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Reviews
Nosferatu - Phantom der Nacht (1979)
Klaus isn't Max
I'll start by stating I have nothing against artistic vampire movies with Daughters of Darkness and The Hunger being among my favourites. This just didn't do anything to improve or even equal the original 1922 film. Klaus Kinski does not have the screen presence of Max Shreck and his pathetic attempts to imitate him are painful to watch. The scenes of Dracula in his castle in Coppola's Dracula had more a feel of the original Nosferatu than this. I wouldn't say this is a complete waste of time but is just an OK time waster. Certain scenes like a boy playing a violin seem to be thrown in for art effect and have zero relevance to the plot. There are also scenes of a pig walking around for no apparent reason. The ending was also laughable with Harker becoming the vampire. I guess just to make it different from the original. It does have some nice scenery and such but I would say watch Shadow Of A Vampire if you are a fan of the original instead of this.
Nachts, wenn Dracula erwacht (1970)
Totally inept
I thought I'd check this out after reading good reviews and I like Christopher Lee in the Dracula role. This movie is terrible!!! I can't believe people stating this is better than Coppola's version. Even with great source material(Bram Stokers novel) JF just can't make a good film. I've seen every movie version of Dracula and this is the worst one out there. It's boring, unmoving, and a complete waste of time. If you like Chris Lee, stick with the Hammer films. If you want to see a movie that is close to the novel, check out the BBC 1977 Count Dracula and Coppola's(my personal favourite) Bram Stoker's Dracula. If you do watch this you will be treated to plastic bats, cheap sets, rocks that are clearly made of foam, a pace slower than a snail and a lack of competent direction.
Halloween II (2009)
retro 70's style splatter
If it wasn't for the excessive unrealistic use of the "F" word I would rate this even higher. I'm no prude and have nothing against cussing it just didn't fit in certain scenes as it does in films like "Scarface". This film really reminded me how cool the downbeat horror films of the 70's were. Oddly enough when I walked out of the theatre I hated the movie. I watched it again on DVD and did a complete 360. I like both the directors and theatrical cut. My complaints other than the above were the changes made to Loomis and the look of Michael. I was unprepared for it but when I re-watched it I got it. It makes sense Michael would be homeless and it is silly that in the original sequels he always manages to have fresh coveralls and a pristine mask. Not sure if was intentional but the hood and mask combination reminded me of lesser known cult films like "Alice Sweet Alice" and "Don't Look Now". When mask-less, Michael reminded me of "Dazed and Confused" in Led Zeppelin's "The Song Remains the Same". This movie is gory, violent and gritty and other than Michael's homicidal rage and relentless quest to reunite with his sister it has little to do with the original sequels. The cinematography is incredible and I can't get over how it feels so 70's no hope, no survivors, evil wins. Michael's mommy visions are vary nightmarish and surreal. Everyone seems to either love or hate this movie(Iv'e done both) and it probably won't win over fans of the original series. I only really like the first 2 originals, thought 4 and 5 were OK and didn't care for 6,7,8 at all. I didn't include 3 as it has nothing to do with the Michael saga. Warning to the weak of stomach this is graphic!!! Animal lovers beware(I'm one myself) Michael kills and eats a dog. He also does this in this original "Halloween" but this time it's on screen and in your face. A truly original take on the series. A no holds bars trip into psycho hell.