Big Blue Huddle

Quote from: Sem on October 16, 2024, 11:24:16 PMI'll keep saying this until I'm blue in the face. Find and watch the Swedish film "Let the Right One In." (2008). It has a 98% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Despite the vampire being a "young" girl I think it may just be my favorite vampire movie I've ever seen, and like you Len, I love vampire movies.
Trailer



**Do NOT waste your time with the 2010 US remake, "Let Me In." It's worse than very bad!!

**I see it was also made into a Showtime series in 2022. Skip this one too.

As soon as I go up, I'll look and see if it is available on any of my streaming stuff. Sounds just what the 'doctor' ordered.

OK, Steve, just watched this, this afternoon and it was pretty good. My take is that it was completely different from most 'vampire-type' movies in that there wasn't the 'thriller/horror' aspect to it as there is in most 'vampire-type' movies. To me, it was the story of the two kids with a mix of vampires mixed in. Not many edge-of-your-seat thrills though. I did enjoy it as I usually shy away from foreign/subtitled movies, but this one was fidderent.

Quote from: LennG on October 19, 2024, 07:11:58 PMOK, Steve, just watched this, this afternoon and it was pretty good. My take is that it was completely different from most 'vampire-type' movies in that there wasn't the 'thriller/horror' aspect to it as there is in most 'vampire-type' movies. To me, it was the story of the two kids with a mix of vampires mixed in. Not many edge-of-your-seat thrills though. I did enjoy it as I usually shy away from foreign/subtitled movies, but this one was fidderent.

It is certainly a different type of vampire movie for sure, thanks for watching it Len. The movie is based on a novel, and focuses more on the relationship between the kids than it does on typical thrills of traditional vampire movies, as well as the novel itself. I think the fact that the dialog was so sparse made the subtitles more bearable, as well as giving an overall sense of foreboding to the movie, (imo of course). The cinematography was excellent as I could actually feel the gray, frigid cold of the Swedish winter deep in my core. I will say I've seen the movie at least three or four times, though not for a few years now, and I've come to appreciate it more each time I watch it.

*****Spoiler******
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Len, this movie left me with a few questions:

  Did Eli's and Oskar's meeting and eventual relationship happen by chance, or was it "arranged" by Eli and Håkan? Was it a coincidence that, in all of Sweden Eli and Håkan just happen to move into an apartment in the same complex, right next door(!!) to Oskar, a troubled young boy? Maybe Eli felt Håkan was getting too old to assist her going forward, based on his age and multiple failed attempts to bring her fresh blood, so Eli planned and selected young Oskar as a replacement to train?

 Has Eli always been a little girl, or can she change? (Bela Lugosi's Dracula was able to change between human form, invisibility, and a bat). If she can change her form, did she change from a much older vampire to young Eli because she felt it would be the most effective way to develop a relationship and eventually use Oskar as her human servant long term? I feel the final scene, as Eli and Oskar leave together on the train, goes a long way towards confirming that. Like it was meant to be that way all along. At least in my eyes.

Quote from: Sem on October 19, 2024, 10:47:24 PMIt is certainly a different type of vampire movie for sure, thanks for watching it Len. The movie is based on a novel, and focuses more on the relationship between the kids than it does on typical thrills of traditional vampire movies, as well as the novel itself. I think the fact that the dialog was so sparse made the subtitles more bearable, as well as giving an overall sense of foreboding to the movie, (imo of course). The cinematography was excellent as I could actually feel the gray, frigid cold of the Swedish winter deep in my core. I will say I've seen the movie at least three or four times, though not for a few years now, and I've come to appreciate it more each time I watch it.

*****Spoiler******
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Len, this movie left me with a few questions:

  Did Eli's and Oskar's meeting and eventual relationship happen by chance, or was it "arranged" by Eli and Håkan? Was it a coincidence that, in all of Sweden Eli and Håkan just happen to move into an apartment in the same complex, right next door(!!) to Oskar, a troubled young boy? Maybe Eli felt Håkan was getting too old to assist her going forward, based on his age and multiple failed attempts to bring her fresh blood, so Eli planned and selected young Oskar as a replacement to train?

 Has Eli always been a little girl, or can she change? (Bela Lugosi's Dracula was able to change between human form, invisibility, and a bat). If she can change her form, did she change from a much older vampire to young Eli because she felt it would be the most effective way to develop a relationship and eventually use Oskar as her human servant long term? I feel the final scene, as Eli and Oskar leave together on the train, goes a long way towards confirming that. Like it was meant to be that way all along. At least in my eyes.

First I'm using my phone so excuse all spelling errors.

You make some interesting points that I never thought of as I was watching.

I really don't think that Eli moved where they did because of Oskar. They had to live somewhere, she saw Oskar and befriended him. Everything after that was just the process that took place. I don't think it was pre ordained.

As far as Eli, she said to Oscar that she has been 12 for a very long time so that is what I believe. How long is anyone's guess. If what we know about vampires is true she should have the capability to change forms but not ages.

Len, it appears as I was overthinking this. Out of curiosity I wanted to see if the Swedish novel, that the movie was based on, was also translated into English, and if so maybe I'd pick it up and read it. So I Googled it, which led me to the wikipedia page, where I read the synopsis. Turns out Eli was "turned" as a 12 year old, so there was no shape-shifting involved. But the surprising thing I learned is that in the novel Eli is actually a boy, Elias, who was castrated when he became a vampire. Why? I have no idea. Also, Håkan was attracted to Eli (Elias), and...."offers to go out (to procure blood),one last time if he can spend a night with Eli after he gets the blood. Eli says that Håkan may only touch her. Eventually he tries to rape her (him). Most of the rest of the movie follows the novel quite closely.
I actually like a couple of my ideas better that how things played out in the film. 

Steve

Thanks for the description of the novel. I can see why they changed some of that to make the movie. It is much simpler the way it played out in the movie, instead of trying to confuse people with who is transgender or whatever. Eli as a girl, makes all the sense, especially as to why she is attracted to Oskar. If they followed the novel, would Elias really befriend Oskar in the way Eli did?

Just a heads-up, the 3rd season of, "The Lincoln Lawyer" (Netflix) dropped a couple days ago, and finally, a show we've been waiting for has dropped the entire 10 episodes instead of that weekly drop, so it can be binged at your own leisure. I've watched the first two and like it. I was not aware the story was going to be taken off the book I just read a month ago. So if anyone is interested, the girl named "Glory Days" (fake name), has been in every previous book. She's a girl down on her luck and a hooker/drug addict. Mickey Haller has constantly gone to court and represented her pro bono in at least a half dozen cases after she was arrested, and took care of her because she needed help from someone, and Mickey was being a good Samaritan and had taken her under his wing

His ex-wives and everyone he knows has criticized him for constantly taking care of her, but he just sees a good person who got caught up in the system and is struggling to survive. And of course, he has a daughter, which cuts home in his heart. He finally gave her a bunch of money and a plane ticket so she could return to Hawaii where her mother lives, and she was raised, and finally turn her life around, which is what she wanted. Mickey saw her off at the airport and hadn't seen her again, until her body turned up in the morgue right near where he lives (not Hawaii). Anyway, I share this information because the show skips over so much and doesn't really bring that part of the story of Mickey's past relationship with Gloria Dayton (i.e., Glory Days), and it's a huge part of the whole story...in the book anyway

Good show. It's interesting to me to see how closely it follows the book and the casting has been good, and overall, the show gets the gist of the story as told by the author of the book (Michael Connelly)

 I'm sorry but I gave in and started watching Tulsa King before they have all played out. I just couldn't resist. I LOVED the 1st season and Sly is just perfect for the role he is playing. I have watched only 2 episodes but it is just as enjoyable as season 1. Highly recommended.

Quote from: LennG on October 21, 2024, 03:49:37 PMI'm sorry but I gave in and started watching Tulsa King before they have all played out. I just couldn't resist. I LOVED the 1st season and Sly is just perfect for the role he is playing. I have watched only 2 episodes but it is just as enjoyable as season 1. Highly recommended.

I did the same, and now I have to wait until Sunday night each week 

Quote from: Jolly Blue Giant on October 21, 2024, 04:50:43 PMI did the same, and now I have to wait until Sunday night each week 

 I am officially caught up to date and I am basically where you are now, having to wait week to week. I may just wait until a few more episodes drop as I hate this week to week bullsh,t.

Quote from: LennG on October 23, 2024, 01:49:11 PMI am officially caught up to date and I am basically where you are now, having to wait week to week. I may just wait until a few more episodes drop as I hate this week to week bullsh,t.

I have no idea how it will end, but I got my money on Dwight Manfredi coming out on top...LOL

Lenn, if you still have Apple TV, give "Bad Monkey" a shot - I think you would like it. As of last week, all 10 episodes dropped, so there's no waiting week-to-week like when it was released. I also finally jumped into "Only Murders in the Building", and I'm kicking myself in the butt for not waiting until all episodes dropped

I just finished season 3 of "The Lincoln Lawyer" and have to say, it's the best of the three seasons. They left a lot out from the book, and added a few things, but I guess that called "artistic license"; whatever, the show was good...and that's odd for me to say when I've already read the books

 Looking for a decent movie to watch on a Saturday afternoon, I decided on a new movie by M. Night Shyamalan
 called 'Trap'. I have always been a fan of this writer/director and many of his movies are downright creepy.
So this film is about a brutal killer who is with his daughter at a rock concert. They sort of knew he would be there and had the place overwhelmed and surrounded by SWAT and police. This was the main theme thru about 1/2 of the movie and it was good, with him constantly thinking of ways to get out while still not letting his young daughter in on his secret.
After this, it does start to get very silly. I hate it when you have movies and the people in these movies are doing things no normal human being would do. It is a common theme in most action movies. I won't give anything away for anyone who might want to watch, but IMHO it does get a bit too silly when it is supposed to be more suspenseful.
Like any slasher movie (not this one) but the girl knows something is amiss, hears a noise in the basement, and then proceeds to go down there with a flashlight because the electricity has gone out. REALLY. Maybe it is good movie-making which I doubt, but are people really supposed to believe others are that stupid? Well, you get the point.

Overall, not bad but could have really been good.

Lioness season 2 dropped the first two episodes last night and man I think it's better than the 1st season. At this point Sheridan can't do anything wrong with any show he touches. Supposedly has a yellowstone esq show coming but about Texas oil.

Quote from: Jclayton92 on October 27, 2024, 05:40:00 PMLioness season 2 dropped the first two episodes last night and man I think it's better than the 1st season. At this point Sheridan can't do anything wrong with any show he touches. Supposedly has a yellowstone esq show coming but about Texas oil.

I liked Season 1 and will watch season 2, but I need the entire season to drop first. 
(no spoilers please).

Quote from: Jclayton92 on October 27, 2024, 05:40:00 PMLioness season 2 dropped the first two episodes last night and man I think it's better than the 1st season. At this point Sheridan can't do anything wrong with any show he touches. Supposedly has a yellowstone esq show coming but about Texas oil.

Watched the first two episodes. I am going to say nothing except that I thoroughly enjoyed both, and it is very promising so far.