Bram Stoker's DRACULA (1992)

Well. This film is definitely a show stopper. For me, it was amusing to say the least! I'm going to dig right in.

The story of Dracula has many versions, but this one is probably the best written, and the most referenced. Dracula loses his love in his time, 13th century. Devastated, he promises to arise from his death and bring darkness with him. He survives 4 centuries when Jonathan Harker visits him about real estate. Harker ends up a prisoner in Dracula's castle. After seeing a photo of Mina, Harker's fiancee, Dracula pursues her believing it is his love. After he finds Lucy first, Mina's close friend, he feeds on her to preserve himself. Fallen ill, Lucy is looked after by Dr. Van Helsing who discovers what she has turned into. Eventually Dracula romances Mina, and she remembers her past life. Either she chooses immortality, or Johnathan rescues her.

Keanu Reeves is Harker, who has a terrible English accent, and amatuer acting qualities. He has certainly come a long way! Lucy is Sadie Frost, who was excellent! Winona Ryder is Mina, who didn't explore her character until the very end. It was only in the enthrallment of Dracula's love that she became convincing. Dr. Van Helsing is played by Sir Anthony Hopkins, who always performs well. In a college acting class, my instructor read a quote by Sir Anthony. It said he reads his scripts 150 times, to fully understand the circumstances, the characters, and himself. I assume Gary Oldman follows the same method, because his part playing Dracula himself, was outstanding! When you first watch the film, you'll find it difficult to keep watching, until we are acquainted with Dracula. Once we've met him, we can't help but watch the film for him. We want to know more about him. Gary Oldman plays great characters. He stole the film, and made it worth watching.

The director and producer of this film was Francis Ford Coppola. This was shocking to me! The amatuer special effects, transitions, and cinamtagraphy is something I wouldn't expect from the director of The Godfather. I was surprised the effects weren't better presented. Star Wars was released only 2 decades prior, and the special effects were much smoother. Star Wars proved that very little can do so much more, when filmed right.

This film has many problems. I will probably never watch it again! However I think it is worth watching at least once. It will motivate you to read the book! I plan to read the book soon and compare notes.

I am an aspiring makeup artist with only a few credits to my name, and the makeup artist for Gary Oldman in this film is a former student of the school I want to go to. The makeup in this film was just amazing, scary, detailed, and definitely hard work!
www.joeblasco.com/blascoschools/index.htm

The surprise about this film, Cary Elwes. He is a fantastic actor, who probably doesn't receive much credit because of his famous "fun" roles in The Princess Bride and Mel Brooks films. I really enjoy Cary in more serious/complex roles. I found it really funny, the degrees of separation between this Dracula film and Mel Brooks' Dracula, Dead and Loving It. If Cary had played Harker in the spoof, it would've been a perfect match!

Eragon (2006)

Eragon is a film we all hoped would've been a success. The book series, written by Christopher Poalini, has won the hearts of fantasy readers all over the world. The cast for the film is very impressive, with the likes of John Malkovich, Rachel Weisz, Jeremy Irons, Robert Carlyle, Djimon Hounsou, and even Joss Stone. Unfortunately the film flopped at the box office with many readers complaining the film didn't do the story justice. Still, I believe the film had great potential. I own it. And I'm a proud owner.

The film is set in a fantasy world where a farm boy mysteriously comes across a large, blue egg. Dragons and riders have been long gone since their evil king took control, killing all of his predecessors. The farm boy, Eragon, keep the egg hidden until it happens to hatch in a beautiful blue dragon. Now Eragon is in trouble. If the King discovers him, he will be killed. Brom, a local man who was once a rider himself, educates Eragon about his dragon, and how to fight. Jeremy Irons plays Brom. He is very strict and stern with Eragon. Only he knows the risk, and what challenges are ahead. Rachel Weisz plays the voice of the blue dragon, named Saphira. She is the perfect, melodic, friendly voice needed for such a beautiful dragon. John Malkovich plays the King Galbatorix, and Robert Carlyle plays the Shade, Durza.

The film is beautifully shot, with opulent landscapes, light and lush, with touches of darkness to represent evil. I'm a sucker for fantasy, beautiful cinematography, dragons, and action! This film has great potential, but is lacking substance in the plot to keep the audience interested. They included large portions of the story from the first book, but I'm sure they left out some interesting points. The main character is super naive and foolish. It is annoying because you want him to be better, stronger, a leader. It isn't until the end we see Eragon finally assume his role. Saphira is a beautiful creature, exactly as I imagined. The CG images were awesome to watch. The ruggedness of the film reminds of Robin Hood Prince of Thieves, and the beauty reminds me of Narnia.

The book is as slow moving as this film. I think it was well cast, but wrongfully played. The characters would've been better portrayed if they had courage to begin with, and the knowledge to make better choices. Films and books are two separate entities. A film can be appreciated if it is a successful execution regardless of origin. However there is a risk when making a film based on popular books. The filmmakers have to make sure they please both the film audience as well as the readers who will watch with a certain expectation.

If they made a second film, I have no doubt that it would've been better executed. It's a shame too, because this film leaves you with a cliff-hanger at the end!

I still think the film is worth watching, but it is an acquired taste. If you enjoy fantasy, this is a film I recommend.

Good vs Bad Movies

What makes a movie a "bad" movie? What makes a movie "taboo"? What makes a good movie? What makes an excellent movie?

Each of us has an idea of what we like and don't like. So just because I may not like Lord of the Rings, does that mean I think it's a "bad" movie? No. If I say I like it, does it mean I don't appreciate the books more? No. I believe that books, movies, music and theatre are all separate entities. If a film is being adapted from a book, it is expected to be significantly different. Luckily for us Harry Potter fans the movies are pretty close to the text. As an audience member who reads the books and watches the films, I appreciate both separately. I appreciate the book for expanding my imagination and taking me on a new adventure, and I appreciate the filmmakers and performers who adapted it to the film screen. Filmmakers have more challenges when recreating only what our imagination can see. They attempt to bring our dreams and nightmares life.

I am going to expose a secret to you. I am a Twilight fan. GASP! But here me out before you make any assumptions. The first time I saw the film I watched it with a good friend. It was horribly cheesy, many awkward moments, and unnecessary drama. I didn't give the film any credit what-so-ever. Then I felt I may have missed something. It was a huge blockbuster, and the books were selling largely among young adults and teenagers, so I knew I missed a step somewhere. I watched the film again, and again, and again, until I got it. I identify, in realistic ways, to Bella. The foundation of her character is being the outcast, not fitting in, not comfortable with the new changes in her life. She never planned on living with her father, it was circumstantial. We can all relate to these emotions. Edward is the awkward character. He needs to move the story forward, and he does so in a very odd way. In the books it is easier to read his character, it made more sense on paper. In the film he is just too much.

As the films progress, the story and action gets more mature along with the characters. The humor gets more mature as well, making it easier on the adults watching the films. I love fantasy, vampires and werewolves, magic, etc. I found it interesting how Stephenie Meyer connected these creatures in our modern world. I also found her story and creature adaptation very creative. Some artists, like myself, get our best ideas in our dreams. Stephenie wrote Twilight based on a dream. Not everyone will like or agree with her adaptation, but that doesn't matter. I give her points for creativity. I also give points to Dracula 2000 for the same reason.

The three lead actors playing the starring roles were not the reasons I watched the series. I like Billy Burke who plays Bella's father. I've seen him play a villain before, but this was a very cozy role for him. He can just relax here. Anna Kendrick, who plays one of Bella's new friends, caught everyone's eye after these films. She is a very talented actor. I know we will continue to see great things from her. The Cullen family was very fun to watch. All of the actors are very dedicated to what they do. When you watch the films, you can tell it must've been fun to make them. Sometimes movies aren't made to be "good." They are made because the actors know it will be fun to make, or they make it because it will reach a wide audience, or they make it because it touches them. This one was fun to make, I'm sure!

I particularly like the fifth film, Breaking Dawn Part 2. Bella obtains new abilities and strength. I really enjoy watching her kick butt! I also like seeing Robert Pattinson, who plays Edward, get comfortable as a father. For some of us, this is true eye candy. I think, in many ways, there is an underlying metaphor in Bella's journey from the first film to the last. Sometimes you can't watch a film and accept it literally. Maybe there is something more there.

Lord of the Rings is a great example of movies I like, but don't love. They are brilliantly made, the CG graphics, the actors, the action, everything is the best of the best. These films don't speak to me on a personal level, nor can I relate to them, but they are beautifully executed and worth watching. I haven't had the pleasure of reading the books, but someday I hope to. Right now I'm working on reading the Hunger Games series.

National Lampoons Vacation. We've all seen the variations, but the classic films with Chevy Chase are the best! Christmas Vacation is one of my favorites. Are these "bad" films? No way! They are hilariously funny, with characters and relationships we as an audience can identify with. We know people just like the ones in the films. If they are not members of our families, they are people we work with, our in-laws, etc. Granted these films probably won't receive an academy award, they are friendly, relatable, and fun.

This blog I write, is my way of giving films credit for being a piece of art. Not everyone understands art, or the artists vision, but if we had an open mind and a willingness to learn, we may just get a glimpse of the intention behind the art.

Twilight makes me happy, it makes me feel good. It's a film that doesn't require a lot of thinking. Same for National Lampoons Vacation, or Eragon. Feel good movies are family films, romantic comedies, even action films such as RED or The Avengers. Sometimes it makes us feel good to watch everything get blown up! Films that require thinking are dramas, mysteries, horror, and the like. These films require you to follow along in order to understand where the story is headed.

My recommendation for audiences is to watch films with an open mind. Accept what you don't understand in order to understand the story and the characters better. You may get the most out of your experience this way.

In theatre we talk about the "willing suspension of disbelief." This is the audiences willingness to accept what they are seeing. Letting go and believing in the characters, the plot, the action, and the emotions. When you can let go, your emotions will soar.

Robots (2005)

I really enjoy animated films. Robots is a very cute film about believing in yourself and making dreams come true. I originally wanted to see it based on the cast. Ewan McGregor, Mel Brooks, Stanley Tucci, Dianne Wiest, Robin Williams, Greg Kinnear, Paul Giamatti, Jennifer Coolidge, James Earl Jones, Jay Leno, Al Roker, Natasha Lyonne, Drew Carey, Amanda Bynes, Jim Broadbent, and even Paula Abdul!

The film is in a world of robots. Rivet Town is where Rodney Copperbottom, Ewan McGregor, is "built" not born, into a middle class type family. The father, Stanley Tucci, is a dish washer at a restaurant. His idea is that it may not be a glamorous job but it pays the bills. The mother, Dianne Wiest, is a loving mother to her only son. As Rodney grows bigger he receives hand-me-down parts from relatives. He even has to wear "female" parts because it's all the family could get him. But he didn't argue, he wore them knowing his parents are doing the best they can.

Bigweld, played by Mel Brooks, is a Walt Disney sort of character who has a tv show encouraging young inventors to come visit him. Bigweld says he never turns down a visit with an inventor, he wants to listen to all of the new ideas. Rodney grows up watching the show and idolizes Bigweld. And he wastes no time preparing to invent something amazing! He creates Wonderbot, a helper for his Dad at work. His Dad is in need of new parts, and is beginning to slow down, so Rodney puts Wonderbot to work in the restaurant kitchen. It doesn't go as well as planned, and Rodney is told to leave. Embarassed, he takes Wonderbot with him to the train station and says he will present Wonderbot to Bigweld himself. Rodney felt it was the next step in achieving success. So Rodney, with his parents' blessing, takes off for Robot City. Once there, he meets all sorts of interesting characters and finds out that Bigweld has been absent for a while. Rodney finds out that robots are suffering, not getting replacement parts as needed. The company Bigweld represents stopped making replacement parts and instead wants to make upgrades that cost too much. From here, Rodney goes on a mission to find Bigweld and help the robots.

This film was made after the Star Wars films, so there is at least one main reference to Ewan being in this film. There are also a lot of pop culture references to what was popular in 2005. Very funny, and very entertaining family film.

This is generally a feel good movie. If it's a rainy day outside and no one knows what to do, put this movie in and make some popcorn. You'll be laughing at the humor, and admiring the creative animation and story. The atmosphere is supposed to be their interpretation of our human world but adapted for robots. It's very creative with great attention to detail. You will not be disappointed with this movie!

This is from the makers of ICE AGE, so you know it's good!

Young Frankenstein (1974)

I love Mel Brooks movies. He takes classic films and iconic styles and technique, and turns it around and makes fun of them in an acceptable way. I grew up watching Young Frankenstein, Blazing Saddles, Robin Hood Men in Tights, Dracula Dead and Loving It, and High Anxiety. My parents were big fans of the films, and now I am as well. His style of exaggerating silly ideas and taking memorable moments and interpreting them literally made him a legend in the comedic film world.

Young Frankenstein is about the grandson of the famous Dr. Frankenstein, played by Gene Wilder, who tried to maintain a normal life away from the family fame. He is a doctor at a college, a professor of similar science as his grandfather. One day he receives the will of his grandfather and decides to go to Transylvania to see the family heritage. The castle is exactly as it was left, and Igor is there to greet him. Igor's grandfather used to work for Dr. Frankenstein as well. Marty Feldman played this role well. I really appreciate him as an actor and entertainer. With Mel Brooks as director, Marty never held back. Terri Garr plays the Swiss lab assistant, Madeline Kahn plays the prudish fiancee, and Cloris Leachman plays Frau Blücher who maintains the castle. While there Frederick Frankenstein goes back to his grandfathers notes and believes they have potential to work. He and Igor collect a recently buried body, a brain, and proceed to bring the man back to life using electricity. It works, but the monster has trouble learning. Now the Doctor needs to either destroy his creation or help him. Peter Boyle, as the monster, is very funny and animated in this role.

The humor in this film is typical Mel Brooks. The film is shot in classic style black and white, with camera technique similar to Alfred Hitchcock style. The script is very well written, and the acting is top quality with some of the greatest entertainers of that time. The surprise for me was seeing a younger Gene Hackman play a blind man who shows the monster some hospitality.

I will say too, that the humor in the film would be considered a bit old fashioned. We still see movies like this now, from Tropic Thunder to Dodgeball the humor is the same. However, the familiarity of the Mel Brooks style is easier understood by those who know the references. Most of his films were made in the 1970's. Presently, I don't think young people would relate to the humor or appreciate it.

Share these films with your family. There is something for everyone in each of them!
I haven't yet seen the broadway musical, but I hope to!

The Full Monty (1997)

I wanted to watch this film because of actor Robert Carlyle. He is one of my favorites! He is very diverse, and a great character actor. If you haven't seen him as Rumplestiltskin in the tv show Once Upon A Time, you are truly missing out!

The Full Monty is also a play. It's the story of 6 unemployed steel workers trying to make ends meet when Gaz, played by Carlyle, happens to drop in on a male stripper show at a local club. He realized the money the dancers were making, and the crowd they were gathering, would significantly help him in his tough financial situation. He brings the idea up when he sees his mates at the unemployment office. They are weary of the idea, but are gradually getting desperate. Keep in mind, these are primarily middle aged men. Their wives and girlfriends begin getting suspicious when they find peculiar undergarments, lotions, razors, and new behaviors in the men they know so well. When they finally advertise for their show, they bribe the women of the town with a promise to go "full monty" for one night only. Which means full nude! They manage to pull off an excellent dance routine, well choreographed, and the film closes with the camera view behind them as they are onstage dancing, and the image freezes at the point they pull off the last piece of clothing. Fantastic!

The film is full of awkward moments and dark humor. My favorite part of the film is when the men are all in line at the unemployment office, when they hear "Hot Stuff" by Donna Summer playing. They don't notice it, but they begin to dance their routine while standing in line! Hilarious! I could not stop laughing throughout this film! Definitely a feel good movie! The ending is worth the wait. The film doesn't pick up until the middle point. After that, it's just a good time!

This film in comparison to Magic Mike, is funnier, with less drama, more relatable, and fun! I hope to someday see the live play! This would definitely be funnier and more fitting on a stage.

RED (2010) and RED2 (2013)

Retired Extremely Dangerous.

These are great, mild-action films. There is just enough action and violence that keeps the adults entertained, but mild enough to keep it at a PG-13 rating!

In the first film we learn about Frank Moses, played by Bruce Willis. A retired CIA agent, who is living a quiet, but lonely life. He would tear up his pension checks as an excuse to call Sarah, played by Mary Louise-Parker, at customer service to claim he didn't receive them. Really, he just wanted to chat with her again.

Suddenly, every former agent classified as RED are under attack. Frank knows they've been watching him so he goes to find Sarah, kidnaps her to protect her, and calls up some old friends to help investigate what is happening to them. John Malkovich is a whimsical Marvin Boggs, who is also as skilled as Frank with choice weaponry and tact. Helen Mirren at one point uses a standing gatling gun while wearing a dress and heels! She plays her character Victoria, as a classy English lady who is just as skilled as any man, or better. Morgan Freeman doesn't fight at all, which is enormously disappointing. This would've been a great film for him to show his tough side! By the end of them film Sarah realizes Frank sacrificed himself to protect her. How romantic.

The action and comedy is what makes this film float! It is just beautiful!

RED 2 is the sequel. The films begins with Frank and Sarah at a Costco-like store, shopping, being almost normal. Marvin tried to convince Frank that there may be more people after them. Frank wants to live a normal life and ignores Marvin's paranoia. After one of Marvin's attempts at getting Frank's attention, Frank is approached by several government agents and is arrested and taken for interrogation. No one really understands what is going on at this point. Neal McDonough plays Jack Horton, a great villain! Jack confronts Frank about a former operation called Nightshade. The villains want a product that is nuclear. The only one who knows about Nightshade now is the one who created it. Dr. Edward Bailey, played by Anthony Hopkins, who is being held in a mental institution, without much human interaction. It seems hopeless since Dr. Bailey seems to have lost his mind since being admitte. The hunt for answers takes them to various part of Europe, even picking up Russian agent Katya, played by Catherine Zeta-Jones.

Katya's character seemed unnecessary, and pointless. "The Frog" played by David Thewlis (Prof. Loopin from Harry Potter, Prisoner of Azkaban) had such a small part it could've been skipped and no one would notice. This film is only credited for action, comedy and creativity. We forget about the plot about halfway through the film when it gets a bit convoluted.

Fun action comedy. Fun for the whole family!
Fun fact. This series is based on a DC comic of the same name.