Vampire Diaries vs Twilight

I really don't believe there is any comparison between the two, however there are some similarities. Both have a teen-age girl in love with a vampire, both girls are brunettes, both vampires are on the wagon when it come to human blood ( well at least up until the end of season 2 of Diaries.), both have werewolves, and in both the vampires can walk in the sunlight. Of course the difference in the latter is that in Twilight sunlight just makes them sparkle (this is the one thing in the films I hated, it's a little tinkerbellish for me), where as in Diaries the sunlight can still kill them, they are only able to walk in the day do to charmed items. The only exception to this is Klaus and his family, which are the original vampires.

Both are filled with romance, and have danger lurking just out of sight, but in Diaries they face their foes head on with fangs bared. Rather it be Stefan, Damon, or Katherine, killing to protect and survive is second nature to them. Cross them and die. You can't say that about Edward or most of his family, killing is always a last resort. Sorry, that is just not true vampire style. I mean they have fangs for a reason, right?

Vampire diaries goes deeper into the supernatural realm then Twilight as well. There are not just vampires and werewolves, there are witches, vampire hunters, ghosts, and the ultimate predator, Klaus... a original that is half vampire, half werewolf. And to be honest, I personally think that the romance in Diaries is much deeper, and covers more than just the vampire lover teen and her vamp and werewolf. Vampire Diaries takes you into the life of each and every character, even the ones that don't stay around for more than a couple episodes.

I don't want to give the wrong impression here, I like the Twilight films, I liked the books, and yes I am ready for the next movie to come out. But, I have to say I am more excited about the new season of Vampire Diaries starting back up.

New Look For One Man's Reviews

Well I did it, changed the blog up a little. Gave it more color and character, and hopefully more pleasing for my viewers. But I'll let you be the judge... Comment to let me know what you think of the new design, good or bad, just be honest.

Vampire Diaries Season 3 Spoilers

Yeah that's right, Vampire Diaries is back with season 3 on September 15, 2011 at 8/7c. What do we have to look forward to? Well...
In a recent interview Kayla Ewell (Vicki) stated that there will be new twists and turns coming, that season 3 is jam packed with action and romance, and Vicki will be right in the middle of it. She also stated that Vicki will come back as more than a ghost at some point, with vengeance on her mind for being cheated out of life. "It's gonna be wild." Kayla said.

Want more? Fine, episode 1 of the third season will be titled "The Birthday". Caroline will be busy planning Elena's 18th birthday party. Nothing knew there, right? That's what she does best. However, Elena will be focused on finding anything that will help her find Stefan. Damon will also be searching for his brother, while trying to protect Elena, and keep her from drawing Klaus' attention.

Still want more? Okay...

Meanwhile, Klaus and Stefan are trailing a werewolf named Ray Sutton (David Gallagher), who is working with Matt at the Mystic Grill. Jeremy will struggle to understand why he is seeing the ghosts of Vicki and Anna, since being brought back from death by Bonnie. Alaric will be doing his best to watch over Elena and Jeremy, while coping with his grief over Jenna. Finally, Caroline and Tyler will face a new and unexpected challenge.

Terra Nova

Steven Spielberg brings his talent to the little screen again, with this epic family adventure.


Terra Nova follows an ordinary family on a not so ordinary journey - back in time to prehistoric Earth. They are a small part of a experiment to save the human race, in 2149. The world is dying, overcrowded, overdeveloped, with the majority of plant and animal life extinct. When scientist stumble across a fracture in time, the bold notion was born to resettle humanity in the past.

The Cast: Shelly Conn, Christine Adams, Stephen Lang, Landon Liboiron, Allison Miller, Jason O'Mara, and Naomi Scott.

Terra Nova launches Monday, September 26, 2011 at 8/7c on FOX

American Horror Story

American Horror Story premiers October 5, 2011 at 10pm ET, on FX. The new psychological thriller series is still somewhat a mystery. We do know there's a troubled family living in a haunted house, were they experience horrific happenings.

The show is self-described as "addictive, terrifying, and sexy", the trailers claim that the show has everything you love about a thriller, but nothing you expect. The show comes from the minds of Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk, the co-creators of 'Glee' and 'Nip Tuck'.

The cast includes: Dylan McDermott, Connie Britton, Jessica Lange, Taissa Farmiga, Evan Peters, Denis O'Hare, and Frances Conroy. Also just announced, 'Hero's' star Zachary Quinto will play a gay interior designer and former owner of the house.

The Walking Dead

The dead will walk, and the living will run again on October 16, 2011 at 9pm on AMC.

The second season will contain 13 episodes. At a 2011 Paley Center for Media panel, it was announced that the second season will feature Rick Grimes and his group of survivors leaving Atlanta for the countryside, including the Greene family farm, a setting in the original comic book series. I expect great things from season two, as I am sure you all do.

I am still waiting for that sneak peek, but once I have it, it will be posted.

Once Upon A Time

Looks like ABC is jumping onto the fantasy/thriller bandwagon with 'Once Upon A Time'. The new series premiers Sunday October 23 at 8/7c, and is brought to us by Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz (Lost, Tron: Legacy). The story takes place in a world where fairytales and modern day collide.

Jennifer Morrison portrays Emma Swan, a 28-year-old bail bonds collector, that knows how to take care of herself. After all she has been on her own since she was abandoned as a baby. The rest of the cast include: Ginnifer Goodwin, Robert Carlyle, Lanna Parilla, Josh Dallas, James Dornan, Jared Gilmore, and Raphael Sbarge.

The previews look pretty good, and the cast speaks highly of the script. But, I guess we wont know for sure until October. I for one am looking forward to it, I just hope they don't let us down.

Grieving Family Needs Help

This is not my typical blog, there is no film, TV show, or celebrity in this one. In stead I am asking you, my readers to help a wonderful family in need. On 8-28-2011 Victor "Vic" Bailey past away suddenly from health complication of the aorta. Vic was a funny man that loved his family more than anything in this world, and a good friend to those of us that knew him. He had no Life Insurance, so we are asking for donations to help cover his final expenses. You can donate through paypal account barbboy215@hotmail.com anything you can afford will help greatly. I thank you and his family thanks you for your support.

If you have any question comment below.

Mr. Popper's Penguins

First I know this isn't on DVD yet, but it will be soon enough... Okay... But I felt that after watching it with my grandson, I should say something about it.

This 2011 family comedy is based on the children's book of the same name, written by Richard and Florence Atwater, originally published in 1938. Wow... that took awhile to make it to the big screen. All I really need to say about the film is this: Jim Carry costarring with six penguins. Come on... do I really need to say more. The film is funny if not predictable at times, but hey, it's a family film. The humor is understandable by both children and adults, so everyone can enjoy it. I would have to say that this film might be Jim Carry's finest film in a long time, and my favorite to date.

I have to give Mr. Popper's Penguins a solid 4 stars

Grown Ups

Adam Sandler has done it again... 'Grown Ups' is a truly entertaining comedy, that will have your sides splitting more than once.

The story is about five boyhood friends reunited for the funeral of their former basketball coach. Lenny Fender (Adam Sandler) is a high-powered Hollywood talent agent, married to Roxanne (Salma Hayek) a fashion designer, and has three children. Eric Lamonsoff (Kevin James) claims he is the co-owner of a lawn furniture company, married to Sally (Maria Bello) a stay-at-home mom that is still breast feeding their youngest child of two, even though he is four-years-old. Kurt McKenzie (Chris Rock) is a stay-at-home father, hooked on cooking shows, married to Deanne (Maya Rudolph), with two kids and one on the way. Deanne's mother also lives with the family. Rob Hillard (Rob Schneider) is a three time divorced pacifist vegan, married to Gloria (Joyce Van Patten), who is 30 years his senior. Last but not least is Marcus Higgins (David Spade), the lazy womanizer. A new role for Spade... Not!

All five harass each other on a regular basis, and that is where most of the laughs come from. This film is so full of one-liners you may have to watch it twice to get them all. Everyone on the cast of 'Grown Ups' does their job, and very well. There are no real low spots in the movie, just some scenes are funnier than others. Like the "Arrow Roulette" scene, something new, and down right hilarious.

'Grown Ups' is on my must see list, but don't just rent it, go ahead and save your self some time and buy it... You will anyway.

I give Grown Ups a solid 5 stars

Doctor Who Companions: Sarah Jane Smith

The Doctor almost always shares his adventures with a companion(s), but never with more than three. Since 1963 more that 35 actors have been featured in these roles. So to start off the 'Doctor Who Companion' blog series I though who better than probably the most popular and beloved companion of all - Sarah Jane Smith.

Elisabeth Sladen portrayed Sarah Jane from 1973-1976, as the companion to Jon Pertwee (Doctor #3), and Tom Baker (Doctor #4). She returned in 1983 to stand at Peter Davison's side (Doctor #5) in the story "The Five Doctors", and then again in the 30th anniversary show "Dimensions in Time" in 1993. But that wasn't the end of Sarah Jane. Sladen reprised her role again in 2006, 2008, and 2010 starring with the 10th Doctor, David Tennant. In 2007 the BBC launched a spin-off series staring Elisabeth Sladen, 'The Sarah Jane Adventures. The show ran through 2011. Sadly Elisabeth Sladen past away on April 19, 2011. The final six episodes had already been finished, and aired as a tribute to Elisabeth.

The Doctor Is Back

Saturday night Doctor Who returned with one of its best episodes ever. "Lets Kill Hitler" answered so many questions. Such as: why River is in prison, where was she as a child, who killed the doctor, and where did River get her diary. Just to name a few. We had already learned that River Song was actually Melody Pond, Amy and Rory's daughter, but now we know that she could regenerate, she's in prison for killing the Doctor, but she is also the one that saved him by giving him her final regenerations to bring him back. It's crazy that Melody grew up with Amy and Rory, and know one was the wiser except for Melody. I have to say that season 6 episode 8 was in true Doctor Who style. If you haven't seen it yet, do so. Because I think the second half of this season is going to be nothing short of stellar.

Maneater 2009

What can I say about this direct-to-video horror film? Well one thing is that the production company missed the boat on this one. They should have taken the risk at the theater. The film may be low budget, but the story is not.

Dean Cain portrays a former FBI Profiler, turned small town sheriff. I for one have never been a Dean Cain fan. I've always found his acting a bit dry, and lifeless, but that works for him very well in Maneater, as the over-protective father to his teenage daughter, Pearl (Lacy Phillips), and stuck in his belief that his wife is coming home, even though she disappeared mysteriously some time before.

The story starts off with a young couple being attack in the woods. When will they ever learn... Don't have sex in the woods! The story slows a bit after, letting you get to know the cast, but it doesn't stay slow long. The creature effects are cheap, and the film has its fair share of profanity and nudity, but it is not over done and fits well within the plot. You just might think you have the story figured out, but the twist ending will most likely get you.

Doctor Who Season 6 Recap

Doctor Who season 6 started out by taking us to the Utah desert in the good ol' USA. Amy, Rory, and River Song each receive a mysterious invitation from the Doctor. Why? As we quickly found out, to witness his death. The Doctor is zapped and killed before he can regenerate by someone or something in an old NASA spacesuit. The Doctor had also sent an invite to himself, a younger self that is. Oh yeah... and Amy is pregnant. After the younger Doctor arrives the four travel back to 1969 to stop an alien uprising with the help of a former FBI agent, Canton Delaware III. The fight begins against an enemy that no one can remember. The spaceman reappears, and when the helmet visor opens, we learn that it is a little girl inside. Amy shoots before the Doctor can stop her, using Canton's gun.

Episode 2 picks up with the Doctor locked away in the perfect prison (well it will be when finished) while Amy, Rory, and River Song are being hunted by the FBI and Canton Delaware III. One by one each of them is taken down and brought back to the Doctor, except River, whom jumps from atop a building. In the end the aliens are defeated by a hidden message broadcast through the media feed from the first moon walk, and the little girl is released from the spacesuit. Episode 2 ends in a New York City alleyway, 6 months later. A homeless man sees a little girl stumbling through the alley, clearly sick and dying. The little girl tells the man that she can fix that. She raises her arms out to her sides, concentrates, and starts to regenerate.

Oh and one other thing that we should remember... River kisses the Doctor, supposedly for the first and last time.

Episode 3 takes us off to the Atlantic Ocean aboard a 17th century pirate ship. A mysterious sea creature (a Siren) is stalking the crew. Once the black spot appears on a persons skin, they are doomed. Of course Rory gets the spot, it's always poor Rory. It is soon realized that beautiful yet deadly siren is actually a medical hologram from a future spaceship, and trying to save lives not destroy them. The remaining pirate crew take control of the space vessel, stuck there to stay alive, and head out for adventures that they can not comprehend.

In episode 4 a distress signal from... wait for it... a TimeLord, takes the Doctor to a junkyard planet in a bubble universe. It's a trap of course. When the inhabitants steal the soul of the TARDIS, yes the TARDIS is alive, and implant it inside their daughter, the Doctor has to work fast. However the TARDIS is much too powerful for a living body, and ends up back inside the police box, but not before expressing its true feelings for the Doctor.

Episode 5 takes us off to the world of dopplegangers. "Gangers" are used as manual labor, doing the jobs people don't want to do, or can't do. A solar tsunami frees the gangers, which not only gives them the peoples physical form, but their memories, emotions, and desires too. Soon the gangers rebel, wanting nothing more than to live their lives. As the episode reaches its end the Doctor's ganger steps from the shadows. The story finishes off in episode 6, as the humans fight the gangers for survival. The story finishes off with the Doctor's ganger sacrificing itself to save everyone. The surviving gangers are dropped off to make the company understand what's been happening to the gangers, and to stop it. As they watch, Amy clutches her stomach in pain. Once back inside the TARDIS the Doctor explains that Amy is going into labor. The Doctor, after a confusing explanation, addresses Amy, saying that they'll come for her, and rescue her no matter what it takes. When Amy says that she's already there, the Doctor says that she isn't, and hasn't been for a long time. He activates his sonic screwdriver and Amy melts into a pool of liquid flesh. Amy then wakes up on an operating table. A woman wearing an eyepatch opens a slot in the wall, and tells Amy it's time for her to give birth. She tells her to push, and Amy screams in pain and terror.

Episode 7, the mid season finally. The Doctor declares war on those that have kidnapped Amy. He assembles an army of allies to recover her. River realizes that the Doctor's darkest hour has come, and she must reveal her greatest secret. Eyepatch lady, Madame Kovarian takes the baby from Amy, places it in a pod, and Amy tells her child that her father, the Last Centurian, will find them. At that same time the Cybermen detect an intruder on their ship. The intruder turns out to be Rory. He tells the Cyberleader that he has a message from the Doctor, and a question of his own to ask. He knows that the Cybermen scan the entire system. Rory demands the location of his wife and daughter. When the Cyberleader ask what the Doctor's message is, Rory stands by the viewing port. Outside the entire 12th fleet of the Cybermen is destroyed. He then asks if the Cyberleader would like him to repeat the question. Soon the Battle of Demons Run begins. At the battles end, Kovarian has run off with Melody, Amy and Rory's daughter, and River Song finally arrives. When she is confronted by the Doctor for being late, she tells him that she couldn't have stopped what happen, and that it's the Doctor's fault. Finally having enough of River's banter, the Doctor demands to know who she is. River puts her hands on the baby cot and tells him to read the symbols. The Doctor looks at her, surprised, and introduces himself to her as if meeting for the first time. The Doctor asks River to get everyone home then leaves in the TARDIS before Amy and Rory can enter. After a brief confrontation with Amy, River tells them that everything is fine, and that the TARDIS translation matrix can sometimes take awhile. She tells Amy to concentrate, but not on the cot's symbols, but on the prayer leaf Lorna had stitched for the baby. River explains that in the language of the Gamma Forest People, there is no word for "Pond". The only water in the forest is a river. As the couple concentrates, the words "Pond Melody" translates for them into "River Song". River informs them that she is Melody - their daughter.

Make sure to catch episode 8 "Let's Kill Hitler" this Saturday.

Doctor Who Returns

This Saturday is the day... The Doctor returns with season six, episode eight, Let's Kill Hitler. I will be posting a brief review of the first seven episodes tomorrow sometime, as a recap, and to get us all geared up...

Coming this week

What is in store for you this week on One Man's Reviews? Who knows... I sure don't. I play it by the seat of my pants. But I can tell you that there is going to be a review of the last seven episodes of the sixth season of Doctor Who, to get you all ready for the start of the second half of the season this Saturday. Each week I will post a little about each new episode, and hope for your comments as well. I know there are a lot of Doctor Who fans out there, so lets here from you.

Doctor Who Episode 8 Prequel

This 1:46 clip comes straight from BBC America... Second half of season starts on the 27th, so get your Doctor fix now...

Doctor Who: A Blast From the Past

This post is more for the younger viewers of Doctor Who, and the ones that are new fans. So let me start by saying, Doctor Who did not start in 2005. The first episode appeared on the BBC on November 23, 1963, with William Hartnell as the Doctor. The series ran until 1989 with Sylvester Mc Coy controlling the TARDIS. There was a TV movie in 1996 when Paul Mc Gann took the reigns as the eighth Doctor.

The show took on new life as it was resurrected in 2005 with Christopher Eccleston taking over the role as Doctor number nine. A year later David Tennant became Doctor number ten, handing off the TARDIS key to Matt Smith in 2010.

The eleven Doctors:

William Hartnell (#1, 1963-1966), Patrick Troughton (#2, 1966-1969), Jon Pertwee (#3, 1970-1974), Tom Baker (#4, 1974-1981), Peter Davison (#5, 1981-1984), Colin Baker (#6, 1984-1986), Sylvester Mc Coy (#7, 1987-1989, 1996), Paul Mc Gann (#8, 1996), Christopher Eccleston (#9, 2005), David Tennant (#10, 2005-2010), and Matt Smith (#11, 2010-present)

Doctor Who is considered the longest running television science fiction show in the world. It is even in the guiness book of world records. Doctor Who has a total of 777 episodes to date, and it looks to have many more to come.

The TARDIS (an acronym for Time And Relative Dimensions In Space), and as we all know is larger on the inside than the outside. The Doctor's blue Police Box is far more than just a time machine, but a timeless, ageless character in the series, and is as recognized by fans as well as the Doctor himself. Incarnations of the Doctor may come and go, but the TARDIS is the one constant through the entire series.

I will cover the Doctor's companions in a later Blog - so join up and keep checking back. If there is something that you would like to see, please let me know. And remember, I want to see your comments, so don't be shy.

Bio Dead

"12 million fatalities in the zone. Those were the lucky ones." That's the tag line for 'Bio Dead', and it fits the film perfectly. If you ask me the only real fatality is the movie itself. 'Bio Dead' tries to be a ghostly, psychological thriller with a zombie feel. One can only wish an old fashion flesh eater would pop out and devour the cast, no one would notice anyway, and at least there would be some action.

Over 4,000 square miles of contaminated area called "The Zone", which as become an open grave for 12 million citizens. When a hazmat team is sent to check out a mysterious building with lights, deep within "The Zone" they find that they are not alone... Or are they? The team begins to experience hallucinations, and are stalked by a vicious predator through the maze-like structure.

The concept is a good one, but the film fails to deliver. By the end (if you last that long) it leaves you a bit lost, and confused about what really happened inside the walls.

Only 1 star from me.

The Clinic

This 2010 horror, mystery film, written and directed by James Rabbits, is a little slow on the start. But when Cameron (Andy Whitfield) decides to leave his pregnant fiance, Beth (Tabrett Bethell) alone in a motel room, to go find food in the middle of the night (What was he thinking?), the story starts to take off.

When Beth wakes up naked, soaking in a tub of ice water, and no longer pregnant, it doesn't take long for the thrills to come. Soon she realizes that she is not alone, three other women share her fate. Verinica (Freya Stafford), Ivy (Clare Bowen), and Allison (Sophie Lowe) all share the same incision, missing baby, and numbered gown. There is another wandering around too, victim turned killer, and determined to win the sick game they have been thrust into, by seeking out and dispatching each woman.

All in all The Clinic is a good film, and worth your rental fee dollars. It also goes to show what most mothers will do to save their child, even if it is in vein.

I give The Clinic 4 stars.

Vampire Diaries Character Review: Elena Gilbert/Katherine Price

I want to start by saying that Nina Dobrev does a bang-up job portraying the polar opposites Elena and Katherine. Playing a dual role is not easy to start with, and these two can prove to be very difficult, but Nina makes it look easy and natural, even at her young age of 22 years-old. Both Elena and Katherine are so believable, and real, you'll be looking at every girl around you differently, if not a little fearful.

Elena Gilbert, the main love interest in the show is unquestionably sweet, loving, compassionate, and adorable. While Katherine Price, the vampire version of Elena, is vicious, self indulgent, and sensual, to a fault. The only similarities between the two characters is looks, and their love for the Salvatore brothers. They walk different, they think different, they act different, and at times I even hear a difference in their voices. Katherine seems to have a slightly deeper, more whisky kissed voice. Listen closely and you will hear it yourself. Katherine may be every man's fantasy, but Elena is the type of person everyone loves and strides to be, or at least should anyway.

Nina Dobrev was born in Sofia, Bulgaria. She moved to Canada with her family at age two. She also speaks fluent French, English, and Bulgarian - which I'm sure helped her in playing the role of Katherine. Nina has been a fan favorite at the teen choice awards winning Break Out Star Female in 2010, Actress Fantasy/Scifi in 2010 and 2011, and nominated for Female Hottie in 2011, only to be beat out by Selena Gomez.

Count Down...

That's right Doctor Who fans... only 5 more days until the Doctor returns. So tell me, who is your favorite Doctor?

Dylan Dog: Dead of Night

This 2011 comedy horror film combines both genres well. It has plenty of comic relief at just the right moments to compliment the thrills and chills. To further round out the film, a little romance and mystery fills out the story line. Dylan Dog: Dead of Night is the first attempt at bringing Tiziano Sclavis’ Italian Comic Book to life. I personally have not seen the comics, but critics have said the comparison between the two are weak. But as a stand alone movie, Dylan Dog: Dead of Night is solidly entertaining. And let me tell you, New Orleans has never seemed so dark.

Brandon Routh does a good job portraying the broke and emotionally detached private investigator - Dylan Dog, and Sam Huntington does even better as Marcus Deckler, Dylan’s cowardly undead side-kick.

Dylan Dog: Dead of Night, is a lot of film and effects for a $20 million budget production, and is well worth your time to rent, even though it was a failure at the box office.
I give the Dylan Dog: Dead of Night DVD - 3 stars.

The Ward

The 2010 horror film starring Amber Heard as a patient at the North Bend Psychiatric Hospital in 1966. Director John Carpenter has done it again, "The Ward" is destine to become another of his horror classics.

Shortly after Kristen (Heard) arrives on the ward, with no memory of her life. Kristen starts seeing strange things, or thing. And she knows the others are too. On the ward with her are Emily (Mamie Gummer), the tough, protective type. Sara (Danielle Panabaker), the cute, impulsive, and vane girl of the group. Zoey (Laura Leigh), an emotionally traumatized teen that remains a little girl in both dress and mentality. And lastly there is Iris (Lyndsy Fonseca), the sweet, friendly, and kind-hearted artist. A monster ghost of a girl, starts terrorizing Kristen, and soon the other girls on the ward start disappearing. One by one each of the girls are killed off by Monster Alice, played by Jillian Kramer, using surgical tools as torture means on each victim.

"The Ward" will have you jumping, and cringing though the entire film, right up to it's well hidden, twist of an ending.

I give "The Ward" a solid 4 1/2 stars.

Your Highness

A better name might have been Your Ignorance... Because that's what this 2011 fantasy comedy is, ignorant. The film was written by Danny Mc Bride and Ben Best, but unfortunately that isn't what they gave it, their best that is. The best thing about the entire film is the Northern Ireland country side, which is quite beautiful. Nothing really fits together in the film, the language is too modern, as is the ideals. I enjoy a good comedy and a good fantasy movie, but "Your Highness" is definitely not either.

The film doesn't take off right away, not until The lazy, inept son of King Tallious (Charles Dance) joins his brother in a quest to rescue Belladona (Zooey Deschanel). Belladona is to wed Fabious (James France), and is taken by the evil sorcerer Leezar (Justin Theroux) during the wedding. The king orders Thadeous (Danny Mc Bride) to join his brave brother to rescue Belladona, and destroy the sorcerer wants and for all.

The comedy is mediocre at best. I found my self feeling sorry for the wonderful cast of actors as they did their best to bring terribly written characters to life. One high light in the film is Natalie Portman as Isabel. Natalie always seems to bring her characters to the next level, make them real, and with this role she had her work cut out for her, but Isabel is the one stand out character in the film. Next would have to be Zooey Deschanel. Even though she doesn't have much to say, Zooey's abilities help bring Belladona up from the over acting pit that the rest seemed to stay in.

There are a few laughs in the film, one being after Thadious slays the minotaur, and cuts the beast's third horn off and hangs it around his neck with pride. But that is one of very few moment that I found myself even releasing a chuckle.

"Your Highness" had a $50 million budget, and pulled in a whopping $26,121,638.00 at the box office. If you have seen the advertisements for the DVD, don't waste your money buying it... rent it instead if you feel the need to make your own opinion on the film.

I give "Your Highness" a 1 star rating.

Priest

On May 13, 2011 in the US and Canada, after many postponements, "Priest" unleashed its furry in the theaters. Shot on a $60 million budget, and only grossing a little over $76 million world wide, "Priest" was not a smash hit. Regardless of the box office totals and the critics trashing the film, I believe "Priest" is worth your time. If you think all vampires should be like Edward, then this movie isn't for you, but if you have an open mind this flick is. "Priest" is loosely based off of the Korean comics with the same title, by Min Woo Hyung, an has a post apocalyptic feel to it.

The film takes place in an alternate Earth where humans and vampires have always existed, an been at war. The Vampires being much stronger and faster had the upper hand for centuries. But then the humans found their ultimate weapon within the catholic church. Humans with special abilities were taken in by the church, taught the word of god, and trained to defeat the vampire menace. These special people, humanities warriors, were called Priest. The Warrior Priest did as they were trained, wiped out the vampires hive by hive. Those few Vamps that remained were locked away in camps ( or reservations) out in the wastelands. With the world safe there was no more need for these Priest. They were ordered back into society where they were feared and loathed by the people they protected.

Then one night a pack of rogue vampires attack a family in the wastelands. The father (Stephen Moyer) left for dead, mother killed, and the young girl (Lily Collins) taken. The girl's boy friend and wasteland sheriff (Cam Gigandet) seeks out the girl's uncle, one of the warrior Priest (Paul Bettany). When the Monsignor (Christopher Plummer) denies the Priest's request to go after the girl, he turns his back on the church, and the battle begins.

The special effects and CGI in this film are great, and by the way, all the vampires are done in CGI - except Black Hat (Karl Urban), the new leader of the vampires, and former Priest. The vampires are not typical, other than their thrust for human blood. They are animalistic, eyeless cave dwellers, with a pack mentality, and ruled by a queen. The sun is still a foe, but not deadly. A human that has been bitten, and survived, is know as a familiar. They are neither vampire or human, but something in between. The only exception is Black Hat.

But enough of the spoilers... "Priest" is packed full of action, with very few, and brief slow points. The cinematography is a wonder on the eyes, the writing is great, and the film is topped off with strong performances by all. Don't be fooled by the critics, as many are, if you like action, blood thirst vamps, and a real honest to god hero that knows how to kick ass, "Priest" will deliver.

"Priest" also stars Maggie Q as the warrior priestess, was written by Cory Goodman, and directed by Scott Stewart. "Priest" stands as the most expensive production from Screen Gems, to date.

I give "Priest" 4 1/2 stars...

Vampire Diaries Character Review: Damon Salvatore

I am starting the character reviews with Damon simply because I am partial to darker characters, and when it comes to the Vampire Diaries Damon is one of the darkest. His entrance into the show was so cool, so frightening, and down right vicious. His hell bent attitude to make his brother Stefan's life miserable, and his true thirst for blood, make Devon the villain for most of the shows first season. But his desire to keep Elena safe, and his undeniable love for Kathrine gives him more depth, and more lovable to the shows fans. By the end of last season the tables had turned a bit. His love had bent more toward Elena, and Elena seems to share those feeling, at least a part of her does, bringing the triangle to an even more powerful point then ever. I think we are going to see some serious changes in Devon in the new season, but something tells me he will never be what his brother was. Damon's taste for human blood is strong, and he enjoys the hunt far to much for him to jump on the wagon and stay there for long.

Okay, has anyone else noticed the resemblance between Ian Somerhalder and eighties heart-throb Rob Lowe? I had to take a second look when I first seen him on the show. It was uncanny... I had to watch the credits at the end, and was shocked not to see the name Lowe anywhere. Below is a photo of Ian and Rob, tell me it doesn't make you think Rob was off doing a little you know what, around Covington, Louisiana about 33-34 years ago. Just Kidding Ian...

Paul the Movie

This 2011 British-American hybrid science fiction comedy film, kicks butt. It is now out on DVD and Blue-ray, and well with the purchase price. "Paul" is one of those DVDs you will watch over and over again. Written by and starring the British comedy team of Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, this is a laugh fest of a flick. The story is about to British scifi geeks, Graeme Willy (Simon Pegg) and Clive Gollings (Nick Frost), that come to America to the San Diego Comic-Con International, and travel across the US in a rented RV, checking out all the notorious alien hot-spots. One night after hitting the road they are running for their lives from what they think are two red-neck bullies. As the car finally over takes them, they realize that it's not the bullies and start to relax. Just as they do the car looses control and starts rolling right in front of them. When they stop to check on the driver, head lamps strapped on, they find Paul (voice of Seth Rogen). Or should I say he finds them. When Paul joins them on the trip the real adventure begins, and so do the laughs.

This is comedy at it's best, with wonderful CGI effects, and great acting talent. Also starring: Kristen Wiig as Ruth Buggs, a one eyed, bible thumping shut in that helps run a RV park with her Father. Jason Bateman as Special Agent Lorenzo Zoil, and Sigourney Weaver.

However I do not recommend the film for younger children, do to some language, and sexually suggestive dialog.

Pegg and Frost have described the film as a love letter to Steven Spielberg, who's voice makes a guest appearance in the film talking to Paul about a certain alien movie.

Both Nick Frost and Simon Pegg have stated they would like to return for another film. Pegg also has said if there were to be a sequel, it would be called "Pauls".

The film had a $40 million budget, and grossed over $94 million at the box office. It also won Best Comedy at the National Movie Awards.

If I were to give this DVD a rating, it would be no less than 5 stars. So that is all I am going to say about the film, you will have to rent or buy it for the rest. But be warned, I do not recommend eating popcorn during "Paul"...

Up Coming Reviews For This Week

Priest

Paul

Your Highness

The Ward

So keep checking back.

True Blood

Or should I say Tru Blood. After all that is where the name is to come from, right? The name of the synthetic blood, bottle and sold across the country. That is my first complaint about the show. Why change the spelling in the title? Too corny? Why would that matter, this show is as corny as it gets. Again I didn't watch the show when it first aired. But I had heard some much about it that I took the time to watch the first season one night. Okay, I didn't make it past episode 3. I quickly found myself wondering what the fans of the show seen that I didn't. So I gave it another shot the next day. I literally had to force myself to make it half way through episode 4, and that was as far as I went.

Come on, I had never witnessed such bad acting, terrible accents, horrific writing, and so much down grading stereotyping in a hit show, in my life. Maybe it is because the show is on HBO and allows nudity, and foul language, and that keeps it going. You know the old saying "Sex sells", that is a proven point here. I can not see any other reason for the shows success. Of course I have to give it to the actors, Anna Paquin (Sookie Stackhouse), Stephen Moyer (Bill Compton), Ryan Kwanten (Jason Stackhouse), Sam Trammell (Sam Merlotte), and Rutina Wesley (Tara Thornton) for at least trying to bring the characters to life. An actor is only as good as their script allows them to be. I mean come on, the characters read off like a porn line up, and the story line is running right along side.

I'm sure I will catch a lot of flack from this, but I have to be honest about what I think. Sorry True Blood fans... But if you want to see what good writing is for a vampire tale, check out The Vampire Diaries.

Being Human, The Doctor Who Connection

There has been a couple hit shows that came from the Doctor Who line up... Torchwood, and The Sarah Jane Adventures. But how does Being Human tie in, you ask? Well let me start with Russell Tovey (George), the man of contradiction. Or should I say werewolf. A sweet but dull guy, that is until the full moon rises, and one of the stars of the hit show Being Human. But Being Human wasn't Russell's first appearance on a hit TV show. He had a guest role in the 2007 Doctor Who Christmas Special 'Voyage of the Damned', and reprised his role as Midshipman Alonso Frame in the 2009/2010 Doctor Who Christmas Special 'The End of Time'. Russell T Davies, Doctor Who executive producer and lead writer, suggested Russell Tovey as a future replacement for David Tennant. Of course the role of the Eleventh Doctor went to Matt Smith instead, but can you imagine what kind of Doctor Tovey would have made.

Next we have Lenora Crichlow, who plays the lovely and sensual spirit, Annie. Lenora as found her way into the mad capped Doctor's world in 2007. She guest starred in the episode 'Gridlock', were the entire population of the city was stuck in a traffic jam, and had been for generations.

Now lastly, but certainly not least, we have Sinead Keenan. The fightsty girlfriend of George - Nina. Keenan also had a guest role in the 2009/2010 Doctor Who Christmas Special 'The end of Time' as Addams. I have to admit, she made a pretty darn cute Cactus.

It's Coming Soon....

The count down to the return of Doctor Who has started... 10 more days and the second half of the 2011 season begins...

Being Human vs Being Human

Title a little confusing? It won't be for long.

Early this year I caught a new Syfy series called Being Human. A tale of a vampire, a werewolf, and a ghost living in the same home. And as the shows title depicts, their are all doing their best to resume normal human lives. Well we all know that's not going to work, opening many possibilities for the show. I liked what I saw right from the start, but again as has happened so many time to me, I missed the first episode. So like any true fan would I search out what I had missed. Not only did I find the pilot, but I found out that Being Human started in the UK on the BBC two year earlier. That's right, Being Human UK was on it's third season. So what would you do? If your like me, you watch the UK to get more of the story. But the problem was that it was a different story. The principles were the same of course. Vampire, werewolf, and ghost living together under the same roof, the vampire and werewolf even had the same jobs. The character personalities were nearly exact as well, but they were completely different characters at the same time. Here in the US Sam Witwer plays Aidan the vampire, in the UK it's Aidan Turner as Mitchell. Sam Huntington is Josh the werewolf in US, and Russell Tovey is George over the pound. Then you have the lovely and very talented Lenora Crichlow as Annie the ghost on BBC, where as on Syfy Meghan Rath is the tempting poltergeist Sally.

Parts of the story line parallel each other, but for the most part they are entirely different tales. Point in question. In the US version, Aiden befriends a young neighborhood boy that is being bullied. Of course things go wrong, and by the end the boy is dieing. Aiden turns down the boy's mother's request to save his live. But of course Aiden's vamp-girlfriend turns the boy anyway. At the end of the episode Aiden takes the boy out into the woods, to teach him to hunt, but in reality it is a one way trip for the young vampire. He kills the lad. Now this is much the same in the UK take, but Mitchell turns the boy himself, explains it all to the mother and then sends them off on a train to start a new life. That my friends is just one example of very many differences.

Most of my family has watched both Being Human series with me, and we all like both of them, but I have to be honest - We all lean towards the original UK version on the show. Watch it and you will see what I mean. There just seem to be more depth to the characters and the story, rather than relying on the violence to carry the show. Please let me know what you think.

The Vampire Diaries

First I have to say that I just watched the first episode of The Vampire Diaries a few months ago. I had heard of the show, seen some previews, but wrote it off as another teen vampdrama riding on the skirt tails of Twilight. Wow was I ever wrong. This show has fangs as well as heart, and follows the same guidelines that I do in my own writing. Strong, believable characters - don't let the gore fuel the story - and lastly that no character is truly safe. Although there are similarities between Diaries and Twilight, the differences are obvious in the first episode. The casting could not have been better, and the writing is so strong it makes it easy to believe. If you are like me and passed up this show, I suggest that you go out and pick up the first two seasons. But make sure you don't start watching until you have a couple of free days. Why? Because once you start watching you won't want to stop. Season three will be kicking off soon, but I am sure not soon enough for its fan base.

I have much more to say about this series, but that will come in later bogs. So keep checking back.

Torchwood says farewell to Dr. Juarez

Dr. Vera Juarez goes down in flames, literally. Dr. Juarez played by the lovely and talented Arlene Tur, meets her untimely demise while investigating the goings on inside one of the overflow camps. Vera, Rex, and Esther all go in to find out what the module is, and what it is for. Vera pushes the leader of the camp to far, and finds her self inside the module with a bullet in her leg and hand. Of course Rex is the one that finds her just as the door locks and the burners come on. Mekhi Phifer plays the part to perfection as he watches his doctor and lover, burn alive. I have to admit that I am sad to see her go, but at least she went out in true Torchwood style. Rest in peace Dr. Vera Juarez, you shall be missed.

9021ahoh...

That's right Jason Priestly has joined the cast of Syfy's Haven. Priestly plays the role of Chris, who has now become the most loved man in Haven, since his father's death in episode 4 of season 2. Most people would love the idea that every person that laid eyes on them would fawn over them, but not Chris. He hates people. Well all but one, Audrey. But who can blame him, after all she is pretty, sweet, compassionate, and completely immune to his gift (or curse). Will their love bloom, or wither? Only the next episode will tell.