Movie Review: Abraham Lincoln - Vampire Hunter

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter explores the secret life of our greatest president, and the untold story that shaped our nation. Visionary filmmakers Tim Burton and Timur Bekmambetov (director of Wanted) bring a fresh and visceral voice to the bloodthirsty lore of the vampire, imagining Lincoln as history's greatest hunter of the undead.

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter
Released: 2012
Runtime: 105 mins
Rating: 3/5 stars
Buy: Amazon (UK) || Amazon (US)

REVIEW:
When i watched the trailer for this movie i was really really excited. It seems excited and interesting enough, so i really had to watch it.

For those who don't know, the movie is based on the book with the same title. Now, before i started my review i did some research and read some movie reviews only because i wanted to know how close to the book it was. It's sad to say, that every single review i found from people that they've read the book said that the only the 5 first minutes are actually close to the book and pretty much they changed everything. So i'm taking some points out here.

As a movie itself it has the good and bad parts. The CGI and special effects were really good. And i quite liked the action scenes. Even though the choreographies were not something extraordinary, the angle they were filmed and the slow motion in some certain parts it made them awesome. The story of the vampires and Abraham is okay enough to keep you interested and their idea of vampires is scary too.

At the same time, the movie seemed like it was going to fast for me. Do not expect any connection with the characters, or to get to know them well. Except Abraham and Henry, the rest cast has really small scenes and disappears and appears without noticing.  There are also some mistakes and holes in the story. The acting is below average too, again except Abraham and Henry who really stand out. And lastly, the make up artists make it seem like only Abraham was aging. The rest of Abraham's friends looked pretty much the same in the whole movie, with just a few grey hair later.

Either way it's a good and enjoyable movie. It looks totally amazing from the special effects aspect and needs to be seen in BluRay to enjoy it completely. But it seems, it doesn't do justice to the book in the end.

Rise of Superhero Movies

The following is a guest post by Sci-Fi Bloggers. Sci-Fi Bloggers is an online magazine covering all things science fiction and fantasy: movies, TV, books, video games, comics and more.

Hello, Lovelies

A few years ago I had the pleasure of interviewing Michael Uslan, the executive producer for every Batman movie from Tim Burton’s 1989 Batman to the upcoming The Dark Knight Rises. One of the things I asked him about was the popularity of comic books and by extension comic book movies. He said that the reason that comic books are popular because they are our modern folklore and mythology. They are ancient stories and archetypes dressed up in modern costumes. He said that comics are something that can cross borders, cultures and generations.

While it comes to no surprise to Mr. Uslan that comic book movies are popular, I must admit that I was surprised initially when the first few films started to become popular with more mainstream audiences. However with The Dark Knight winning an Academy Award and the recent mega-success of The Avengers both domestically and abroad, it is clear that comic book films are no longer the domain of hard core comic fans. But why are they so popular, and what does it mean for not only the comic book industry, but popular culture as well?

I would say that the popularity of comic book films is tied to the rise in popularity of “nerd-culture.” It is a chicken and the egg situation, did they create the popularity or did the popularity create them? Batman and Superman have had live action adaptations for decades, and the Nineties were filled with fantastic, and not so fantastic, animated series. I would have to say that their prevalence is partially due to what Mr. Uslan said, they’re just popular stories. Everyone likes to see larger than life heroes saving the day and awesome action sequences. Superman is today’s Heracles. Their popularity also came at the right time in popular culture.

The revival of previously “nerdy” franchises such Star Wars and Lord of the Rings and the popularity of fantasy books with young people like Harry Potter paved the way for comics to enter mainstream cultural popularity once again. In return they have greatly influenced popular culture. Christopher Nolan’s Batman Begins showed that superheroes did not have to be a camp fest like some films, *cough* Batman and Robin *cough*, portrayed them. In return this darker grittier and more realistic approach to film making can be seen in the reboots of Star Trek, and James Bond.

Comic book films are here to stay. While we will most likely have many more comic book adaptations not only in films but in television as well, I feel that they will cease to be considered as separate genre. One of the most interesting things that Mr. Uslan told me is that he does not consider “comic book” to be a film genre and that there is no such thing as a “comic book” film, there are only films. I agree with Mr. Uslan. I have a feeling that in a few years a comic book adaptation will be viewed in the same light as an adaptation of a novel and that they will be given the same respect. Hopefully this means somewhere down the line we will finally get a decent Green Lantern film.

Soon, soon

Book Spotlight: Kingdom

Kingdom
Publication Date: 2008
Pages: 252
Part of Series: Tiber City #1
Buy: Book Depository || Amazon (US) || Amazon (UK)

In a secret laboratory hidden under the desert, a covert bioengineering project—codename “Exodus”—has discovered the gene responsible for the human soul.

Somewhere in the neon sprawl outside the nation’s collapsing economic core, a group of renegade monks are on the verge of uncovering a secret that has eluded mankind for centuries.

In a glittering tower high above the urban decay, an ascendant U.S. Senator is found dead—an apparent, yet inexplicable, suicide.

And in the streets below, a young man races through an ultra modern metropolis on the verge of a violent revolution....closing in on the terrible truth behind Exodus—and one man’s dark vision for the future of mankind.

Welcome to Tiber City.

About the Author

Anderson O’Donnell presents a biopunk, dystopian noir-esque thriller in this amazing read, KINGDOM. Most people are familiar with the term “cyberpunk,” but “biopunk” is harder to nail down. In many ways, biopunk is similar to the cyberpunk genre, and shares many of the same themes and archetypes: the dystopian future; the overreliance on technology; mega-corporations; a constant and overwhelming flow of data; the anti-hero—these elements are integral parts of both genres.

Both genres are fueled, to some extent, by the sense of rebellion and desire for individual freedom expressed by the original punk rock revolution. But the main difference—the most important difference—is that while cyberpunk focuses on invasive technological modification of the human body, biopunk explores the dehumanizing consequences of biological modification, of re-arranging our DNA in the pursuit of perfection.

Anderson lives in Connecticut with his wife and 2 sons. Anderson himself deems Kingdom as “a thrill-a-minute, bio-punk myth that manages to wrestle with the most pressing issues of the new millennium. O’Donnell has crafted a kickass novel of tomorrow night, when the big party gets raided by the monsters we’ve been building for the last half-century.”

His debut novel, Kingdom, a dystopian, biopunk thriller, is now available in paperback and ebook format. Kingdom is the first part of the Tiber City Trilogy.

Check out all the tours stops for reviews, interviews and guestposts AND of course for a giveaway of a signed copy of the book at Miraculous!

Cover Reveal: Reaction by Jessica Roberts

Reaction: Reflection #2

By Jessica Roberts

Release Date: November 6, 2012

Book Description: (Spoilers if you haven't read Reflection!)

Harmony…  

I’ve previously had that in my life, but only once, briefly, a while ago.  It was during the time I’d started my first year of college.  My own apartment, a new old car, and a life free of deadbeat stepfathers, all of which was fulfilling enough.  But if it wasn’t, I also had a best friend, soul mate, and boyfriend all in one.  Yes, life was near perfect.

But one stormy night can change everything…

For many months I rested in a prolonged sleep, fighting for my life.  Well, more than fighting for it, also dreaming of it.  Dreaming of him.  Thank goodness, the dream is over and I’m back in the real world now.  And all I want is for everything to return to the way it was.  But nothing’s the same; most of all, us.

Once again, I find myself at the crossroads of a ruthless battle, this time not for life, but love.  Do I fight for the guy I twice fell for, or do I let her take him away?

REFLECTION

Bright, spunky Heather Robbins has escaped her small hometown and is anxiously beginning her freshman year of college. Rising above her rocky childhood, she’s found a place where good things are finally starting to happen: her own private apartment, refreshing college classes, and an intense attachment to a mysterious and rugged classmate, Nick Richards.

But when her dreamy college life turns out to be nothing more than a wonderful dream while resting in a coma, questions threaten.

Now, Heather must press forward to unlock the real past, and find the answers buried deep in her mind. What she unlocks instead is a roller coaster ride through flashbacks, embellished memories, and a whirlwind romance.

And when it’s all over and she comes face to face with the truth, will she lose everything she’s fallen in love with?