Dracula 2000 Review

Dracula 2000 Review, Gerard Butler stars in this modern vampire film, a group of thieves steal Draculas coffin.

Director Patrick Lussier

Writer Joel Soisson

Cast

Gerard Butler, Count Dracula
Christopher Plummer, Abraham Van Helsing
Jonny Lee Miller, Simon Sheppard
Justine Waddell, Mary Heller
Jeri Ryan, Valerie Sharpe
Colleen Fitzpatrick, Lucy Westerman
Danny Masterson, Nightshade

Dimension Films, Running time 99 minutes.

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A group of thieves break into Van Helsings antique shop, which is filled with expensive items. The thieves find and gain access to the shops vault, while in the vault they find a metal Coffin, thinking it will contain something very expensive they attempt to open it, they soon discover the coffin has been booby trapped. Unable to open the coffin and convinced it must contain something very valuable they steal the coffin, unaware of the danger inside.

Dracula 2000 has a good cast, decent acting and the movie has a nice atmosphere and feel, some of the effects are good, there is some blood and gore which is used nicely, they haven't gone silly and over used the special effects. Gerard Butler does a good job of playing Dracula as a monster with great power and as a charismatic likable character. The other cast members also do a good job, apart from Simons (Jonny Lee Millers) accent which sounded a bit forced. Dracula 2000 offers its own fairly interesting story behind the creation of Dracula, something that becomes known near the end of the film.

While I did enjoy this movie, I didn't find the story engrossing and I didn't find myself caring particularly about any of the characters, I was easily distracted which are not the ideal ingredients for a master piece movie.

I can certainly recommend this to any vampire fans, as it gives us a healthy dose of vampire action, those that are not vampire fans may struggle to enjoy this as I am not sure there is enough to keep their attention.

6 out of 10

Dog Soldiers Review

Dog Soldiers is a 2002 British horror film set in Scotland, an army training exercise turns into a war against werewolves.

Director Neil Marshall

Writer Neil Marshall

Cast

Kevin McKidd, Private Cooper
Sean Pertwee, Sergeant Harry G. Wells
Emma Cleasby, Megan
Chris Robson, Private Joe Kirkley
Leslie Simpson, Private Terry Milburn
Liam Cunningham, Captain Ryan
Darren Morfitt, Private "Spoon" Witherspoon

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A group of army soldiers are sent on a routine training exercise, they're expected to meet up with some SAS soldiers before beginning their training in the highlands of Scotland. Upon arrival they discover the SAS members torn to pieces, it turns out there is one remaining survivor, Captain Ryan. Captain Ryan gives the soldiers hints about what attacked him and killed his troops, clearly distressed and traumatized Captain Ryan is unable to explain clearly what happened.

There are not many good werewolf movies, which is surprising when you consider how popular the werewolf actually is, I am talking about true werewolf movies, not films that simply include werewolves like the Twilight films. So we have the British horror movie Dog Soldiers, a low budget British horror movie, I didn't have particularly high hopes for this as I am not a big fan of British movies.

Dog soldiers certainly has plenty of action, lots of shooting, blood and swearing, the pacing is good which prevents boredom. I like the Werewolf designed, they're a humanoid type of creature, big, fast and very deadly, the way they should be.

There is no CG used, the werewolves are just men in suits which is fine, but at times the low budget does show in the effects, both the werewolves and the gore.

The acting is good enough for the most part, some of the dialog is a bit cheesy and crude which is very common in British movies, but this one isn't to bad. Sergeant Harry G. Wells is the most likeable character providing some funny moments.

Overall it's nothing special but it has some good moments, Dog Soldiers is entertaining and certainly worth a watch for any werewolf fan.

5.5 out of 10

Dead End Review 2003

Dead End Review, Frank Harrington decides to take a short cut while they drive to his in-laws for Christmas.

Director Jean-Baptiste Andrea - Fabrice Canepa

Writers Jean-Baptiste Andrea - Fabrice Canepa

Cast

Ray Wise - Frank Harrington
Lin Shaye - Laura Harrington
Amber Smith - Lady in White
Mick Cain - Richard Harrington
Billy Asher - Brad Miller
Alexandra Holden - Marion Harrington

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Frank Harrington has been driving to his in-laws every Christmas Eve for the last 20 years, this time however Frank is feeling very tired and he decides to take a different route to help keep him focused. Despite Franks attempt to keep himself awake he falls asleep at the wheel and has a near crash, after a quick inspection of the car everything seems ok and they carry on with their journey. As they continue to drive they come across a women dressed in white carrying a baby, this is when some of the family members start to go missing, and shortly after a strange black car drives past them with the recently missing family member in the back.

Dead End is a very good example of how to make a low budget horror movie, most of the film takes place in the family car while they drive through a woodland area at night, it's a very basic setting yet it manages to be very atmospheric and creepy and totally immersive.

The actors are well cast and they give good performances, there is some good dialog and some humours moments to keep the viewer entertained, it doesn't take itself too seriously yet it manages to create more atmosphere and tension than many bigger budget horror movies.

Some people seem to have difficultly following what's going on, you just have to begin watching it with an open mind, and just don't expect to much from the location and setting as visually you don't get to see much more than a road, some trees and a shed. However it does encourage your imagination and it will keep you guessing right to the end.

6.9 out of 10