Underworld: Awakening

This one of my favorite vampire franchises and I was extremely excited for this one, the fourth in the series (even thrilled after watching it because it hinted to another movie).  The only thing that was a little "off pudding" was that Scott Speedman did not return to reprise his role of Michael.  Another actor, with a similar look and build stood in for him.  The good thing is that the movie is not based on Michael's character at all, involves him, but not about him.  When the movie opens, we discover that the human world has discovered the existence of Vampires and Lycans.  Seeing the two as a virus and a curse, they begin to eliminate as many members of each species as they humanly can.  In this pursuit, Michael and Selene are captured.  

Twelve years after her capture, Selene is aroused out of her frozen state (think Demolition Man) and gathering her senses she tries to meet up with who she believes is Michael.  She believes it is Michael because she can see what he sees and understandably so, she feels that is the only being she is connected to.  When she finds who released her, she is surprised at the discovery that it was a 12 year old girl who freed her, and this girl is now the subject of inquiry by both the Lycans and the company who held them both prisoner.  Selene immediately senses the need to protect this young girl who is neither vampire or lycan but a combination of them both, which has only been seen in Michael.  Who is this young girl and why is she so valuable?

This is another wonderful chapter in the Underworld series and if you are a fan, I recommend you watching it.

I give it an 8 out of 10.

Next up is "The Blitz."

A Dangerous Method

This movie traces the intertwined history of Sigmund Freud, Carl Jung, Sabina Spielrein and Otto Gross.  The story begins with the hospitalization of Sabina Spielrein, vividly played by Keira Knightly, who is overcome by a psychotic break and brought back to herself with the assistance of Dr. Carl Jung (Michael Fassbender).  Dr. Jung uses methods to treat Sabina taught to him by his mentor Dr. Sigmund Freud (Viggo Mortensen), who is also a trusted colleague and close friend.  Dr. Jung is aware of Sabina's desire to go to medical school and encourages her to do so.  After continuing to see each other, Dr. Jung and Sabina begin an affair that was strongly encouraged by Otto Gross (Vincent Cassell) who had openly admitted to having numerous relationships with his patients.  

Soon, their worlds begin to unravel, Sabina lost in her desire for Dr. Jung, Dr. Jung's desire for Sabina and feeling trapped by his loyalties to his wife and family along with his disagreement with Dr. Freud about the possibility of helping patients to find themselves.  Dr. Freud has his own demons surrounding his Jewish heritage and the fact that he believes that Dr. Jung feels that he is superior.  Freud also strongly disagrees with the spiritual side of psychoanalysis that becomes apparent that Dr. Jung is beginning to believe in.

The subject matter is extremely interesting and so I was intrigued.  Although, all of the key players in this film portray their characters with passion and true believability, the movie itself seemed to drag along and I could not wait for it to end.

I give it a 5 out of 10.

Next up is "Underworld: Awakening."

A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas

This third entry in the Harold and Kumar series (I didn't know that they had a second installment) we find that the pair are no longer best buds.  Harold is married and has a successful career in the financial field and Kumar has continue to abandon his medical career and sits at home getting high, over and over.  Harold is trying to impress his father-in-law and make certain that it is the best Christmas ever for his wife's family.  He has even volunteered to decorate the beautiful tree that his father-in-law has grown from a seed.  The tree is burned to a crisp after a visit from Kumar, who was dropping off a package that was mistakenly delivered to their old apartment.  Thus begins their adventure, where the two meet old acquaintances and realize how they have missed each other in an attempt to find a tree.

I was in stitches, particularly with Neil Patrick Harris who reprises his role, as himself.  He is hilarious.

I give it a 7 out of 10.

Next up is "A Dangerous Method."