VAMPIRES DON'T SPARKLE discussion

New vampire film: "Dracula Untold." Based on Dracula by Bram Stoker. Stars Luke Evans. The trailer is wonderful to see. www.draculauntold.com

I'm actually not sure about this movie. Sure it looks like a cool action movie, but it seems to have almost nothing to do with the book by Bram Stoker or the legend of "Vlad the Impaler". And I don't like it when they portray him as the hero.

I get picky when it comes to Dracula. But...I'll probably go see it.

I too, am very much on the "picky" side concerning Dracula. However, all that I have found about this film is quite interesting. It is the story of Vlad Tepes, a prequel if you will, of how he became the Impaler. The film tells a mythic story of the origins of vampires. Vlad Tepes is cast as the hero rather than the villain and there are many historical elements. This film appears to me to be a quality retelling of the Coppola film "Bram Stoker's Dracula" done in a much more scholarly yet romantic way. I look forward to such a production.

There is another new film about Vlad Tepes. It is produced by Brad Pitt titled "Vlad" the odd part, the production will not have vampires or Dracula. Strange as that sounds there is more. Summit (Twilight Saga) owns the rights to this film and are involved... I am thinking here is the film to be very unsure about.

There is a lesser known Vlad film several years old now, starring the late Francesco Quinn as Vlad. The production was low budget but Francesco Quinn was hypnotic as the Prince of Wallachia. It is one of my favorite films.

Angela wrote: "I too, am very much on the "picky" side concerning Dracula. However, all that I have found about this film is quite interesting. It is the story of Vlad Tepes, a prequel if you will, of how he beca..."

Like I said I will go see it, but it makes me go...."meh". I don't like Dracula being cast as the hero rather than the villain. He should be a murderous bastard. I liked the Coppola film, but whatever happened to the Dracula portrayals of Christopher Lee and Bela Lugosi who played him as evil. What ever happened to that???

Angela wrote: "There is another new film about Vlad Tepes. It is produced by Brad Pitt titled "Vlad" the odd part, the production will not have vampires or Dracula. Strange as that sounds there is more. Summit (T..."

Oh yeah, the guy from "Sons of Anarchy" wrote the screenplay to that.

Angela wrote: "There is a lesser known Vlad film several years old now, starring the late Francesco Quinn as Vlad. The production was low budget but Francesco Quinn was hypnotic as the Prince of Wallachia. It is ..."

Are you serious??? No offense, but I hated that film and so did a lot of other people.

Dan wrote: "Angela wrote: "I too, am very much on the "picky" side concerning Dracula. However, all that I have found about this film is quite interesting. It is the story of Vlad Tepes, a prequel if you will,..."

I love the classic Dracula portrayals. Bela Lugosi, Christopher Lee, and Frank Langella (My favorite). I have always seen Dracula as more a tragic hero rather than an anti-hero or villain. I would like to see a new film in the classic Dracula style.

Dan wrote: "Angela wrote: "There is another new film about Vlad Tepes. It is produced by Brad Pitt titled "Vlad" the odd part, the production will not have vampires or Dracula. Strange as that sounds there is ..."

Yes, from what I have found out about it, the film is to focus on history and Vlad the man without any myth to his story.

Dan wrote: "Angela wrote: "There is a lesser known Vlad film several years old now, starring the late Francesco Quinn as Vlad. The production was low budget but Francesco Quinn was hypnotic as the Prince of Wa..."

Yes, I am. I know this film has some problems however, it was a very ambitious film. The attempt was to balance history and horror. It was an independent film mostly financed by the cast of largely unknown actors,(without crowdfunding.) It was the first film of Director Michael D. Sellers, former CIA Agent. Still, the storyline was engrossing with several interesting plots. The cinematography of the dark forrest and Carpathian mountains was very good. I remember there was a character that only spoke authentic Middle English. There were parts of the film that were darkly beautiful. Then there was the amazing performance of Francesco Quinn which carried the film.

Angela wrote: "Dan wrote: "Angela wrote: "There is a lesser known Vlad film several years old now, starring the late Francesco Quinn as Vlad. The production was low budget but Francesco Quinn was hypnotic as the ..."

Sorry I didn't like that film.

Angela wrote: "Dan wrote: "Angela wrote: "I too, am very much on the "picky" side concerning Dracula. However, all that I have found about this film is quite interesting. It is the story of Vlad Tepes, a prequel ..."

Stoker meant for Dracula to be the villain.

Have you read ?

Dan wrote: "Angela wrote: "Dan wrote: "Angela wrote: "There is a lesser known Vlad film several years old now, starring the late Francesco Quinn as Vlad. The production was low budget but Francesco Quinn was h..."

That's fine Dan, We can't all like the same thing, even if we do all like vampires. :)

Dan wrote: "Angela wrote: "Dan wrote: "Angela wrote: "I too, am very much on the "picky" side concerning Dracula. However, all that I have found about this film is quite interesting. It is the story of Vlad Te..."

Yes, I believe he did. But now there are many different interpretations of vampires since his time. I wonder what he would think about this?

Dan wrote: "Have you read ?"

I have not but it looks quite wonderful! I will certainly read this, thank you!

Do you like the Noseferatu style of vampire? Count Orlok is always the villain. Noseferatu A Symphony of Horror 1922 Max Schreck, Noseferatu The Vampyre 1979 Klaus Kinski, Shadow of the Vampire 2000 Willem Dafoe.

Angela wrote: "Dan wrote: "Angela wrote: "Dan wrote: "Angela wrote: "I too, am very much on the "picky" side concerning Dracula. However, all that I have found about this film is quite interesting. It is the stor..."


He would role over in his grave!!! Vampires were meant to be monsters, especially Dracula! It's all thanks to Twilight that we have the pussification of modern vampires. I'm pissed off.

Angela wrote: "Do you like the Noseferatu style of vampire? Count Orlok is always the villain. Noseferatu A Symphony of Horror 1922 Max Schreck, Noseferatu The Vampyre 1979 Klaus Kinski, Shadow of the Vampire 20..."

Oh yes! I love all three of those movies. And a vampire never looked so creepy as did Max Shreck: the buck-toothed fangs, the bald head, the long fingernails, the pointy ears, the black clothes. That was awesome. And I did like Shadow of the Vampire, in which Max Shreck was a real vampire. Awesome.

Dan wrote: "Angela wrote: "Dan wrote: "Angela wrote: "Dan wrote: "Angela wrote: "I too, am very much on the "picky" side concerning Dracula. However, all that I have found about this film is quite interesting...."

There are still other books and films that cast the vampire as the villain, Stephen King's Salem's Lot and The Night Flier. Books that were films as well. The Night Flier is particularly creepy.

Dan wrote: "Angela wrote: "Do you like the Noseferatu style of vampire? Count Orlok is always the villain. Noseferatu A Symphony of Horror 1922 Max Schreck, Noseferatu The Vampyre 1979 Klaus Kinski, Shadow of..."

I like the Klaus Kinski Noseferatu the Vampyre film best. He was so rat-like and creepy.

Angela wrote: "Dan wrote: "Angela wrote: "Dan wrote: "Angela wrote: "Dan wrote: "Angela wrote: "I too, am very much on the "picky" side concerning Dracula. However, all that I have found about this film is quite ..."

I'm a big Stephen King fan.

Angela wrote: "Dan wrote: "Angela wrote: "Do you like the Noseferatu style of vampire? Count Orlok is always the villain. Noseferatu A Symphony of Horror 1922 Max Schreck, Noseferatu The Vampyre 1979 Klaus Kinsk..."

I like it too, only I don't see him as "rat-like". I see him as his own original interpretation of the vampire.

Dan wrote: "Angela wrote: "Dan wrote: "Angela wrote: "Dan wrote: "Angela wrote: "Dan wrote: "Angela wrote: "I too, am very much on the "picky" side concerning Dracula. However, all that I have found about this..."

My favorites of his books are The Dead Zone and Christine.

Angela wrote: "Dan wrote: "Angela wrote: "Dan wrote: "Angela wrote: "Dan wrote: "Angela wrote: "Dan wrote: "Angela wrote: "I too, am very much on the "picky" side concerning Dracula. However, all that I have foun..."

I liked 'Salem's Lot, Pet Semetary, 11/22/63 and am currently reading The Stand.

Dan wrote: "Angela wrote: "Dan wrote: "Angela wrote: "Do you like the Noseferatu style of vampire? Count Orlok is always the villain. Noseferatu A Symphony of Horror 1922 Max Schreck, Noseferatu The Vampyre 1..."

Yes, that film is quite unique. The costumes were lovely. He was so creepy. There was something about how he positioned his hands and the fangs. Certainly, he was the vampire that one would not seek his touch.

Then there is of course The Blood Countess, Elizabeth Bathory.

The film Vamp features a unique vampire villainess, Katrina (Grace Jones). The film is not great but her performance is quite exotic.

Angela wrote: "The film Vamp features a unique vampire villainess, Katrina (Grace Jones). The film is not great but her performance is quite exotic."

Are you kidding, I love that film!!!

Ah, do you? :) I must say, I like parts of it very much. (The Grace Jones "Katrina" scenes.) I would have liked much more with the Katrina character. It was an interesting supporting character role that I wish would have been a starring role. Needed a good script. Would have liked to see much less about the group of students. The dance sequence and African-esque costume was very good.

Dan wrote: "Angela wrote: "Dan wrote: "Angela wrote: "Dan wrote: "Angela wrote: "Dan wrote: "Angela wrote: "Dan wrote: "Angela wrote: "I too, am very much on the "picky" side concerning Dracula. However, all t..."

Stephen King is a great writer. It's amazing the work he has done.

Another interesting vampiric villainess film is The Lair of the White Worm. Bram Stoker novel based on the legend of the Lambton Worm. The Lady Sylvia character.

Angela wrote: "Dan wrote: "Angela wrote: "Dan wrote: "Angela wrote: "Do you like the Noseferatu style of vampire? Count Orlok is always the villain. Noseferatu A Symphony of Horror 1922 Max Schreck, Noseferatu T..."

Nosferatu (1922) Probably one of the ones I wouldn't watch alone,maybe the only one I wouldn't watch alone. One creepy dude!

Angela wrote: "Dan wrote: "Have you read ?"

I have not but it looks quite wonderful! I will certainly read this, thank you!"

"Dracula the Un-Dead" is 450 pages of pissing on the original classic. Virtually everything that happens in the original novel Dacre Stoker claims didn't happen. That hardly qualifies as an 'authorized' sequel.
On the other hand, while it's lousy Dracula, it's a decent and very fast-paced vampire story. But if you don't want to write about Dracula, don't put his name on your book.

Crystal wrote: "Angela wrote: "Dan wrote: "Angela wrote: "Dan wrote: "Angela wrote: "Do you like the Noseferatu style of vampire? Count Orlok is always the villain. Noseferatu A Symphony of Horror 1922 Max Schrec..."

Greetings Crystal, So true! The Noseferatus are the most creepy indeed.

Perry wrote: "Angela wrote: "Dan wrote: "Have you read ?"

I have not but it looks quite wonderful! I will certainly read this, thank you!"

"Dracula the Un-Dead" is 450 pa..."

Greetings Perry, Thank you for the information. Certainly, the wording on the cover would suggest that Bram Stoker left behind notes to make a sequel. A little disappointing. However, I will still read it, I will just keep in mind that it is not a true sequel. I have read The lost Journal of Bram Stoker: The Dublin Years, also by Dacre Stoker It is quite interesting. :)

Angela wrote: "Perry wrote: "Angela wrote: "Dan wrote: "Have you read ?"

I have not but it looks quite wonderful! I will certainly read this, thank you!"

"Dracula the Un-D..."


Perry is right about Dracula The Un-Dead; as a stand alone vampire novel it's alright, but for the "Official Sequel" to Stoker's Dracula, it is a little disappointing. I contacted Dacre Stoker once on facebook and he said another Dracula book by he and Mr. Holt is in the works.

There is also another sequel by the same title
That book followed the original more and had a decent start-up, but the ending is disappointing.

I almost forgot there is a third sequel which came out in the early nineties I believe Don't touch this one it's an absolute piece of shit!

Dan wrote: "Angela wrote: "Perry wrote: "Angela wrote: "Dan wrote: "Have you read ?"

I have not but it looks quite wonderful! I will certainly read this, thank you!"

"D..." Thank you Dan, Both Dracula the Undead books look interesting I think I will read both of them. I have thought of contacting Dacre Stoker myself. I will keep an eye out concerning his new book. However, I read several reviews on the Mina book I daresay I think you are correct. :)

Dan wrote: "Angela wrote: "Dan wrote: "Angela wrote: "Dan wrote: "Angela wrote: "I too, am very much on the "picky" side concerning Dracula. However, all that I have found about this film is quite interesting...."

Dan, You may like "30 days of Night" the first film. The featured vampires are most certainly monsters.

Angela wrote: "Dan wrote: "Angela wrote: "Dan wrote: "Angela wrote: "Dan wrote: "Angela wrote: "I too, am very much on the "picky" side concerning Dracula. However, all that I have found about this film is quite ..."

Yes, I do like 30 Days of Night. I have it on DVD and watch it all the time. I've also read the graphic novels.

Angela wrote: "Dan wrote: "Angela wrote: "Perry wrote: "Angela wrote: "Dan wrote: "Have you read ?"

I have not but it looks quite wonderful! I will certainly read this, tha..."

Don't bother with it, the Mina book I mean. The author turns Mina Harker into a whore, and Dracula isn't even in it!

Dan wrote: "Angela wrote: "Dan wrote: "Angela wrote: "Dan wrote: "Angela wrote: "Dan wrote: "Angela wrote: "I too, am very much on the "picky" side concerning Dracula. However, all that I have found about this..."

Although, I like my vampires more princely than monster I like this film. I also have the DVD.

Dan wrote: "Angela wrote: "Dan wrote: "Angela wrote: "Perry wrote: "Angela wrote: "Dan wrote: "Have you read ?"

I have not but it looks quite wonderful! I will certainly..."

Yes, I will read the other books, however I will pass on the Mina book. After reading several reviews of it I know that I would not like it.

Dan wrote: "Angela wrote: "Dan wrote: "Angela wrote: "Perry wrote: "Angela wrote: "Dan wrote: "Have you read ?"

I have not but it looks quite wonderful! I will certainly..."

Wow, That will never do! Indeed I will pass on that.

Anyone who watched Dracula Untold yet? It currently shows at theaters here, but I'm a bit busy currently and not sure whether it's worth to spend time on it. I have an uneasy feeling it might be too modern for my taste and targets a younger audience who doesn't seem to know what's really good any longer ;) Ah well, probably another candidate to wait for its TV broadcast.

Elke wrote: "Anyone who watched Dracula Untold yet? It currently shows at theaters here, but I'm a bit busy currently and not sure whether it's worth to spend time on it. I have an uneasy feeling it might be to..."

I have seen Dracula Untold and it is amazing!!!It's a fast paced action adventure film about Vlad who has to make a dark choice to save his family and his kingdom. Yeah this Vlad (played by the brilliant Luke Evans) is a hero, so in this respect you have to forget everything you know about Dracula because this is set 400 years before Bram Stoker wrote this book. It's an origin story that is both historical and takes a turn into fantasy. This story is both epic and tragic at the same time. It also takes vampires back to the beginning I reckon, no sparkling skin which I'm sure all the true Dracula fans will enjoy.

It's not modern that's for sure since it is set in 1462.. where Vlad is fighting off the Ottoman invasion.
It's an amazing in site to the famous man behind the famous monster. I couldn't imagine anyone but Luke Evans to play this role, he has the menacing look, the determination that Vlad has and the softness when it comes to the love of his life and his son.

The only downside I think is that it is too fast paced and is only an hour and a half long :(
I would highly recommend this film to anyone and everyone. I can't wait for it to come out on DVD and maybe a sequel given the way it ends :)

Rhoni wrote: "Elke wrote: "Anyone who watched Dracula Untold yet? It currently shows at theaters here, but I'm a bit busy currently and not sure whether it's worth to spend time on it. I have an uneasy feeling i..."

Sounds cool! I thought it doesn't come out till tomorrow though?

Well it depends on where you are? I am inengkanso so it was out in Friday .. It's out tomorrow in America :)

Having studied both Vlad the Impaler and Bram Stoker's novel for decades, I think this movie sounds like a total whitewash. The Impaler was a psychopath who loved nothing more than to shove sticks up people's butts and watch them suffer and die. Turning him into a hero is like turning Adolf Hitler or Jack the Ripper into the hero. The real Vlad never saved his people from the Turks--he was placed on the throne by the Sultan. He then rebelled, starting a war he could never win.
Also, if the trailers are true, Vlad as a vampire has powers that Count Dracula never dreamed of. He'd have to lose these powers to become Stoker's character.
It's not something I'd care to watch.