CRONOS, 1993, Dir. Guillermo del Toro, 93 Mins, Janus Films, Mexico

In Spanish and English with English subtitles.

Guillermo del Toro made an auspicious and audacious feature debut with CRONOS, a highly unorthodox tale about the seductiveness of the idea of immortality. Kindly antiques dealer Jesús Gris (Federico Luppi) happens upon an ancient golden device in the shape of a scarab, and soon finds himself the possessor and victim of its sinister, addictive powers, as well as the target of a mysterious American named Angel (a delightfully crude and deranged Ron Perlman). Featuring marvelous makeup effects and the haunting imagery for which del Toro has become world-renowned, Cronos is a dark, visually rich, and emotionally captivating fantasy.

FORMAT: DCP

THE DEVIL’S BACKBONE, 2001, Dir. Guillermo del Toro, 108 Mins, Sony Pictures Classics, Spain/Mexico

In Spanish with English subtitles.

THE DEVIL’S BACKBONE is a stylish and unpredictable supernatural chiller from director Guillermo del Toro which deftly mixes horror, suspense and dark humor. Twelve-year-old Carlos is the latest arrival to Santa Lucia School, an imposing stone building that shelters the orphans of the Republican militia and politicians during the last days of the Spanish Civil War. Carlos gradually uncovers the dark ties that bind the inhabitants of the school: hidden riches, sexual intrigue and the restless ghost of a murdered student.

FORMAT: DCP

MIMIC, 1997, Dir. Guillermo del Toro, 111 Mins, Paramount, USA

Entomologist Susan Tyler (Mira Sorvino) was hailed as a heroine for rescuing Manhattan from a roach-borne pandemic via genetic engineering. Perhaps the applause should have been held, because rather than dying out, her designer creatures are continuing to evolve…and the largest are making hapless subway workers their prey. Guillermo Del Toro’s creepy sci-fi chiller also stars Jeremy Northam, Josh Brolin, Charles S. Dutton, Giancarlo Giannini, and F. Murray Abraham.

FORMAT: DCP