Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter: AKA: Civil War Vamp Dusting

Last Friday night found me sitting in a darkened theatre, with my movie viewing partner in crime, getting ready to watch Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter. He was more than excited, seeing as he had read the book and was highly anticipating the movie's release. I on the other hand was a little more cautious with my excitement, as seen by our actual conversation below:


B: Were you reading a review for the movie earlier?


Me: What movie?


B: THE movie


Me: Oh, yeah...


B: Was it bad? It looked like it was bad....


Me: Yeah...


B: Who wrote it?


Me: I don't know, I think it was Television Without Pity, I don't always agree with them though...


B: I don't care I don't usually agree with critics...


Me: I still wanna go...


B: Oh You have no choice...

As far as I could tell the movie was going to be EPIC, whether it was going to be Epically Awesome, or Epically Bad was still to be determined. Either way I figured I was in for some form of entertainment.

*****SPOILERS BELOW***** 

So there we sat for a surprisingly short 105 minuets, taking in the glory that is, or at least attempts to be Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter.

I took some time to mull over my feelings on the movie as I was tragically wrong. The movie wasn't epically anything, it just was. I didn't hate the movie, I found it enjoyable, but I didn't love it.  I didn't walk out of the theatre with any particular strong opinions on it at all.

The Good
 
1) The movie was visually interesting, which is both a good and bad point as I often found myself thinking about how interesting the visuals were, and not so much the story.

2) Alan Tudyk. Ok, so it was a small uncredited role, but any time Mr. Tudyk pops up on my screen I find myself gleeful. I will admit to quietly sqweeing each time he graced the screen.



The Not So Good

1) The lack of storyline. The movie has a rich source material, in fact the material could have even been stretched out in to a few movies, instead of slapping them all together hastily to form one. The outcome being that the movie feels as though it is a series of montages, rather than one cohesive story.

2) The fact that Abe trained with Henry for as long as he did and had to be TOLD he was a vampire. Seriously? Is he really that oblivious that he never noticed? I knew it with in our second introduction to him.

The Rando

1) It was pointed out to me that Benjamin Walker resembles a young Liam Neeson. This is both an amazing, and highly distracting fact to me. Now, if Benjamin Walker can achieve the same level of BAMF as Liam Neeson, I may have to marry him. That is all.

When all is said and done, I wouldn't tell anyone NOT to see the film, but I also wouldn't tell anyone that they need to rush out and see it either. It was entertaining enough, though I really wish they had given us more story and a reason to care about the characters.

Tucker and Dale Vs. Evil: AKA: Hysterical Hysteria

Yes, I know there was A LOT of tv to discuss from last night but let's hold off for a momo to talk about the AWESOMENESS that is this little movie.

I had first heard about this the film from Alan Tudyk's tweets. Having always found him fabulous, and throwing in the fact that his costar was played by Tyler Labine (2-Ge+her anyone?) and my annoyingly overwhelming sense of loyalty to actors I enjoy, I need I HAD to see this film. I had planed to see the film opening night, then became aware that it was in limited release, which meant is was not playing anywhere near where I live and in only one theatre in all of Manhattan. Needless to say plans to go got put on hold.

However last night I was able to make the trek down to City Cinema Village East Cinema on second ave with a friend to check it out. Best. Decision. Ever.

Despite being a horror film the movie is full of wit and humor. The movie is a twist on the classic hill billies vs. college kids horror movies, only in this movie we are presented with a pair of Hill Billies with hearts of gold who are mistaken for psycho killers by a group of college students, who inadvertently end up killing themselves while trying to "get" the hill billies.

I spent almost the entire 90 mins laughing at the hilarity of it all, as did the rest of the audience. Alan's wisecracking, PBR guzzling Tucker, was a perfect match for Tyler's sweet natured, self doubting Dale, and the pair had amazing chemistry. Throw in the deranged asthmatic played brilliantly by Jesse Moss, and the charming innocence of Katrina Bowden and you've assembled a perfect cast.

Seriously, if you are lucky enough to live somewhere where Tucker and Dale vs. Evil you need to get out and go see it.