SimplyMaggies

This is the prequel (or the sequel, depending how one looks at it) to the “Underworld” saga and if you’re a vampire fan, you should be in for a treat. “The Rise of the Lycans” goes back nearly to the beginnings and explains the coming to existence of the werewolves.

It is a story of the dynamics between the aristocratic vampire family, called the Death Dealers, and their slaves, the Lycans—a breed in its own; part wolf, part human that was created by the head of the family, Viktor, in order to protect the vampires during the day. But as in a case of any enslaved being, the Lycans want their freedom and the series of events pushes Lucian to the dramatic decision, which will change the course of many lives, his own included.

In the midst of it all, there is a forbidden love between the daughter of one of the Elders, who is supposed to lead the family one day, and the head of the werewolves; love that is destined to be tragic…

All in all, the movie is actually pretty good and my only complaint were the visual effects that could use just a bit of work. Perhaps I am simply spoilt by the movies with fantastic visual effects that one doe not notice while watching the film and that could be the reason why some of the effects in “The Rise of the Lycans” bothered me just a bit. On the other hand, (as my husband often point out) I am a perfectionist and expect perfection in nearly everything.

Putting this aside, however, the movie was quite enjoyable and the story line explained many questions raised by the other two part of the “Underworld” saga.

So if you’re a fan, you should definitely see this third (or first, more likely) part to get a better understanding of the dynamics driving the characters of those stories.

I have recently gone to visit Naples (Italy, that is). I used to live there and this was my second visit since we left this beautiful and noisy place. The first one happened last year after five year’s absence and I couldn’t have been more shocked.

Not quite at the many changes that took place in and around the city proper (I didn’t expect it to be frozen in time, after all) but more at my own reaction to it. Seeing Naples after so long a time was like coming home… Even though it has changed dramatically and many more shopping centers have been erected since, somehow it was still my town. My home… Although it isn’t quite my home, now is it? I haven’t been born in la bella Napoli (actually quite far away from it; as if another country) nor have I grew up there but somehow it felt like home…

The emotions flooded me nearly as soon as I stepped off the plane but they hit me when I reached the little town fifteen minutes outside of Naples proper where my husband and I used to live. I could barely keep the tears from coming out. How stupid of me to start crying and get all sentimental over seeing my old neighborhood, I thought. But somehow it was all very emotional and I didn’t quite understand the reason behind it. It could be the hormones, now. After all, I am over thirty and they are all but steady.

However, my second visit to Naples was only slightly better. No, there were no choking tears but it still felt like coming home and I couldn’t contain my excitement. So why does it feel like I’m home?- I wondered… Perhaps, it was all because this is where I got married to this wonderful man I call my husband and where we had our first home. And sentimental fool that I am, it will forever mean something special in my dictionary…

Here are some pictures from la bella Napoli:

I am a fan of all (or most) vampire stories so when I heard about a new TV show featuring a vampire as a main character, I was excited (for obvious reasons)… Perhaps also a bit apprehensive, considering the latest version of any vampire movie I was quite unfortunate to watch (like “30 Days of Night”).

Fortunately, “Moonlight” goes back to the original idea of a vampire with their romantic allure as well as the mystery and sensuality surrounding the vampire lore. It makes me want to scream: “hurray!”. And the fact that the main character is called Mick St. John (played by the extremely handsome Aussie, Alex O’Loughlin) and looks like the rough-around-the edges hottie simply adds to the whole romantic version of the vampire. And for me is an extra bonus…

Thus, if you’re seeking crazed-looking, wrinkle-faced angry vampires fighting some supernatural demons that look even uglier (if that’s at all possible), you will be extremely disappointed in “Moonlight”. If, however, you’re in for a sensual adventure with a vampire in love with a human and tortured by what he is (the forever-enthralling forbidden fruit element) who fights human criminals instead of demons and looks tasty even when showing his true nature, you are definitely in for a treat.

In my humble opinion, “Moonlight” is simply a nice respite from all the computer-enhanced visual effects that dominate nearly every single show or film dealing with anything remotely supernatural (or not…). And the slower pace only adds to the atmosphere of the series, making it more enjoyable and actually a bit more mysterious…