Dracula Untold-- 8 out of 10

I just saw the trailer for this movie this week, but it peaked my interest and last night I dragged my husband to the movies. I really didn't know what to expect. The beginning of the movie is narrated by Dracula's son, Ingeras, which is the first bit of movie invention. In real life, Vlad had two sons and neither was named Ingeras.

The movie goes on to tell the story of why Vlad becomes a vampire, and it's actually a noble cause. But like all fatally flawed characters, it's the nobility that gets him into trouble. Wanting to save his people and his family from the turks, he risks taking on the power of a vampire. He's told he will have the strength, healing properties, shape shifting abilities, and command of the night for three nights. If he abstains from drinking human blood for those three nights, he will simply die. If he partakes of human blood, he will be forever cursed to live in darkness.

Vlad does pretty well with resisting until everything goes to shit. When the chips are down, he decides the vampire gig is the only way to get revenge.

Visually, the movie is stunning. Lots of action, beautiful scenery, and the whole shape shifting thing is pretty awesome. Historical accuracy wise, the movie is pretty damned inaccurate. But I can suspend my knowledge for a short time, to enjoy the movie. And really, if you aren't a super huge horror nerd, you probably won't notice anyway. And you might not even then, unless you're also a history nerd.

So I gave the movie 8 stars because it entertained me, and isn't that what a movie is supposed to do? I didn't glance at my phone once. My butt did not get numb. I never once wondered when the movie would be over, or pondered where we should eat dinner. I was caught up in the onscreen action. Also, the guy playing Dracula was hott, in a dark, broody sort of way. (Which is my favorite way)

But only an 8 because I was left with a lot of questions. A lot. I won't pose them all here because it would spoil the movie. But generally, I don't like to leave the theatre with a lot of questions or having caught many discrepancies. I'll let it go this time because I love vampires.

So go for the entertainment factor, but don't expect brilliance.

Happy viewing,
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Gamer~ 7 out of 10

First, let me just say Mmmm. Gerard Butler. Really, I didn't care what the movie was about once I saw he was in it. "Of course we can get that one!" I said. Okay, so I did know what it was about. I'm not a guy. Geez. I don't pick movies based on what kind of eye candy they provide. But I'm not averse to having some man candy to look at just in case the movie is a dud.

Gamer is centered around an interesting concept. The idea that technology will be so advanced in the future that they'll be able to inject tech cells into your brain that will replicate and receive signals from the outside, thus enabling someone else to control your actions. Of course, they can be implanted to send signals too. This allows someone else to think of an action and you are compelled to do it. WTF?! Who would be crazy enough to do that?! Ever hear of free will people? The concept of liberty?? People died to make sure we had free choice and you're just going to turn around and hand it over??! The hell?!

Oh. I guess I totally forgot to mention that the people who opt to be controlled are considered "actors" and they're paid to hand over their free will. They act out a real life version of SIMS called "society". So not only does someone else get to pick out your clothes, your makeup, and put words in your mouth, they get to control who you sleep with. I'm pretty sure there's not enough money in the world for me to consider this a good idea.

There's also a game version which gives new meaning to the phrase "live action". The game pieces here are convicts on death row. They don't get paid, they just get a chance at freedom. Survive thirty battles and your pardon is in the mail. Sadly, no one has managed to accomplish this feat yet. (Really? Go figure). Enter Gerard. He's a badass game piece the world calls "Kable". And he's just survived battle number 28.

Of course there's one man who controls all the technology. And his name is Ken Castle (played by Michael C. Hall). He's a billionaire techno whiz with a hidden agenda. (You weren't surprised, were you?) Turns out he's modified his technology to suit his evil plan of world domination. Muahahaha. (Evil genius laugh). And he has no intention of letting our hero convict survive his thirty battles. Why? Turns out Gerard knows a thing or two about our evil genius that he doesn't want the world to know.

Enter the renegade faction called the "Humanz". They've figured out that (*gasp*) handing over your free will to someone else is probably a bad idea! (Dude, really? I didn't see that coming!) Okay, I totally did. Anyway, long story short, they find a way to bust "Kable" out, free his wife (she's an "actor" in the "society" game, and give them back their control. Unfortunately, evil genius Castle has their only daughter. I won't reveal the ending but good does win out.

Last but not least, I will give you a warning about the gross out factor. If you've ever wondered about who was on the other end of a chat session you don't want to watch this movie. One of the "controllers" in this movie is a mostly naked, seriously obese dude who eats waffles dipped in syrup while playing "society". Not a pretty picture. Oh yeah, and he controls a girl character. Kind of a double "eeew".

I know I'm poking fun at the movie, but I did enjoy it. It had plenty of action (so much I may have had to cover my eyes a time or two), a twist (even if I figured it out beforehand), and some decent acting. Oh yeah, and eye candy. Kyra Sedgewick does a good turn as a talk show host who's not buying into Castle's altruism and ends up with the renegades. Allison Lohan plays one of the rebels and does some kick ass motorcycle riding. There are other good bit performances. All in all, it was entertaining and didn't take too much thought. Sean gave it a slight higher rating than I did. Lulu rated about the same as I did. And hubby managed to stay awake through the whole thing. Which is saying something.

7 out of 10 thumbs up!
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