Byzantium (2012)

As far as Vampire films go, Interview with the Vampire is still one of my favourite movies. So when I first heard that Neil Jordan was returning to the sub-genre to direct Byzantium, I was that little bit more excited about it. Jordan also directed The Company of Wolves (1984), The Crying Game (1992) and  Michael Collins (1996) among other films, so we know we're going to get quality.

Don't head into this movie thinking it will be just another generic vamp flick with lots of fangs and blood. This is a horror / drama. I'd also like say that it has one of the most stunning movie posters I've seen!

The story follows Eleanor (Saoirse Ronan) and Clara (Gemma Arterton). They live from day to day with Clara doing what she has to, to earn money to support them both. When someone from Clara's past turns up, Werner (Thure Lindhardt), she puts them both in a compromising position and the two girls have to flee to another location.

They hit a seaside town, somewhere that Eleanor believes they have been before. Straight away, Clara does what she does best, making money and looking for a place to stay. In the meantime Eleanor meets Frank (Caleb Landry Jones), which turns into a friendship. Clara has now found a place stay with Noel (Daniel Mays), in his run down hotel.

Clara works her magic and turns the hotel into a thriving business, with a difference, and Eleanor attends the local school with Frank. Everyday, Eleanor writes down her tragic story of immortality and trows it away each time. But when she decides to write the same story, claiming she is a 200 year old vampire, and give it to her friend frank, it back fires on her as Frank passes it on to their teacher, who in turn becomes concerned that Eleanor has a problem since she insists that what she wrote is the truth.

This all leads to Clara having to clean up the mess Eleanor has made, in turn making more of a mess herself. Now the attention of the authorities has been drawn as well as someone else from Clara's past. Past events are starting to haunt Eleanor and Clara even more than before, threatening to separate the them from each other. Will they get the happy ending they both earnestly and secretly crave for or will death be their future?

The big difference between this film and other vampire films is the mythos itself. It has very original origin story and as for the feeding, the normal set of tools are not used, but the thirst for blood is still the same! With some decent practical FX, the flow of blood should keep vampire and horror fans happy.

The story itself is extremely well written by Moira Buffini and with Jordan's direction, it's an excellent film that the seasoned non horror movie buff will appreciate too. Jordan's vision fills the screen and the movie does have a similar feeling tone as Interview with the Vampire, without as much action and more drama though.

The film flashes back and forth from the past to the present, answering all the questions that arise in your head throughout the proceedings. This makes you get more involved and connected to each character.

It's a beautifully crafted movie full of emotional content. From the dreary looking location to the contrasting colourful lights all within the seaside town, Saoirse Ronan and Gemma Arterton bring the whole thing to life with great performances. The supporting cast is full of quality too, but it's Ronan, along with Caleb Landry Jones that steal the show.

WITH SOME STUNNING CINEMATOGRAPHY AND OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCES, BYZANTIUM APPEALS TO, NOT JUST VAMPIRE FANS, BUT FILM ENTHUSIASTS IN GENERAL.

Byzantium gets 5 Stars

Check out the trailer below...

The Dead (2010)

 
As part of disturbingfilms.com's Zombie Week 2012, which runs from March 12 - 17, I'll be reviewing four Zombie movies from the 00's. This is the second film...

The Cast -
Rob Freeman as Lt. Brian Murphy
Prince David Oseia as Sgt. Daniel Dembele
David Dontoh as The Chief


Directors & Writers - Howard J. Ford & Jon Ford













The Plot -
When the last evacuation flight out of war-torn Africa crashes off the coast, American Air Force Engineer Lieutenant Brian Murphy emerges as the sole survivor in a land where the dead are returning to life and attacking the living. On the run in a hostile and inhospitable parched landscape, where sudden death lurks around every sun-burnished corner, Murphy has to use his wits and ingenuity if he is to get home alive to his family. When Murphys path clashes with that of Sergeant Daniel Dembele, whose village has been torn apart by the reanimated dead, they join forces. The two desperate men from two very different cultures fight side by side to survive across the incredible scenery of Africa as the world succumbs to the deadliest of viruses.

The Review -
Set in the desert wasteland of Africa, we see a lone figure, dressed in black, making his way through the sandy but rugged terrain. It doesn't take long before he has company. Shuffling slowly towards the armed man, broken leg in toe, is a Zombie, which is passed by, by the unknown gunman. Just over the next dune though, he has to take action when another Zombie appears.
Cut to the next scene, on board a small plane, filled with military personnel and civilians alike. One man has been bitten and going into shock. The plane is running out of fuel and eventually crashes just of the cost. The only survivor, American Air Force Engineer Lieutenant Brian Murphy, is now stranded in hostile territory having to fight for his survival in order to get to his wife and child.
Meanwhile, in a near by location, Sergeant Daniel Dembele returns to his village to find it empty of the living and occupied by the walking dead, as it was evacuated the night before. His mother, fatally injured, barely breathing, tells Daniel that his son was taken to safety.

Brian and Daniel's paths soon cross. Brian wants to head to an airfield to see if he can find a plane that can fly and Daniel wants to head north to find his son. They decide to help each other towards each destination.
Upon discovering the abandoned airstrip, Brian stays the course with Daniel to find the camp in the north that Daniel's son was taken too. In between them and their final destination stands a numerous amount of flesh hungry killers. But with a hot desert by day, the cold nights and danger lurking behind every rock and bush, will the two soldiers find sanctuary or pay the ultimate sacrifice at the hands of the infected dead?

This is a road movie, with the backdrop of Africa and classic slow moving Zombies. Don't expect an action packed movie. Although there is plenty of rather good bloody special effects, most encounters are brief and to the point. This movie has more of a drama feel to it, drawing you into the harrowing story rather than distracting you with mindless violence. It very much has the feel of Stake Land (2010), but with Zombies instead of Vampires. The cast give believable performances. It's well scripted and directed and is definitely worth a watch for fans of the Zombie sub-genre.

The Dead gets a lively 7/10

Check out the trailer below...