Movie: Vampire
starring: Richard Lynch, Jason Miller
genre: Drama, Crime
year: 1979
format: VHS
plot: A vampire is woken from a three decade sleep after a construction crew begin working on a new church. They find millions of dollars of what is believed to be stolen art in his tomb, along with the remains of a dead cop turned priest. Soon the vampire takes revenge on the locals for disturbing the tomb.
This is a made for tv movie and was suppose to originally be the pilot for a show that never got picked up.
There is this brilliant scene where the Lynch character is racing to get home after having been in jail all night, and is seen running through the streets then jumping from roof top to roof top to get to the penthouse apartment, his jacket smoking as the sun touches him.
The coat is worn with a scarf through the whole movie, which is a brilliant costume choice in itself. From side views, it looks like a cape, putting you in mind of Dracula, but keeping with modern times.
I also liked the idea of changing the way the cross affects him. Instead of the typical smoke and burning when the cross touches him, it's small blue electric shocks. I haven't seen that before.
This is pretty much straight forward about revenge and feeling betrayed. The vampire feels that his friend betrayed him by telling the cops about his art collection and ends up killing the guy's wife as revenge.
This film was done at a time when the idea that vampires were connected to the devil was still a high thought. The movie I think had some inside jokes intentional or otherwise, because the actor Jason Miller, who plays the vampire hunter in this film, played the priest in The Exorcist.
what do i think i learned from this film?
Some things are better left buried.
Monday, January 7, 2013
Sunday, January 6, 2013
365 Days-Day 6
Movie: Vamps
Starring: Alicia Silverstone, Krysten Ritter
Genre: Comedy
Year: 2012
Format: DVD
Plot: Two female vampires living in modern day New York try to fit in. Stacy ends up falling in love with a Van Helsing and gets pregnant, and Goody bumps into a boyfriend from the 1960's who's middle aged and looking after his ill wife. Meanwhile, the vampire who made them -their Stem- is being too reckless with her kills drawing too much attention to the community. Everyone agrees it's time to destroy her. Goody and Stacy would revert back to human if that were to happen, to their real ages. Goody is the only one who is worried about that as she's been a vampire for almost two hundred years.
When I first heard about this film, I was excited. Clueless had been a major hit nearly twenty years ago and the idea that half the cast was back together for it was worthy of giddiness.
Add to it that Sigourney Weaver and Malcolm McDowell were in it and it seemed like it would be a mega movie.
Only it wasn't. It was a mess.
It starts off with promise, then gets tangled up in it's own desire to be moral. Too much special effects are used, and not in any good way mostly for the end scene which just seemed rushed and out of sync with the rest of the movie. The pregnancy storyline given the the Ritter character is pointless... seriously, there is no building of a mythos around the vampires in this movie.
If it was going for straight up campy slapstick, it missed the mark by a few hours. If it was going for romantic comedy it missed the mark by more then that.
The trailer made it seem like it was in line with movies like Clueless and Once Bitten, and the cover art leads you to think it's a vampire version of Sex and the City. I'd say it's really about half the first draft of a script.
what do i think i learned from this film?
I need a more complex backstory and mythology in my vampire films. And never lie about your age.
Starring: Alicia Silverstone, Krysten Ritter
Genre: Comedy
Year: 2012
Format: DVD
When I first heard about this film, I was excited. Clueless had been a major hit nearly twenty years ago and the idea that half the cast was back together for it was worthy of giddiness.
Add to it that Sigourney Weaver and Malcolm McDowell were in it and it seemed like it would be a mega movie.
Only it wasn't. It was a mess.
It starts off with promise, then gets tangled up in it's own desire to be moral. Too much special effects are used, and not in any good way mostly for the end scene which just seemed rushed and out of sync with the rest of the movie. The pregnancy storyline given the the Ritter character is pointless... seriously, there is no building of a mythos around the vampires in this movie.
If it was going for straight up campy slapstick, it missed the mark by a few hours. If it was going for romantic comedy it missed the mark by more then that.
The trailer made it seem like it was in line with movies like Clueless and Once Bitten, and the cover art leads you to think it's a vampire version of Sex and the City. I'd say it's really about half the first draft of a script.
what do i think i learned from this film?
I need a more complex backstory and mythology in my vampire films. And never lie about your age.
Saturday, January 5, 2013
WWBD? part 3
Season 1 Episode 5- Never Kill A Boy On The First Date
Buffy want's one thing, a date with Owen. Giles becomes aware of a new threat called the Anointed One, an unknown vampire that will serve as the Master's secret weapon. Buffy arrives late for her date to find Owen dancing with Cordelia and goes home. Much to the glee of Xander. Owen asks Buffy out again for that night, and both Willow and Xander help her to pick out her outfit. Xander tries to talk her out of anything that might be attractive but it doesn't work.
Meanwhile, there is a bus accident killing five people, and when Giles finds out heads over to the funeral home to try to stop the Anointed One from rising. He ends up trapped, while Buffy is back at the Bronze on her date. Cordelia and a few of her friends spot Buffy and Owen, trying to ruin the date but to no avail. Angel then shows up to warn Buffy about the Anointed One, and when he realizes she's on a date, we begin to see signs of jealousy from him. Willow and Xander arrive to get Buffy, and the three take off to rescue Giles.
Only, before they realize it, Owen has followed them. He thinks checking out the funeral home is a game and ends up getting hurt by one of the newly made vampires. Buffy fights with the vampire and kills it, thinking that the Anointed One has been stopped.
The next morning at school, Buffy sees Owen and he asks her out again, but it's not her he wants as much as the danger she brings. Turning him down, she realizes being a normal girl and the Slayer is not really an option.
We then see the Master talking to a little boy, who had been part of the bus accident. It's reveled that the little boy is in fact the Anointed One.
This sets up a few of the arches for the rest of both the season and the series. One being the character of the Anointed One, who plays a major role over the rest of the season. Another is the competition between Buffy and Cordelia throughout the series to the end of season 3. This is also the first real suggestion that Angel has some feelings for Buffy himself.
But I think the biggest bit of story arch that is set up in this episode is that Giles begins to be seen in a father figure role. His reaction to her dating Owen is much to be expected of a parent when their kid starts dating.
The last few episodes I've pinpointed the theme of jealousy, which plays a part here too. But this episode is about knowing when to go for the thing you want and when to hold back.
Buffy is disappointed to learn that Owen isn't what he appears at first, and that he's attracted to the danger of being with her.
There is a scene near the beginning of the episode where the character talks about not getting out much and how he is drawn to the morbidness of Emily Dickinson, and then admits later that he gets a complete rush from sneaking around the funeral home. He ends up being this sort of closeted goth guy - adrenaline junkie. Buffy has to acknowledge that a guy like that is not the kind of guy she needs in her life. It also gives her some more perspective on her own life and the job she's meant to do.
Buffy want's one thing, a date with Owen. Giles becomes aware of a new threat called the Anointed One, an unknown vampire that will serve as the Master's secret weapon. Buffy arrives late for her date to find Owen dancing with Cordelia and goes home. Much to the glee of Xander. Owen asks Buffy out again for that night, and both Willow and Xander help her to pick out her outfit. Xander tries to talk her out of anything that might be attractive but it doesn't work.
Meanwhile, there is a bus accident killing five people, and when Giles finds out heads over to the funeral home to try to stop the Anointed One from rising. He ends up trapped, while Buffy is back at the Bronze on her date. Cordelia and a few of her friends spot Buffy and Owen, trying to ruin the date but to no avail. Angel then shows up to warn Buffy about the Anointed One, and when he realizes she's on a date, we begin to see signs of jealousy from him. Willow and Xander arrive to get Buffy, and the three take off to rescue Giles.
Only, before they realize it, Owen has followed them. He thinks checking out the funeral home is a game and ends up getting hurt by one of the newly made vampires. Buffy fights with the vampire and kills it, thinking that the Anointed One has been stopped.
The next morning at school, Buffy sees Owen and he asks her out again, but it's not her he wants as much as the danger she brings. Turning him down, she realizes being a normal girl and the Slayer is not really an option.
We then see the Master talking to a little boy, who had been part of the bus accident. It's reveled that the little boy is in fact the Anointed One.
But I think the biggest bit of story arch that is set up in this episode is that Giles begins to be seen in a father figure role. His reaction to her dating Owen is much to be expected of a parent when their kid starts dating.
The last few episodes I've pinpointed the theme of jealousy, which plays a part here too. But this episode is about knowing when to go for the thing you want and when to hold back.
Buffy is disappointed to learn that Owen isn't what he appears at first, and that he's attracted to the danger of being with her.
There is a scene near the beginning of the episode where the character talks about not getting out much and how he is drawn to the morbidness of Emily Dickinson, and then admits later that he gets a complete rush from sneaking around the funeral home. He ends up being this sort of closeted goth guy - adrenaline junkie. Buffy has to acknowledge that a guy like that is not the kind of guy she needs in her life. It also gives her some more perspective on her own life and the job she's meant to do.
365 Days- Day 5
movie: Vampire Clan
starring: Drew Fuller, Kelly Kruger
genre: True Crime, Bio-pic
year: 2002
format: DVD
plot: Follows the weeks leading up to the arrest of the group of teens who committed the brutal killings in Florida back in 1996, claiming they were a group of vampires.
Based on a true story.
I've been vocal before on my thoughts about this film (talked about it before on other blogs). The film itself is not the greatest. Drew Fuller is the only reason to keep the dvd player on.
The topic, could have been handled better as this was one of the most shocking events of the mid-1990's; and this film seems to come off like a made for Sunday night movie.
This is unfortunately, a true story. This crime happened when the vampire role playing games were at their peak, and the teenagers fell victim to the misguided hype.
This is one of those times when the style gets in the way of the topic. I followed the events through news reports and two of the biographies (in book form) back when it all happened, and feel that so much is left out of the background on why they did this. The drug use, the emotional and mental instability, the abuse, the grief and loneliness that this group of kids felt all were down played in this film.
what do i think i learned from this film?
Anyone can fall victim to the whim of illusion.
starring: Drew Fuller, Kelly Kruger
genre: True Crime, Bio-pic
year: 2002
format: DVD
Based on a true story.
I've been vocal before on my thoughts about this film (talked about it before on other blogs). The film itself is not the greatest. Drew Fuller is the only reason to keep the dvd player on.
The topic, could have been handled better as this was one of the most shocking events of the mid-1990's; and this film seems to come off like a made for Sunday night movie.
This is unfortunately, a true story. This crime happened when the vampire role playing games were at their peak, and the teenagers fell victim to the misguided hype.
This is one of those times when the style gets in the way of the topic. I followed the events through news reports and two of the biographies (in book form) back when it all happened, and feel that so much is left out of the background on why they did this. The drug use, the emotional and mental instability, the abuse, the grief and loneliness that this group of kids felt all were down played in this film.
what do i think i learned from this film?
Anyone can fall victim to the whim of illusion.
Friday, January 4, 2013
Vampire Diaries recaps
The Vampire Diaries Season 1 Episode 1- Pilot
We see a couple driving late at night, and they hit a man standing around in the middle of the road. It ends up he's a vampire, and kills them both.
Next morning, we're at the high school, and a new guy arrives, Stefan, sending all the girls into a heat. We then meet Elena, who is dealing with the death of her parents and decides to go to the graveyard to be close to them. Stefan shows up, but not before a mysterious crow that spooks her.
Stefan, notices she's dropped her diary and picks it up.
The rest of the school, Elena's younger brother included, decide to head to the school party and a few more students end up dead. Bitten by some wild animal. Only Stefan seems to really be rattled. We then met Damon, Stefan's older brother, arrives. The two vampire brothers have a fight, Stefan getting the worst of it. The episode ends with one of the victims laying in hospital remembering what she believes was a vampire attacking her, and Stefan returning the diary to Elena.
I've commented before on how surprised I was with the transition from book to show this ended up being.
There is so much to cover in this first episode, it's almost impossible to pinpoint the major themes going on in it. I suppose I'd have to go with lies and trust. How secrets can mess up everyone no matter how well they are buried.
It's also about control vs recklessness. Stefan is quiet and doing his best to be normal, while Damon is going with a more base nature.
We see a couple driving late at night, and they hit a man standing around in the middle of the road. It ends up he's a vampire, and kills them both.
Next morning, we're at the high school, and a new guy arrives, Stefan, sending all the girls into a heat. We then meet Elena, who is dealing with the death of her parents and decides to go to the graveyard to be close to them. Stefan shows up, but not before a mysterious crow that spooks her.
Stefan, notices she's dropped her diary and picks it up.
The rest of the school, Elena's younger brother included, decide to head to the school party and a few more students end up dead. Bitten by some wild animal. Only Stefan seems to really be rattled. We then met Damon, Stefan's older brother, arrives. The two vampire brothers have a fight, Stefan getting the worst of it. The episode ends with one of the victims laying in hospital remembering what she believes was a vampire attacking her, and Stefan returning the diary to Elena.
There is so much to cover in this first episode, it's almost impossible to pinpoint the major themes going on in it. I suppose I'd have to go with lies and trust. How secrets can mess up everyone no matter how well they are buried.
It's also about control vs recklessness. Stefan is quiet and doing his best to be normal, while Damon is going with a more base nature.
365 Days- Day 4
Blade the Series
Episode 1- Pilot
We see Blade in Moscow hunting a vampire, then a cop in Detroit who picks up a hooker only to feed her to a vampire. From there, what looks like a mob hit, and the return home of a female solider, Krista. The cop takes Krista to identify her brother, trying to convince her that her brother was a drug dealer and that it was a deal gone wrong. The drug in question is called Ash, and is made from vampire blood and how the vampires keep many of their familiars in check.
Blade goes to a tattoo parlor killing the familiars- human servants of a major vampire master, and we see a scene where he takes a dose of his serum.
The head of the local vampire house, Marcus, decides to throw a major party/fund raiser where Krista shows up and tries to find out more of what got her brother killed. She then is turned into a vampire herself.
She then begins working for Blade and Shen as a sort of undercover agent.
The first episode is a two hour episode.
I have the DVD set, which as it turns out is slightly different then the original broadcasts. (R-rated and more in line with the original movie trilogy)
There is a lot to set up in this first episode, having to cover the back story from the movies. A scene is actually used from the original film. And like the trilogy, one of the main stories has to do with the turnbloods (vampires that were made) vs the purebloods (born vampires).
Also, like many vampire stories, this deals with the loss of innocence. From learning that there is more in this world then we first thought, and by the use of the drugs. (the street drug Ash and the visions Krista has after being turned)
Episode 1- Pilot
We see Blade in Moscow hunting a vampire, then a cop in Detroit who picks up a hooker only to feed her to a vampire. From there, what looks like a mob hit, and the return home of a female solider, Krista. The cop takes Krista to identify her brother, trying to convince her that her brother was a drug dealer and that it was a deal gone wrong. The drug in question is called Ash, and is made from vampire blood and how the vampires keep many of their familiars in check.
Blade goes to a tattoo parlor killing the familiars- human servants of a major vampire master, and we see a scene where he takes a dose of his serum.
The head of the local vampire house, Marcus, decides to throw a major party/fund raiser where Krista shows up and tries to find out more of what got her brother killed. She then is turned into a vampire herself.
She then begins working for Blade and Shen as a sort of undercover agent.
I have the DVD set, which as it turns out is slightly different then the original broadcasts. (R-rated and more in line with the original movie trilogy)
There is a lot to set up in this first episode, having to cover the back story from the movies. A scene is actually used from the original film. And like the trilogy, one of the main stories has to do with the turnbloods (vampires that were made) vs the purebloods (born vampires).
Also, like many vampire stories, this deals with the loss of innocence. From learning that there is more in this world then we first thought, and by the use of the drugs. (the street drug Ash and the visions Krista has after being turned)
Thursday, January 3, 2013
WWBD? part 2
Season 1 Episodes 3 and 4 - Witch and Teacher's Pet
The Witch... Buffy wants something familiar and normal, and decides to try out for the cheerleading squad. Soon, she discovers that all the competition are suffering from strange accidents. Like one girl who's mouth closes over, and Cordelia's sudden blindness, and another girl bursting into flames. Buffy herself falls victim becoming drained of energy. The gang learns that Amy, one of the cheerleading hopefuls, is hexing everyone. But Amy isn't who they think she is. Her mother has switched bodies with her, and is really the one behind it all.
This ends up being Giles's first moment. We start to get some background on where his knowledge really lies as he is the one who unmasks the witch, and saves Buffy's life in order for her to stop Amy's mom.
This also is the introduction to the character of Amy, who ends up having a recurring role in the lives of the gang down the series. (topics of peer pressure, greed and addiction seem to be part of Amy's arch)
The main topic of this episode is jealousy. Amy's mom had been the school star when she was younger, and wants to be again. She uses her magick to pull a body switch with her own daughter, and does whatever she has to in order to become the head cheerleader and live her life over again.
This episode is also about regrets. The character feels she wasted her life being a wife and mother and uses that as an excuse for her evil behavouir.
In this episode, the script introduces pieces of real folklore and mythology, setting a foundation for the rest of the series as far as magick and rituals go.
Teacher's Pet... The science teacher goes missing, and the new replacement seems to have a crush on Xander. A few of the other boys in the class start to brag about their sexual histories, making Xander feel he needs to be able to keep up. This leaves them all at the mercy of the new teacher who is not what she first appears. Meanwhile, Buffy is given another cryptic message from Angel, informing her about a vicious vampire with a claw for a hand. When Buffy goes hunting, she spots the vampire as he appears scared of the new teacher, and runs underground. This clues Buffy in, that the new teacher is some sort of monster. Buffy, Willow and Giles do some research and discover that the new teacher is a She-Mantis; a creature of folklore that preys on and devours virgin men.
The opening scene is actually a fantasy Xander is having while in class. Dreaming about being the hero, saving Buffy from a vampire and then becoming a rock star, wooing everyone else in the room. Pretty typical. And also a foreshadowing for Xander in the rest of the series. Always on the edge but never really getting there.
This episode is Xander's introduction in the sense that it sets up a running joke that Xander is like catnip for female monsters. The fantasy segment also hints at the role he does end up playing more then once in the rest of the series, as he does save Buffy down the line.
The themes here are how things aren't always as they first seem, and the pressure put on modern males. Not every guy needs to be an uber stud. And those who sometimes claim to be, are not worth your time.
The Witch... Buffy wants something familiar and normal, and decides to try out for the cheerleading squad. Soon, she discovers that all the competition are suffering from strange accidents. Like one girl who's mouth closes over, and Cordelia's sudden blindness, and another girl bursting into flames. Buffy herself falls victim becoming drained of energy. The gang learns that Amy, one of the cheerleading hopefuls, is hexing everyone. But Amy isn't who they think she is. Her mother has switched bodies with her, and is really the one behind it all.
This also is the introduction to the character of Amy, who ends up having a recurring role in the lives of the gang down the series. (topics of peer pressure, greed and addiction seem to be part of Amy's arch)
The main topic of this episode is jealousy. Amy's mom had been the school star when she was younger, and wants to be again. She uses her magick to pull a body switch with her own daughter, and does whatever she has to in order to become the head cheerleader and live her life over again.
This episode is also about regrets. The character feels she wasted her life being a wife and mother and uses that as an excuse for her evil behavouir.
In this episode, the script introduces pieces of real folklore and mythology, setting a foundation for the rest of the series as far as magick and rituals go.
Teacher's Pet... The science teacher goes missing, and the new replacement seems to have a crush on Xander. A few of the other boys in the class start to brag about their sexual histories, making Xander feel he needs to be able to keep up. This leaves them all at the mercy of the new teacher who is not what she first appears. Meanwhile, Buffy is given another cryptic message from Angel, informing her about a vicious vampire with a claw for a hand. When Buffy goes hunting, she spots the vampire as he appears scared of the new teacher, and runs underground. This clues Buffy in, that the new teacher is some sort of monster. Buffy, Willow and Giles do some research and discover that the new teacher is a She-Mantis; a creature of folklore that preys on and devours virgin men.
This episode is Xander's introduction in the sense that it sets up a running joke that Xander is like catnip for female monsters. The fantasy segment also hints at the role he does end up playing more then once in the rest of the series, as he does save Buffy down the line.
The themes here are how things aren't always as they first seem, and the pressure put on modern males. Not every guy needs to be an uber stud. And those who sometimes claim to be, are not worth your time.
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