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JT (287 KP) rated Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter (2012) in Movies
Mar 10, 2020
Of all the absurd film titles this has to be right up there. Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter is a film that you can tune into and lose yourself with – nothing more than that.
Directed by Timur Bekmambetov (Wanted) the film initially focuses on the early life of one Abraham Lincoln (Benjamin Walker) whose mother is killed at the hands of a vampire.
Fueled by revenge he goes out and tries to avenge her death, unsuccessfully at first. He is then taken under the wing of Henry Sturges (Dominic Cooper) who shows him the proper ways to fight back, in a training montage that makes Rocky’s wood chopping skills look pathetic.
Sturges leaves Lincoln to go off on his own but sends him the names of undead that he has to go out and kill on a regular basis, while trying to hide his nocturnal hobby from those closest to him. First thing to note with this film is many of the techniques that made Wanted a unique action flick are used considerably throughout, a bit too much for me.
CGI in film should be used sparingly as far as I’m concerned, but when faced with a scene where there is no feasible way you could shoot for real then it’s a perfect solution. When Lincoln is giving chase to Jack Barts (Marton Csokas) across a stampede of wild horses it provides a great action sequence for which CGI comes into its own.
In-fact pretty much all the action sequences use this, and with the climactic train sequence proving a highlight to the end of the film it’s not anywhere near enough to make it a standout, you can only hide behind special effects for so long before you’re going to get found out.
There is a pause in proceedings, a chance to catch breath from all that over the top action, as Lincoln puts down his silver coated axe and follows a career in politics looking to abolish slavery as well as vampires. His lifelong friend Will Johnson (Anthony Mackie) also joins him on this quest as his personal Presidential aide.
Of course it turns out that vampires are unable to kill their own as we see from a brief flash back where Dominic Cooper is mindlessly attacked and his beloved taken from him, so he clearly has a motive as well.
It’s all harmless fun, and while the late Abe Lincoln provides some small resemblance to Liam Neeson with a beard (was it only me that thought that) it’s a far fetched and totally ludicrous story that you cannot take too seriously for a minute.
Directed by Timur Bekmambetov (Wanted) the film initially focuses on the early life of one Abraham Lincoln (Benjamin Walker) whose mother is killed at the hands of a vampire.
Fueled by revenge he goes out and tries to avenge her death, unsuccessfully at first. He is then taken under the wing of Henry Sturges (Dominic Cooper) who shows him the proper ways to fight back, in a training montage that makes Rocky’s wood chopping skills look pathetic.
Sturges leaves Lincoln to go off on his own but sends him the names of undead that he has to go out and kill on a regular basis, while trying to hide his nocturnal hobby from those closest to him. First thing to note with this film is many of the techniques that made Wanted a unique action flick are used considerably throughout, a bit too much for me.
CGI in film should be used sparingly as far as I’m concerned, but when faced with a scene where there is no feasible way you could shoot for real then it’s a perfect solution. When Lincoln is giving chase to Jack Barts (Marton Csokas) across a stampede of wild horses it provides a great action sequence for which CGI comes into its own.
In-fact pretty much all the action sequences use this, and with the climactic train sequence proving a highlight to the end of the film it’s not anywhere near enough to make it a standout, you can only hide behind special effects for so long before you’re going to get found out.
There is a pause in proceedings, a chance to catch breath from all that over the top action, as Lincoln puts down his silver coated axe and follows a career in politics looking to abolish slavery as well as vampires. His lifelong friend Will Johnson (Anthony Mackie) also joins him on this quest as his personal Presidential aide.
Of course it turns out that vampires are unable to kill their own as we see from a brief flash back where Dominic Cooper is mindlessly attacked and his beloved taken from him, so he clearly has a motive as well.
It’s all harmless fun, and while the late Abe Lincoln provides some small resemblance to Liam Neeson with a beard (was it only me that thought that) it’s a far fetched and totally ludicrous story that you cannot take too seriously for a minute.
Warhammer Quest: Cursed City
Tabletop Game
Warhammer Quest is a co-operative game that sees you and your friends take to the streets of the...
Prophesy (The King & Alpha, #1)
8.0
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Book
Justice Volkov is the youngest Alpha Zenith to ever lead the wolf shifters. Following in his...
MM Paranormal Romance
Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated Dracula in Books
Oct 10, 2017 (Updated Oct 11, 2017)
A true horror classic
Ever since its publication Bram Stoker's Dracula has always stayed in the public imagination. Dracula caused vampire scares throughout Europe into the early 20th Century. With it being filmed so many times, both for the cinema as well as the TV, and stage adaptations that are still being made this century, as well as a plethora of publishers having it in their catalogues this story is set to remain with us well into the foreseeable future, indeed until the end of time.
The beautiful Mina has been scarred by vampires and is at risk of being sucked into their Undead world. But she is a plucky gal. Although the whole story is very OTT, there are many vivid passages as the little troop pursue Dracula across Europe and finally kill him in the nick of time before sun sets over the Carpathian Mountains. Although mightily baroque, the tale is worth reading for these descriptions...howling wolves and all. Of course it has been deconstructed as an allegory of the Good overcoming the External Threat at a time when Europe was in turmoil. So, all in all, a heavy-duty read, but probably worthwhile if you're a true horror fan.
The beautiful Mina has been scarred by vampires and is at risk of being sucked into their Undead world. But she is a plucky gal. Although the whole story is very OTT, there are many vivid passages as the little troop pursue Dracula across Europe and finally kill him in the nick of time before sun sets over the Carpathian Mountains. Although mightily baroque, the tale is worth reading for these descriptions...howling wolves and all. Of course it has been deconstructed as an allegory of the Good overcoming the External Threat at a time when Europe was in turmoil. So, all in all, a heavy-duty read, but probably worthwhile if you're a true horror fan.
Merissa (13358 KP) rated Asya in the Tilt of the World in Books
Dec 17, 2018
Asya in the Tilt of the World is the first book in The Asya Trilogy. Asya is a quiet girl, studious, and loves working in the garden. Her family is very different from her, being loud and boisterous most of the time. Her world changes one evening as she meets with James and Christian. From there it becomes everything she never dreamed of.
The premise of this book is a good one, and I love how some vampires are working for the benefit of the earth, and others aren't, plus how credit is given for past 'inventions'. There are some well developed characters that help draw the story along.
Although I enjoyed this story, I didn't really feel a connection between our three main characters. There were questions raised about how she reacted to them, versus how she reacted to others, that just didn't seem to fit. This may be a story that will build up, but be prepared to be left with plenty of questions after reading this book.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
The premise of this book is a good one, and I love how some vampires are working for the benefit of the earth, and others aren't, plus how credit is given for past 'inventions'. There are some well developed characters that help draw the story along.
Although I enjoyed this story, I didn't really feel a connection between our three main characters. There were questions raised about how she reacted to them, versus how she reacted to others, that just didn't seem to fit. This may be a story that will build up, but be prepared to be left with plenty of questions after reading this book.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
CarlaM (53 KP) rated Devil's Dream: Shade of Devil Book 1 in Books
Oct 30, 2019
Eat your Heart out Drac! Sorin is back!
Before Dracula ever tasted his first drop of Blood, Sorin Owned the night. After centuries of Drenching Europe in blood, he Grew weary of the Carnage and left to discover the new world, only to be tracked down by an old enemy. Sorin survives the Attack but only by being put into a healing slumber....and wakes up 500 years later in Present day New York and that is where our adventures begins.
I found this book endlessly pleasing. Sorin is out to make New friends and he meets some very interesting characters along the way. Although he has some classic Vampire broodiness, he does not conform to the new age definition of sparkly "vegetarian" Vampires. He is unapologetically brutal to his enemies and trying to come to terms with a world he doesn't understand. It makes for a funny action packed book filled with witty one liners and funny scenarios.
It was a true page turner and I loved Every minute of it.
I really can't wait for the next book!
I found this book endlessly pleasing. Sorin is out to make New friends and he meets some very interesting characters along the way. Although he has some classic Vampire broodiness, he does not conform to the new age definition of sparkly "vegetarian" Vampires. He is unapologetically brutal to his enemies and trying to come to terms with a world he doesn't understand. It makes for a funny action packed book filled with witty one liners and funny scenarios.
It was a true page turner and I loved Every minute of it.
I really can't wait for the next book!
Debbiereadsbook (1546 KP) rated Red Snowflakes in Books
Nov 14, 2019
nice easy read
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
Dimitri has just 5 days to convince Dena she is his fated mate, or he will die.
I really rather enyoyed this short tale of a lonley vampire waiting out his fate, I really did!
It's only short, 100 odd pages, but it was a surprising read and I cannot say why!
It's not overly sexy, and at one point I thought it might turn out clean, but I would have still enjoyed it.
Dimitri is vampire, and has some skills not *usually* associated with vampires: he can change shape into anything and every thing, he can magic things up and away. I liked that, its different.
Dena is as lonely as Dimitri and she has a strong voice, and won't take any nonsense off Dimitri when he pulls the alpha male thing, and I loved that she stood up to him.
Both Dena and Dimitri have a say, in the third person, and I read this book in one sitting. A very enjoyable sitting it was too.
Not read anything else by this author, and I would like to read more.
4 good solid stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
Dimitri has just 5 days to convince Dena she is his fated mate, or he will die.
I really rather enyoyed this short tale of a lonley vampire waiting out his fate, I really did!
It's only short, 100 odd pages, but it was a surprising read and I cannot say why!
It's not overly sexy, and at one point I thought it might turn out clean, but I would have still enjoyed it.
Dimitri is vampire, and has some skills not *usually* associated with vampires: he can change shape into anything and every thing, he can magic things up and away. I liked that, its different.
Dena is as lonely as Dimitri and she has a strong voice, and won't take any nonsense off Dimitri when he pulls the alpha male thing, and I loved that she stood up to him.
Both Dena and Dimitri have a say, in the third person, and I read this book in one sitting. A very enjoyable sitting it was too.
Not read anything else by this author, and I would like to read more.
4 good solid stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
Merissa (13358 KP) rated Ricochet (The Wolfborne Saga #2) in Books
Jan 2, 2020
Ricochet is the second book in The Wolfborne Saga and we return to Zev and Alia, plus family. As the blurb says, Zev knows that fighting back one wave of wolves isn't the end of it, and his view becomes fact when the wolf he let go before shows back up, with dire warnings to Zev and his newfound family and friends.
This really is a great take on wolves and vampires. I know I've said it before, and no doubt, I'll say it again, but it is! As the book moves on you find out about different types of vampire. And the wolves start to make a pack, something they had been denied.
There is one scene - I'll call it the spaghetti and naming scene - that really stood out to me. So many different parts to it, all fantastically written. And can I just say? Naming something and then it dying is NOT good!! LOL
A brilliant addition to the series and I really can't wait to see where it goes next. I just hope Zev finds someone for himself!
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
This really is a great take on wolves and vampires. I know I've said it before, and no doubt, I'll say it again, but it is! As the book moves on you find out about different types of vampire. And the wolves start to make a pack, something they had been denied.
There is one scene - I'll call it the spaghetti and naming scene - that really stood out to me. So many different parts to it, all fantastically written. And can I just say? Naming something and then it dying is NOT good!! LOL
A brilliant addition to the series and I really can't wait to see where it goes next. I just hope Zev finds someone for himself!
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Police, Crime & 999: The True Story of a Front Line Officer
4.0
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Ever wondered what really happens behind the scenes in the police? What bizarre 999 calls are made...
111 Places in New Orleans That You Must Not Miss
Michael Murphy and Sally Asher
Book
The ultimate illustrated insider's guide to New Orleans - Birthplace of Jazz, home to the world...