Chucho E. Quintero (mistershinobi)

Seeing it once again after more than 15 years without setting eyes on it became one of the most amazing moments in my lifetime: everything I remembered loving was there, only better.

On an objective side, I discovered this was a much better film than I expected it to be: Anjelica Huston's performance ranks high on iconic and timeless, she's larger than life and commands the whole thing every time she's on screen.

The make-up is still extraordinary and the whole transformation process (for both kids and witches) and Anjelica Huston's human mask are still timeless and unforgettable but, unfortunately, the visual effects (explosions and ray beams coming out of fingertips) grew old very quickly and feel more dated than the freakin Bible.

While there was one Roald Dahl book-turned-movie that needed to be remade for the sake of Dahl's legacy (Willy Wonka), this one stands right there with Matilda as a truthful adaptation of one of the greatest voices in children's Literature: a man who never talked down to kids. Including some exact extracts from the original book (you can tell when the narration is word-by-word from a literary text rather than a screenplay), the essence of Dahl's rebellious, intelligent spirit is right there, frame by frame, mouse by mouse.

A delight! Russell Crowe has a natural cute charm that he doesn't let out as much as he should. He's lovely and hysterical, and he carries the entire movie with so much ease it's insane.

Philippe Le Sourd's cinematography is a true discovery. Look out: he's gathering an extraordinary resumé.

I've seen several films that touched me in so many important ways after I saw this one back in 2005 but there will always be only one Garden State in my life. I saw it a couple of days after it was released in just one theatre here in Mexico City and all I can remember is walking out of the cinema after the movie ended with the true decision of becoming a filmmaker. This movie completely changed my life, and that's beyond any flaw, any opinion, any academic review of rights and wrongs. This film means more to me than just 109 minutes of moving pictures set to the greatest soundtrack in modern memory. And that's all I have to say.

The ultimate B/W slacker indie film.