The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones by Harald Zwart, 2013 (PG-13)

After teen Clary Fray witnesses a murder at a New York nightclub, a sinister stranger named Valentine attacks and kidnaps her mother. Endowed with supernatural vision, Clary recruits a band of youthful human-angel hybrids to help rescue her mother.

I have been expecting this movie for a long time, because I am a fan of Lena Headey. For a long time. I am probably not quite objective, but I actually liked the movie, and am looking forward to the next episode. The story has this mystery that most likely is quite predictable, but on the other hand,
the cast is effective, besides vampires and werewolves, magic, and sort of British castle with a hint of Harry Potter's hogwarts and X-Men Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters, there is a whole new world of supernatural creatures, with doors to other worlds, this suffice to make me hooked. Looking forward to the next episode...

with Lily Collins (The Blind Side, The English Teacher, Mirror Mirror), Jamie Campbell Bower (The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2, Winter in Wartime - Oorlogswinter), Robert Sheehan, Kevin Zegers, Lena Headey (The Red Baron - Der rote Baron), Kevin Durand (X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Cosmopolis), Aidan Turner, Jemima West, Godfrey Gao, CCH Pounder (Avatar, Face/Off), Jared Harris (Lincoln, Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows), Jonathan Rhys Meyers (Albert Nobbs)

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True Blood by HBO, 2008-2014 (TVMA)

with Anna Paquin (Margaret, X-men), Stephen Moyer, Sam Trammell, Ryan Kwanten, Rutina Wesley, Chris Bauer, Nelsan Ellis, Carrie Preston, Alexander Skarsgård (What Maisie knew, Disconnect, Melancholia), Todd Lowe, Deborah Ann Woll (Ruby Sparks), Kristin Bauer van Straten, Jim Parrack (Annapolis), Joe Manganiello (Magic Mike), Lauren Bowles, William Sanderson (Blade Runner), Michael McMillian, Kevin Alejandro, Janina Gavankar, Marshall Allman, Adina Porter, Dale Raoul, Lucy Griffiths, Jessica Tuck, Denis O'Hare (Milk, Duplicity, Michael Clayton), Tara Buck, Mehcad Brooks, Fiona Shaw (The Tree of Life), Valentina Cervi, Evan Rachel Wood (The Wrestler, Mildred Pierce, Simone, The Conspirator), Lizzy Caplan (Masters of Sex, 127 Hours), Michelle Forbes (Battlestar Galactica)

Cast of True Blood

True Blood is an American television drama series created and produced by Alan Ball. It is based on The Southern Vampire Mysteries series of novels by Charlaine Harris, detailing the co-existence of vampires and humans in Bon Temps, a fictional, small town in northwestern Louisiana. The series centers on the adventures of Sookie Stackhouse (Anna Paquin), a telepathic waitress with an otherworldly quality, and how her life is turned upside down when the Vampire Bill, walks into her place of employment two years after vampires 'came out of the coffin' on national television.

True Blood Season 2 featuring Michelle Forbes

My first impression about this series is there was no way to take it too seriously. They always turn out doing something so off the ridicule hits and gives us a reminder this is all for fun, and there is some serious drama going on. Still, it is good that this didn't turn out as a Twilight, and instead, its very own taste of what vampire-fairy-werewolf cohabitation may look like in a human world. I grew fascinated by the strangely aging Barbie-like SM Pam (Kristin Bauer van Straten) and the war vet gentle-crazy Terry Bellefleur (Todd Lowe). Tara (Rutina Wesley) has perhaps the most interesting turn, stealing somehow the light from Anna Paquin. The supporting roles - the enormous cast is great, holding it together into a little village feeling of belonging, over the six seasons. Of course, as a good fan of Battlestar Galactica, it was good to see Michelle Forbes again, and since I learned to really like Alexander Skarsgård (Disconnect, What Maisie knew) and have fallen in love with the amazing Lizzy Caplan, whose performance in Masters of Sex is impeccable.
Update Sept 21, 2014: the final season tries to settle some history, and transition to a future where things are settled, and besides the radical losses (what the f*** happened to Tara?!?), people find finally each other, vampires and humans, and life goes back to ordinary, of course with Pam and Eric on top of the world. Ok, everything has to have an end... But I guess HBO could still develop on further adventures, since the writer of the original book keeps on going...

Watch trailer:

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2 by Bill Condon, PG-13

with Kristen Stewart (Snow White and the Huntsman), Robert Pattinson (Bel Ami), Taylor Lautner (Valentine's Day), Mackenzie Foy, Maggie Grace (Knight and Day), Michael Sheen (Beautiful Boy, Tron: Legacy, Alice in Wonderland, Frost/Nixon, Midnight in Paris, Music Within), Peter Facinelli (Nurse Jackie), Elizabeth Reaser (Young Adult), Jackson Rathbone, Nikki Reed, Kellan Lutz, Jamie Campbell Bower, Dakota Fanning, Christopher Heyerdahl, Billy Burke
Following Twilight, Twilight New Moon

After the birth of Renesmee, the Cullens gather other vampire clans in order to protect the child from a false allegation that puts the family in front of the Volturi.

This is the end... Oh well... This was a trip. There is something about the ending being about the transformation into a New Born I actually enjoyed. It is almost like you could understand to a certain point what was to be a vampire through the eyes of Bella, but not fully. And now you can sense the differences, the fundamentals, the existential change that it implies. Of course, the Volturi is sort of the constant enemy, so there has to be a big fight, and of course it is a romantic drama, so there has to be some feelings involve, and unfortunately, these to parts are failing. So lets face it, it is a mainstream fast-food stylized teenager movie, the end of a long and successful series that were before then a best seller, I guess that makes it interesting enough as a phenomenon to follow. Done.

watch trailer:

Dark Shadows by Tim Burton, 2012 (PG-13)

with Johnny Depp (The Rum Diary, Alice in Wonderland, Chocolat, Rango), Michelle Pfeiffer, Helena Bonham Carter (Alice in Wonderland, The King's Speech), Eva Green (Perfect Sense, The Dreamers), Chloë Grace Moretz, Bella Heathcote, Jonny Lee Miller, Jackie Earle Haley, Gulliver McGrath

Tim Burton's take on the cult gothic soap follows a centuries-old vampire as he returns to his now-crumbling estate to meet his modern descendants. But what he finds is a house full of secrets and shadows.
Duration: 113 minutes

Did you see the 1967 original series Dark Shadows? I just had a look at it after watching the movie, and it is in the script quite faithful to the original. Of course the aesthetic is definitely Tim Burton, and the sense of humor as well. It works, in a simplistic way. The actors are great, all from the large family of Burton, playing in their familiar genre. Now, to say that this was a great movie... Everything was pushed to the point of the obvious, the scenes with Eva Green look like they were made with amphetamines, even tho she makes Barnabas look not as puritan and devotedly romantic as most characters of the mainstream cinema lately are. Her death is far more interesting than her life... Michelle Pfeiffer was actually good, and Helena Bonham Carter, for once, had her character tamed to the almost normal! Still... Maybe the truth is you have to love Tim Burton's movie to like this one, and since Mars Attacks (which was awesome), I lost the taste of it.

Watch Trailer:

Updates on Claudia Black, a journey to the impossibles

Following the article: Claudia Black, a journey to the impossibles

Claudia Black in the recording studios for Dragon Age Inquisition, 2014

I keep seeing these pictures on the side of my blog, as it appears to be very popular, and I feel weird because I just want to post a picture of Claudia Black the way she looks now, which is more beautiful than ever. Just come back to the front of the screen, even if that means more make up/prep up and less crazy voices to perform for video games. 

Update 10/01/2016: I am still catching up with the last episodes, so don't spoil it for me. But my, my... Lommers is quite the politician in Containment, I am thrilled she was cast in it. Looking forward to the end, and more shows with her in it.

Update 02/18/2016: Alright, Claudia Black has been back, with the role of Dahlia in the Originals, (spin-off from The Vampire Diaries), pretty much immortal. And something I really look forward to, she will be part of the cast of "Containment", set to debut April 19, 2016, meaning really soon!!! This is good news.

Update 12/19/2013: Just in: "Strange Frame: Love and Sax" is now available in Netflix. Only thing I gotta do when I get back home after holidays is to watch it! Yay!

Update 08/05/2013: Finally, just saw the other vampire Claudia Black was turned into, for the movie "Queen of the Damned". Honestly, I much prefer the one of "MoonLight". They made her have luggage under her eyes, bad skin, and an insignificant role. Anyway, the movie is not that interesting either, so I guess it is a good way to skip Claudia Black for once. Still have to see "Strange Frame" and "Rain From Stars".

Update 11/29/2012: Answer from the producers of Strange Frame: "Weʻre still working on a screening for New York. Stay tuned, but it will be out on VOD in February and DVD in March."
Simple as asking!

Claudia Black as Pandora in "Queen of the Damned", 2002

Update 11/28/2012: Just watched for the first time Haven, this series from SyFy (who produced BattleStar Galactica) of course to check out the latest work of Claudia Black ("Magic Hour" Part 1 and 2). I kind of got hooked to the series, it has an interesting point, despite the fact that it looks like "The 4400" and "Heroes" in more than one way... Or X-men... Wonder why there is such a fascination for people with superpower (oh now I remember half of the movie industry money comes from stories about people with Super-Powers :) Anyway, I am starting to get annoyed at Claudia Black for staying no more than three episodes without being outcast or killed, or simply popping by just long enough we would point our attention to her and then leave. Can any producer be smarter than that?
But... she looks like she is getting a serious credit in the coming-up movie "Rain from Stars", which is not an animated movie. Yes!!! It's finished, so let's wait and see. In the meantime, I keep asking in case... where can we see "Strange Frame: Love and Sax" in New York?

Claudia Black in TV series "Haven" as Moira in episode "Magic Hour"

For more on Claudia Black, I recommend IMDB and claudiablackonline

Claudia Black, a journey to the impossibles

I never knew one of my recent obsession would become the reason why my blog is so much read. Definitely, I believe that there is a major curiosity to be built upon Claudia Black. She was once overly wearing make-up for "City Life", which is here in the US practically impossible to watch, except if you understand Russian and you are not bothered by the fact that it is only one person (male) that does he voice over for all the characters, with the enthusiasm of Aeryn Sun in "Look at the Princess" for Dregon Carzenova (Aaron James Cash). I personally do not understand Russian. Anyway...

Claudia Black as Angela Kostapas in "City Life"

My journey of discovering Claudia Black started (obviously) with Aeryn Sun in "Farscape". Interesting character, who pretty much stole the series, evolving from tough military to someone more complex, with feelings, emotions, hopes.

Claudia Black as Aeryn Sun in Farscape

Something in her pushed me into watching "Stargate SG-1", while my friends (who had recommended me "Farscape") were kind of reticent. My only curiosity came from the fact that in one of the episodes of "Stargate SG-1" named "200", she was playing Aeryn Sun. But instead of going straight to the point, I started back to "Prometheus Unbound" and watched her as Vala Mal Doran in all the episodes in between to get to that point. I was definitely on the one hand deceived that it wasn't Aeryn Sun per say, but one the other hand, I got my only laugh for watching "Stargate SG-1" which largely compensated.

Claudia Black as Vala Mal Doran in Stargate SG-1

Following this Stargate period, I got into what is called at my age (28) a shameful moment. Yes, I watched "90210" aka Beverly Hills. It used to be successful as a different generation cast, when I was 8 years old, with the reputation to be for kids and teenagers. When I was 8, I thought it was an adult show, with real heart drama. Watching it now was sort of a learning experience, first of that target audience, second of a certain mentality that perhaps some high school have. Anyway, Claudia Black played for a few episodes a guru, Sona. Of course, she has to be the bad guy, and of course, the whole game has to be unveiled in an obvious manner. Anyway, definitely a character change. My shame was more or less watching the rest of the episodes that ended the series...

Claudia Black as Guru Sona in 90210

Next was the wonder of "City Life" dubbed in Russian, which I probably gave up to easily, although reading about it, it made me realize this was a response to Melrose Place from New Zealand, meaning not sure I want to be hooked to a sitcom again. 

Then came "Rango"... I had to see it, because of the reviews, and because of her role as Angelique. Well, the movie is great, the character of Angelique, let's define it: nearly nonexistent. Sad because she is funnily arrogant, could have had more slashing lines.

Claudia Black as Angelique in Rango

I checked the trailer of the animation movie "The Alchemist Agenda" but it looked like it was still a work in progress. I was also watching this episode of "MoonLight" where she appears, kind of SM Vampire Cleaner, reminding me of Trinity in "The Matrix" (And I love Trinity... But The Cleaner wasn't a recurrent role so I gave up).

Claudia Black as Ariel Allis in The Alchemist Agenda

Claudia Black as The Cleaner in MoonLight

Now, my two latest moves are to watch "Pitch Black" which when it came out was a blockbuster, and hum... "Xena: Warrior Princess" that's it, I said it. I believe I watched that once on tv when I was a teenager, at my aunt's house (never had tv in my childhood), bored to death and at 11am during the week with no cable tv, obviously not much to watch either. I was not impressed. So this time, this particular episode where Claudia Black appears, "Lifeblood" is with guest star Selma Blair and is about this leader from the past Xena is having visions of. We are at the time of the early Sapiens I think, and Claudia Black is a hippie with skins and fur named Karina. Her character is close enough to Aeryn Sun, sort of a leader herself, very naive tho. Anyway, It was a bit painful to watch, since everything is over-staged, loud and absolutely not convincing, from the acting (except perhaps Claudia who also strangely never dances with the crowd, skipping in extremis a ridiculous fate.)

Claudia Black as Karina in Xena: Warrior Princess

I am trying to watch in the subway (yes, New York) every time I can "Pitch Black". Not sure this is a good idea since last time, because I couldn't hear the deep voice of Vin Diesel, I put the volume to the maximum and then they shot something really loud (in order to scare) while I was leaving the train, got my ears and heart by surprise, I almost hurt someone. I am pending on the time where Sharon 'Shazza' Montgomery, her character, is going to die, seems like everyone will besides Vin Diesel and Radha Mitchell...

Claudia Black as Sharon 'Shazza' Montgomery in Pitch Black

Ok, to jump subject, I watched a few interviews of the "Real" Claudia Black, she looks very funny, grounded. Which might have been why in a way, she decided to focus her career on voice-over for films and video-games and other priorities. I am looking forward though to her next performance in a feature film, if possible not in an animation movie :)

Update 08/25/2012: The latest news is the completion of the animation movie "Strange Frame: Love & Sax" which has Claudia Black playing Parker C. Boyd, a women from a few centuries forward in a society that has stopped living on earth, saxophonist, falling for another woman with an extraordinary voice, Naia X. who ends up becoming the slave of her new manager. So of course, Parker needs to save her. The trailer is out there, the animation seems a bit unequal, between 3d landscape that are absolutely stunning of realism, to the characters that look like painting or video-game from the 2000s, but awkwardly animated. Would love to see it tho when it comes out in New York. Still running its first rounds in L.A. so far...

Update 12/25/2014: yes that's Christmas night and I am reviewing my notes on Claudia Black... Just felt like having a revival of Farscape, that's why... So, thanks to Netflix, the movie is on demand! And it is an interesting story, although the animation is a bit unequal and sometimes sketchy. 

On a Christmas note, I needed to express how beautiful Claudia Black looks lately with her blonde and curly hair. She should be in a movie (ah ah!). Anyway, seriously, any director reading this?

Claudia Black in Strange Frame: Love & Sax as Parker C. Boyd

Trailer:


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For more on Claudia Black, I recommend IMDB and claudiablackonline 

Twilight by Catherine Hardwicke, 2008 (PG-13)

with Kristen Stewart (Snow White and the Huntsman), Robert Pattinson (Bel Ami), Taylor Lautner (Valentine's Day), Billy Burke, Peter Facinelli, Elizabeth Reaser (Young Adult), Cam Gigandet, Nikki Reed, Jackson Rathbone, Ashley Greene, Kellan Lutz, Sarah Clarke, Justin Chon, Anna Kendrick (Up in The Air, 50/50), Christian Serratos, Michael Welch

"Bella Swan has always been a little bit different. Never one to run with the crowd, Bella never cared about fitting in with the trendy, plastic girls at her Phoenix, Arizona high school. When her mother remarried and Bella chooses to live with her father in the rainy little town of Forks, Washington, she didn't expect much of anything to change. But things do change when she meets the mysterious and dazzlingly beautiful Edward Cullen. For Edward is nothing like any boy she's ever met. He's nothing like anyone she's ever met, period. He's intelligent and witty, and he seems to see straight into her soul. In no time at all, they are swept up in a passionate and decidedly unorthodox romance - unorthodox because Edward really isn't like the other boys. He can run faster than a mountain lion. He can stop a moving car with his bare hands. Oh, and he hasn't aged since 1918. Like all vampires, he's immortal. That's right - vampire. But he doesn't have fangs - that's just in the movies. And he doesn't drink human blood, though Edward and his family are unique among vampires in that lifestyle choice. To Edward, Bella is that thing he has waited 90 years for - a soul mate. But the closer they get, the more Edward must struggle to resist the primal pull of her scent, which could send him into an uncontrollable frenzy. Somehow or other, they will have to manage their unmanageable love. But when unexpected visitors come to town and realize that there is a human among them Edward must fight to save Bella? A modern, visual, and visceral Romeo and Juliet story of the ultimate forbidden love affair - between vampire and mortal." IMDB

It's strange how a teenager movie, supposedly, can be fascinating anyway. The meaning of it doesn't have much, but the actors are good, the story is interesting... and addictive. Aesthetically, it's beautiful. Gothic and poetic at the same time. It makes you want to see what is coming next.

Watch trailer:

Underworld: Awakening by Måns Mårlind and Björn Stein, 2012 (R)

with Kate Beckinsale, Stephen Rea, Michael Ealy, Theo James, India Eisley, Charles Dance

When human forces discover the existence of the Vampire and Lycan clans, a war to eradicate both species commences. The vampire warrioress Selene leads the battle against humankind.

Or whatever. IT is the worse movie I have seen this year. Or these past years. I saw it in 3D. Which probably made it more interesting. But anyhow, the movie was with very little story, not coherent, with twist and turns that are motivated by how much special effect you can put on it to make it impressive visually. And it is visually beautiful, combats are impressive, violence is effective, 3D was surprising, but I switched my brain of and ate all this with some sort of numbness. The beginning of the story makes you believe there is actually something sophisticated about the genetic research they engaged with the destruction of vampires, but this story falls flat and again, it is about a battle between human, werewolves and vampires. Go watch Daybreakers instead.

Daybreakers by Michael and Peter Spierig, 2009

with Ethan Hawke, Willem Dafoe, Sam Neill, Claudia Karvan, Michael Dorman, Isabel Lucas, Vince Colosimo, Callum McLean, Harriet Minto-Day, Jarrad Pon

"In a world 10 years into the future, vampires make up the vast majority of the population with only 5% of the human race remaining. This presents particular challenges as the vampires' food supply - human blood - is dwindling and rationing is now the norm. There is growing evidence that vampires deprived of an adequate blood supply are themselves evolving into wild, vile creatures that attack anyone and anything in order to survive. Dr. Edward Dalton, a vampire and hematologist who works for a pharmaceutical firm, has been working on finding an artificial blood supply that will meet the vampire society's needs. He is sympathetic to humans and sees his work as a way of alleviating their suffering but his views on finding a solution change considerably when he meets someone who found a way to transform himself from being a vampire to again take human form." IMDB

A vampire story. Again. I love those stories, as they are created based on rules that people keep on changing according to their needs of a story, and happening in the present time, sometimes the past, rarely the far future, and they are happening among us, on earth, not on a different planet with some circumstances that would just make us feel detached from it. And the goth-ism attached to it is always some sort of prestigious, classy. Attractive. Although this movie made a point not following my last point. It's modern, futuristic actually (inspired at some points by Matrix?) and vampire are just like you and me. Not fancy. And also, humans are considered as an endangered specie that need to be protect in order for the vampires to survive. Them the story goes on. I liked it. A little gore, but what, it's about blood.

Watch Trailer:

Twilight New Moon by Chris Weitz, 2009

with Kristen Stewart (Snow White and the Huntsman), Robert Pattinson (Bel Ami), Taylor Lautner (Valentine's Day), Billy Burke, Peter Facinelli, Elizabeth Reaser (Young Adult), Nikki Reed, Jackson Rathbone, Ashley Greene, Kellan Lutz, Sarah Clarke, Justin Chon, Anna Kendrick (Up in The Air, 50/50), Rachelle Lefevre, Jackson Rathbone, Michael Sheen (Alice in Wonderland, Beautiful Boy), Dakota Fanning, Edi Gathegi, Graham Greene

"After Bella recovers from the vampire attack that almost claimed her life, she looks to celebrate her birthday with Edward and his family. However, a minor accident during the festivities results in Bella's blood being shed, a sight that proves too intense for the Cullens, who decide to leave the town of Forks, Washington for Bella and Edward's sake. Initially heartbroken, Bella finds a form of comfort in reckless living, as well as an even-closer friendship with Jacob Black. Danger in different forms awaits." IMDB

Following "Twilight". The next episode, obviously. Interesting still. It mixes knowledge we created about vampire and werewolf, and invent new rules to adapt its story for younger generations.

Watch trailer: