DVD Corner

Guillermo del Toro: Cabinet of Curiosities Book Review

“Guillermo del Toro: Cabinet of Curiosities” is a fascinating glimpse into the mind of a creative filmmaker.   

To say ‘Cabinet of Curiosities’ is loaded with material is a gross understatement. The thick 264 page hardcover coffee table book has everything you wanted to know about Guillermo del Toro but were afraid to ask.

The book starts off with a proper introduction to del Toro. We learn about his childhood, his literary/film/artistic inspirations, his views on storytelling, and then get a peek at his uber cool home away from home that he lovingly calls “Bleak House.” Through glorious glossy photographs of this splendid place, we learn more about del Toro’s interests and passions. The place may seem like an adult’s ritzy man cave filled with toys, custom made statues, collectibles, manga, paintings, and books, but it really serves as a functioning office. It is here where del Toro jots down ideas in his notebooks, works on film projects, and creates detailed concept art for characters.

After that section of the book, del Toro and co-writer/interviewer Marc Scott Zicree dig deep into all of del Toro’s directorial films (and unfinished projects) such as “Cronos,” “Mimic,” “Hellboy,” “Hellboy II: The Golden Army,” “Blade 2,” “At the Mountains of Madness,” “The Left Hand of Darkness,” the recently released “Pacific Rim,” “The Devil’s Backbone,” and what is arguably his masterpiece, “Pan’s Labyrinth.” For each film’s chapter, readers get in depth stories about everything from vampires and the use of color to CGI and design work while also seeing a wide range of art, film photos, notebook pages, and sketches. Spliced in throughout the chapters are genuine stories from friends and film industry veterans like James Cameron, Neil Gaiman, Tom Cruise, Alfonso Cuaron, and, of course, Ron Perlman. While many of them talk about their friendship and working collaborations, others (such as Perlman) talk about how meeting del Toro was life-changing.

All of these stories and chapters might seem overwhelming to pour through, but, in reality, it will actually leave you wanting more. If I have one complaint about this book it’s that it isn’t longer! I, for one, would have loved to have seen more photographs of Bleak House, more information about his long in development adaptation of H.P. Lovecraft’s “At the Mountains of Madness,” and stories about his work on “The Hobbit” (which didn’t happen for legal reasons). Still, it is possible that we may see more books from del Toro since he clearly stated in the acknowledgments that this is but a small fraction of his collection and notes.

Wishes aside, what we DO get here is a beautifully made book of a creative mind that lives and breathes art (whether he’s making it or absorbing it). Not only is the book inspirational (and perhaps motivational), but it will also make you want to watch or re-watch his entire catalogue. If that isn’t an endorsement I don’t know what is.

Overall Thoughts: While a lengthy book about writer/director Guillermo del Toro’s extra house, life, toy collection, artwork/notes, and filmography may seem a tad self indulgent on the surface, it’s arguably a much more accurate (and interesting) representation of an artist than a standard biography. Whether you’re a del Toro fan or a dedicated film buff, ‘Cabinet of Curiosities’ is well worth digging into.

November 1, 2013 - Posted by nicklyons1 | Book review | At the Mountains of Madness, Blade 2, Guillermo del Toro: Cabinet of Curiosities Book Review, Hellboy, Pacific Rim, Pan's Labyrinth