JoBlo Movie News Coverage: Day 5

In what seems to have become a pretty darn obnoxious trend, another high-profile movie character has been revealed through the underwhelming medium of children's toys.

Elaborating on what we have already seen revealed as a Pez dispenser, we now have a clearer look at new Spidey baddie The Lizard (played by Rhys Ifans) from the upcoming The Amazing Spider-Man via a graphic on a remote control. This is probably the clearest shot we've seen yet, revealing the creature in all his scaly glory.

So what do you think? Is this a ballsy, fresh take on the character, or does he look a little too much like a Goomba from the Super Mario Bros. movie?

For reference, here's our Lizard:

 

And...Goomba!

Marc Webb's The Amazing Spider-Man is in theaters July 3, 2012.

Source: Coming Soon

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Say what you will about actors needing to keep their cotton-pickin' mouths shut, but I think it's refreshing to hear their realistic opinions on movies that...well, flat-out sucked.

After sharing his thoughts on the travesty that was M. Night Shyamalan's The Happening, Mark Wahlberg has returned to give MTV News his take on Tim Burton's colossal failure, 2001's Planet of the Apes.

As is often the case, it was a classic tale of studio meddling. "They didn't have the script right," Wahlberg said. "They had a release date before he had shot a foot of film. They were pushing him and pushing him in the wrong direction. You have got to let Tim do his thing."

But it wasn't all bad:

"I had no better time on any movie than I had working with Tim," he said. "I had the most amazing time with Tim. I run to be on the set with him." What do you mean, Mark, it wasn't as much fun as working with David O. Russell on I Heart Huckabees?

Wahlberg's view on both Planet of the Apes and The Happening? "It is what it is."

For details on Tim Burton's time spent "in the club," check out the full interview below:

Get More: Movie Trailers, Movies Blog

Source: MTV

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In one of his first projects back in front of the camera, Arnold Schwarzenegger is skipping over the usual suspects (terrorists, drug smugglers, etc.) and going head-to-head with the big man himself: the Devil.

Okay, so that's not the official word, but Schwarzenegger's 2013 action flick Black Sands has been re-titled Black Sunday, and the actor himself has been quoted as saying: "I'm a kind of angel, but I can not currently say more about this film." An angel, eh? In an action movie called Black Sunday? Sounds like End of Days 2 to me.

The film was originally about a one-man war against an arms dealer, so we'll see if they simply make the hero a bloodthirsty angel out for revenge. Let's be honest, I think we'd all pay good money to see that.

With The Last Stand, The Expendables 2, and now Black Sunday, who's excited for Arnold's big return?

Source: First Showing

 

JoBlo Movie News Coverage: Day 4

If you thought the poster for Nicolas Winding Refn's Drive was deliciously retro, then prepare to feast your eyes on this new poster for Lee Daniels' (Precious) upcoming film, The Paperboy, that looks like something you'd scrounge up in a bargain bin full of 1970's VHS tapes. In a good way, of course.

After pulling a switcheroo with all four of its leading actors, The Paperboy is shaping up to be a promising little project. Based on the novel by Pete Dexter (who also wrote the screenplay), the film was originally set to star Bradley Cooper, Alex Pettyfer, Tobey Maguire, and Sofia Vergara. Personally, I think we got enough of an eyeliner-clad Maguire in Spider-Man 3, so it's John Cusack's turn to look a tad creepy.

Here's the synopsis from Rope of Silicon: The film is an adaptation of the Pete Dexter novel and follows Ward James (Matthew McConaughey), a Miami Times reporter who returns to his hometown to investigate the murder of a local sheriff who is eventually helped by his younger brother Jack (Efron) as they investigate the possible wrongful conviction of a man on death row. Throughout the process Jack falls for the woman (Nicole Kidman) whom the convict (John Cusack) has been romancing through prison correspondence.

Source: Rope of Silicon

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Now that bits and pieces of Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight Rises have been released through a full-length trailer, IMAX prologue, and a bundle of production stills, cast members can finally open up a bit about the film. I stress a bit, because I'm sure that their secrecy contract inked in blood still exists in one form or another.

Hero Complex has nabbed a pretty interesting interview with Anne Hathaway, who will bring Catwoman to the screen once again after Halle Berry took the character and...well, we all know what happened there.

Hathaway on Nolan's Bat-universe:  

"Gotham City is full of grace. You look at Heath’s performance as the Joker, there was a lot of madness there but there was also a grace and he had a code there. There’s a lot of belief and codes of behavior in Gotham and my character has one, too. A lot of the way she moves and interacts with people is informed by her worldview. Chris has given us all such complex, defined, sophisticated worldviews that it’s just a matter of doing your homework and getting underneath the character’s skin."

Geeks around the world should be happy to know that Hathaway has familiarized herself with Catwoman's origin, and even looked to Batman creator Bob Kane's inspiration for the character, Hollywood starlet Hedy Lamarr.  

"I know this sounds odd, but her breathing is extraordinary. She takes these long, deep, languid breaths and exhales slowly. There’s a shot of her in [the 1933 film] 'Ecstasy' exhaling a cigarette and I took probably five breaths during her one exhale. So I started working on my breathing a lot."

For the full article, including Nolan's take on Hathaway in the role, head on over to Hero Complex.  Although it should be known that the piece contains SPOILERS regarding specific details of a scene from the film. 

And just for kicks, here's the full-length trailer. Because you haven't already seen it 47 times, right?

The Dark Knight Rises hits theaters July 20, 2012.

Source: Hero Complex

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MSN Russia has revealed a "new" trailer for next summer's gargantuan superhero mash-up, The Avengers. While it's generally the same thing we've been seeing for months, there is a good amount of additional footage that establishes the team a bit more.

The trailer is dubbed in Russian, of course, but someone was kind enough to provide English subtitles in the version below. So if you want to see a cute little exchange between Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo) and Black Widow (Scarlet Johansson), more banter from Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.), and some fresh shots of the team in action, have a look!

The Avengers will destroy the box office on May 4, 2012.  

Source: Coming Soon

JoBlo Movie News Coverage: Day 3

Several friends of mine have told me the same thing: "Dude, you have to check out Cloud Atlas, it'll blow your mind!" And then I head to the book store, pick up the thing, and quickly set it back down, defeated. But with the magic of cinema, I get to enjoy the sprawling sci-fi mish mash in a single evening at the movies!

A handful of stills and conceptual photos have been released for the 2012 adaptation of David Mitchell's experimental novel, giving us a taste of what to expect. Everything looks nice so far (that eerie ship sailing into a dystopian city being the best of the bunch), but to be honest, I think I know less about the project after seeing these pictures than I did before.

Following six interlocking stories that dabble in every genre known to man, Cloud Atlas is directed by Tom Tykwer and the Wachowskis, stars the likes of Hugo Weaving, Tom Hanks, and Susan Sarandon, and is set to be released late next year.

Head over to Han Cinema for the full batch of pictures!

 

Source: Ain't It Cool News

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Looks like the "magic" of 3-D isn't putting butts in seats...

According to the Associated Press, movie ticket sales have sunk to a 16-year low. While this is certainly not the most surprising news, it does help to prove my theory: Didn't Joel Schumacher start making Batman movies about 16 years ago? 

So what is keeping the theaters empty? With all of our iPads, Kindles, and other fancy devices, it's easy to imagine people staying home and splurging on a new $0.99 app rather than shelling out fifty bucks for a night at the movies. Or could it be that we're all just sick of the onslaught of sequels, prequels, and reboots?

According to Warner Bros. general sales manager Jeff Goldstein, "It's not any one thing. It's a little bit of everything." The studio's most recent outing, Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, brought in smaller audiences than its 2009 predecessor. And let's not even dabble with the flop that was Green Lantern, which ended up a $200 million misfire. 

Part of the reason why the 2011 box office appeared particularly gloomy was the looming shadow of 2010's saving grace, Avatar, which grossed $2.7 billion worldwide. Studios should take a hint from this indication that bigger is indeed better when it comes to ticket sales. 

And "big" might be too small a word for 2012's film roster, which includes The Dark Knight Rises, The Avengers, and The Hobbit, only to name a few. But will we break the habit and get ourselves out of the 16-year slump? Only time will tell. 

Source: Associated Press

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Brace yourselves, because The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has released the official poster for the 84th Academy Awards, and it looks like they're going for a new theme: Nostalgic and glamorous.

What's that, you say? That's always the theme of the Oscars? My mistake...

Judging by this by-the-numbers poster featuring floating screenshots of classic films like Casablanca, Gone with the Wind, and The Godfather, we shouldn't expect anything too interesting to occur at next year's ceremony. And with Billy Crystal hosting, it's sure to be a pleasant, if not particularly memorable evening. 

On the left is last year's poster, with 2012's poster on the right:

The 84th Academy Awards will air February 26, 2012 on ABC.

Source: Coming Soon

JoBlo Movie News Coverage: Day 2

 

CBS has released a slew of new images from next year's hopefully spine-tingling chiller The Woman in Black. Nothing here to write home about, but it's good to see something other than Daniel Radcliffe peering offscreen with his mouth agape. In this batch of photos, we get the always wonderful Ciarán Hinds, a trio of spooky little girls, and some atmospheric shots. Here's hoping that the flick lives up to its moody-as-all-hell trailer.

The best thing about these new pictures? No spoilers to be found! Click here to check them out.

Synopsis: Arthur Kipps (Daniel Radcliffe), a widowed lawyer whose grief has put his career in jeopardy, is sent to a remote village to sort out the affairs of a recently deceased eccentric. But upon his arrival, it soon becomes clear that everyone in the town is keeping a deadly secret. Although the townspeople try to keep Kipps from learning their tragic history, he soon discovers that the house belonging to his client is haunted by the ghost of a woman who is determined to find someone and something she lost… and no one, not even the children, are safe from her vengeance.

The Woman in Black hits theaters February 3, 2012.

Source: Bloody Disgusting

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In a fairly blatant attempt to replicate Twilight's marketing campaign note-for-note, The Hunger Games has snagged a bundle of hip 'n trendy musicians for its soundtrack including The Arcade Fire, Civil Wars, The Decemberists, and Taylor Swift, whose single "Safe and Sound" has already caused the heads of millions of 12-year-old girls to explode within its first week of release. 

No other contributing artists have been announced (other than the star of the film, Jennifer Lawrence, who will share her pipes on the album), but under producer T Bone Burrett, the soundtrack is guaranteed to top the charts when it is released early next year. Each track will apparently be thematically related to the film, so I'm guessing we'll be hearing the lyrics "death" and "survive" more than once.

As far as the score is concerned, Danny Elfman recently left the project to spend as much time as possible on frequent collaborator Tim Burton's latest affair, Dark Shadows. James Newton Howard, composer of Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy and countless M. Night Shyamalan films, is now attached to score the movie. 

The Hunger Games, based on Suzanne Collins' young-adult novel about children fighting to the death in a dystopian future, opens March 23, 2012.  

Source: MTV

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Let's clear our minds for a moment and just pretend that the whole Mark Steven Johnson-directed Ghost Rider adaptation never happened. Now, have a look over everything we've seen so far of Neveldine/Taylor's upcoming sequel, Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance, and tell me it doesn't look fan-freaking-tastic and fun as hell – literally! Oh, I crack myself up.


Columbia Pictures has just revealed the official site for the 2012 film, and among the expected bells and whistles, it features a killer loading screen and a "badass gallery." Because a simple "gallery" just does not do the character justice.

Nicolas Cage's skull will ignite once again on February 17, 2012.  

Source: Bloody Disgusting 

JoBlo Movie News Coverage: Day 1

 

Two bits of wonderful news, folks: Not only is Universal Home Entertainment finally bringing Steven Spielberg's Jaws to Blu-ray on August 14, 2012, but (brace yourselves) the film will remain unscathed by any after-the-fact alterations like the ones that plagued E.T. This means that we won't be seeing the legendary shark's teeth replaced with harmless walkie-talkies. Although to be honest, I would probably Netflix the hell out of that.

No details have been released as to what to except for special features, but it's probably safe to assume that we will at least get some nice retrospective documentaries, if not the exact ones found on the latest DVD version. Audio commentary is definitely not in the cards, since Spielberg refuses to make them.

So who's excited to be afraid of the water all over again, but this time in glorious 1080p?

Source: The Digital Bits

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Earlier this week, fanboys rejoiced for the debut of the first full The Dark Knight Rises trailer. Then the geek-out continued with our first glimpse at The Hobbit. And now, for your viewing pleasure, I give you the official trailer (which at 1:10 is really more of a teaser) for Ridley Scott's Prometheus!

I don't know about everyone else, but I'd say that this glimpse into Scott's new vision of deep-space horror sits atop the heap of new trailers in terms of sheer awesomeness. While we don't get a bit of dialogue, what we do get is one gorgeously crafted visual after the next and a couple shots that guarantee Scott's return to the world of Space Jockeys and people screaming in spaceships.  

 

Check out the trailer below, or head on over to Apple to watch it in HD! 

 

Synopsis: "With 'Prometheus', Scott creates a groundbreaking mythology, in which a team of explorers discover a clue to the origins of mankind on Earth, leading them on a thrilling journey to the darkest corners of the universe. There, they must fight a terrifying battle to save the future of the human race."

 

Source: Apple 

 

 

 

 

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Remember the uproar surrounding Warner Bros' proposed reboot of Buffy the Vampire Slayer? Despite Sarah Michelle Gellar and TV series creator Joss Whedon voicing disdain for the project, it looked as if the film was going to hit theaters regardless of who was angry.

But it tends to be difficult to get a movie on its feet without a writer. According to the Los Angeles Times, screenwriter Whit Anderson's script was rejected by the studio due to claims that "there just wasn’t enough on the page."

Now Warner Bros. is looking around for a new writer to bring into this mess project. I may be beating a dead horse here, but hopefully the powers that be will realize that this is one movie that simply shouldn't be made. And with such a furious backlash against anyone trying to tamper with the Buffy-verse, it might be a good idea for Warner Bros. to greenlight an...oh, I don't know...original script, perhaps?

Source: Los Angeles Times

Why 'The Dark Knight' is No Bat-Masterpiece

With The Dark Knight Rises due in theaters next July, what better time to revisit the middle sibling of Nolan's Bat-trilogy, The Dark Knight?

Make no mistake, the guy's still a master.

Now before I get started, I need to make a few things clear. Like all other Bat-fans across the world, I stood in line at midnight for the film that early buzz deemed the greatest comic book adaptation of all time. I giggled with glee – and even shed a tear or two – as Heath Ledger brought us the greatest live-action interpretation of The Joker to date. And after the credits rolled, I walked out of the theater wide-eyed and speechless, eager to tell the world that the definitive Batman film had finally become a reality.

But with more than a dozen viewings under my utility belt, I can confidently say that The Dark Knight, while a landmark achievement for on-screen superheroics, suffers from several issues that keep it just shy of landing the top spot.

Best on the Shelf: Locke & Key

Locke & Key, Vol. 1: Welcome To Lovecraft

Let us, for a moment, enter a world where the general public doesn't associate comic books with either a) children; or b) socially inept 40-year-olds. In this beautiful utopia, couples are walking hand in hand with hardcover graphic novels under their outside arms. They are sipping their 16-oz. soy lattes while reading the latest issue of Action Comics – in public.


And Locke & Key has taken the literary world by storm.


Even if you have never touched a comic book/graphic novel in your life, I can't imagine that you wouldn't find something to enjoy within the pages of author Joe Hill and artist Gabriel Rodriguez's horror-mystery series, Locke & Key. For my money, this is the best comic on the shelves today.

Bode and Kinsey Locke

Plot
First published in 2008, Locke & Key follows Nina Locke and her three children – teenagers Tyler and Kinsey, and youngster Bode – as they move into the mysterious Keyhouse after the murder of their father. There, they discover ancient keys that possess mystical powers, while also coming to terms with their grief. But when Bode stumbles upon a mischievous ghost, he unleashes a horrifying chain of events that pits the family against forces from another world.

What makes this series stand out (other than its ever-expanding mythology and gleeful creativity) is Joe Hill's talent for crafting characters that live and breathe on the page. Amidst the dark magic and creepy atmosphere surrounding the story, the Locke family interact with each other in a wonderful "slice-of-life" fashion, making them feel like members of your own family. This characterization doesn't rest entirely on Hill's shoulders, of course; Gabriel Rodriguez's expressive and vibrant art style works wonders in this department, with each character's emotional life coming across beautifully in their facial expressions and body language.

Tyler and Nina Locke in one great example of visual storytelling

Currently in its fifth story arc (or "season," in other words), Locke & Key has only gotten better with age. And not only are the stories fantastic on their own, but the hardcover collections are simply gorgeous to behold. Don't worry, folks, you wouldn't look silly with this book in your hands. And if you can't afford the sometimes pricey hardcover collections, you're not out of luck: your library will most likely oblige!

Just for fun, here's the trailer for the Locke & Key TV show pilot. Despite the stellar cast and creative team involved, no network has chosen to put its faith in an entire season's worth of episodes. Perhaps it's for the best – it wouldn't hurt to leave one successful comic series on the page.

Comic Review: Batman #1

Batman #1

Script: Scott Snyder

Pencils: Greg Capullo

Ink: Jonathan Glapion

Price: $2.99/$1.99 digital

Publisher: DC Comics

Here's the deal: If you even moderately enjoy the ill-tempered Dark Knight detective, you owe it to yourself to pick up this book.

Story:
Scott Snyder has managed to turn every one of his stories into pure gold, so the comic-book community was rightfully overjoyed when DC announced that Snyder would be penning his own take on Bruce Wayne. 

And it's nothing short of wonderful.

Instead of burdening himself with a "new" and "fresh" take on Batman, Snyder manages to inject all of the details that we already know and love about the character into every single page. We get a Batman who is confident, ambitious, and adept at mopping the floor with his entire rogue's gallery of villains in a single evening. Snyder also does a spectacular job with creating exciting and imaginative additions to Batman's utility belt, enhancing his reputation as a detective, first and foremost. 

As Bruce Wayne, our hero announces his optimistic plans for Gotham's future and seems much more chipper than usual, and it's a refreshing angle on the typically dreary and pessimistic crimefighter. 

But everyone should know that things won't stay bright and peppy for long; this expertly paced issue ends with a cliffhanger that is guaranteed to make Bruce question the inherent "good" of Gotham City. 

Art:
After years of drawing elaborate monsters and creative carnage on Todd McFarlane's Spawn, Greg Capullo brings his unique and borderline cartoonish style to Batman, and it looks fantastic. There is a definite "back-to-basics" vibe with the look of the Batsuit that can be compared to David Mazzucchelli's groundbreaking work in Batman: Year One, and the straightforward design gives Batman a youthful and energetic presence.

Good ol' Bats can certainly bring the pain.

The opening sequence featuring the Dark Knight containing a breakout at Arkham is downright thrilling, and while it doesn't necessarily further the plot, it serves as a perfect representation of what Batman is: one badass dude. We're also treated to a straight-up classic wide-angle splash page of the Batcave and all of its contents, which would look great blown-up and framed on my wall.

My only minor issue here: Why must every artist (and writer, for that matter) feel the need to completely redefine The Joker? I don't necessarily dislike his wacky look in this issue, but it's getting a bit old, people.

New-Reader Friendly?
If you've seen a single Bat-flick or TV show, you're good to go here. Well, other than the fact that Batman has gone through several Robins over the years, and the most recent one is Bruce's biological son from one steamy evening with Ra's al Ghul's daughter, Talia. There, now you're all set!

For a double-whammy of awesome, snag this along with Batman #2, in stores tomorrow!

13 Horror Films You May Have Missed: Part 3

And so we reach the end of our frightening little journey through these lesser-known horror gems. It's been fun!
Lock your doors and grab your crucifix, because here comes: #4 – 1!

#4: The House of the Devil

Director: Ti West

Starring: Jocelin Donahue, Tom Noonan, 

Greta Gerwig

Year: 2009

If you're ever in the mood for some 80's nostalgia, you owe it to yourself to check out this homage to the horror days of old. 

What's it About?
As is the case with most of these flicks, the less you know going in, the better. Seriously, don't even watch the trailer. But if you must know the bare bones of the plot: desperate for some cash, a college girl accepts a babysitting job from a pair of eccentric characters living in the boonies, and things just don't go well.

"Are you here for mother?"

What Makes it Scary-Good?

• It's all in the build-up. Other horror directors should take notes on Ti West's ability to crank up the tension while showing the audience virtually nothing. 
• Right down to the Coca-Cola cups, the props and intricate details used to recreate the 1980s deserve some kind of award. 
• That ending sure packs a wallop. 

Comic Review: Animal Man #1

Animal Man #1

Script: Jeff Lemire

Art: Travel Foreman, Dan Green

Price: $2.99/$1.99 digital

Alright everyone, now THIS is good stuff.

Story:
The concept of Animal Man could easily result in all-around silliness: a man named Buddy Baker is tapped into the planet's wildlife, and he can use this connection to possess the abilities of any animal he chooses.

Goofy? Hang on a sec.

Instead of traveling the world punching bad guys and delivering monologues about saving the pandas (although these tasks do fall under his job description), Buddy's primary role is as a husband and father of two. Jeff Lemire is a writer who knows how to bring out the intricacies and subtle quirks of his characters through traditionally mundane situations, such as the kitchen scene in this issue, and he delivers in spades with just about every line of dialogue here. The Baker family feels like a complex and and fascinating bunch – who just happen to have a super-powered father.

But Lemire doesn't settle for a simply fun, suburban superhero tale. After a shocking event during what Buddy expects to be a routine job, the book spirals into full-on horror mode; Buddy has a doosie of a nightmare, giving him his first glimpse of what could be his most horrifying challenge yet.

And that last page...yikes. Let's just say there's something wrong with the Bakers' youngest daughter, Maxine.

Anyone else get a Captain Kirk vibe here?

Art:
I can't imagine a better artist for this creepy tale than Travel Foreman. His extra-thin lines and untraditional page layouts give the book a slightly off-putting vibe, which is absolutely perfect given the dark places that this story is headed.

Having said that, Foreman's style definitely takes a little getting used to. He uses much more negative space than most comic artists – too many artists feel the need to fill every centimeter of the page – allowing the characters to pop off the page. There are also several downright strange facial expressions to be found, but they help define their characters in a unique way, so I'm all for it.

Oh yeah, and Buddy's nightmare sequence? Gorgeous and terrifying all at once. This book is worth a purchase for those few pages alone.

New-Reader Friendly?
I had never touched an Animal Man comic before, and I felt like I knew everything I needed to know to enjoy this story. Lemire also slapped on a clever "interview" with Buddy Baker on the first page that essentially sums up the character's history to this point. So there you go. 

Next: behold the awesome power of Batman #1!

13 Horror Films You May Have Missed: Part 2

On my morning walk with my five-month-old Corgi, I passed by a lawn covered in tombstones, cobwebs, and sheets suspended to look like ghosts. If only we could see front-yard haunted cemeteries year round!
Hold your loved ones close, because here comes: #9 – 5!  
#9: Let Me In

Director: Matt Reeves

Starring: Kodi Smit-McPhee, 

Chloë-Grace Moretz, Richard Jenkins

Year: 2010

It was a tough decision choosing between the original Swedish version (2008's Let the Right One In) and this American remake, but a few extra touches make this tale of bloodsucking adolescence stand at the top of the pack.

What's it About?

Owen (played to perfection by Kodi Smit-McPhee) is twelve years old, lonely, and relentlessly bullied at school. Things seem to be looking up when he befriends Abby, a young girl new to his apartment complex. But with a string of murders plaguing the town, Owen discovers that Abby may be much older – and much hungrier – than he thinks.

 "Do you think there's such a thing as evil?"

 What Makes it Scary-Good?

• While not necessarily the "scariest" pick on the list, this one earns mega-points for its surprisingly genuine portrayal of young love.
•  Every single actor brings their A-game, resulting in a haunting story full of characters that you grow to actually care about.
• When the fangs come out, they mean serious business. No twinkling vampires here, folks.