It seems like every day I'm learning something about NBC's new
Dracula show that infuriates me even more. On top of Van Helsing being Dracula's ally, Dracula posing as an American entrepreneur, and the general sexy/romantic/sympathetic portrayal of Dracula that they're going for, there's this little nugget from the production designer:
Quote[The design for Dracula's manor] came from a very rich person's house in London from the period. We didn't want Gothic or a castle tower. It's kind of similar to an 1896 Great Gatsby with strong colors. He will sleep in an actual bed.
They're so determined to make Dracula appealing to brain-dead masses that they don't dare show him in a creepy Gothic castle, or sleeping in a coffin!? Are you kidding me!?!? The disrespect these people have for Stoker's book is colossal. They're really tossing out
everything important. The core of the entire Count Dracula character has been destroyed here, making a sympathetic loverboy emblematic of modern scientific progress which is the total opposite of who he is in the book.
How can they even call this "Dracula" at all!?
I saw a promo for this on NBC the other day. It didn't give too much away of the series but something smelled fishy. I'm glad you posted this - now I know not to check it out.
Why do they keep trying to ruin all of our classic characters?!?!?!
You can't destroy an immortal character like Dracula, just because some network can afford to waste a huge sum of money on some glorified fan fiction. This does nothing to undermine Dracula, anymore than Burton could with his insipid "Dark Shadows Film", or Disney the Lone Ranger with their Depptacular version.
True evil can never be destroyed. It lives in the hearts and minds of all those who fear it. It can be temporarily forgotten, often mocked, but never destroyed. je7u6ker6
Dracula is public domain. A plethora of Dracula movies, books, comics, etc. have come and gone. Enjoy what you like and ignore the dreck. And, believe me, there's a lot of Dracula dreck. thrhrt :blank:
It's NBC, the lowest rated network, what can we expect?
It's also Universal... ::)
Why am I not surprised?
Their have been SOOOO many different versions of Dracula, both good and bad, that no one version is going to destroy it. If you don't like it, don't watch it.
I believe it's supposed to be a limited series, too. I think just ten episodes have been ordered. So, if it tanks in the ratings, they can end it. If it does well, they can extend it, the way CBS did with "Stephen King's Under the Dome." I think it may come out of the gate strong, then lose viewers as it goes forward. It's so far removed from Bram Stoker that, frankly, they could have called it "Count Yorga: The Series," and most people (a.k.a. non-monster fans) wouldn't have known the difference.
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The only way the masses would even notice, is if they called it "Twilight, the Series".
Quote from: Big Bad Wolf on October 14, 2013, 11:06:48 AMHow can they even call this "Dracula" at all!?
I agree. Van Helsing, not some American TV network, should be the one destroying Dracula!
>:(
Quote from: Count_Zirock on October 15, 2013, 03:02:54 AMIt's so far removed from Bram Stoker that, frankly, they could have called it "Count Yoga: The Series," and most people (a.k.a. non-monster fans) wouldn't have known the difference.
Count Yoga would have been much better. That way they could feature Tantric Yoga mixed with Vampire Eroticism and have some of the Count's hot vampire brides demonstrating different "techniques". >:D thrhrt
(http://www.yoguini.com/images/yoga/asanas/seated/tantra.jpg)
They might have to show it late-night on Skinamax, but it would beat the heck out of another lame Dracula rehash. :laugh:
David Skall warned us against this show a couple of months ago, lets face it - it is NOT for us.
I wonder if Van Helsing might consider staking the programming director at NBC instead of Dracula?
???
Quote from: Hepcat on October 16, 2013, 03:56:51 PMI wonder if Van Helsing might consider staking the programming director at NBC instead of Dracula?
???
Van Helsing and Dracula are
allies in this steaming pile, so, it's doubtful.
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Quote from: BaronNightshade on October 16, 2013, 03:44:12 PM
David Skall warned us against this show a couple of months ago, lets face it - it is NOT for us.
Link?
Can you say Adult version of Twilight for commercial TV? Zombie Razz
Exactly Right, Wicked Jester - that is what it comes down to. cl:)
Quote from: Wicked Lester on October 16, 2013, 08:02:03 PM
Can you say Adult version of Twilight for commercial TV? Zombie Razz
I'd hardly call Twilight, or this, "adult". More like for tweens of all ages.
I watched this with my wife Friday and it was surprisingly pretty good.
There was something for classic fans as well as new twists for a modern take. From the Hammer inspired vampire hunter to this crazy twist on Drac taking on the Order of the Dragon for killing his wife with Van Helsing as an uneasy ally. (Politics does indeed make strange bedfellows - Van Helsing wants to kill as many vamps as necessary, even though Drac is top on his list)
This is no Twilight BS. No glittering lost in love vamp nonsense. Drac is vicious and seductive.
The truth is something newly made is not going to cater to our tastes as what is an authentic Drac. At the end of the day it's business. They need it to be profitable.
I didn't see him sleep in a coffin or a bed. I pray it's not the latter.
I like how a gothic flavored Drac has the green light on TV. I will watch it again next week and see where it goes. If it gets completely lame, I'm gone. But if they keep pumping out enough of the classic flavor to keep this 1931 Dracula fan happy, I'll keep watching.
I love Lugosi's Dracula...but I also love Christopher Lee's portrayal.
I watched the 1st episode of the new series and it isn't terrible.
It had a few interesting touches and isn't as offensive as Twilight was to both werewolves and vampires.
I'd say give it a shot. Again, if it makes a younger person seek out the classics...
I saw the first episode and found it interesting enough to give it a chance. No one should expect anything new to be as appreciated as anything classic, but it is possible to enjoy both on their own merits.
I can understand why they would shake things up with the classic characters. The standard version of Dracula has been done to (un)death.
This Dracula seems appropriately ruthless to me. I detected no teen angst crap ala Twilight.
I thought the first episode was decent. Not awful, not great, just decent. I'll watch it again, to see were it goes.
OK, I'll give it a shot....8)
Why is Dracula shorter than most of the women in this show? If he can't tower over the majority of the cast, then, what's the point? Give the guy a damn booster seat and some lifts in his heals. Make him stand on a box, the way they did with Alan Ladd. If it weren't for the fangs and contact lenses, he'd be indistinguishable from the rest of the male cast (except for Renfield, obviously).
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To be fair it is well produced. It isn't for me but some people might enjoy it. I think the script is a bit muddy. I expected worse.
Quote from: Wicked Lester on October 16, 2013, 08:02:03 PMCan you say Adult version of Twilight for commercial TV?
Why would I even want to try? Yeccchhhh!
:o
Quote from: Hepcat on October 28, 2013, 02:12:53 PM
Why would I even want to try? Yeccchhhh!
Because if you don't at least give it a shot you really can't go around stating things like that....well you can but it won't be an honest informed opinion!
Watched it the other day and am interested enough to stick around and see where it goes!
Quote from: zombiehorror on October 28, 2013, 09:20:52 PM
Because if you don't at least give it a shot you really can't go around stating things like that....well you can but it won't be an honest informed opinion!
Watched it the other day and am interested enough to stick around and see where it goes!
As my niece once so pointedly said, when lambasting "Freddy Got Fingered" to her friends: "I don't need to see it to know that it sucks!"
:)
Quote from: mjaycox on October 28, 2013, 09:24:37 PM
As my niece once so pointedly said, when lambasting "Freddy Got Fingered" to her friends: "I don't need to see it to know that it sucks!"
:)
Sure one can make an uninformed opinion on anything; music, art, movies, shows, food, books, people, etc. but until you actually experience it-it's better not to.......even in the case of Freddy Got Fingered.....whatever that is!
Shows like this, I give three chances. If they can't win me over in three episodes, they didn't try hard enough. So, they've got two more shots.
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Quote from: zombiehorror on October 28, 2013, 09:20:52 PM
Quote from: Hepcat on October 28, 2013, 02:12:53 PM
Quote from: Wicked Lester on October 16, 2013, 08:02:03 PMCan you say Adult version of Twilight for commercial TV? Zombie Razz
Why would I even want to try? Yeccchhhh!
:o
Because if you don't at least give it a shot you really can't go around stating things like that....well you can but it won't be an honest informed opinion!
Huh? So am I allowed to watch NBC's
Dracula show without having to talk about
Twilight or am I not?
???
Quote from: Hepcat on October 29, 2013, 08:35:11 AM
Why would I even want to try? Yeccchhhh!
Because if you don't at least give it a shot you really can't go around stating things like that....well you can but it won't be an honest informed opinion!
Huh? So am I allowed to watch NBC's Dracula show without having to talk about Twilight or am I not?
???
Only if you get permision first. :P
Quote from: Hepcat on May 20, 1974, 02:09:31 PM
Huh? So am I allowed to watch NBC's Dracula show without having to talk about Twilight or am I not?
???
Sure! ;D I mean in order to compare NBC's Dracula to Twilight in the first place you'd have had to actually read/seen Twilight........Now that's scary!
I've had the misfortune of seeing a Twilight movie. That's precisely why I don't want to be forced to call up and thus relive the experience.
:(
Quote from: Hepcat on October 29, 2013, 02:09:45 PM
I've had the misfortune of seeing a Twilight movie. That's precisely why I don't want to be forced to call up and thus relive the experience.
:(
Yeah, last Halloween when FX was cramming the first "Twilight" film down our throats all October long, I finally broke down and watched it. Other than decent production values, it was pretty mediocre. And, of course, what it does to vampires is just inexcusable.
This year, FX was running "Twilight: New Moon" into the dust. After twenty minutes of watching guys turn into werewolves the size of Clydesdales, I turned it off. This was just too insulting to endure.
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The second to last Twilight is the worst piece of crap to be called horror I've ever seen. The first half hour dealt with the marriage and horribly dull honeymoon. Who produced this, Oprah? I never got beyond that.
Don't think I will be tuning in tonight. Last week's episode was lame.
Saw the NBC Dracula again last night. I think I'll stick with this for awhile. It's beginning to pique my interest. I like that it's appropriately hard edged when it comes to violence and sexual situations. One element I really miss is a physically imposing Dracula with a commanding voice. Chris Lee this dude isn't.
Quote from: zombiehorror on October 28, 2013, 10:07:26 PM
Sure one can make an uninformed opinion on anything; music, art, movies, shows, food, books, people, etc. but until you actually experience it-it's better not to.......even in the case of Freddy Got Fingered.....whatever that is!
The best way to "experience" "Freddy Got Fingered", a trully abhorrant Tom Green film which has nothing to do with the "Nightmare on Elm St." franchise, is to see one of those online reviews. That way you get to understand what a complete POS it is, without being subjected to the horror that is that movie. I would rather watch Twilight (which I hate) over being subjected to 90 minutes of that repulsive cinema.
Quote from: horrorhunter on November 09, 2013, 01:59:30 PM
Saw the NBC Dracula again last night. I think I'll stick with this for awhile. It's beginning to pique my interest. I like that it's appropriately hard edged when it comes to violence and sexual situations. One element I really miss is a physically imposing Dracula with a commanding voice. Chris Lee this dude isn't.
He's not even Jack Palance or Frank Langella! He was cast solely for his pretty-boy appeal, so NBC could draw in female viewers. Go to their Facebook page, and all the posts are by drooling fangirls.
I haven't watched last night's episode back yet. It will be the one that either keeps me watching or has me delete it from my menu.
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Well, I finally watched "Dracula" episode 3. The storyline is starting to pick up, so I'm going to stick with it. Still not thrilled with JRM's portrayal of the title character, but the rest of the cast is interesting. Besides, only 7 more episodes to go.
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I told my wife Im dropping this show. She said she will still watch (she loves the lead actor).
I'll stick with Coven.
Quote from: Count_Zirock on November 09, 2013, 03:29:42 PMGo to their Facebook page, and all the posts are by drooling fangirls.
The same ones that drool over Justin Bieber no doubt.
::)
I have not yet watched this, as network television programing (ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox, UPN/WB/whatever it's called today) is a far memory to me. I started the Night Stalker reboot and dropped that faster than the network did, and that was the last of the network shows I watched, and it was several years before that I watched something. So this Dracula progam is kinda low on my list. I will probably watch at least one episode, just to see what it's about.
Didn't think I'd like it, but watched all four episodes in a row & I'll be sticking with it.
The story's pretty cool & I love the time period... only thing I don't like is Dracula, or
really, the way he looks...he does look a bit better in the medieval flash-backs.
On the whole, can't say I'm particularly impressed...Dracula in league with Van Helsing?
A black Renfield? I'm not objecting to this on the basis of his color, but would he have been as able to move in different society as a white Renfield? The actor who portrays him is excellent, however......
I can watch or not watch....would be surprised if it lasted the season...
Bizarro Jeff
Quote from: Bizarro Jeff on January 12, 2014, 12:31:33 PM
I can watch or not watch....would be surprised if it lasted the season...
That's all it was expected/made to last from what I read.....though they probably left it open ended in case it did well!
I've been following the show but it's not something I'm too excited about. My biggest criticism is the lack of presence evident with the actor who plays Dracula. He just doesn't have the size/voice/look to be Dracula. If they could cast a Dracula that was even half as effective as Chris Lee or Jack Palance was, I could really get stoked (Stokered?) about this series. Too bad it falls a little "short". :blank:
Quote from: horrorhunter on January 12, 2014, 02:54:13 PM
I've been following the show but it's not something I'm too excited about. My biggest criticism is the lack of presence evident with the actor who plays Dracula. He just doesn't have the size/voice/look to be Dracula. If they could cast a Dracula that was even half as effective as Chris Lee or Jack Palance was, I could really get stoked (Stokered?) about this series. Too bad it falls a little "short". :blank:
Yeah, nothing gets me stoked like an effeminate, midget Drac.
Quote from: Scatter on January 12, 2014, 02:57:27 PM
Yeah, nothing gets me stoked like an effeminate, midget Drac.
What's next... Vern Troyer (Mini Me) in the TV version of Nosferatu?
Quote from: Mord on January 12, 2014, 04:10:18 PM
What's next... Vern Troyer (Mini Me) in the TV version of Nosferatu?
That's actually an inspired idea!
Quote from: Mord on January 12, 2014, 04:10:18 PM
What's next... Vern Troyer (Mini Me) in the TV version of Nosferatu?
Or maybe "Son of Nosferatu".
I agree it's the dumbing down of the genre' , making it palatable for the masses. God forbid they should show it in it's real form , a true gothic wonder. Aside from a couple of the depictions in Coppola's version , that's the closest thing to the "ideal" Dracula I would have liked to see. I would like to see a back story book . A version that deals with the "making " of Dracula , the rise or fall from grace that inspired the Stoker novel that takes us 500 years into the future . Now that would a rich narrative with a whole set of new characters and plotlines.
Just like everything else in Hollywood, they will conform to what their demographic is. Today, the demographic is teenagers and what used to be called "men". You remember the "men" who liked real horror and monster? The "men" who acted macho and like real men? Well, those "men" now are indistinguishable from women and enjoy seeing their vampires sparkle. These are the same that like their Dracula a little less "scary" I'm also sick of Hollywood trying to put a cool-new-spin on things. Dracula working with Van Helsing? How about "Dracula: Agent of God" or "Dracula: Suicide Hotline Counselor"? Why can't they keep Dracula the way Bram Stoker wrote it or try and do a justifiable back story? Since when does Dracula sleep in an actual bed? The masses are becoming dumb and being dumbed down. It's only a matter of time before NBC produces a Frankenstien movie were the Monster is an up and coming male runway model. Think "Zoolander" but with the Monster in Ben Stiller's role.
"Dracula: Suicide Hotline Counselor" already aired on Fox in 2007. Many people took their lives after watching the pilot. Needless to say, it was cancelled to escape the avalanche of lawsuits ahead.
Quote from: Mord on January 12, 2014, 04:10:18 PM
What's next... Vern Troyer (Mini Me) in the TV version of Nosferatu?
As Gene Wilder said in Young Frankenstein, "It...could.....work!!"(http://www.3demonic.com/images/MG_Nosferatu06.jpg)(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/20/Verne_Troyer_2012.jpg)
Quote from: BigShadow on February 23, 2014, 04:41:43 PMIt's only a matter of time before NBC produces a Frankenstien movie were the Monster is an up and coming male runway model. Think "Zoolander" but with the Monster in Ben Stiller's role.
That movie already came out. Aaron Eckhart is in it.
Nicely done sir!
Quote from: McDougals House of Horror on February 23, 2014, 07:38:14 PM
As Gene Wilder said in Young Frankenstein, "It...could.....work!!"
(http://www.3demonic.com/images/MG_Nosferatu06.jpg)(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/20/Verne_Troyer_2012.jpg)
That was a great likeness Sideshow did with that one. I can really see the Vern in that sculpt. ;D
I Do kinda like this series though haven't watched it faithfully. To me it's a fun Elseworld's kinda thing. Mix up the story that's been told so many times. No I do not want my vampires shiny. But there is fun secret society stuff going on. It's just tv fluff that I can watch watch that I do not have to pay much attention to and sketch. Every once in awhile look up and notice not much has changed and doodle some more. And watered down Dracula is still kinda Dracula.
Dracula = Canceled
Hannibal = Renewed
One is pretty true to the source material and is still on the air. The other... not so much... and it's now gone.
I always understood it that Dracula was never meant to be more than a one season deal!? But I guess with a cancellation/nonrenewal announcement that-that was not the case.
Thank God............now can Jonathan Rhys Meyers please just go away? FOREVER. He is to Elvis and Dracula what Scrappy Do was to Scooby..........an irritating, useless little runt.
Quote from: Scatter on May 11, 2014, 12:20:49 PM
Thank God............now can Jonathan Rhys Meyers please just go away? FOREVER. He is to Elvis and Dracula what Scrappy Do was to Scooby..........an irritating, useless little runt.
I'm sorry, have we stopped using Keanu as a reference for all things mediocre?
No. Not at all. But we do have to acknowledge the contenders.
Quote from: Scatter on May 11, 2014, 12:20:49 PM
..........an irritating, useless little runt.
At 5' 10" he's hardly a runt....now as for his being irritating or his usefullness that is in the eye of the beholder. ;D
Quote from: zombiehorror on May 11, 2014, 06:30:41 PM
At 5' 10" he's hardly a runt....now as for his being irritating or his usefullness that is in the eye of the beholder. ;D
Spoken like a man who's 5' 10".........(like me)! ;D
Seriously, it's too damn short for Dracula.
As for his uselessness, i refer you to his Keanu-like ineptitude. ;)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8Xn8OtXKsk# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8Xn8OtXKsk#)
Quote from: zombiehorror on May 11, 2014, 06:30:41 PM
At 5' 10" he's hardly a runt....now as for his being irritating or his usefullness that is in the eye of the beholder. ;D
Hey, I'm 5' 10" AND irritating (maybe even useless), and I can't be Dracula. Though I have been referred to as a blood-sucking leech by some former girlfriends.
Quote from: Mord on May 11, 2014, 09:23:17 PM
Hey, I'm 5' 10" AND irritating (maybe even useless), and I can't be Dracula. Though I have been referred to as a blood-sucking leech by some former girlfriends.
I'm ALSO 5'10".........and THAT is too much of a runt to freaking play Dracula. But I can act circles around Rhys Meyers. And I can't act. He flat out sux.
Quote from: Scatter on May 11, 2014, 10:17:06 PM
I'm ALSO 5'10".........and THAT is too much of a runt to freaking play Dracula. But I can act circles around Rhys Meyers.
Not to mention his holiness, Keanu Reeves (and maybe even Nick Cage).
After you have experienced Christopher Lee, Rhys Meyers is a runt...Draculaly speaking. thrhrt