The first official sequel to the Hammer classic Dracula doesn’t actually feature Dracula at all, instead one of his old victims is still around and eventually freed. Thankfully it does include the return of Peter Cushing’s Van Helsing and once again his gravitas and refusal to do anything other than taking the role super-seriously really helps the film. Let’s take a look then!
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When um-ing and ah-ing over what horror series to review this Halloween I eventually landed on the Hammer Dracula films, as to me this original Dracula was THE classic version. Obviously the Universal films from the 30s and 40s are the actual originals but I never saw them growing up but I did see this film at some point late at night in the 90s and I loved it, it’s what I always mentally refer back to when some property or another mentions Dracula. Given I’ve only seen one of the EIGHT sequels this should be quite the experience in the lead up to October 31st, so let’s get started, shall we?
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So, after four years, we reach the end of the Bond review marathon, just in time for the latest release to FINALLY hit cinemas. Spectre is an odd film, it doesn’t so much as have a central plot as has a string of mini-stories leading to a reveal that tries half-heartedly to tie all the Craig era films together. It has its moments, but they don’t stick in the head for very long… let’s take a deeper look anyway!
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I’m always unsure about Skyfall. I definitely like it but feel some people claiming it’s the best one always makes me scratch my head. It has some genuinely great moments and set pieces, don’t get me wrong, but every time I watch it I feel like it’s gone on too long by the time the film reaches its climax. Want to know more about my opinion on the film? Well, you’re in the right place then!
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There are few sequels that disappoint quite as much as this. There are sequels that are far worse, obviously, but something about Quantum has meant each re-watch has convinced me I had it wrong and its actually good, then about half way through I start to think again, then by the end I’m like “Oh right, yeah…” It’s not flat out bad like Die Another Day or Octopussy, but it’s written to string you along only to let you down in the end… Let’s take a deeper look, anyway!
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What’s this? Could it actually be?! I am finally ending my run of Bond reviews because the next one is actually, for real, coming out in a month or so?! Why yes, that’s exactly what’s happening… after all these YEARS.
Casino Royale saw the debut of both Daniel Craig and his more “gritty” direction for the franchise, and while his run has seen its ups and downs I can honestly say that Casino Royale is among my favourites of the whole franchise, with its opening 10 minutes being one my favourite openings ever. … Let’s take a look!
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The latest in the line of Netflix “original Anime” that aren’t actually anime (serious guys, the only distinction in the country its created in, there’s nothing wrong with creating a more adult oriented animation and it being technically a cartoon…) The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf serves as a prequel to the Netflix live action series and focuses on the backstory of Geralt’s teacher Vesemir, who is set to debut in Season 2, and the downfall of the Witchers. A good premise then, did they pull it off?
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Yes I’m one of those crazy people who spent £20 to watch Black Widow at home (though to be fair to myself the cost of a ticket plus a bus to my nearest cinema and back is actually not far off that same amount…) What did I think of the first MCU movie in Phase 4, especially after we’ve had such great Phase 4 TV already? Well… it was fun. Not much else, but fun. Let’s take a deeper look!
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Finally completing the run of MCU films on this blog (as I’ve covered all the other ones as they released already) is Doctor Strange. This was always in interesting one for me because I’ve always liked the character and had high hopes the MCU team would do him justice, and thankfully I was right. The film is really enjoyable and quite the visual spectacle… so let’s take a look!
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Ant-Man was an odd one, counted as a sort of “epilogue” to Phase 2 of the MCU it pretty much stands alone (with the exception of one scene) as a fun sci-fi heist movie. I had no expectations going into it, especially as it went through several rewrites and directors, so I was pleasantly surprised when it turned out to be a genuinely fun film. Does it still hold up now? Let’s take a look!
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Hogan Reviews 