Vampire Movies
Just watched a movie called "Daybreakers" at the theater. It's set in the very near future (like 2018 or so). A virus has turned most of the world population into vampires and humans are going extinct, which is bad for the vamps because they're losing their food supply and bad for the humans because they're being captured and 'farmed' to death by the vamps. The plot revolves around a vampire scientist who was looking for a blood substitute, a couple of human resistance fighters who have found a cure for the vampire virus and the predictable baddy corporate vamp who pretty much just wants to turn a buck at everybody's expense.
The movie was waaaay too bloody and dark for my tastes, although I liked the set up and a lot of the underlying plot and ideas. Needless to say, their search for a blood substitute had me thinking of Vampire Knight... ;D As did many of the other elements in less direct ways such as the fact that businesses only open at night, the underground walkways and trains and the blood coffee, etc. I think the thing I liked best about the film was the interesting what-if world it portrayed. Unlike a lot of 'humanity is being destroyed' films, it wasn't gritty and post-apocolyptic, it was pretty much business as usual with people continuing to go on about their urban lives, only having to adjust to a life that means absolutely no daylight and the need for human blood.
In the film, unlike VK, sunlight is deadly to vamps - they burst into flames. But sort of like in VK, they also had Level E like vampires who were insane and creature-like. Only for them, since of course all vampires in the film are turned vampires, they go crazy if they don't have enough blood regularly.
The ethical, business and political issues that could arise from such a drastic change in world circumstances were interesting to me and as I said, I think that was the most interesting part of the movie for me. (That and the fact that Ethan Hawkes was quite cute ;D). The plot itself was okay, although I would have liked to see a few more twists or something. It was pretty simple, but they did work in at least one interesting almost-twist near the end at least.
What I didn't care for so much was all the gore. I know. It's a vampire movie. I like vampires. Doesn't mean I like a ton of blood in my movies. Nope. Don't get me wrong, I've nothing against blood in movies to a point. I like action movies and that type of incidental blood letting doesn't usually phase me. I think Gladiator was an awesome movie and it had a fair amount of blood. But this was a little over the top for me, more on par with horror movie levels of blood, gore, mangling and decapitation which I find excessive. I cringed and wanted to hold my neck a lot of the time. XD (Although one interesting thing that comes from it is it gives me a great perspective into how Hunters probably feel about and view vamps, which is always good from a writing point of view, I like to keep my character impressions fresh.)
Actually, I think I would have been able to shrug off most of the gore even so, if they'd cut out or toned down a couple of scenes at the very end of the movie. At that point, I really felt that they somehow realized they'd run out of plot and had movie time left to burn and just thought hey, let's toss in a few more prolonged blood baths, that'll use up some time! LOL So if I'm honest, I think it's really those couple of scenes that sort of turned me off about the film and made it an 'okay' movie instead of a 'good' one. Still, I enjoyed watching it for all the background stuff, and I don't regret going to see it. (Unlike some movies which leave me going "OMG... can I please have the last two hours of my life back?!") hehe
On the subject of vampire movies, I also did finally see New Moon (Twilight) over Christmas, it's just when I was sick and busy so I didn't have time to mention it in a post. It was okay. I liked the first one better for some reason, but I didn't really dislike this one. It seemed a little slow, repetative and predictable to me, but it could be one of those cases where a book didn't transfer over so well to the screen or something (haven't read the books, only seen the films). Or it could be I'm just kind of over the whole Romeo and Juliet thing. Actually, I tell you what, I think if I hadn't known about what was up with Jacob before watching it there would have been a little more mystery to help it along, so it could be a case of knowing too much ahead of time. (LOL or maybe as a woman of... well... my age, I have a hard time having sympathy for 18-year-old Bella obsessing about being "old" ;D).
I did enjoy the fight scenes with the Volturi (who were positively creepy). I like the way they do the vampires fighting in the Twilight movies, they have a lot of the feral grace, acrobatics and super speed that I imagine when writing VK stuff. It was also interesting how they were kind of like the "Vampire Council" of that world. And of course I couldn't help smiling over the fact that they've got a similar (although very different) boy-who-is-vampire + human girl + boy-who-hates-and-fights-vampires dynamic like VK. (Yes, everything about vampires eventually comes back to me comparing it to VK, incase you haven't guessed yet. Vampire Knight is why I like vampires to start with, never cared much for them before that.)
LOL wow, okay, listen to me ramble on. Apparently tonight seemed like a good night to sit around and be critical of vampire movies. *rolls eyes* Ah well, these are just my opinions, I'm sure there's a lot of folks that absolutely love both movies, and that's great! I enjoyed both, some parts more than others, but I'm probably going to skip on the DVDs. Still, they both had some parts of them that were very interesting.
Oh, and in case anyone is wondering, I am working on the next chapter of Secrets in the Dark. I'd like to be able to post it sometime this weekend, but I'm not sure yet. We'll see!
The movie was waaaay too bloody and dark for my tastes, although I liked the set up and a lot of the underlying plot and ideas. Needless to say, their search for a blood substitute had me thinking of Vampire Knight... ;D As did many of the other elements in less direct ways such as the fact that businesses only open at night, the underground walkways and trains and the blood coffee, etc. I think the thing I liked best about the film was the interesting what-if world it portrayed. Unlike a lot of 'humanity is being destroyed' films, it wasn't gritty and post-apocolyptic, it was pretty much business as usual with people continuing to go on about their urban lives, only having to adjust to a life that means absolutely no daylight and the need for human blood.
In the film, unlike VK, sunlight is deadly to vamps - they burst into flames. But sort of like in VK, they also had Level E like vampires who were insane and creature-like. Only for them, since of course all vampires in the film are turned vampires, they go crazy if they don't have enough blood regularly.
The ethical, business and political issues that could arise from such a drastic change in world circumstances were interesting to me and as I said, I think that was the most interesting part of the movie for me. (That and the fact that Ethan Hawkes was quite cute ;D). The plot itself was okay, although I would have liked to see a few more twists or something. It was pretty simple, but they did work in at least one interesting almost-twist near the end at least.
What I didn't care for so much was all the gore. I know. It's a vampire movie. I like vampires. Doesn't mean I like a ton of blood in my movies. Nope. Don't get me wrong, I've nothing against blood in movies to a point. I like action movies and that type of incidental blood letting doesn't usually phase me. I think Gladiator was an awesome movie and it had a fair amount of blood. But this was a little over the top for me, more on par with horror movie levels of blood, gore, mangling and decapitation which I find excessive. I cringed and wanted to hold my neck a lot of the time. XD (Although one interesting thing that comes from it is it gives me a great perspective into how Hunters probably feel about and view vamps, which is always good from a writing point of view, I like to keep my character impressions fresh.)
Actually, I think I would have been able to shrug off most of the gore even so, if they'd cut out or toned down a couple of scenes at the very end of the movie. At that point, I really felt that they somehow realized they'd run out of plot and had movie time left to burn and just thought hey, let's toss in a few more prolonged blood baths, that'll use up some time! LOL So if I'm honest, I think it's really those couple of scenes that sort of turned me off about the film and made it an 'okay' movie instead of a 'good' one. Still, I enjoyed watching it for all the background stuff, and I don't regret going to see it. (Unlike some movies which leave me going "OMG... can I please have the last two hours of my life back?!") hehe
On the subject of vampire movies, I also did finally see New Moon (Twilight) over Christmas, it's just when I was sick and busy so I didn't have time to mention it in a post. It was okay. I liked the first one better for some reason, but I didn't really dislike this one. It seemed a little slow, repetative and predictable to me, but it could be one of those cases where a book didn't transfer over so well to the screen or something (haven't read the books, only seen the films). Or it could be I'm just kind of over the whole Romeo and Juliet thing. Actually, I tell you what, I think if I hadn't known about what was up with Jacob before watching it there would have been a little more mystery to help it along, so it could be a case of knowing too much ahead of time. (LOL or maybe as a woman of... well... my age, I have a hard time having sympathy for 18-year-old Bella obsessing about being "old" ;D).
I did enjoy the fight scenes with the Volturi (who were positively creepy). I like the way they do the vampires fighting in the Twilight movies, they have a lot of the feral grace, acrobatics and super speed that I imagine when writing VK stuff. It was also interesting how they were kind of like the "Vampire Council" of that world. And of course I couldn't help smiling over the fact that they've got a similar (although very different) boy-who-is-vampire + human girl + boy-who-hates-and-fights-vampires dynamic like VK. (Yes, everything about vampires eventually comes back to me comparing it to VK, incase you haven't guessed yet. Vampire Knight is why I like vampires to start with, never cared much for them before that.)
LOL wow, okay, listen to me ramble on. Apparently tonight seemed like a good night to sit around and be critical of vampire movies. *rolls eyes* Ah well, these are just my opinions, I'm sure there's a lot of folks that absolutely love both movies, and that's great! I enjoyed both, some parts more than others, but I'm probably going to skip on the DVDs. Still, they both had some parts of them that were very interesting.
Oh, and in case anyone is wondering, I am working on the next chapter of Secrets in the Dark. I'd like to be able to post it sometime this weekend, but I'm not sure yet. We'll see!
Labels: daybreakers, twilight new moon, vampire knight, vampire movies, vampires
Yeah, haven't seen them yet (going to see Daybreakers tomorrow!) but I got the similar impression by watching their previews. Daybreakers appears to have a fresher approach to the typical vampire flick with the futuristic human blood-farming thing, and I love the fact that go mad like VK's level-E's. While the trailer was exciting I still think I'm going to walk out with of the theater with that emptiness accompanied by some action movies. Then there is 'Let The Right One In' which has more drama than action and I think it ranks above a lot of gorey vampire flicks.
New Moon... need to remind myself to save that rental for a drunken night with my goofy-ass friends. I did that with Twilight and can't do it any other way now.
Posted by
Noemi |
January 16, 2010 3:29 AM
*pouts* it's not fair.
Here in Spain Daybreakers doesn't come out until the 26th of February.
Besides, I'm tied to my desk chair, with my books and notes until exams season is over. I barely have half an hour a day to check my mail, and some websites.
*wonders when will she get her life back*
Thanks heaven it's weekend ^_^. I'm a little less stressed today.
About new moon, well, I have read the four books (twice), and I can tell you that the best is yet to come for this series ;)
In fact, I started liking the vampire world after reading the Twilight saga. It was when I was searching for vamp stuff that I found this great manga named Vampire Knight. Ever heard of it? XD
I'm glad as well that you will post SitD so soon again *squeals happily*
Well, I'll shut up now, this comment is getting too long ^_~
*huggs*
Araya-chan
Posted by
araya-chan |
January 16, 2010 5:44 AM
Hey Vani, thanks for your film recommendation! I have Daybreakers in my "films-to-see" list *marks february 26th*, so is good to read some opinion from a vampire obsessed friend :DDD
I'm so sorry, but I haven't had time nor stamina to read your two last chapters *whips herself for a while*. Maybe it was the Christmas' holidays or the fact that I found the manga more an more boring with each chapter *sighs* But I found difficult to concentrate myself on VK themes lately.
As for the movies, well since I don't include the Twilight saga between the "Vampires' books" category, I'm not going to comment it. Just that the final scene/sentence awakened an irresistible urge to run at home, brush my teeth from so much sugar and see all the true dark, bloody and revered vampire films that I have at home. So no comments. Let's say that I have more than 13 years old... ;)
As for Daybreakers, the film promises :D I don't have issues with the blood in vampire films, normally, only with free violence. Judging by your comments, it kind of remind me some Tarantino's films. I'm with Noemi, "Let the right one in" is a film that offers a very good realistic twist in the vampire myth.
In a very different way, I liked "True Blood" TV serie too (I've not read the books), because of the way it portrays what could happen in our world if vampires revealed their existance and tried to live amongst us (the poor ones...)
Thanks!!!
Posted by
VaneCaos |
January 16, 2010 5:57 AM
I was initially put off by the Daybreakers trailer. Oh, great, another CGI gorefest, I thought but then I read a review and was pleasantly surprised to find that it has a decent plot. Still, I'll probably wait and make it a rental. And yes, Let The Right One In is a good movie! I highly recommend it. As for Twilight; I'm not a fan and that's probably all I should say about that.
Slightly off topic, I'm really hurting for some more VK chapters. Feb. 24 seems so far away! Meanwhile, I've gotten some great ideas for some fanfiction. But I haven't written anything is so long, I'm afraid to attempt it. I actually have 2 stories, one an erotic fiction involving Zero and Yori, which leads to just a regular fiction story detailing what happens as a result that at least at this point, could fit into canon. Course, by the time I write it, Ms. Hino will have written something that will make it unlikely. I know, it's fanfiction, but I usually like to stick to canon as much as possible. Heck, I should write it anyway.
Posted by
rinsmith |
January 16, 2010 7:58 PM
In new moon, there is this part where the leader of Volturi who I can't remember his name at the moment when and touch Edward's skin to read his memories and Bella was disgusted bout it... That scene reminded me of Ichiou kissing Kaname's hand while prying at his beautiful neck giving Aidou the disgusting feeling...
Posted by
kanshou87 |
January 17, 2010 10:03 AM
Wanna share with you this hilarious video!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQGCTbsP9oI&feature=player_embedded
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0vpounM-ok
Posted by
kanshou87 |
January 17, 2010 10:40 AM
Vane - I have to agree with you on 'True Blood'! I avoided it like the plague until my sister forced me to watch the first episode and it totally exceeded my expectations. Still have to see season two. SOOKEEEH!! ...eheheh
Oh yeah, and 'Let The Right One In' is getting an American remake called 'Let Me In'. Cuz, y'know, that's what we do.
Posted by
Noemi |
January 17, 2010 5:17 PM
i haven't even heard of that 'Daybreakers' movie! Hmmm, although i think i may skip it. I'm not too into the whole blood and gore thing either. Like you, i'm all for Gladiator, adored that movie (Russell Crowe!!!) I love that he's from Aus. Even Kill Bill was alright for me (you could literally SEE the tubes that were spurting 'blood') but...horror films...not so much.
New Moon...still haven't seen that actually. I saw the first and went 'nope i am so glad someone else paid for my ticket, haha'. I'm with you on the whole 'romeo and juliet' thing. Personally, its my most hated Shakespeare play. I'm an extremely rational person, so i couldn't help gaping over their stupidity, haha.
I've read the Twilight books; at the time i was like 'pretty good books'. Now i honestly prefer to read your stories *grins*. It was the whole build up to an anti-climactic end that got me *shakes head*. Honestly, those books promised *something* and delivered...not much, haha. SO glad to hear you're working on the next chapter of SitD!!! I hope you can get it posted this weekend!! *crosses fingers and toes*
-Lenko
Posted by
Anonymous |
January 18, 2010 7:00 AM
Noemi- A REMAKE for 'Let the right one in'?!! O.O Why? The original movie (I don't remember if it's norwegian or sweaden) is fantastic with its hyperrealistic and cold ambientation. I think its success is, precisely, that remote way of filming that can only have sweden/norwegian directors. I'm not pretty sure if a remake -done by americans or whoever- would respect that.
And, hey, at least you have finished seeing the first season of TRue Blood. I have 3 chapters left but I don't have time. The second season is beginning in an spanish channel.
Posted by
VaneCaos |
January 18, 2010 7:10 AM
I know :( Wasn't to pleased when I heard the news either and it appears the majority of people who have seen and loved LTROI are highly opposed. I understand why we make remakes but I've never been a fan the idea since there's always a fine line between honoring the source matertial & wanting to cash in on the source material's success. Somehow I believe that if there were more widespread releases of international movies in theaters across America, we wouldn't have to worry about remakes.
Has anyone seen a recent Korean vampire movie called 'Thrist'? I saw it at a rental store and found out the director is the same one who made 'Oldboy'! I hope it's good.
Posted by
Noemi |
January 18, 2010 2:57 PM
Wow, I just happen to have Thirst on my Netflix list but have yet to watch it. I wasn't sure about it since it didn't have a high rating but I read a review and it seems intriguing. As for the LTROI remake; I've seen the original but I'm still looking forward to the remake. I read an article about it on Horror Squad and so far, it sounds like it'll be the same except for some name changes and location. They're filming in New Mexico, so instead of a cold place, it'll be hot! Not all remakes are bad; I sometimes like different interpretations/adaptations of the same story.
Posted by
rinsmith |
January 18, 2010 3:34 PM
Hi everybody! Sorry I didn't get my fic out over the weekend as planned, but I'm hoping to post it soon, before next weekend. Just have to finish up a few things.
I've been enjoying everyones thoughts on the different vampire movies. Apparently I'm vampire-movie-deprived LOL as I've not heard of most of the ones being mentioned. *starts making a list* For instance, I've never seen "Let the Right One In" but it sounds like I ought to try to check it out sometime. :) *adds to list*
In regards to the bloodiness of Daybreakers - if you like Tarantino films, it probably would not be too much for you. I'm just a bit of a wuss about gore in movies, although ironically in books or fanfic it doesn't usually bother me at all.
LOL and yes Kanshou, that part of NM does give that exact feeling! ;D
I wish I could comment more, but work calls. :P Catch you all later!
Posted by
Blackened Wing |
January 19, 2010 9:11 AM
LOL If you're behind in vampire movies, Vani dear, then I'm still at the starting line looking around and going 'What? Has the whistle blown? Where's everybody?'
XD
Still, glad to know you stilll have a life :)
Vane, hang in there, I'm sure you'll get your VK interest back :D
*hugs you both*
Posted by
YenGirl |
January 19, 2010 6:43 PM