Robert Eggers writes and directs the latest iteration of Nosferatu, following in the footsteps of the iconic 1922 silent film directed by F. W. Murnau, and the 1979 Nosferatu the Vampyre from Werner Herzog. As the story goes, the 1922 film blatantly ripped off Dracula, and delivered some of the most iconic horror imagery committed…
Tag: transylvania
Dracula (1931) – George Melford
Sometimes there’s a glowing hole in my film education. I had no idea that Universal, in 1931, released two versions of Dracula, there was the iconic Bela Lugosi version which cast a long bat-shaped shadow over the entire 20th century, setting the standard for reserved, charming and well-dressed nosferatu. At the same time George Melford,…
Renfield (2023) – Chris McKay
Nicholas Hoult, Nicolas Cage, and Awkwafina star in Chris McKay’s bloody, hilarious, and over-the-top love letter to the supporting character of the original Dracula story, Renfield, including some wonderful homages to the original 1931 film. It’s modern-day America and Renfield (Hoult) has relocated Dracula (Cage) yet again to hide him from those who would hunt…
Van Helsing (2004) – Stephen Sommers
After his fairly positive success with two Mummy movies, and the cult favorite Deep Rising, Stephen Sommers looked to do an homage to the Universal Monsters and hopefully launch a new tentpole franchise with the Hugh Jackman led Van Helsing. This is the next recommendation from DK Canada’s Monsters in the Movies by John Landis,…
The Fearless Vampire Killers (1967) – Roman Polanski
Originally known as Dance of the Vampire’s Roman Polanski’s horror comedy is the next film in the Vampire section of DK Canada’s Monsters in the Movies, written by legendary director John Landis. With the snow covered Alps standing in for Transylvania, and some nicely designed gothic castle sets, Polanski plays with the cliches of the…
Dracula’s Daughter (1936) – Lambert Hillyer
John Landis Monsters in the Movies, available from DK Canada, keeps the fangs coming with this next title from the Vampire section of his book. This 1936 film is supposed to pick up shortly after the close of 1931’s Dracula (despite the fact that it was set in the 19th century, and this film is…
The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones (1993/1995) – Masks of Evil
Indy’s (Sean Patrick Flanery) adventures continue this week, as his time with French Intelligence during the Great War continues, and brings him face to face with some real evil. The movie combines two episodes, and changes the canon order of when they originally happened to facilitate a comprehensive story. Istanbul, September 1918 Airing on 17…
Young Frankenstein (1974) – Mel Brooks
The Sci-Fi Chronicles book has been very enjoyable so far, and I’m still at the beginning of the massive tome! It was with great joy that I settled in to watch Mel Brook’s homage and send-up of the Universal Frankenstein films. Gene Wilder headlines a laugh-infused cast, that is just a joy to watch,…
Nosferatu: Phantom der Nacht (1979)
The Dracula story is revisited again on the 101 Horror Movies To See Before You Die. This time, famed German director Werner Herzog retells the tale, using the template provided by F.W. Murnau’s version of the story from 1922 and Bram Stoker’s original novel. Taken over the creepy role, in make-up similar to that of…
Blacula (1972)
It’s been awhile since I had time to settle in and keep working through the 101 Horror Movies but I finally had time to settle back into the early 70s and watched the next one on my list – the blaxploitation film Blacula. My first reaction when the opening credits started rolling was… Gordon Pinsent?…
The Mind Reels 