Voyage of the Unicorn (2001)

 

      Who doesn't love a good fantasy adventure film? There are many examples but these are what come to mind first: Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies. These outstanding six films have everything in them ranging from armies of orcs to the thrill of an epic journey. Mythical beings live amongst each other in a world so otherworldly that it parallels ours by a small fraction. Twists and turns lie in wait for our heroes to overcome plus not to mention the feeling of being there alongside them. There are many others that go alongside Jackson's films in this genre such as The Labyrinth, The Neverending Story, and MirrorMask. The Voyage of the Unicorn is also one of these films but there's an interesting catch. It came in the form of a television miniseries such as Dinotopia, or The Odyssey. Also not to mention this film, alongside the other two examples; are also based off books. The Voyage of the Unicorn is based off the novel written by James C. Christensen titled Voyage of the Basset. The film centers around a widowed university professor (Beau Bridges) and his two daughters (Chantal Conlin and Heather McEwen) who travel into a magical world to save it from the forces of darkness.

    The film stars Beau Bridges (older brother of Jeff Bridges) as Professor Alan Aisling, a man who still believes in dragons and unicorns within a world that denies them. His two daughters, Cassie (Conlin) and Miranda (McEwen) have their different views on the subject but they all end up believing in the end. Alongside them on the magical ship known as the Unicorn, they are joined by several other mythical beings on their quest to fulfill a prophecy. The dwarf Malachi (Colin Heath) and the elf Sebastian (Kristian Ayre) sail the massive Unicorn through the seas in both the magical and real world. The mighty Minotaur (Mark Gibbon) joins the crew as the team's strongman and Cassie's protector. The beautiful but deadly Medusa (Kira Clavell) joins them as well. Not to mention the King and Queen of the fairies (Oberon and Titania; Markus Parilo and Ocean Hellman) guide them on their quest alongside the assistance of a Sphinx (Kim Hawthorne), and an ogre (C. Ernst Harth). On the side of darkness though, there stands the dreaded but clumsy Skotos (Mackenzie Gray) the troll. He's also accompanied by his two lackeys Cratch (John DeSantis) and Mog (Adrien Dorval). Aside from this amazing cast, there's a poorly animated dragon and a horn-glued-on-the-top-of-the-head unicorn (just like the one from Legend). 

     First off I like to say the make-up effects were phenomenal in this film. Even for a low/medium budget television miniseries it was really good. From the trolls to the fairies, they had the lifelike feeling to them that even today's big budget films could barely grasp without the aid of computer generated software. I personally enjoyed the atmosphere had to offer with the sense of adventure and a feeling of freedom. The scenes on the boat were truly remarkable especially when you discover its just like the TARDIS. Once you entered below deck, you discover that the ship is even bigger on the inside with an entire library plus more. Even though the film was heavily aimed for younger audiences (mainly feminine), it did have great fighting sequences amongst the forces of good and evil. Lets face it, out of everyone Malachi and Miranda were the most badass fighters in the entire film. The character development in the film was quite enjoyable especially for the villain Skotos. When first introduced, he had the usual villainous personality: cunning, sinister, and dastardly; until later you discover him more of a lovable buffoon. We're talking about a troll who fell down a flank of stairs. My only complaint though was the dragon's design. It was the weirdest dragon I've ever seen in film but, it wasn't horrible. The computer animated dragon (likely the only thing that was composed fully from CGI) seemed as though it leap off the screen from Dinotopia or other television movies. Kinda wished they used more of a puppeteer type approach for the dragon though (but at least the sea serpent on the other hand wasn't all bad).   

     Even though I used the word 'feminine' earlier to describe what type of audience would enjoy the film, I would like to point out that I'm using the term loosely. I for one enjoyed the film especially when I was younger. The use of unicorns, fairies, princesses, and powering women were heavily used throughout Voyage of the Unicorn but it also offered more to it.  The film was aimed for children and families unlike how the film Legend was aimed more toward teenagers. Though they both have violence in them, Voyage of the Unicorn had a more child friendly plot to keep it moving. Voyage of the Unicorn is indeed a family-friendly film that has a little bit of everything the entire family would enjoy. For example, I didn't like the fending off the sea serpent sequence but I did like the taming of the unicorn scene. Throughout the entire film, there are two scenes that I favored: when Cassie befriends the actually kindhearted Minotaur, and the final battle sequence with the rebirth of the dragon (video). 

    My rating for Voyage of the Unicorn is a 4 out of 5. The film is a must watch when you're viewing it as a family. Though to some it may seem girly since the boats named after an unicorn but, you must view it in a way that it affects your inner child. You must compare yourself to a few of the characters in order to fully understand how this film affects you. Imagination works best when you view fantasy adventure films such as this when you see a little bit of yourself within it. I for one enjoy mythology so I see myself truly enjoying this film even years from now. I'm not into unicorns similar to that of a five year old girl but, I'm still intrigued by the stories you hear about them. It goes for dragons and mermaids as well. Everybody has seen The Little Mermaid or DragonHeart since its based on mythological figures but, they still intrigue people even today. This film is a fantasy thrill ride since it follows stories that have been past down through the ages. Please, when you get the chance; watch the Voyage of the Unicorn  with your family. You never know, your uncle may be more like Skotos than the Minotaur. 

   "Crendendo Vides. By believing, one sees."

My Top 10 Favorite Kaiju Films

     No matter what genre or sub genre in film; everybody has their favorites either somebody's Top 10 or  having a mile long list. The following list is following the previous kaiju theme from an earlier post from this year. Instead of unmade kaiju films, this list will share my Top 10 favorites. Though a few of you may totally agree with my choices or disagree; please keep in mind that this list is what truly makes me happy. So please enjoy reading this post and hopefully I'll get a few who'll agree.

#10 – Godzilla (2014)

           For an updated American Gojira film to replace Emmerich's failure, Godzilla 2014 did an outstanding job by staying true to the franchise. Gareth achieved his main goal of giving moviegoers a type of 'high' following the end of the film, and I had it for three days afterwards! My favorite thing about the film were the MUTOs (especially the male), and their design differed from everyday kaiju from films or television shows. Personally I enjoyed the main focus on the coming of the MUTOs which most fans complained about following its release. Next to that, I have to agree with other G-fans that for a Godzilla movie; there wasn't enough of him. You may be wondering why G’14 is at the bottom of my list? My reasoning is that, even though this was a great movie; this updated film isn’t my all-time favorite but, it deserves to be the starting point for this list. 

#9 – Pacific Rim (2013)

         Who doesn’t like giant robots fighting giant monsters? Guillermo Del Toro did an outstanding job directing this film which many people probably dreamt about coming onto the big screen.  The entire film had pretty awesome action packed fighting sequences and an easy to follow storyline (even though it got somewhat boring halfway through the film).  I wasn’t much of a fan for the Jaegers but, I enjoyed the kaiju designs especially Knifehead and Onibaba. I don’t know how Del Toro will pick up where he ended the film but, I’m looking forward for the sequel in the future (or possibly an animated series).  

#8 – Reptilicus (1961)

         You’re probably wondering why Reptilicus is in eighth place before Pacific Rim and G’14? My answer is that this film, while growing up; came on the Syfy channel occasionally and the cheesy effects captured my further attention to kaiju. Funny to say that a puppet brought more fascination than suitmation or CGI but, this film was quite entertaining to watch. Reptilicus doesn’t get enough love but, this Danish-American kaiju film captured my imagination at a young age and I treasure its affect on me since.  Also, who doesn’t love a prehistoric serpentine dragon that spews acid and can regenerate?   

#7 –The War of the Gargantuas (1966)

       Being a sequel to Frankenstein Conquers the World, this film featured two humanoid kaiju known as Gaira (green) and Sanda (brown). Described as being “brothers”, Gaira was the aquatic antagonist who was a man-eater while Sanda, whom was raised by humans; is the peaceful yet justifiable protagonist. This film is basically a gigantic sibling rivalry. I was extremely excited for this film to finally be released in the United States since I had never seen it before. Being paired off with the film Rodan, War of the Gargantuas made it to #7 on my favorite kaiju films. Not to mention it begins with the return of the giant octopus, Oodako (who appeared in King Kong vs. Godzilla and in a deleted scene of Frankenstein Conquers the World).

#6 – Gamera: Guardian of the Universe (1995)

         Out of all the Gamera films that I've seen over the years, I have to truly say this one is my all-time favorite. I remembered watching Guardian of the Universe on television with my family and it blew my mind away. That one scene when everybody witnesses Gamera flying for the first time still brings tears of joy to my eyes. This film was quite inspirational to me since this was probably the first time I'd truly understood the flying fire-breathing turtle. I can't recall if I already seen previous Gamera films like War of the Monsters (Barugon) or Destroy All Planets (Viras), but out of all of them; this one is truly my all-time favorite.  

#5 – Varan the Unbelievable (1962)
         Even though I had to watch this film with subtitles, Varan the Unbelievable does indeed match his title. First off, I own the Japanese audio only version of the film on DVD which came along with two other classic Toho science fiction films: The Mysterians and Matango: Attack of the Mushroom People. All three are now hard-to-find. Secondly, Varan is one of my favorites plus he's my go-to monster on Godzilla: Unleashed on the Wii. Varan would had been killer in the first draft of Godzilla vs. Gigan, or even Godzilla, Anguirus, and Varan: Giant Monsters All Out Attack but, his popularity isn't that high. Oh well, maybe they couldn't use him because he's unbelievable.     

#4 – Ghidorah, the Three Headed Monster (1964)

         Considered the archnemesis of Godzilla, King Ghidorah is probably the most recognizable foe. He appeared in about nine films (including a few variations), two television series, and in all of the Gojira-themed video games; Ghidorah deserves a spot in this list. Being his first debut, I feel that Ghidorah, the Three Headed Monster should be everybody's go-to film if they want total kaiju mayhem. Not only does Ghidorah makes his first (but not last) appearance; he does battle against the combine strength of Toho's strongest (Godzilla, Rodan, and Mothra) and almost wins. Talk about a real monster especially in Destroy All Monsters!
      

#3 – Frankenstein Conquers the World (1965)
         Who doesn't love Frankenstein's Monster? Apparently Japan did enough that they created a kaiju-themed movie about him. Frankenstein Conquers the World (or Frankenstein vs. Baragon) is probably one of Japan's weirdest yet interesting kaiju-themed piece of cinema. Toho took a classic literary monster then transformed him into an enormous, radioactive manster. You're maybe wondering why this film is before its sequel, War of the Gargantuas? First off, its Frankenstein's Monster. Second, not only does he become a kaiju but he fights another kaiju (the original Baragon; including Oodako the Giant Octopus from an alternate ending). Aside from Frankenstein, now we need other classic monsters fighting kaiju like a final cut of Godzilla vs. Wolfman, or a "Mothra vs. Dracula"?   

        

#2 – Godzilla vs. the Smog Monster (1971)

        During my childhood, this was the one Gojira film that I never missed watching on the Syfy channel. Godzilla vs. the Smog Monster (or Godzilla vs. Hedorah), to me, is truly unique in a way. Other than the antipollution messages throughout the film, Hedorah was probably one of my favorite kaiju antagonist. He's that awesome that I don't even have an action figure of him...yet. You're probably reading this and thinking to yourself that I like a gigantic pile of crap but, Hedorah was one of those truly bizarre kaiju in which you had to admire him at one point throughout the film. Face it, if the humans didn't help Godzilla; most likely he would've been suffocated to death. Also, Godzilla flies in the movie so, that's another reason this is #2.    

Honorable Mentions:

- Reptilian (1999/2001): An updated Yongary, Monster from the Deep which offers hostile extraterrestrials; poor, but decent graphics, and finally a fight between Yongary and Cycor.

- Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla (1974): Its kaiju versus mech in this truly classic film as Godzilla fights a mechanical doppelganger with the help of Anguirus (poor Anguirus), and the fashionably late King Caesar. 

- King Kong Lives (1986): The 70’s version of King Kong had its ups and downs but, its sequel offered more to the franchise as Kong is set loose onto the United States yet has another reasonable love interest. 

- Gamera the Brave (2006): Gamera the Brave was a pretty good updated film to the Gamera franchise but, what I really enjoyed in this film was the rival monster Zedus. 

#1 – King Kong vs. Godzilla (1962)

          They've done Frankenstein Meets the Wolfman, and Freddy vs. Jason so why not King Kong vs. Godzilla? Aside from the nightmarish Toho Kong suit, this film didn't really have any flaws in my opinion. For those who'll argue about the "scientific aspect" of the film, although the original Kong would've been crushed by Godzilla (literally); please be aware that in kaiju films almost anything can happen. Examples can include but not limited to the following: the walrus kaiju Maguma from Gorath, Frankenstein's monster becoming a kaiju himself, or even Guilala, the gigantic-space-chicken-thing from The X from Outer Space. Just because you believe King Kong could never match-up against Gojira, it doesn't mean it isn't possible in the realm of entertainment. The main two reasons why this kaiju film tops the rest is that: 1) it had Kong as the hero while having Godzilla as the villain; and 2) the 1962 Gojira suit is my all-time favorite incarnation of the King of the Monsters.

     I hope you enjoyed this list for my Top 10 Favorite Kaiju Films. Next list will be of my Top 10 Disliked Kaiju Films and remember: "Let them fight!" 

Frankenstein vs. The Mummy (2015)

       The best type of monster movies are the ones that pits one against the other. Like many monster-vs-monster films before it, who doesn't like a good battle royale? Frankenstein vs. The Mummy is horror's newest addition to these types of horror films. The film pits two classical characters, Frankenstein's Monster and the Mummy; in a whole new twisted way never before seen on screen. Unlike most of the negative criticism aimed toward this film, I for one enjoyed every second of it.  The main reason why I purchased Frankenstein vs. The Mummy was due to the involvement of the Mummy. Mummies in horror films are hard to come by since their popularity isn't as strong like werewolves or vampires. I for one look forward to mummy horror but, after watching this film; my mindset may have changed. Frankenstein vs. The Mummy features an all-new insane Victor Frankenstein (Max Rhyser) trying to find a way to create life. At the same time, an Egyptologist (Ashton Leigh) has just uncovered a cursed mummy. After the grotesque creation and the reawakening, they both go into a brutal brawl to the death.

     I actually enjoyed the casting in the film. Max Rhyser (Dr. Victor Frankenstein) was truly unique in his performance. As Frankenstein, he surely captured the doctor's descent into madness and dedication for bringing his creation to life. There are points in the film that you either felt sorry or you pitied him. Ashton Leigh (Naihla Khalil) on the other hand brings beauty and innocence into the story. She has to face many dangerous foes including her beloved Victor. The relationship between the two is like watching a Romeo and Juliet-type story but, with vicious monsters (both personal and actual) embedded within. Robert MacNaughton portrayed Victor's sleazy paid henchman, Carter, who goes around stealing (or killing for) body parts for Victor's experiments. While at the same time, Professor Walton (Boomer Tibbs) acted as the Mummy's personal servant, who picks out the victims for his cruel undead master. The mummy Userkara was portrayed by Brandon deSpain (Day of the Mummy), and the Monster was played by Constantin Tripes. Both were amazingly outdone in appearance and their acting proved that they're truly monstrous in nature. Secondary characters, limited but shouldn't be overlooked; were Stefanie Merola (first film role; Lenora), Rahul Rai (Detective Brynner), Daniel Rodas (William), Sean Rogers (Trevor), and Martin Pfefferkorn as the unfortunate homeless man murdered by Carter.

     The gore and blood was used superbly while at the same time making you sick to your stomach. There is a sex scene but, unlike other horror films; it wasn't blown out of proportions and was used properly in my opinion. Though the setting is strictly confined (either in a practice nursing room or a filthy laboratory), the atmosphere had an amazing effect on the storyline. Suspense was wisely used alongside gory fear tactics such as ripping a man's bottom jaw off or removing facial features. The acting was great alongside good character development throughout.

     The scenes that consisted the Monster were probably my favorite. The Mummy scared the living crud out of me the first I watched this film (and continues to do so). Most of the scenes with him laying on the table really gave me goosebumps. The reason why I go against the Mummy in the film is that new mummy horror involves them acting more like zombies (i.e. Userkara eats Lenora's heart). Older mummy films had these undead pharaohs/priests basically strangle their victims to death. I'm not saying that mummies eating hearts isn't monster-like but, I feel as though they got rid of the one key component that separates the factions of the undead. For example in Dawn of the Mummy, though clearly all were mummies; you could always tell apart the two types. The main one who came from the tomb was a prime example of a classical mummy from older films while the ones appearing from underneath the sand ate flesh. In Frankenstein vs. The Mummy I enjoyed the Mummy in the film but, my money went to the Monster. First off his voice was truly horrifying gold, and the appearance really went for the literature essence. His personality was greatly feared and admiring. If I had to choose one scene though, I would have to go with the fight scene starting with their aggressive meeting to the Monster's brutal victory.

     My rating for Frankenstein vs. The Mummy is a definite 5 out of 5. The film had a perfect balance between horror and suspense. It had an amazing flow to the storyline as well as great acting. The sex scene wasn't too graphic or out-of-place like today's new horror films. The atmosphere played true to the creepiness of the film while the gore/blood effects were quite believable. Characters, namely the monsters; were quite entertaining in their murderous moments. Even though the fight scene didn't last long, it was cleverly played out and the waiting surely was worth it. Overall a perfect monster-vs-monster horror film to start out 2015. I recommend Frankenstein vs. The Mummy to everybody. If you haven't seen it already, please watch it. You're missing out completely because it offers everything a horror film should have.

"What the f---?"

Interesting Thought:

                               I would like to see Damien Leone make spin-off sequels similar to this film. Why not have The Wolfman face off the Creature from the Black Lagoon, or Dracula fight the Invisible Man? 

It Came from Beneath the Sea (1955)

      During the 1950's, monster movies had exploded onto the silver screen. Ranging from massive insects to radioactive beings, this was surely the age of creature features. Either it be in the genre of horror or science fiction, these black-and-white films had created a huge fandom over the years. Nothing beats the classics in the creature features game. Them!; The Killer Shrews, Creature from the Black Lagoon, and It Came from Outer Space are just a handful of these types of films that had influenced American culture and the future for the film industry. Even though monochrome (black-and-white) films tend to have a tendency for making me fall asleep (due to the lack of color); they shouldn't be put aside to make room for "new age horror". I enjoy these types of films because, even though some are really cheesy; they're a lot more entertaining to watch. It Came from Beneath the Sea is one of those films that is just enjoyable to watch. Either it be in color or black-and-white, the film has potential and has already inspired newer films especially with ones that involve giant 'octopi' (i.e. Mega Shark versus Giant Octopus, Tentacles, and Octopus). It Came from Beneath the Sea is solely about the Untied States Navy taking on an enormous, radioactive cephalopod, whom had to change its diet; after being driven out of its abyssal home in the Pacific.

     The three characters in the film weren't uncommon in 1950's monster flicks. Kenneth Tobey (whom also starred in The Thing from Another World) played Commander Pete Matthews, whom had his first run-in with the gigantic octopus while inside an atomic submarine. The attractive Faith Domergue (This Island Earth) portrayed marine biologist Professor Lesley Joyce; the love choice as well as the strong female type in the film. Last but not least, Donald Curtis (Earth vs. the Flying Saucers) played Dr. John Carter, a Harvard marine professor. These three did an amazing job not just in their acting but, keeping the flow of the film in check. Amazing cast alongside their secondary characters (which mainly were Naval personnel). The love triangle between the three was as entertaining as you have her like him but, he likes her. Eventually though, not to ruin the film; the Professor and Commander do fall in love. Though these three were the center pieces in this creature feature, the true star has to be the giant octopus portrayed by the sadly deceased Ray Harryhausen. Before moving on, I would like to say a few words about Harryhausen. His techniques will always be inspiring against today's computer generating software. He truly did amazing things throughout his career, ranging from his works on Clash of the Titans, Jason and the Argonauts, The Valley of Gwangi, Mighty Joe Young, and more. I was devastated to hear that we lost him in 2013 but, I always wanted to thank him for all his hard work for bringing stop motion monsters to life. Rest in Peace.

    Aside from that heartwarming speech, the octopus that Harryhausen used was quite unique. In the colored version of the film (which I'm basing this review on), it was green and had a total of six tentacles. Though octopuses have a total of eight in reality, the reason for It Came from Beneath the Sea's octopus having six was probably due to two possibilities: radiation probably caused the enormous sea monster to mutate into having six, or the creature ate its own arms to survive. Though these two are just theories on what happened in the film, the real reason why the octopus only had six was due to the prop's size since it didn't have enough room for eight. Aside from that observation, the scenes involving the octopus were, in my opinion, well done. CGI has either ruined or succeeded in films today but, stop motion animation proved to be more successful back then. Films that had used Ray Harryhausen's methods are ten times better than crappy done computer generation. Stop motion brings biological life into its films like how the original King Kong or The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms accomplished in so doing. The film's story has an easy flow to it and includes plenty of times for the audience to be at the edge of their seats.

    My favorite scenes primarily focused on the giant octopus. Even though it was quick-on-its-feet, well written, and had an amazing flow; the main focus in It Came from Beneath the Sea was the true star. Whenever you have a creature feature or a monster movie, the main character has to be the monster since its primarily about them. From its emergence to its explosive death, the octopus had some outstanding scenes that are highly memorable (i.e. when the giant octopus attack the Golden Gate Bridge which inspired both American Godzilla films). If I had to choose out of all the scenes in the film, I would have to go with the sinking of the ship, and when the radioactive octopus attacked Sans Francisco's Ferry Station. These scenes were the highlights in the film (besides the attack on the Golden Gate).

    My rating for It Came from Beneath the Sea (in color) is a 4.5 out of 5. My reasoning isn't because, like everyone; I'm spoiled due to CGI or that the slow parts in the films were boring. No, its mainly focuses around the true essence of 1950 monster movies for being in monochrome. Color was invented in film before this creature feature was ever produced yet, black-and-white was more popular during this time. Personally, I've never watched It Came from Beneath the Sea in monochrome so giving it a higher score is saying that "its better in color than in its original monochrome". To fully experience 1950 films (especially monster movies), watching in black-and-white is more beneficial than in color since you feel as though you're watching it during the time of its release. My score for the original is a true 5 out of 5. As a whole, It Came from Beneath the Sea is an outstanding monster movie and it should be viewed either in color or monochrome. Do not pass down an opportunity to watch this film. You are losing out on a great story and legendary special effects.

"The next time I cruise in these waters I'm going to have torpedoes with warheads on them." 

           

Van Helsing (2004)

     Universal Pictures has done an amazing job bringing literature horror to life either it be in the form of Frankenstein or Dracula. These two films scared you as kids and amazes you as adults today among other favorites such as The Wolfman, The Mummy, and The Invisible Man. Though these are just five of the most classical monsters in film, all can agree that their creation on the silver screen had now taken part of 21st century culture. Monsters have plagued our minds since our evolutionary birth and have evolved alongside us with the help of imagination. Back then, "monsters" were real, predatory animals while today they're just entities of fantasy. Unlike popular superheroes like Batman or Spider-man, my heroes were always the monsters like the Gill-man, or the Mole People. If you haven't already guessed it, I'm a monster fan (even if the monster themselves are cheesy looking). Any monster has potential but, it all depends on what makes them monsters and their main purpose? Usually alongside the monsters, there is always those whom are against them: monster hunters. The most famous hunter of all appeared in Bram Stoker's Dracula, and his name was Abraham Van Helsing. The '04 film Van Helsing was a homage toward Abraham but, with a different twist to the story. Focusing around mystery, Gabriel Van Helsing (Hugh Jackman) must team-up with unlikely allies (including Frankenstein's Monster) to defeat the villainous Count Vladislaus Dracula (Richard Roxburgh), and stop his plans to bring his undead children to life.

   I like the casting in this film. You have "Wolverine" (Hugh Jackman as a Van Helsing) alongside his friar sidekick Carl (David Wenham). They team-up with a sexy Transylvanian vampire hunter, Anna Valerious (Kate Beckinsale), and even Frankenstein's creation (Shuler Hensley). These three hunters and one monster were truly amazing as their roles. Though Wenham made most of the laughs as Carl, Jackman and Beckinsale beautifully played as the true heroes of the film. I personally though enjoyed Hensley's Frankenstein's Monster more than most of the actors who played the Monster's legendary role (Karloff is still the best out of all of them). On the other side though, the "monsters" did an excellent performance as well. I for one really enjoyed Roxburgh's take on Dracula. Evil yet charming, this Dracula had a great personality as being the true Prince of Darkness. Dracula's brides (portrayed by Elena Anaya, Silvia Colloca, and Josie Maran) brought both sexiness and fear back into these three Furies. Alongside these four, Will Kemp (as Anna's brother Velkan) did an outstanding job as his character especially when he transformed into his werewolf form. To add to this list, I have to also congratulate both Kevin J. O'Connor (Igor), Tom Fisher (Top Hat) and Robbie Coltrane/Stephen Fisher (Hyde and Jekyll) in their minor but, amazing performances as secondary characters.

   The monster roster was very big in Van Helsing; ranging from Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde to the Count himself. It was pretty upsetting that neither Imhotep or the Gill-man didn't made an appearance in the film. Probably wouldn't make sense if the Gill-man suddenly appeared in Dracula's frozen castle but, still would have been awesome to see. The acting in the film was alright in some parts while amazing in others but, the action was truly the focus point. Action mixed with horror, mystery, and adventure with a few sprinkles of comedy made this film truly great. From Hyde's arm being sawed off to Dracula's demise, most of the death scenes were truly brutal while others had emotion behind them (i.e. the deaths of the last two Valerious' or even Igor's death). I found the individualism between the three werewolves in the film pretty interesting since you had the first nameless one gray; Velkan being brown, and Van Helsing as black. Alongside that, I did enjoy the design of the Brides' winged forms as well as how they kept Dracula's form a secret till the final showdown. The only thing I have to complain was that Frankenstein's creation isn't named after his creator's last name. He never had a name in the novel, and that small mistake made me somewhat paranoid about accuracy.

     The fighting scenes were pretty cool but, after being bitten by werewolf Velken; Jackman's transforming steps to turn into a werewolf made things even better. Why have an action-packed monster movie without having the main character turn into a monster himself? Though most of the ridiculous scenes were computer generated, I have to say that they did an excellent job with the environments especially with Castle Dracula. If I had to choose a favorite scene though, I would have to go with the final showdown between werewolf Van Helsing and Dracula. That was the main memorable scene in the movie, and it showed that werewolves are a lot stronger than vampires (I like werewolves more than vampires; thanks Twilight for ruining vampires). I would like to also add the transformations into werewolves were also pretty admiring to watch since it took a somewhat different route in becoming the howling Wolfman. I may as well add the scene with the animated picture with the original werewolf poem read by Carl (I do not know about the vampire side of the poem, and it isn't in the original Dracula) "Even a man pure of heart and says his prays by night; may become a wolf when the wolfsbane blooms and the autumn moon is bright." Best reference to the original Wolfman.

    My rating for Van Helsing is a tough one but, I have to go with a 4 out of 5. I enjoyed the monsters and the new twist to the legacy of Abraham Van Helsing  but, the film didn't have a true homage to the original vampire hunter himself. The film felt somewhat empty without his presence. I enjoyed Hugh Jackman as Gabriel Van Helsing but, he isn't Abraham Van Helsing. I feel that not having at least a homage to Abraham other than the last name was pretty pointless in the film. Other than that, I enjoyed the cast (mainly Roxburgh) and the action in the film. I do have to also mention that I'm glad they haven't tried to reboot or make a sequel for this film since the time it was released (unless you count the animated film which basically told you about Van Helsing chasing Mr. Hyde throughout Europe). If you haven't seen this film (or the animated prequel), watch it because its worth the time. If you already watched it before then view it again with a new understanding for the film.

"Vampires, gargoyles, warlocks, they're all the same - best when cooked well."

Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection 'F' (2015)

       Who remembers staying up late at night to watch anime especially on Toonami? I bet basically almost all 90's era kids did which includes myself and friends. One of the most popular shows that aired was Dragon Ball. Unlike most anime (or even cartoons in general), DB has become amazingly popular since its release in the United States alone. Now I'm not going to lie, Dragon Ball (including all its seasons) wasn't my favorite show but whenever it was the only thing on; I didn't complain. It was amazing but, the younger version of me didn't like the maturity in it so; I brushed it off. That was probably one of my biggest mistakes but now, since I'm more mature to fully understand; DB is coming back into my life (in small dosages). The first film I've ever seen was DBZ: Battle of Gods in theaters a year ago and it was the reason why I got back into the series. Recently I went to see this year's animated feature, DBZ: Resurrection 'F', after hearing about it on a Japanese Science Fiction blog (http://www.scifijapan.com/). I may not be a hardcore fan but, I do recognize most of the show's famous characters including Frieza; and that was the main reason why I wanted to watch it. Resurrection 'F' basically involved the return of Dragon Ball's most iconic villain after being brought back to "life" thanks to the magical dragon Shenron. Upon regaining his full strength (then some), Frieza and his army heads to Earth to have a vengeful rematch against Goku (whom also reached a new level in power).

    This film was outstanding to witness in theaters as it brought back childhood memories once more. The animation was quite beautifully outdone (even better than Battle of Gods). All old characters returned (either in cameos or joining the fight) which can include but not limited to: Hercule, classic Krillin, Piccolo, Gohan, and many more. I for one was happy to see Krillin again but, Piccolo is still my favorite character. Frieza's goons ranged from human-like beings to strange extraterrestrials (including a frog and a muppet) but, they never stood a chance against Earth's defenders. I enjoyed the comedy and the action in the film. The action was fast paced yet took up more than half of the film while the comedy broke serious tensions thanks to either Frieza's sarcastic blows or Goku's usual antics. They included the newest characters Whis and Beerus from the last animated movie; whom acted more as comedic relief. I was personally hoping for more involvement from Beerus but, beggars can't be choosers. Both Goku and Vegeta held their own throughout the film (either against Whis' training or both going Super Saiyan God) but, nothing really changed with their ally/enemy relationship. If I had to choose a favorite scene, I would like to say the short fight between Super Saiyan God Vegeta against Golden Frieza (literally a golden version of Frieza's final form). Even though that was the scene in which Frieza destroyed the planet, it was probably one of my most memorable mainly because of Vegeta's Super Saiyan God form.

    My rating for this film is a golden 5 out of 5. It was an outstanding animated film since it had a quick pace to it from beginning to end, and great comedy between the fighting sequences. Frieza was a total badass and I enjoyed his character. The beginning of the film though kind of surprised me since the audience was introduced to Frieza's personal hell (i.e. dancing stuffed animals) but, I felt afterwards that it was the best (and creepy) way to start the movie. I enjoyed watching Vegeta and Goku fighting again alongside other great characters. If you're already too late to watch Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection 'F' in theaters then you must at least watch it either on DVD/Blu-Ray; Youtube, Netflix, or whatever because you're missing a truly epic animated film. A great fight to end all fights with good laughs, amazing animation, toe-to-toe destructive fights; and memorable characters. Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection 'F' is worth the time and/or money.

"Let me show you my further transformation!"
   

Creature (2011)

      The Creature from the Black Lagoon had a wonderful legacy to its name. From the Gill-man himself to the two sequels that spawned from this unforgettable Universal masterpiece; you could say that it was one of the most memorable 1950's monsters of all time. I'm a huge fan of this horror icon next to the classics such as Frankenstein, Dracula, and the Wolfman. I've always been open minded about an updated or remake of the film (even though it probably wouldn't be as inspiring as the original). When I heard about this Creature film coming out, the way it sounded like was a remake of the classic Black Lagoon's Gill-man. I was extremely excited about it, and I even made plans to see it in theaters (only if it arrived in one). The only problem though, as soon as the trailer was released; I was somewhat disappointed that I was tricked. The film had nothing to do with the Gill-man but, had something more terrifying in store. So eager to get my hands on a copy since it wasn't released in theaters nearby me; I bought Creature in hopes that it was good. I was terribly wrong on that subject for the most part. The film centers around a group of six friends heading through Louisiana's backwoods swamps where they stumble upon a legend. This legend centers around a man named Grimley Boutine whom becomes an alligator hybrid known as Lockjaw, a small town's very own Bigfoot-like monster. The only problem is that these six friends must fight for their lives not only with the townspeople or the monster but, with each other.

     The casting for Creature was alright to say the least. Three out six of the main characters were attractive women (Serinda Swan as beautiful Emily Parker; Lauren Schneider as Oscar's crazy sister Karen; and Amanda Fuller as hot but controlling Beth) while the other three were very masculine men (Mehcad Brooks as Emily's boyfriend Niles; Dillon Casey as hyperactive brother Oscar; and Aaron Hill as Randy Parker and Beth's boyfriend). Niles and Randy were portrayed to have military background while Oscar did not.  In addition to this list, the main four locals were played by David Jensen (Jimmy), Pruitt Taylor Vince (Grover), Wayne Pere (Bud), and Sid Haig (Chopper). Grimley/Lockjaw was played by Daniel Bernhardt whom did an excellent job playing as both the man and the monster in the film. 

    This film was a hard thing to watch because it took me a total of two times to watch it. I couldn't stomach it, not because of any gore or blood; but the story line was very terrible. By the end of the film, I was somewhat disappointed on the way things turned out. Don't get me wrong, the movie was okay for a one time deal but it was terrible (and I've seen way worst). Think of Creature as The Hills Have Eyes, Albino Farm, or The Wrong Turn series. First off, the film had lots of nudity and sexual situations in it. It had basically everything: full body, topless, incest, rape, interracial, and lesbian/bisexual. Also not to mention it consisted during the first half hour of the film for most of this stuff. That's a horrible way for grabbing your audience's attention in my opinion. The film does have a feeling of creepiness and gruesomeness in it but, you get use to it real quick. The blood and gore effects are really good (i.e. Grimley becomes cannibalistic after devouring an entire abnormally large albino alligator) but, some of the acting that goes alongside with it was terrible. There's a point in the film that Niles gets shot in the knee but, he moves around without any limping. Another thing about the acting, most of the things that happened to Niles could have cause serious damage or even killed a normal human being (i.e. being shot, being smashed by a swamp monster, or going into a water filled sinkhole in the mud). I don't know if the director wanted to show the willingness or his military training but, most of the stuff seemed impossible to accomplish in real life.

    The few things I did liked about this film was the atmosphere, filming location, and Lockjaw's design. With a feeling of mystery and creepiness; Creature did succeed on the horror aspect. Not to mention filming in the Louisiana swamps had some beautiful landscape shots. Even alligators and snakes were apart of the film (most likely stock footage and the snake seemed computer generated). The funniest part though was that the spiders, before the group finds Grimley's old shack; were in fact Pinktoe Tarantulas which aren't native to the United States. Now onto Lockjaw, a beautiful monster if you're into cannibalistic hybrids. With a mixture of the Gill-man with some alligator-like traits, Lockjaw looked pretty badass. My only complaint though was the face but, it gave off a human type emotion to it which was alright to say the least. Creature had a total weirdness to it as you go from one scene to the next. Lockjaw seemed like he was everywhere: with one moment he's killing Grover to the next that he's spying on the group. I don't know if there were more of his kind, or that it represented the feeling of being watched; but it gave off a huge misunderstanding to me personally. My only guess is that he had used the cave system underneath the swamp to move around quicker (which was explained earlier in the film by Chopper). Most of the major and minor characters, if you haven't already guessed; do die in this film but, the ending will shock you. If I had to choose a scene or two, I would go with the shocking ending and the first half of the final fight before Niles rescues Emily.

     My rating for Creature is a 2.5 out of 5. It was a horrible horror movie but, it had a few good points. First off, it broke the stereotype that the 'black guy always dies first'. Niles survived the entire experience with his girlfriend. The only other horror film I can think of that breaks the stereotype is Return of the Living Dead (not counting the nuke but, the zombies). Not to mention, he withstood a lot of pain and ended up walking away with Lockjaw's jaw. Second, Lockjaw was an unique monster even though he wasn't what I expected the film to be about. Finally, the shock at the end was pretty clever and filled in one of the many questions left behind. Creature is a monster movie that you should see once if you're up for a bad movie night or to cure boredom but don't expected a three or five star movie. Watch it if you want but, don't be surprised if you can't finish.

"If y'all going out there, you better watch your step. There's worst things than gators you know."