Vampires Finally Reveal "What We Do In The Shadows"

What We Do In The Shadows (2014)

Rated R

Starring Jermaine Clement, Taika Waititi, Johnny Brugh, Cori Gonzalez-Macuer, Stu Rutherford

Written and Directed by Clement & Waititi

The Story:

Vladislav (Clement), Viago (Waititi) and Deacon (Brugh) are flatmates in New Zealand. They also happen to be vampires. After promising not to harm the camera crew that films them, they agree to let humankind take a peek behind the curtain and see what it's like to be a vampire. Sure, they're immortal, but not having mirrors really wreaks havoc on one's fashion sense. Then there are the endless arguments about chores. Plus, don't get them started on their dislike of werewolves. The dynamic of the group changes when they turn a local (Macuer) and he begins to disrupt the status quo of the group entirely.

This Is Veinal Tap.

A mockumentary that treats the subject both respectfully and with a sense of fun, after all, these are vampires in New Zealand!

The special effects are not bad at all, and it's easy to forget that this film was probably shot on a shoestring budget, compared to just about anything shot in North America.

Where I normally pick on a director and writer who are one and the same because they often don't know when to change something, these two obviously put a lot of effort and time into their film to make sure that there was very little waste or boredom in the film.

I won't go too much more into the plot other than this:

In a nutshell, if you like horror, horror comedy, mockumentaries or movies filmed in New Zealand, this one will be right up your alley.

Plus, the inevitable conflict between vampires and werewolves is ultimately more satisfying than anything you may have seen in Twilight.

Final Grade: B

Polio Schmolio..."FDR: American Badass"

The only thing we have to fear...is werewolves!?!?

The Story:

Governor Roosevelt (Barry Bostwick) is out hunting with his friends when they are attacked by a werewolf.  He is bitten in the leg and contracts polio.  When a chance encounter with a young fan at the hospital spurs Roosevelt to run for President...well, the rest as they say, is history.  Of course most history books overlook the fact that Hitler, Mussolini and Hirohito were all werewolves.

Yes, it's going to be a slightly different version of what the history books said!

Well, this film was no Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter.

Instead of playing it straight, they went straight for the absurd in this film.  Heck, they even go for a Batman style logo segue between scenes, so you know from the get-go this is not going to be a conventional film by any means.

Barry Bostwick is hilarious as the aforementioned badass in the film.  He chews the scenery, and his cigarette, with relish and glee as he tears through the film.  The rest of the cast support him well.

The ridiculousness of the entire Axis of Evil (the first, and still the best...) being werewolves is insanely absurd, but works perfectly in this film.

So much so, that by the time the spirit of Abraham Lincoln (Kevin Sorbo) shows up, you question absolutely nothing at that point.  Of COURSE it had to happen that way!

;)

Really, the only thing I could do without was the scene involving bathroom humor.

And don't get me wrong, a good fart joke is *always* funny... ;)

But some films take it too far, and it crosses over from funny to disgusting.

So this film's getting docked for that...


Available to stream instantly on Netflix as of this writing...

If you dare!

Final Grade: C

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: One and done was just the right amount for this film.