Saturday, June 22, 2013

365 Days-Day 65

movie: John Carpenter's Vampires
starring: James Wood, Daniel Baldwin
genre: Thriller, Western
year: 1998
format: DVD

plot: A group of vampire hunters are slaughtered by a master vampire, leaving only two members and a prostitute who has been bitten. They are joined by a priest as they cross New Mexico with the now half turned girl as bait, while they hunt the master vampire. Along the way, they learn that the vampire they are chasing is more then just a master, he's the original and that he's out for a relic that will help him move around in the daylight.

This is based on the 1991 book Vampire$ (aka Vampire$ Inc. and later re-titled with a plan 'S' in place of the $, after the movie was released) by John Steakley.

This is one of the most original vampire stories I had read, and the movie stays true enough to the book. The lead character is a take no prisoners rebel and that's just what a vampire hunter should be.
I thought the casting was fitting, and the roughness of the characters as well. 
It set the standard for vampire hunter films in the years that followed, and helped to toughen up the genre in general.

what do i think i learned from this film? Rule #1- if your partner gets bitten never let him live.
Rule #10- never let a team member bury another team member alone.


Friday, June 21, 2013

June 21st 2013

Just popping in for a second, to say, if you head over to my movie blog you will see a craft project connected to the movie Twilight Saga New Moon.

And on the 365 Days main part, we are still in franchises.  Still have Underworld, Twilight, Subspecies, Fright Night, 30 Days of Night, John Carpenter's Vampires, Vampire Chronicles, To Die For, Blade, ... I'm forgetting something here... Day Watch and the Hammer films.
Bundles to get to still, not too mention all the other vampire films.

Okay, so if you've been paying attention, I've been doing what's in my collection. There were two films that I rented in the first like week, but everything else used in the 365 Days category are movies/tv shows I've got on DVD/VHS.   I'm hoping to get a Blu-ray player at some point given that everything is either Blu-ray or digital now. But that is neither here nor there.

I had hoped to have a book review every two weeks, but that just did not pan out at all.

Okay guys, it's a toss up right now between Subspecies and John Carpenter's Vampires. But one of those will be the next round of movies.


Saturday, June 15, 2013

365 Days- Day 64

Movie: Lost Boys 3 The Thirst
starring: Corey Feldman, Jamison Newlander
genre: Horror
year: 2010
format: DVD

plot: Edgar Frog is hired by a wealthy female author who writes teen vampire stories, to rescue her brother from a head vampire. She tells him that this is the ultimate first vampire, and if he manages to kill this vampire, all others will die with him. Edgar turns to his brother Allan, who is now a vampire himself, for help as well as a female friend who works at the local book store. Before long though, they are joined by a reality star hired by the author. They manage to locate the vampire's lair, but not everything is as it's suppose to be. The hunters find themselves neck deep in a trap and face to face with the head vampire.

This is the final (that I'm aware of) movie in the Lost Boys series. And I have to say, this one stacks up a lot better then the second one in the series. This even uses scenes from the original movie to tie the storyline together.

I liked that they brought the elements from the first movie of having the comic book store, and showing someone continuing the idea of taxidermy. (though not my favourite thing, but good to see they brought that from the first movie)

what do i think i learned from this film? Impalement is always the best way to go, specially when you stab the heart. That and don't dismiss comics, they have a lot of good advice.


Wednesday, June 5, 2013

365 Days- Day 63

movie: The Lost Boys 2 Tribe
starring: Corey Feldman, Tad Hilgenbrink
genre: Comedy,Thriller
year: 2008
format: DVD

plot: The Emerson kids find themselves in a small surfing town after the death of their parents. Unfortunately for them, the town is also the hot spot for a group of vampires, lead by two of Chris' old surfing rivals. It doesn't take long before the head vampire decides to seduce Chris's sister, in hopes of building his family.

I've gone back and forth over the years on this film. It has it's moments, most of which are when Feldman is on screen. But it's got a lot of dragging in it too.
The original Lost Boys, was a movie that affected my life on so many levels, so when I first heard about this sequel I was beyond thrilled.  The first time I saw it, I was so disappointed that I nearly turned the tv off.  I think I've watched this sequel maybe five times in the last six years. And each time, something different either delights me or makes me want to break the tv.
There are so many elements from the original that are rebooted in this film, and I think that is actually one of the weaknesses. Had they taken one strong element from the original and spent all their energy on doing it properly, instead of trying to remake everything plus the kitchen sink, it would have been a better offering.

what do i think i learned from this film?
The original points that made the first movie so good, were about family and fitting in, but this one doesn't really seem to have a solid point to it. It tries to be about family but in the end it falls way short. 
I don't think I learned much from this on this showing. Who knows, maybe next time I'll get something more out of it?