Guillermo del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities

A wonderfully atmospheric start to Guillermo del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities, featuring excellent cinematography. This subtly occult story follows a guy (played brilliantly by Tim Blake Nelson) who has no respect for history — his goal is to sell everything and move on. But his disregard becomes his downfall when he encounters an Ancient One straight out of a Lovecraft story in one of the storage units. And that's right up my alley. (2022-11-02)

If you're a fan of Stargate (especially Atlantis), you'll be thrilled to see the beloved actor who plays Rodney McKay take center stage. This episode revolves around a selfish grave robber who’s willing to crawl into rat-infested tunnels for a piece of gold. It’s incredibly claustrophobic, period-accurate, atmospheric, and ends on a surprisingly brutal and unexpected note. (2022-11-07)

This is where Cabinet of Curiosities truly shines again. "The Autopsy" is an outstanding episode, maintaining the high quality of the previous two while offering something a bit different. The story unfolds on an autopsy table, with a doctor examining bodies from a mine explosion. The nocturnal atmosphere is so intense that you could hear a pin drop at your dinner table, even through two thick walls. F. Murray Abraham is brilliant, carrying the episode on his shoulders. The ending is quite intense, with a practical rather than shocking twist. (2022-11-07)

The first real oddball in the Cabinet of Curiosities series. It offers an ironic take on today’s consumer society. The main character, played brilliantly by Kate Micucci, is quite peculiar — her eyes are like grapefruits, and her hobbies, like taxidermy, don't exactly fit in with the gossiping women in small-town America. She comes across a cream that's supposed to improve her appearance, and then things start to get weird. While it has the potential to satirize society, it mostly just felt absurd to me. (2022-11-07)

Another great reason to dive into Lovecraft's world. This episode starts with a fantastic period atmosphere set at the turn of the 20th century. As it progresses, it intensifies into an unsettling and eerie experience, culminating in a somewhat brutal and literal ending. A well-done episode with excellent performances by Ben Barnes and Crispin Glover. (2022-11-11)

Probably the dullest episode of Cabinet of Curiosities. The setting feels lackluster, despite the promising period and Lovecraft-inspired storyline. Rupert Grint does a solid job in the lead role, but somehow it all just doesn't come together and ends up being quite boring at times. (2022-11-24)

What an exclusive slice of madness. After Mandy and this story, Panos Cosmatos has convinced me that he's a madman — but a stylish one. His contribution to Cabinet of Curiosities is set in the dark 80s, featuring darkwave music, dark yet pastel-colored filters, and a psychedelic trip filled with grotesque elements straight out of a John Carpenter film. This is the first episode in the series where I genuinely didn't know how to rate it by the end. However, I can't deny that it captivated me. (2022-11-24)

This intriguing and unusual story by Guillermo del Toro captivated me with its unique atmosphere. Instead of focusing on the mystique of a lonely house, it centers on the flocks of birds swirling around it and two enthusiastic ornithologists documenting them. It's an interesting, slightly mystical piece with a compelling atmosphere. (2022-12-01)