Movie Monday -- Super 8

So, I saw this preview when I went to see Little Red Riding Hood.  Starring kids, produced by Steven Speilberg, and directed by J.J. Abrams.  It looks like E.T. got a HUGE attitude since he was last here, and I like it!  Can't wait to see it!

Movie Review -- Little Red Riding Hood

Over at Para Posse and Something Wicked:

I think I may have found my Halloween costume for this year!

Rutger Hauer -- From Vampire to Hunter...

First off, 1 year ago today, Corey Haim sadly passed away. This was quite a blow to me, as he was one of my first childhood crushes, and his work, The Lost Boys, had a HUGE influence on my own writing. Even though I never knew him, I felt like a friend had died. RIP, Haimster, and know that we're still missing you.

Okay, and now -- wow, Rutger Hauer has quite the resume, doesn't he? I love him when he plays the baddie, like in The Hitcher, Nighthawks, and of course, Blade Runner (although, was Roy Batty really the bad guy? Wouldn't we all behave the same way if we found out we were androids and wanted more life?).

He also played one hell of a vampire in Buffy the Vampire Slayer (I remember being excited because 2 of my crushes were in that movie -- Luke Perry AND Rutger); as well as the big, bad, super-mean vampire in the 2004 rendition of 'Salem's Lot (along with another 80's hottie, Rob Lowe).

Now, he's set to play the (in?) famous vampire hunter, Abraham Van Helsing, in the Dracula 3D.

I'm not sure how I feel about this. Look, I love the Dracula tale, but what about something new? Don't we have enough versions for right now? If you're yearning for Dracula, how about The Tale of the Vampire Bride by Rhiannon Frater? Erotic mystery lovers would like to see Vampire Vacation (by CJ Ellisson) on the big screen. And of course, we'd ALL die to see an awesome tale of vampires who kill Nazis and save children during WWII, ahem, right?!

I'm also not sure about the whole 3D thing. It's good for IMAX films (Sea Rex), and possibly children's movies (Yogi Bear). But is it necessary? The Haunting (1963) is quite a chilling, scary tale and that's in B&W with no special effects. I'll admit that CGI for Lord of the Rings was amazing and really brought the story to life, but CGI werewolves -- give me Howling or AWIL effects any day over that. I even prefer the muppet yoda to the CGI-created one.

Yeah, I know this has nothing to do with vampires, but HAWT!

That being said, I'm sure Hauer will do a fantastic job -- he's got the acting chops (and he's Dutch, too!). His performance will probably be on par with Laurence Olivier's turn as Van Helsing in Dracula (1979) -- and I do love that version, even though they changed the plot up.

In the meantime, us Hauer (and 80's) fans will get to see him in Hobo With a Shotgun -- an homage/parody to/of 80's action flicks (I'm so there. That and Take Me Home Tonight -- homage to 80's teen films -- love it!).

Take care and enjoy your St. Patty's day, gang!