Another Vampire Story: A New Audio Book

IIn film and television there is an overabundance of vampire stories. Many have degenerated into films about a virus or a plague where the victims show symptoms of vampirism. A few, like "Dracula Untold,"  keep the supernatural flair going.  However, "Another Vampire Story," is a short story (34 minutes) by a writer by the name of Patrick Finerd. 

However, the story is short and simple but, shows another view of the life of a vampire. I liked the story enough to want to narrate it. Here is a short clip to let you know about the story.

"The sky grew darker than normal as I made my way home from school. The wind was whipping and howling; scattering dead leaves in all directions. The branches on the naked trees waving as the brisk cool air swirled around me. A loud boom of thunder can be heard in the near distant, followed by a steady mist of rain bouncing off all surfaces."

Although set in present day, the mood is set quickly with a sense of Gothic sensibility. 

Here are the obligatory purchase links, the book goes for less than $4.00 USD

To purchase from Amazon http://bit.ly/vampstory

To purchase from Audible  http://bit.ly/vmpstory
To purchase from ITunes: http://bit.ly/AnVampStory

Robert Barbere Audible Page

Dracula Untold: A Story That Should Have Remained Untold

F or the uninitiated, "Dracula," for many is a vampire who wears a black tuxedo and sometimes turns into a bat after he seduces women with his hypnotic stare. He speaks with a Romanian accent and says silly things like, "I want to drink your blood," He is a monster that preys on women, and in a venereal sense, is a creature of lust. However, "Dracula Untold" attempts to tell the story behind the legend and bring to light the historical figure that Bram Stoker hinted at in his 1897 Gothic Horror novel. Luke Evans ("The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug," "Immortals") plays the semi-historical Prince Vlad of Transylvania. Sarah Gadon ("The Amazing Spider-Man 2") plays his wife Mirena, and Art Parkinson, little Rickon Stark from the HBO series "Game of Thrones" is Ingeras his son. Although freshmen director Gary Shore and writers Matt Sazama and Burk Sharpless attempt to fill in the details behind the mystery of who Dracula is, they fall short in the history department while trying to make up for it in effort, special effects and action. 

This is the second origins blockbuster film for 2014. The first, "Hercules" staring Dwayne Johnson did a decent job bringing a version of the demigod to the big screen that is a more human and perhaps a more honest view at how we see ancient legends. Bram Stoker gave only a few hints in his novel of who he was basing his dark count on. For instance during one of Jonathon Harker's conversations with the Count, Dracula mentions that his family comes from the proud Székelys, and Boyars who fought Ottoman Turks in defense of his people and their lands. This narrows the field down to Prince Vlad III of Walachia, situated next to the region of Transylvania. Although Stoker displaces Vlad III to the Transylvanian Carpathian Mountains, there was no person other than the reviled Vlad Țepeș, the Impaler. Even more specific is the name Dracula, as Vlad III was a Christian Knight in the Order of the Dragon, or Dracul, or Dragkwlya. As the reputation as the bloodthirsty Prince spread, 400 years later, Irish playwright and theater manager, Bram Stoker, created a vampire story around that legend. Others say that Stoker had his story pretty much outlined when he was looking for a name for his vampire and came upon the bloody prince.

"Dracula Untold" attempts to bring back Stoker's Count by providing the audience with a few morsels of truth about the infamous man behind the legend, as well as plenty of Hollywood myth making tossed in for good measure. In this version, a narrator recounts how Vlad and his brother Radu “The Handsome” were given as political hostages as a children and were educated by the Turks. He learned the Quran, Turkish, literature, logic, and the Art of War. Instead, Sharpless and Sazama turn the atrocious Vlad into a sympathetic anti-hero. Yes, Vlad the Impaler was a Christian Crusader who took up the cross during Pope Pius II's Crusade against the Ottomans, but he did so with such gusto that both friend and foe alike reviled him.  "Untold" presents us with a man born into a cruel world and tries to soften the edges and humanize him. As the narrator tells us, after leaving the captivity of the Turks, and returning to his own lands to reign, he renounces violence, and like Rock’s character in “Hercules,” intends to settle down and become a stay at home prince to his wife and a good and loving father to his son. 

After encountering evidence that the Ottoman Turks are on his lands, he and a small band of his men track the Turks to a bat infested mountain cave. Within the cave, they find the bones of humans who have lain there for centuries, along with the recently dispatched Turkish scouts. So many so, that Vlad realizes that something darker abides there. In a decent scene of horror (for a PG-13 movie), Vlad finds a creature who is so strong, but also so monstrous that he files that information for later. Returning to his home, we find that he has a beautiful wife (Gadon) and a well-bred, and unspoiled son (Parkinson) waiting for him to return. Shore allows us to see for ourselves perhaps the reason why Vlad hates the Turks so much as he removes his shirt to reveal horrible scars on his back from the whippings he endured when he was their prisoner.

While he and his family are in the midst of celebrating Easter in his grand hall with both servants and people of his court, Shore  depicts Vlad as a noble and generous prince. The Turks march in and interrupt the feast demanding their tax and levies for their Janissary corps. Janissarys are male children between the ages of 8 and 15 that serve in an elite corps of the Turkish Army. This sets the stage for rest of the film. Vlad is a good person only trying to save his family and his people. He has almost no army, and as he begs Mehmed II to leave his son out this deal, his hate returns with the memories of abuse at Mehmed's father's hands. Dominic Cooper ("Need for Speed," "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter") plays the Sultan Mehmed II who serves not only as the villain, but also as the catalyst that forces Vlad's hand in deciding to turn to the dark side. Returning to the bat cave mentioned earlier, he encounters a very old and ancient evil that may supply him with an answer to his dark prayers. "Game of Thrones" Charles Dance plays the very old Master Vampire. A dark Yoda of sorts, he cautions the young prince on the pitfalls of immortality and the need to feed. Yes, he will become a hero, but many will hate him. Unlike Louis and Lestat in "An Interview with a Vampire," Prince Vlad is given time to decide if he has buyer's remorse. He has three days to defeat the Sultan, however, the need to feed on human blood will become unbearable, but he cannot drink blood in that time. If he does, his change will become permanent. 

What would you do? Would you accept the dark side in order to save your loved ones? Or, would you stay the course and give in to the Sultan and wait until you have built your army? What the film does mention that is more or less historically accurate is that Radu, Vlad's brother, sided with Mehmed during the upcoming battles. From here on out, the "Dracula Untold" becomes a formula action film with somewhat melodramatic bitter sweet doomed romance, and plenty of CGI shenanigans which include Vlad morphing into not just one bat, but into an entire colony of them. The blood and gore is kept to a 21-century minimum, and the horror and thrill are more at an action level rather than going for the paranormal suspense and fear. 

The battle scenes are shot close up in the "Jason Bourne" style of dizzy and frenetic camera work, more of a blur if you will. Luke Evans' acting is stiff at times but conveys the charm of a prince and the brooding weight of responsibility for others. Dominic Cooper's Mehmet isn't around enough to like or dislike the character nor is Cooper's acting is of anything to note. Charles Dance as the creepy and demonic Master Vampire is probably the only real scary part in the whole film. Vlad's son Igneras is just another kid whom the audience are supposed to feel concern over his fate. Unfortunately I didn't. If anything i felt the film was lacking in passion (except for Luke Evans) for the whole film seems to me to be on the same level as Johnathon Harker played by Keanu Reeves, in Francis Ford Coppola’s “Bram Stoker’s Dracula.” The special effects in “Untold,” in some ways overshadow the story, and not in a good way. Watch if you are looking for an average action film  with just a tad bit of history, stay away if you are looking for that special film that you will remember as an important part of the Dracula cannon. If anything I give the director and writer some points for effort. 

"Dracula Untold" opened in theaters on October 10, 2014 and on DVD and Blu-ray on February 3, 2015.

Related

The Literary and Cinematic Origins of Dracula

Movie Data

Genre: Action, Drama, Fantasy, Horror, War 
Year: 2014
Staring: Luke Evans, Sarah Gadon, Dominic Cooper, Art Parkinson, Charles Dance
Director: Gary Shore
Producer(s) Michael De Luca
Writer: Matt Sazama, Burk Sharpless, Bram Stoker (characters)
Rating: PG-13

Running Time: 92 minutes

Release Date: 10/10/2012

Byzantium Movie Clip ~ Eleanor's Essay

Neil Jordan is back with a new vampire film with "Byzantium". It has been about around 19 years since he directed the adaptation of Anne Rices's classic novel "Interview With A Vampire." Once again, the writer is a woman by the name of Moira Buffini. Based on a stage play she wrote the story is about:

"Two mysterious women seek refuge in a run-down coastal resort. Clara meets lonely Noel, who provides shelter in his deserted guesthouse, Byzantium. Schoolgirl Eleanor befriends Frank and tells him their lethal secret. They were born 200 years ago and survive on human blood. As knowledge of their secret spreads, their past catches up on them with deathly consequence."

You can find "Byzantium" in US theaters on June 28th, 2013

Movie Data

Genre:  Drama, Horror, Thriller

Year:  2013

Staring: Saoirse Ronan, Gemma Arterton, Jonny Lee Miller, Daniel Mays, Caleb Landry Jones 

Director: Neil Jordan

Producer(s): Sam Englebardt, William D. Johnson, Elizabeth Karlsen, Alan Moloney, Stephen Woolley

Writer: Moira Buffini

Rating: PG-13

Byzantium - Trailer

You've got secrets? Haven't you?

"The Borgias" creator, Neil Jordan returns to the big screen with a new tail of vampires. The "Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles" director's new film, "Byzantium" stars Saoirse Ronan ("The Host," "Hanna") and Gemma Arterton ("Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters "), are two vampires who have found a haven in a small coastal town in Britain .  

"Byzantium" is the name of a run-down hotel (think Bates?), and this is where Clara (Arterton ) takes up with the owner, Noel (Daniel Mays). While the eternal 16 year-old Eleanor, falls for a local boy by the name of Frank (Caleb Landry Jones) and that is were the story gets complicated. Needless to say, people begin turning up dead.

Jordan, is not stranger to depicting his characters as sympathetic outcasts. In his 2008 film, "Breakfast on Pluto," Jordan shows that his quirky, and bizarre characters can be multidimensional and contain depth. Unlike the "Twilight" film characters, Eleanor and Clara are darker and and more edgy (based on the trailer).

Based on the play called "A Vampire Story" by Moira Buffini "Byzantium" is a tale of two strong women who are in conflict with their environment. 

Handling the musical score is Javier Navarrete whose fantasy, horror soundtrack credits include "Pan's Labyrinth," "Wrath of the Titans," "The Devil's Backbone" and  "Mirrors."

"Byzantium" opens June 28h, 2013

Movie Data

Genre:  Drama, Horror, Thriller

Year:  2013

Staring: Saoirse Ronan, Gemma Arterton, Jonny Lee Miller, Daniel Mays, Caleb Landry Jones 

Director: Neil Jordan

Producer(s): Sam Englebardt, William D. Johnson, Elizabeth Karlsen, Alan Moloney, Stephen Woolley

Writer: Moira Buffini

Rating: PG-13
Running Time: 118 minutes
Release Date: 5/31/2013

Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant

Life may be meaningless. But death, I still hope for.

If you are planning to see any vampire film this spring, I think you should see the "Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant". The movie is enchanting, entertaining, and visually stunning. Based on the "Cirque du Freak" books by Darren Shan, the movie seems to encompass the first two books of the series. Suspending reality for this movie is effortless with the help of John C. Riley as Larten Crepsley a 200 hundred year old vampire and a main attraction (along with Madam Octa) at the Cirque. This fun movie, set in an anonymous town, tells the story of two high school boys representing two opposing forces finding themselves entrapped in the world of vampires, freaks, and the walking, talking dead.

Darren Shan, a straight A student at Beckham High School, and his best friend Steve, from the wrong side of the tracks, have been friends since at least second grade, find them invited to Cirque du Freak as it passes through town. The boys, admonished not to go by their chalkboard scraping history teacher,Mr. Kersey, the boys go. Both boys have a secret passion for the perverse. Darren's, as he explains in a voice over, that spiders captivate him, while Steve, played by Josh Hutcherson, his best friend is fascinated by vampires. During the freak-show we meet most of the cast, Gavner Purl, (Willem Dafoe looking a lot like a creepy Cesar Romero, during his Joker days), Hibernius Tall (Ken Watanabe), Madam Traska, a bearded lady, (Selma Hayek), Evra Von, the snake man, Rhamus Twobellies, a werewolf and the deceptively large and seemingly evil Mr. Tiny, played by remarkably fit Michael Cerveris. Mr. Tiny and his henchman Murlough a Vampaneze, approach both boys, trying to recruit them for some evil scheme that he has in the works. 

Steve, Darren's best friend, is from a broken home and wants to become a vampire, and interrupts Crepsley and Gavner while they discuss the state of Vampire verses Vampaneze affairs. Steve wants to be a vampire, but Crepsley rejects him, stating that he has, bad blood. All through this film and undoubtedly through out the book series, the author creates his own set of vampire lore. Steve, rejected meets up with Darren, who stole Madam Octa and witnessed the rejection scene while hiding in a closet. At school, the boys get together and inadvertently let Madam Octa loose at school, while trying to catch the spider running amok through the halls, Steve is bitten and falls into a coma. Darren, in an effort to save Steve's life, trades his life to become a half-vampire and Crepsley's assistant. Crepsley saves Steve's life and fakes Darren's death, and Darren goes off to live with Crepsley at the Cirque du Freaks winter campground. The Cirque, a haven for freaks, claims neutrality from the two factions of vampires; receives a visit from Mr. Tiny as he requests Darren Shan be turned over to him. Mr. Tall says he will consider it, setting the stage for the climatic showdown. Meanwhile, seduced by the dark side and his lust for power, Mr. Tiny recruits Steve to the Vampaneze faction as their future leader. Like joining a gang, Steve must be initiated and he does so by killing their history teacher, Mr. Kersey.

Oddly enough, Paul Weitz director of "The Vampires Assistant," is the brother of Chris Weitz, director of the new "Twilight" movie, "New Moon," the other vampire movie out on DVD. Both movies focus on teenagers falling in love with the vampire lore, however, I find that "Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant," fun, fresh, fast paced, and leaves the audience wanting more. The casting of character actor John C. Riley in the part of Larten Crepsley was smart and refreshing. Chris Massoglia plays 17-year-old Darren Shan, (pen name for the author Darren O'Shaughnessy) and I feel he does a superb job portraying Crepsley new assistant. 17-year-old Josh Hutcherson plays Steve, taking on the bad-boy role. The special effects on this movie help the story progress rather than reveal themselves for their own sake. Stephen Trask's film score, works well for this movie, creepy yet playful keeps the mood interesting. I enjoyed Nick Cave's Red Right Hand, playing while Crepsley digs up Darren out of his untimely grave.

Overall, I enjoyed this movie better than the other vampire movie out on DVD and recommend "Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant," for the whole family. Note the PG-13 rating, but I think its worth watching.

Movie Data

Genre:   Action, Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy, Horror, Thriller

Year:  2009

Staring: John C. Reilly, Josh Hutcherson, Chris Massoglia, Jessica Carlson, Ray Stevenson, Michael Cerveris, and Salma Hayek

Director: Paul Weitz

Producer(s) 

Writer:  Paul Weitz, Brian Helgeland

Rating:  PG-13

Underworld: Awakening: Review of the Latest Chapter in the Underworld Franchise

"Never back a mother protecting her child into a corner!"

T he first two "Underworld" films created a world that horror audiences could fall easily in love with. A beautiful vampire heroine, a dark legend, a history and mythology that falls in line with folklore and our cultural memory of what scares the hell out of us. "Underworld: Rise of the Lycans" gave us a backstory that shed light on our main characters Selene, and Michael. The story was both romantic and horrifying at the same time. A lot of emotion flowed between the characters Lucien and Sonja. We see how they related to the relationship between Michael and Selene and how Viktor played his evil role. 

In "Underworld: Awakening" there is none of that. Instead, creator and writer Len Wiseman who serves as writer and producer, allows directors Måns Mårlind & Björn Stein speed through the exposition with fast cuts of previous films trying to catch us up on where we are at the beginning of this new chapter. As usual, as in the other "Underworld" films, we find Selene, in her slick black, skin-tight leather suit perched on a ledge. Gone are terms like curse and all sense of folklore, but instead terms like epidemic, virus, cleansing (as in ethnic cleansing), and genocide. We are in a modern world where both Lycans and Vampire are no longer at war with each other, but with humans. 

Kate Beckinsale ("Pearl Harbor", "Van Helsing") is back as Selene and like Alice in the "Resident Evil" franchise, she too has been in a coma while a species purge has been taking place. Like a pandemic, mankind has battled this non-human viral strains not with crosses, wooden stakes and silver bullets, but with science. Held in cryogenic suspension for twelve years after her capture while she and Michael tried to escape the pogrom, she awakens in the laboratory of a largest biomedical corporation; Antigen. Stephen Rea ("V for Vendetta") Dr. Jacob Lane runs antigen. Antigen is run like the Halliburton of the Bio-medical industry, with uniformed guards who walk around with plenty of firepower. Selene escapes the facility in a hail of an endless supply of bullets. Her modified Beretta 92FS Inox has a magic magazine that never seems to empty. I noticed she didn't even reload as she has in other films. The photography has the signature blue tint gives the audience the familiar cold, wet feeling of previous films. 

No other characters from the previous films grace the screen in this offering; instead, Wiseman gives us a few new characters. Apparently, not only have the humans been wiping out the non-human species, (I am surprised that they didn't try to lock them up in zoos or ghettos as in times past) but that Selene gave birth during her coma to a girl by the name of Eve. Played by Olivia Hussy's ("Romeo and Juliet" - 1968) daughter, India Eisley, Eve is a seemingly innocent and pretty girl who turns out to be, like her father, a hybrid. Another newcomer to the mix is David (Theo James), another surviving vampire, who shelters the reunited mother and daughter team while they are on the run from both the humans, and as we find out, the lycans. Michael Ealy ("Miracle at St. Anna," "Seven Pounds") plays Detective Sebastian. For some reason Wiseman thinks we needed the "human" element. I am not sure as to why he thinks this. Is this is a set up for another sequel? I actually pictured Chiwetel Ejiofor ("Serenity," "Salt," "2012") as a more suitable actor for this role as Ealy doesn't have the presence that Ejiofor has. 

This is a fast-paced, high action, bloody gore-fest of a film. "Underworld" fans will not be let down, however, the newcomer may walk away shaking their heads in bewilderment. The film boils down to a mother vampire, protecting her child. Never go up against a mother (of any species) who is backed up against the wall and will fight to the death for her offspring whether she may be Lycans, vampire, or human. Not understanding the rules or the how deep the backstory, and emotions go between the Lycans and Vampires. In a scene where a giant werewolf attacks the coven where Selene and Eve are hiding out, the uninitiated viewer doesn't have a clue that werewolves are big but not that big. 

Another issue I have with "Underworld: Awakening" is the flatness of the characters. I mentioned Det. Sebastian's character/performance, but I also have an issue with Quint (Kris Holden-Ried), Dr. Lane's (Rea) son. He too, like his father, is after Eve for her hybrid genes. His character seems robotic that, if it weren't for the special effects I wouldn't have noticed him. I don't know if it is the lack of dialog or that there is just so much action that the film rushes before your eyes you don't really feel like you saw a story, but a series of flash-cut gunfights, explosions, and close quarter combat scenes instead. 

I guarantee that fans of the franchise will love this film as it furthers the storyline and promulgates the franchise and the Lycans and vampire mythos. If you are new to the franchise, I recommend going down to your local video store, Netflix, or even Redbox, grab the first three films, and watch those first.

Movie Data

Genre: Action, Fantasy, Horror

Year:  2012

Staring: Kate Beckinsale, Stephen Rea, Michael Ealy, Theo James, India Eisley, Charles Dance, Kris Holden-Ried

Director: Måns Mårlind, Björn Stein 

Producer(s): Len Wiseman, Gary Lucchesi, Tom Rosenberg

Writer: John Hlavin, J. Michael Straczynski, Allison Burnett, Len Wiseman, John Hlavin

Rating: R

Running Time: 88 minutes

Release Date: 1/20/2012

Published originally by Robert Barbere on Associated Content on 1/21/2012