Review: I Heart Vampires

Yes, I know, I know. Two posts on vampires in one day?! What is wrong with me?

Well, I thought I’d share I Heart Vampires, stylised as I < 3 Vampires, with you.

I discovered it many years ago by accident, but thought ‘why not?’

It was created by Take180, but I can’t seem to find out whether they’re still going – somehow I think not.

Essentially, it was a weekly web show consisting of short videos of roughly 4-8 minutes, where the viewers had to ‘tell’ the cast what to do next. Nothing like a show that gets the viewers involved, hey?

I’ll throw you a carrot though, so bear with me.

The show starts with two friends who LOVE vampires. They run their own fan site, a.k.a. vlog. When the chapters of the latest Confessions of a High School Vampire are sent to Corbin and Luci, Corbin decides it’s a good idea to post them on her vlog – by the way, NOT a good idea. The author then announces that she will not be finishing the book, so Corbin and Luci set out to find her and apologise in the hope that she’ll finish the book.

 

 

I Heart Vampires Episode 1

The show consists of two seasons, as well as a couple of side videos of other cast members.

 

 

Nick: Into the Darkness Episode 1

 

 

Wyatt the Vampire Hunter Episode 1

I actually still enjoyed watching the series over again after so many years. It’s a shame that it didn’t last longer though…

The acting wasn’t too shabby either, it felt like ‘real people’ in a weird situation.

Have a watch. What do you think?

Perhaps I should start up a web series myself, as a writer and all, I’ve got that covered…

V

Review: Liar, Liar, Vampire

I thought I’d write about something a little different this week – I watched Liar, Liar, Vampire a day or so ago – part-research, part-boredom induced.

Considering it’s a film for teenagers, it actually wasn’t too bad. I couldn’t help but laugh at the parallels/parody of current vampire films, such as Twilight.

Liar, Liar, Vampire Trailer

I expect all of us have been in a situation where we’ve had to move somewhere, or to something, where we don’t know anyone – essentially where we become the ‘new kid/person’. (I, myself, am starting a new job next week!)

The story follows the ‘new kid’ who is mistaken as a vampire. So, what does said kid do? He makes everyone look like idiots by going along with the ruse.

Including sparkles!

Twilight-ish anyone?

 

 

Actors/Actresses

Davis Pell – Rahart Adams

 

I’ve actually seen Rahart in action before in the BBC show (I was still in the UK at the time, I know the BBC don’t own it) Nowhere Boys.

Rahart has great charisma, and it’s infectious!

Vi – Brec Bassinger

I don’t actually know any of the other actors from before the film, though they did a pretty good job.

 

 

Caitlyn Crisp – Tiera Skovbye

 

 

 

 

 

 

Opinion

Despite the film’s target age group, I did find it a refreshing take on the ‘vampire thing’ (and I say that as someone who reads vampire novels). The film tries to show that moving and change isn’t always a bad thing, and that everyone is still trying to figure out who they are whilst growing up.

Overall, not bad.

4/5

 

V

Writing the Synopsis

So, what is a synopsis?

A synopsis is basically a summary of the plot and characters. It gives an overview of the narrative arc.

For example:

Talon – Julie Kagawa

In Julie Kagawa’s groundbreaking modern fantasy series, dragons walk among us in human form. Long ago, dragons were hunted to near extinction by the Order of St. George, a legendary society of dragon slayers. Hiding in human form and growing their numbers in secret, the dragons of Talon have become strong and cunning, and they’re positioned to take over the world with humans none the wiser. Ember and Dante Hill are the only sister and brother known to dragonkind. Trained to infiltrate society, Ember wants to live the teen experience and enjoy a summer of freedom before taking her destined place in Talon. But destiny is a matter of perspective, and a rogue dragon will soon challenge everything Ember has been taught. As Ember struggles to accept her future, she and her brother are hunted by the Order of St. George. Soldier Garret Xavier Sebastian has a mission to seek and destroy all dragons, and Talon’s newest recruits in particular. But he cannot kill unless he is certain he has found his prey—and nothing is certain about Ember Hill. Faced with Ember’s bravery, confidence and all-too-human desires, Garret begins to question everything that the Order has ingrained in him— and what he might be willing to give up to find the truth about dragons.

Read More

 

Power Rangers – IMDB Synopsis

The film opens in the Cenozoic Era on Earth. A great battle has just taken place. The Red Ranger, Zordon (Bryan Cranston), crawls over to a dying Yellow Ranger crawls to him and de-morphs. Before she dies, Zordon apologizes for his failure to save them. After she dies, he communicates with Alpha 5 to send a meteor to destroy all life on Earth, and demorphs as he sends his and the rest of the Ranger’s power coins away, instructing them to seek those who are worthy of them. The Green Ranger, Rita Repulsa (Elizabeth Banks), appears to him, stating that with the Zeo Crystal, he and her can rule the Universe and the World. He tells her that will never happen. After telling him that he will die, he responds that they will die together. A huge blast then goes off, sending Rita into the ocean along with her power coin.

Continue Reading

 

The synopsis essentially tells the reader/viewer/agent/etc what they are about to read/watch – and this is important when trying to sell anything.

The Synopsis

Include:

Narrative arc

Active voice

Unique point of view

Story advancement

Clear writing

Avoid:

Too many characters/events

Too many details about plot twists

Details/descriptions/explanations that are unneccesary

Writing a back cover copy (a.k.a. blurb)

 

Be sure that your synopsis is clearly structured and easy to follow.

Writing the synopsis

 

V

 

Review: Ready Player One

So I finally made it to the cinema last week to see Ready Player One, and I wasn’t disappointed!

As someone who still enjoys The Matrix, it’s refreshing to see a new kind of film, unlike others that are currently out at the cinema.

Every now and again, something new, and unexpected (for positive reasons of course) pops up.

Ready Player One Trailer 1

Yes, there is a heavy focus on CGI and special effects – but think about it, what do we see in video games? Visually, the movie was fantastic.

What’s the film about?

Ready Player One is set in the dystopic future of 2045. It’s overcrowded, and people escape reality inside the OASIS – virtual reality. As Halliday – the creater of the OASIS – died without an heir, he designed a scavenger hunt for a hidden ‘Easter Egg’ in the game world – whoever finds this hidden egg becomes the owner of the OASIS and inherits Halliday’s fortune.

Wade, a.k.a. Parzival, happens to solve the first clue and becomes a target – he not only becomes famous amongst fellow gamers, but draws the unwanted attention of the ‘Sixers’.

Pop culture

The film boasts many references to pop culture – the iron giant being one of them.

How many can you spot?

The actors

Wade Watts/Parzival – Tye Sheridan

Samantha Cook/Art3mis – Olivia Cooke

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I-R0k – T.J. Miller

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sorrento – Ben Mendelsohn

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IMAGE CREDITS: Gage Skidmore

 

Helen/Aech – Lena Waithe

 

Daito – Win Morisaki

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sho – Philip Zhao

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ogden Morrow – Simon Pegg

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

James Halliday/Anorak – Mark Rylance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The verdict

5/5

Time wasn’t wasted – we were introduced to the conceprt, and the characters, very quickly, and it didn’t take long for the main storyline to commence. No time-wasting filler scenes.

The film spent most of its time in the OASIS, so the visuals needed to be good. The scenes in ‘reality’ were merged to create a seamless film that flowed well.

Visually fantastic!

I’m now waiting for the DVD…

Have you seen it yet? What did you think?

V

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Review: TMI – Cassandra Clare

Cassandra Clare is one of my favourite authors, and I absolutely love The Mortal Instruments series – I think that part of the engagment came as I was reading the series before, during, and after my move to Australia, which was a stressful time for me.

The Books

Why do they have to be over?!

City Of Bones by Cassandra Clare, published 2007 by Margaret K. McElderry Books

 

For me, Clary’s journey spanned over the course of several years as I anticipated the next book release.

I enjoyed the story as an escape from everday life, and would often stay up late with a torch to read (back in the days when I had a curfew).

The story follows Clary Fray as she learns of her nephilistic ancestry, her father, and who she is destined to become, alongside her best friend Simon.

 

City of Bones (Film)

The film didn’t do as well as it could have, apparantly…

I was thoroughly excited, and insisted on seeing it whilst on a holiday to Australia (before the move), as it came out in cinemas the day we were flying. And when it was released on DVD, of course I bought it.

I found the actors/characters to be really likeable – particularly Clary, Jace, Jocelyn, Luke and Valentine. Each of them did a good job, and I was hugely disappointed to learn that there wouldn’t be any more films.

However, I did find it frustrating when *SPOILER ALERT* Hodge told Valentine to tell Jace and Clary that they were related… Duh, you just told everyone the biggest spoiler going… This awkward relationship spanned the course of several books and was thoroughly (for me) frustrating, annoying, devastating! But it was executed well, and tied into other plotlines. The big reveal was a moment of joy! Which was ruined in the film, but I could’ve overlooked that.

Image Credit: Gage SkidmoreGage SkidmoreGage Skidmore

Vs Shadowhunters

Okay, so, in my opinion, the tv series – or season one at least – isn’t particularly great. I found the acting to be extremely wooden and forced from some of the characters *cough couch* Clary *cough cough*.

Despite this, I persisted.

A lot of the major events in the books are in strange (wrong!) orders in the tv version. (Something do to with Rights, I believe. But, we’ll not go into that).

Again, I persisted.

I argue that if you watch the series as a separate entity to the books, it can be good. My advice – get past season one, or definitely the first couple of episodes, and it does get better.

That’ll have to be it for now as I haven’t seen the latest season – Sebastian arrives!

Image Credit: ABC Family, Constantin Film

 

What are your thoughts?

V