Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter

When I entered the cinema to watch Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter last weekend, I wasn't expecting anything. However, I realize that it was after all a good choice. It is an entertaining movie but it lacks depth and that wow-factor. It's a kind of movie that you get to enjoy when your watching it but it isn't that memorable.

This is American history with a twist. Abraham Lincoln wasn't just the 16th US President but he was also a vampire hunter. That in itself makes a good story. 

The movie is a narrative. Abe tells his story in a diary. It starts when he was still a kid in Indiana where his parents work in a plantation owned by Jack Barts. When William Johnson, a Black American boy, was beaten, Abe intervenes. This got his father thrown out his job. One night, Abe witness Jack Barts, who is actually a vampire, attack his mother. His mother got ill and dies eventually.

After several years, Abe decides to take revenge, only to realize that he can't kill Jack Barts. Henry Sturgess rescues Abe from Jack. Determined to know how Henry got that strength to fight a vampire, Abe becomes Henry's student. He teaches him everything he needs to know about vampires and how to hunt them.

Despite of Henry's warning, Abe develops a romantic relationship with Mary Todd. Of course, what is a hero without a lady on his side. 

The twist of the movie is that Henry is actually a vampire but a good one. He wants the vampires killed but he can't do so with his own hands as vampires can't kill his own kind.

The fighting scene amidst the horse stampede was a remarkable one. It was a bit cartoonish though but it was by far an exciting scene. The railroad bridge scene is too. It's when half of the bridge is burn and train is sliding down the rail. Thanks for Henry's superhuman strength he was able to save Abe and William.

The cinematic effects of the movie is good. If you are expecting some gory or bloody scene, you will not be seeing that despite of the many vampire killings. Scenes are in sepia then turns bluish or greenish.

Overall, it's good. I'll give it somewhere between 6 to 7 out of 10.

Amazed with The Amazing Spider-Man

For those who have watched the 2002 Spider-Man, I'm not sure if you'll agree with me if I say that the The Amazing Spider-Man (2012), which is a re-make, is better. In fact, it is amazing! The movie evokes more emotion. The action, element of surprise, romance, drama and humor were perfectly put together. There was no dull moment.

Photo Credit: wikipedia

Gwen Stacy, played by Emma Watson, is Peter's love interest. Mary Jane Watson didn't appear yet in the story--I don't know when in Peter's life she would come in. Gwen was his first high school crush who eventually got captured into his charming web. She was an intern in Oscorp, where Peter was led into in his quest of finding out the disappearance of his parents.

The Spider-Man (Andrew Garfield) in this movie is more in touch with his emotion. He shows his vulnerability and his struggle in life and in love.

I won't be telling the whole story. Go ahead, watch the movie yourself and be the judge.

And just to feed my curiosity about Spider-Man's love interest, I briefly searched about Gwen Stacy and Mary Jane. I'm not a Marvel kid, and I honestly I don't know much about their story. I found out that in the comic books, Gwen was indeed Peter's first love. But their romance turn tragic as the Green Goblin captured her and was killed when Spider-Man tried to save her. Mary Jane was drawn to Peter after Gwen's death. Eventually their friendship turned to romance.

Here's some interesting trivia about the movie:

• This is the first "Spider-Man" film to not feature Spider-Man's perennial love interest Mary-Jane Watson (in the original three films played by Kirsten Dunst). Instead, Peter Parker's original girlfriend Gwen Stacy appears (who had been played by Bryce Dallas Howard in the third film). 

• In this film Spider-Man uses artificial devices to shoot webs, inspired from the original comics where he possessed similar devices for his webbing (only later would he gain his more famous superhuman ability to shoot webs). Marc Webb explained the web-shooters were a creative decision to showcase Peter's intellect: "We wanted to emphasize that these are things that Peter Parker made and that he is special himself even if he feels like he's an outsider." 

• It was a creative decision by the filmmakers to have most of the stunts performed practically on rigs by actors/stuntmen, rather than extensively use CGI animation. Marc Webb explained they wanted to make the film more physical and thus more realistic. While filming in New York the crew built a whole rig hundreds of feet long over Riverside Drive in Harlem, and Andy Armstrong built a car rig with a series of wires to help with VFX which required an incredible wealth of acrobatics

(source: IMDb)

Fifty Shades Darker

If you enjoy the Fifty Shades of Grey, there is no reason for you not to read the Fifty Shades Darker. The sequel takes us deeper to the lives of Christian Grey and Anastacia Steele with so many surprising revelations and drama.

The book is not flawlessly written, I have to say. Some writers and book critics have pointed out the poor writing style. So, I guess, if you are looking for a brilliant literary work, this is not the book you should be reading.

I appreciate how E.L. James sustain the suspense. It makes you want to turn the page quickly because you want to know what's going to happen next. It's not only the sex that is intense, the story itself is.

The Fifty Shades Darker started where the first book ended. Ana left Christian as their differences became unbearable to her. However, it was just a short break because they get back together. Ana can't deny his feelings towards Christian. And he was obviously smitten too but he had a hard time admitting it to himself and Ana.

The book introduces new characters, which makes it exciting. Elena, whom Ana called as Mrs. Robinson, is the woman who corrupted Christian during his teenage years and taught him BDSM. Leila, who has a resemblance with Ana, is the woman of Christian's past. She was one of his subs (submissives) who turns out to have a psychological problem. Jack, Ana's boss in a publishing company she was working with, is actually a creepy maniac.

Fifty Shades Darker reveals Christian's dark past, which explains his behavior. Ana, who used to be shy, realized that she wants more than vanilla sex. She actually wants it harsher and likes the "kinky fuckery". Her appetite becomes insatiable.

Christian tends to be overprotective. He confessed that Ana is his lifeline. And not only that, driven by his love and fear to lose her again, he proposed to her! (Excited?)

To spoil your fun, here's an excerpt of that awkward and ridiculous marriage proposal scene:

“Don’t leave me,” he whispers.
“Oh, for crying out loud—no! I am not going to go!” I shout and it’s cathartic. There, I’ve said it. I am not leaving.
“Really?” His eyes widen.
“What can I do to make you understand I will not run? What can I say?”
He gazes at me, revealing his fear and anguish again. He swallows. “There is one thing you can do.”
“What?” I snap.
“Marry me,” he whispers.” 
― E.L. James, Fifty Shades Darker

Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James

You've probably hear about Fifty Shades of Grey through Facebook, Twitter, blogs or your friends. The book has gone viral, thanks to social media's word of mouth marketing. It is so sensational right now that it gets everyone talking about it even the Hollywood stars. So what is it all about?

Let me warn you, Fifty Shades of Grey isn't for those who have faint heart and the conservative. This book is      an erotic novel written by E.L. James, a British Author. This is the first installment of a three-part series. Because of the success of her books, E. L. James has risen to stardom and got her listed as one of the "100 Most Influential People in the World" by Time Magazine.

The story of Fifty Shades of Grey revolves around Christian Grey and Anastacia Steele. The book is a first person narrative of Anastacia Steele, who is a young, attractive, and innocent woman.

Christian Grey is a handsome, controlling, and wealthy man . Behind that facade of success, is a man with a very dark past and unusual sexual exploits. Anastacia first meet Christian when she did a cover up for her best friend to interview him for the university paper.

The expected thing happened. Anastacia was drawn to the charismatic Christian. While Ana was hoping for the usual boyfriend-girlfriend relationship, Christian wants her in his own terms. He was into BDSM  (bondage, discipline, sadism, and masochism) and he has his playroom full of gadgets and kinky stuff you can imagine. Christian introduces her to his dark world. While Ana wouldn't submit to his sexual activity, she couldn't resist him despite of knowing that he couldn't reciprocate her love.

Though erotic novels are not my thing, Fifty Shades of Grey got me reading from start to finish. It also got me reading the rest of the two books. Not my thing, eh?

This intriguing and complicated romance really got me glued and anticipating of what's going to happen next. And since the book was presented as a narrative, it takes you to the thoughts of Anastacia--to her reasons and her desires, which are often conflicting. Some of the funny parts are actually when she describes what her sexual goddess is doing--made me laugh!

Aside from the provocative scenes, one thing that I noticed with the novel is the repetitive usage of phrases. It's not exactly annoying but I don't like it either; phrases such as oh my, twitching palm, biting lips, and Icarus flying too close to the sun.

I wonder how the film adaptation is going to be. 

Have you read the book? Let me know what you think. Feel free to leave your comments below.