Tag Archives: Vampires

Jan 31 2012

Underworld: Awakening the review

Chelsea Ratterman, Assistant Editor

The release of “Underworld: Awakening” proves that the vampire obsession is still in high gear. The fourth film in a series with a well-established mythology and fan base, the Underworld saga follows Death Dealer Selene in a world where vampires and lycans (werewolves) are continuously at war.

“Underworld: Awakening” picks up 12 years after “Underworld: Evolution,” the second movie in the series, and takes place in a world where humans have discovered the existence of the two non-human species and in the attempt to cleanse the world of the infected groups.

Selene has been cryogenically frozen for 12 years and after waking up looks for her remaining vampire kin and the hybrid Michael, with who she has a daughter, Eve, as she finds out during the progression of the movie.

A human cop who sympathizes with the supernatural beings, suspects that there is a problem within the company that is searching for a cure for the “infected species.” The cop is enlisted by Selene to continue the fight between lycans and vampires.

The war has reached an even higher level and one group may have found the advantage for their side.  Kate Beckinsale reprises her role as Selene, where Scott Speedman’s Michael is only seen in glimpses, although a heavily implied sequel hints at his return as a full time player to the series.

Charles Dance has entered playing Thomas, taking over for Bill Nighy’s Viktor, as the vampire leader and Stephen Rea has assumed the role of villain from Michael Sheen’s Lucian. India Eisley plays Eve and Michael Ealy plays Detective Sebastian.

Two Swedish directors were brought in on this movie and added their touch to the series. The chrome look of the human world contrasts with the underground where the non- human species have been forced to survive in. The filmmakers keep the look of the movie the same, but up the blood a bit, with body parts being frequently ripped out, and explosions that provide an easy out in tight situations. The movie moves at a fast pace and keeps it short, with a running time of only an hour and twenty eight minutes, which is just enough time for a movie heavy on action and that serves as a continuation of a plot line which established itself ten years ago.

Aug 30 2011

The Vampire Bites Back: Fright Night (2011) Review

By: Chelsea Ratterman, Assistant Editor

Vampire fans can finally rejoice. The toothed terrors finally burn in the sun again, a good old wooden stake or holy water will do them in and they actually have fangs (although at one point they had rows of them). The remake of the 1986 cult classic Fright Night arrived in theaters Friday, August 19, starring Colin Farrell as the fanged guy next door.

Colin Farrell provides a fairly menacing turn as a Jerry the vampire. (photo courtesy of mctcampus.com)

Coming in at number five on the weekend box office, bringing in $8.1 million dollars in the USA box office, the remake was obscured by another movie with a cult following, Rise of the Planet of the Apes and a book to film adaptation of the Help.
Fright Night serves the vampire frenzy of today’s culture with performances by Colin Farrell, Anton Yelch and David Tennant. The story takes place in a suburb of Las Vegas, when Jerry (Farrell) moves into the house next door and seems to obsess with renovations. When the high school kids

start disappearing, people start to get suspicious.
Charley Brewster is the kid next door who gets drawn into the hunt of his life by his classmate, “Evil” Ed Thompson. As events and plans fall into place, Charley must stand up to big, bad, and fanged Jerry to protect those he loves.
This movie has received great ratings across the board, and Roger Ebert

said, “as vampire movies go, it was a pretty good one.” For the vampire fans out there, some parts may be a little ridiculous at times, such as the said rows of teeth or their crazy behavior when staked unsuccessfully.
For those who are not fans, the movie is an enjoyable trip into the dark side of nature. Vampires are the elegant, sinister creatures of the night again, and humans and undead alike are finally hot blooded creatures once more, rather than the cool and reserved behavior of relationships introduced in the latter half of the past decade. Overall, the movie was a well thought out remake. It stuck to the basic structure of the original, with some updates and, excuse the pun, revamped for the 21st century.