Movies | Lorelei By Starlight

The first time I came across one of the Subspecies franchise movies was while channel surfing one evening in a hotel. I was on vacation and looking for something to keep me occupied in those just before sleep hours when I accidentally ran across Bloodstone: Subspecies II. It was the most horrible wonderful thing I had seen in years! Since then I have watched all of the movies at one time or another (some more often than others), and this year I ran across a used copy of the Subspecies box collection while Christmas shopping. I resisted the impulse to buy then, but when I went back to the store after the holidays, it was still there, so Merry Christmas to me! The Subspecies the Epic Collection includes: Subspecies, Bloodstone: Subspecies II, Bloodlust: Subspecies III, Bloodstorm: Subspecies IV, and Vampire Journals (which is actually an offshoot of the series).

The basic gist of the storyline is a feud between vampire brothers over the legendary bloodstone. This stone drips the blood of the saints and allows a vampire to exist without the need for human blood, and it apparently has extra vitamins and stuff. Stephan, the

more human looking vampire brother, has stuck around the family castle after his more monstrous brother, Radu, was banished. Radu turns back up, though, and kills their father (played by Angus Scrimm) in order to get the bloodstone and keep it for himself. Enter a few clueless archaeologists who are just hanging out in Budapest wanting to research old abandoned creepy ruins. There are three girls in the group, and Stephan tries to save them while Radu would prefer to snack on them. Hilarity, ahem, horror ensues.

Most of the greatness of these movies surrounds Radu. While many horror movies over the years have worked to humanize vampires, the Subspecies franchise has gone the opposite direction. Radu is a monster vampire without any redeeming qualities. He is horrific with a pale, deformed face showing signs of previous stabbings and violence. He has lank and strawlike hair, and is often – like, really often – slobbering blood. His hoarse, high voice is designed to cause anxiety and contribute to the overall disgust of his appearance. I am hard pressed to think of another vampire portrayed in the movies that is at this level of decrepitude. He is, however, a survivor! He has mad skills where speed and stealth are concerned, and he has the help of his mother’s blood (a witch) when it comes to manifesting demonic minions and casting a sentient shadow.

These movies are also interesting since the story line from the first to the fourth simply continues: where one movie ends, the next picks right back up. You could, theoretically, watch them all back-to-back like one long movie. And, while Vampire Journals is not really part of the series, it does contain a sort of backstory for a character that shows up in the third movie. (Vampire Journals is famous with me for being so forgettable. I am sure that I have watched it at least three times, but I still cannot for the life of me remember what it is about.)

There are so many fun things about the Subspecies series! While watching them again this year I managed to come up with a list. Here are a few of my favorite Subspecies things:

“Vampire” names in the credits – since these were actually filmed in Budapest, many of the people in the credits have suitable names. For example, cinematography is by Vlad Paunescu and Production Design is by Radu Corciova.
Radu’s awesomely creepy fingers – not only are they several inches longer than normal human fingers, but he can break those puppies off and the broken pieces turn into mini demon minions.
Radu’s creepy, high voice – well done Anders Hove.
The part where Radu is able to sprout lengthened blood vessels that reach out from his body to his decapitated head and pull it back onto his body. A skill that I’m guessing all vampires would enjoy possessing.
The part where after stabbing his brother in the heart – which then gushes a fountain of blood – Radu proceeds to drink from the blood, just like you would from a water fountain.
The creepy decrepit mommy of Radu – I’m guessing that she is possibly the sister of the Crypt Keeper – who works voodoo and can fly around the room.
The Radu shadows. These are great when played up against the architecture of the Budapest streets, showing a huge, looming vampiric shadow that moves on its own.

If you are looking for some fun with horror – where the vampires are more monstrous and less model pretty – I highly recommend this series!

I finally made it to see 47 Ronin last weekend, and I am happy to say that it definitely delivered! This movie had so many things that I love: epic Japanese drama, beautiful fantasy cityscapes, and exceptional CGI monsters.

The story focuses on an underdog half-Japanese orphan, Kai, who has grown up surrounded by the elite samurai warrior class, while being constantly reminded that he was of servant class or lower. Of course, the high lord of the estate has a daughter, Mika, who takes pity on the boy and becomes his only friend, a friendship that continues into adulthood. Mika’s father is tricked into dishonoring himself, and Kai joins forces with the other dishonored samurai (ronins) as they seek to find and kill those responsible for the death of their leader and regain the honor of their land.

I really enjoyed the plot of the movie and the casting. Keanu Reeves plays Kai as the worn and sad man that he would be after a lifetime of being scorned and abused through no fault of his own. His stoicism and loyalty are matched by his physical skills, and the character rings true. Hiroyuki Sanada is well cast as the samurai Oishi and delivers the proud, heroic character in a way that I have grown to expect from seeing him in other period pieces. Ko Shibasaki was new to me, but she plays Mika as much more than the typical high-class rich girl. She is considerate and kind, but also crafty and watchful, and works well as a complement to Kai.

The settings for the movie are beautiful. This is a gorgeous movie! Fantastic cityscapes are contrasted with lush, exotic landscapes and seascapes. There are darkly shrouded temples, complete with intricate carved pillars and perfect dusky lighting. The cities are reminiscent of The Lord of the Rings, and show an attention to detail and mood.

Best of all, there was no skimping on the CGI for monsters, which are what make this movie not just your typical Japanese epic. There is a witch who shapeshifts from gracefully trailing green silk into fox, human, or dragon form. There is a monstrous unidentified beast who rampages throughout the countryside. There is a crazy underground monster fight club. And, there are creepy demons and ghost warriors that infest a haunted bamboo forest.

This movie makes the blog, though, because it is most definitely dark fantasy. Where dishonor is concerned, there is no happily ever after in this society, only the hope of some kind of retribution and that honor might be regained. Both the human and magical elements are cruel and unforgiving, and our heroes fight on in a task that has only limited opportunity for success. There is very little humor in this movie, and when it appears it is well placed in that it surprises you, but also brings the dark mood of the movie more clearly into focus. I loved this movie and it is definitely one that I will be adding to my own collection, to be watched over and over.