Kate Beckinsale returns as Selene in the amped up, action-packed, blood soaked Underworld: Awakening

The honor of the first movie of 2012 seen by me in the theaters goes to Underworld: Awakening, the fourth in the epic vampires vs lycans series. And it's awesome. After the previous entry, which was actually a prequel, and no Kate, things get back on track immediately with this new film. Humans finally realize that vampires and werewolves exist and go to extreme measure to eradicate them. Issuing martial law and killing all those who are either vampire or lycan and or infected. Selene (a welcome return by Kate Beckinsale), the vampire death dealer, who used to hunt down lycans in the previous films, is now hunted by humans herself. Along with her hybrid lover Michael, who is part vampire/part lycan. After an exciting fight sequence between Selene and some soldiers, she is captured and Michael is believed to be dead.

Selene wakes up to a strange new world

Flash forward 12 years and this research company called Antigen, who seeks a cure for the infection spread by lycans and vampires, has held Selene in frozen captivity. Once she escapes, in a wicked scene where, armed only with a scalpel takes out half a dozen heavily armed guards. She is the only vampire of her kind, able to walk in daylight and far stronger than any other vampire still left in the world. She immediately begins her search for Michael but ends up a with a surprise...she has a 12 year old daughter named Eve, who also escaped from the same place. Eve is like Michael was..a hybrid.

India Eisley as Eve

Once Selene meets Eve with the help of a vampire named David, the remaining lycans resurface, needing Eve's blood to become immune to silver.

Selene meets David

This all leads to some intense action sequences which shows Selene hasn't lost her edge, not one bit. If anything, she is more lethal than ever. Taking out soldiers, lycans in brutal and quick succession. She doesn't hold back and once her daughter Eve is kidnapped by the lycans to dissect and harvest her body parts and blood..it is on! Mama doesn't like that at all. As she enters Antigen to get her daughter back, lycans be damned. She does have her hands full with one super lycan, who is a beast. More than twice the size of a normal lycan and with uncharted healing abilities. Their battle is one bad ass scene. Eve also has a wicked fight of her own, against the doctor who is doing the experiments on her, who happens to be a lycan himself. He is played by Stephen Rea.

Selene thinks..oh it's so on!

Underworld: Awakening is one awesome movie with really cool fight scenes, a booming music score and the great presence of Kate Beckinsale. Without her, this movie would not work at all. She is perfect as Selene and shows that she can still handle all her own fight scenes and still can squeeze into that unbelievably tight leather outfit without breaking a sweat. I personally think this is the best one yet of the Underworld films and the ending leaves the door open for at least one more. Here's hoping that Kate will return for that one too.
B+

A lycan on the prowl

I highly recommend WE ARE THE NIGHT (2010)...one rippingly good vampire film

Leave it to Germany to produce one of the best vampire films in recent memory called We Are The Night. A trio of all female vampires live like rock stars in Berlin. Led by the eldest, Louise (a striking and impressive Nina Hoss) who is looking for her soul-mate. One who she will immediately know by the eyes of said soul-mate. The other two vampires are Charlotte (Jennifer Ulrich) a 1920's silent film star who was turned by Louise and who loves to read books and Nora (Anna Fischer) a woman who acts very child like. Check out their opening scene as they are flying back from a Paris shopping spree and kill everyone on board..passengers, stewardesses and even the pilots. So as the jet flies out of control, the women bail from high above the city in one of the wildest pre-credit sequences on film ever.

Louise seducing Lena

Next day, a young thief named Lena (Karoline Herfurth, looking very much like an even grungier Noomi Rapace from The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo) steals from a Russian pimp and is chased by the police all over the city. Where she meets the good looking detective Tom (Max Riemelt) who then have a cat and mouse relationship the rest of the movie. That night Lena ventures to a secret night club where the trio of vampires are partying and Louise is immediately smitten.

The girls living it up

After a little dancing Louise bites Lena and so begins their courtship. Lena doesn't understand at first and the other two women convince Louise that the newbie has to learn the hard way and accept what she is. So they drop her off at some very bad men's warehouse to be tortured until her need for survival kicks in. And kick in it does as Lena has a very brutal fight scene with one of the bad men. The other girls show up to finish off the others. Especially cool is Charlotte walking on the ceiling upside down with a shotgun.

Nora after a little snack

After this little adventure the girls take Lena back to their place to bathe and clean up. And that's where one of the coolest transformation of a human to vampire takes place. As she emerges from her tub with longer hair and much sexier. And then the fun begins. These girls know how to live. Staying at the swankiest places, each driving their own personal sports car like ferraris and BMW's. Dancing at clubs and for kicks, walking on ceilings like Spider-Man. But don't be fooled by these sexy looking women, they can get downright brutal and nasty when it comes to killing. Some very graphic scenes are plentiful in this film.

Nora and Charlotte have a little taste

But Lena still does not want to kill, which becomes a problem for the group. On a nightly swim at a very nice observatory, they encounter two security guard which they dispatch. Nora kills one quickly and bloody while Charlotte rips a single page from the book she is reading and slices the other guard's throat cleanly. Name of the book..For Whom The Bell Tolls. Lena hauls ass out of their after that and soon the police track them down thanks to their hot "stolen" rides. Which leads to an exciting shoot-out with the SWAT team and Charlotte.

Detective Tom looking out of his league

After this melee, in which Nora is critically wounded, the other girls prepare to leave Berlin. But in one of the film's more touching scenes, Charlotte goes to see her child, who is now 90 years old in a nursing home. Her child was very young when Charlotte was turned and she has always had regret.

Nora being herself

The girls will have one more encounter with the police which will lead to a final and wicked fight scene between Louise and Lena, in which only one of them will survive. I loved this movie. A great vampire film that stays true to the myth while putting it's own spin on it. I like how Louise states that there used to be male vampires but they were stupid and arrogant. And the ones that were not killed by humans, the female vampires killed the rest. Leaving only their gender as the only vampires in the world.

Lena starting to feel the urge

I thought all four women were excellent. Each making their character very different from one another. Louise being torned between finding her true love and her constant need to control the others. Charlotte being the calm and sensible one, but also filled with regret. Nora full of sass and spunk and kind of wild. And of course Lena, who goes from troubled young girl to a girl thrust into a different new world.

That crazy Nora

The film makes great use of Berlin as the setting and is backed by some rocking music. It never bogs down and tells it's story at a nice crisp pace. If you want to see a great vampire film, then you have to see We Are The Night.
B+

The girls just hanging out

Notes:

Three of the actresses: Ulrich, Fischer and Herfurth all were born in Berlin. Hoss was born in Stuttgart.

The licence number of Nora's car is FU-CK 1.

The word "vampire" is not said once in the entire film.

Kate Beckinsale returns as Selene in Underworld: Awakening

A most welcome return for Kate Beckinsale as vampire warrior Selene in the 4th Underworld movie. Kate played the part of Selene in the first two movies but bowed out of the third, as it was a prequel. Well she's back now and judging by the previews, hasn't lost a step when it comes to taking out lycans (werewolves). The movie opens this Friday and I'm stoked to see it as Underworld is one of my favorite movie series.

31 Days Of Horror: Day 23 (FROM DUSK TILL DAWN - 1996)

Kick ass action/vampire flick with two hardcore killers who are brothers (Clooney, Tarantino) on the run and headed for the border to Mexico. They kidnap a family driving cross country in a mobile home (Keitel, Juliette Lewis) and head to the rendezvous point in Mexico called The Titty Twister. But they find trouble there as the place is actually a haven for vampires led by queen Santanico Pandemonium (Hayek). All hell breaks loose and the bloodbath is on. This film is way cool from the sensational opening scene at a gas station which turns into a shootout to the very end where the last survivors wage war against the vampires. The cast is top notch especially George Clooney, who is bad ass as Seth. Lewis and Keitel are also very good too. And great supporting turns from Fred Williamson and Tom Savini. I thought this was one very cool movie. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Carlos: So, what, were they psychos, or...
Seth: Did they look like psychos? Is that what they looked like? They were vampires. Psychos do not explode when sunlight hits them, I don't give a fuck how crazy they are!


The brothers in a spot of trouble...

FRIGHT NIGHT (2011): Now this is a vampire movie!

I will be the first to say I was a little wary of this remake of my beloved Fright Night film from the 80's. I was like there is no way they can do justice to one of my favorite vampire films of all time. Well I stand corrected. The new Fright Night is awesome. It does not disappoint. And it makes a few changes from the original to make it stand on it's own, not simply as a remake.

Charley, his mom and Amy look a little worried....

The main components of the original story are still there as teen Charley Brewster (Anton Yelchin) and his mom (nice seeing Toni Collette again) live in a nice little suburban cul-de-sac off the Las Vegas Strip. Charley has a fetching girlfriend named Amy (played by Imogen Poots..cute name BTW). And his friend Ed (from Superbad as McLoving Christopher Mintz-Plasse). Things are pretty normal until Jerry (Colin Farrell) moves in next door. Of course Jerry being a vampire, things quickly get out of hand.

Jerry in deep thought...

After several people go missing, including Ed, Charley has a confrontation with Jerry which is cool as hell. Everyone knows a vampire can't enter a person's home unless they are invited, so Jerry is standing at Charley's doorway and Charley is not 100% sure he is a vampire but he still doesn't invite him in. And the two have a little stare down that ratchets up the suspense big time.

Ed trying to look brave for a minute...

After Charley fails to save one of Jerry's victims, he seeks out help in the form of Peter Vincent, a Las Vegas magician whose stage show focuses on vampires. Vincent is played by David Tennant, yes a former Dr. Who and he makes quite an impression as Vincent. Dressed in all leather, swearing like Samuel L. Jackson, drinking and constantly having sex on the brain. A total departure from Roddy McDowall's original Vincent. But Tennant is awesome here and when he finally comes aboard, the film goes into overdrive.

Peter Vincent packing some heat...

Colin Farrell makes an excellent vampire. Ruthless, seductive, intelligent, and manipulative. He pulls it off very well. And his full on vampire form is quite impressive. Yelchin makes a good Charley as he reluctantly becomes a vampire slayer to save Amy and his mom. Toni Collette even gets in on some of the action as she has a run in with Jerry.

Charley with his huge cross...

Fright Night is leisurely paced to be sure, but it never drags. The vampire kill scenes are graphic and very cool. The 3D effects are ok, but are really not needed. The film maintains a good balance between horror and comedy and never goes over the top. Credit writer Marti Noxin (of TV's Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel) for an excellent screenplay which is modern and full of new twists on the vampire myths). For instance the vampire being invited into a person's home is eventually overcome by Jerry in a very cool way. I won't spoil how he does it, but let's just say it is very explosive.

Amy and Charley spying on Jerry...

There is a very exciting car chase through the desert  when Charley, Amy and his mom try to flee Jerry, that ends in a brutal smash-up. And then the finale of the film has Charley and Peter entering Jerry's lair, which he has built underneath his home, to take on Jerry and some of his minions. Armed with weapons galore the duo become monster killers. There is a back story involving Peter which he explains to Charley about how he survived a vampire attack as a child while his mom and dad was butchered. And he became a magician to get away from that trauma. That was a great new element added to the film and the character of Peter Vincent. Like I said, this new Fright Night makes just enough changes to become it's own film. But there are plenty of references to the original with lines such as "You're so cool Brewster!" and "Welcome to Fright Night....for real!" to make old fans happy.

Evening folks..just out for a little stroll...

Oh and look for a surprising cameo by one of the stars of the original Fright Night. I had no idea they were going to be in this film so it was quite the surprise when they pop up.

I have a bad feeling about this Charley. Let's come back later...

All in all, Fright Night is one of the best films of the summer, as I enjoyed it immensely. And see not one bad remark about Twilight. Although there is one funny line about that series in this movie that will give you a chuckle.
B+
 .
Nah, this doesn't burn. Thanks for asking though.

Charley: I'm going to kill a vampire with this stuff.
Store clerk: Good for you!

My Latest Dream - A Girl Named Death and a Vampire (what is it with me and vampires?)

 So here is my latest dream I had the other night. Let me set up the situation first. I had just watched Blade 2 the other night on cable (great movie, one of the rare sequels that is better than the original) and the newest episode of True Blood. So I had vampires on the brain, right. As most of my friends know most of my dreams usually place me in some horrific setting where I am fighting monsters or being chased by something. I've had dreams where I was chased by a coven of witches, battled the alien creature from the Alien movies (for some reason I dreamed I was Sigourney Weaver too...crazy right), and survived an alien attack of Earth. But my latest dream is really creepy. So here we go..

Me and my wife Stephanie get invited to friends of mine for a dinner party. I've known the guy and his wife for years now. My dream starts and we are already at their house. It's evening time and there are at least 2 other couples there as well. So we have dinner and some wine, and then start talking. Everything is normal right? Then I have to use the bathroom and the husband tells me the bathroom is upstairs as they don't have one downstairs. So I trot up the stairs and use it. I come out and there is this girl standing in the hallway. She has dark curly hair and is very pale. I recognize her but can't quite place her. She seems out of it as I ask what's her name. She doesn't say anything. And then the door to the attic slowly drops down. I'm thinking what the hell is going on? All I see is dark pant legs coming down and I'm waiting to see who it is when 
I'm waiting to see who it is when he finally steps into the light and it's freaking Nosferatu, the creepy looking vampire dude. He hisses and I grab the girl and haul ass down the stairs.

I start telling my friend.."dude you have a vampire in your attic. We need to get the f@%k out of here."

That evidently goes over every one's head as the only question they have for me is.."Ummm Monty where did you find this girl?"

I was like she was upstairs wondering around and I grabbed her before the vampire got us. I started screaming we need to go now. And then someone says "You know we can't do that Monty. The curfew is in effect. We go outside and we will be shot on sight."

I have no idea what they are talking about.."Curfew! Man if we don't leave now that vampire will be having us for dinner". Everyone seems relatively calm about the whole situation even Stephanie, who is scared to death of vampires. I can't figure out what's going on until my buddy says everything will be alright. My friend won't hurt us. He lives here with us and he feeds on my wife from time to time. The wife then shows me her neck bite marks. But the husband has no such marks. Then I think well that may be good for you but now he has us to feed on and probably kill us.

Then I hear a creepy voice say Calm down Mr. Hawes. Everything will be OK.
It's the vampire coming down the steps. Looks like a cross between Nosferatu and the vampire from Salem's Lot. Or the vampires from Blade 2. Creepy as hell. I'm looking all over for any kind of weapon to use and find nothing.  When I realize I can make a weapon...a cross. So I break a night table legs off and plan to use them as a cross. I remember the vampire saying something like that won't work unless I believe in it. And I was like I grew up watching vampire movies and reading the books..Oh I believe. And I use the table legs as a makeshift cross and the vampire actually screams and starts backing away. Then that strange looking girl touches my arm and I go calm and just pass out or black out..Then I wake up. So I don't know how it turns out but once I wake I realize who the girl is..she's Death from the comic book series I used to read. I don't know what the hell she was doing there. But it was very weird. And why was there a curfew after dark. Was vampires overrunning the city or the world for that matter. I have no idea. I hate when my dreams don't finish all neat and tidy. But imagine being trapped in a house with a vampire for the night and you can't leave. Anyway that was my dream. Make of it what you will, I for one wish I knew how it ended. Was I already dead while being there? I don't know. And why couldn't I dream I was Blade and just ripping vampires to shred.

Now this looks like a vampire movie...the new FRIGHT NIGHT (2011)

When I first heard they was re-making one of my most beloved films, Fright Night, I was very apprehensive. I mean the original Fright Night was very cool. It had the right balance of horror and humor.  It gave the vampire genre a serious injection of new blood, if you pardon the pun. It was cool seeing Roddy McDowall as Peter Vincent, the horror movie host asked to help take down a suave and sinister vampire (wonderfully played by Chris Sarandon). So when news came they were re-doing it, I was like here we go again. But guess what, after seeing the new trailer, this version of Fright Night looks bad ass. Colin Farrell is playing the vampire now, and while I have never been a huge fan of Colin, he looks perfect as the deadly vampire. Cast as the young teen who learns his secret is Anton Yelchin (fresh off paying Chekov in Star Trek and Kyle Reese in Terminator Salvation). And playing the updated Peter Vincent who is a magician now is former Doctor Who David Tennant. Throw in the wonderful actress Toni Collette as Yelchin's mom and Superbad's McLovin (Christopher Mintz-Plasse) as Yelchin's buddy Evil Ed and you have a super cast. So forget those Twilight movies, here comes the real deal with Fright Night. The film opens August 19th. I can't wait. If you haven't seen the trailer, check it out below.

31 Days of Horror - Day 21 (THE LOST BOYS)

A group of teenage vampires attempts to recruit a new member who is not quite so certain about the trouble he is getting into. One of my favorite vampire movies of all time. Featuring a super cast and a rocking music score. Kiefer Sutherland is awesome as David, leader of the vampires who recruits Michael (Jason Patric).
Corey Haim plays Michael's younger brother Sam, who is into comic books, big time. Dianne Wiest plays their gullible mom. Barnard Hughes is a riot as Grandpa. And let's not forget the Frog Brothers (Corey Feldman, Jamison Newlander). They make this movie as comic book store owners by day, and vampire hunters by night. They supply most of the humor. But there is plenty of gore and graphic deaths in this movie as well. The Lost Boys rocks.

(1987) Stars Jason Patric, Corey Haim, Corey Feldman, Kiefer Sutherland, Dianne Wiest, Edward Hermann, Barnard Hughes, Jami Gertz.



Edward Frog: Listen, just so you know, if you try to stop us, or vamp out in any way, I'll stake you without even thinking twice about it!

31 Days of Horror - Day 17 (UNDERWORLD)

Selene (an awesome Kate Beckinsale), a beautiful vampire warrior, is entrenched in a war between the vampire and werewolf races. Although she is aligned with the vampires, she falls in love with Michael, a werewolf who longs for the war to end. Cool action pulsates throughout this entertaining movie. Beckinsale, usually known for English dramas, cuts loose as Selene. And Bill Nighy is awesome as Victor, lord of the Vampires. Michael Sheen is equally good as the werewolf leader, Lucian.

(2003) Stars Kate Beckinsale, Scott Speedman, Bill Nighy, Michael Sheen, Sophia Myles.

31 Days of Horror - Day 14 (NEAR DARK)

A mid-western farm boy (Adrian Pasdar) reluctantly becomes a member of the undead when a girl he meets turns out to be part of a band of southern vampires who roam the highways in stolen cars. Wild and bloody vampire tale that features loads of blood and gore. Lance Henriksen is the leader of the vampire family. Bill Paxton is totally wild as a family member. A very different vampire movie that is one of the best in the genre. One of director's Kathryn Bigelow (Point Break, The Hurt Locker) first films and it's a good one.

(1987) Stars Adrian Pasdar, Lance Henriksen, Bill Paxton, Jenny Wright, Jenette Goldstein, Tim Thomerson.

31 Days Of Horror - Day 5 (30 Days Of Night)

A very different kind of vampire movie that is very effective. Set in a small Alaskan town called Barrow, the residents get ready for a month long of no sunlight. Most head south, but some stay to ride it out. On the last day of sunlight a stranger comes in to town, taking out the town's power and communication. And also kills all the sled dogs just for good measure. He's played with relish by Ben Foster (who was a nonfactor as Angel in X-Men 3). Josh Hartnett and Melissa George play the husband and wife sheriff team who must sort out all the weird happenings. When the sun finally goes down, all hell breaks loose. Savage vampires descend on the town led by Marlow (wonderfully played by Danny Huston). And this bunch of bloodsuckers are quite vicious. They paint the town red with their brutal attacks. I thought this movie was pretty cool for a couple of reasons. It showed vampires in a different light, more like killing machines than suave romantics. And the townsfolk are potrayed as regular people. None of them have access to fancy weaponry or training ala Blade and Underworld. But they do fight back the best way they can. With axes, firearms, dynamite, and heavy duty snow plow equipment. The cast is solid led by Hartnett and George. They are very strong in their roles, and to make matters even more complex, they're in the middle of a separation. The vampires are intense-they move very fast and kill even faster. And the look of the film is great. The story does have some holes in it during the down time when our heroes are hiding out and trying to stay quiet. But it doesn't last too long before an attack occurs. Definetly a good movie to see over Halloween. And be prepared because the gore factor is quite high with decapitations, bodies being gutted and chomped on, and vampires being skewered left and right.




2007. Starring Josh Harnett, Melissa George, Danny Huston.