The Addiction (1995)

3 / 5 Aug '10
Tagline: The dark is their sunlight. What makes them different is what keeps them alive.
Directed by: Abel Ferrara
Written by: Nicholas St. John
Actors include: Lili Taylor, Edie Falco, Christopher Walken
Genre: Horror, Drama
Length: 80 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
I really expected something different here, heck I usually like Abel Ferrara films and I love the cast members but this didn't work for me. Why? Because I'm not into philosophy and it really seemed like it was trying to cram it out of every orifice. The plot is about a timid young student called Kathleen (Lili Taylor) who is bitten by a vampire. She then goes through heroin like symptoms craving blood and letting herself and her morals deteriorate taking down everyone around her. It's filmed in black and white rather nicely and it feels gritty, I'll give it that. Also they did a pretty cool vampire party sequence that offered up the much needed horror as most of this is a drama of sorts. I didn't absolutely hate it but I felt it was being pretentious and although the concept was intriguing the execution was too dry and dull. Not my kind of movie but it will definitely appeal to some, and I suppose credit for making an intellectual vampire movie.

Availability:  Not on DVD

Dolores Claiborne (1995)

4 / 5 May '10
Tagline: Sometimes, an accident can be an unhappy woman's best friend
Directed by: Taylor Hackford
Written by: Stephen King, Tony Gilroy
Actors include: Kathy Bates, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Christopher Plummer
Genre: Thriller, Drama, Horror
Length: 132 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
Well finally, another successful King adaptation, so few pay off but I think this one was quite effective. I think I read the book many years ago but my memory is quite hazy, the story is quite wonderful. Kathy Bates is brilliant as Dolores Claiborne, a Woman who is accused of murdering Vera the elderly Woman she has spent years caring for. The thing is when Dolores' husband Joe was found dead under mysterious circumstances years before. Some folks thought she was guilty including the Detective in charge of the Vera case and even her own daughter Selena blamed her. Selena returns home to aid her Mother during this time after not seeing her for 15 years I think it was, so their relationship is rather strained. Of course as the story unfolds we learn more and more that things aren't quite what they think they are. It really does teach that one shouldn't make assumptions and so forth. Although it's a very long movie the story is gripping enough that it should keep anyone's attention. The continual flipping between the past and reality was a bit much at times but I still thought it was easy to follow. Recommended for those who enjoy a good story and a good King adaptation.

Availability:  On DVD

Demon Knight (1995) aka Tales From The Crypt Presents: Demon Knight aka Demon Keeper

2.5 / 5

Tagline: Ready for your deadtime story?

Directed by: Ernest R. Dickerson, Gilbert Adler

Written by: Ethan Reiff, Cyrus Voris, Mark Bishop

Actors include: Billy Zhane, William Sadler, Jada Pinkett Smith

Genre: Horror

Length: 92 minutes

Banned: Malaysia

 

Review:

While I do quite enjoy the t.v. series, this film is entirely a different matter. The story is about a guy who carries a special container of the blood of Christ which he needs to scatter across the world. The purpose is to stop evil, but he's being tracked and it's not going to be easy. They certain tried to make it appeal to it's fans offering bright red oozing blood and a bit of mystery, but the jokes and comedy aspect are a little too much. I dunno it just seemed really put on and uninteresting, really trying to hard I suppose. It's just not the best idea for a story and certainly not the best execution despite it's star power. I doubt I could force myself to sit through this one again, but I had at least one friend who adored this so you may not want to take my word. Then again, she just wanted to bang Billy Zane so that may explain her opinion...

Availability:  On DVD