Saturday is Horror Day #188 - Bunny Lake is Missing, Fright Night (2011)

 Bunny Lake is Missing

Moving can be a very busy  and confusing time, especially if you're moving to another country. Ann Lake (Carol Lynley) has just moved to London with her daughter Bunny to live with her brother Steven (Keir Dullea). Steven has to work so he can't deal with the movers, so Ann has to drop her child off at the school earlier than she had planned. She takes her to a particular room as instructed, but no one is there except for another child, who is a baby. Leaving Bunny there, Ann searches for the staff, and ends up in the kitchen where she encounters the cook (Lucie Mannheim). The cook has her own rant and barely listens to Ann, telling her to go on and go, she will watch the child for the few minutes until the others arrive. Ann reluctantly does so and oversees the move. She returns later, at lunchtime, to pick up her child - but Bunny is nowhere to be found and no one remembers seeing her.

Panic-stricken, Ann calls Steven and he hastens to her. They question everyone in the school, but the 

responses they receive are evasive and uncaring. Steven threatens to call the police and then does so. Superintendent Newhouse (Laurence Olivier) arrives with Police Sgt. Andrews (Clive Revill) and begin to take down the facts. Ann is beside herself with worry, but she seems to be the only one. Eventually, she begins to realize that the questions that are being asked are all leading toward a different question - does Bunny Lake actually exist, or is she a figment of Ann's imagination?

I remember when this book came out, years ago, but I don't think I ever got to read it (I would have 

been too young at that time and forgot about it). But something jogged my memory recently and I requested the movie from the library. This is a beautifully crafter psychological thriller. Ann is becoming increasingly frustrated that people think she doesn't even have a daughter, and she is being dismissed as another hysterical woman. Keir Dullea's performance as Steven led to him being offered a role in Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey. Otto Preminger directed Bunny Lake. And of course there is the amazing and unforgettable Laurence Olivier as the only person who seems to be interested in what Ann has to say.

As you watch this film, you begin to doubt whether Bunny exists at all, and maybe Ann is more than a little unhinged. The pacing is awesome, and I think that being in black and white sets a mood that color couldn't do. I enjoyed this film greatly and highly recommend it. I'll give it 4.5 Stars.

Fright Night (2011)

Charley Brewster (Anton Yelchin) has always been known as a nerd, but now that he has a girlfriend, Amy (Imogen Poots), he'd rather change his image. So it's almost inevitable that he doesn't want to listen to his ex-best friend, Ed (Christopher Mintz-Passe) when he warns Charley that his new next door neighbor, Jerry (Colin Farrell) is a vampire. Whoever heard of a vampire named Jerry? He might be annoying, sure, but that's because Charley's mom Jane (Toni Collette) is flirting with him. But a vampire? The idea is ridiculous.

Until suddenly Ed disappears, and Charley sees things he can't explain. So naturally he breaks into the 

alleged vampire's house and realizes he is in over his head. Who can he call on that will know anything about vampires? Turns out, since he lives in Las Vegas, there is someone. None other than the great Peter Vincent himself (David Tennant). But getting the renowned performer to listen is another task. And he has to keep his mother from inviting Jerry into the house! What's a guy to do?

This is a remake of the 1985 film, which I haven't seen yet but probably should. So I can't really compare them yet. But I found this one enjoyable. Colin Ferrell plays a rather intimidating vampire - I sure wouldn't go up against him. I think everyone did a good job, it certainly held my interest. And David Tennant was awesome, not to mention rather hot as Peter Vincent, although not without some character flaws of his own. I enjoyed watching this, and I think it's a fun movie, especially if you like vampires, as I do. I'll give this film 3.5 Stars.

Book Review: Lord of Misrule: The Autobiography of Christopher Lee by Christopher Lee

 

Lord of Misrule: The Autobiography of Christopher Lee

Author: Christopher Lee

Publisher: Orion Publishing

American release date: October 1, 2003

Format/Genre/Length: Hardback/Autobiography/392 pages

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★

 

Christopher Lee is probably best known for his role as Count Dracula in old Hammer films, alongside his good friend Peter Cushing. In more recent years, you might remember him as Saruman, the wizard who goes wrong in The Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings films, and Count Dooku in Star Wars. But did you know he is related to Italian nobility? And he was the model his step-cousin Ian Fleming based James Bond on?

There is so much more to this man than meets the eye. I have been a longtime fan since I first discovered Hammer films. I loved him as Saruman, and as Scaramonga in The Man With the Golden Gun, Count Rochefort in the Three Musketeers.  I recently watched him in the original Wicker Man (much better than the Nic Cage version) But did you know he sang opera? And he was crazy about playing golf?

His autobiography is a must-read for anyone who is a fan. He is a wonderful storyteller, and he has a delightful sense of humor. I’m amazed at the things he remembered throughout his life – I cannot remember most of my childhood, much less in such detail.  He met a lot of people and did a lot of extraordinary things. He had a very interesting life and I highly recommend reading his autobiography.

Wednesday Briefs: Dracula #31(7.1)

 Good morning and Happy Hump Day! If it's Wednesday, then it must be time for more flash fiction from the Wednesday Briefers! We're a group of authors who bring you our finest flash fiction every week, 500 to 1000 words, inspired by one of our prompts.

Dracula seems a little restless, and it doesn't help that a storm is brewing. See what's happening in this week's chapter of Dracula. Don't forget to visit the other Briefers and see what's up with them. Their links follow my tale. Enjoy!

Dracula #31(7.1)

The decision to disembark had been an impulsive one, but one not out of keeping with his nature. Stretching his long legs after being cooped up in the hold of that miserable boat, trapped among the various barrels and crates of sundries the smuggler was ferrying up the river—some of which smelled rather foul—felt good. He did not deal well with confinement of any sort, although few knew of this idiosyncrasy as he found it easier to dissimulate than to reveal truths regarding himself. Sometimes in the middle of the night, while Avram slept, Dracula would wander through the forest outside the castle, seldom venturing as far as the village, however. At these times, he felt more at home among the denizens of the night, over many of whom he held sway, than he did with most people, Avram being the exception. Unfortunately, he did not always have the luxury of the splendid isolation he preferred. As in the current circumstances.

He stole a cautious glance at Avram, attempting to gauge his temperament. He understood, without having to be told, why Avram was less than enthusiastic concerning their proposed destination. But there was little he could do about that. At the moment, their options were limited. This was not like their previous travels, which had been better planned and well organized, even if their objectives were the same. Neither of them had anticipated the circumstances that impelled their hasty departure in the middle of the night. To make matters worse, their available funds were precarious at the best of times. Even he realized that, and he generally did not disturb himself regarding mere financial matters.

“Avram,” he began, surprised at his own hesitation.

“Yes, Nico? Did you change your mind? Do you need to feed now? I will see what I can do.” Avram, as always, was very solicitous of his well-being. Sometimes he wondered how he had come to deserve such devotion.

Before he could respond, a chill wind gusted about them, penetrating the thin veneer of the disgusting garments that he couldn’t wait to shed. He raised his head, instantly on the alert, as he reached out with his senses. The air pressure around them had suddenly begun to drop and the sound of thunder rumbled in the distance. Why hadn’t he noticed this impending change in the weather before? Because he’d been too distracted by other thoughts. A storm was headed in their direction. They should probably get under way soon. Where was that idiot boatman?

Resisting the urge to growl, Dracula waved off the idea he might be hungry with one hand. “No, I am fine, I assure you. I just wanted to say—”

. “Maybe we should return to the boat and wait for Andrei there.” Avram glanced about them warily, as if he too sensed a disturbance. “I’m sorry, what were you about to say?”

What had he been about to say? That he was sorry for what had happened, sorry for what was probably going to happen in Vienna… sorry for everything that had occurred thus far in his miserable life, although he wasn’t sure where that last thought had come from. He was Dracula… he was above such useless emotions.

Or was he?

to be continued

Now go visit the other Briefers and see what's up!

Cia Nordwell

J Ray Lamb

 

 

Saturday is Horror Day #187 - Stepfather II: Make Room for Daddy, Sharknado

 Stepfather II: Make Room for Daddy

After murdering one family and attempting to kill a second, Jerry Blake (Terry O'Quinn) is sent to an asylum for people with mental health issues. Of course he wants out, who wouldn't? Luck is on his side when he is assigned to a new psychiatrist, Dr. Joseph Danvers (Henry Brown). Despite warnings from a longtime guard, Danvers - just call me Joe - trusts Jerry more than he should... and he pays the price for that trust.

Free once more, Jerry departs the Puget Sound area, relocating in Portland, Oregon. There he steals an identity of a dead man and masquerades as a psychiatrist, still dreaming of having the perfect family of his dreams. There he meets the divorced Carol Grayland (Meg Foster) who lives with her son Todd (Jonathan Brandis). Jerry holds group therapy sessions for the women in the neighborhood, including Carol and her best friend Matty (Caroline Williams), who works delivering mail and has a penchant for being nosy. Matty becomes suspicious when she sees that Carol is moving into a relationship with Jerry far too quickly, arguing that she doesn't even know him. But love is blind, and Carol and Jerry quickly become engaged. It doesn't hurt that Jerry has begun a relationship with Todd, who misses his father.

But Jerry is still as jealous as he ever was, and noticed the man who comes to see Carol (she lives across the street from him). Turns out it's her ex and he wants a second chance. How dare he try to take Jerry's family. Will history repeat itself?

This is the sequel to the first Stepfather, again featuring Terry O'Quinn, who plays an awesome psychopath. He has the strength of his convictions and will not let anybody get in the way of his endgoal - the perfect family. Even if he has to kill his current fiance/wife and find another. I am not a huge Meg Foster fan but she does okay in this, although I think she could have been a little more convincing. I disliked her nosy friend who got what she deserved by confronting a psycho. She should have thought that through a little bit better. And the ex was no loss either. If you liked the first, you need to watch the second. It's enjoyable. I'll give this film 3.5 Stars.

Sharknado

Unexpectedly freaky weather is headed to California in the form of a hurricane (which they never get).  But even worse, there are freak tornados as well, which have drawn up and carried hundreds of sharks, which is making life hell for the citizens of California!

Fin Shepard (Ian Ziering) owns a bar and is divorced from wife April (Tara Reid), who has a new 

boyfriend who lives in the house Fin once did, along with their two kids, Claudia (Aubrey Shea) and Matt (Charles Hittinger). Fin has an employee named Nova (Cassandra Scerbo) that he is close to as well as his Tasmanian friend Baz (Jaason Simmons) and a longtime customer George (John Heard). Fin is disturbed by the looming weather and worries for his family but no one is picking up. So he decides to head there to see if they are safe and ends up with passengers. However, the streets are far from safe, and the city is rapidly being flooded, panicking citizens attempting to flee. The sharks are feasting!

I've been curious about Sharknado for a while and finally decided to watch it. I knew it wasn't going to be great moments in cinematic history, and it wasn't. I suspected it wouldn't always make sense, and it didn't. But it was definitely entertaining if one doesn't stop to consider logic. I kept wondering how a shark, thrown onto dry land, would continue to attack. Or how a shark would literally leap up after prey. Wouldn't you think being sucked up into a whirling tornado and carried for a great distance would disorient you?  Just saying.

There is the drama between Fin and his ex. He's jealous of April's boytoy boyfriend and she's jealous of Nova. The kids aren't speaking to Dad and don't want to evacuate the house after he arrives to save  him. Lord save us from California! But it's fun to watch cause you never know what will happen. There is lots of blood and body parts and strangely impossible situations (I am skeptical that you can stop a tornado simply by blowing it up). But on the whole, I don't feel cheated by the 87 minutes I spent watching this film. I'll give it 2.5 Stars and I plan to watch more, so fair warning.

Wednesday Briefs: Dracula #30(6.7)

 Good morning and Happy Hump Day! If it's Wednesday, then it must be time for more flash fiction from the Wednesday Briefers! We're a group of authors who bring you our finest flash fiction every week, 500 to 1000 words, inspired by one of our prompts.

Dracula decides to take advantage of Andrei's absence to take a walk on dry land, to Avram's chagrin. But why? See what's going on in this week's chapter of Dracula. Don't forget to visit the other Briefers and see what's up with them. Their links follow my tale. Enjoy!

Dracula #30(6.7)

Avram saw no use in arguing with a stubborn vampire. “If you say so,” he muttered under his breath. Although there was no such thing as whispering around Nico. He had the heightened senses of his kind and heard everything.

They strolled in silence for a few moments. Perhaps this walk was a good thing. Nico spent far too much time shut up in the castle, seldom venturing outside for any reason. Avram understood his need for privacy, all things considered, but such a lifestyle was not healthy. Even for a vampire. The thought made him chuckle. Dracula would be amused to hear him express such a concern.

“Something is funny?”

Avram coughed, waving his hand as if to show his struggle with his breathing. “No, no, just a little bit of a cough. Nothing to worry about.” He surreptitiously glanced at the vampire, who did not look as though he believed him. Time to change the subject.

“I imagine, once we reach Vienna, that you will wish to go straight to the Palace?” He tried to keep his voice as neutral as possible, as if their destination was of little matter to him, when the truth was he hated going there. But they had little choice, at the moment.

Nico said nothing immediately. Avram focused his attention on the forest they were passing through instead. Scots pines and Norway spruce in abundance on either side of the road, the latter redolent of Christmas. German settlers had brought the tradition of decorating the tree to Transylvania, and the inhabitants had embraced it with enthusiasm.

Except for Nico, of course. He was never known to do anything that might be considered traditional. But Gunther’s family had, and Avram had come to appreciate the rich, sweet scent of the beautiful trees. Gunther’s mother had been a wonderful cook, and he could still remember dinners with the family. Especially he loved the sarmale, cabbage rolls filled with pork and cooked alongside pickled cabbage, then served with a helping of polenta and sour cream and pickled hot peppers.

And of course, there were the desserts. Avram especially loved the lamaita cake she made, so light, so delicate, filled with the most delicious lemon cream and vanilla. She always gave him an extra big piece, convinced that Dracula was starving him, although she would never speak such apprehensions aloud. She, like most of the villagers feared him. Those who said they didn’t were either lying or fooling only themselves, as none dared to cross him and most did their best to avoid him if they saw him during his rare sojourns to the village. He, and before him his family, had a reputation that went back many years, and the villagers had long memories.

How long ago those days of innocence. How joyful time spent in the bosom of Gunther’s warm and loving family. Life at the castle was… different.  Nico chose not to celebrate holidays and Avram never questioned his choice. But he often wondered what had happened to cause him to be the way he was.

 to be continued

Now see what's up with the other Briefers!

Cia Nordwell

J Ray Lamb

   

Book Review: Dracula by Bram Stoker

 

Dracula            

Author: Bram Stoker

Publisher: Fingerprint! Publishing (Deluxe Edition)

American release date: March 1, 2022

Format/Genre/Length: Paperback/Vampire Horror /440 pages

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★

 

Jonathan Harker, a newly qualified solicitor, is sent by his employer, Mr. Hawkins, to assist a foreign customer with the legal intricacies of his move to London. The customer in question, a Count Dracula, lives in faraway Transylvania. Harker keeps a detailed journal of his travels across Europe to meet with his client. When he is almost at his journey’s end, he finds the villagers of Bistritz friendly and welcoming… until they learn where he is going. They are reluctant to see him leave them, but they offer no valid reason as to why he shouldn’t go to the castle, so off he goes. The Count lives in a large, imposing castle that sits in splendid isolation on the top of a rocky cliff. But from the beginning, Harker senses something strange about the place and its odd owner. He sees no sign of anyone else there, not a single servant. And why is the Count always busy during the daylight hours? And why does he never see Dracula eat or drink? And then there are the dreams, of three lovely young women who seem to want him… Things take a turn for the worse when Dracula dictates three letters that Harker must write to his loved ones. Suddenly, he is not so sure he will return home safely…

Mina Murray is Harker’s fiancée. She works as an assistant schoolmistress. Her best friend is Lucy Westenra, a vivacious young woman who attracts any manner of male admirers. In fact, on one memorable day, she receives three proposals of marriage! What is a girl to do? One is from Arthur Holmwood, Lord Godalming. The second is from John Seward, who runs an insane asylum. The third would-be suitor is Quincy Morris, a Texan and friend of Seward and Holmwood.  Mina invites Lucy for a visit, and they happily renew their friendship as they discuss Lucy’s engagement to the suitor she has finally accepted.

Dr. Seward has a very interesting patient by the name of Renfield, whom he classifies as zoophagous, because he likes to eat living things, such as flies and spiders. Seward notices changes taking place in Renfield that he can’t explain, while Mina is concerned that she hasn’t heard from Jonathan for some time, and she worries for him. She receives a letter concerning him and hastens to be by his side.

A strange ship, the Demeter, runs aground just below the cliff where Lucy and Mina are wont to sit, but no one is at the helm and there is no sign of the crew. Lucy has begun to sleepwalk before Mina’s departure, and now she falls mysteriously ill, to the dismay of those who love her. A desperate Dr. Seward reaches out to a colleague in Amsterdam, a Doctor Abraham Van Helsing, who hurries to London to assist in diagnosing Lucy’s condition. He fears that what is wrong with Lucy is beyond the pale of most men’s experience and her friends will find it difficult to believe what is happening to her if he were to tell them. But he will need their help in order to save her.  Meanwhile, Mina is nursing Jonathan back to health at the convent where he was brought after his escape from the castle, and there they are married. She finds his journal and reads it, horrified at what it reveals. To make herself useful, and to facilitate future reading of her husband’s words, she transcribes the journal onto paper. On their return to London, she is devastated to learn what has happened to Lucy. Drawn together in their sorrow, she and the others realize something dreadful is about to descend on London – in fact, already has. They must band together to prevent Count Dracula’s dastardly plans from coming to fruition!

Dracula is the quintessential vampire novel, a true classic. It is the origin of most of the vampire stories that came after. There have been countless film adaptations, some better than others, including Nosferatu, which was actually a rip-off for which the filmmakers were sued for not obtaining permission from Stoker’s estate. Now long out of copyright, copycats abound. But this is the core story that began it all.

Dracula is told through journal entries, newspaper clippings, and phonograph entries by those most closely involved in the story, with the notable exception of Dracula himself. We get no glimpse into him, either as a person or a vampire, except through the words he speaks to others. I have to wonder if that is deliberate and, if so, why. We today are so familiar with this story that it’s hard to imagine what the reactions of Stoker’s contemporaries were on first reading the book. I first read the novel when I was about twelve and fell in love with it immediately.

Of all the movies I have seen, the one that comes closest to doing justice to the novel is Coppola’s version, but I do enjoy a good Hammer film. Nothing beats the novel, however. I highly recommend it if you want to know the truth. You won’t regret it.

 

 

 

Saturday is Horror Day #186 - The Invitation

 The Invitation

If it looks too good to be true, it probably is...

Evie (Nathalie Emmanuel) has recently lost her mother to cancer, and her father long before that. Although she is a strong woman, she misses what she no longer has, although she has a wonderful friend in Grace (Courtney Taylor). They do what they must to survive, even if their employer is less than stellar or humane.

Evie takes a DNA test, and to her surprise discovers that she has a number of relatives in England. Her 

cousin Oliver (Hugh Skinner) reaches out to her and wants to meet up with her when he is in New York. Grace is skeptical, but Evie is thrilled. Turns out he is very charming and handsome and loaded. He tells her of an upcoming family wedding and invites her to attend... on his dime. Reluctant at first, Evie agrees, and it's off to England for her, Grace's well-meaning advice ringing in her ears:

Oliver takes her to the estate where they will be staying for the wedding, owned by the charming Walt DeVille (Thomas Doherty). He is even more handsome and charming than Oliver - with the added bonus of not being a relative. The place is complete with servants, including butler Renfield (Sean Pertwee) who is something less than cordial due to an incident on her arrival, but he changes his tune when he learns who she is. The maids of honor are Victoria (Stephanie Corneliussen) and Lucy (Alana Boden). The former is a bit of a bee with an itch but the latter is rather sweet and friendly. Evie even gets her own maid, an older woman, Mrs. Swift (Carol Ann Crawford).

Renfield tells Evie she can go anywhere in the house except the library, which is locked due to renovations.  But, although everyone is welcoming to her and clearly happy she is there, Evie begins to experience strange events which make her question the wisdom of being there. And she has questions. Such as where are the bride and groom, as they are nowhere in evidence. And as she begins to understand what is going on, she may be in too far to do anything about it.

Without giving any spoilers, if you are familiar with a certain horror story, you may catch on early what is happening here. And I don't consider that a bad thing. In fact it was fun to try to figure out what was going on.  All I will say is Whitby and Carfax. Whether you recognize those clues or not, it's an interesting story about a young woman trying to connect with relatives, to be part of a family, who gets more than she bargained for. I am a huge fan of this particular horror fandom, so I enjoyed it. Evie is a pretty interesting and strong heroine, growing more so as the movie goes on. By the end of the film, I would say she is certainly badass. I wish they would make a sequel. I would surely watch it. There are other horror tropes to explore, such as werewolves. I mean, wolves are mentioned in the film, but not a werewolf in sight, more's the pity.

I thought the cast did a great job, the evil people were sufficiently evil, especially Victoria and Renfield (I love Sean Pertwee, btw). I was never bored and really enjoyed watching this. I'll give this film 4 Stars.