Dracula

8/3/2025

I rather like the fact that Luc Besson has gone off and done his own thing, with "Dracula". This film freshly blends fantasy, romance, action and a dash of horror. There are lots of creative, dramatic aspects to this story. Its Dracula writ-large. Where it falls down somewhat is its rather abrupt final scenes. There's no real build up, things just happen, leaving it feeling somewhat perfunctory. In summary, this is a creative, elaborately cinematic take, on the Dracula myth, with lots of lavish, over the top trappings. Certainly worth a look.

3/1/2026

Unlike other recent adaptations that feel the need to lecture the audience, this film is a refreshing, unapologetic return to pure Gothic romanticism and high-stakes melodrama. By focusing entirely on the 400-year grief of Vlad and his search for Elisabeta, the film feels like a genuine piece of art rather than a product of a corporate checklist. The decision to transplant much of the action to a visually stunning, turn-of-the-century Paris adds a layer of aesthetic grandeur that differentiates it from every other version we've seen. Caleb Landry Jones delivers a career-defining performance, capturing a version of the Count that is equal parts terrifying predator and broken, soulful widower; his intensity makes you believe in the "oceans of time" he has crossed. Christoph Waltz is equally

10/26/2026

***Luc Besson basically tries to top Coppola’s 1992 film*** The man behind 2014’s entertaining “Lucy” offers his cinematic version of Bram Stoker’s 1897 Gothic horror novel, obviously influenced by Coppola’s rendition from 33 years earlier. Thankfully, there are enough differences to make it worth catching. For instance, Besson adds creative curves, like undead Vlad’s developing a perfume that lures women to him and his subsequent visit to a nunnery, not to mention Dracula’s helpers, who were obviously inspired by the 1965 Jonny Quest episode “The House of Seven Gargoyles.” Another difference is that he consolidates several people into one. I’m talking about Maria, played by Matilda De Angelis, who’s essentially a merging of Renfield, Sadie Frost’s character, and Drac’s three brides.