Nosferatu (2024)

I was so excited when I watched the first trailer for Nosferatu. I knew that I had to go see it. I originally planned for opening night, but family got in the way. That changed today as I made it out for an afternoon showing of 2024s Nosferatu. 

Plot: A gothic tale of obsession between a haunted young woman and the terrifying vampire infatuated with her, causing untold horror in its wake.

This was an amazing film. Every aspect of the movie was finely crafted to give it life and allow it to breathe and it does. The overall visuals are amazing and work extremely well at creating a dark yet beautiful experience. The cast was tremendous and their performances were top notch. The atmosphere was amazing, storyline interestingly updated while staying true to the classic, the dialog was outstanding, soundtrack perfect and the effects work well within the story. The pacing started to become uneven toward the end and Count Orlock could have had a little more depth, but those are extremely small issues. In the end, this movie should solidify Robert Eggers as a master of the genre and quickly become a classic. It already has become my favorite Christmas movie and it is one I am sure I will revisit many times. If you haven’t seen it yet, head out and do it. It is well worth it. 

Fade to Black (1980)

Having just returned from a local indie comic show, I decided that I needed some downtime and wanted to revisit something from my youth. Growing up in the 70s and 80s, there was a lot of classic horror and this one was a favorite, 1980s Fade to Black.

Plot: A shy, lonely film buff embarks on a killing spree against those who browbeat and betray him, all the while stalking his idol, a Marilyn Monroe lookalike.

Horror movies from the 80s are a mixed bag, but some stand tall. This is one that I love to revisit from time to time as it is quite memorable. Shot with a dark gritty style, this movie does a great job at creating an air of madness and demonstrates what can be accomplished with an interesting storyline. While it is somewhat predictable, there are many moments that are memorable and help create a feeling of despair. You can tell that this did have a lower budget, as the performances are uneven, there are some extremely disjointed moments, and the characters are somewhat unlikable, but those monents seem to add character to the film. While there are some flaws within the storyline that cause it to fall short of its potential, this movie is a fun and mindless trip back in time. It probably isn't for everyone, but fans of the 80s should enjoy it.

Dracula (1931)

After spending most of my night last night working on my video for the Poe Arts Festival Poetry contest, I decided to jump back into the classics today. My next selection from Shudder was the one that started it all, Dracula from 1931.

Plot/ The ancient vampire Count Dracula arrives in England and begins to prey upon the virtuous young Mina.

For me, this was one of my first horror films that I watched back in my younger days and one that still resonates with me today. While I do love the classic silent unauthorized adaptation Nosferatu, there is something with the adaptation that takes the Bran Stoker story to an all-new level especially when you remember that the movie was made in 1931. Whether it was the amazing performance by Bela Lugosi or the technical vision and work of Tod Browning, this film creates one of the most iconic and memorable films of the history of cinema. Of course, there are other factors that help make this one great. All of the performances are solid and work within the storyline; the setting and cinematography create something dark and atmospheric, and as the first in the run of Universal Monsters the movie allows the rest of the universe grow by laying a tremendous foundation everything that would follow. Yes, the ending is a bit mellow and there are some head-scratching moments, but those do not really hold the movie back in any way. In the end, this movie remains a must see (along with Nosferatu) for fans of the vampire genre and one that stands tall in horror history. If you have not seen it, you are missing out.

Nosferatu the Vampyre (1979)

Having spent last night with Chucky, I decided that I wanted something completely different tonight. After searching through Shudder, I went for a classic vampire tale in 1979s vampire entry Nosferatu the Vampyre.

Plot/ Count Dracula moves from Transylvania to Wismar, spreading the Black Plague across the land. Only a woman pure of heart can bring an end to his reign of horror.

Wanting a classic vampire tale, this movie seemed like the perfect selection for the evening. Having not seen it in some time, I had forgotten how beautiful this movie was and how well it captured the great story of Dracula. Werner Herzog did a great job at creating a modern version of Murnau's classic Nosferatu, while adding some almost human elements to the Dracula character. The performances are outstanding, the cinematography and visuals are amazing, and there is a subtle calm that ties everything together. Unfortunately, the splendor captured inside those elements do take a small toll on the overall feel of the movie as this one does seem to lack the darker atmosphere of the original, the pacing is slow, and there really are no creepy or frightening moments. Fortunately, when you submerge yourself into the film, those flaws are easily overlooked. In the end, this is a different film than most Dracula interpretations because it shows sadness in the character that usually doesn’t exist. It may not be for everyone, but it is definitely worth watching and an underrated film in Dracula lore.

Dracula Reborn (2015)

After last night’s The Mask of the Red Death, I knew that it was going to be hard to find something that would match it. Knowing that, I decided to take a shot on a lower budgeted film hoping for some originality. Unfortunately, 2015s Dracula Reborn was cliche and did not do anything memorable.

Plot/ Three journalists travel from Vancouver to Transylvania to uncover the truth about Dracula. The trio's determination may end up costing them their lives.

As you know, I love low budget cinema and with that, I have encountered some bad movies. Usually, I can look past many of the issues and see some type of hidden quality that at least makes it enjoyable to watch. In this case, other than a decent amount of blood, I had a hard time finding a lot to enjoy. The pacing was slow, the plot was splintered and undeveloped, the characters were unlikable, and the cinematography was bland. Truly, this did nothing for me. In the end, this one is a movie that is very forgettable and one that was hard to watch. Stay away!

Dracula Untold (2014)

After spending a lot of time behind my computer working on my physics homework and blogging, I decided that I needed to take a break last night and just chill. Hell, I did not even watch a movie; instead, I was caught up on the politically charged series State of Affairs. Now that I am refreshed, I still have a couple movies to catch up on for the past week. The next one up for review is again from 2014: Dracula Untold.

Plot/ As his kingdom is being threatened by the Turks, young prince Vlad Tepes must become a monster feared by his own people in order to obtain the power needed to protect his own family, and the families of his kingdom.

It has been a while since I had been excited about seeing a vampire flick because how those sparkling imposters ruined the genre. That was until I saw this one. Yes, it may be full of historical and geographic inaccuracies, something that will definitely turn off some Dracula purists, but as just a fictional tale, it was quite entertaining. Between outstanding performances (especially Luke Evans who was perfect for the role), some interesting twists in the storyline, and some amazing special effects (yes, even the CGI), the movie was much better than I could have imagined (especially at a PG-13 rating). As a fan of the historical aspects of the classic Dracula story and the legendary figure the character is based on, I was a little disappointed at some of the historical inaccuracies. However, as a writer of fiction myself, I understand why decisions such as that are made when creating a new mythos. When you couple the inaccuracies with the short run time, some small plot holes, and a lack of overall character development, and it is easy to see why this movie is so polarizing. In the end, this one will definitely split its audience with some loving it and others hating it, and I can totally understand that. Personally, I found it an entertaining and fun movie that was a perfect bridge to what could be an entertaining series of flicks.

Argento's Dracula (2012)

Last night I was a bit disappointed with my movie selection. While the case sounded interesting, it did not in any way live up to the description. For tonight, I was able to pick up one that I know will have some schlock moments, the 2012 Dario Argento 3D adaptation of the Bram Stoker classic, Dracula.

Plot/ It has been 400 years since Count Dracula's beloved Dolingen De Gratz passed away, leaving the immortal bloodsucker forever abandoned. But when he discovers that local newlywed Mina Harker bears a striking resemblance, Dracula embarks on a bloody quest to reunite with his long lost love and live forever with her in hellish immortality. Only the arrival of vampire expert Abraham Van Helsing can put an end to the unholy plan.

Dario Argento's Dracula is an interesting watch for many different reasons. While, I am not sure exactly what direction the film was intended to take, it did have some entertaining moments. Almost an homage to the classic exploitation flicks of the 1970s, this one feels like it is better suited for time. This is far from Argento's best, although it does boat a sexy edge, some decent gore and an awesome soundtrack. Unfortunately, between the horrible CGI, the choppy editing, uneven performances, and slow pacing, this one leaves a lot to be desired. In the end, this unneeded adaptation of Dracula does have some fun moments that did remind me of my youth, but those are nowhere near enough for me to go out and recommend this one to everyone. Sure, there are worse versions out there, but that is expected with a classic tale. Unless you are a serious Argento fan, it may be better to just stay clear.

Waxwork (1988)

Ok, I am a sucker for Wax Museums. Ever since seeing Vincent Price in House of Wax one Saturday morning in the 1970s, I was sold. That is why it was no surprise to me that I loved the idea of the movie Waxwork when it came out. If I could, I would live in that world (I would have to be either Jack the Ripper or the Marques De Sade).

Plot/ A waxwork museum comes to town, and a mysterious man invites some teens to come to a special showing at midnight. Once inside, while viewing different exhibits, the scenes come alive and the viewer is sucked into the story being portrayed.

This is one of those movies that stick with you, if you originally saw it as a teen as I did. There was just something about it. Watching it today, I saw many of the same things in this strange movie that I saw all those years ago (not the mention the same great hommage to some Horror Classics). The cinematography was solid, the atmosphere and settings were creepy and there was blood, tension and a bit of comic relief. Yes, the plot was a bit disjointed, the script laughable and the acting was uneven, but that did not take away from the overall entertainment value. In the end, this is one of my favorite 1980s teen-driven flicks. While not perfect, there is enough to keep this in my rotation for a while (especially the unrated version).

Billy the Kid Versus Dracula (1966)

After enjoying the horror/western Jesse James Meets Frankenstein’s Daughter, I decided to venture back into that era and genre with Billy the Kid Versus Dracula.

Plot/ Dracula travels to the American West, intent on making a beautiful ranch owner his next victim. Her fiancé, outlaw Billy the Kid, finds out about it and rushes to save her.

While better than its sister piece Jesse James meets Frankenstein’s Daughter, many of the flaws and elements are the same. Yes, the title is alluring and the fundamental idea is interesting, but much like the other entry, it fails to take full advantage of the potential of the interesting old west meets classic monster horror romp. The plot is rough full of many unanswered questions within the unbelievable sequences that consistently take place. The film lacks action, is rather slow, and boasts some of the worst effects I have ever seen (rubber bats anyone?). John Carradine is a ham as Dracula, a performance that at least makes the flick a tad enjoyable. This may not be great, but it should at least be on your list to watch once if you are a fan of old-time monster movies.

Horror of Dracula (1958)

 October, now this is my favorite month of the year! With the winds of fall on the horizon and Halloween right around the corner, it is time to go all out inside and out. To get the mood flowing, I watched a great vampire flick, the 1958 Hammer classic Horror of Dracula starring Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing!

Plot / After Jonathan Harker attacks Dracula at his castle (apparently somewhere in Germany), the vampire travels to a nearby city, where he preys on the family of Harker's fiancée. The only one who may be able to protect them is Dr. van Helsing, Harker's friend and fellow-student of vampires, who is determined to destroy Dracula, whatever the cost.

This Hammer Horror interpretation was an awesome retelling of the classic Bram Stoker tale. It is funny, that while many of the more modern Hammer flicks are talked about, this first incarnation of their Dracula chain may be the best. In all, it boasts a fair amount of blood, a solid script, tremendous acting and beautiful set design. Really, it has it all (including a cool finale). Honestly, this may be the best version of Dracula I have seen. Overall, a gripping tale that is a must see for any and all horror fans!

Blood For Dracula (1974)

After watching Flesh For Frankenstein, I decided that it would not be a complete week if I did not follow that up with Blood For Dracula AKA Andy Warhol’s Dracula from 1974. To me, Warhol’s influence on society and the art world is often overlooked and these films are great vehicles of that genius.

Plot / Count Dracula know that if he fails to drink a required amount of pure virgin blood, he will not survive. His assistant suggests that the Count and he pick up his coffin and take a road trip to Italy, where families are known to be particularly religious, and therefore should be an excellent place to search for a virgin bride. They do, only to encounter a family with virgins ready for marriage. Unfortunately, the Count discovers one-by-one that the girls are not as pure as they say they are.

Filmed directly after Flesh For Frankenstein, this play on the Bram Stoker classic definitely has its moments. While lacking in the overall gore of the pre-mentioned film, this one has some great moments and is really an artistic period piece with superb setting and costume. Udo Kier as Dracula is excellent in his over the top rendition of the count and the gratuitous sex scenes are always appealing. However, the pacing is a bit slow and uneven at times and some of the acting is way below average. It is what it is, a campy romp into the realm of Dracula, one that is definitely more entertaining thanTwilight ever could be.