Directed by Paul Weitz. Written by Weitz and Brian Helgeland, based on the Vampire Blood trilogy of books by Darren Shan. Starring John C. Reilly, Chris Massoglia, Josh Hutcherson, Jessica Carlson, Michael Cerveris, Ray Stevenson, Patrick Fugit, Ken Watanabe, Orlando Jones, Frankie Faison, Salma Hayek and Willem Dafoe.
Plot: Darren (Massoglia) is turned into a half-vampire by Crepsley (Reilly) and joins a sideshow.
Darren is the perfect boy – the perfect son, the perfect student – until he goes to a freak show with his imperfect friend, Steve (Hutcherson). Once there, Steve becomes convinced that Crepsley is a vampire because of a picture in a book he read. And Darren becomes enthralled by Crepsley’s spider, Madam Octa. So, Darren decides to steal the spider and while he’s hiding in a closet, he overhears Steve begging Crepsley to make him a vampire. Which is when Crepsley tells him that he has “bad blood” and he will never turn him.
Then there’s a Mr. Tiny (Cerveris) who comes into the picture and ends up turning Steve anyway, but he’s the bad guy of course. And Darren is turned by Crepsley. And apparently there’s this destiny that Darren and Steven will begin a war between vampires (who don’t kill humans anymore) and Vampaneze (who kill whenever they can).
It’s tragic that they didn’t get more movies to flesh out to the story, but I don’t think they’re going to. And although it kinda feels like they shoved too much story into this one movie, it was a decent film. The cast was incredible, but we didn’t love the specials. And Darren really could have been more likable.
I suppose I could list my favorite movies here, but instead I'll give you a strange glimpse into what makes me TaraRomero.
1. I met George Romero. He was the kindest and sweetest man. He talked to me for longer than he should have with the line getting longer. He also held my hand. And when he noticed the ladybug I have tattooed on my wrist, he said he liked it and asked me it's name. Till then, it had not had a name. Now, I call him George.
2. I love stickers. All stickers. I just adore them. I even ask for stickers for Christmas! As a matter of fact, the birthday that just past, every member of my immediate family gave me sticker packs as gifts. Affordable and extremely appreciated.
3. I have never put much stock in astrology or horoscopes, but I LOVE the magic of the MBTI. Omg. I am an INFP and it actually sounds just like me. Introverted mostly. Creative always. Heart before head and not the most logical. Totally me! For better or worse.
4. It's no surprise I count horror so high up on the list of things that make me, me. However, it's so within my soul that I was part of the Horror Club in college. Interesting bunch. And even took a Horror Lit class as an elective. I got an A.
5. Coffee always makes me happy. Always. I'm particularly fond of caramel macchiatos. But I'll drink black coffee if it's the only thing available.
6. I hate shock for the sake of shock and endings that depress me. I always mention the movies Within (2016) and the Eli Roth produced, written and starred in, Aftershock (2012), as proof of this distate I have. I abhor the idea that just because I like horror, some people think I'd actually praise a movie that lets you think the "Final Girl" just made it through the night, only to slap her in the face with a tsunami.
7. We are big time animal people. I mean, if I could, I'd have an elephant, a bear, a zebra, a penguin, an otter and a meerkat, living with me. Seriously though. We have 2 dogs right now and 2 cats. Both cats we picked up when they each came to our front door hungry. And both dogs we got from 2 different sets of neighbors. Both who, unfortunately, don't know how to care for pets long-term. But they're happy and healthy now!!
8. Revisiting my love of horror, one of the above cats, my cat, is a little black guy named Church. Because Pet Sematary. His middle name is even Pascow. To give credit where credit's due, the name was DJ's idea. But he loves horror too!
9. I'm big into art. Along with movie posters and an Anne Frank quote, I have some actual paintings on my wall. I really think Dali paints beautifully when he wants to. And if I don't get to see Michaelangelo's Pieta in person some day, I will be very disappointed.
10. Lastly, I find Emily Dickinson's poetry intriguing. I took an elective course about her as well. But do you know I injected horror even there? I was given a poem to dissect and I picked one on death, of course. Then, I researched old "Death Photos" and even printed out copies for everyone in the class. They were so interested in looking at them that it stopped them from all looking at me, and I was able to deal quite well with my stage fright. Haha
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