The Night Flier

Salutations fellow lovers of nightly creatures. I may have said this before, but my favorite spook creature is the vampire. So charming, so dark, so blood hungry. They can be ugly blood suckers that would rip out your throat without hesitation. Or they can be beautiful seducers that drain you of your life fluids and you wouldn't care. The other option is, both! At least that's what you get in this vampire flick. But you also get a vampire that not only can be a handsome charmer with a tendency to look monstrous. You get a blood sucker that can fly an airplane! Lets check out Stephen Kings, The Night Flier.

Based off of Stephen Kings book of the same name, The Night Flier follows the story of a serial killer who goes to tiny secluded airports and kills the night workers. The sensational story has caught the attention of a tabloid magazine. A reporter for the magazine, Richard Dees, is sent out to investigate this mysterious pilot. During his investigation he figures that the killer thinks that he is more than human, and that there is more to this case than meets the eyes. Soon Dees finds himself thrown into the dark bloody world of the vampire and the question remains, how far will he go for this story?

For a movie from 1997, its not so bad. I think that the only issue I really had with this movie was the lack of information on the Night Flier himself. They give us his name, but no real history of him. It would be nice to know how he became a vampire. Most vampire stories share that information. Not this one though. Of course I can see how that can draw a person in and make this creature less human. It also give that disconnection since the vampire is always moving. So, like the characters in the movie, you feel the same distance as they do when he comes into town.

Aside from some cheesy, campy scenes, this movie is pretty entertaining and I would recommend it. Yes, it doesn't have a lot of action, but its not about the action. At least not for this one. Its simply a game of cat and mouse between two characters. Its a movie that you sit back and relax with a glass of red wine...as you watch people get their throats ripped out and drained of their blood. By a vampire pilot...who wears a black and red cape. Note to self; do not get on an airplane if the pilot is wearing an old school vampire cape.

Winchester

Hello spooklings! I have returned. Been a long, long time hasn't it? I had a few things to deal with. Holidays for one. The other is work. These reviews don't pay well. But I love them. And I have returned with a piece of history. History filled with grief, guilt, and a whimsical mansion that ghost built. I bring you, Winchester.

Set in 1906, we are introduced to a drug addicted shrink named Eric Price. Price is hired by the Winchester company cause its owner, Sarah Winchester, widow of original owner, William Winchester, seems to of lost her mind. After the death of her husband and child, Sarah has slipped into a somber and depressed state of mind. Price is sent to the manor in order to determine if Sarah's mind has completely dissipated and therefore can no longer control the infamous gun company. While there, Price learns that Sarah suffers from more than just grief. She feels guilty for the deaths caused by the very weapon that made her husbands fortune. To atone, Sarah has built the mansion by direct orders from the ghosts that haunt her, so she can help them find peace. Price's logical mind is put to the test when he comes face to face with not only the ghosts that haunt Sarah, but also the ghosts who haunt his very soul.

Now if you are like me, you know about the Winchester house via an episode of Ghost Adventures...or your just more educated than I am. Before we get into the whole history vs. 'based off of a true story' spiel, my thoughts on the movie itself is this: it was ok. Yes it had some good moments, and of course some 'eh', moments. The ghost's were nice and creepy, but they made even the peaceful ones look too menacing. I can see the innocents ones looking distraught and a little on the cranky side. I would be too if I was killed for no good reason. But to clump them in even with the more sinister victims of the Winchester gun, seems I guess to me out of place. I know that in death we are all equal, but that's not my point. I suppose for me I would of liked to of seen a more distinct look for the ghosts such as, 'ok that one's a bad dude and that one's just lost and needs time to cope'. Simple. For the whole history part. Yes, I will admit, I was sitting there going, 'that's closer to the truth, that's not right, what the flesh eating virus???' Its hard not to do that. Its like watching a movie based off a book you have read. You know that they are not going to get it all right, but you still hold that expectation.

Aside from them split hairs, it was ok. I'm glad I saw it. It just wasn't that great. I'm not gonna be adding it to the collection, but I'm not going to totally dismiss it. I might see it again and change my mind, you never know. I would suggest seeing it if not just for the history. Heck it may just encourage you to do a little research yourself. Learning is fun. I may one day be able to travel to San Jose and see the haunted Winchester mansion myself. Knowing my luck I will get lost and ask a spook for directions. Excuse me creepy person whom I can see through, do you know where I can find my tour group?...and a change of pants cause you scared the living piss out of me?