“Underworld: Blood Wars” is Begging to be Rented – movie trailer released

The “Underworld” films have always been a guilty pleasure of mine. Who doesn’t like  vampires versus werewolves? This once refreshing series is at the ‘let’s beat a dead horse’ phase and would rather continue to contribute nothing creatively. There’s always an emphasis on a ‘new power’ or ‘more powerful’ foes entering the fray so that our hero, Selene (Kate Beckinsale), can continue to kick their a$$.

I love watching Beckinsale in the “Underworld” films but, at this point, there is nothing else appealing to this dead franchise, which is also being dumped in the usual movie graveyard month of January in 2017. If you don’t believe me, check out the trailer below and decide for yourself.

 

The film also stars Theo James, Tobias Menzies, Lara Pulver, James Faulkner, Charles Dance and Peter Andersson. It is being directed by Anna Foerster (TV episodes of “Criminal Minds”, “Outlander”) and is set for release on January 6th, 2017.

Note: “Underworld: Blood Wars” will be opening in the same weekend as the “Amityville: The Awakening” and Tom Cruise’s CIA thriller “Mena”. With that being said, it would be hard to imagine that moviegoers are still excited about the “Underworld” franchise.

What We Do in the Shadows – Review

“We’re werewolves, not swear wolves!” – Anton (Rhys Darbys)

This movie has been on my radar for over a year and I finally gave it a go this last weekend. If I can liken this faux documentary to anything in terms of tone and sub themes, it would be the TV series The Office (the US and UK versions). Of course, the obvious difference with this film is the focus on vampires, folklore and the supernatural, while also taking place in New Zealand. The cast of vampires includes:

– Vladislav (Jermaine Clement) – 862 years old
– Viago (Taika Waititi) – 379 years old
– Deacon (Jonny Brugh) – 183 years old
– Petyr (Ben Fransham) – 8000 years old

The story focuses on these vampires, who are roommates, as they invite a film crew to document their lives leading up to an event, the Masquerade Ball. What really shines is how the vampires handle the mundane – chores, flat mate squabbles, and how they finagle their way into night clubs (and preparing themselves to look good even though they cannot see their own reflections). We are thrust into their world and once we become accustomed to it, their lives begin to change with the addition of a new vampire, Nick (Cori-Gonzalez-Macuer), and his human friend, Stu (Stu Rutherford).

“When you’re a vampire you become very……sexy!” – Deacon (Jonny Brugh)

Viago is the one that pines for a lost love, Vladislav has deep seeded issues for the one he calls “Beast”, Deacon loves playing with his victims and doesn’t really like change within the group, and Petyr doesn’t really say a word when he isn’t ‘shrieking’ at his roommates or victims. This is a diverse bunch of vampires that definitely keeps the laughs coming. The new vampire, Nick, and his human friend, Stu, challenge the group in their attempt to bring them into modern times (adapting new technology) with also much amusement.

Just as much as there is a heart to The Office and their cast of idiosyncratic characters, the same goes with this mockumentary. I’d also be crazy not to mention that Clement and Darby are well known to fans of Flight of the Concords and will be pleased with their performances in this. Moreover, Clement mentioned in August 2015 that a Flight of the Concords movie was being written but was in the early stages. We’ll have to wait and see for that one.

What We Do in the Shadows is based on a 2006 short film (having the same name) which stars Waititi and Clement. The film is written and directed by Clement and Waititi and has a Rotten Tomatoes score of 96%. What’s more is that there are already rumblings of a sequel that will focus more closely on the werewolf pack, according to co-star Jeremy Clement. I can’t wait to see what’s next!

The film is available now to own or rent.

Grade: A-