Boredom struck. I looked through iTunes to see if there were any films worth looking into and discoveredAwaydays. God knows what I was thinking. I watched it. And I can never ever erase the memory of watching it. Ever.
Whomever cast this film needs congratulating for collecting together an awful array of actors (except Stephen Graham, who at least tried to get in character by growing a muzzie) who can't do themselves any favours when the script is this awful and under the direction of someone who is far more interested in a couple of sub-par Guy Ritchie slow-mo scenes of stabbing and punching than requiring any emotional input from his actors.
I finally got around to watching this yesterday and was very very glad I did. Let's us begin with a statement: I hate vampires. I hate vampire films, books, comics, weekends and bats. All of it. I do however, have a love of cinema and am willing to entertain the great and good, even if that means dealing with something I hate.
In a small Stockholm suburb (come on Sweden, sort it out; why are all your films set in a Stockholm suburb? Except Lillya4Ever which is set in Malmo and is one of the most depressing films I have ever seen. Not Malmo's fault it must be said) a small boy called Oskar makes friends with a vampire. Boom. That's the whole film. Sounds like a kids book. What follows is a an affecting love story with moments of true horror, a touch of the old paedo brush here and there, some interesting plays on vampire mythology (see what happens when a vamp breaks the taboo of not being invited in but crosses the threshold anyway) culminating in the wonderfully horrible but somehow still incredibly subtle final act, shown above.
I do feel is that Oskar is a by far the more terrifying character compared to Eli. She is controlled in her killing for the most part and doing what she needs to survive. He, given the right circumstances, would do some serious damage. That boy aint right.
I only had one moment when the film took a wrong turn. One in which I was left laughing out loud. A vampire woman is attacked by a load of cats and looks just like:
Who in the hell writes and produces stuff like this? Epic, baroque, endless ballads sung lustily by men and women of questionable looks but undoubted in their lung busting talent. Jim Steinman. That's who. And to add a tedious Star Wars reference, "who is the more foolish, the fool? Or the fool who follows him?" Me. That's who. I love this music.
Something about it pulls me in every time. I was listening to theGuardian Football Weekly Podcastand someone mentioned they visited the 'club' nightUltimate Powerand I was rather horrified. Yeah, I have spent the last 45mins of a night air saxophoning to Baker Street or pumping my fist toYou're The Voice by John Farnhamon occasion. And I truly love it but a whole night of power ballads? Christ no.
I think this mainly because not all power ballads have the true heart and soul that Jim Steinman pours into the records he write and produces. Some would recoil in horror at even touching 'Bat Out of Hell' but they are fools. FOOLS! This is life blood.
Below is a selection of works. One of which is under 4mins. It's a great deal in these cash strapped times: more baroque for ya buck.
Well perhaps not but I am certainly miffed about some elements of my life. Mainly one element at the mo. I have been sodding well laid up in bed with a buggered back for the last 5 days and as such haven't been feeling the Chrissy spirit a great deal. AND I AM A CHRISTMAS LOVING MAN!
Truly, truly, truly excited to post these two songs. I had forgotten them until about 15mins ago. Many thanks tohttp://theisleoffailedpopstars.blogspot.com/for bringing the joy of these back tome.
