Chrono's Horror Movie Marathon Week 3: VAMPIRES

[ChronoGrl]

Originally Posted by Sculpt

Tom Waits is a natural for Renfield. He did an excellent job. Although they didn't pick up his carefully crafted mumblings very well. I didn't think the main Renfield scene was particular dynamic. I'm not sure Coppola really apprehended what Renfield was in his film. I thought Tod Browning's (Dracula 31) Renfield scenes were better in every respect.

I don't really get the crushing of Reeves in this role though. Maybe he's an actor I naturally perceive better than others do, but I was able to read his feelings & thoughts quite well. He's playing a very reserved and pious character. meh.

Beautiful Lucy on the other hand, she was really hard to grasp. I don't know who she was.

I think I miswrote what I liked about Lucy... Not the acting or writing per se, or even her character development - I was more interested in what happened to her character in the movie (does that make more sense?) - I was interested in how she was directed as she went through the illness to her biting and spurting blood to those ridiculous dresses that she wore...

[hammerfan]

Originally Posted by ChronoGrl

I think I miswrote what I liked about Lucy... Not the acting or writing per se, or even her character development - I was more interested in what happened to her character in the movie (does that make more sense?) - I was interested in how she was directed as she went through the illness to her biting and spurting blood to those ridiculous dresses that she wore...

That wedding dress was hideous!

[Straker]

Originally Posted by Sculpt

Tom Waits is a natural for Renfield. He did an excellent job. Although they didn't pick up his carefully crafted mumblings very well. I didn't think the main Renfield scene was particular dynamic. I'm not sure Coppola really apprehended what Renfield was in his film. I thought Tod Browning's (Dracula 31) Renfield scenes were better in every respect.

I'd agree with that, but I'd also say its a pretty brutal comparison to make... Dwight Frye is just about the best character actor the genre has ever seen and Browning is up there with the best directors. Its a tough act to follow!

[Sculpt]

Originally Posted by ChronoGrl

I think I miswrote what I liked about Lucy... Not the acting or writing per se, or even her character development - I was more interested in what happened to her character in the movie (does that make more sense?) - I was interested in how she was directed as she went through the illness to her biting and spurting blood to those ridiculous dresses that she wore...

I'm sorry, I meant Mina/Ryder, that's who I never understood in the film. Lucy the redhead was done well. I agree with you. I think she was portrayed as sensual & materialistic, thus animalistic, lacking "higher" faculties, and thus easily conquered by Drac. She played that well.

Originally Posted by Straker

I'd agree with that, but I'd also say its a pretty brutal comparison to make... Dwight Frye is just about the best character actor the genre has ever seen and Browning is up there with the best directors. Its a tough act to follow!

Definitely, that is a hard act to follow. Dwight Frye stole the show. And Browning shot those scenes really well. I thought Coppola's beginning Harker/Drac scenes (letter scene) were masterful, better than Browning's even. So I think Coppola could have done it better, or cut Renfield out completely.

[ChronoGrl]

Originally Posted by Sculpt

I'm sorry, I meant Mina/Ryder, that's who I never understood in the film. Lucy the redhead was done well. I agree with you. I think she was portrayed as sensual & materialistic, thus animalistic, lacking "higher" faculties, and thus easily conquered by Drac. She played that well.

Oh, definitely!

Both times I've seen the movie I found myself, So what is Mina's motivation here?

I honestly couldn't tell if she was hypnotized by Drac to fall in love with him OR if she had legitimately fallen in love with "her Prince" - And that has always bugged me too. I don't think that it was mean to be "open for interpretation" - I just think she's a terrible actress.

[Sculpt]

Originally Posted by ChronoGrl

Oh, definitely!

Both times I've seen the movie I found myself, So what is Mina's motivation here?

I honestly couldn't tell if she was hypnotized by Drac to fall in love with him OR if she had legitimately fallen in love with "her Prince" - And that has always bugged me too. I don't think that it was mean to be "open for interpretation" - I just think she's a terrible actress.

Ya, Ryder has never blown me away as an actress. I thought she was good in Heathers, Girl Interrupted, Lucas & Edward Sissorhands, she was able to achieve some nakedness. I don't remember her sucking in Age of Innocence, but I don't really remember her performance either.

[neverending]

Originally Posted by Straker

I'd agree with that, but I'd also say its a pretty brutal comparison to make... Dwight Frye is just about the best character actor the genre has ever seen and Browning is up there with the best directors. Its a tough act to follow!

You know, Lugosi hated Dwight Frye... he's quoted as having said he was "the worst Renfeild I ever worked with." (Having worked with many actors in the stage version.) Of course it could have been more of Lugosi's jealousy coming through..

Speaking of the Langela Dracula- Back in my wee days when I was acting in children's theatre, the first three plays I was ever in were directed by a fellow named Bob Hall. He later moved to New York and directed the first stage version of the Dracula adaptation that later became the Langela movie. He then went on to draw for Marvel comics...

I now await Chrono's comments when she finally watches a Chris Lee Dracula movie...

[roshiq]

Originally Posted by neverending

I now await Chrono's comments when she finally watches a Chris Lee Dracula movie...

I've a feeling she won't like most of them... []

[neverending]

Originally Posted by roshiq

I've a feeling she won't like most of them... []

I'm not going to be that negative. The things she liked about Coppala's Dracula- the sensuality of Dracula, the amazing color palate... rich costuming... were all taken from the Hammer style.

[Straker]

Originally Posted by neverending

You know, Lugosi hated Dwight Frye... he's quoted as having said he was "the worst Renfeild I ever worked with." (Having worked with many actors in the stage version.) Of course it could have been more of Lugosi's jealousy coming through..

For me, Frye is one of the best. I think as a character actor he could've turned his hand to just about any part. Its a shame his filmography isn't a little deeper. Even considering his premature death, he never really seemed to get the opportunities he deserved, but the ones he did, he sure made the most of.... I wonder if any of the off screen rivalry your talking about held him back at all.