Film Review: BLOOD VESSEL (2019)

A group of survivors on a lifeboat think that they’ve found salvation on the open sea when a large ship comes into view at the beginning of Blood Vessel (2019).  The lifeboat is filled with a mixture of characters including the Captain Malone (Robert Taylor) who managed to help save as many as he could from his ship’s disaster.  When they come across a German boat they think it is salvation despite the fear that the Germans may kill them instead of holding them as prisoners of war during WWII.  But when they get on the deck of the ship they realize that ship is a ghost ship and there is no one around.

 

It’s not long before they discover a young girl hiding and a German soldier who would rather shoot the girl first and ask questions later.  The language barrios between everyone is also a problem and when some of their group are suddenly killed by the German who wants to kill the girl, the group discovers that there are more secrets to behold on the ship and that they have no idea what they have stepped into.

 

Soon, the group discovers too late that the German ship’s precision cargo were coffins containing sleeping vampires and that the girl is just one of their biggest problems.  Now the group must find a way off the ship before they all become victims of one of the greatest dangers they’ve ever faced separate from Hitler’s army.

 

Written by Jordan Prosser and Justin Dix (who also directors) the film borrows a lot from Death Ship (1980) and John Carpenter’s The Thing (1982) while has the atmosphere of Virus (1999) and Ghost Ship (2002).  There are also some nods to Bram Stoker’s Dracula and the plight of the crew on the Demeter ship.  The film is extremely well made but borrows so much from other films that it’s hard to see if it has any original ideas of its own.  This is not necessarily a bad thing as it is quite entertaining and the horror aspects and gore are very effective so the film never comes off as boring.

Film Review: THE SHED (2019)

Now, anyone who has read my reviews in the past know that I’m not a big fan of vampire films so I was really looking forward to the movie The Shed (2019) but I’m willing to give any movie a chance.  Written by Frank Sabatella (who also directs) and story by Jason Rice, The Shed tells the story of a vampire hunter Bane (Frank Whaley) who is turned into a vampire by his quarry just before the sun is coming up.  As a vampire he quickly takes shelter in a nearby shed becoming trapped in there until the sun goes down.

 

Unfortunately for him, Stan (Jay Jay Warren), a bullied hill school student on probation, discovers Bane in his shed and locks him in there.  When Bane kills Stan’s grandfather, Stan doesn’t know what to do since if he gets in any trouble with the law he may find himself in jail.  It’s not long before Stan’s best friend Dommer (Cody Kostro) discovers Stan’s secret but he would rather use the vampire against the people who bully them.

 

Stan finds himself just trying to keep it all together and sane but that doesn’t seem to go all that well when people that come to his house end up becoming victim of Bane who is trying to find his own way out of the shed.  When Stan almost kills Bane, Bane sees it as an act of war and he will not let Stan get away with the torture.

 

The most interesting aspect of the film is the way in which it treats bullying.  Stan is bullied at school while Dommer wants to use Bane against their oppressors but then Stan also becomes a bully towards Bane, whom was only turned into a vampire on accident while trying to kill a different vampire.  It’s a well written film with some strong performances throughout until the third act when the filmmakers decided that the third act needed one-liners for the actors to say.  Up till that point, the film had played it pretty straight forward.  Overall I really did enjoy the first two thirds of the film but felt that the last act suffered greatly.  This being said, the film is quite entertaining and extremely well done and Whaley makes for an interesting vampire.  It may not be a phenomenal revelation of vampire film but it is a decent time waster.

Film Review: ROCKULA (1990)

I’ve never been much of a fan of vampire films so when it comes to comedy-vampire films, I’ve seen very few.  I remember when Rockula (1990) came out but I just wasn’t interested even though I was a fan of actor Dean Cameron from the much better Summer School (1987) and Bad Dreams (1988), which preceded this film.   In this film Cameron plays Ralph, a centuries old virgin vampire who is cursed.  Once every century he meets the love of his life whom is re-incarnated and he has several days to try to save her before she is killed via a very elaborate prophesy.  This time he tries to avoid the curse but inevitably meets his love now in the form of Mona (Tawny Fere), who is a singer.  In order to get closer to her he becomes a rock star as well going by the nom de plum Rockula which allows him to embrace his vampire heritage.

For me, most of the comedy falls flat but there is charm in Cameron’s performance that was pulled over from his previous films.  This and the fact that the musical performances are actually quite good and entertaining (still to the day) makes this film an interesting time capsule for the ‘90s. 

The film is written by Jefery Levy and Chris Ver Wiel and Luca Bercovici (who also directs).  Bercovici is better known for having directed the cult classic Ghoulies (1984) and The Granny (1995) but there is no reason why this film shouldn’t be included on his list of cult favorite films and maybe one day it will be.

Film Review: GALLOWWALKERS (2012)

GALLOWWALKERS (2012) is a horror-western populated with the usual gunslingers, whores, cops, and bandits except the bandits in this film don’t die but return after death as undead immortals that kill and feed off everything they encounter.  They are called Gallowwalkers and they are a close in relations to vampires except they can walk in the daylight and they have to replace their outer skin with fresh skin on a regular basis.  On the trail of a gang of Gallowwalkers is the outlaw Aman (Wesley Snipes) who will stop at nothing to kill all the Gallowwalkers that were responsible for the death of his loved one.

There is a lot of style to be had in this film in regard to the cinematography and the production design but the film itself is crippled by a sub-par screenplay and the acting which isn’t at top form.  The most odd and bonkers aspects of the film just come off as incredible uneven because of the direction which can’t bring all the elements together. 

Snipes seems to be phoning it in doing a less interesting “Blade” impression.  Although some of the action sequences are quite good, the editing ruins the pacing of some of them.  Some of the scenes would seem more authentic with more attention paid towards the editing and pacing but then there are some scenes that fall completely flat.

There are some interesting elements to the film, but the overall result has too many issues to recommend it an enjoyable film, but it was an interesting idea that was developed.

Graphic Novel Review: FULL MOON PRESENTS: SUBSPECIES

The Vampire Radu returns in an all-new story in Action Lab Comics’ Full Moon Presents: Subspecies.  Taking place right after the events of the cult favorite Full Moon Entertainment franchise Subspecies, this new series finds Michelle (a former college student whose friends had all been killed in the films and herself turned into a vampire by Radu) working as a nighttime nurse in a hospital under the name of Shelly.  After having killed Radu four times, she’s trying to put her life back in order by helping people and living off the Bloodstone (a stone that can feed her bloodlust so that she doesn’t have to feed off real people to survive).  Then one night, Radu returns but it’s not quite the Radu she remembers.  It appears that the essence of Radu has been split into five separate vampires who all seek the Bloodstone.  Now Michelle has to find a way to defeat not one but five of her worse nightmares.

This story is written by Cullen Bunn & Jimmyz with art by Daniel J. Logan.  This story fits more in line with fans of the films and less about trying to bring on new fans but for readers familiar with the films this story gets straight into the action and carnage without a lot of (unnecessary) set up and exposition.  Bunn & Jimmyz fills the story with tons of references to the films and Logan’s style of art is perfect for the story as he knows how to bring out the menace and savagery of this vampire story.

The graphic novel is filled with extras but the most interesting are snippets from the actual script used and the steps to the final artwork.  This will interest readers with interest in the process of how the comic was crafted.

Graphic Novel Review: CAPTAIN KRONOS: VAMPIRE HUNTER

Titan Comics’ collected graphic novel of Captain Kronos: Vampire Hunter is a love letter to the original Hammer Studios film of ’74!  Written by Dan Abnett with art by Tom Mandrake this story follows the events of the original film with Captain Kronos and his sidekick Grost and the latest addition to the team Carla who find themselves on a trail of a new vampire Porphyr.  Upon dispatching Porphyr, Kronos and his team find themselves outside the border town of Serechurch, which they soon learn is under the spell of an even more deadly menace which may be the greatest vampire threat that Kronos may have ever encountered.

For both fans of the film and vampire fans in general, this new tale is both entertaining and exciting.  Mandrake’s art is a perfect fit for the period setting of the story and has some amazing similarities to the artwork you’d see in the old EC Comics.  Abnett’s story is very vibrant and to the point but still retains the cadence of the characters from the film while also making Carla a more modern woman who has come as her own as a vampire hunter.

The is one of the first of the new Hammer Comics titles from Titan Comics who seem to want to be faithful to the original films while also trying to attract new fans for a new generation.  Despite never having a sequel, the Captain Kronos film has a huge following for which fans will be able to appreciate how much this new story feels like an authentic sequel to the film.

Caroline Munro, who was Carla in the original film, provides a Foreword while there is a collection of great interviews at the end to help readers enjoy the legacy of Captain Kronos. 

Film Review: STAKELAND II: THE STAKELANDER (2016)

Writer/actor Nick Damici returns to the post-apocalyptic world of vampires with STAKELAND II: THE STAKELANDER (2016).  The original film was a surprisingly refreshing new look at a world in which vampires are the dominant species and the humans have almost been run to extinction.  In the new film Martin (Connor Paolo) is all grown up and is on a quest to search for Mister (Damici) the only person he thinks can help him defeat The Mother (Kristina Hughes) who is responsible for the death of his wife and child.  Martin will stop at nothing to get revenge but on his journey through what’s left of the world he will discover new enemies that may be more dangerous than the vampires.

Damici again writes this film which sees Martin take center stage while Mister is depicted as a vamp hunter nearing the end of his days.  There are a lot of new characters added for this film including new companion The Lady (Laura Abramsen) who is a mute and feral women attached to the hip of Mister and some old friends Bat and Doc Earl (A.C. Peterson and Steven Williams, respectfully) that add flavor to the film.  The film is directed by Dan Berk and Robert Olsen and even though they are nearly as adept as Jim Mickle with the original, this film still does have it’s moments.

This film’s greatest weakness is that nothing seems fresh or original any more as it all comes off as something seen better in other films.  This being said, fans of the original film (and vampire films in general) will find something interesting in this film including the fact that it’s open ended for a possible sequel.

Film Review: WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS (2014)

In general, I don’t particularly care for vampire films.  There are so few that actually have something to say and they’re filled with clichés and things that you’ve seen time and time again and even if the Twilight franchise has watered down their image there are just as many 30 Days of Night films that try to go in the complete opposite way.  Vampire comedies, in my opinion, fit even below the lowest of my expectations which is why it has taken me so long to get around to What We Do In The Shadows (2014).  I had zero interest in this film but due to the overwhelming great critical response to the film I decided to give it a chance and boy am I glad I did. 

The film follows three vampire flat mates – Vladislav, Viago, and Deacon (Jermaine Clement, Taika Waititi, and Jonny Brugh, respectfully) whose lives are turned upside down when they decide to allow a film crew to film their lives as they prepare for the vampire party of the century.  The three vampires are trapped in their own time from when they were turned.  Living in the modern era has left them lost in time, but salvation comes in the form of a newly turned vampire who is up with the modern era but needs a little help with being a good vampire.  

The film crew is given full access to everything and get to see and experience the day to day lives of vampires including their drinking habits, their animosity towards werewolves, and how they deal with vampire hunters.  For a film like this it covers a lot of ground while still being very character driven and funny at the same time.

What makes the film so successful is that the comedy is all character based and not bad jokes sprinkled throughout.  This film could have become a complete parody of itself but writer/directors Clement and Waititi do a great job grounding the film in the zany world of vampires.  Having the style of the film as a documentary goes a long way in allowing the audience to take the film seriously even though it is a comedy.  

I ended up enjoying this film immensely as the story was easy to follow yet presented an almost “traditional” vampire story in a non-traditional way.  It had me entertained from beginning to end and even had some impressive visual FX to go with the story.  This film is one I highly recommend for both comedy and horror fans.

"Rants & Ravings About Horror" - Week 33: “The Horror Films of John Carpenter”

Week 33: “The Horror Films of John Carpenter”

John Carpenter is a name synonymous with horror.  There is not a horror fan out there that doesn’t know this name and the importance that he has had on the genre and on generations that have grown up watching his films.  It has been a while since Carpenter has released a new film (2010’s The Ward) so what better time to look back at the horrors he has concocted than Halloween where I’m sure many people sit down to enjoy one of his finest films which is the original Halloween (1978).

Growing up Halloween was one of my favorite and most influential horror films.  I was not only a Halloween fan but a Michael Myers fan as well.  This film is the reason why I love slasher films so much.  Myers is the iconic slasher whose life has gone through some amazing changes due to the talented hands that have crafted the stories and films throughout the years.  Carpenter was the first to impress audiences upon his idea of what the Boogeyman was and for many it endures to this day.  Michael Myers is the “real” Boogeyman and that is because Carpenter made him so.

In 1980 he would unleash his next major horror film which is The Fog.  Now, this is one of Carpenter’s creepiest films because it’s all about mood and atmosphere and what you don’t see rather than what you do see since everything is shrouded in the mist and fog.  This was also more terrifying for me because I identified with the young child being chased by the fog (since I was so young when I first saw the film).  This film is suspenseful and terrifying from beginning to end as audiences are placed in the tropes of a ghost story that the characters are trapped in.  I still love this movie today but for different reasons as I now know all the actors by name and love watching them crew the scenery as only they can in a Carpenter film.  Who doesn’t love watching Jamie Lee Curtis, Adrienne Barbeau, Janet Leigh, Tom Atkins, Charles Cyphers, John Houseman, and Hal Holbrook, to name a few.  This is one of the best movies of the ‘80s. 

As much as I love the previous two films Carpenter’s most realized and affecting film is ‘82’s The Thing.  This is a dark and unforgiving film that is claustrophobic yet provides one of the best ensemble casts of any of Carpenter’s films.  There is not a flaw in this film unless you think the film is too violent and too depressing which it is but that is the beauty of the film.  It is bleak and a socially conscious powder keg of a film where no one can trust their friends not themselves.  This is my favorite Carpenter film.  He was never at the top of his game as much as when he crafted this film.  With the exception of the musical score, this is pure Carpenter.  If there is one film that I tell people to see above all other Carpenter films this is it.

In ’83 Carpenter would put his own spin on a Stephen King novel with his adaptation on Christine.  This is a fun and entertaining film but was never one of my favorites.  Until I was able to fully appreciate Carpenter’s entire career, this was the film (growing up) that I always forgot he directed.  The style and execution of this film is pure Carpenter but I always thought that this film was one that could’ve been directed by anyone and it still would have been effective.  The most important aspect of this film for me is the soundtrack with the excellent choice of music (which I believe has more to do with inspirations from King’s novel but since I haven’t read this novel yet I can’t be 100 percent).  I actually haven’t seen this film in quite some time because when I’m in a Carpenter mood, this is never the film that I pull out but in terms of films based on King’s novels this is one of my favorites.

1987 saw the release of another one of my all-time favorite Carpenter films which is Prince of Darkness.  By the time ’87 came around I knew the name “John Carpenter” because his name was always above the title of the film.  This film about the resurrection of Satan by way science is one of the smartest horror films ever crafted which is both moody and atmospheric as well as suspenseful and terrifying.  Carpenter is working on all cylinders here as he captures the tone and mood of dread of his original Halloween while also capturing the comedy of Big Trouble in Little China and the science and dread of The Thing while continuing to be technically above many of his contemporaries.  The cinematography in this film is magic as is musical score.  This is not nearly as disturbing as The Thing which has turned people away but not simply seen as a “simple” slasher film like Halloween either so this film inhabits a strange place on Carpenter’s resume.

In ’94 my “guilty pleasure” Carpenter film is released which is In The Mouth of Madness.  I think with this film Carpenter is having a lot of fun and everything is on board with him.  This film has the perfect mix of established and character actors with Sam Neill, Jurgen Prochnow, Julie Carmen, David Warner, John Glover, Bernie Casey, Frances Bay and Charlton Heston.  This is a cast that shouldn’t work but does.  Despite the controversy of the film’s monsters and violence being cut, the film actually works better for not showing the monsters in full glory (like those seen in The Thing).  I think that showing the monsters would have destroyed the integrity of the story being told which is about a man going mad due to what he sees or what he thinks he sees.  This also happened to be the very first Carpenter film I ever saw on the big screen so it holds a special place for me.

Vampires was released in ’98.  This is a film I really had high hopes for because James Woods was the star (which I’ve always thought is one of the best actors of his generation).  Unfortunately, after a really stellar first half of the film it soon falls apart the moment Wood’s team of vampire hunters are all massacred.  It becomes a less interesting film from then on despite Woods doing his best to hold it all together.  That and the fact that I’ve never been a big fan of vampire films put this on the bottom of my list of favorite Carpenter films.  Surprisingly, I do believe that this is one of the few Carpenter films that I believe would work better as a television series where the story could be opened up (as long as all the violence is kept intact).

Carpenter’s most recent horror film The Ward is held less together by Carpenter’s talents and more by the performance of Amber Heard who holds the film together.  It is a slow burning psychological film which is contrary to most of his previous films unless you look back at The Fog which it has a lot in common with in terms of mood and atmosphere.  I enjoy this film and recognize that it’s not one of his strongest horror films but it is effective for the story it is trying to tell.

Carpenter has had a long and illustrious career and has provided generations with countless nightmares and for this his films and his name will endure.  I grew up watching (and re-watching) his films and will continue to do so as I pass off my love of his films to new audiences.