Showing posts with label Dracula. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dracula. Show all posts

The UK's University of Hertfordshire to Host Werewolf Conference Next Month

lycanthropy
noun ly·can·thro·py \lī-ˈkan(t)-thrə-pē\
1: a delusion that one has become a wolf
2: the assumption of the form and characteristics of a wolf held to be possible by witchcraft or magic

Werewolves have permeated pop culture for centuries, including heavily influencing Bram Stoker's novel, Dracula. In fact, the term lycanthropy was coined in the 16th century. According to BBC, next month for three days starting on September 3, an actual conference devoted to the lore and lure of the werewolf will take place at the University of Hertfordshire, thanks to organizers, The Company of Wolves.

Experts in the field will gather for lectures that include such topics as; Rabid Bitches and Fanged Whores, I'm Hairy on the Inside and Barebacking Werewolves in Rural America. Sign me up! Better yet? Conference attendees "will be able to walk with (real) wolves, eat Red Riding Hood biscuits and picnic beside the Berkhamsted churchyard where the 18th Century remains of 'Peter the Wildboy' lie."

The organizers take this subject very seriously and relay why this is an important event. According to Dr. Sam George, "People have been fascinated by human-to-wolf transformations down the years, especially in film. Many remember Lon Chaney in Wolf Man or the cult classic An American Werewolf in London, which brought werewolves to contemporary audiences. But how many people actually know the different ways that you can become a werewolf according to folklore or that there were actually werewolf trials in France and Germany where people were hanged and found guilty of lycanthropy? At the conference we want to draw attention to these little-known facts and discuss the werewolf in all its many manifestations and cultural meanings."

Universal to Release Untitled 'Classic' Monster Movie in 2017


Not to be outdone by Marvel and its cinematic universe, Universal plans on doing something similar...but with their classic movie monsters. According to Variety, Universal's plans to reboot its classic monster franchises and "has dated an untitled monster movie for April 21, 2017."

Helmed by Alex Kurtzman (“Star Trek”) and Chris Morgan (“Fast and Furious” series) it will be a planned series and envelop the world's of the Mummy, Dracula, Frankenstein, the Wolfman, the Invisible Man and the Creature From the Black Lagoon. However, it's reported that, "Universal has already set a June 24, 2016, launch for its reboot of 'The Mummy' with Kurtzman producing along with Sean Daniel and Roberto Orci."

With the recent release of "Dracula Untold" though, we speculate that this was perhaps the first in the series. Or will it be more like the iconic 1931 Lugosi film? There's never enough movies about that lovable vamp, right? Maybe?

If Universal is going to do this, we hope they keep things on the side of nostalgia. Agreed? If not, let us know what you'd like to see as Universal jumps back on the reboot bandwagon.

-Larissa Mrykalo

All New 'Grimm' and Season Finale of 'Dracula' Tonight on NBC


We propose you check out the new episodes of both "Grimm" and "Dracula" tonight on NBC. Starting at 9 p.m. ET with "Grimm," family drama and a proposal are on tap and at 10 p.m. prepare for an "epic battle between Dracula and The Order" on the season one finale of "Dracula."

We're including promos for both episodes plus links on how to keep up-to-date on social media...

"Grimm"
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NBCGrimm
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NBCgrimm #Grimm
Google+: https://plus.google.com/+Grimm
Instagram: http://instagram.com/nbcgrimm
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/nbcgrimm/
Tumblr: http://grimmnbc.tumblr.com/
Vine: @NBCGrimm



"Dracula"

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NBCDracula
Twitter: https://twitter.com/nbcdracula #Dracula
Google+: https://plus.google.com/+NBCDracula
Instagram: http://instagram.com/nbcdracula
Pinterest: https://pinterest.com/nbcdracula/
Tumblr: http://nbcdracula.tumblr.com/
Vine: @NBCDracula



-Larissa Mrykalo

'Castelvania: Lords of Shadow 2' Delivers New Kind of (Playable) Dracula

You can, ahem, count on some cool Dracula action with Konami's upcoming video game sequel "Castlevania: Lords Of Shadow 2," which features the voice of Robert Carlyle as the uber-vamp. To be released on PlayStation, Xbox 360 and PC on Feb. 15, 2014, the game puts Dracula in the forefront, a first for the franchise.

In the video below, Dave Cox, Producer and Studio Head for Konami Digital Entertainment BV's European Production, and Enric Alvarez, Studio Head of Development at Mercury Steam, talk about this new creative direction. The duo talk about the design and motivation for the character, who will be set in a modern-day world, as well as the Dracula movies they'll pay homage to in "Lords Of Shadow."

'Ghost Adventures' recap: 'Transylvania'

Courtesy The Travel Channel
BY NOWAL MASSARI

To celebrate Halloween, the "Ghost Adventures" crew take us on a long awaited Transylvanian lockdown, where they hope to make contact with Dracula himself, Vlad Dracul. Known far and wide as a brutal leader, the Prince of Wallachia is said to have murdered tens of thousands of his enemies by impaling them and leaving their dead bodies in front of his castle as a warning.

Vlad the Impaler, was also known as Vlad Dracul, which means "son of the devil," in Romanian. Not only will the crew be investigating the castle of Vlad Dracul in Targoviste, but they will also be hitting up what it considered to be one of the worlds most haunted forests; Hoia-Baciu, a place where local residents refuse to enter after dark.

The Hoia-Baciu forest has a long history of light anomalies, elementals and medieval ghosts, as well as decades worth of UFO sightings. There is a spot in the forest, where no vegetation grows, that is said to be a kind of supernatural vortex. Zak, Billy and their translator decide to go to the forest and investigate, while Nick and Aaron head to Dracula's castle.

NBC's 'Dracula' recap and review: 'The Blood is the Life'

Courtesy NBC
BY LARISSA MRYKALO

A few months back, I heard NBC was bringing a new incarnation of The Count with the ten-episode mini-series, “Dracula.” Having researched and written about this paranormal pop icon extensively and being intrigued with the history since I was a child, I figured I’d sink in my fangs and check it out. It also doesn’t hurt that it stars that lovely Irish lad, Jonathan Rhys Meyers from “The Tudors.”

The episode begins in Romania, 1881 with the discovery of Vlad Tepes Dracula’s fancy tomb. The man examining the resting place is delighted until a mysterious adventurer (I assume because of his Indian Jones garb) comes upon him and slits his throat. He uses the man’s blood to feed and bring Vlad back to life. Apparently, his body contains gears. Or was that inside the coffin? I’m already confused.

Flash forward 15 years later in London and we catch a glimpse of Vlad bathed in candlelight and being schooled by Renfield on how NOT to say “scheduled” because he is now posing as an American business man. He says “shejouled” which is typically not how folks of Romanian descent say it but, well, anyway. He is living in a very large house, he likes lots of candles and his name is Alexander Grayson.

Apparently, he is being introduced to many of the social elites and businessmen at a ball and they are meeting this mystery man for the first time. Did he just move there? Confused again. Ambitious journalist, Jonathan Harker arrives with med student Mena on one arm and Lucy on his other. All of these characters so far are familiar and present in Bram Stoker’s 1897 novel.

October-list Paranormal Programming

BY LARISSA MRYKALO

Despite many of the fall shows already premiering, October tends to bring on some great paranormal programs. New season previews of “The Walking Dead,” “American Horror Story: Coven” and “Grimm” have been teasing audiences for months and are almost here. Brand new shows such as “Sleepy Hollow” and “The Originals” have already debuted but “Dracula” is lurking in the shadows.

Here is a list of some of the best in paranormal programming for this season...

Ghost Adventures
The GAC returned on August 16 and kicked off their eighth season. They recently aired their 100th episode and have a big two-hour Halloween special airing on October 31 at 9 p.m. ET. “Ghost Adventures” airs on the Travel Channel, Fridays at 9 p.m.

A Haunting
With only two episodes left in the sixth season, “Black Magic” (Oct. 13) and “Haunted Victorian” (Oct. 20), this Destination America series conveniently airs right before bedtime. Get spooked, Sundays at 10 pm. ET!

Sleepy Hollow
Fox's newest hit premiered September 16 and follows Ichabod Crane and the Headless Horseman in 2013. When the Horseman goes on a killing spree, Crane, who has to adjust to his modern surroundings, partners with Lt. Abbie Mills to fight this dark force. The show was recently renewed for a second season. Watch the remaining episodes on Mondays at 9 p.m. ET on Fox.

NBC's 'Dracula' gets a trailer

Expect Fridays this fall to be a draining experience ... but in a good way? The network's latest series, simply Dracula, will be set in Victorian London and stars Jonathan Rhys Meyers (The Tudors) as the sexy American entrepreneur/vampire Alexander Grayson.

The characters will stay the same as in Bram Stoker’s original telling and include: Mina Murray (Jessica De Guow, Jonathan Harker (Oliver Jackson-Cohen), Lucy (Katie McGrath) and a pretty coolheaded -- as opposed to bug eating -- Renfield (Nonso Anozie). Set in the 19th century, Dracula is hell-bent on not only getting revenge on those who have wronged him, but also obsessing about his dead wife.

By the looks of the new trailer (embedded below) the series is dripping with not only blood, but sex, intrigue, and that period-piece feel that people seem to be clamoring for these days (thanks to the producers of Downton Abbey being involved). But can the network show even approach the sex and violence of premium cable fare like True Blood? We shall see.

 Dracula will air Fridays at 10 p.m. ET starting this fall.

-Larissa Mrykalo

Valentine's Day Horrorfest: 5 films to get you scary good action

Happy Z-V Day, courtesy Elliot Quince
BY LARISSA MRYKALO

Your heart starts beating faster, your palms get sweaty, you start to shake and feel nervous, you long to grab on and hold tight for comfort. Are you falling in love or watching a horror movie?

It’s scary how similar the two are, and no doubt explains the rationale of watching a horror film with someone you have romantic feelings for. Watching a "romance" with someone can cause some swooning, but it also can elicit unrealistic expectations. Now, a film that gets the blood pumping and you end up in each other’s laps? That’s what we’re talking about!

There are some obvious Valentine’s Day films out there, such as My Bloody Valentine (1981, and the 3D remake from 2009) and the 2001 slasher film, Valentine, but there are some great horror flicks that give a good scare, contain some laughs, turn you on, make you cringe and may even leave you feeling all warm and fuzzy inside. If you’re lucky, all of those elements are present.

So here are five films we’ve come up with to watch with your sweetie this February 14. Beware, there are spoilers and all films carry the "R" rating.

Candyman (1992)
Love is at the heart of why this urban legend springs to life. Based on the Clive Barker short story, "The Forbidden," Candyman (Tony Todd) was an artist and slave who fell in love with and impregnated a white woman. A big no-no back then. He was not only lynched and had his hand cut-off and replaced with a hook, but he was also stung to death by bees after being smeared with honey.

This film has lots of cringe-worthy scenes that guarantees that she’ll be burying her head in your chest. Just give your sweetie a nice box of candy, snuggle up, and when she asked you if you would be willing to die that way for her, you could safely say "yes" and she’ll swoon.

Fright Night (1985)
The original Fright Night just seemed a little more romantic in that the lead characters, Amy (Amanda Bearse) and Charlie (William Ragsdale) seemed more likely to be "in-love virgins." They’re an adorable couple who like to make-out and watch late night horror films together. The only issue this couple had, was when and how to lose their virginity, that is, until a sexy neighbor named "Jerry" (Chris Sarandon) moves in next door to Charlie and started killing hookers.

See guys, your gal will realize that all really handsome men aren’t always what they seem. Also, Charlie really goes the extra mile for Amy. Most guys would probably bail if their girlfriend turned into a vampire, not risk his life to kill the centuries-old jerk who changed her! Again, if your sweetie asks you if you’d do the same for them, just tell them "Of course, dear!" This film is fun, scary, funny, and sexy. A winning combo!

Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992)
The Francis Ford Coppola film version of this traditional tale really captured the essence of the story. It’s beautifully shot and Gary Oldman’s portrayal of the Count is not only frightening but also touching. The love he feels for his dead wife and how he fervently pursues Mina (Winona Ryder), the living embodiment of her, will really help to stoke the romantic fires. The scene towards the end where the Count and Mina "consumm-ate" their relationship will get her at least a little hot, we promise.

Zombieland (2009)
Nothing says romance like scary zombies, right? This "zom-rom-com" has lots of fun elements including that of romance. It has some scary scenes that’ll make her jump into your arms and some great laughs too. There’s a sweet attraction between Columbus (Jesse Eisenberg) and Wichita (Emma Stone). How about when Columbus risks his life to save Wichita and Little Rock (Abigail Breslin) at the end, and then Wichita kisses him and reveals her real name? Come on! That’s romantic gold, baby!

So dig out your hidden stash of Twinkies and let your gal know she’s worth it. Maybe make up some fun "rules" of your own? Hint, hint.

Hellraiser (1987)
Nothing says love like luring strangers back to your home and bludgeoning them to death so that your dead lover could use their skin to restore him back into human form, right? Clive Barker’s demonic tale is no doubt, very disturbing, but it also shows just how far some people would go for love.

Julia (Clare Higgins), who sports a really sexy Gozer the Gozerian hair style, is in love with her husband’s sexually adventurous and now torn apart brother, Frank (Sean Chapman) and engages in these unspeakable acts for him. There are some sexy flashbacks and many scenes that aren’t for the squeamish but these factors can make for a great date movie. However, in this case, if your lover asks if you’d go this far for them, say “no.”

We could go on and on with a list of romantic horror films, but we just wanted to give you a sampling of movies and what to look for when choosing a great horror movie to watch on a date. Let us know some of your favorites!

More 'Dracula' series details emerge

Meyers, courtesy HBO
According to Deadline.com, NBC’s 10-episode series based on Bram Stoker’s iconic novel, Dracula just got some new cast members and will be quite different from the source material.

Starring Jonathan Rhys Meyers (The Tudors) as the Count, "The series re-introduces Dracula (Meyers) as he arrives in London, posing as American entrepreneur Alan Grayson who maintains that he wants to bring modern science to Victorian society."

However, "In reality, he hopes to wreak revenge on the people who ruined his life centuries earlier but falls hopelessly in love with Mina Murray (Jessica De Gouw of Arrow) who appears to be the reincarnation of his dead wife."

New cast members include Merlin’s Katie McGrath as "Lucy Westenra" who is described as "aristocratic London’s sexy, social butterfly and Mina’s best friend who has a penchant for gossip, flirting and all things glamorous."

Nonso Anozie (Game of Thrones) has been cast as R.M. Renfield, the loyal friend of Dracula/Grayson. Will he still dine on vermin?

The series is being brought to life by producers Colin Callender, Tony Krantz, Gareth Neame and Dan Knauf. No airdate has been released yet but we’ll keep you posted.

Will you be watching? Or, are you a Dracula purist and not happy about changes to the story?

-Larissa Mrykalo

'Dracula' show counts on Jonathan Rhys Meyers

Meyers, courtesy HBO
An NBC press release announced that Jonathan Rhys Meyers (The Tudors) would assume the role of the iconic vampire in a new co-production with Sky Living:
NBC and Sky Living today announced the co-production of "Dracula," a provocative new drama series version of the classic Bram Stoker novel starring Golden Globe winner Jonathan Rhys Meyers ("The Tudors," "Elvis") in the title role. It was announced jointly today by Universal Television Executive Vice President Bela Bajaria, and Sky's Head of Drama, Anne Mensah.

"Dracula" is from the producers behind the critically acclaimed, Emmy Award-winning hit "Downton Abbey," Carnival Films & Television, along with Flame Ventures and Playground, and will begin production later this year.

The 10-episode series introduces Dracula as he arrives in London, posing as an American entrepreneur who maintains that he wants to bring modern science to Victorian society. In reality, he hopes to wreak revenge on the people who ruined his life centuries earlier. There's only one circumstance that can potentially thwart his plan: Dracula falls hopelessly in love with a woman who seems to be a reincarnation of his dead wife.

Based on a script by co-executive producer Cole Haddon, "Dracula" will be executive-produced by former president of HBO Films and Emmy winner Colin Callender ("The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby") for Playground, Tony Krantz ("24", "Sports Night") for Flame Ventures, Gareth Neame ("Downton Abbey") for Carnival Films & Television (part of NBCUniversal International Television Production), Anne Mensah for Sky, and Universal Television. Reece Pearson from Flame Ventures is also co-executive producer.

Bajaria said: "We are thrilled to produce this smart, sophisticated, and provocative re-imagining of 'Dracula,' in partnership with Colin, Tony and our International studio arm and Sky Living for NBC Network. It is a timeless tale with relevant, surprising twists and turns with the exquisite Jonathan Rhys Meyers in the marquee role."
What do you think about the actor's new gig? Think he has the sexy, menacing charm to join the league that's included Bela Lugosi, Frank Langella, Christopher Lee, Gary Oldman and many, many more?

Universal Monsters get monstrous Blu-ray collection

It is looking like October is going to be a good month for staying at home in your home theater. Universal Studios Home Entertainment announced today that it would be releasing eight, digitally-remastered classic monster movies on Blu-ray Oct. 2, 2012.

Timed for Universal's centennial, the Universal Classic Monsters: The Essential Collection will include iconic films Dracula, Frankenstein, The Mummy, The Invisible Man, Bride of Frankenstein, The Wolf Man, Phantom of the Opera and Creature from the Black Lagoon. Along with the masterpieces, the collection will have more than 12 hours of bonus features, a collectible 48-page book with behind-the-scenes photographs and more.

Universal also announced the set would have a never-before-seen featurette about the restoration of Dracula and the first ever offering of Creature from the Black Lagoon in its restored Blu-rayTM 3D version.

This is really cool news for fans of the cinema, and fans of horror. Featuring performances by legends like Bela Lugosi, Boris Karloff, Lon Chaney, Jr., Claude Rains and Elsa Lanchester, USHE accurately stated "these eight iconic films also feature groundbreaking special effects and innovative makeup that continue to influence filmmakers into the 21st century."

After the jump, check out a complete breakdown of the Classic Monster collection's features.

-Aaron Sagers

Vampires are Undead and We're Loving It: An Ultimate List of Pop-Culture's Best Bloodsuckers

Bela Lugosi, courtesy Universal
Editor's Note: Although there have been predictions they'd return to ground for a while now - perhaps so the undead could make room for the walking dead zombies - vampires have yet to be staked by pop-culture Van Helsings. In fact, the trend shows signs of immortality and more vamp-related projects are seeing the light of day every year without turning to ash.

Just this summer (2012), the bloodsuckers have hypnotized us with Dark Shadows, a fifth season of True Blood and Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter. Even the trailer for The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2 captivated the Internet when it was released this week. To celebrate the continuing trend of vampires as they dominate the season of sun, Paranormal Pop Culture vampette nerd Larissa Mrykalo set about creating an ultimate list of the undead. Because we want you to have a stake in what we do here, let us know what you think we got wrong, what we missed and what categories need to be added. (After the jump...)

- Aaron Sagers

'Dracula' series coming to NBC

Looks like the famous vampire count may be making his way to NBC for U.S. and international audiences with the show Dracula.

In a script-to-series commitment (which means they can bypass the pilot stage if they like the script), producers Tony Krantz and Colin Callender and writer Cole Haddon will be working with Universal TV and NBCU International Productions to create a supernatural soap based off Krantz's concept. The show is described as "Dangerous Liaisons meets The Tudors" and will be set in the 1890s.

The vampire soap joins NBC's recent order for The Munsters pilot.
(via Deadline)

'Twixt' director Francis Ford Coppola & the Paranormal

Coppola & Val Kilmer, Comic-Con 2011, photo by Aaron Sagers
Legendary director Francis Ford Coppola (Bram Stoker's Dracula) is aiming to reinvent your moviegoing experience with Twixt, an upcoming supernatural thriller that will incorporate live music by acclaimed independent performance artist Dan Deacon.

At San Diego Comic-Con Coppola, along with Deacon and star Val Kilmer, demonstrated some of the interactive experience of the film, which incorporates both 2-D and 3-D elements. Coppola told us that he'd actually be attending traveling viewings of the show, and would remix the film with Deacon during each showing so the audience's movie and music experience will differ from the previous. He did just that, and even belted out a tune at Comic-Con, and to highlight how 3-D can be fun when done right, the viewers who received a sneak peek were given glasses that doubled as an Edgar Allan Poe mask.

All this is well and good, but what is Twixt really about? According to the official synopsis, it's revolves around a writer (Kilmer) with a declining career who arrives in a small town as part of his book tour.  He gets caught up in a murder mystery involving a young girl and is approached by a mysterious young ghost named V. He's unsure of her connection to the murder in the town, but is grateful for the story being handed to him. Ultimately he is led to the truth of the story, surprised to find that the ending has more to do with his own life than he could ever have anticipated.

The trailer for Twixt follows, as does a short interview with Coppola himself where he discusses his own take on the paranormal and how it played into the making of the film.



Zombies vs. Vampires: Celebrity Undead Death Match

Within pop-culture, there are a lot of monsters, ghouls and maniacs out there that want to terrify us. Especially around Halloween, werewolves, demons, ghosts, mummies, maenads, fairies and half-dead men with hockey masks or razor claws make their presence known. But let’s face it, these beasts that go bump in the night lack a certain bite.

For the true masters of horror pop, one need look no further than the two reigning champs of chomps, vampires and zombies. More than any other, these creatures capture the imagination and inspire ferocious loyalty. Zombie lovers corpse-up, congregate in flash mobs and hijack constructions signs to read “Caution: Zombies Ahead.” Vamp fans wear molded ceramic fangs, make pilgrimages to New Orleans and Transylvania, and drink Tru Blood.

But really, which beast is best? The walking dead or undead? The brain eater or blood sucker? In order to settle the Zombie vs. Vampire debate, we’ve collected notable films of both genres from the last 25 years, and arranged them in different categories (emphasis on gore) to determine who each might triumph.

Although judgments on winners are completely subjective, I tried to channel George A. Romero and Bela Lugosi for guidance since they were incredibly influential in both genres. Lugosi starred as the count in the first official version of Dracula in 1931; he also gave the world the grandfather of the zombie movies, White Zombie, in 1932. Meanwhile, Romero remains the reigning genius of the zombie genre after directing 1968’s Night of the Living Dead. Romero also contributed heavily to vampires on screen with the underrated deconstruction Martin (1978).

'Empire' magazine strikes back at goofy movie face-offs

Our friends over at Empire movie magazine come up with some good ideas that make us a little jealous and a lot impressed. So impressed, in fact, that you can be guaranteed we'll never take to fisticuffs in a Empire vs. Paranormal Pop Culture showdown.

However, a little fighting is a good thing from time to time, as evidence by this fun Empire magazine feature about the "Top 10 Ridiculous Movie Face-Off Titles." The emphasis here being "ridiculous," without much attention paid to quality. Still, a majority of the entries are twinged with monsters, vampires, a couple Draculas and a few aliens - basically the stuff that butters our paranormal bag.

Take a look-see, and lest we miss an opportunity to re-post the best trailer of the last year - nay, last decade - remember that only god himself knows who will triumph in a "versus" battle between these two beasts below...