BBC’s Dracula review: Episode 1
From Mark Gatiss and Steven Moffat comes a new captivating adaptation of Count Dracula in BBC’s new gothic horror series.
As we stand here in the year 2020, it feels as if we’ve gone through at least one thousand adaptations of Bram Stoker’s 1897 novel, “Dracula”. Over a hundred years old and we can’t stop pressing the “adapt” button. Even devoted fans might find themselves sighing in agony every time a studio announces that the King of Vampires is once again coming to screens near them.
Now its BBC’s turn to be said studio as they put their own stake in the story, and I’m glad that they did. More of a remaking than a proper adaption, the first episode of BBC One’s Dracula stays true to Stoker’s narrative while adding in its own twists and turns.
So far I can say that Dracula is bloody fun. Just gruesome enough to freak people out, a few WTF moments, but never strays into body horror territory. It’s also hilarious. A Sherlock kind of hilarious, which makes sense because it was made by the same people.
One thing I love about the series so far is the painting of Dracula’s character. He’s not romantic or sympathetic the way many vampires have become nowadays. Some brooding misunderstood guy who stalks his “true love” as he writes poetry about how her beauty makes him suffer or some nonsense. Dark, mesmerizing, gruesome, and terrifying is this Count. He’s no chivalrous gentleman.
[Warning! spoilers ahead]
The series appears to have removed all traces of the original story’s romantic subplot in favor of a much more disturbing “marriage”. (This could change in Episode 2 so I can’t be 100% sure). Remixing the narrative into a what-if scenario: What would have happened if Dracula wanted Harker instead of Mina?
The humbling of Jonathon Harker is perhaps the most dramatic change within the premiere episode. Turning one of literature’s most famous heroes into a damsel in distress. I love it! Oh, and Van Helsing has also been gender-swapped. Abraham Van Helsing is now Agatha Van Helsing, a nun with more ascendency than an entire army of Huns.
The highlight of the episode is Claes Bang who gives an incredible performance as the title character. He seduces and terrifies more so than any other Dracula I’ve seen. He appears on the scene like a drug. Ugly and repulsing, until the moment when you start violently craving his presence. I know many will disagree, but I found Bang to be on the same level as Bela Lugosi, playing the monster like a demon that sets his toys alight once he grows tired of them.
The first episode, “The Rules of The Beast”, follows the opening of the novel. Young lawyer Johnathan Harker voyages to Transylvania to close a real estate deal with the Count. By the end of his first night, he realizes that he’s in terrible danger and that he’s not the only person trapped inside the castle.
When he first sees Dracula, the Count is an old man. However, as his stay progresses, Harker notices the Count growing progressively younger with each day. As his host grows younger and stronger, Harker himself starts growing weaker, as if the life is literally being sucked out of him.
The narrative is cut between past and present as an escaped Harker recaps his story to two nuns. One of which is Van Helsing. This back-and-forth sequence somewhat disrupts the flow of the story until the halfway point when it all pieces together quite nicely.
(4.5 / 5)
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The Last Drive-In: Joe Bob’s Vicious Vegas Valentine Special Live Watch Party February 10th!
The sweet putrid stench of love lingers through the air which can only mean one thing…Valentine’s Day and its annoying little winged cherub mascot, Cupid, is fast approaching. Soon, partners will be spoiling one another with extravagant bouquets of roses, heartfelt Hallmark cards, obnoxiously large teddy bears, glistening diamond jewelry, and heart-shaped candies or boxes filled with assorted mediocre chocolates. You know? Normal things couples do. I tend to prefer my chocolate boxes filled with bleeding hearts, à la ‘My Bloody Valentine’ but, beggars can’t be choosers, right? All jokes aside, Valentine’s Day is special for many couples, however, there are also many others who find themselves celebrating this day without a significant other. Luckily, Shudder, along with drive-in king Joe Bob Briggs and co-host Darcy the Mail Girl (Diana Prince) will graciously be keeping us lonely mutants’, and yes, all you horror fanatic couples’ company on Friday, February 10th as they return with The Last Drive-In: Joe Bob’s Vicious Vegas Valentine, premiering live at 9pm EST.
Love Spells Abound…
Back in 2021, Joe Bob and Darcy invited us to a gruesomely passionate night of spell-binding love witches and animatronic dinosaurs infused with teenage human brains during The Last Drive-In: Joe Bob Put a Spell on You. Many, including myself, were introduced to the tantalizing 70’s inspired retro throwback ‘The Love Witch’ and the graphically goofy cult classic ‘Tammy and the T-Rex’, providing the perfect viewing pleasure to mend any broken heart. While the two films for this year’s morbid love-induced special have yet to be announced, as a special treat, Briggs has announced for the first time on The Last Drive-In, he will be marrying one lucky couple during the live showing. We here at HauntedMTL are eagerly awaiting the return of the ghoulish duo so, as is tradition, we will be proudly hosting a watch party on Twitter during the broadcasting of The Last Drive-In: Joe Bob’s Vicious Vegas Valentine. Be sure to follow us on Twitter and tag us @hauntedMTL as well as @shudder, @therealjoebob, and @kinky_horror to partake in this night of unholy love.
What started off as a one-time special premiering on Shudder July 13, 2018, ‘The Last Drive- In’ was originally meant to be Brigg’s swan song; one last special before hanging up the bolo tie in retirement. However, due to so many mutants, excuse me…viewers tuning in and breaking the Shudder servers, it was only natural to announce an official full season of ‘The Last Drive-In‘, which would make its explosive debut March 19, 2019. Since then, Darcy and Briggs have spawned many exclusive holiday specials, have graciously donated to many charities within the community, and have accumulated 4 seasons of ‘The Last Drive-In’, with a fifth currently in production premiering on Shudder’s 2023 schedule sometime this year, let’s hope sooner rather than later.
Movies n TV
Horror Noire, a Film Review
Horror Noire is a horror collection that includes “Daddy,” “The Lake,” “Brand of Evil,” “Bride Before You,” “Fugue State,” and “Sundown.”
Horror Noire is a horror collection brought by the combined efforts of AMC+ and Shudder. The collection includes “Daddy,” “The Lake,” “Brand of Evil,” “Bride Before You,” “Fugue State,” and “Sundown.” Horror Noire boasts Black directors and screenwriters, providing six unique stories.
As this collection explores six stories, I will skip the usual synopsis to assess the genres and ideas explored, albeit limited as needed. Expect to find supernatural horror, creature features, and psychological thrillers. Many short films deal with these genres while exploring Black issues, but this isn’t universal for the collection.
The directors and writers include Zandashé Brown, Robin Givens, Rob Greenlea, Kimani Ray Smith, Steven Barnes, Ezra Clayton Daniels, Tananarive Due, Shernold Edwards, Victor LaValle, and Al Letson.
What I Like
Each story remains unique, holding different strengths and weaknesses that highlight drastically different perspectives. Collections like VHS hold a similar premise to create their collection, but Horror Noire gives more creative freedom to its talent to be independent.
My personal favorite short film is Zandashé Brown’s “Bride Before You.” This period piece unravels a fable set in the Reconstruction Era. The entry feels Fabulistic in approach, which happens to be my preferred niche.
However, the best example of horror goes to Robin Givens’ “Daddy,” providing an existential horror tied directly to the characters involved.
What I Dislike
As mentioned, all have a particular style and idea. The downside of this approach always remains to keep the viewer interested long enough to find their favorite. If you find several underwhelming choices, this becomes a chore. But I imagine that is rare as the variety makes the options refreshing.
Personally, “Brand of Evil” had an interesting premise, but the execution fell short. On paper, it might have sounded like my favorite, which makes the lackluster execution a bigger letdown.
Final Thoughts
Horror Noire gives power and control to Black creators, providing a formula for a unique collection against others in the space. While the various subjects and approaches mean you aren’t likely to love them all, there should be a short film for everyone.
(3.5 / 5)
Episode six of Netflix’s Dahmer was not, honestly about our title character. Instead, it was about one of his victims, a man named Tony. We’ve actually seen Tony a few times during this series. We just didn’t know it was him.
And, well, he wasn’t exactly alive the first time we saw him.
Tony was born into a supportive, loving family. This is good because soon after he was born a viral infection took his hearing. He is black, deaf, and gay in the early 90’s.
Tony has a dream of becoming a model. And he certainly has the looks for it. He is beautiful, body and soul. He has lots of opportunities for romance, but it’s not what he’s looking for. He wants a real relationship.
Eventually Tony moves to Madison, trying to pursue his dream. He gets a job and starts getting modeling work.
Then, he meets Jeff Dahmer at a bar.
At first, we can almost believe that it’s going to be alright. Jeff seems happy. He’s taking care of himself. He’s not drinking as much. He even has his dad and stepmom over for dinner. It seems like his life is getting on track. Even better, he’s treating Tony right.
Then, of course, things go bad.
One thing that has always bothered me as a true crime fan is that we know so much about the killers, but not as much about the victims. Not so much if we don’t know who the killer is, of course. But the names that are part of our pop culture are those of the killers. Dahmer, Manson, Jones, Bundy, Holms. The names we don’t know are Roberta Parks, Beth LaBiancas, Leno LaBiancas, and Tony Hughes. And clearly, we should know them.
If Tony Hughes was half the shining, positive person that the show Dahmer made him out to be, I’m so sad that he isn’t with us anymore. We need so many more people like him. And many of Dahmer’s victims were likely just like him. After all, he was attracted to them for a reason.
This was a significant episode, and I understand why it’s the highest-rated episode of the series. I finished it with a heavy heart, saddened by the loss of a man who should still be with us today.
(5 / 5)
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