Customer Reviews

Vampire Journals

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

"I am God's most desolate creature"
Some of the lines in this movie are unforgettable. The dialogue is fantastic and moving. I love these first person narratives, they just don?t make enough movies like this anymore. Those who read books and enjoy the classic vampire tales will love this one. It is the most under-rated film I have yet come across. Ash and Zachary are played to the hilt by a few actors I would like to see a lot more of, these are some talented people. The cinematography, the setting, the atmosphere is perfection brought to life. Somebody put a lot of work and love into this film and it shows. The use of shadows and shadowy movement is reminiscent of the very first Nosferatu; it doesn't get more classic than that. "Vampire Journals" appeals to a more mature audience. They are not going for eye popping special effects, and heart-stopping action with this movie. Though the special effects that do exist are very well done. Nothing in this movie looks "cheap" or fake. If you like action and vampires checkout Buffy the Vampire Slayer, or Blade 1 and 2. But if you are more drawn to films like Interview with a Vampire, you will really like this one.

I am a little biased, because David Gunn is one of my favorite actors. The story was somewhat stereotypical in the fact that it was gothic, but the setting in Romania and the filming of it was superb. The story is about a romantic man(he writes poetry--how great is that!)who was turned into a vampire by his sire Serena. He vows to take revenge on the bloodline that made him what he is and killed his fiancee. The most powerful one is Ash, a music lover that falls in love with a pianist named Sofia(played by Kirsten Cerre).Zachary(Gunn)tries to use Sofia as bait while he kills Ash with the holy Blade of Laertes, but the twists come in here. There is plenty of vampiric adventure. A bit of nudity and gore(check out the fireplace scene at Club Muse) It is a beautiful story of a humanist abomination and is set in modern times(unlike Christopher Lee's films). A terrific movie and one that you will fall in love with. But, like I said, I am a little biased.

Modern goth films seem to be solely based on a trend of pumping their soundtracks full of shoddy, unimaginative mainstream metal and Ozzfest wannabe bands. This film, however, is a breath of fresh air. Not only is Ted Nicolau's script well written and air tight, his direction is the best that one could possibly hope for from any director. Coupling a great cast with top-notch cinematography and lighting, this film will renew anyone's lost faith in modern vampire films. David Gunn is remarkable as Zachary, a tortured vampire. The characters are briefly but well developed. The plot is rich with bold lines and tense dialogue. And for those who love the gore, this movie has it all. Certainly a gem for anyone's horror collection.

This movie has to be one of the best vampire flicks I have seen in a long time. With the rich opulent homes to the cemetaries dominated by dark angels this movie had everything. Although the plot of the vampire bent on killing his kin has been done before i have never seen it executed with such style before. If you're not put off by a little gore and nudity then this movie is for you.

Not nearly as great as Full Moon's Subspecies series, but an excellent movie by itself.

Zachary is a bitter vampire who condemns himself and other vampires much like the basic Anne Rice formula. Zachary has taken it upon himself to travel the world in search of all vampires to rid the world of their evil presence. When searching for his latest victim Ash, he meets up with a musician Sofia and begins to care for her. Ash also cares for Sofia and the conflict begins.

Jonathon Morris as Ash is a pretty good bad vampire and the slight tie in's with the Subspecies series are clever and fun to watch.

David Gunn (Zachary) and Kirsten Cerre (Sofia) both play good roles as well, but were not charismatic enough for me to really care about them as much as Michelle of the Subspecies series.

Floriella Grappini (Serena) is sexy in her small but important role and I was quite happy to see her return in Subspecies IV: Bloodstorm.

Overall as long as Subspecies films can be produced I would prefer those, perhaps even integrated with this series and the characters contained in it. I really like the way Full Moon & Ted Nicolaou are practically creating a 'Vampire World' with these films. Although if they could make Subspecies films AND create a Vampire Journals series...well then, I'd never have to look for any other form of entertainment!

This can be considered Subspecies 3.5 as it takes place between Subspecies 3 & 4, and some characters from Vampire Journals even turn up on Subspecies 4. Though not near as good as the Subspecies series, this is still worth a look. Great atmosphere and lighting. What this film suffers from is sub-par acting. Sure everyone looks good in the film, but the acting hinders it. This film is still a must for Subspecies fans and worth a look for Ann Rice fans, because the subject material is closely related to Interview With the Vampire, only with a much lower budget.

I don't remember The Vampire Journals being advertised in 1997 for a theatrical run. If I had, I'm sure I would have gone to see it, if not for the re-telling of the Dracula legend, surely for the photography, which is excellent.

The story and the acting are very good considering that this was probably, by Hollywood's standards a low budget horror film. For one the viewer is not in New York or Los Angeles, but in a very old and very eerie Romania where a mood for menace is set through it's architecture, mysterious streets, and the director's very effective shadow work.

The actors in this film are unknowns and delivers credible performances in a story of vengeance, and malevolence.

Although the DVD is full-frame it is a good transfer with a nice featurette that kicks in at the very end of the credits.

I bought this DVD because I liked the cover (a first) and being a fan of the genre I was curious. The purchase was worth it. The movie is very stylish, very well made and worth a second look for those of you who like myself, missed it the first go-round.

Within the past 3-4 years I have seen approximately 15 vampire movies. Ranging from the original Dracula story to the more modern ways of Ann Rice. I have come to find that I always go back to Vampire Journals as my favorite by far. It goes away from the world of vampire's being totally evil and bloodthirsty demons to giving them the heart I feel they have always deserved. I hate to see triumph being the murder of the vamp. and in this movie I feel all my expectaions were met. And also being a fan of the "sappy" love story this movie is no disappointment in that field either.

When you have a "Full Moon Studios" picture, you never know what you might be getting: something unique (Puppet Master) or something truly awful (The Creeps). VAMPIRE JOURNALS is one of the better horror flicks generated by Charles Band's band of merrymen.
Lushly filmed and lit, with an eerie and haunting musical score, the story plays out like an Anne Rice novel with a "good" vampire and of course a very "bad" one. An unusual twist is that the vampires don't go out and search for their victims; they lure them to the Club Muse where they have orgies and brothels, etc. The "hunt" is reserved for the head vampire, Ash, and his sometime companion, Cassandra.
Ted Nicolau directs with a somber flair, and gives us beautifully lit segments that truly conjure images of the night and its loneliness. Jonathon Morris as Ash is a suave, smooth speaking vampire, egocentric, powerful and merciless. Kisten Cerre is the doomed Sophia, lovely in a plain way, and she gives a credible horror damsel performance. David Gunn, too reminiscent of Adam Ant, does well in displaying the conflict of being a good mortal but still a vampire needing to feed. Starr Andreef as the human Iris lends a sensuality and duplicity as Ash's human compatriate. Special effects are minimal and amateurish, but Nicolau relies on the dialogue and atmosphere to weave his unusual, if somewhat derivative, tale.
An interesting entry in the vampire genre, which has suffered immensely in the last few years.

I've only viewed the final film of the Subspecies quartet, but my interest was peaked enough to pick up this related film. I'm glad I went ahead and bought it, as it is a fun romp. Jonathan Morris plays his role with just the right amount of camp, and the others are equally good, if a little over serious occasionally (with the exception of sofia, who's got a very cute smile). For fans of the final subspecies this is definitely a good buy, although its hard to tell whether its a prequel or a sequel. All in all a well shot, interesting vampire film.