I am completely aware of how behind the times I am with this review. But, I think Dragon Age: Origins deserves some review love. What the hell. I might as well cover Dragon Age 2 while I'm at it.
I wont bother hiding the fact that DA:O is one of my favorite games of all time. However, I will try this review fair and balanced. No matter how hard it may be.
The game begins like so many RGP games do.
Welcome to Ferelden folks. It's country on the brink of war. Monsters call the Darkspawn are making life difficult for all. You know, Killing and shit like that. And, of course, different factions trying to put a stop to invading monsters.
Meet the Grey Wardens. This group of warriors are only the best of the best. The Grey Wardens soul purpose is to defeat the Darkspawn and the Darkspawn leader, the Archdemon. Throughout the game you will learn what makes the Grey Wardens so different from other warriors, Which is actually fairly interesting.
The first Grey Warden that we meet is Ferelden's Warden Commander, Duncan. Due to a dwindling Grey Warden population in Ferelden, Duncan has taken it upon himself to recruit talented and intelligent warriors. Since the Grey Warden's only recruit the best of the best, you can only imagine how daunting this task must be. Yet the impending war waits for no man.
After a brief opening cut scene, you will be able to create the character of your choosing.
After choosing your race, sex, class and back round, you will be able to customize your character. While not as deep as some customization, it is fairly extensive. This is where the pc version of this game comes out on top. Thanks to the amount of appearance mods, the customization options are nearly endless. Want a character with neon green hair? There is a mod for that.
The beginning of your story depends on what race and backround you choose. After you learn about your character's beginning, the game itself essentially plays out the same. However, depending on what race you pick, the people of the world will react to your character differently. Elves are seen as slaves. Humans are seen as superior. Dwarfs for the most part are dirt people. Mages are somewhat feared. Who you choose will also effect the ending as well. Which gives the game replay value.
Once your character has been recruited in to the Grey Wardens, things quickly go downhill from there. After a failed battle, you and a fellow companion are the last two Grey Wardens in Ferelden. It's up to you to gather an army in order to take down the Archdemon, and stop the blight on Ferelden before it actually begins. To make matters worse, an important army general has placed a bounty on your head. I will let you play the game in order to find out why this man has it out for your group. But I will say our little general is slightly bat shit crazy. When it rains, it pours.
While the story isn't exactly super original, it is enough to keep most true RPG fans interested. You are able to form bonds and even romance your companions. Which adds a layer of depth to the story. I can't speak for all people who have played this game, but I really did care about my companions. I found myself wanting to make most of them happy. This is something you can do through conversations and gift giving. Certain conversation paths lead to "Hardening" a particular character. Or you can leave your wimpy character as is.
There is A LOT of story here. With side quests and all, I finished the game in 75 hours or so. So if you are all about a bit of bang for your buck, this is the game for you. I'm sure with all the DLC for the game it turns out to be a 80 or 90 hour game. So there is a lot of content here to get through.
I've played this game on all the consoles and the pc. In my personal opinion, this is a pc game. Not just because of all the mods that are out there. But it handles like a pc game no matter which system you play it on. Controls for the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions are a bit confusing at first. With a little time, it becomes easier to figure out where everything is and how it works. The pc version is slightly less complicated. I for inventory. M for map. So on and so forth. All versions have a quick bar. The quick bar is going to save your ass, so keep it fully stocked with abilities and potions.
The game play itself is a throw back to Baldur's Gate. Which isn't a bad thing since I love BG. Which means if you are someone who like a fast and furious battles, sad to say that this game is not for you. This game requires strategy and most of all patience. Planning out a fight plan is the key to success. Unless you have an overpowered weapon mod, then fuck strategy. Hack away.
Relationships with your companions is important. I cannot stress enough how important this is. There are several companions who will turn on you if you don't butter them up. You don't aways have you please everyone, but it's a good idea to try.
Romance is kind of hit or miss. There are some I simply romanced because it would give me one more achievement. Then there are the characters I enjoyed wooing. I will let you discover who you prefer to warm your lonely sleeping bags at night. There is something here for everyone. There are two characters in this game who are bisexual and two who aren't. I'll let you play and figure out who.
There are sex scenes. Which are deeply unsatisfying. Who has sex with clothes on? The cut scenes are just strange and not very fun to watch. Not saying I want porno quality scenes here, but one spends a lot of time wooing a fellow companion. I'd like a little more than dry humping in a tent.
The Fade and the Deep Roads. I have no met a single person who enjoys playing through these levels. In fact, there is a mod out to skip the Fade. Believe me, it's downloaded and well worth it. I understand why both of these levels are in the game. They are just take way too fucking long to get through.
You are sent to The Fade by a Demon because....well I assume it's just to waste time and annoy the player. When inside the Fade there are five levels to get through. There are two objectives here: Pick up a new form in each level. And find your lost companions. All of this leads up to a pointless fade boss battle. If you have the right equipment, this boss is easy. Aside from earning exp and attribute points, I really don't see the point of this level. It's too fucking long!
The Deep roads actually is an important part of the story. However, it takes HOURS to get through. It's easy to get lost, frustrating as hell and just all around not much fun.
If it weren't to build an army against the darkspawn, I would have said fuck help from the dwarves and mages. Since that isn't an option we'll all just have to suffer through it.
The end is satisfying. There are several different endings to choose from. All of your decisions throughout the game lead up to the end decision. I wont go in to detail, but it is epic.
Let's talk about Dragon Age: Awakening and DLC for a moment. WHAT THE FUCK BIOWARE??! DA:A is a "full length" expansion for the original game. This game AT MOST, has 10-15 hours of game play. If you took your time, maybe you could get 15 and a half hours. The point is, the fucking thing is short. At the time it was also a full priced game. 50 dollars for this? 60 dollars for the console versions. Why this wasn't just released as a DLC is beyond me, but it is what it is.
DA:A gives us a new setting, new party members and new objectives. You have one of two options. Bringing over your Warden from DA:O, or playing as an Orleasan Warden. To be honest I've never played as the Orleasan Warden, since it seemed rather pointless. You don't know anything about this new Warden, nor do you get the time to learn of any back round. Might as well transfer your own Warden and build up those levels.
The new companions fell short for me. Each and every one of them felt like a counterpart to a character from DA:O. Don't get me wrong. I did enjoy the dialogue with the witty, cat loving Anders. But even he felt like a certain Grey Warden love interest from DA:O. Given the expansion's shortness, you are given very little time to know your companions. There is the gift giving option, but honestly I don't see the point. Conversations are short, don't give you much information, and seem tacked on.
It annoyed me that NONE of my special armor or weapons from DA:O carried over. Showing up in my underwear, or bra and panties was a bit of a surprise. Not a good kind of surprise.
The ending. Well. The End of DA:A just kinda.....ends. It's unsatisfying to say the least. We learn a little of what has happened to the companions and our Warden commander through epilogue stills, but there could have been so much more. It could have been epic. Instead, Bioware phones in a half assed ending that leaves one confused. At least I was a little confused.
Not to say DA:A is all bad. Some of the missions are fun. Also some of the dialogue between the npc's is really kind of funny. I also love the idea of talking darkspawn.
But as a whole it's an expansion pack that falls vastly short of good. Passable and worth a play through. If only to level yourself up for the DLC to follow.
On to the DLC.
The Stone Prisoner gave us a new mission, along with a new companion. It's worth getting just for Shale alone. Some of the items looted along the way is pretty nifty too.
Return to Ostagar gave us a chance to get our revenge on the darkspawn. While this isn't the best dlc on the list, it was pretty fun. The loot was well worth playing through this. The kings armor and Duncan's weapons were nice to have in the old inventory box.
Leliana's Story was not wonderful, but it was nice to get a back round story on at least one companion. Even though she was the least interesting of the characters. This also adds a weapon to your game inventory. It's hardly worth the time spent.
Darkspawn Chronicles. While some hate this dlc, personally I really liked playing as the darkspawn. I was finally able to kill some of the most annoying characters in the game! I found it thrilling and therapeutic. If you take it for the filler dlc that it is, you can have some fun.
Witch Hunt. This was, by far, the most disappointing dlc of the bunch. We were promised an answers. Sadly, we got none with this sub par episode. We find ourselves in the Deep Roads. Again. This was already enough to keep me from downloading this dlc. Sadly, it came with the ultimate edition of the game. So I gave it a whirl. We need to find Morrigan because she has an important book. There are two rather boring new companions. The dlc raises more questions than it answers. Thus leaving fans utterly disappointed.
The Golems of Amgarrak. Again with this Deep Roads bullshit. However, this was a very challenging dlc. Again we are searching for something. A new companion is on the hunt for something or another. Since I found myself back in the Deep Roads, I really didn't give a rats ass what he was looking for. The puzzles were challenging, as was the end boss. I appreciated the challenge. The story itself was utter shit. Pass.
Armor dlc, Festerday pranks/gifts were let downs. The blood armor was cool looking, but did little else. The pranks/gifts are to help get your party approval up or down. Either way they were utterly stupid and pointless.
It's worth getting the ultimate edition. If you can find it. Just know the expansion is short, and the dlc is hit or miss.
I give the game itself a 9/10
The extra content gets a 5/10
If I were to add my review of DA2, it would indeed be far too long. So next up. My review of the unfortunate Dragon Age 2.
Sunday, March 3, 2013
Friday, January 25, 2013
DMC: Devil May Cry review
I'm going to take a break from book reviews here for a minute. Today's review is going to show how absolutely nerdtastic I really am. I don't hide the fact that not only am I a complete book worm, but also a video game junkie. My video game collection is actually far more vast than my book piles.
I have been a HUGE fan of the Devil May Cry series since it was originally released in 2001. It was my main reason for owning a Playstation 2. All three of the original PS2 games are fantastic. Yes, story telling could have been better, but for what the lack in story is more than made up for in combat and characters.
Dante. Who doesn't love our white haired half demon, half human. He's witty and just an all around bad ass. Put him together with Trish and it's pure gold. The loss of Trish almost made me throw my controller in to the tv, but I eventually got over it and played the 3rd game. Random chick didn't fill the void the Trish left, but at least Dante was there. Plus the showdown with this twin brother Vergil was epic.
The fourth game took some time to get in to. I wanted to love Nero and eventually I learned. But a Dante look alike just wasn't the same. Although fighting against Dante was pretty neat in the beginning.
Now, in 2013 we come to DMC: Devil May Cry. This game is a reboot, which should have told me to stay the hell away. But I'm a diehard fan. I ignored the fandom voice in my brain and bought it.
First I list off the things I really did like about this game.
The combat in this game was much more fluid and responsive. Combos were easy to pull off. And for a combo moron such as myself it was actually kind of nice.
The graphics are nothing short of amazing. Characters and even scenery look very realistic.
I really did enjoy seeing how the tension between Dante and Vergil all started. You do go in knowing some of the history between these two, but it's nice to get the full story.
I am one of the few who actually likes Dante's new look.
The level's of difficulty in this game are insane. With each play through you earn a new difficulty level. If you can make it through the "Dante must die" difficulty left then my hat is off to you. There is also "Heaven and Hell" as well as "Hell and Hell" which I can't believe people have already beat. Enemies are insanly hard and can kill Dante with one hit. I dig all the difficulty level choices.
Now for what I didn't like about the game.
While I do like Dante's new and younger look. Good god his attitude. He looks like an emo, I half expected him to act like it. Hell, I would have preferred it. The "I don't give a shit" attitude is becoming a norm among video game protagonists lately. I feel this must end. And where the hell did Dante's sense of humor go? Yes there are SOME lines that produced a bit of a chuckle, but not very many. I missed his wit and charm. Oh and the pizza eating. Where did his pizza obsession go? I could have made this a much shorter paragraph had I just said Ninja Theory did a great job of bastardizing Dante's character.
The voice acting is just bad and laughable. Actually, this made me laugh more than the so called jokes.
DMC has never been a storyline kind of franchise. I can accept this. While I do GREATLY enjoy the shots a Fox News in this game, it gets tired very quickly. Big bad demon (who killed Dante and Vergil's parents), is trying to enslave humanity....blah, blah and blah. There comes a point in the game where you just want to say screw it, demons can win for all I care.
I said earlier that I enjoy combat. What I don't enjoy switching between weapons to kill certain enemies. Midway through the game you get more weapons. As cool as these weapons are, the further you get into the game the less useful these special weapons become. It all becomes very confusing as to which weapon you need to kill what enemy. Yes, red means demonic and white means angelic. But when you start forgetting which button controls which weapon, it starts to become very frustrating and frankly not very much fun anymore.
The combo system is way to easy on players. In the original games you lost combo points for breaking from a combination of swings. It's so freaking easy to get points that it hardly seems worth doing combos at all. You loose points whenever you're hit or interrupted by an enemy, but with a dodge button getting hit is hardly a problem at all.
Kat. Oh Kat. The most boring woman to ever enter into the DMC universe. Far more boring than Random chick in the 3rd game. She turns out to be a somewhat love interest for Dante, which just shows you how absolutely freaking boring Dante has become. She has no redeeming qualities that I can think of. Woot! She helped me in a couple of missions. Really, aside from the hunter mission and the portals to limbo, she could have been left out of this game completely.
Earlier missions are far more fun to play through. Here we come back to memorizing which button controls which weapon. The weapons early on are relevant and easy to remember. Plus these levels are just plain fun to play through.
The ending. Well. What do say about the ending. It was very.....unfulfilled. But Ninja Theory left it open for a second game. yay. I guess.
It's not by any means a horrible game. It's actually pretty fun to play for a short period of time. But if you are a die hard DMC fan you will find many faults. If you are just coming in to this series and haven't played any of the original games, then this reboot is for you. I don't seem myself coming back to play it unless they put out some kick ass DLC.
On the typical gamer rating scale I give this game a 5(maybe a 5 and a half)/10
I have been a HUGE fan of the Devil May Cry series since it was originally released in 2001. It was my main reason for owning a Playstation 2. All three of the original PS2 games are fantastic. Yes, story telling could have been better, but for what the lack in story is more than made up for in combat and characters.
Dante. Who doesn't love our white haired half demon, half human. He's witty and just an all around bad ass. Put him together with Trish and it's pure gold. The loss of Trish almost made me throw my controller in to the tv, but I eventually got over it and played the 3rd game. Random chick didn't fill the void the Trish left, but at least Dante was there. Plus the showdown with this twin brother Vergil was epic.
The fourth game took some time to get in to. I wanted to love Nero and eventually I learned. But a Dante look alike just wasn't the same. Although fighting against Dante was pretty neat in the beginning.
Now, in 2013 we come to DMC: Devil May Cry. This game is a reboot, which should have told me to stay the hell away. But I'm a diehard fan. I ignored the fandom voice in my brain and bought it.
First I list off the things I really did like about this game.
The combat in this game was much more fluid and responsive. Combos were easy to pull off. And for a combo moron such as myself it was actually kind of nice.
The graphics are nothing short of amazing. Characters and even scenery look very realistic.
I really did enjoy seeing how the tension between Dante and Vergil all started. You do go in knowing some of the history between these two, but it's nice to get the full story.
I am one of the few who actually likes Dante's new look.
The level's of difficulty in this game are insane. With each play through you earn a new difficulty level. If you can make it through the "Dante must die" difficulty left then my hat is off to you. There is also "Heaven and Hell" as well as "Hell and Hell" which I can't believe people have already beat. Enemies are insanly hard and can kill Dante with one hit. I dig all the difficulty level choices.
Now for what I didn't like about the game.
While I do like Dante's new and younger look. Good god his attitude. He looks like an emo, I half expected him to act like it. Hell, I would have preferred it. The "I don't give a shit" attitude is becoming a norm among video game protagonists lately. I feel this must end. And where the hell did Dante's sense of humor go? Yes there are SOME lines that produced a bit of a chuckle, but not very many. I missed his wit and charm. Oh and the pizza eating. Where did his pizza obsession go? I could have made this a much shorter paragraph had I just said Ninja Theory did a great job of bastardizing Dante's character.
The voice acting is just bad and laughable. Actually, this made me laugh more than the so called jokes.
DMC has never been a storyline kind of franchise. I can accept this. While I do GREATLY enjoy the shots a Fox News in this game, it gets tired very quickly. Big bad demon (who killed Dante and Vergil's parents), is trying to enslave humanity....blah, blah and blah. There comes a point in the game where you just want to say screw it, demons can win for all I care.
I said earlier that I enjoy combat. What I don't enjoy switching between weapons to kill certain enemies. Midway through the game you get more weapons. As cool as these weapons are, the further you get into the game the less useful these special weapons become. It all becomes very confusing as to which weapon you need to kill what enemy. Yes, red means demonic and white means angelic. But when you start forgetting which button controls which weapon, it starts to become very frustrating and frankly not very much fun anymore.
The combo system is way to easy on players. In the original games you lost combo points for breaking from a combination of swings. It's so freaking easy to get points that it hardly seems worth doing combos at all. You loose points whenever you're hit or interrupted by an enemy, but with a dodge button getting hit is hardly a problem at all.
Kat. Oh Kat. The most boring woman to ever enter into the DMC universe. Far more boring than Random chick in the 3rd game. She turns out to be a somewhat love interest for Dante, which just shows you how absolutely freaking boring Dante has become. She has no redeeming qualities that I can think of. Woot! She helped me in a couple of missions. Really, aside from the hunter mission and the portals to limbo, she could have been left out of this game completely.
Earlier missions are far more fun to play through. Here we come back to memorizing which button controls which weapon. The weapons early on are relevant and easy to remember. Plus these levels are just plain fun to play through.
The ending. Well. What do say about the ending. It was very.....unfulfilled. But Ninja Theory left it open for a second game. yay. I guess.
It's not by any means a horrible game. It's actually pretty fun to play for a short period of time. But if you are a die hard DMC fan you will find many faults. If you are just coming in to this series and haven't played any of the original games, then this reboot is for you. I don't seem myself coming back to play it unless they put out some kick ass DLC.
On the typical gamer rating scale I give this game a 5(maybe a 5 and a half)/10
Thursday, January 17, 2013
The Coincidence of Callie and Kayden
Far too many book reviews, but such things happen when a book nerd like me has too much time on her hands. Our next book took me by complete and utter surprise. I'm usually not one for teen romance (unless it has some kind of supernatural element added.), but The Coincidence of Callie and Kayden by Jessica Sorensen was actually really good for a non-supernatural romance story.
Callie and Kayden have known of each other since they were kids, yet neither have bothered to speak to the other since both move in different social circles. In high school, insanely handsome Kayden was the star quarterback, the most popular guy in school and dated cheerleaders.
Callie on the other hand was a social pariah. Callie had no interest in having any friends. Her classmates call her the anorexic, devil worshiping Callie due to her over usage of black eyeliner, being extremely thin and wearing all black clothing that are at least three sizes too big.
Our story starts out with Callie being forced by her mother to retrieve her brother from a graduation party. She is extremely apprehensive since everyone who ever made fun of her in high school would be there. After much brow beating by her mother she ends up going in and searching for her kid brother.
During her search Callie happens to glance out in the back yard and is witness a fight. She recognizes Kayden and his father right away. She does what most people wouldn't and runs out to stop his father from killing Kayden.
Instead of asking Kayden why his father was beating on him, Callie helps him clean and bandage his wounds. Kayden makes Callie promise she will never tell anyone what she has seen that night. Since Callie isn't a gossip she swears to keep it under wraps.
Kayden is flabbergasted by her actions. He doesn't understand how someone he's never taken the time to speak with would want to help him. It's a action he will never forget.
Skip ahead a four months later. Callie is now in college, far away from anyone who might have known her in high school (Or so she thinks). Thanks to the help of her new best friend, Seth, Callie has somewhat come out of her shell. Together the come up with the "Things you must do" list. This is made to help Callie with her confidence issues. She still wears over sized clothes, but at least they are something other than black. She has also given up on black eyeliner.
Much to her surprise she spot's Kayden and does everything she can to avoid contact with him. This is to no avail.
Ever since the night of his party, Kayden has wanted to see Callie again and thank her for helping him. The Callie he spot's on campus is much different form the Callie he knew in high school. What is most shocking is she actually smiles. He is determined to speak with her, but she hardly makes it easy. It's through the effort of Seth that Callie actually speaks with Kayden.
The two soon begin hanging out and slowly realize they have feelings for one another. Kayden is surprised at Callie's reaction every time they are about to make love. She has a massive panic attack every time they try. He doesn't want to push her, but at the same time he wants to know why she wont have sex with him. She knows he comes from an abusive family, why does she not trust him enough with her secret?
Almost the moment you get in to Callie's mind you know some bad shit went down with her. She has a hard time trusting people. The fact that she hides behind baggy clothes is a dead give away that she wishes she was invisible. Both Seth and Kayden are great guys. They work together to bring Callie out of her shell and get her to realize she is indeed a good person.
Callie returns the favor by showing Kayden that he doesn't need to live up to his father's expectations. He is his own man and doesn't have to live in fear of what his father will do next. If you're a chick reading this book you will fall in love with Kayden. Fight it all you want, but it will happen.
I love the fact that we get this story from both Callie and Kayden's point of view. It allows you to connect with both characters and feel for both situations. We don't get a glimpse in to Seth's head, I love him anyways. He's witty and pushes Callie to come out of her shell, but at her own pace.
While I'm not going to give away the end I will say it is bittersweet. Which I think is the reason I loved this book as much as I did. I hope Sorensen decides to writes a novella, because my curiosity is getting the better of me. I want to know what happens damn it!
I don't have any complaints about this story. Other than I want to know what the hell happens after it ended.
Callie and Kayden have known of each other since they were kids, yet neither have bothered to speak to the other since both move in different social circles. In high school, insanely handsome Kayden was the star quarterback, the most popular guy in school and dated cheerleaders.
Callie on the other hand was a social pariah. Callie had no interest in having any friends. Her classmates call her the anorexic, devil worshiping Callie due to her over usage of black eyeliner, being extremely thin and wearing all black clothing that are at least three sizes too big.
Our story starts out with Callie being forced by her mother to retrieve her brother from a graduation party. She is extremely apprehensive since everyone who ever made fun of her in high school would be there. After much brow beating by her mother she ends up going in and searching for her kid brother.
During her search Callie happens to glance out in the back yard and is witness a fight. She recognizes Kayden and his father right away. She does what most people wouldn't and runs out to stop his father from killing Kayden.
Instead of asking Kayden why his father was beating on him, Callie helps him clean and bandage his wounds. Kayden makes Callie promise she will never tell anyone what she has seen that night. Since Callie isn't a gossip she swears to keep it under wraps.
Kayden is flabbergasted by her actions. He doesn't understand how someone he's never taken the time to speak with would want to help him. It's a action he will never forget.
Skip ahead a four months later. Callie is now in college, far away from anyone who might have known her in high school (Or so she thinks). Thanks to the help of her new best friend, Seth, Callie has somewhat come out of her shell. Together the come up with the "Things you must do" list. This is made to help Callie with her confidence issues. She still wears over sized clothes, but at least they are something other than black. She has also given up on black eyeliner.
Much to her surprise she spot's Kayden and does everything she can to avoid contact with him. This is to no avail.
Ever since the night of his party, Kayden has wanted to see Callie again and thank her for helping him. The Callie he spot's on campus is much different form the Callie he knew in high school. What is most shocking is she actually smiles. He is determined to speak with her, but she hardly makes it easy. It's through the effort of Seth that Callie actually speaks with Kayden.
The two soon begin hanging out and slowly realize they have feelings for one another. Kayden is surprised at Callie's reaction every time they are about to make love. She has a massive panic attack every time they try. He doesn't want to push her, but at the same time he wants to know why she wont have sex with him. She knows he comes from an abusive family, why does she not trust him enough with her secret?
Almost the moment you get in to Callie's mind you know some bad shit went down with her. She has a hard time trusting people. The fact that she hides behind baggy clothes is a dead give away that she wishes she was invisible. Both Seth and Kayden are great guys. They work together to bring Callie out of her shell and get her to realize she is indeed a good person.
Callie returns the favor by showing Kayden that he doesn't need to live up to his father's expectations. He is his own man and doesn't have to live in fear of what his father will do next. If you're a chick reading this book you will fall in love with Kayden. Fight it all you want, but it will happen.
I love the fact that we get this story from both Callie and Kayden's point of view. It allows you to connect with both characters and feel for both situations. We don't get a glimpse in to Seth's head, I love him anyways. He's witty and pushes Callie to come out of her shell, but at her own pace.
While I'm not going to give away the end I will say it is bittersweet. Which I think is the reason I loved this book as much as I did. I hope Sorensen decides to writes a novella, because my curiosity is getting the better of me. I want to know what happens damn it!
I don't have any complaints about this story. Other than I want to know what the hell happens after it ended.
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Review of The Devil Next Door
The next book has also been on my kindle for a LONG time. I needed a little bit of gore, horror and all around insanity. So I decided to go with The Devil Next Door by Tim Curran.
Louis is your average guy. Happily married, great job, dream house in a dream neighborhood. Then one day it all changes. It all starts when Louis spots two guys beating the ever living shit out of another guy and leave him for dead. Louis, being the stand up guy that he is, attempts to help the guy who's been beaten. Only to have the half dead guy attempting to kill him. Louis manages to fend the guy and ends up killing him. This whole situation becomes even more bazaar for Louis when two cops show up and don't even care about the now dead dude. In fact the cops are kicking and prodding the dead guy. Disturbed, Louis run's home as fast as he can.
Society goes down hill pretty quick from here. We find out very quickly that society is reverting to cavemen and women behavior. Killing, raping and forming "tribes".
Louis meet's up with his neighbor girl, Maddy. Who had somehow come back from these violent urges everyone else in town seems to be afflicted with. But she's scared she could go all cave woman again at any moment. Together they try to get to the bottom of why humanity has decided to de-evolve.
While I loved the shocking gore and violence in this book, it does end up getting old about half way through. I found myself skipping through scenes of gore near the end. But i must say it started with a bang.
The reason we are given as to why everyone is all cavemen like is a really big let down. I nearly threw my kindle across the room, but instead I settled for a rolling of the eyes.
Louis is a likable guy and you really do feel for him. He's lost his wife and desperately wants to find her, yet save everyone else at the same time. You want him to succeed, but really don't see how he can since this turns out to be a world wide epidemic. When he finally gives in to the caveman urges, it's heartbreaking but rather expected.
Maddy is a good kid who comes from a crummy family. Her mom is the town whore and she has no dad. Yet Maddy pushes herself to be a good person. Her transformation from a smart, down to earth teenager, to a sex craved, violent caveteen is rather interesting. Maddy finally find's her place as a "huntress" and finally grow's a backbone. I say good for her.
This story actually reminds me a lot of Haters by David Moody. But with far more brutal violence and rape. It's worth a read, but I'll only be reading it once. There are better society crumbing around itself stories out there.
Louis is your average guy. Happily married, great job, dream house in a dream neighborhood. Then one day it all changes. It all starts when Louis spots two guys beating the ever living shit out of another guy and leave him for dead. Louis, being the stand up guy that he is, attempts to help the guy who's been beaten. Only to have the half dead guy attempting to kill him. Louis manages to fend the guy and ends up killing him. This whole situation becomes even more bazaar for Louis when two cops show up and don't even care about the now dead dude. In fact the cops are kicking and prodding the dead guy. Disturbed, Louis run's home as fast as he can.
Society goes down hill pretty quick from here. We find out very quickly that society is reverting to cavemen and women behavior. Killing, raping and forming "tribes".
Louis meet's up with his neighbor girl, Maddy. Who had somehow come back from these violent urges everyone else in town seems to be afflicted with. But she's scared she could go all cave woman again at any moment. Together they try to get to the bottom of why humanity has decided to de-evolve.
While I loved the shocking gore and violence in this book, it does end up getting old about half way through. I found myself skipping through scenes of gore near the end. But i must say it started with a bang.
The reason we are given as to why everyone is all cavemen like is a really big let down. I nearly threw my kindle across the room, but instead I settled for a rolling of the eyes.
Louis is a likable guy and you really do feel for him. He's lost his wife and desperately wants to find her, yet save everyone else at the same time. You want him to succeed, but really don't see how he can since this turns out to be a world wide epidemic. When he finally gives in to the caveman urges, it's heartbreaking but rather expected.
Maddy is a good kid who comes from a crummy family. Her mom is the town whore and she has no dad. Yet Maddy pushes herself to be a good person. Her transformation from a smart, down to earth teenager, to a sex craved, violent caveteen is rather interesting. Maddy finally find's her place as a "huntress" and finally grow's a backbone. I say good for her.
This story actually reminds me a lot of Haters by David Moody. But with far more brutal violence and rape. It's worth a read, but I'll only be reading it once. There are better society crumbing around itself stories out there.
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Pretty when she dies review
Hello all! I've been in away in the land that is known as Minnesota. I had no Internet (besides what's on my phone), and this made me a sad panda. But I'm back now with Internet and a book/author review(s). I know I said I'd put up a part two of Dark Shadows. and I will....at some point.
While I was in Minnesota I had A LOT of time to read. I mean A LOT. I was there for three weeks and damn near went through 4 books a day. Such things happen when one wakes at the buttcrack of dawn. There were several books I read which stuck in my mind.
I've had Pretty When She Dies by Rhiannon Frater on my kindle for years. By years I mean 4 or 5. I kept telling myself I'd get around to it, but I never did until a couple of weeks ago. BAD MEGGLES!
Amaliya wakes up to find herself buried in a shallow grave in the middle of nowhere, alone and VERY hungry. The last thing she remembers is being killed by her hot college professor. Who turns out to be the most feared vampire/necromancer in history.
Somehow Amaliya finds her way back to her college dorm room. There is makes the decision to skip down and find other's of her kind. But before she can do any of that, she must satisfy her hunger, and regular food isn't cutting it. It just so happens there is a frat party in a nearby building. With her hunger in full force (and having never fed before), she kills everyone at the party, but she manages to cover her tracks so nothing is lead back to her. Now she knows she really needs to skip town.
After a series of unfortunate events, Amaliya makes it to Austin Texas. Where, not only will she find her own kind, but also the master of Austin.
Enter Cian. Vampire master of Austin. It also turns out he was made by the same vampire who made Amaliya, only Cian's death was centuries ago. Cian is more than willing to deny his vampire side. He is about to marry Samantha, his human girlfriend. He loves her because Sam makes him actually feel human and not like a monster. Sam is aware of Cian's vampirisim, and is determined to show him that he can be a good man.
Cian runs in to Amalyia at a bar, saving her from a wannabe vampire. After leading Amaliya outside, Cian knocks her out and drags her back to his underground hideout. By now Amaliya has been reported as missing (by the school.), and word of the frat orgy massacre has already reached every media outlet. Cian knows of Amalyia's involvement in the killings, but is determined to help her rather than kill her like he knows should be done.
She reminds him that he actually is a vampire, which is better all around. Because he does have a city to manage and protect.
The two take on the ancient vampire/necromancer several times and fail. But during these failed attempts Amalyia learns she has the abilities of a necromancer as well.
I'm not going to give away the ending since it is rather epic. There is some hot sex in this book. Also some massive amounts of violence. To which I say:THANK GOD! In a world where we now have loving and sparkly vampires it's refreshing to read about ACTUAL vampires.
The story itself is very well done and has a bit of everything. Sex, love, violence, drama and yes ZOMBIES! Who could ask for more in a vampire novel.
Frater has a gift for words. She can describe people and surroundings enough to allow your brain to paint a picture, but not so much that you're bored stiff. She makes characters believable and you find yourself connecting to a lot of the characters. I loved Amalyia's grandmother. She is a spitfire who actually ends up saving the day. Amalyia's cousin and grandmother are actually the only two family members of hers that don't judge Amalyia 5 ways to sunday, and do everything they can to build up her confidence.
Amalyia has depth, which I tend to enjoy in a female character. She's trying so hard to be a tough as nails kind of chick. But on the inside she's conflicted, scared and wants to please people. This stems from her broken family and her need of her father's approval. Something she will never get.
I almost forgot to mention Roberto. This is Cian's right hand man. He's a bit of an ass, but he only wants to protect Cian from harm. Roberto doesn't approve of Sam, and the banter between the two is pretty funny. Once Amalyia comes in to the picture, Roberto and Sam find a common ground and do everything the can to get Amalyia away from Cian.
I really didn't dislike much about this book. Sometimes descriptions went on a bit longer than necessary, but otherwise I thought it was damn near a perfect vampire book.
I was excited she continued Amalyia's story in Pretty when she kills. I haven't read the second book yet, but as soon as I do it will be posted here.
As soon as this is posted I'll be working on my second review. Laters and happy reading!
While I was in Minnesota I had A LOT of time to read. I mean A LOT. I was there for three weeks and damn near went through 4 books a day. Such things happen when one wakes at the buttcrack of dawn. There were several books I read which stuck in my mind.
I've had Pretty When She Dies by Rhiannon Frater on my kindle for years. By years I mean 4 or 5. I kept telling myself I'd get around to it, but I never did until a couple of weeks ago. BAD MEGGLES!
Amaliya wakes up to find herself buried in a shallow grave in the middle of nowhere, alone and VERY hungry. The last thing she remembers is being killed by her hot college professor. Who turns out to be the most feared vampire/necromancer in history.
Somehow Amaliya finds her way back to her college dorm room. There is makes the decision to skip down and find other's of her kind. But before she can do any of that, she must satisfy her hunger, and regular food isn't cutting it. It just so happens there is a frat party in a nearby building. With her hunger in full force (and having never fed before), she kills everyone at the party, but she manages to cover her tracks so nothing is lead back to her. Now she knows she really needs to skip town.
After a series of unfortunate events, Amaliya makes it to Austin Texas. Where, not only will she find her own kind, but also the master of Austin.
Enter Cian. Vampire master of Austin. It also turns out he was made by the same vampire who made Amaliya, only Cian's death was centuries ago. Cian is more than willing to deny his vampire side. He is about to marry Samantha, his human girlfriend. He loves her because Sam makes him actually feel human and not like a monster. Sam is aware of Cian's vampirisim, and is determined to show him that he can be a good man.
Cian runs in to Amalyia at a bar, saving her from a wannabe vampire. After leading Amaliya outside, Cian knocks her out and drags her back to his underground hideout. By now Amaliya has been reported as missing (by the school.), and word of the frat orgy massacre has already reached every media outlet. Cian knows of Amalyia's involvement in the killings, but is determined to help her rather than kill her like he knows should be done.
She reminds him that he actually is a vampire, which is better all around. Because he does have a city to manage and protect.
The two take on the ancient vampire/necromancer several times and fail. But during these failed attempts Amalyia learns she has the abilities of a necromancer as well.
I'm not going to give away the ending since it is rather epic. There is some hot sex in this book. Also some massive amounts of violence. To which I say:THANK GOD! In a world where we now have loving and sparkly vampires it's refreshing to read about ACTUAL vampires.
The story itself is very well done and has a bit of everything. Sex, love, violence, drama and yes ZOMBIES! Who could ask for more in a vampire novel.
Frater has a gift for words. She can describe people and surroundings enough to allow your brain to paint a picture, but not so much that you're bored stiff. She makes characters believable and you find yourself connecting to a lot of the characters. I loved Amalyia's grandmother. She is a spitfire who actually ends up saving the day. Amalyia's cousin and grandmother are actually the only two family members of hers that don't judge Amalyia 5 ways to sunday, and do everything they can to build up her confidence.
Amalyia has depth, which I tend to enjoy in a female character. She's trying so hard to be a tough as nails kind of chick. But on the inside she's conflicted, scared and wants to please people. This stems from her broken family and her need of her father's approval. Something she will never get.
I almost forgot to mention Roberto. This is Cian's right hand man. He's a bit of an ass, but he only wants to protect Cian from harm. Roberto doesn't approve of Sam, and the banter between the two is pretty funny. Once Amalyia comes in to the picture, Roberto and Sam find a common ground and do everything the can to get Amalyia away from Cian.
I really didn't dislike much about this book. Sometimes descriptions went on a bit longer than necessary, but otherwise I thought it was damn near a perfect vampire book.
I was excited she continued Amalyia's story in Pretty when she kills. I haven't read the second book yet, but as soon as I do it will be posted here.
As soon as this is posted I'll be working on my second review. Laters and happy reading!
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Favorite horror movies
I know this is supposed to be part two of my three part review of the original Dark Shadows series. I will post it, but the second part has proven to be a little more difficult to write than I originally thought, but I will get it up eventually.
Nothing makes me happier than Halloween. The costumes, the scares, but most importantly, the horror movies. I'm a massive horror junkie and gore hound. I wanted to use this time to talk about a couple of my favorites and why.
We'll start at an earlier time. When horror wasn't about how much blood and gore a director could fit in to one movie. In this day and age of hostel's and Saw's, these movies would be considered thrillers more than horror, but they still play on human fears and emotions. Just because they are older doesn't make them any less frightening.
Here are a few of my favorites:
1. Freaks. The Tod Browning 1932 that gives us a glimpse in to the world of circus side shows, or "freak shows". The story centers around two midgets, Hans and Frida who are deeply in love with one another. But, as soon as the lovely trapeze artist Cleopatra joins the troupe Han's feelings begin to change. Knowing full well how much Hans likes her, Cleopatra is content stringing him along. Until Cleopatra and her boyfriend Hercules learn how rich Hans is. She seduces and marries our midget hero. A heartbroken Frida knows why Cleopatra has married him, but Frida can't talk any sense in to Hans. When Hans finally learns the truth about his wife the rest of the freaks rally around Hans and exact revenge on the woman who broke his heart. This leads to a most unforgettable ending.
Having been in the circus himself, Tod Browning used real "freaks" in his movie. He made freaks lovable and attempted to show the movie goers that they are people with feelings who just happen to have outward imperfections. The audiences of the 1930's didn't pick up on this message. The movie was banned from Europe for the next 30 years because it scared people of use of real "freaks".
There are monsters in this movie, but it wasn't the freaks.
2. House on Haunted Hill. Not to be confused with the shitty 1999 remake. The original 1959 movie was more of a thriller with atmosphere. Frederick Loren (Played by the fantastic Vincent Price), and his 4th wife Annabelle Loren, have invited five people to stay the night in a haunted house. They are promised $10,000 dollars if they survive the night. There is no means of escape and they are only given guns to protect themselves.
While this house has been the scene of 7 murders, it isn't actually haunted. The ghost that appear are of Frederick's doing in order to scare his guests. Which is effective with the ever nervous Nora Manning.
What this party is really about is Frederick and Annabelle playing each other like fiddles. They aren't the happiest of couples, but Annabelle wont give Frederick a divorce. She fakes her death, but Frederick knows better. The ending is where the horror comes in. I wont get in to it, but it's well worth sticking around for.
3. The Bad Seed. I believe there have been at least 4 remakes, but the original holds a special place in my heart. This little gem first began on the stage of Broadway in 1954. The original Broadway cast later stared in the feature film in 1959.
On the outside 8 year old Rhoda is a seemingly normal, but get to know her and you'll find something is seriously wrong. Quick to anger, lies, cheats, steals and isn't above plotting out a murder or two. Christine is aware something is wrong with her daughter, but why face the truth when denial is so much easier. But no one knows Rhoda's secrets better than her father Col. Kenneth Penmark. As his own mother was the very same way.
The end of this movie is actually rather shocking and if you stick around for the end of the cast intro's, funny as hell. I'm trying to make this as spoiler free as possible, so all I can really say is check it out and enjoy.
4. Night of the living dead. This is the rare occasion where I actually like both the original 1968 version and the 1990 remake. Of course I prefer the original. If you are already a horror movie fan then you already know what Night of the Living dead is about. For those of you who haven't seen this zombie classic please do so now. I will say if you're looking for a zombie movie with a happy ending, you might wanna pass this one over.
5.Psycho. What can I say about this classic. It's creepy and frankly scared me out of taking showers for a while. And wearing dresses.
6. The Omen. What can I say about the original1976 Omen that hasn't already been said. Damien is evil to it's core. After watching I knew I didn't want to have children. EVER. The Omen movies that follow are utter crap, but the first movie is a classic in it's own right.
7. I spit on your grave. This is a movie I really don't like actually admitting to liking, but yet I do.
The 1979 version is much like the 2010 remake in it's brutality.
Aspiring writer Jennifer Hills retreats a cabin in upstate New York in order to finish her novel. Little does she know the horror that awaits. Jennifer is brutally gang raped by four backwoods hicks. There is a time in the movie where she goes through the motions of coming to terms with what happened to her. In this time something in her snaps completely, leading to what makes this movie worth watching. Revenge. She plots out her revenge on these four men very carefully. She hunts them down and takes them out one by one. It's disturbing how gratifying each man's death really is. It is what it is.
This movie stirred up plenty of controversy in 79 and it's still shocking today. People believe Meir Zarchi (Director and writer of the movie) is glorifying rape and violence against women in this movie. Honestly, this isn't the feeling I got at all. Yes, the rape scene is long and unwatchable, but it really don't think it was glorifying. What I took from it was how brutal rape truly is. However, the problem I do have with the movie is Jennifer's acceptance of what happened to her. It's far to short. It is heartbreaking for sure, but no woman can come back from being raped and two days later plot revenge. I do realize it would be a rather long movie if we were to follow Jennifer through all the motions, but for a film that is trying to strive for realism, it's greatly lacking this in her recovery time.
8. Black Christmas. This is my all time favorite horror movie. The 1974 version is so different from the remake. It's shameful how Hollywood completely butchered the story in the remake.
College students in a sorority house celebrate Christmas the only way they know how. Drinking of course. They are completely unaware there is a killer living in the girl's sorority house. It starts with perverted prank calls, but it quickly escalates to the killer picking them off one by one.
If you are looking for a horror movie that ends well then you might want to skip over this one. Personally this is the reason why I love this movie as much as I do.
Now on to my personal favorite year for horror movies, the 80's.
1. Nightmare on Elm street. This 1985 classic will forever hold a special place in my heart. It was my first horror movie and it scared the shit out of me when I was 5 years old. Yet I was oddly fascinated. I watched it again when I was older and I love Freddy. The dude is so damn quirky how can one not enjoy him.
One, two freddy's coming for you. Three, four better lock the door. Five, six grab your crucifix. Seven, eight better stay up late. Nine, ten never sleep again. That little rhyme from the movie should say tell you everything that you need to know about the movie. For those of you who haven't seen the movie, it stars Johnny Depp in his first actual movie role.
2. Evil Dead and Evil Dead 2. This is the movie that made Sam Rami and Bruce Cambell horror gods among us junkies.
Four teenagers travel out in to the middle of nowhere for a fun weekend. Sounds like every slasher film you've ever seen? It's not. Spirits are the name of the game here. Evil, beyond pissed off spirits who want to be freed. Who better to do that than four dumb teenagers? I personally can't think of anyone better. After reading some magical words from the Book of the Dead, evil is released and free to do as it will. Because who wouldn't real the Book of the Dead out loud. It just seems like the thing to do.
There is much debate if Evil Dead 2 is a remake or a sequel. In my personal opinion it's a retelling with updated visual effects. It's still full of awesomeness and should also be seen.
3. Friday the 13th. Of course this has to be here. I really don't think I have to get in to the plot of the first movie. All I can say is if you haven't seen it, get ready for some campy awesomeness. Oh and Kevin Bacon dying horribly. Which I personally loved!
4. Sleepaway Camp. I found this little gem on IFC one night, and almost turned it off because the acting is AWFUL. God awful in fact. But something in my head told me to stick with this one and I'm so glad that I did.
This slasher is more of a Friday the 13th meets Carrie (Minus the supernatural part of Carrie). This movie begins like Friday the 13th, but instead of camp counselors, we get actual pre-teen campers. Angela is sent to camp with her cousin Ricky, who does his best to protect her from the constant teasing she gets from the other girls. These girls who tease her meet there end rather quickly. It's not that hard to figure out who the killer is here. What had my jaw hanging was the very end of this movie. It was so unexpected and out of left field that I could do little else. It's the end of this movie that Set's it apart from Friday the 13th.
5. Hellraiser. This little bundle of awesomeness comes from the mind of writer Clive Barker. A unhappily married couple move in to a creepy old house. The wife (Julia) is having an affair with her husband's half-brother (Frank). Long story short, Frank dies and when a drop of his blood hits the floor he brings us to Pinhead and his band of merry Cenobites. But Frank didn't completely die. He's a zombie of sorts and he wants Julia to perform a ceremony that would allow him to have it. This ceremony involves a human sacrifice, of course.
Oh Pinhead. He's so damn evil yet I find myself enjoying him more than any character in this movie. There have been far to many Hellraiser movies made. Each one sucks more than the last, but the first is a classic.
6. Lost Boys. What list of horror would be complete without this vampire classic. Vampires pretty much rule Santa Carla California. It's up to the awesome vampire hunters to save the day. Since I assume most people have seen this, I wont go in to very much detail.
7. The Dark Night of the Scarecrow. I recently discovered this 1981 made for tv horror movie. I must say I was pleasantly surprised with this find. Bubba is a 35 year old man with the mentality of a 5 year old. No one in town likes him other than his 10 year old best friend Marylee. One day Marylee is attacked by a dog and Bubba saves her, but everyone in town believes Bubba is the one who caused her accident. He hides from four vigilante men (who have it out for poor Bubba on a daily basis anyways), in a scarecrow. The men find Bubba hiding and shoot him dead. Only after they shoot him are they made aware of what really caused Marylee's accident. Desperate to hide the crime, the "leader" places a pitch fork in Bubba's dead hands. They tell the town he came after them and they were only protecting themselves.
One by one these men start finding a scarecrow in fields. Deaths soon follow.
8.Fright Night. Who doesn't love a quirky vampire who enjoys terrorising his neighbor? I mean come on now. When your teenage neighbor goes around telling everyone that you're a vampire wouldn't you want to keep him quiet too? I know I would.
I'm stopping the 80's right here. There are MANY more, but there aren't enough hours in the day to list them all. The 90's will be very short since it was a sad decade for horror.
1.Dracula. Everyone knows the tale of Dracula. This version is very close to Bram Stoker's Dracula. Mina and Jonathan writing to each other is short hand, which is how most of the book is written (Mix with journal entries). Gary Oldman makes this movie. He gives Dracula a kind of depth, one almost feels sorry for him. This, of course, might just be me though.
2.Candyman. Don't look in to a mirror and say Candyman three times. You'll just be asking for trouble. This plays a bit off the Bloody Mary and the hook hand killer urban legends a bit, yet it's original enough to hold it's own. Plus Candyman has a mouth full of bee's at his disposal. The end was a nice touch, but sadly left things open for way to many sequels.
3.Army of Darkness. The third movie of the Evil Dead. Ash travels back in time to the 1300's. Which sounds silly. And it is, but he has a chainsaw for a hand. Thus the lameness is easy to forgive.
4. The Frightners. This is a dark comedy about a psychic investigator who can see ghosts. He rids them from the world and moves on to the next job. But things become a little more complicated when he has an out of body experience in order to fight death himself.
This movie isn't for everyone, but on occasion I enjoy a horror movie that can make me laugh.
5. Ravenous. A heartwarming tale about old western cannibalism. This description would be far to long as this is one of my favorite horror movies.
6. Cube. Seven strangers from different walks of life are trapped in cube rigged with deathly traps and puzzles. Each person has a talent which can help the group escape and find out why they have been placed in the cube. Escape isn't the groups only issue, keeping themselves sane is key.
This movie took my by complete surprise. It thrilled my inner gore hound and it kinda made my brain work as well.
7. The Craft. Cheesy. Over the top, but this movie is so much fun. Four out of place girls find each other and practice witchcraft. When the spells go a bit to far Sara wants out, but crazy Nancy is determined to have her three sisters.
8. Dead Alive. This movie will wet any blood and gore junkie's appetite. I have to admit I even gagged a little when I first saw this movie.
Before we get to the now, I'd like to cover total and utter camp. These are the movies that don't take themselves seriously, but are still filled with gore and blood.
1. Coons, Night of the bandit of the night. This little Troma Entertainment classic is by far my favorite. It's about killer Raccoons terrorizing campers. That's all it really is. The movie never takes itself very seriously and it has some pretty funny lines.
2.Toxic Avenger. This one of Troma's well known movies. A nerdy teenager is thrown out of a window by his classmates. He falls in to a truck load of toxic waste. Thus our super hero Toxic Avenger is born. Saving the world from assholes and those who would dare to be evil.
What can I say about Toxie. He's completely awesome and dating a blind woman so all that begins shitty ends well I suppose.
3. Dance of the dead. Zombies take over the prom. And it's up to a group of teenagers (and one bat shit crazy teacher) to save the day.
This is another movie that really doesn't take itself seriously. It's mainly here for laughs.
4. Class of Nuke 'em High. Yet another Troma movie. Nuke 'em high is right next to a toxic waste plant. Which makes for some interesting looking students, with attitudes to boot.
5. Children Beware. This is Troma's attempt at a slightly serious movie. But in Troma fashion it kinda fails. Yet nothing scares me more than evil children, so it makes the list.
6. Attack of the vegan Zombies. This B movie doesn't actually have a single vegan zombie in it. But it's still fun.
On to the now
1. Martyrs. This movie is rather hard to talk about without giving away the whole plot. But I'll try. We start through the eyes of a young girl being held captive. We don't know why, but she's obviously been tortured. She manages to escape and finds a new home at a orphanage. Here she meets her best friend. Skip ahead years later the girl who was captured is out for revenge against those who have captured her. With the help of her best friend of course. But there is more to these people than meet the eye.
I really can't give away anymore of the storyline. But there is more. A bit of a warning, there is no middle ground with this movie. Either you like it or you hate it. I hate admitting I like this movie. Actually, it's more respect than liking. I am always on the hunt for a movie that actually scary. I'm talking about sleeping with the lights on kind of scary. This is that movie for me. It scared the piss out of me. It's realism scared me most of all. I think something like this movie could happen in real life. Another warning. It's sadly going to take more than one viewing to actually get and retain all of the plot line. As a wannabe horror writer this is the movie I watch when I want to go to a dark place in my stories.
2.Feed. This plays on the fears of anyone who has ever feared of gaining weight. Overweight people are paid to eat as much as they can for internet entertainment. The viewers of this web show place bets on which obese person will die first.
Because of this damn movie I refuse to eat nachos or hamburgers I haven't made myself.
3.Hostel. I assume if you've read this far that you know what Hostel is all about. It pleases the inner gore hound, yet disturbs one as a person.
4.The Collector. Arkin is a a handyman (and ex-con) down on his luck. His wife owes some loan sharks a massive amount of money. In order to pay off her debt, he agrees to rob the house of his rich employer. The problem is, someone has beat him to the punch. The family is being held captive, and worse the house is rigged with traps. Arkin tries his best to save everyone, but can he save the others as well as himself from the Collector.
This movie really is mix of Hostel and Saw. About half way through the movie the traps really do become the star. While I do like this movie it would have been great, but it does satisfy the inner gore hound. The sequel comes out near the end of November. Here's to hoping it answers all of the questions the first movie left with us.
5. Let the right one in. Not to be confused with the American remake "Let me in". This is the original Swedish version based on the book by John Ajvide Lindqvist, Let the right one in is about lonely boy Oskar, who is picked on by his classmates. He has no real friends until he meets an equally lonely girl Eli. Much against Eli's wishes the two strike up a friendship, but Eli has a secret, she's a vampire.
This version isn't as bloody as it's American counter part, but for what it lacks in blood, it makes up for in story telling. At it's core it's two lonely beings coming together. It's hard not to connect with the main characters. Oskar is bullied for any reason his schoolmates can think of. It's a warm moment when he finally does fight back, but it just leads to an escalation in his bully problems. The pool scene is very much the same in "Let me in". Much is lead to the imagination when he's held underwater and Eli comes to save the day. Eli is a little more complicated. She doesn't actually want friendship until she meets Oskar. She doesn't realize how lonely she is. At it's core it's really a love story between these two. It's one of my all time favorite movies and should be seen by all.
6. Sinister. I know this is a new release, but I feel it needs to be mentioned. A writer who wants to relive his fifteen minutes of fame he experience with his first book moves his family in to a "murder house". Of course he's the only one who actually knows this house is where four people were murdered when they were hung from a tree. He discovers a box in the attic with old home movies inside. Once he starts watching he realizes that there are other connected murders. He takes it upon himself to solve these mystery killings, but quickly gets in over his head when he finds a ghostly image within each of the filmed killings.
This movie came as a surprise. I'll be honest, I didn't expect much from the people who brought us the crapfest that is Paranormal Activity, but this movie had me on the edge of my seat. And a bit jumpy. Figuring out who actually killed these families is the easy part. The why, not so much.
7.The Crazies. There is a virus afoot and it's making the people of a small Iowa town crazy. Literally. It must be something in the water. It's up to the small town sheriff and his doctor wife to find the problem and stop it. But that might be a little easier said than done when the military is involved.
This is the remake of the 1973 lesser known George Romero movie. The one thing I will give the original is that it begins with a bang, but slowly tappers off after that. The remake beings a little slowly but picks up about an hour in. I'm usually not in to remakes, but this is one of the better remakes out there.
8.House of 1000 corpses. The Firefly family is a little odd. But you know what they say. A family that kills together stays together. When four young people set out to search out the local legend of "Dr Satan.". When the car breaks down the Firefly family is more than happy to give them shelter and tell the young couples everything they want to know about Dr Satan. The local legend and a broken down car is the least of these young people's problems. They have to survive the Firefly's. Which is no easy task.
I suppose this movie is all about a matter of taste. It's gritty, over the top on gore and kinda makes you feel a little dirty. This movie wasn't well received by horror fans, but personally I enjoyed it. It's a massive throwback to 70's gritty horror. Which is why I like it so much.
9. Devil's Rejects. The sequel to Rob Zombies House of 1000 Corpses. Baby, Otis and Spaulding are on the run from the law. They leave a trail of bodies behind them. But the local sheriff (who's brother Mama Firefly killed in House of 1000 corpses) is hot on their tails and plotting his revenge.
Rob Zombie does something interesting in this film. He takes three horrible people and makes you feel sorry for them. It doesn't happen right away, but it does happen. I will say that Zombie is no master story teller, but what he lack's in story telling, he does make up for in gore.
10. The Hills Run Red. A film maker is on the search for the most horrific movie ever made. No one has been able to find it. But the young film maker as an advantage others don't, he's found the director's daughter. Hopefulness soon turns to terror when the young film maker soon finds himself in a real life horror movie of his own.
The film being searched for isn't actually the most horrific thing ever, but the journey is filled with gore and blood a plenty.
These are some of my favorites. I'd love to hear some of yours.
Some titles that didn't make the list for time reasons but are for sure favorites:
Trick r Treat
Phantasm
Wrong Turn
Texas Chainsaw (The remake)
Orphan
Popcorn
House on Sorority Row (The Original)
Ginger Snaps
The Howling (Best werewolf movie ever!)
The Prowler
My Bloody Valentine (The original)
Dawn of the dead
Day of the dead
Splinter
American Psycho
Children of the corn
omg! I can't believe I forgot Nosferatu. This would be my favorite vampire movie of all time. It's a silent era film and stays somewhat true to Bram Stoker's book. What makes this movie so special is Dracula himself. He's a thing of nightmares. Long fingernails, ugly and vicious to boot.
Nothing makes me happier than Halloween. The costumes, the scares, but most importantly, the horror movies. I'm a massive horror junkie and gore hound. I wanted to use this time to talk about a couple of my favorites and why.
We'll start at an earlier time. When horror wasn't about how much blood and gore a director could fit in to one movie. In this day and age of hostel's and Saw's, these movies would be considered thrillers more than horror, but they still play on human fears and emotions. Just because they are older doesn't make them any less frightening.
Here are a few of my favorites:
1. Freaks. The Tod Browning 1932 that gives us a glimpse in to the world of circus side shows, or "freak shows". The story centers around two midgets, Hans and Frida who are deeply in love with one another. But, as soon as the lovely trapeze artist Cleopatra joins the troupe Han's feelings begin to change. Knowing full well how much Hans likes her, Cleopatra is content stringing him along. Until Cleopatra and her boyfriend Hercules learn how rich Hans is. She seduces and marries our midget hero. A heartbroken Frida knows why Cleopatra has married him, but Frida can't talk any sense in to Hans. When Hans finally learns the truth about his wife the rest of the freaks rally around Hans and exact revenge on the woman who broke his heart. This leads to a most unforgettable ending.
Having been in the circus himself, Tod Browning used real "freaks" in his movie. He made freaks lovable and attempted to show the movie goers that they are people with feelings who just happen to have outward imperfections. The audiences of the 1930's didn't pick up on this message. The movie was banned from Europe for the next 30 years because it scared people of use of real "freaks".
There are monsters in this movie, but it wasn't the freaks.
2. House on Haunted Hill. Not to be confused with the shitty 1999 remake. The original 1959 movie was more of a thriller with atmosphere. Frederick Loren (Played by the fantastic Vincent Price), and his 4th wife Annabelle Loren, have invited five people to stay the night in a haunted house. They are promised $10,000 dollars if they survive the night. There is no means of escape and they are only given guns to protect themselves.
While this house has been the scene of 7 murders, it isn't actually haunted. The ghost that appear are of Frederick's doing in order to scare his guests. Which is effective with the ever nervous Nora Manning.
What this party is really about is Frederick and Annabelle playing each other like fiddles. They aren't the happiest of couples, but Annabelle wont give Frederick a divorce. She fakes her death, but Frederick knows better. The ending is where the horror comes in. I wont get in to it, but it's well worth sticking around for.
3. The Bad Seed. I believe there have been at least 4 remakes, but the original holds a special place in my heart. This little gem first began on the stage of Broadway in 1954. The original Broadway cast later stared in the feature film in 1959.
On the outside 8 year old Rhoda is a seemingly normal, but get to know her and you'll find something is seriously wrong. Quick to anger, lies, cheats, steals and isn't above plotting out a murder or two. Christine is aware something is wrong with her daughter, but why face the truth when denial is so much easier. But no one knows Rhoda's secrets better than her father Col. Kenneth Penmark. As his own mother was the very same way.
The end of this movie is actually rather shocking and if you stick around for the end of the cast intro's, funny as hell. I'm trying to make this as spoiler free as possible, so all I can really say is check it out and enjoy.
4. Night of the living dead. This is the rare occasion where I actually like both the original 1968 version and the 1990 remake. Of course I prefer the original. If you are already a horror movie fan then you already know what Night of the Living dead is about. For those of you who haven't seen this zombie classic please do so now. I will say if you're looking for a zombie movie with a happy ending, you might wanna pass this one over.
5.Psycho. What can I say about this classic. It's creepy and frankly scared me out of taking showers for a while. And wearing dresses.
6. The Omen. What can I say about the original1976 Omen that hasn't already been said. Damien is evil to it's core. After watching I knew I didn't want to have children. EVER. The Omen movies that follow are utter crap, but the first movie is a classic in it's own right.
7. I spit on your grave. This is a movie I really don't like actually admitting to liking, but yet I do.
The 1979 version is much like the 2010 remake in it's brutality.
Aspiring writer Jennifer Hills retreats a cabin in upstate New York in order to finish her novel. Little does she know the horror that awaits. Jennifer is brutally gang raped by four backwoods hicks. There is a time in the movie where she goes through the motions of coming to terms with what happened to her. In this time something in her snaps completely, leading to what makes this movie worth watching. Revenge. She plots out her revenge on these four men very carefully. She hunts them down and takes them out one by one. It's disturbing how gratifying each man's death really is. It is what it is.
This movie stirred up plenty of controversy in 79 and it's still shocking today. People believe Meir Zarchi (Director and writer of the movie) is glorifying rape and violence against women in this movie. Honestly, this isn't the feeling I got at all. Yes, the rape scene is long and unwatchable, but it really don't think it was glorifying. What I took from it was how brutal rape truly is. However, the problem I do have with the movie is Jennifer's acceptance of what happened to her. It's far to short. It is heartbreaking for sure, but no woman can come back from being raped and two days later plot revenge. I do realize it would be a rather long movie if we were to follow Jennifer through all the motions, but for a film that is trying to strive for realism, it's greatly lacking this in her recovery time.
8. Black Christmas. This is my all time favorite horror movie. The 1974 version is so different from the remake. It's shameful how Hollywood completely butchered the story in the remake.
College students in a sorority house celebrate Christmas the only way they know how. Drinking of course. They are completely unaware there is a killer living in the girl's sorority house. It starts with perverted prank calls, but it quickly escalates to the killer picking them off one by one.
If you are looking for a horror movie that ends well then you might want to skip over this one. Personally this is the reason why I love this movie as much as I do.
Now on to my personal favorite year for horror movies, the 80's.
1. Nightmare on Elm street. This 1985 classic will forever hold a special place in my heart. It was my first horror movie and it scared the shit out of me when I was 5 years old. Yet I was oddly fascinated. I watched it again when I was older and I love Freddy. The dude is so damn quirky how can one not enjoy him.
One, two freddy's coming for you. Three, four better lock the door. Five, six grab your crucifix. Seven, eight better stay up late. Nine, ten never sleep again. That little rhyme from the movie should say tell you everything that you need to know about the movie. For those of you who haven't seen the movie, it stars Johnny Depp in his first actual movie role.
2. Evil Dead and Evil Dead 2. This is the movie that made Sam Rami and Bruce Cambell horror gods among us junkies.
Four teenagers travel out in to the middle of nowhere for a fun weekend. Sounds like every slasher film you've ever seen? It's not. Spirits are the name of the game here. Evil, beyond pissed off spirits who want to be freed. Who better to do that than four dumb teenagers? I personally can't think of anyone better. After reading some magical words from the Book of the Dead, evil is released and free to do as it will. Because who wouldn't real the Book of the Dead out loud. It just seems like the thing to do.
There is much debate if Evil Dead 2 is a remake or a sequel. In my personal opinion it's a retelling with updated visual effects. It's still full of awesomeness and should also be seen.
3. Friday the 13th. Of course this has to be here. I really don't think I have to get in to the plot of the first movie. All I can say is if you haven't seen it, get ready for some campy awesomeness. Oh and Kevin Bacon dying horribly. Which I personally loved!
4. Sleepaway Camp. I found this little gem on IFC one night, and almost turned it off because the acting is AWFUL. God awful in fact. But something in my head told me to stick with this one and I'm so glad that I did.
This slasher is more of a Friday the 13th meets Carrie (Minus the supernatural part of Carrie). This movie begins like Friday the 13th, but instead of camp counselors, we get actual pre-teen campers. Angela is sent to camp with her cousin Ricky, who does his best to protect her from the constant teasing she gets from the other girls. These girls who tease her meet there end rather quickly. It's not that hard to figure out who the killer is here. What had my jaw hanging was the very end of this movie. It was so unexpected and out of left field that I could do little else. It's the end of this movie that Set's it apart from Friday the 13th.
5. Hellraiser. This little bundle of awesomeness comes from the mind of writer Clive Barker. A unhappily married couple move in to a creepy old house. The wife (Julia) is having an affair with her husband's half-brother (Frank). Long story short, Frank dies and when a drop of his blood hits the floor he brings us to Pinhead and his band of merry Cenobites. But Frank didn't completely die. He's a zombie of sorts and he wants Julia to perform a ceremony that would allow him to have it. This ceremony involves a human sacrifice, of course.
Oh Pinhead. He's so damn evil yet I find myself enjoying him more than any character in this movie. There have been far to many Hellraiser movies made. Each one sucks more than the last, but the first is a classic.
6. Lost Boys. What list of horror would be complete without this vampire classic. Vampires pretty much rule Santa Carla California. It's up to the awesome vampire hunters to save the day. Since I assume most people have seen this, I wont go in to very much detail.
7. The Dark Night of the Scarecrow. I recently discovered this 1981 made for tv horror movie. I must say I was pleasantly surprised with this find. Bubba is a 35 year old man with the mentality of a 5 year old. No one in town likes him other than his 10 year old best friend Marylee. One day Marylee is attacked by a dog and Bubba saves her, but everyone in town believes Bubba is the one who caused her accident. He hides from four vigilante men (who have it out for poor Bubba on a daily basis anyways), in a scarecrow. The men find Bubba hiding and shoot him dead. Only after they shoot him are they made aware of what really caused Marylee's accident. Desperate to hide the crime, the "leader" places a pitch fork in Bubba's dead hands. They tell the town he came after them and they were only protecting themselves.
One by one these men start finding a scarecrow in fields. Deaths soon follow.
8.Fright Night. Who doesn't love a quirky vampire who enjoys terrorising his neighbor? I mean come on now. When your teenage neighbor goes around telling everyone that you're a vampire wouldn't you want to keep him quiet too? I know I would.
I'm stopping the 80's right here. There are MANY more, but there aren't enough hours in the day to list them all. The 90's will be very short since it was a sad decade for horror.
1.Dracula. Everyone knows the tale of Dracula. This version is very close to Bram Stoker's Dracula. Mina and Jonathan writing to each other is short hand, which is how most of the book is written (Mix with journal entries). Gary Oldman makes this movie. He gives Dracula a kind of depth, one almost feels sorry for him. This, of course, might just be me though.
2.Candyman. Don't look in to a mirror and say Candyman three times. You'll just be asking for trouble. This plays a bit off the Bloody Mary and the hook hand killer urban legends a bit, yet it's original enough to hold it's own. Plus Candyman has a mouth full of bee's at his disposal. The end was a nice touch, but sadly left things open for way to many sequels.
3.Army of Darkness. The third movie of the Evil Dead. Ash travels back in time to the 1300's. Which sounds silly. And it is, but he has a chainsaw for a hand. Thus the lameness is easy to forgive.
4. The Frightners. This is a dark comedy about a psychic investigator who can see ghosts. He rids them from the world and moves on to the next job. But things become a little more complicated when he has an out of body experience in order to fight death himself.
This movie isn't for everyone, but on occasion I enjoy a horror movie that can make me laugh.
5. Ravenous. A heartwarming tale about old western cannibalism. This description would be far to long as this is one of my favorite horror movies.
6. Cube. Seven strangers from different walks of life are trapped in cube rigged with deathly traps and puzzles. Each person has a talent which can help the group escape and find out why they have been placed in the cube. Escape isn't the groups only issue, keeping themselves sane is key.
This movie took my by complete surprise. It thrilled my inner gore hound and it kinda made my brain work as well.
7. The Craft. Cheesy. Over the top, but this movie is so much fun. Four out of place girls find each other and practice witchcraft. When the spells go a bit to far Sara wants out, but crazy Nancy is determined to have her three sisters.
8. Dead Alive. This movie will wet any blood and gore junkie's appetite. I have to admit I even gagged a little when I first saw this movie.
Before we get to the now, I'd like to cover total and utter camp. These are the movies that don't take themselves seriously, but are still filled with gore and blood.
1. Coons, Night of the bandit of the night. This little Troma Entertainment classic is by far my favorite. It's about killer Raccoons terrorizing campers. That's all it really is. The movie never takes itself very seriously and it has some pretty funny lines.
2.Toxic Avenger. This one of Troma's well known movies. A nerdy teenager is thrown out of a window by his classmates. He falls in to a truck load of toxic waste. Thus our super hero Toxic Avenger is born. Saving the world from assholes and those who would dare to be evil.
What can I say about Toxie. He's completely awesome and dating a blind woman so all that begins shitty ends well I suppose.
3. Dance of the dead. Zombies take over the prom. And it's up to a group of teenagers (and one bat shit crazy teacher) to save the day.
This is another movie that really doesn't take itself seriously. It's mainly here for laughs.
4. Class of Nuke 'em High. Yet another Troma movie. Nuke 'em high is right next to a toxic waste plant. Which makes for some interesting looking students, with attitudes to boot.
5. Children Beware. This is Troma's attempt at a slightly serious movie. But in Troma fashion it kinda fails. Yet nothing scares me more than evil children, so it makes the list.
6. Attack of the vegan Zombies. This B movie doesn't actually have a single vegan zombie in it. But it's still fun.
On to the now
1. Martyrs. This movie is rather hard to talk about without giving away the whole plot. But I'll try. We start through the eyes of a young girl being held captive. We don't know why, but she's obviously been tortured. She manages to escape and finds a new home at a orphanage. Here she meets her best friend. Skip ahead years later the girl who was captured is out for revenge against those who have captured her. With the help of her best friend of course. But there is more to these people than meet the eye.
I really can't give away anymore of the storyline. But there is more. A bit of a warning, there is no middle ground with this movie. Either you like it or you hate it. I hate admitting I like this movie. Actually, it's more respect than liking. I am always on the hunt for a movie that actually scary. I'm talking about sleeping with the lights on kind of scary. This is that movie for me. It scared the piss out of me. It's realism scared me most of all. I think something like this movie could happen in real life. Another warning. It's sadly going to take more than one viewing to actually get and retain all of the plot line. As a wannabe horror writer this is the movie I watch when I want to go to a dark place in my stories.
2.Feed. This plays on the fears of anyone who has ever feared of gaining weight. Overweight people are paid to eat as much as they can for internet entertainment. The viewers of this web show place bets on which obese person will die first.
Because of this damn movie I refuse to eat nachos or hamburgers I haven't made myself.
3.Hostel. I assume if you've read this far that you know what Hostel is all about. It pleases the inner gore hound, yet disturbs one as a person.
4.The Collector. Arkin is a a handyman (and ex-con) down on his luck. His wife owes some loan sharks a massive amount of money. In order to pay off her debt, he agrees to rob the house of his rich employer. The problem is, someone has beat him to the punch. The family is being held captive, and worse the house is rigged with traps. Arkin tries his best to save everyone, but can he save the others as well as himself from the Collector.
This movie really is mix of Hostel and Saw. About half way through the movie the traps really do become the star. While I do like this movie it would have been great, but it does satisfy the inner gore hound. The sequel comes out near the end of November. Here's to hoping it answers all of the questions the first movie left with us.
5. Let the right one in. Not to be confused with the American remake "Let me in". This is the original Swedish version based on the book by John Ajvide Lindqvist, Let the right one in is about lonely boy Oskar, who is picked on by his classmates. He has no real friends until he meets an equally lonely girl Eli. Much against Eli's wishes the two strike up a friendship, but Eli has a secret, she's a vampire.
This version isn't as bloody as it's American counter part, but for what it lacks in blood, it makes up for in story telling. At it's core it's two lonely beings coming together. It's hard not to connect with the main characters. Oskar is bullied for any reason his schoolmates can think of. It's a warm moment when he finally does fight back, but it just leads to an escalation in his bully problems. The pool scene is very much the same in "Let me in". Much is lead to the imagination when he's held underwater and Eli comes to save the day. Eli is a little more complicated. She doesn't actually want friendship until she meets Oskar. She doesn't realize how lonely she is. At it's core it's really a love story between these two. It's one of my all time favorite movies and should be seen by all.
6. Sinister. I know this is a new release, but I feel it needs to be mentioned. A writer who wants to relive his fifteen minutes of fame he experience with his first book moves his family in to a "murder house". Of course he's the only one who actually knows this house is where four people were murdered when they were hung from a tree. He discovers a box in the attic with old home movies inside. Once he starts watching he realizes that there are other connected murders. He takes it upon himself to solve these mystery killings, but quickly gets in over his head when he finds a ghostly image within each of the filmed killings.
This movie came as a surprise. I'll be honest, I didn't expect much from the people who brought us the crapfest that is Paranormal Activity, but this movie had me on the edge of my seat. And a bit jumpy. Figuring out who actually killed these families is the easy part. The why, not so much.
7.The Crazies. There is a virus afoot and it's making the people of a small Iowa town crazy. Literally. It must be something in the water. It's up to the small town sheriff and his doctor wife to find the problem and stop it. But that might be a little easier said than done when the military is involved.
This is the remake of the 1973 lesser known George Romero movie. The one thing I will give the original is that it begins with a bang, but slowly tappers off after that. The remake beings a little slowly but picks up about an hour in. I'm usually not in to remakes, but this is one of the better remakes out there.
8.House of 1000 corpses. The Firefly family is a little odd. But you know what they say. A family that kills together stays together. When four young people set out to search out the local legend of "Dr Satan.". When the car breaks down the Firefly family is more than happy to give them shelter and tell the young couples everything they want to know about Dr Satan. The local legend and a broken down car is the least of these young people's problems. They have to survive the Firefly's. Which is no easy task.
I suppose this movie is all about a matter of taste. It's gritty, over the top on gore and kinda makes you feel a little dirty. This movie wasn't well received by horror fans, but personally I enjoyed it. It's a massive throwback to 70's gritty horror. Which is why I like it so much.
9. Devil's Rejects. The sequel to Rob Zombies House of 1000 Corpses. Baby, Otis and Spaulding are on the run from the law. They leave a trail of bodies behind them. But the local sheriff (who's brother Mama Firefly killed in House of 1000 corpses) is hot on their tails and plotting his revenge.
Rob Zombie does something interesting in this film. He takes three horrible people and makes you feel sorry for them. It doesn't happen right away, but it does happen. I will say that Zombie is no master story teller, but what he lack's in story telling, he does make up for in gore.
10. The Hills Run Red. A film maker is on the search for the most horrific movie ever made. No one has been able to find it. But the young film maker as an advantage others don't, he's found the director's daughter. Hopefulness soon turns to terror when the young film maker soon finds himself in a real life horror movie of his own.
The film being searched for isn't actually the most horrific thing ever, but the journey is filled with gore and blood a plenty.
These are some of my favorites. I'd love to hear some of yours.
Some titles that didn't make the list for time reasons but are for sure favorites:
Trick r Treat
Phantasm
Wrong Turn
Texas Chainsaw (The remake)
Orphan
Popcorn
House on Sorority Row (The Original)
Ginger Snaps
The Howling (Best werewolf movie ever!)
The Prowler
My Bloody Valentine (The original)
Dawn of the dead
Day of the dead
Splinter
American Psycho
Children of the corn
omg! I can't believe I forgot Nosferatu. This would be my favorite vampire movie of all time. It's a silent era film and stays somewhat true to Bram Stoker's book. What makes this movie so special is Dracula himself. He's a thing of nightmares. Long fingernails, ugly and vicious to boot.
Sunday, September 16, 2012
A rather lengthy review of Dark Shadows. Part One
It's been a while. Getting used to a new job cuts in to blog time. Or anything else for that matter.
I've been thinking for some time now as to what I'd be reviewing. I haven't been reading much lately. And haven't been watching anything but the original Dark Shadows. Then it dawned on me. Why the hell don't I review Dark Shadows. It's a challenging review at best. Since it's a rather involved story this isn't going to be a short review. Actually the longest part of this is going to be the explanation of the series.
For those of you who have seen the movie but haven't watched the original series, today is your lucky day. I'll be giving a semi-spoiler synopses. I'm going to break this up in to parts to make it easier for all. My opinion will be given at the end of part three. I'm doing it this way because this is a 1245 episode series. Making this a 131 disc set in dvd form. It's hard to put out all that information in one post, much less make it brief. But to save time I'll leave out several of the more boring story lines that go nowhere. It's confusing people. Hell I've watched the whole series and I'm still confused by what I've seen.
We have the Beginning, the reboot and parallel time (Time travel and PT episodes fall under this category). Sorry but everything is going to be rather lengthy as the later episodes are rather....involved. In order to try to make this brief, I will list all of the characters, their back round and who they are played by before hand. This way I don't confuse anyone with details during the series description. Again I'm sorry this is going to be long.
The beginning:
Victoria Winters (Alexandria Moltke) - Heroin. Raised in an orphanage, Vicky has no idea who her birth parents are. She is determined to find out who she really is. She believes the Collins hold the key to her unknown past. She is unsure how Elizabeth found out about her existence, and believes there is some other reason she has been hired as a governess to David. Believing these reasons directly link to her past she eagerly accepts Elizabeth's job offer.
Elizabeth Stoddard Collins (Joan Bennett)- Matriarch of the Collins family. After her Father Jamison's death, the estate, family business and the family earnings were divided evenly between herself and her brother Roger. After Roger's departure from Collinsport after their father's death, Elizabeth was placed in charge of the family Business (Collins Fishing Fleet and Cannery). Her husband Paul Stoddard left her in 1958. Becoming a recluse, Elizabeth has not left Collinwood since the day Paul left (18 years). The people of Collins Port believe she is waiting for her husband to return. She gave birth to Carolyn 6 months after her husband left (This fact about Paul leaving Elizabeth is changed regularly throughout the series. I have no idea which one is true. But for the sake of my sanity we'll stick with this theory for now. The other two will come later)
Carolyn Stoddard (Nancy Barrett)- Daughter of Elizabeth Stoddard Collins and Paul Stoddard. She loathes living in Collinwood and often refers to it as a prison, but refuses to leave out of worry for her mother. Elizabeth wants Carolyn to marry her long time boyfriend Joe Haskell and move away from Collinwood, but Carolyn doesn't want to be "tied down" and refused each marriage proposal by Joe. When Burke Devins comes on to the scene Carolyn was intrigued. Leaving Joe, she fell for Burke quickly, not knowing she was merely a pawn in Burke's revenge plot against the Collin's family. Carolyn is prone to massive mood swings, but deep down has good intentions. She is close with Victoria as they are the same age.
Roger Collins (Louis Edmonds)- Brother of Elizabeth Collins. After his father, Jamison's death, Roger promised Elizabeth he would never return to Collinwood. He waisted no time spending his inheritance money. He placed the remainder of his shares in the family business up for public auction (I have no idea why). Elizabeth quickly bought up his shares in order to keep them in the family. He and Burke Devins were once close friends. One night he, Burke and Burke's then girlfriend Laura went out for a drive which lead to a man's death. Taking advantage of Burkes drunken state at the time, Roger was quick to place the blame on Burke and even testified in court, which led to Burke's manslaughter conviction. The day after Burkes conviction Roger and Laura were married. It was a long and unhappy marriage for the couple.They would often argue over Burke and their son David. After Laura became "Ill" he took David and returned to Collinwood. Roger is quick to judge and often the first to jump to conclusions about others. He hates his son David, if only because he believes David is really Burke's son and not his own (this is untrue as David resembles Jamison as a young boy), and does nothing to hide his contempt for the boy. The only person Roger is close with is Carolyn. Giving her the nick name of "Kitten". Roger runs the offices of Collin's Fishing Fleet and Cannery during business hours.
David Collins (David Henesy)- Son of Roger Collins. Often called "the little monster" by Carolyn. David is a troubled child. Upon meeting Vicky for the first time he tells her that he "I hate you" and does everything he can to chase her from Collinwood. David returns his father's hatred and makes no effort to hide it, even have attempted to kill his father by removing the bleeder valve from his father's car. This attempt failed and he never actively attempted to kill his father again. Although his hatred remained. There are only two people David holds a close affection for. Burke and his aunt Elizabeth. Both understand the hard life David has and do their best to make him feel wanted. David often mentions his only true friends are the ghost's that live in the old house. He often speaks to the ghost of a family relative Josette Collins.
Burke Devins (Mitchell Ryan) -Former friend of Roger Collins. Burke grew up in Collin's Port. As a boy he lived in a shack. His family was poor and his father would take any job that was available at the time. Bill Malloy gave Burke his first job on a boat. After this Burke found a love for money (a love that stayed with him into adulthood). Burke, Laura and Roger were the best of friends and would stir up trouble around Collins Port. Burke and Laura were sweethearts, but that quickly changed after Burke's manslaughter conviction, vowing to coming back and kill Roger. He served 5 of a 10 year conviction (released early for good behavior). Once released he put his plan to ruin Roger and the Collin's family into action. When buying Collinswood from Elizabeth didn't work, he offered her workers more money than they could ever dream of. When this didn't work he not only seduced Carolyn, but bought a Cannery in a nearby town in order to put Elizabeth's own cannery out of business. He holds a fondness for David and Vicky. Although Vicky is on a more romantic level.
Sam Evans (Mark Allen. Mid way through the series Played by David Ford) - An artist and father of Maggie. His wife was supportive of his talent. She died when Maggie was young, but Sam kept sketches he had done of her around the house. He was close with Burke and Burke would often posed for Sam. This all changed when Burke was charged with manslaughter. Sam knew what really happened the night of the accident, but never came forward. In order to keep Sam Quiet Roger gave Sam a generous sum of money to keep silent about the accident. He gave up his painting craft soon after Burke was sentenced and began drinking heavily. The portrait of Burke was never completed. It wasn't until Bill came to Sam asking for the truth that Sam began to consider allowing the truth of that night to be known. With Bill's death came Sam's silence once again.
Maggie Evans (Kathryn Leigh Scott) - Sam Evan's daughter. Maggie works at a hotel cafe in order to pay the bills since her father has quit painting. She is quirky and often speaks her mind. She is also suspicious and observant when she wants to be. She has romantic feelings towards Joe, but keeps them to herself until Carolyn breaks off her long standing relationship with him. She impresses Joe with her knowledge of boats and sailing. The two soon begin a long standing relationship. She thinks the Collins family a bunch of "Kooks" and would rather avoid them if possible. Vicky and her become very fast friends.
Joe Haskell (Joel Crothers) - Boyfriend of Carolyn Collins. Joe works at Collins Fishing Fleet and Cannery. His dream is to one day own a boat of his own and leave Collin's Port. He loves Carolyn but is often turned down when asking for her hand in marriage. Joe often refers to himself as "Good old Joe" and this is true, until he realizes Carolyn is obsessed with Burke. He accuses Carolyn of being scared of marriage because of what happened between her mother and father. There is truth behind his words that scares Carolyn. After this they break up for good. Soon after breaking up with Carolyn, he begins dating Maggie. Realizing they have much in common, they are soon engaged with Sam's blessing. He and Carolyn remain friends. Joe is the proverbial knight in shinning armor. Always comes running when there is trouble.
Laura Collins (Diana Millay) - The wife of Roger. Life with Roger was hardly idea as they always fought about Burke. 8 months after they were married, David was born and the fights about Burke continued. These verbal spars took a took on Laura and became ill. Roger sent her away to a hospital, took David and returned to Collinwood. It is later revealed that she was an alcoholic and suffered from mental illness. After several years at the hospital, Laura moved to Phoenix Arizona and lived off the money Elizabeth sent her to stay away from Collinwood. Soon after Burke's return, Laura returned to Collinwood wanting a divorce from Roger and to be reunited with her son.
Now I have to add my own personal thought here. People often contribute the turning point of Dark Shadows to Barnabas. This is only half true. Laura's character was truly the supernatural turning point for the show. She is a Phoenix. This isn't revealed until after Sam is compelled to draw a painting of Laura. She supposedly died in a fire at her home in Phoenix. As a Phoenix can rise from flames her return is hardly surprising to those who know fantasy lore. But to the members of the Collins family they are a little more than surprised at her return.
Bill Malloy (Frank Schofield) - Employed by Elizabeth and managed the Colins Fishing Fleet and Cannery. He is dedicated to Elizabeth as she gave him his first job as a deckhand on one of her ships. He would do anything to keep Elizabeth safe. Bill had a strong sense of justice. After learning Sam was hiding something important about Burke's trial, he set up a meeting between Roger, Burke, Sam and himself in Roger's office. But he was killed before he could make it to the meeting. His ghost makes several appearances to Vicky and Matthew.
Matthew Morgan (Thayer David) - Caretaker of Collinwood. Matthew began at Collin's Fishing Fleet and Cannery as a floor sweeper. Elizabeth eventually hired him on as the Collinwood caretaker. Matthew was devoted to Elizabeth and would do anything to protect her. For the most part he was a gentle man, but was prone to violent outbursts. These outbursts became more frequent upon Vicky's arrival. After a series of events, Matthew kidnapped Vicky and threatened to kill her several times. He later died of fright as several ghost appeared to him.
Collinswood- Collin's family home. (While this isn't a character, through out most of the show it sure does feel like one)
Side note here. I know I'm missing Jossette Collins here. But I feel she plays a MUCH bigger part in the next part of the series. So I'll save her description for the next part. Although she does appear as a ghost in the beginning. She appears to David, Vicky and Matthew.
FINALLY! We get to what the series is about.
The Gothic soap opera takes place in 1966. It follows Vicky on her strange journey with the Collins family. We begin with her arriving in Collin's Port. No one from the great house of Collinwood is there to greet her. Burke was on the very same train as Vicky. After warning her (the beginning of a slew of warnings), of the dangers of the Collins family, he whisks her away to his hotel where he calls her a cab.
The next warning comes from Maggie (a very blond Maggie a this point. Thankfully the wig only lasted three episodes), who warns her of the "Kooks" on the hill. Taking no heed of this warning, Vicky travels on to Collinwood via taxi.
Roger is the next to warn Vicky. They meet when Vick looks out on Widow's hill. Again taking no heed, she moves on to Collinwood.
We meet Elizabeth. Who comes off rather cold, but there is potential for a warmness in her words. After a brief description of her job requirements, Vicky is sent off to her room to unpack.
Once in her new living quarters we meet Carolyn. Who also warns Vicky of the dangers and drama's of the Collin's family. Vicky has no intention of leaving, much to Carolyn's semi-delight.
David is spiteful and plays "tricks" on Vicky in order to scare her away. Stealing clothing. Playing with the lights. Opening doors with the lights off. All of the antics we expect from children. It's not until we hear David tell Vicky how much she hates her do we understand how troubled this boy is. Vicky thinks so as well and is determined to help him.
In the beginning we are faced with conspiracy's. Most involving Burke's case. Roger wants Sam to keep quiet about what he knows. Burke wants to find out what Sam knows, but gets nowhere on that front. Burke takes on Elizabeth and her business in order to get back at Roger. Having more money than the Collin's, he offers to buy Collinwood from Elizabeth. When she refuses, he offers her money for her cannery. This offer is also refused. Asking her workers to come to his new business fails, but Burke is not deflated at these setbacks. He buys his very own fishing fleet and cannery in a nearby town, with plans to put the Collins family out of business. He also seduces Carolyn in hopes of hurting the family.
The one person trying to keep the peace is murdered. Bill's death hit everyone very hard. Burke was convinced Roger killed Bill in order to keep him silent about what he knew. This proved to be false (Spoiler) Matthew was soon revealed at the true killer. He killed Bill because he believed the man was bringing trouble to Elizabeth.
To be perfectly honest, the beginning really isn't interesting. It had potential. It was dark and had the occasional ghost. But then there was the romantic triangles. Angry Children, even angrier adults. Backstabbing, drama... Same old, same old. But then Laura shows up and the show suddenly takes an interesting and unexpected turn.
After being released from the mental hospital Roger had placed her in, Laura moved to Phoenix (The blatant irony attempted here makes me roll my eyes every time.) Arizona. It is later revealed that her home is burned to the ground and all believed she had gone with it. The authorities came to this conclusion by finding a burnt body in the home. They believed it to be Laura. It was, but a Phoenix on a mission never stays down for long. She comes back to Collins Port demanding a divorce from Roger and wanting full custody of David.
Roger is more than willing to give her both, but Elizabeth has reservations about handing David over to the once mentally ill Laura. After a few meetings Elizabeth is convinced Laura has regained her senses, and even suggests Laura come live with them at Collinwood so she and David can become reacquainted.
Due to a dream he had the night of his mother's first visit to Collinwood (David was asleep during her first visit), He runs from her upon their first meeting. He tells Vicky that the woman downstairs is not his mother, yet he calls to her from his window. Eventually David warms up to his mother thanks to the efforts of Vicky.
Upon actually seeing Laura for the first time, Sam finds himself compelled to do a portrait of Laura and David surrounded by fire. Sam doesn't understand why he feels the need to paint such a portrait. The image of Laura and David in Sams mind is the beginning of many clues given to all by the ghost of Joesette Collins. Being a ghost, she knows exactly what Laura is and wants to do everything she can to save David from his mother's planned fate.
Laura needs David's love in order to carry out her plan. According to Dark Shadow lore. A Phoenix dies by fire every 100 years on the same day and is reborn from those flames. The only difference here is the Phoenix is always a woman and always has a son named David she brings in to the flames with her.
Being the smart cookie she occasionally is, Vicky begins to read in to these clues left by Josette. Under the influence of Josette, she buys the unfinished portrait, much to Sam's confusion and delight. This set back does not stop our ghostly hero from making Sam start in on another portrait. Laura is hardly pleased by this picture, she uses magic in order to kill Sam by fire. Only Elizabeth interrupting Lara's spell saved Sam from an untimely death. Sam's hands were badly burned in the fire as was the current portrait of Laura (although the flames were nowhere near the portrait at the time). Unable to believe her father's accusation that Laura was trying to kill him, Maggie leaves for Collinwood in order to confront Laura.
After Maggie comes to Collinwood to confront Laura Elizabeth begins suspecting Laura of fowl play.
The locket of Laura plays a big clue as well (This is VERY drawn out and really didn't need to be). Vicky comments on Laura's beautiful locket. She explains to Vicky that it was a wedding present from Roger. It holds a picture of David and a lock of his baby hair.
Later Vicky finds the locket Laura wore before was a fake. The real locket was found in Laura's Phoenix apartment, having survived the fire. This locket held the picture and lock of hair. It's also discovered that this locket once belonged to Josette. This is only used to connect Josette and Laura in some way. In other words to get Vicky's attention.
Josette finishes Sam's painting for him, giving Vicky the big clue that David and Laura should not be left alone together.
But the HUGE clue comes when Vicky and semi- boyfriend Frank Garner are drawn to the Collinwood graveyard. They find not one grave of Laura Murdock Stockbridge but two. Knowing Murdock is Laura's maiden name, Vicky is sure there is a connection. As it turns out the two Laura's died exactly 100 years apart from each other.
After this takes place Elizabeth orders Laura to stay away from David. Taking offense and feeling threatened, Laura places Elizabeth in a trance. Elizabeth is sent away to a hospital and is placed under the care of Dr. Peter Gunthrie. Who believes Elizabeth's coma was brought on by some kind of trauma.
After a series of events, involving faded medical records Dr. Gunthrie does everything in his power to out Laura. Even holding a seance (get used to this word people. Come part two it will be used. A LOT). It's not until Joe and Dr Gunthrie open the casket of Laura Murdock Stockbridge that the pieces start falling in to place.
Vicky is the one to save David from his mother's planned fate. David is drawn to his mother (thanks to a spell) and wants to leave. Upon meeting his mother in an old building a fire breaks out. Laura is consumed by the flames, Vicky manages to find David in time to rescue him.
Holy crap doodle. That was long wasn't it? I told you all it was involved. Now on to part two. The rebirth of the show......
I've been thinking for some time now as to what I'd be reviewing. I haven't been reading much lately. And haven't been watching anything but the original Dark Shadows. Then it dawned on me. Why the hell don't I review Dark Shadows. It's a challenging review at best. Since it's a rather involved story this isn't going to be a short review. Actually the longest part of this is going to be the explanation of the series.
For those of you who have seen the movie but haven't watched the original series, today is your lucky day. I'll be giving a semi-spoiler synopses. I'm going to break this up in to parts to make it easier for all. My opinion will be given at the end of part three. I'm doing it this way because this is a 1245 episode series. Making this a 131 disc set in dvd form. It's hard to put out all that information in one post, much less make it brief. But to save time I'll leave out several of the more boring story lines that go nowhere. It's confusing people. Hell I've watched the whole series and I'm still confused by what I've seen.
We have the Beginning, the reboot and parallel time (Time travel and PT episodes fall under this category). Sorry but everything is going to be rather lengthy as the later episodes are rather....involved. In order to try to make this brief, I will list all of the characters, their back round and who they are played by before hand. This way I don't confuse anyone with details during the series description. Again I'm sorry this is going to be long.
The beginning:
Victoria Winters (Alexandria Moltke) - Heroin. Raised in an orphanage, Vicky has no idea who her birth parents are. She is determined to find out who she really is. She believes the Collins hold the key to her unknown past. She is unsure how Elizabeth found out about her existence, and believes there is some other reason she has been hired as a governess to David. Believing these reasons directly link to her past she eagerly accepts Elizabeth's job offer.
Elizabeth Stoddard Collins (Joan Bennett)- Matriarch of the Collins family. After her Father Jamison's death, the estate, family business and the family earnings were divided evenly between herself and her brother Roger. After Roger's departure from Collinsport after their father's death, Elizabeth was placed in charge of the family Business (Collins Fishing Fleet and Cannery). Her husband Paul Stoddard left her in 1958. Becoming a recluse, Elizabeth has not left Collinwood since the day Paul left (18 years). The people of Collins Port believe she is waiting for her husband to return. She gave birth to Carolyn 6 months after her husband left (This fact about Paul leaving Elizabeth is changed regularly throughout the series. I have no idea which one is true. But for the sake of my sanity we'll stick with this theory for now. The other two will come later)
Carolyn Stoddard (Nancy Barrett)- Daughter of Elizabeth Stoddard Collins and Paul Stoddard. She loathes living in Collinwood and often refers to it as a prison, but refuses to leave out of worry for her mother. Elizabeth wants Carolyn to marry her long time boyfriend Joe Haskell and move away from Collinwood, but Carolyn doesn't want to be "tied down" and refused each marriage proposal by Joe. When Burke Devins comes on to the scene Carolyn was intrigued. Leaving Joe, she fell for Burke quickly, not knowing she was merely a pawn in Burke's revenge plot against the Collin's family. Carolyn is prone to massive mood swings, but deep down has good intentions. She is close with Victoria as they are the same age.
Roger Collins (Louis Edmonds)- Brother of Elizabeth Collins. After his father, Jamison's death, Roger promised Elizabeth he would never return to Collinwood. He waisted no time spending his inheritance money. He placed the remainder of his shares in the family business up for public auction (I have no idea why). Elizabeth quickly bought up his shares in order to keep them in the family. He and Burke Devins were once close friends. One night he, Burke and Burke's then girlfriend Laura went out for a drive which lead to a man's death. Taking advantage of Burkes drunken state at the time, Roger was quick to place the blame on Burke and even testified in court, which led to Burke's manslaughter conviction. The day after Burkes conviction Roger and Laura were married. It was a long and unhappy marriage for the couple.They would often argue over Burke and their son David. After Laura became "Ill" he took David and returned to Collinwood. Roger is quick to judge and often the first to jump to conclusions about others. He hates his son David, if only because he believes David is really Burke's son and not his own (this is untrue as David resembles Jamison as a young boy), and does nothing to hide his contempt for the boy. The only person Roger is close with is Carolyn. Giving her the nick name of "Kitten". Roger runs the offices of Collin's Fishing Fleet and Cannery during business hours.
David Collins (David Henesy)- Son of Roger Collins. Often called "the little monster" by Carolyn. David is a troubled child. Upon meeting Vicky for the first time he tells her that he "I hate you" and does everything he can to chase her from Collinwood. David returns his father's hatred and makes no effort to hide it, even have attempted to kill his father by removing the bleeder valve from his father's car. This attempt failed and he never actively attempted to kill his father again. Although his hatred remained. There are only two people David holds a close affection for. Burke and his aunt Elizabeth. Both understand the hard life David has and do their best to make him feel wanted. David often mentions his only true friends are the ghost's that live in the old house. He often speaks to the ghost of a family relative Josette Collins.
Burke Devins (Mitchell Ryan) -Former friend of Roger Collins. Burke grew up in Collin's Port. As a boy he lived in a shack. His family was poor and his father would take any job that was available at the time. Bill Malloy gave Burke his first job on a boat. After this Burke found a love for money (a love that stayed with him into adulthood). Burke, Laura and Roger were the best of friends and would stir up trouble around Collins Port. Burke and Laura were sweethearts, but that quickly changed after Burke's manslaughter conviction, vowing to coming back and kill Roger. He served 5 of a 10 year conviction (released early for good behavior). Once released he put his plan to ruin Roger and the Collin's family into action. When buying Collinswood from Elizabeth didn't work, he offered her workers more money than they could ever dream of. When this didn't work he not only seduced Carolyn, but bought a Cannery in a nearby town in order to put Elizabeth's own cannery out of business. He holds a fondness for David and Vicky. Although Vicky is on a more romantic level.
Sam Evans (Mark Allen. Mid way through the series Played by David Ford) - An artist and father of Maggie. His wife was supportive of his talent. She died when Maggie was young, but Sam kept sketches he had done of her around the house. He was close with Burke and Burke would often posed for Sam. This all changed when Burke was charged with manslaughter. Sam knew what really happened the night of the accident, but never came forward. In order to keep Sam Quiet Roger gave Sam a generous sum of money to keep silent about the accident. He gave up his painting craft soon after Burke was sentenced and began drinking heavily. The portrait of Burke was never completed. It wasn't until Bill came to Sam asking for the truth that Sam began to consider allowing the truth of that night to be known. With Bill's death came Sam's silence once again.
Maggie Evans (Kathryn Leigh Scott) - Sam Evan's daughter. Maggie works at a hotel cafe in order to pay the bills since her father has quit painting. She is quirky and often speaks her mind. She is also suspicious and observant when she wants to be. She has romantic feelings towards Joe, but keeps them to herself until Carolyn breaks off her long standing relationship with him. She impresses Joe with her knowledge of boats and sailing. The two soon begin a long standing relationship. She thinks the Collins family a bunch of "Kooks" and would rather avoid them if possible. Vicky and her become very fast friends.
Joe Haskell (Joel Crothers) - Boyfriend of Carolyn Collins. Joe works at Collins Fishing Fleet and Cannery. His dream is to one day own a boat of his own and leave Collin's Port. He loves Carolyn but is often turned down when asking for her hand in marriage. Joe often refers to himself as "Good old Joe" and this is true, until he realizes Carolyn is obsessed with Burke. He accuses Carolyn of being scared of marriage because of what happened between her mother and father. There is truth behind his words that scares Carolyn. After this they break up for good. Soon after breaking up with Carolyn, he begins dating Maggie. Realizing they have much in common, they are soon engaged with Sam's blessing. He and Carolyn remain friends. Joe is the proverbial knight in shinning armor. Always comes running when there is trouble.
Laura Collins (Diana Millay) - The wife of Roger. Life with Roger was hardly idea as they always fought about Burke. 8 months after they were married, David was born and the fights about Burke continued. These verbal spars took a took on Laura and became ill. Roger sent her away to a hospital, took David and returned to Collinwood. It is later revealed that she was an alcoholic and suffered from mental illness. After several years at the hospital, Laura moved to Phoenix Arizona and lived off the money Elizabeth sent her to stay away from Collinwood. Soon after Burke's return, Laura returned to Collinwood wanting a divorce from Roger and to be reunited with her son.
Now I have to add my own personal thought here. People often contribute the turning point of Dark Shadows to Barnabas. This is only half true. Laura's character was truly the supernatural turning point for the show. She is a Phoenix. This isn't revealed until after Sam is compelled to draw a painting of Laura. She supposedly died in a fire at her home in Phoenix. As a Phoenix can rise from flames her return is hardly surprising to those who know fantasy lore. But to the members of the Collins family they are a little more than surprised at her return.
Bill Malloy (Frank Schofield) - Employed by Elizabeth and managed the Colins Fishing Fleet and Cannery. He is dedicated to Elizabeth as she gave him his first job as a deckhand on one of her ships. He would do anything to keep Elizabeth safe. Bill had a strong sense of justice. After learning Sam was hiding something important about Burke's trial, he set up a meeting between Roger, Burke, Sam and himself in Roger's office. But he was killed before he could make it to the meeting. His ghost makes several appearances to Vicky and Matthew.
Matthew Morgan (Thayer David) - Caretaker of Collinwood. Matthew began at Collin's Fishing Fleet and Cannery as a floor sweeper. Elizabeth eventually hired him on as the Collinwood caretaker. Matthew was devoted to Elizabeth and would do anything to protect her. For the most part he was a gentle man, but was prone to violent outbursts. These outbursts became more frequent upon Vicky's arrival. After a series of events, Matthew kidnapped Vicky and threatened to kill her several times. He later died of fright as several ghost appeared to him.
Collinswood- Collin's family home. (While this isn't a character, through out most of the show it sure does feel like one)
Side note here. I know I'm missing Jossette Collins here. But I feel she plays a MUCH bigger part in the next part of the series. So I'll save her description for the next part. Although she does appear as a ghost in the beginning. She appears to David, Vicky and Matthew.
FINALLY! We get to what the series is about.
The Gothic soap opera takes place in 1966. It follows Vicky on her strange journey with the Collins family. We begin with her arriving in Collin's Port. No one from the great house of Collinwood is there to greet her. Burke was on the very same train as Vicky. After warning her (the beginning of a slew of warnings), of the dangers of the Collins family, he whisks her away to his hotel where he calls her a cab.
The next warning comes from Maggie (a very blond Maggie a this point. Thankfully the wig only lasted three episodes), who warns her of the "Kooks" on the hill. Taking no heed of this warning, Vicky travels on to Collinwood via taxi.
Roger is the next to warn Vicky. They meet when Vick looks out on Widow's hill. Again taking no heed, she moves on to Collinwood.
We meet Elizabeth. Who comes off rather cold, but there is potential for a warmness in her words. After a brief description of her job requirements, Vicky is sent off to her room to unpack.
Once in her new living quarters we meet Carolyn. Who also warns Vicky of the dangers and drama's of the Collin's family. Vicky has no intention of leaving, much to Carolyn's semi-delight.
David is spiteful and plays "tricks" on Vicky in order to scare her away. Stealing clothing. Playing with the lights. Opening doors with the lights off. All of the antics we expect from children. It's not until we hear David tell Vicky how much she hates her do we understand how troubled this boy is. Vicky thinks so as well and is determined to help him.
In the beginning we are faced with conspiracy's. Most involving Burke's case. Roger wants Sam to keep quiet about what he knows. Burke wants to find out what Sam knows, but gets nowhere on that front. Burke takes on Elizabeth and her business in order to get back at Roger. Having more money than the Collin's, he offers to buy Collinwood from Elizabeth. When she refuses, he offers her money for her cannery. This offer is also refused. Asking her workers to come to his new business fails, but Burke is not deflated at these setbacks. He buys his very own fishing fleet and cannery in a nearby town, with plans to put the Collins family out of business. He also seduces Carolyn in hopes of hurting the family.
The one person trying to keep the peace is murdered. Bill's death hit everyone very hard. Burke was convinced Roger killed Bill in order to keep him silent about what he knew. This proved to be false (Spoiler) Matthew was soon revealed at the true killer. He killed Bill because he believed the man was bringing trouble to Elizabeth.
To be perfectly honest, the beginning really isn't interesting. It had potential. It was dark and had the occasional ghost. But then there was the romantic triangles. Angry Children, even angrier adults. Backstabbing, drama... Same old, same old. But then Laura shows up and the show suddenly takes an interesting and unexpected turn.
After being released from the mental hospital Roger had placed her in, Laura moved to Phoenix (The blatant irony attempted here makes me roll my eyes every time.) Arizona. It is later revealed that her home is burned to the ground and all believed she had gone with it. The authorities came to this conclusion by finding a burnt body in the home. They believed it to be Laura. It was, but a Phoenix on a mission never stays down for long. She comes back to Collins Port demanding a divorce from Roger and wanting full custody of David.
Roger is more than willing to give her both, but Elizabeth has reservations about handing David over to the once mentally ill Laura. After a few meetings Elizabeth is convinced Laura has regained her senses, and even suggests Laura come live with them at Collinwood so she and David can become reacquainted.
Due to a dream he had the night of his mother's first visit to Collinwood (David was asleep during her first visit), He runs from her upon their first meeting. He tells Vicky that the woman downstairs is not his mother, yet he calls to her from his window. Eventually David warms up to his mother thanks to the efforts of Vicky.
Upon actually seeing Laura for the first time, Sam finds himself compelled to do a portrait of Laura and David surrounded by fire. Sam doesn't understand why he feels the need to paint such a portrait. The image of Laura and David in Sams mind is the beginning of many clues given to all by the ghost of Joesette Collins. Being a ghost, she knows exactly what Laura is and wants to do everything she can to save David from his mother's planned fate.
Laura needs David's love in order to carry out her plan. According to Dark Shadow lore. A Phoenix dies by fire every 100 years on the same day and is reborn from those flames. The only difference here is the Phoenix is always a woman and always has a son named David she brings in to the flames with her.
Being the smart cookie she occasionally is, Vicky begins to read in to these clues left by Josette. Under the influence of Josette, she buys the unfinished portrait, much to Sam's confusion and delight. This set back does not stop our ghostly hero from making Sam start in on another portrait. Laura is hardly pleased by this picture, she uses magic in order to kill Sam by fire. Only Elizabeth interrupting Lara's spell saved Sam from an untimely death. Sam's hands were badly burned in the fire as was the current portrait of Laura (although the flames were nowhere near the portrait at the time). Unable to believe her father's accusation that Laura was trying to kill him, Maggie leaves for Collinwood in order to confront Laura.
After Maggie comes to Collinwood to confront Laura Elizabeth begins suspecting Laura of fowl play.
The locket of Laura plays a big clue as well (This is VERY drawn out and really didn't need to be). Vicky comments on Laura's beautiful locket. She explains to Vicky that it was a wedding present from Roger. It holds a picture of David and a lock of his baby hair.
Later Vicky finds the locket Laura wore before was a fake. The real locket was found in Laura's Phoenix apartment, having survived the fire. This locket held the picture and lock of hair. It's also discovered that this locket once belonged to Josette. This is only used to connect Josette and Laura in some way. In other words to get Vicky's attention.
Josette finishes Sam's painting for him, giving Vicky the big clue that David and Laura should not be left alone together.
But the HUGE clue comes when Vicky and semi- boyfriend Frank Garner are drawn to the Collinwood graveyard. They find not one grave of Laura Murdock Stockbridge but two. Knowing Murdock is Laura's maiden name, Vicky is sure there is a connection. As it turns out the two Laura's died exactly 100 years apart from each other.
After this takes place Elizabeth orders Laura to stay away from David. Taking offense and feeling threatened, Laura places Elizabeth in a trance. Elizabeth is sent away to a hospital and is placed under the care of Dr. Peter Gunthrie. Who believes Elizabeth's coma was brought on by some kind of trauma.
After a series of events, involving faded medical records Dr. Gunthrie does everything in his power to out Laura. Even holding a seance (get used to this word people. Come part two it will be used. A LOT). It's not until Joe and Dr Gunthrie open the casket of Laura Murdock Stockbridge that the pieces start falling in to place.
Vicky is the one to save David from his mother's planned fate. David is drawn to his mother (thanks to a spell) and wants to leave. Upon meeting his mother in an old building a fire breaks out. Laura is consumed by the flames, Vicky manages to find David in time to rescue him.
Holy crap doodle. That was long wasn't it? I told you all it was involved. Now on to part two. The rebirth of the show......
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)