by Josh Sewell
Dracula
(Rated R for violence, some gore and sexuality. Opens in theaters on February 6.)
In the latest adaptation of Bram Stoker’s classic vampire tale, writer-director Luc Besson transforms it into a love story rather than a horror movie. Strangely enough, it would make a decent Valentine’s Day movie date for couples who enjoy silly emo melodrama (and goofy CGI gargoyles).
In this version, a 15th-century prince (Caleb Landry Jones) witnesses the brutal murder of his wife (Zoë Bleu) and renounces God as a result. Cursed with eternal life, he is reborn as the immortal Dracula, who defies fate in a blood-soaked crusade to bring back his lost love from death. As he continues his mission, he’s pursued by a relentless priest (Christoph Waltz) who swears to end his reign.
Besson’s version of Dracula is pretty much baby’s first steps into Francis Ford Coppola’s iconic adaptation. However, it looks really beautiful (thanks to Colin Wandersman’s cinematography) and there are some delightfully over-the-top performances from Jones and Waltz (who manages to star in Dracula and Frankenstein movies within a few months of each other).
Matilda De Angelis nearly steals the whole movie as a vampire named Maria. She’s funny, sexy and understands the material’s campy tone just as well as Jones and Waltz. Bleu is also strong in dual roles – Dracula’s wife Elisabeta and Jonathan Harker’s fiancée Mina. In a story that spans centuries, she’s a compelling bit of connective tissue.
Finally, the great Danny Elfman’s score is terrific, providing the flick with an appropriately eerie and gothic tone. While Besson’s interpretation doesn’t totally work, I still had fun watching it.
Grade: B-
Send Help
(Rated R for strong/bloody violence and language. Now playing in theaters.)
A new Sam Raimi film is always something to celebrate, whether it turns out to be a minor gross-out horror masterpiece (Drag Me to Hell), a blockbuster misfire (Oz the Great and Powerful) or a bonkers take on a superhero sequel (Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness). They can’t all be great, but it’s still a win whenever a studio hands a lot of money to the guy who created the Evil Dead flicks and the original Spider-Man trilogy so he can make something weird.
That’s exactly what happens with Send Help, a dark comedic horror/thriller (written by Damian Shannon and Mark Swift) that pits two toxic coworkers (Rachel McAdams and Dylan O’Brien) against each other after they survive a plane crash and wash up on a deserted island. If they are going to survive, they must overcome past grievances; however, their brief truce ultimately becomes a battle of wills and wits to see who makes it out alive.
Send Help has some pacing issues and iffy visual effects along the way, but it’s a blast to watch talented performers drown each other in blood, vomit, and all kinds of other gross fluids. McAdams has gained such a reputation for being a serious actress that it’s easy to forget she’s also great in unhinged mode, like in Mean Girls and Game Night. O’Brien is a terrific up-and-coming young actor who’s excellent at playing jerks and villains. He puts that talent to perfect use here, while also proving adept at giving his character a vulnerable side as well.
The flick is two hours of nasty fun – creepy and often hilarious. It’s easily Raimi’s best flick since the equally mean and nihilistic Drag Me to Hell and I’m already anticipating what insanity he has planned for audiences next.
The less you know about Send Help going in the better (I only saw a quick trailer beforehand), that way all the twisted surprises can have their intended effect. Granted, a few of them are predictable, but it’s still a hoot to watch McAdams’ and O’Brien’s characters respond to the constant unexpected developments.
Grade: B
Home Entertainment Spotlight
A Little Prayer
(Rated R for language. Now available on Blu-ray, DVD and VOD.)
In this criminally underseen film from last year, Bill (David Strathairn, who should’ve been a strong Best Actor contender) is a business owner, veteran and patriarch in his Southern community. But the quiet home he shares with wife Venida (Celia Weston) is uprooted when his daughter Patti (Anna Camp) moves back home, while his son David (Will Pullen) struggles to adapt to civilian life after leaving the military.
When Bill learns David is having an affair, he must decide whether to break the news to his daughter-in-law Tammy (Jane Levy), who he has come to love and respect more than his own children. Bonus features include an audio commentary by writer-director Angus MacLachlan; an interview with MacLachlan and Levy; a panel discussion from EbertFest 2025; and a theatrical trailer.
(Rated R for violence, some gore and sexuality. Opens in theaters on February 6.)
In the latest adaptation of Bram Stoker’s classic vampire tale, writer-director Luc Besson transforms it into a love story rather than a horror movie. Strangely enough, it would make a decent Valentine’s Day movie date for couples who enjoy silly emo melodrama (and goofy CGI gargoyles).
In this version, a 15th-century prince (Caleb Landry Jones) witnesses the brutal murder of his wife (Zoë Bleu) and renounces God as a result. Cursed with eternal life, he is reborn as the immortal Dracula, who defies fate in a blood-soaked crusade to bring back his lost love from death. As he continues his mission, he’s pursued by a relentless priest (Christoph Waltz) who swears to end his reign.
Besson’s version of Dracula is pretty much baby’s first steps into Francis Ford Coppola’s iconic adaptation. However, it looks really beautiful (thanks to Colin Wandersman’s cinematography) and there are some delightfully over-the-top performances from Jones and Waltz (who manages to star in Dracula and Frankenstein movies within a few months of each other).
Matilda De Angelis nearly steals the whole movie as a vampire named Maria. She’s funny, sexy and understands the material’s campy tone just as well as Jones and Waltz. Bleu is also strong in dual roles – Dracula’s wife Elisabeta and Jonathan Harker’s fiancée Mina. In a story that spans centuries, she’s a compelling bit of connective tissue.
Finally, the great Danny Elfman’s score is terrific, providing the flick with an appropriately eerie and gothic tone. While Besson’s interpretation doesn’t totally work, I still had fun watching it.
Grade: B-
(Rated R for strong/bloody violence and language. Now playing in theaters.)
A new Sam Raimi film is always something to celebrate, whether it turns out to be a minor gross-out horror masterpiece (Drag Me to Hell), a blockbuster misfire (Oz the Great and Powerful) or a bonkers take on a superhero sequel (Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness). They can’t all be great, but it’s still a win whenever a studio hands a lot of money to the guy who created the Evil Dead flicks and the original Spider-Man trilogy so he can make something weird.
That’s exactly what happens with Send Help, a dark comedic horror/thriller (written by Damian Shannon and Mark Swift) that pits two toxic coworkers (Rachel McAdams and Dylan O’Brien) against each other after they survive a plane crash and wash up on a deserted island. If they are going to survive, they must overcome past grievances; however, their brief truce ultimately becomes a battle of wills and wits to see who makes it out alive.
Send Help has some pacing issues and iffy visual effects along the way, but it’s a blast to watch talented performers drown each other in blood, vomit, and all kinds of other gross fluids. McAdams has gained such a reputation for being a serious actress that it’s easy to forget she’s also great in unhinged mode, like in Mean Girls and Game Night. O’Brien is a terrific up-and-coming young actor who’s excellent at playing jerks and villains. He puts that talent to perfect use here, while also proving adept at giving his character a vulnerable side as well.
The flick is two hours of nasty fun – creepy and often hilarious. It’s easily Raimi’s best flick since the equally mean and nihilistic Drag Me to Hell and I’m already anticipating what insanity he has planned for audiences next.
The less you know about Send Help going in the better (I only saw a quick trailer beforehand), that way all the twisted surprises can have their intended effect. Granted, a few of them are predictable, but it’s still a hoot to watch McAdams’ and O’Brien’s characters respond to the constant unexpected developments.
Grade: B
Home Entertainment Spotlight
(Rated R for language. Now available on Blu-ray, DVD and VOD.)
In this criminally underseen film from last year, Bill (David Strathairn, who should’ve been a strong Best Actor contender) is a business owner, veteran and patriarch in his Southern community. But the quiet home he shares with wife Venida (Celia Weston) is uprooted when his daughter Patti (Anna Camp) moves back home, while his son David (Will Pullen) struggles to adapt to civilian life after leaving the military.
When Bill learns David is having an affair, he must decide whether to break the news to his daughter-in-law Tammy (Jane Levy), who he has come to love and respect more than his own children. Bonus features include an audio commentary by writer-director Angus MacLachlan; an interview with MacLachlan and Levy; a panel discussion from EbertFest 2025; and a theatrical trailer.
Reach out to Josh Sewell at joshsewell81@gmail.com or on BlueSky @joshsewell.bsky.social
Comments
Post a Comment