with him or destroy?

I have been a long time fan of Almodovar. His films are a religion to me. They are full of meaning, passion, symbolism, everything you would want in a film. But leave it up to Almodovar to take his film to another level.

Adapted from Thierry Jonquet's novel TARANTULA, Almodovar has cast aside the traditional horror conventions and clichés and made something very original. Banderas is very impressive in the lead as the vengeful surgeon, and throughout the duration of the film, becomes even more twisted as Banderas' true motives for the experiment and its full extents become clear. The big twist that happens in the third act will stun you, and make you realize just how amazing the film is.

THE SKIN I LIVE IN is one of the best art-house horror films that I have seen in a very long time! A truly incredible film that will become even more popular as time goes on. Two very big thumbs up!!

THE SKIN I LIVE IN is currently playing in select theaters nationwide, including the Camera Cinemas here in the South Bay. To view showtimes, visit their website at www.cameracinemas.com

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!