Movie Review: Vampires Suck

comical display image of 'Vampires Suck', parody for Twilight,New moon,Saga

From the writer-directors of Date Movie, Epic Movie, and Disaster Movie, Jason Friedberg and Aaron Seltzer finally gave the not so Twilight fans something to laugh about. But, they did it all for nothing.

The story is about a sulky yet hot tempered Becca Crane (Jenn Proske), who returns to Sporks, Washington, to live with her sheriff dad. At school, she meets extremely pale, Edward Sullen (Matt Lanter), part of the mysterious Sullen family of vampires. Also bitten by Becca's charm is Jacob White (Chris Riggi) an often shirtless Native-American werewolf.

 Becca's bloodsucker-lust soon attracts a dangerous clan of nomadic vampires who don't share the Sullens' ethical reservations about drinking human blood.

Friedberg & Seltzer basically rehash Twilight sequences and “attack” predictable and easy pop-culture targets such as the Jonas Brothers, Tiger Woods, the Jersey Shore cast and etc.


The real problems are that there are not enough comedic elements and if there was then it was too far between each of the scenes. For example, one of the Sullen’s goes crazy when Becca cuts herself and starts bleeding. The joke is that he’s so hungry, he imagines her head as a large burger. However, the scene is unfunny and generally illogical since he’s a vampire and doesn’t eat meat and so a burger supposedly wouldn’t be very appealing to him. Vampires don’t eat meat, they don’t like them. That’s what makes them vampires.

They even managed to make the funniest people like The Hangovers’ Ken Jeong unfunny, when he shows up late in the movie as a Volturi.

On the plus side, the lead roles were well casted. For example, Proske nails Kristen Stewart’s stutter delivery, gape-mouthed stares, and constant fidgeting with her hair. Matt Lanter deserves some respect for doing a good job for brooding his way to a passable Edward.

Documentary Review: Remembering Natrah

Maria Hertogh and Che Aminah binte Mohamed, circa 1950.

This documentary basically describes a life of a 12 year old Dutch girl named Huberdina Maria Hertogh or her Muslim name Natrah Maarof who was adopted by Che Aminah a Malay woman and was taken back to the Netherlands by her biological parents against her will in the 1950s.

Remembering Natrah reminds today’s society of two important issues that has failed to be practised especially here in Malaysia. The first lesson is a about religious tolerance and respecting human rights. Secondly, is how ignorance would result in one leading a lifetime of misery.

The director has outlined a few important things that we should take into account at this time such as how we regardless of the media or society’s perception should correct people’s view of Islam being a religion of extremist. In addition, respecting the religion of others is the most important element in creating a harmonious environment within a society.

The documentary outlines how provocation towards a religion does not bring any benefit. A good example would be the case of Natrah. When the Malay party lost in court for the second time to keep Natrah in Malaya with her adoptive mother, they accepted the decision quite well although they were very disappointed with the courts’ decision. However, to add salt to the wound a provocation was made by an international newspaper showing Natrah kneeling in front of the Virgin Mary’s statue and  had made the Malays felt that their dignity was being lowered by another religion.

Remembering Natrah has made us think of how important it is for people to respect each other regardless of religion and that all religions should be treated with the equal amount of respect and courtesy.

Book Review: Where Rainbows End

Flowery & Feminine book cover for 'Where rainbows end'

Where Rainbows End was written by Cecelia Ahern and a Harper Collins publication.

The book “Where Rainbows End” is about casual friendship transforming to a love story.

Were Rainbows End is basically about Rosie Dunes and Alex Stewart whom were both child hood friends. The two characters (Rosie and Alex) were used to each other for ages but Alex had to move from Ireland to a new location (Boston).

Rosie was left alone in Ireland dough they communicated with Alex through mails. Luckily she got an offer to move to Boston but she couldn’t make it due to some problems.

The book has achieved its goal because it was successful in making people understand the story although the author chose to tell it in a complicated way. Readers may find it hard to understand what the story is about at the beginning but soon they will get used to it. 

Other than that, Ahern had convinced the readers on the possibilities of long distance relationship, Compared to other books, Where Rainbows End manages to give a new look on how some people still conducting their relationship in an “old fashion” way, which is through writing, rather than phone calls.

Finally, this book is a must to read if you like childhood friendship or if you are in or has been in a long distance relationship. You can get courage and motivations to carry on with your relationship.

Movie Review: The Descent Part 2

Spine-chilling & horrifying poster for 'The descent part2'

The continuation is arguably not that superior as The Descent back in 2005. In The Descent Part 2, the only survivor from The Descent, Sarah was forced into the Appalachian cave by the authorities to help locate her five missing friends.

In this movie, there is not anything above and beyond being more violent than the previous series. That's why it's rated R in the U.S. for 'strong bloody horror violence, grisly images, terror and language'.

The plot is very flat, the movie takes place after the ending of the previous series but it doesn’t offer any interesting elements or excitement. However, the little plot twist enlightens the movie ending.

By and large, it is a sort of a  movie which can be a attractive feature of  attracting  horror fans.