Day 3
movie: Dead Cert
starring: Janet Montgomery, Steven Berkoff
genre: Crime, Action
year: 2010
format: TV Edit
plot: A club owner makes a bet with a drug lord named The Wolf, and loses his club. Before long, a vampire hunter arrives and informs him that the drug lord is really one of the most powerful vampires in the world.
I've seen more vampire movies than most, and have to say this was decent enough. The baseline is good, a small time underground fighter turned businessman gets conned by a mobster into giving up his property, only to find out these mobsters are centuries old vampires. It's very much in the same vein as From Dusk Till Dawn. The idea of using a strip club as a vampire front is even older than Dusk was,(Vamp, To Sleep with a Vampire) but it's a plot device that works. It makes sense and fits the metaphor of it being a feeding ground for all sorts of desires.
There's a few things going on here, from the idea of an old fashioned turf war, to what's the braking point for loyalty. I liked the fact there is a strong Renfield element going on for both sides of the story with the one club employee who betrays everyone,(sells out to Wolf) and the one who stands firm till the end. (stays with Cert)
There's this semi-inside joke with the naming of the strip club going from "Paradise" when Cert first opens it to "Inferno" after Wolf takes control. In fact, they emphasis this with a short scene where the heroes try to collect their broken sign after the club has been taken. I saw that as being a nod to the fact everything can shift so quickly from good to bad or bad to good. The place itself is neutral grounds, holy to both men for very different reasons. It comes down to the main idea that each of them - The Wolf and Cert- are doing their best to protect their "homes and family" at all costs.
I'm going to bury this one here, under this tombstone and I'll be back tomorrow with some more treats for your Hallowe'en displeasure.
Showing posts with label 2010. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2010. Show all posts
Monday, October 21, 2019
Sunday, August 28, 2016
year 5 Day 174 Night Bleeds Aug
This month's all vampire book and movie club combo was Let the Right One In. The original 2004 book and the 2008/09 movie version and/or the remake Let Me In. I did both movie versions, cause I like to get in over my head. (I must become the vampire queen of all bloggingness. Yeah I'm having one of those days. Laugh and carry on)
Yep, I know, I'm super late in the day with mine. But that's okay, cause you know vampires are late day people. hahaha. So, before I get into it, my regular readers know I do my best to keep spoilers to a minimum, but there's no way around it today. So onward...*SPOILER ALERT*
movie: Let the Right One In
starring: Kare Hedebrant, Lina Leandersson
genre: Thriller
year: 2008
format: DVD
plot: As young Oskar is bullied at school, he begins to connect with the strange new neighbour Eli, who has just moved in next door. She helps him to learn to fight back and gives him hope that things will improve. All set to a back drop where the neighbourhood is no longer safe, as a serial killer is on the loose. What Oskar is yet to learn, is that his new girlfriend is a vampire.
This is based on the 2004 book of the same name.
So the movie drops a ton of elements that are in the book. Half the book's plot and characters are missing. Which I'll get to in a moment.
This version of the story focuses on the bullying that is going on, and the innocent sexual awakening between the "young couple". The bullying has left Oskar self aware, but with little self esteem. We see him pouring over clippings about serial killers, and murders in the area. Partly as a foreshadow of his future, partly because we're suppose to get the idea that he's not completely "normal". He's filled with revenge fantasies, that he's not sure he'd ever be able to uphold.
While Oskar is playing out one of these revenge ideals, Eli sneaks up and silently watches. She sees in him a potential that he is unsure he has himself. This is all inter cut with scenes of an unknown man trying and failing at killing someone not far from the neighbourhood. Which we quickly find out is the "guardian" of Eli.
Eli is left alone after her guardian is caught and tries to cover it up by attempting to kill himself. This also goes wrong, and Eli is forced to feed off him. This in turn is the point, where the vampire theme really kicks in. As Eli then begins hunting nightly, no longer able to drink "bottled blood" that her guardian had been getting for her.
One of her victims survives, and while in hospital, is exposed. Literally. As she allows the daylight to kill her, setting her husband off on a rampage to "kill the thing that did this." He then tracks Eli to the apartment building and attempts to kill her, but Oskar stops him long enough for Eli to feed.
Oskar has one more run in with the bullies at the school swim lesson, and is nearly drowned, causing Eli to save him. Killing the bullies.
Alright now, in this version, we never learn how Eli became a vampire. What we do learn is Eli is not a girl. Technically speaking. She's a transgendered person. This is one of those subplots from the novel that got wiped under the sofa in this version of the story. This is hinted at through out, as she keeps saying to Oskar "What if I'm not a girl? Would you still like me?" the audience to this point, just thinks she's going on about not being human.
The relationship that the two enter into, is that of a "first crush" type of situation. As it's a friendship with little to no physical contact, but you can tell from Oskar's behaviour; that he's sexually attracted to her. There is one scene later on where they kiss, and we see Eli as a middle aged woman for a brief few seconds.
This relationship on the surface, appears to be that of equals. Eli is relating to Oskar as a child would. But, before long, it spirals down into a more Dracula/Renfield situation. As Oskar replaces Hakan; Eli's previous guardian.
This version of the story, is about self esteem, being true to you and not being afraid to love. It's also, as I stated earlier, about that innocence of first love.
what did I learn? Strength and love are not always separate entities.
The Book: In a small suburb, a neighbourhood is in chaos. Oskar, who is left alone too much, bullied constantly, has begun acting out. He's obsessed with murders, steals, sneaks out, disrespects his mother, and hangs out with the older kids. A few doors down, Tommy, one of the older kids he sometimes hangs out with, is a thief and stoner, who's mom is about to marry an extremely religious police officer; Staffan. Staffan is currently on a manhunt for a ritual killer, who has been draining people of their blood only blocks away from the neighbourhood. The same time the killings started, Eli and her dad Hakan, moved in next door to Oskar.
Eli and Oskar, develop a relationship; over a few weeks time frame. During which, Hakan becomes jealous, acting out on his own by hiring teenaged male prostitutes. After Hakan attempts but fails to kill a young male, and is captured, he disfigures himself. This leaves Eli alone and vulnerable. She's forced to hunt, for the first time in years, exposing herself as a vampire. Visiting him in the hospital, she feeds off of him, before allowing Hakan to throw himself from the hospital window. But doesn't die. The killings continue to worsen, leading the police to question everything.
Meanwhile, Oskar is dealing with everyday situations, which include the school bullies, who are making his life a holy terror daily. Eli, in an effort to help him, tells him about her past. We learn that in fact, that when she was human, she was not a girl but a boy. Eli had been sexually mutilated before becoming a vampire.
The two find they have no choice, but to runaway together, but first, they have to tie up loose ends.
Okay, so there are - and I never actually counted- about 20 characters in the cast of this novel. The original movie version only deals with about 6. We're brought into the lives of the entire neighbourhood. The kids, the police, the victims and their friends. One of the big subplots that is left out of the original movie, is that the character of Hakan, is a pedophile. This is why Eli picks him to begin with. She's able to control him, by manipulating him with the "promise of being together" that she never follows through on. This leads to an attempted rape scene much later in the novel, where Tommy the stoner character, ends up becoming a bit of a hero.
Though in the novel, we are given some of Eli's history, we're never told just how she becomes a vampire. We learn she was a boy while human who was mutilated by someone. But we're never told if the one who did so was a vampire as well, or just a psychopath? You are left to draw your own conclusions on this. But, as I've talked about before in other months, folklore states that a violent death be it by murder or suicide; one becomes a vampire. So, we could be led to believe that Eli became a vampire because of the way she died. She's also got the ability to shapeshift. Being able to change her form to resemble a bat-human hybrid. Eli is also a bit careless. I got the impression this was suppose to help bring the idea that she was a kid when turned.
The "good guys" in this are really up to interpretation. The outer appearance of some of the characters, such as the police officer who it turns out is extremely prejudiced, is almost too saccharine. And the theme of things not being what they appear is a main one in the novel. Another element that is left out of the original movie version, is Oskar's acting out. He steals, he has no regard for his broken family, and lies. He's more human, more understandable in the novel than in the movie version. The movie I felt, made him too much of a victim in an attempt to make him overly likable as the hero. The novel all around is grittier.
I didn't care for the characters of the older group. Most of who are middle aged alcoholics and become the vampires victims. The cowardly Gosta who is the witness to the crimes, and the obsessed crazy cat guy, just felt flat. But at the same time, he's the perfect vehicle to express the loneliness and isolation everyone is feeling. Which, given this is set 30 plus years ago, adds to the heaviness of the situation. There is a lot of talk about not having the right environment to grow up in playing on the fear of not being like everyone else. Being the "other". Most of the families are single parents, even the middle aged characters are either single parents themselves, or dealing with the death of their only parent. The idea of being orphaned runs heavy through this. Given this is set in 1981, it really plays well with the idea of things not "getting out there"; the way it would now a days. Everything is contained within the small neighbourhood. One of the best metaphors running in this, is the paranoia of the outsider theme. As it uses a subplot of the people's fear of the fact the Russians were seen just off their coastline. It's referred to whenever the characters find themselves too worked up over the killings, and need to talk about "in other news".
There is so much going on in this novel, from the characters being afraid to admit they just want relationships, to the idea of running away to better their situations, to being afraid of themselves. While reading this, I actually kept thinking of the 1983 slasher film Sleepaway Camp.
Two things about the book I really have to mention, one - the bathtub. In the book, Eli is sleeping in a tub filled with blood. This gets changed in both films, to her just covered up in a sleeping bag in the tub. Removing all connections it had to Elizabeth Bathroy. and two- the cats. The whole subplot of animals, specially cats, being able to tell when a supernatural creature was around, was brilliant. It does make it to the original movie, but not to the remake.
Remake : Let Me In
starring Chloe Grace Moretz, Kodi Smit-Mcphee
genre:Thriller, Horror
year:2010
format: DVD
Plot:After arresting a serial killer, who's disfigured himself, a detective finds himself on the trail of the man's identity, which leads him to uncover the real killer who is a vampire.
Right off, this is set in 1983, a two year difference from the original story. There is this great subtly shown with our lead character of Owen, standing first in his room looking from one set of windows to the other; as if at a crossroads. One direction points out to the normal life, as a couple are about to have sex, the other direction leads to the supernatural, as he sees Abby for the first time. This is quickly followed by the lead character standing outside at a literal crossroads in the street, looking first up at Abby's darkened apartment window, then at the couple as they walk up the parking lot on the opposite side. I honestly thought this was a brilliant way to show him exploring; as all 12 years olds seem to do, the balance between life and death. The fascination with the power we have over life and death.
This then, becomes pretty much scene for scene to the original film. But, I found it to be a darker texture, with more emphasis on the crime angle, as well as just the human nature of it. The little differences of removing some of the characters/combined a few, gave it more depth. I also thought the acting was better. Where the original version focused more on the innocence of the two leads, this lends to them being more rounded.
We also don't get let in - no pun intended- on the fact she's transgender/non-gender. There is a scene where Owen asks Abby to be his girl, and she tells him she's not a girl, she's nothing. That is the only hint we have towards the big plotline in the original novel.
It's rare for me to say this, but I liked the remake a lot more. I think having two powerhouse actors of Richard Jenkins and Elias Koteas, added a lot to the weight of the characters. This version also reminded a lot of the remake of Fright Night from 2011.
I found they made the Jenkins character - Hakan in the original story- smarter in the remake. He still gets caught, but he's able to get out of the situations somewhat better than the other version.
Okay folks, I'm know there is a ton more in the metaphors and details that I'm failing to express, but I have to cut this here. Don't forget to check out Heather's take on this month's combo. Next month, there is half a combo. Don't laugh, the vampire movie will be Dark Crystal, and the book will be your choice. But I'll be back later in the week with the official announcement on that and the round up. I know I know, I haven't done a proper round up for these in a long while.
Yep, I know, I'm super late in the day with mine. But that's okay, cause you know vampires are late day people. hahaha. So, before I get into it, my regular readers know I do my best to keep spoilers to a minimum, but there's no way around it today. So onward...*SPOILER ALERT*
movie: Let the Right One In
starring: Kare Hedebrant, Lina Leandersson
genre: Thriller
year: 2008
format: DVD
plot: As young Oskar is bullied at school, he begins to connect with the strange new neighbour Eli, who has just moved in next door. She helps him to learn to fight back and gives him hope that things will improve. All set to a back drop where the neighbourhood is no longer safe, as a serial killer is on the loose. What Oskar is yet to learn, is that his new girlfriend is a vampire.
This is based on the 2004 book of the same name.
So the movie drops a ton of elements that are in the book. Half the book's plot and characters are missing. Which I'll get to in a moment.
This version of the story focuses on the bullying that is going on, and the innocent sexual awakening between the "young couple". The bullying has left Oskar self aware, but with little self esteem. We see him pouring over clippings about serial killers, and murders in the area. Partly as a foreshadow of his future, partly because we're suppose to get the idea that he's not completely "normal". He's filled with revenge fantasies, that he's not sure he'd ever be able to uphold.
While Oskar is playing out one of these revenge ideals, Eli sneaks up and silently watches. She sees in him a potential that he is unsure he has himself. This is all inter cut with scenes of an unknown man trying and failing at killing someone not far from the neighbourhood. Which we quickly find out is the "guardian" of Eli.
Eli is left alone after her guardian is caught and tries to cover it up by attempting to kill himself. This also goes wrong, and Eli is forced to feed off him. This in turn is the point, where the vampire theme really kicks in. As Eli then begins hunting nightly, no longer able to drink "bottled blood" that her guardian had been getting for her.
One of her victims survives, and while in hospital, is exposed. Literally. As she allows the daylight to kill her, setting her husband off on a rampage to "kill the thing that did this." He then tracks Eli to the apartment building and attempts to kill her, but Oskar stops him long enough for Eli to feed.
Oskar has one more run in with the bullies at the school swim lesson, and is nearly drowned, causing Eli to save him. Killing the bullies.
Alright now, in this version, we never learn how Eli became a vampire. What we do learn is Eli is not a girl. Technically speaking. She's a transgendered person. This is one of those subplots from the novel that got wiped under the sofa in this version of the story. This is hinted at through out, as she keeps saying to Oskar "What if I'm not a girl? Would you still like me?" the audience to this point, just thinks she's going on about not being human.
The relationship that the two enter into, is that of a "first crush" type of situation. As it's a friendship with little to no physical contact, but you can tell from Oskar's behaviour; that he's sexually attracted to her. There is one scene later on where they kiss, and we see Eli as a middle aged woman for a brief few seconds.
This relationship on the surface, appears to be that of equals. Eli is relating to Oskar as a child would. But, before long, it spirals down into a more Dracula/Renfield situation. As Oskar replaces Hakan; Eli's previous guardian.
This version of the story, is about self esteem, being true to you and not being afraid to love. It's also, as I stated earlier, about that innocence of first love.
what did I learn? Strength and love are not always separate entities.
The Book: In a small suburb, a neighbourhood is in chaos. Oskar, who is left alone too much, bullied constantly, has begun acting out. He's obsessed with murders, steals, sneaks out, disrespects his mother, and hangs out with the older kids. A few doors down, Tommy, one of the older kids he sometimes hangs out with, is a thief and stoner, who's mom is about to marry an extremely religious police officer; Staffan. Staffan is currently on a manhunt for a ritual killer, who has been draining people of their blood only blocks away from the neighbourhood. The same time the killings started, Eli and her dad Hakan, moved in next door to Oskar.
Eli and Oskar, develop a relationship; over a few weeks time frame. During which, Hakan becomes jealous, acting out on his own by hiring teenaged male prostitutes. After Hakan attempts but fails to kill a young male, and is captured, he disfigures himself. This leaves Eli alone and vulnerable. She's forced to hunt, for the first time in years, exposing herself as a vampire. Visiting him in the hospital, she feeds off of him, before allowing Hakan to throw himself from the hospital window. But doesn't die. The killings continue to worsen, leading the police to question everything.
Meanwhile, Oskar is dealing with everyday situations, which include the school bullies, who are making his life a holy terror daily. Eli, in an effort to help him, tells him about her past. We learn that in fact, that when she was human, she was not a girl but a boy. Eli had been sexually mutilated before becoming a vampire.
The two find they have no choice, but to runaway together, but first, they have to tie up loose ends.
Okay, so there are - and I never actually counted- about 20 characters in the cast of this novel. The original movie version only deals with about 6. We're brought into the lives of the entire neighbourhood. The kids, the police, the victims and their friends. One of the big subplots that is left out of the original movie, is that the character of Hakan, is a pedophile. This is why Eli picks him to begin with. She's able to control him, by manipulating him with the "promise of being together" that she never follows through on. This leads to an attempted rape scene much later in the novel, where Tommy the stoner character, ends up becoming a bit of a hero.
Though in the novel, we are given some of Eli's history, we're never told just how she becomes a vampire. We learn she was a boy while human who was mutilated by someone. But we're never told if the one who did so was a vampire as well, or just a psychopath? You are left to draw your own conclusions on this. But, as I've talked about before in other months, folklore states that a violent death be it by murder or suicide; one becomes a vampire. So, we could be led to believe that Eli became a vampire because of the way she died. She's also got the ability to shapeshift. Being able to change her form to resemble a bat-human hybrid. Eli is also a bit careless. I got the impression this was suppose to help bring the idea that she was a kid when turned.
The "good guys" in this are really up to interpretation. The outer appearance of some of the characters, such as the police officer who it turns out is extremely prejudiced, is almost too saccharine. And the theme of things not being what they appear is a main one in the novel. Another element that is left out of the original movie version, is Oskar's acting out. He steals, he has no regard for his broken family, and lies. He's more human, more understandable in the novel than in the movie version. The movie I felt, made him too much of a victim in an attempt to make him overly likable as the hero. The novel all around is grittier.
I didn't care for the characters of the older group. Most of who are middle aged alcoholics and become the vampires victims. The cowardly Gosta who is the witness to the crimes, and the obsessed crazy cat guy, just felt flat. But at the same time, he's the perfect vehicle to express the loneliness and isolation everyone is feeling. Which, given this is set 30 plus years ago, adds to the heaviness of the situation. There is a lot of talk about not having the right environment to grow up in playing on the fear of not being like everyone else. Being the "other". Most of the families are single parents, even the middle aged characters are either single parents themselves, or dealing with the death of their only parent. The idea of being orphaned runs heavy through this. Given this is set in 1981, it really plays well with the idea of things not "getting out there"; the way it would now a days. Everything is contained within the small neighbourhood. One of the best metaphors running in this, is the paranoia of the outsider theme. As it uses a subplot of the people's fear of the fact the Russians were seen just off their coastline. It's referred to whenever the characters find themselves too worked up over the killings, and need to talk about "in other news".
There is so much going on in this novel, from the characters being afraid to admit they just want relationships, to the idea of running away to better their situations, to being afraid of themselves. While reading this, I actually kept thinking of the 1983 slasher film Sleepaway Camp.
Two things about the book I really have to mention, one - the bathtub. In the book, Eli is sleeping in a tub filled with blood. This gets changed in both films, to her just covered up in a sleeping bag in the tub. Removing all connections it had to Elizabeth Bathroy. and two- the cats. The whole subplot of animals, specially cats, being able to tell when a supernatural creature was around, was brilliant. It does make it to the original movie, but not to the remake.
Remake : Let Me In
starring Chloe Grace Moretz, Kodi Smit-Mcphee
genre:Thriller, Horror
year:2010
format: DVD
Plot:After arresting a serial killer, who's disfigured himself, a detective finds himself on the trail of the man's identity, which leads him to uncover the real killer who is a vampire.
Right off, this is set in 1983, a two year difference from the original story. There is this great subtly shown with our lead character of Owen, standing first in his room looking from one set of windows to the other; as if at a crossroads. One direction points out to the normal life, as a couple are about to have sex, the other direction leads to the supernatural, as he sees Abby for the first time. This is quickly followed by the lead character standing outside at a literal crossroads in the street, looking first up at Abby's darkened apartment window, then at the couple as they walk up the parking lot on the opposite side. I honestly thought this was a brilliant way to show him exploring; as all 12 years olds seem to do, the balance between life and death. The fascination with the power we have over life and death.
This then, becomes pretty much scene for scene to the original film. But, I found it to be a darker texture, with more emphasis on the crime angle, as well as just the human nature of it. The little differences of removing some of the characters/combined a few, gave it more depth. I also thought the acting was better. Where the original version focused more on the innocence of the two leads, this lends to them being more rounded.
We also don't get let in - no pun intended- on the fact she's transgender/non-gender. There is a scene where Owen asks Abby to be his girl, and she tells him she's not a girl, she's nothing. That is the only hint we have towards the big plotline in the original novel.
It's rare for me to say this, but I liked the remake a lot more. I think having two powerhouse actors of Richard Jenkins and Elias Koteas, added a lot to the weight of the characters. This version also reminded a lot of the remake of Fright Night from 2011.
I found they made the Jenkins character - Hakan in the original story- smarter in the remake. He still gets caught, but he's able to get out of the situations somewhat better than the other version.
Okay folks, I'm know there is a ton more in the metaphors and details that I'm failing to express, but I have to cut this here. Don't forget to check out Heather's take on this month's combo. Next month, there is half a combo. Don't laugh, the vampire movie will be Dark Crystal, and the book will be your choice. But I'll be back later in the week with the official announcement on that and the round up. I know I know, I haven't done a proper round up for these in a long while.
Sunday, May 29, 2016
Night Bleeds May
This month's selections were a themed combo. The Female Slayer. We watched the original 1992 movie Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and read the 2010 monster mash-up Jane Slayre.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: In every generation there is one girl with the skill and strength to defend against the forces of darkness, she alone is the slayer. (I originally talked about this one back in year one. Day 84. And had been inspired to do a food post last year - What that movie inspired me to do 24) Buffy has no idea that she comes from a long line of women protectors. Or that any of the dreams she's been having are actually memories of past lives. That is until she meets Merrick, her watcher. The dreams are warning her that Lothos, a master vampire has once again resurfaced in her area. Lothos, has been building an army of vampires, mostly teenagers, ready for the fight. Buffy, on the other hand is still trying to juggle her new reality with her old one, being a normal teenaged girl.
So Buffy is listed as one of the first female heroes to really impact pop culture. True, but not true. As horror movies tend to have both the lead female as victim and heroine mixed into one. (Prom Night, Psycho, Halloween, A Nightmare on Elm Street) She is however, one of the first to have the main plot around the fact she's taking back her power.
We see Buffy literally be forced to grow up, in a short time. Literally hours as she goes from learning about her slayage to having to defend herself in a graveyard of fresh dug up vamps. That sort of shock to the system is what brings her out of her "highschool years" and into the "real world". This forces her to take a long hard look at the people she considers friends (the popular girls who mock everyone even her behind her back, the teenaged boyfriend who cheats on her, breaking up with her answering machine because he's too much a coward to face her) and what she really wants out of life.
This in turn leads her to Pike. An older guy (undisclosed how much older but would assume collage age) who has had the tough luck of stumbling upon the vampires via his best friend Benny who was bitten. I like the character of Benny. He's the link between worlds so to speak. The teenaged vampire who still has some of his old personality left. Makes you think that if the character had survived the film, he would have been given a sequel as a Master himself... no?
The theme here is simple, you never know what you are truly capable of doing till you're forced to do it.
Jane Slayre: After living the first ten years of her life in a house of vampyres, Jane finds relief at the idea of going away to school. But not soon after, she discovers the school's big secret, that it is a breeding ground for zombies. Zombies that become servants to the ever growing vampyre population. When she's old enough to leave the boarding school, she finds a job and a home working for a wealthy man as a governess. But even that happiness is short lived, when Jane discovers a werewolf living in the house. Running away from all she loved, she finally learns there are others like her, the Slayres, born to rid the planet of what lurks in the shadows.
Like February's selection Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter, this is a mash-up story. Unlike ALVH, this is not history mashed with fiction, but fiction mashed with fiction. The base line is Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. The story of a young girl who is mistreated by her family then shipped off to boarding school where she undergoes a mixture of humiliations and kindness. She then becomes a governess, falling in love with the man who hired her before learning he's already married.
The mash up part, which is written by Sherri Browning Erwin, is the Buffy connection. Little nods to Buffy come in the ever now popular vamps turn to dust, the "cramps" that inform both that vamps are near, the slayers coming from one bloodline, a "watcher" who trains Jane while at boarding school.
Themes seem to run from betrayal, illness - both physical and mental, love/lust, self acceptance, status/class, religion, family. The character of Jane finds her strength through her torment as much as she does through love. She spends the first half of her life just trying to survive a rough environment.
There is a scene where she's bitten by her young cousin John Reed, that could be seen as a sexual assault. Using lycantropy as a metaphor for extreme violent behaviour, was a touch of genius. Not original mind you, but understandable.
The fact the zombies are bred in an extremely pious boarding school, made me chuckle. Having the girls obsessed with reading Psalms after becoming zombies, points out some of the direct connections between Christianity and Hoodoo. As Psalms is used in many talismans and offerings for spells/rituals. Using the whole zombie aspect as a metaphor for the conditions that would plague such schools back in the time the original Jane Eyre was written was also a clever idea.
Jane is left with a choice, she can follow her heart, which means living with an already married man being shunned by society, or break her own heart by leaving him. She does what she thinks is the right thing, by fulfilling her "slayer" side, and becoming a bit of a watcher/hunter herself. But over time, her bond to the man she loves, Mr. Rochester proves to be more than just a simple sexual attraction. They are soulmates, able to feel each others pain across country. (I could spend hours on the idea)
What it inspired...so I pulled from Buffy the Vampire Slayer for my inspired project. In the movie, we see near the beginning of the movie, the characters of both Buffy and of Benny, each eating popcorn. Buffy at her house with Jeffery, and Benny sitting in the cinema with Pike.
I can never get the idea of popcorn out of my head when I watch this movie, and trust me after 24 years of it being one of my ultimate favs, that's a lot of thinking of popcorn. Plus, you'll notice the dress she wears to the final dance makes her look like a giant kernel of the stuff.
I made a caramel-toffy sauce covered popcorn
2 Tablespoons butter salted
1 Tablespoon brown sugar
splash of vanilla
1/2 cup milk (I used almond milk)
1 Tablespoon maple syrup
simmer, stirring constantly. Let cool before pouring over popcorn.
Next month we're talking about Interview with the Vampire. Both the movie and the book.
I'll be back later in the week with the official announcement post for it.
If you haven't checked out Heather's offering and thoughts on this month's selections, do so now - here.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: In every generation there is one girl with the skill and strength to defend against the forces of darkness, she alone is the slayer. (I originally talked about this one back in year one. Day 84. And had been inspired to do a food post last year - What that movie inspired me to do 24) Buffy has no idea that she comes from a long line of women protectors. Or that any of the dreams she's been having are actually memories of past lives. That is until she meets Merrick, her watcher. The dreams are warning her that Lothos, a master vampire has once again resurfaced in her area. Lothos, has been building an army of vampires, mostly teenagers, ready for the fight. Buffy, on the other hand is still trying to juggle her new reality with her old one, being a normal teenaged girl.
So Buffy is listed as one of the first female heroes to really impact pop culture. True, but not true. As horror movies tend to have both the lead female as victim and heroine mixed into one. (Prom Night, Psycho, Halloween, A Nightmare on Elm Street) She is however, one of the first to have the main plot around the fact she's taking back her power.
We see Buffy literally be forced to grow up, in a short time. Literally hours as she goes from learning about her slayage to having to defend herself in a graveyard of fresh dug up vamps. That sort of shock to the system is what brings her out of her "highschool years" and into the "real world". This forces her to take a long hard look at the people she considers friends (the popular girls who mock everyone even her behind her back, the teenaged boyfriend who cheats on her, breaking up with her answering machine because he's too much a coward to face her) and what she really wants out of life.
This in turn leads her to Pike. An older guy (undisclosed how much older but would assume collage age) who has had the tough luck of stumbling upon the vampires via his best friend Benny who was bitten. I like the character of Benny. He's the link between worlds so to speak. The teenaged vampire who still has some of his old personality left. Makes you think that if the character had survived the film, he would have been given a sequel as a Master himself... no?
The theme here is simple, you never know what you are truly capable of doing till you're forced to do it.
Jane Slayre: After living the first ten years of her life in a house of vampyres, Jane finds relief at the idea of going away to school. But not soon after, she discovers the school's big secret, that it is a breeding ground for zombies. Zombies that become servants to the ever growing vampyre population. When she's old enough to leave the boarding school, she finds a job and a home working for a wealthy man as a governess. But even that happiness is short lived, when Jane discovers a werewolf living in the house. Running away from all she loved, she finally learns there are others like her, the Slayres, born to rid the planet of what lurks in the shadows.
Like February's selection Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter, this is a mash-up story. Unlike ALVH, this is not history mashed with fiction, but fiction mashed with fiction. The base line is Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. The story of a young girl who is mistreated by her family then shipped off to boarding school where she undergoes a mixture of humiliations and kindness. She then becomes a governess, falling in love with the man who hired her before learning he's already married.
The mash up part, which is written by Sherri Browning Erwin, is the Buffy connection. Little nods to Buffy come in the ever now popular vamps turn to dust, the "cramps" that inform both that vamps are near, the slayers coming from one bloodline, a "watcher" who trains Jane while at boarding school.
Themes seem to run from betrayal, illness - both physical and mental, love/lust, self acceptance, status/class, religion, family. The character of Jane finds her strength through her torment as much as she does through love. She spends the first half of her life just trying to survive a rough environment.
There is a scene where she's bitten by her young cousin John Reed, that could be seen as a sexual assault. Using lycantropy as a metaphor for extreme violent behaviour, was a touch of genius. Not original mind you, but understandable.
The fact the zombies are bred in an extremely pious boarding school, made me chuckle. Having the girls obsessed with reading Psalms after becoming zombies, points out some of the direct connections between Christianity and Hoodoo. As Psalms is used in many talismans and offerings for spells/rituals. Using the whole zombie aspect as a metaphor for the conditions that would plague such schools back in the time the original Jane Eyre was written was also a clever idea.
Jane is left with a choice, she can follow her heart, which means living with an already married man being shunned by society, or break her own heart by leaving him. She does what she thinks is the right thing, by fulfilling her "slayer" side, and becoming a bit of a watcher/hunter herself. But over time, her bond to the man she loves, Mr. Rochester proves to be more than just a simple sexual attraction. They are soulmates, able to feel each others pain across country. (I could spend hours on the idea)
What it inspired...so I pulled from Buffy the Vampire Slayer for my inspired project. In the movie, we see near the beginning of the movie, the characters of both Buffy and of Benny, each eating popcorn. Buffy at her house with Jeffery, and Benny sitting in the cinema with Pike.
I made a caramel-toffy sauce covered popcorn
2 Tablespoons butter salted
1 Tablespoon brown sugar
splash of vanilla
1/2 cup milk (I used almond milk)
1 Tablespoon maple syrup
simmer, stirring constantly. Let cool before pouring over popcorn.
Next month we're talking about Interview with the Vampire. Both the movie and the book.
I'll be back later in the week with the official announcement post for it.
If you haven't checked out Heather's offering and thoughts on this month's selections, do so now - here.
Sunday, March 6, 2016
year 5 day 95
movie: Little Fockers
starring: Ben Stiller, Robert De Niro
genre: Comedy
year:2010
format: Netflix Canada
plot: When his father in law has a mild heart attack, Greg finds himself at the center of a family tug a war, having to prove he's worthy to follow in his father in law's footsteps.
I think this was my favourite of the trilogy. The comedic chemistry between Stiller and De Niro has become like second nature, giving a depth to the story that otherwise wouldn't have been there.
Here you have a guy who ends up being forced to keep a few secrets that end up getting out of control, from his father in law's desire to keep his health under the radar from the rest of the family, to doing his best to not be seduced by a coworker.
You see the set up for the coworker from the first scene. The character of the younger coworker, who is blindedly interested in the lead character, throwing them into these impossible situations, sparks a distrust with the father in law. This plays out with the De Niro character following the Stiller character around town, until he finally sees the two together. The two face off near the end of the movie at the children's party until the father in law has another mild heart attack.
There is a scene about midway in the movie, where the kids are being interviews for a private school. The tests are odd, and when the Stiller character comments on it, the De Niro character says it's the same tests the government use to find spies and assassins. I was fully expecting it to be revealed that, that was what the school was really for.
The idea that someone just can't seem to give up the control in a situation, no matter how much someone else may have a better grasp on the situation, I think hits home for everyone. And that's pretty much the heart of this movie. The character of the father in law is just unable to accept the fact he can't be in control all the time and that it's time to let someone else hold the reigns.
what did I learn? Cake solves all problems
starring: Ben Stiller, Robert De Niro
genre: Comedy
year:2010
format: Netflix Canada
plot: When his father in law has a mild heart attack, Greg finds himself at the center of a family tug a war, having to prove he's worthy to follow in his father in law's footsteps.
I think this was my favourite of the trilogy. The comedic chemistry between Stiller and De Niro has become like second nature, giving a depth to the story that otherwise wouldn't have been there.
Here you have a guy who ends up being forced to keep a few secrets that end up getting out of control, from his father in law's desire to keep his health under the radar from the rest of the family, to doing his best to not be seduced by a coworker.
You see the set up for the coworker from the first scene. The character of the younger coworker, who is blindedly interested in the lead character, throwing them into these impossible situations, sparks a distrust with the father in law. This plays out with the De Niro character following the Stiller character around town, until he finally sees the two together. The two face off near the end of the movie at the children's party until the father in law has another mild heart attack.
There is a scene about midway in the movie, where the kids are being interviews for a private school. The tests are odd, and when the Stiller character comments on it, the De Niro character says it's the same tests the government use to find spies and assassins. I was fully expecting it to be revealed that, that was what the school was really for.
The idea that someone just can't seem to give up the control in a situation, no matter how much someone else may have a better grasp on the situation, I think hits home for everyone. And that's pretty much the heart of this movie. The character of the father in law is just unable to accept the fact he can't be in control all the time and that it's time to let someone else hold the reigns.
what did I learn? Cake solves all problems
Tuesday, February 23, 2016
year 5 day 83
movie:The Chosen One
starring: Rob Schneider, Peter Riegert
genre: Drama
year:2010
format: Netflix Canada
plot: When a car salesman hits rock bottom, he finds himself the center of a prophecy.
Right off I've got to say it, the sound and picture quality are fuzzy; so much so I thought this film was from the 1990's. I was shocked when the year came up in the end credits.
The lead character believes he's worthless in the beginning of the movie, always being compared to everyone around him, and being pushed into situations by his friends and coworkers that he just doesn't want to be in but doesn't know how to stand up for himself. Then these Shamans show up on his doorstep telling him he's the chosen one. (insert Buffy quote here) Around this time, he has already started to have odd dreams about a jungle, a hawk and a large door. This he learns is a mixture of his fears, a vision and a memory.
There is this running gag that all his dead plants come back to life once the Shamans show up, giving him some personal strength and opening him up to the world around him, only he doesn't seem to realize that's actually what's happening.
The in turn tell him that he needs to save a hawk they saw on the news in order to fulfill the destiny they saw for him. Sacrificing everything he knows, everything he's accepted to that point.
At one point, we are introduced to his brother who is in fact a monk. I thought the story was going to unfold that the Shamans were suppose to be looking for him, not the lead but it never plays out that way.
what did I learn? Destiny just can't be ruled.
starring: Rob Schneider, Peter Riegert
genre: Drama
year:2010
format: Netflix Canada
plot: When a car salesman hits rock bottom, he finds himself the center of a prophecy.
Right off I've got to say it, the sound and picture quality are fuzzy; so much so I thought this film was from the 1990's. I was shocked when the year came up in the end credits.
The lead character believes he's worthless in the beginning of the movie, always being compared to everyone around him, and being pushed into situations by his friends and coworkers that he just doesn't want to be in but doesn't know how to stand up for himself. Then these Shamans show up on his doorstep telling him he's the chosen one. (insert Buffy quote here) Around this time, he has already started to have odd dreams about a jungle, a hawk and a large door. This he learns is a mixture of his fears, a vision and a memory.
There is this running gag that all his dead plants come back to life once the Shamans show up, giving him some personal strength and opening him up to the world around him, only he doesn't seem to realize that's actually what's happening.
The in turn tell him that he needs to save a hawk they saw on the news in order to fulfill the destiny they saw for him. Sacrificing everything he knows, everything he's accepted to that point.
At one point, we are introduced to his brother who is in fact a monk. I thought the story was going to unfold that the Shamans were suppose to be looking for him, not the lead but it never plays out that way.
what did I learn? Destiny just can't be ruled.
Thursday, January 14, 2016
Year 5 day 43
movie: Stonehenge Apocalypse
starring: Peter Wingfield, Misha Collins
genre: Sci-fi
year: 2010
format: TV Edit
plot: When a strange magnetic current changes the structure of stonehenge, it sets off a world wide chain reaction of destruction.
This is one of those "what if" movies, that at first glance seems so off the rails you settle in for a mindless few hours. Only to find yourself midway through the movie and you're like "wait em second, there's a real theory here". Which, I suppose is the bases of any sci-fi/apocalyptic film.
You've got an archeologist who becomes the leader of a end of world cult, a group of military scientists that have no clue, and a conspiracy theorist who is about the only one who is able to piece it all together.
The idea that stonehenge is the center point for a large timer that when activated by an ankh shaped key half way round the world, by an underground power source, that is basically a self destruct panic button...half way makes sense.
what did I learn? I need to start paying more attention to studying crystal grids and how certain metals interact.
starring: Peter Wingfield, Misha Collins
genre: Sci-fi
year: 2010
format: TV Edit
plot: When a strange magnetic current changes the structure of stonehenge, it sets off a world wide chain reaction of destruction.
This is one of those "what if" movies, that at first glance seems so off the rails you settle in for a mindless few hours. Only to find yourself midway through the movie and you're like "wait em second, there's a real theory here". Which, I suppose is the bases of any sci-fi/apocalyptic film.
You've got an archeologist who becomes the leader of a end of world cult, a group of military scientists that have no clue, and a conspiracy theorist who is about the only one who is able to piece it all together.
The idea that stonehenge is the center point for a large timer that when activated by an ankh shaped key half way round the world, by an underground power source, that is basically a self destruct panic button...half way makes sense.
what did I learn? I need to start paying more attention to studying crystal grids and how certain metals interact.
Saturday, October 24, 2015
13 Days of Halloween Day 6
The Revenant
plot: After a solider is mysteriously killed, he wakes up a month later in the cemetery. Not understanding what has happened and thinking he was accidentally buried alive, Bart turns to his best friend for help who deciding that he is either a vampire or a zombie, begins testing him with crosses and holy water, which have no affect, but it's clear Bart's in need of blood. The two end up killing a local gang leader draining his blood, which leads them on a killing spree in which Joey gets shot and Bart needs to drink his blood to save him, turning him. Things get completely out of control when they discover the gang leader is one of them.
This is a 2009/2010 horror comedy starring David Anders and Chris Wylde.
Don't eat while watching the first half of this movie.
This is a buddy comedy as much as it is a vampire-zombie movie. I love that they leave the character in the undefined category, really grabbing back at the original ideal of a ghoul as found in folklore. But if you've been reading me for long, you know I love when folklore is referred to breaking out of the "traditional hollywood" standards.
The film has it's Robin Hood moments, with the idea that the lead only attacks bad guys, taking from them, and playing up the idea that at first, he's very noble in his actions.
The actual opening scene where Bart becomes a revenant is done so that you never see who turned him. The open ended theory also plays on gothic stories and folklores.
David Anders is not only perfect for this, he could easily become the new king of the genre. (Vampire Diaries, iZombie and Once Upon a Time {as Dr. Frankenstein})
plot: After a solider is mysteriously killed, he wakes up a month later in the cemetery. Not understanding what has happened and thinking he was accidentally buried alive, Bart turns to his best friend for help who deciding that he is either a vampire or a zombie, begins testing him with crosses and holy water, which have no affect, but it's clear Bart's in need of blood. The two end up killing a local gang leader draining his blood, which leads them on a killing spree in which Joey gets shot and Bart needs to drink his blood to save him, turning him. Things get completely out of control when they discover the gang leader is one of them.
This is a 2009/2010 horror comedy starring David Anders and Chris Wylde.
Don't eat while watching the first half of this movie.
This is a buddy comedy as much as it is a vampire-zombie movie. I love that they leave the character in the undefined category, really grabbing back at the original ideal of a ghoul as found in folklore. But if you've been reading me for long, you know I love when folklore is referred to breaking out of the "traditional hollywood" standards.
The film has it's Robin Hood moments, with the idea that the lead only attacks bad guys, taking from them, and playing up the idea that at first, he's very noble in his actions.
The actual opening scene where Bart becomes a revenant is done so that you never see who turned him. The open ended theory also plays on gothic stories and folklores.
David Anders is not only perfect for this, he could easily become the new king of the genre. (Vampire Diaries, iZombie and Once Upon a Time {as Dr. Frankenstein})
Tuesday, August 4, 2015
Theme week p3-Werewolves
The Wolfman
plot: After finding out about his brother's disappearance, Lawrence Talbot returns home to his family's estate to find he's too late. His brother's body was discovered mauled by a wild animal. Before long, he witnesses another animal attack, becoming a victim himself. On the next full moon, Lawrence not only turns into a werewolf, but learns the truth about who made him one to begin with.
This is the 2010 thriller starring Benicio del Toro and Sir Anthony Hopkins. It's the remake of the 1941 version starring Lon Chaney Jr.
I know it got bad reviews, but I liked it. Ran a bit long for me, they could have tightened it a bit. (I know there are two versions the cinema version and the extended cut. I've only seen the cinema version and it still seemed long to me)
You buy these actors in these roles. There is just something wolf-ish about both del Toro and Hopkins. This two actors were just designed for these classic roles. Anthony Hopkins will always be Van Helsing to me so, for me watching him in this role just fit. What I didn't jive on was the romance between Emily Blunt and del Toro. It felt forced, as stiff as the corseted dress she wore.
Werewolf stories have such an interestingly chewy bit of balance for me. Little more then just a metaphor for human nature, and yet perfectly able to dig into the psyche.
I would have liked more bits of actual folklore in this movie though, that was the big area it lacked for me.
plot: After finding out about his brother's disappearance, Lawrence Talbot returns home to his family's estate to find he's too late. His brother's body was discovered mauled by a wild animal. Before long, he witnesses another animal attack, becoming a victim himself. On the next full moon, Lawrence not only turns into a werewolf, but learns the truth about who made him one to begin with.
This is the 2010 thriller starring Benicio del Toro and Sir Anthony Hopkins. It's the remake of the 1941 version starring Lon Chaney Jr.
I know it got bad reviews, but I liked it. Ran a bit long for me, they could have tightened it a bit. (I know there are two versions the cinema version and the extended cut. I've only seen the cinema version and it still seemed long to me)
You buy these actors in these roles. There is just something wolf-ish about both del Toro and Hopkins. This two actors were just designed for these classic roles. Anthony Hopkins will always be Van Helsing to me so, for me watching him in this role just fit. What I didn't jive on was the romance between Emily Blunt and del Toro. It felt forced, as stiff as the corseted dress she wore.
Werewolf stories have such an interestingly chewy bit of balance for me. Little more then just a metaphor for human nature, and yet perfectly able to dig into the psyche.
I would have liked more bits of actual folklore in this movie though, that was the big area it lacked for me.
Wednesday, July 1, 2015
Theme Week- Clearly Canadian
Trigger
plot: Two female musicians reunite over a decade after their last gig, to catch up before attending a rock benefit and after party. They discover that even though their lives have taken very different paths since they last saw each other, they are still as close as they ever were.
This is the 2010 Bruce McDonald comedy-drama starring Tracy Wright and Molly Parker.
This was Wright's last movie before her death.
I have to say, I've been looking forward to seeing this film since I heard about back few years ago. Originally, meant as a squeal to Hard Core Logo, I was expecting a lot more Logo-ish jokes/vibes. Two of the HCL actors make an appearance as their old characters -Callum Keith Rennie and Julian Richings. - And I laughed at the little in jokes presented; first with Richings character calling himself an alien (nod to his role on I was a Sixth Grade Alien) and Don McKellar's character sitting around in his robe eating cereal (nod to his role in Twitch City.)
This sort of presents itself as a love story, giving you the idea that the two leads may have been involved, either way it underlines a real sense of jealousy between them (just like HCL did with the characters played by Callum Keith Rennie and Hugh Dillon) The one having made a major name for herself only after moving, the other having stayed connected to the local music scene. Both battling addictions in their own way.
The Parker character is trying to get back some sort of feeling she had when she was still in the band even though she now comes across as being a sell out. While the Wright character has visions as if her true self is mirrored everywhere. Both are clearly feeling insecure of what they think the other's current life offers.
The fact the last few scenes happen in a high school was a brilliant idea, reducing the two characters to their younger egos for a cat fight in what first seems like a back alley, but is in fact on the school stage. This is where the honesty we've been building up for the whole movie explodes. (again just like the last few scenes of HCL it happens on a stage and back alley)
But, with that said, I was disappointed with how it sort of went in circles and didn't really do anything. I know it was a low key, quiet movie, given the topic; but I was really expecting...more. More rock n roll, more in jokes to the fact it was a Bruce McDonald rock n roll film, more Canadian-ness. I would have loved to have seen the other two HCL actors, John Pyper-Ferguson and Bernie Coulson make an appearance, even just standing there would have been cool.
plot: Two female musicians reunite over a decade after their last gig, to catch up before attending a rock benefit and after party. They discover that even though their lives have taken very different paths since they last saw each other, they are still as close as they ever were.
This is the 2010 Bruce McDonald comedy-drama starring Tracy Wright and Molly Parker.
This was Wright's last movie before her death.
I have to say, I've been looking forward to seeing this film since I heard about back few years ago. Originally, meant as a squeal to Hard Core Logo, I was expecting a lot more Logo-ish jokes/vibes. Two of the HCL actors make an appearance as their old characters -Callum Keith Rennie and Julian Richings. - And I laughed at the little in jokes presented; first with Richings character calling himself an alien (nod to his role on I was a Sixth Grade Alien) and Don McKellar's character sitting around in his robe eating cereal (nod to his role in Twitch City.)
This sort of presents itself as a love story, giving you the idea that the two leads may have been involved, either way it underlines a real sense of jealousy between them (just like HCL did with the characters played by Callum Keith Rennie and Hugh Dillon) The one having made a major name for herself only after moving, the other having stayed connected to the local music scene. Both battling addictions in their own way.
The Parker character is trying to get back some sort of feeling she had when she was still in the band even though she now comes across as being a sell out. While the Wright character has visions as if her true self is mirrored everywhere. Both are clearly feeling insecure of what they think the other's current life offers.
The fact the last few scenes happen in a high school was a brilliant idea, reducing the two characters to their younger egos for a cat fight in what first seems like a back alley, but is in fact on the school stage. This is where the honesty we've been building up for the whole movie explodes. (again just like the last few scenes of HCL it happens on a stage and back alley)
But, with that said, I was disappointed with how it sort of went in circles and didn't really do anything. I know it was a low key, quiet movie, given the topic; but I was really expecting...more. More rock n roll, more in jokes to the fact it was a Bruce McDonald rock n roll film, more Canadian-ness. I would have loved to have seen the other two HCL actors, John Pyper-Ferguson and Bernie Coulson make an appearance, even just standing there would have been cool.
Thursday, September 11, 2014
year 3 Day 115
movie: Tucker and Dale vs Evil
starring:Alan Tudyk, Tyler Labine
genre: Comedy, Horror
year: 2010
format: Netflix Canada
plot: Two guys spend what they think will be a weekend fixing up their new cabin, when a group of college students arrive and accidentally start to murder everyone on the anniversary of a mass killing.
Rarely do I come across a movie so good at taking the cliches and turning them into something worth watching. The whole time I was watching this, I was thinking "when Joss Whedon created Buffy, he was thinking about the blonde who never gets away in all the old horrors, and the dude who wrote this was thinking the same thing about the mountain hermits/psycho hillbillies"
Basically, what you have here is the perfect setting for a typical horror movie, dumb teenagers, lots of drinking, swimming at night etc, but instead of the mountain hermits being total psychos, they're the victims.
Genius. There are little nods to every horror film you've ever come across from the chainsaw to the newspaper clipping wall to bad 80's attitudes. Throw in Tyler Labine who is one of the most recognizable Canadian actors of the last twenty years, and Jesse Moss who played the uber creepy abusive teenaged werewolf boy in Ginger Snaps and you've got enough firm ground for a demonic library. Bonus with Alan Tudyk from Firefly and Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter, who brings the comedy with such ease.
Can't wait for the sequel.
starring:Alan Tudyk, Tyler Labine
genre: Comedy, Horror
year: 2010
format: Netflix Canada
plot: Two guys spend what they think will be a weekend fixing up their new cabin, when a group of college students arrive and accidentally start to murder everyone on the anniversary of a mass killing.
Rarely do I come across a movie so good at taking the cliches and turning them into something worth watching. The whole time I was watching this, I was thinking "when Joss Whedon created Buffy, he was thinking about the blonde who never gets away in all the old horrors, and the dude who wrote this was thinking the same thing about the mountain hermits/psycho hillbillies"
Basically, what you have here is the perfect setting for a typical horror movie, dumb teenagers, lots of drinking, swimming at night etc, but instead of the mountain hermits being total psychos, they're the victims.
Genius. There are little nods to every horror film you've ever come across from the chainsaw to the newspaper clipping wall to bad 80's attitudes. Throw in Tyler Labine who is one of the most recognizable Canadian actors of the last twenty years, and Jesse Moss who played the uber creepy abusive teenaged werewolf boy in Ginger Snaps and you've got enough firm ground for a demonic library. Bonus with Alan Tudyk from Firefly and Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter, who brings the comedy with such ease.
Can't wait for the sequel.
Saturday, May 10, 2014
Year 3 Day 86
movie: 3 Backyards
starring: Elias Koteas, Edie Falco
genre: Drama
year: 2010
format: TV edit
plot: one afternoon in the lives of three people who live in the same neighbourhood.
This was crap. TV edit or not, this just blew goat. It made no sense, had no connection, and just dragged on and on.
It was just plain weird. Hated it.
You have a little girl who steals her mom's birthday gift, a man hiding from his wife, and a woman who's starstruck. That's not a movie, that's a bunch of stuff.
starring: Elias Koteas, Edie Falco
genre: Drama
year: 2010
format: TV edit
plot: one afternoon in the lives of three people who live in the same neighbourhood.
This was crap. TV edit or not, this just blew goat. It made no sense, had no connection, and just dragged on and on.
It was just plain weird. Hated it.
You have a little girl who steals her mom's birthday gift, a man hiding from his wife, and a woman who's starstruck. That's not a movie, that's a bunch of stuff.
Monday, March 3, 2014
Year 3 Day 69
movie: The Romantics
starring: Katie Holmes, Josh Duhamel
genre: Drama
year: 2010
format: TV edit
plot: a group of friends reunite for the wedding of two of their members, only to find that old relationships and friendships/jealousies have not been moved on from.
Based on the novel.
I hated this. Straight up, thought it was just drivel. It went nowhere, the characters were flat, and it just seemed like it was made strictly as a vehicle to get the group of actors together in one film. It felt like it was trying to be the next big 80's group, but just fell flat on it's face.
starring: Katie Holmes, Josh Duhamel
genre: Drama
year: 2010
format: TV edit
plot: a group of friends reunite for the wedding of two of their members, only to find that old relationships and friendships/jealousies have not been moved on from.
Based on the novel.
I hated this. Straight up, thought it was just drivel. It went nowhere, the characters were flat, and it just seemed like it was made strictly as a vehicle to get the group of actors together in one film. It felt like it was trying to be the next big 80's group, but just fell flat on it's face.
Wednesday, December 18, 2013
Year 3 Day 16
movie: Drop Dead Gorgeous
starring: Jeremy London, Joshua Cox
genre: Comedy, Crime
year: 2010
format: online Netflix Canada
plot:A documentary film crew are set to follow a new up and coming model on one of her biggest jobs, only she dies in the middle of the shoot. The film crew and the modeling agency continues to work around this little inconvenience.
Necrophilia, addiction and insanity. - 'Pretty Little Death Song' by Headstones
I saw this, and could not get that line from that song out of my head. You can look at this movie from a few different ways, as a satire, as a commentary on how fame is all consuming, or both.
I actually saw a lot of negative reviews on this film on Netflix Canada, most by people who didn't bother to finish the movie. It's actually pretty brilliant. There were more then a few moments when it made me think of the old Roger Corman film Bucket of Blood.
Here, you have a mockumentary/film-noir on the price people will give to be famous. Literally giving up parts of their soul for the chance to feed off of others pain. It's sad given the state of the instant gratification generation.
This movie is funny, morbid, disturbing and more then partially right.
I'm adding the vampires label to this, simply because the entire cast are leeching off of the death of the "lead" character.
starring: Jeremy London, Joshua Cox
genre: Comedy, Crime
year: 2010
format: online Netflix Canada
plot:A documentary film crew are set to follow a new up and coming model on one of her biggest jobs, only she dies in the middle of the shoot. The film crew and the modeling agency continues to work around this little inconvenience.
Necrophilia, addiction and insanity. - 'Pretty Little Death Song' by Headstones
I saw this, and could not get that line from that song out of my head. You can look at this movie from a few different ways, as a satire, as a commentary on how fame is all consuming, or both.
I actually saw a lot of negative reviews on this film on Netflix Canada, most by people who didn't bother to finish the movie. It's actually pretty brilliant. There were more then a few moments when it made me think of the old Roger Corman film Bucket of Blood.
Here, you have a mockumentary/film-noir on the price people will give to be famous. Literally giving up parts of their soul for the chance to feed off of others pain. It's sad given the state of the instant gratification generation.
This movie is funny, morbid, disturbing and more then partially right.
I'm adding the vampires label to this, simply because the entire cast are leeching off of the death of the "lead" character.
Saturday, December 14, 2013
Year 3 Day 12
movie:Wall street 2 Money Never Sleeps
starring: Shia LaBeouf, Michael Douglas
genre: Drama
year: 2010
format: TV Edit
plot:
Over 20 years has passed since a major wall street trader was put in prison. Years later, his daughter is about to marry a young up and coming trader, who idolizes her father. Soon, the young couple find themselves in the middle of a revenge plot that takes down everything and everyone they love.
I found that the first hour of this was hard to follow, and chalk that up to it being edited to pieces.
Can't say I liked it, can't say I didn't either. Another movie that got lukewarm feelings from me. This is about redemption, revenge, and sorting out priorities.
What did I learn from this? Nothing.
starring: Shia LaBeouf, Michael Douglas
genre: Drama
year: 2010
format: TV Edit
plot:
Over 20 years has passed since a major wall street trader was put in prison. Years later, his daughter is about to marry a young up and coming trader, who idolizes her father. Soon, the young couple find themselves in the middle of a revenge plot that takes down everything and everyone they love.
I found that the first hour of this was hard to follow, and chalk that up to it being edited to pieces.
Can't say I liked it, can't say I didn't either. Another movie that got lukewarm feelings from me. This is about redemption, revenge, and sorting out priorities.
What did I learn from this? Nothing.
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
Year 3 Day 1
Movie: Machete
Starring: Danny Trejo, Cheech Marin
Genre:Action
Year: 2010
Format: online (Netflix Canada)
plot: A Mexican cop has his world torn apart when his wife is killed. Three years later, after going into hiding, he's set up to take the fall for shooting a politician. Soon, he's running with a group of underground rebels and a border cop all trying to prove the city's corrupt.
I ended up really liking this film. Not what I was first expecting, but there were some great moments of laugh out loudness, and the story worked given it was designed to be like the exploitation films of the 1970's. (Which I always found to have little plot.)
This is the beginning of a trilogy... er trilogy and a half...er a spin off ... as the characters were originally introduced in a segment of the movie Grindhouse. Machete Kills and Machete Kills Again are both slated for production.
In the what did I learn from this movie part...always trust your instincts. You never know who is really on your side until put to the test.
Starring: Danny Trejo, Cheech Marin
Genre:Action
Year: 2010
Format: online (Netflix Canada)
I ended up really liking this film. Not what I was first expecting, but there were some great moments of laugh out loudness, and the story worked given it was designed to be like the exploitation films of the 1970's. (Which I always found to have little plot.)
This is the beginning of a trilogy... er trilogy and a half...er a spin off ... as the characters were originally introduced in a segment of the movie Grindhouse. Machete Kills and Machete Kills Again are both slated for production.
In the what did I learn from this movie part...always trust your instincts. You never know who is really on your side until put to the test.
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
HW 2013 Day 6
movie: The Boy Who Cried Werewolf
starring: Brooke Shields, Victoria Justice
genre: Family, Comedy,
year: 2010
format: online (Netflix Canada)
plot: A boy who is obsessed with monster movies, ends up moving to Romania with his family. While there, they learn about the family curse, that there must always be a werewolf to protect the village from vampires. His sister accidentally gets infected with the werewolf virus, and he's only got three days to change her back. Meanwhile, a group of vampires are trying to take over the village.
This is a made for tv movie, and it's good for a few laughs. Brooke Shields manages to say more with a tilt of her head and twitch of her eye then the rest of the cast does in a full paragraph.
It's not really anything new, but it doesn't need to be. If you're looking for something for younger kids to watch on Hallowe'en, it's a good move, if you're an avid werewolf fan, it's a cute few hours.
starring: Brooke Shields, Victoria Justice
genre: Family, Comedy,
year: 2010
format: online (Netflix Canada)
plot: A boy who is obsessed with monster movies, ends up moving to Romania with his family. While there, they learn about the family curse, that there must always be a werewolf to protect the village from vampires. His sister accidentally gets infected with the werewolf virus, and he's only got three days to change her back. Meanwhile, a group of vampires are trying to take over the village.
This is a made for tv movie, and it's good for a few laughs. Brooke Shields manages to say more with a tilt of her head and twitch of her eye then the rest of the cast does in a full paragraph.
It's not really anything new, but it doesn't need to be. If you're looking for something for younger kids to watch on Hallowe'en, it's a good move, if you're an avid werewolf fan, it's a cute few hours.
Sunday, September 1, 2013
Despicable Me
My mom babysat, the kid got to pick the movie, we rented Despicable Me on Demand.
2010 cartoon starring the voices of Steve Carell and Russell Brand.
plot: a super villain is made to look like a joke when a younger villain out smarts him. To get revenge, he adopts three kids in order to sneak into the guy's lair. But the kids grow on him and he ends up actually being a decent parent.
I liked it. I'm surprised, but I liked it. It was funny, and reminded me a lot of another Carell movie -Get Smart- in the way the guy kept getting under minded.
till later
2010 cartoon starring the voices of Steve Carell and Russell Brand.
plot: a super villain is made to look like a joke when a younger villain out smarts him. To get revenge, he adopts three kids in order to sneak into the guy's lair. But the kids grow on him and he ends up actually being a decent parent.
I liked it. I'm surprised, but I liked it. It was funny, and reminded me a lot of another Carell movie -Get Smart- in the way the guy kept getting under minded.
till later
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
Knight Knight
Saw the movie Knight and Day this afternoon.
I found it extremely funny. I think I've mentioned before, I'm not much of a Tom Cruise fan, but this and the last one of his that I watched, I've liked.
He plays a secret agent who cons a woman into helping him transport a small device onto a plane, and then is stuck having to save her life over and over.
It was well written, funny, action packed without being brainless. I think that's the mark of any good movie, the combining of more then one genre and doing it well. Had this been just a straight up shoot em up, don't think it would have been as good.
I found it extremely funny. I think I've mentioned before, I'm not much of a Tom Cruise fan, but this and the last one of his that I watched, I've liked.
He plays a secret agent who cons a woman into helping him transport a small device onto a plane, and then is stuck having to save her life over and over.
It was well written, funny, action packed without being brainless. I think that's the mark of any good movie, the combining of more then one genre and doing it well. Had this been just a straight up shoot em up, don't think it would have been as good.
Sunday, July 28, 2013
Bang Shoot it
It was another one of those days where I was at mom's, flipping channels and found a movie on tv. The Bang Bang Club.
It's a 2010 film about a group of photographers who were in Africa during the early 1990's. Two of whom won Pulitzers for their photos.
It was based on the real lives of four of the main photographers.
Okay, so this was a tv edit, but it didn't seem to be very edited. Other then bad placing for commercials and cutting out the f-word, all the carnage seemed to be there. The sound on this edit was really bad, I don't know if that was the channel or the tv or what.
I found the first twenty minutes to be jumpy and difficult to follow, but again this was a tv edit.
And I have to admit, when I saw actor Taylor Kitsch listed as one of the leads, it was the main reason I wanted to see this film.
till later
It's a 2010 film about a group of photographers who were in Africa during the early 1990's. Two of whom won Pulitzers for their photos.
It was based on the real lives of four of the main photographers.
Okay, so this was a tv edit, but it didn't seem to be very edited. Other then bad placing for commercials and cutting out the f-word, all the carnage seemed to be there. The sound on this edit was really bad, I don't know if that was the channel or the tv or what.
I found the first twenty minutes to be jumpy and difficult to follow, but again this was a tv edit.
And I have to admit, when I saw actor Taylor Kitsch listed as one of the leads, it was the main reason I wanted to see this film.
till later
Sunday, July 14, 2013
Socially minded
Just watched The Social Network. Didn't care for it. It wasn't what I was expecting it to be. Too much of the "devil made me do it" then anything with the character played by Justin Timberlake.
I love bio-pics, even though I know they don't give the whole truth, it's always slanted. But, I was really expecting there to be more about the whole way it has impacted popular culture then the law suites that surrounded it.
But, it was on tv this afternoon so it was a free movie.
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