It’s been a rough first quarter I’d say if I had to say which I wouldn’t but if I had to I would just to be clear on that. It’s not that I’m complaining for the sake or simply for some good reason; it’s just sometimes a girl’s got to get it out there in the open. There’s a little something for the begotten world of twitter; post that on your tweets and thank me. All women have mastered the art of profession with out actually having to say anything while creating the illusion of having expressed something profound. Why the change in tone? You can lay blame to my latest writing endeavours that may actually see the light of day some time soon for better or worse I believe.

I would not begin with false confessions if not to finally confess wholeheartedly something unbeknownst or perhaps just not expected. I am, for the lack of a better/ less honest description, a Vampire Diaries geek. This telenovela of blood, lust, and cheeky turns of phrase has kept me treading water these last few months. Oh yes my pretties, the melange of period flashbacks supported by the ultra quaint town setting of Mystic Falls are significantly lifting my spirits as is that killer pad the Salvatore brothers live in. It’s just so decadent looking and rich and relic like in motif and mood; perhaps I could spend a weekend there to seal the deal for my novel…I wonder if the good folks at the CW would let me. Perhaps, if I don’t tell them exactly what I’m writing they might consider-but that’s highly unlikely. Oh the daydreams of futile impossibility: so girly of me.

I’m even willing to forgive the Anglo-bastardization of their surname despite how much it pains the Italian blood racing through my veins. But everything else about these characters is A-Okay in my books. A-Okay, another turn of phrase due for a come back and dog gone it that just might happen when the internet finally implodes. Yes, Damon (Ian Somerhalder) and Stephen ( Paul Wesley ), the Salvatore brother vampire duo constantly at odds, almost a Cain and Abel like story only they’re both the bad guys. It’s like the difference between bad and terrible catch my drift? Ian Somerhalder who plays Damon (the devilish delight) is an actor who after many years is finally getting his due in the mainstream. I personally love his portrayal of Damon as it isn’t a one off rendition of the bad man but a more complex, intricate, layered performance that reveals the multi-dimensional essence of this tortured soul as he wreaks havoc where ever he seems to lay foot. I often admire an actor who truly understands how to use his face and the astounding effect the choice to let the muscles in the face speak can have. I’m sure that reads ridiculous but there’s something to it I promise: the next time you watch pay close attention to each look, gaze, grin, and smirk and you will find no two are alike. That’s good craftsmanship and Ian Somerhalder should be saluted for it, but, not in a military like fashion because that’s just kinky and we haven’t met…not that if we had it would make it all right–just saying!  I’d love to sit here and talk about how great Nina Dobrev is in the show but my heart’s just not in that place as I watch it not for Elena/Catherine but for the male characters…all of them…except Uncle John, that jerk.  Nonetheless, sending Nina a big hug for representing Canada in the best way as she takes prime time by storm. (Sending her a Canadian Cutie Questionnaire…let’s see if she fills it out!)

The penultimate episode has me perturbed as the witch hath deceived her  lot of trusted companions. As if that comes as a shocker-not like people with telekinetic abilities are to be trusted by the passer by let alone the walking dead. Tres excited to see the season finale as it is the summation of this amazing cast and crew’s blood, sweat, and tears (no pun intended). I must also say I’m sad to see it over as I’ve become quite accustomed to my Thursday evening distraction that makes things in general seem not so bad in comparison. After all, even vampires able to beat sunlight who live forever with exceptional powers seem to have problems. Perhaps, I shouldn’t knock it so much and just resolve to watching reruns whenever the good fight gets me down. So ends my geeky confession, over and out.

Release Date: Friday February 12, 2010 Genre: Fantasy Running Time: 119 min. Director: Chris Columbus Studio: 20th Century Fox Producer(s): Michael Barnathan, Karen Rosenfelt, Chris Columbus, Mark Radcliffe Screenplay: Craig Titley Cast: Logan Lerman, Brandon T. Jackson, Alexandra Daddario, Sean Bean, Pierce Brosnan, Steve Coogan, Rosario Dawson, Catherine Keener, Kevin McKidd, Uma Thurman, Jake Abel

I had been waiting for this movie for quite a while.  The trailer looked really cool even though I had no idea about the novels.  Also, this Logan Lerman kid really seems interesting–maybe even the new Hollywood it boy.  He’s good looking in that old school handsome sort of way; that Paul Newman, Marlon Brando, Jimmy Dean kind of way: great eyes and a killer smile.  I can see why the young girls in the theatre were all gaga eyes over him…I’m sure said girls don’t get why I was all gaga for Pierce Brosnan but I have faith that when they get older they’ll understand.

The film was pretty cool in terms of effects and acting.  Your typical adventure movie with the reluctant hero motivated by his mamma in trouble and some serious daddy issues.  An updated version of a classic tale if you will.  This seems to be the year for that come to think of it.  I always tell people there’s nothing really new about the stories we tell…it’s just the way we tell them that changes.  Nonetheless, the updated takes on mythological characters was interesting. Also, seeing demigods as awkward teenage kids in a camp was also pretty cool and quite fitting given you don’t really think about people with super human powers as having seriously human complexes.  Chris Columbus really did a good job of exploiting that and similar themes to make this film believable to the audience.  Well done on casting and on the over all vision of the film.  No complaints as the movie delivered exactly what it promised. What I really enjoyed was the humorous element in it that made it all the more believable; a card well played by Columbus.

The last thing I’d like to mention is that the film left you wanting a sequel instead of ending the film on the set up to a sequel.  This is something I wish more filmmakers would take note of as you don’t want to annoy your already astute audience–we understand the mechanics of cinematic propagation and would rather a product so good you want more instead of one that lets you know more is sure to follow.  I hope that more Percy Jackson is to follow and so should you.

This was a cool movie not only because the character WOLVERINE is CANADIAN but because there are so many CANADIANS in it.  All jokes and self-deprecating Canadian humour aside: this was a killer movie from beginning to end.   Little bit of sibling rivalry, little bit of romance, little bit of sexy men with their shirts off, a spruce of cool FX, and finally amazing action sequences.  Internationally the pictures made over and estimated $200 million dollars and I can’t say this boggles the mind at all. 

I’m not here to discuss whether or not
it’s accurate or how the comic book fans feel about it.  None of that is within the realm of control here because a film is a film as a novel is a novel and so on and so forth.  Each medium must be examined within the confines of that medium which is why some shitty plays make great movies and sometimes a not so popular movie turns into a white hot TV show like Buffy The Vampire Slayer.  The why’s of the universe are beyond us meagre mortals but why this movie turned out so well is definitely with in the scope of the discernable and quantifiable.

Firstly, let’s look at the character: Wolverine/Jim/Logan is the ultimate anti-hero who couldn’t have worse luck or a sadder set of circumstances.  Next, this protagonist has the ultimate formula for an antagonist, Sabertooth, who just so happens to be his brother–plot thickens.  These two go through their co-existence from one violent opera to the next–war after war until they are finally discovered for what they really are–mutants.  The government steps in and the two brothers are divided.  Wolverine takes the high road and goes back to Canada living a normal life and finding a woman who loves him and whom he can
love.  You’ve got all the elements for Shakespearean tragedy up to this point and the makings of a great story with or with out all the special effects.  What is at the core for the success of this film is the story.  This is a good story to watch unfold before your eyes.  It has real character development and drama the way action films in the fifties and sixties did.  The audience attaches itself to these characters and follows them where ever the narrative takes them; because the narrative is carefully calculated and is finely tuned with each character and each setting.  People can say what they want, but, even with out all the big bang this film would still be good because the characters and story are fully fleshed out.

The film is also cast well, which definitely helps all the aforementioned points.  Hugh Jackman really does get the blood boiling with this performance and at some points (and I’m not ashamed to say it) a little mist in the eyes.  It’s so hard to believe he’s been reprising this role for the last decade but it’s the truth.  Who would have thought replacement casting could ever go so far?  Sometimes, it just goes to show that the first choice isn’t always the best choice nor does it guarantee success.  What ever the circumstances
we can all agree that the only one who we could ever see in this role is Hugh Jackman.  And why shouldn’t we be so adamant?  Wolverine’s just a little guy in the comic and Jackman is a tall man–details!  There isn’t a hot blooded human being who isn’t tantalized every time those claws come out of that tall strong frame; sometimes and in some ways the movies make things better than they originally seem–and so they should…in this case.  As the lead and the one carrying the picture Jackman does a great job in taking us through the never ending struggle and contradiction this character experiences.  We
also see James, the first phase: a man just trying to live and get past the murder of his father while battling with the only connection to his past–his brother.  Then we meet Logan, the man with a secret identity and a secret past.  Finally, when all that makes him human is stripped away we get Wolverine–the animal and the constant battle with in.  For an action
picture that’s a lot of complexity–as it should be.  Jackman provides the audience with all the layers needed to sympathize and identify with Wolverine.  It’s a great performance overall.

Liev Schreiber as Sabertooth–not my first choice but then again, boy was I wrong.  He brings a duality to this character that was needed for this kind of movie and for the dynamic between Wolverine and Sabertooth.  This rivalry contextualized meant so much more for the audience.  Much of that is to the credit of Schreiber’s performance.  Playing the Id and the child who refuses to grow up in so many ways with that ever present underlying sibling jealousy only brothers can know.  He’s the one you fear and love to hate in this picture–and with due cause.  The most surprising performance in this whole picture came from Ryan Reynolds (Canadian)
who plays Wade Wilson/Deadpool.  I sat there watching and said "where the hell did this guy come from?"  I know what you’re thinking…Blade Trinity–hold the phone Batman this was totally different.  And you will have to watch the movie and pay close attention to the end of this bad boy to know what I really mean.  Unbelievable performance.  I think performance is going to steer Ryan Reynolds in a whole new direction–at least I hope so.  I’m not saying I’m tired of the usual but this was flash backs to The Amityville Horror times infinity.  I like what I’m seeing and I think I
speak for us all when I say "Can I have some more please?"  Really people, what would this review be with out a Dickens reference, seeing as how we’ve totally gone Twilight Zone anyways.  The entire cast did a great job and I really can’t complain–and neither should you especially when we consider all the other crap out there in terms of blockbuster movies.

Boys, girls, and everyone in between and undecided: this is definitely a picture you should all see.  This has been one of my most highly anticipated movies of the year and I’m so glad it didn’t
let me down.  This is a movie that’s truly for everyone.  Take the kids, take your parents, take your significant other, take the dog for all I care just go and see this damned thing–you won’t regret it. 

Release date: Friday January 23, 2009 Running time: 106 min. Director: Iain Softley Cast: Brendan Fraser, Paul Bettany, Helen Mirren, Jim Broadbent, Andy Serkis, Eliza Hope Bennett, Rafi Gavron

Ever since The Crow I’ve been waiting for a really great gothic love story.  And although this isn’t as good a love story as The Crow (in the words of the Highlander "there can be only one") it is a beautiful love story in its own right.  The tale of Lucian (Michael Sheen) and Sonja (Rhona Mitra) is a beautifully written tale of immortal star crossed lovers who can never be on account of the fact that one is a Lycan slave and the other Vampire nobility.  The rules and traditions dividing them is the premise of the film.  

For those unfamiliar this film is the story referred to in the previous two parts of the trilogy as being what sparked the war between the Lycans and the Vampires.  Lucian is the first of his kind who can resume human form after transforming into a Lycan.  Victor (Bill Nighy) uses him to breed a race of slaves who would watch over the Vampire race.  He keeps them under control by putting a collar on them that has silver spikes on the inside, should they ever assume Lycan form (where they are most strong) they would surely die.  After saving Sonja’s life Lucian is to be put to death for the removal of his collar.  Instead he escapes and takes some Lycans with him.  Together they turn anyone willing to fight the Vampires for freedom as they have become the oppressors of all the lands demanding payment for protection.  Lucian can not only command the Lycans who can resume form but also those who are descendants of William who can never resume human form again.  With this army he takes the castle after the death of his love Sonja and defeats the vampires.  This would spark what would follow in parts 1 and 2 of the Underworld saga.  

Aside from this film’s most excellent storyline the acting is impeccable  All the characters are so believable as are their relations to one another.   Unlike many fantasy films this film concentrates just as much on relationships and character as it does on effects and big bang.  Even the Lycans who can never again resume human form are conveyed as having relations to one another and to Lucian most of all.  The dynamic and chemistry between Lucian and Sonja is electrifying, great on screen chemistry.  When I first saw who’d be playing Sonja I truly had my doubts, but, I am very happy to be proven wrong.  

Aesthetically the film is like a giant macabre/gothic masterpiece of sorts.  It’s simply beautiful to watch.  Everything from the cinematography to the set design to the costumes is exquisite.  All perfectly planned and wonderfully executed on the big screen.  It’s a dark film that really works on screen as the light and shadow are meticulously calculated for effect and overall ambiance.  The special effects are more a part of the film and characters (as previously mentioned) than they are show stoppers themselves.  This is key because unlike many fantasy action films Underworld truly delivers the balance that is so lacking in many of today’s big blockbusters.  This film works as a boys
night out movie as much as it does a first date movie.  Underworld: Rise of the Lycans is so multidimensional there really is something for everyone in it.  I highly recommend it and truly do look forward to the DVD release.