Daybreakers

Earth's population is up against a vicious plague that's transforming everyone into vampires and draining the world of an increasingly precious resource: blood. Edward Dalton (Ethan Hawke) and "Elvis" Cormac (Willem Dafoe) must decide what happens next. As the human race count nears zero, will vampires feast on the few men and women who remain, or could science hold the key to a less destructive solution? 

Ethan Hawke as Edward Dalton

Willem Dafoe as Elvis

Sam Neill as Charles Bromley

Claudia Karvan as Audrey Bennett

More info on imdb here.

I remember seeing this trailer at the movie theater  and thinking that I loved the original idea of a world run by vampires.  I appreciated that they thought of something other than vampires hide their existence from humans, and super strong fighters, and look really sexy all of the time.  I enjoy that formula but a change of pace is nice as well. 
So, when I saw this movie on Netflix last night I was surprised that it was already "Watch Instantly".  I happily loaded it up and watched it while I was working on a crafty project.  The look of the movie had a kind of Equilibrium feel to it with a steely color palette and lots of very well dressed people in black.  The movie sets up the plot of  "We are running out of blood and we need a blood substitute." quite nicely.  Perhaps my favorite scene of the whole movie is when Ethan Hawke's character is testing out a new drug on a vampire test subject.  They inject him with the blood, his temperature rises, he pukes, and he bloats up with huge puss bubble things.  The scientists inject him with something to make it stop and it works.  He shrinks back to normal, says he feels fine, and then proceeds to explode like a water balloon. 
The gore is fun in a B movie kind of way.  Lots of blood and guts make it fun to watch.  Even though Netflix gave this movie 4.3 stars I didn't really love this movie.  There was something about the story that just wasn't compelling.  There were several times in the movie when I would just think to myself, "I wish I liked this more".  All the elements were there.  Vampires, fight scenes, blood and guts, and a neato plot but it just didn't quite get there.  Even though it wasn't an amazing movie like I thought it was going to be I still did enjoy it and I rated it 3 stars.  Not bad at all.

Nicholas Nickleby

A young compassionate man struggles to save his family and friends from the abusive exploitation of his cold-heartedly grasping uncle. 

Charlie Hunnam as Nicholas Nickleby

Christopher Plummer as Ralph Nickleby

Jamie Bell as Smike

Jim Broadbent as Mr. Squeers

Kevin McKidd as John Browdie

Info from imdb, check it out here 

I take a lot of chances on Netflix.  Why not?  It's the 90's.  Netflix often suggests movies and shows to me with an almost 5 star rating and I see that as a challenge from Netflix.  As if it is saying, "Here.  Try this.  I KNOW you will love it."  I have to say that most if not all of the time, it is right.  I watch and rate so many things that it knows me well.

I took a chance with the above movie, Nicholas Nickleby.  Netflix gave it a 4.3 stars for me.  I had a little time to kill while I did some jewelry making so I started it up.  Here is Netflix's plot.

Charles Dickens's beloved story The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby is the inspiration for this drama set in 1800s England. Life hands Nicholas Nickleby (Charlie Hunnam) a difficult hand when his father dies and Nicholas, his sister and his mother, now penniless, are forced to seek help from his twisted Uncle Ralph (Christopher Plummer), who only wants to tear the family apart. Nathan Lane and Jim Broadbent also star.

It sounded like it would be a sad and dark movie but it was not that simple.  The start is sad with the death of a parent and hard times to follow.  Nicholas and his family travel to London to ask their wealthy uncle for assistance.   He does so unhappily and sends Nicholas away to a school for young boys to be a teacher.  The school is run by a wretched couple. the Squeers, who treat the boys horribly.  Nicholas meets a young man by the name of Smike who he quickly befriends and then saves from a beating.  The two young men leave the school and start on their adventures together.  I will not go into much more detail but I will say that they meet and make friends, save people, invite people to be family, and more.

  All throughout the movie Nicholas stands up for what is right, remains optimistic through out tough times, and is quite like-able.  I also found the character of Smike to be a great one.  He is kind, funny, and remains a loyal friend.  

I would highly recommend this movie to most people.  Netflix thought that I would like this movie 4.3 stars worth and it was right.

Queen of the Damned

Plot:

After many years of sleeping in his coffin, the vampire Lestat awakens only to find that the world has changed and he wants to be a part of it. He gathers a following and becomes a rock star only to find that his music awakens the ancient Queen Akasha and she wants him to become her king... Written by Andrew Main  

Stuart Townsend as Lestat

Marguerite Mureau as Jesse Reeves

Aaliyah as The Queen of the Damned

The above info is from imdb, here.

			This is about the 3rd time that I have watched this movie and I really do like it.  It was a vampire movie before vampires were super cool with the kids.  I personally believe that the above poster sheds a heavy light on Aaliyah is false advertising.  She is in about perhaps 15 to 20 minutes of the movie.  Yes, she is trying to take over the world but she only has a few scenes where she is try to do so.  I would have liked to have seen more of a focus on the character of Jesse Reeves, our young and curious Lestat loving girl.
			This movie is pretty fun all the way through.  I love the character of Lestat and the silliness of him being in a band.  He is cool, cute, and seems like a half way decent vampire.  Jesse is a girl that I can connect with because she is curious and naive about vampires and Lestat and also a bit of a snazzy dresser.  I must say, I love the long fur jacket that she wears to the vampire club.  I also love the buns in her hair (I like to do buns in my hair as well).
			This movie is not a serious watch, but if you are looking for a fun vampire movie to watch I can't recommend it enough.  It is not a very violent movie.  There are a few a few fight scenes but it is mostly flying around and what not.  Nothing like the Blade movies, which are amazing. I give this movie 4 fangs. ****