Rating: 
Summary: Bad Plot, Bad Acting, and a Mockery on a Good Movie
Review: Please, do not watch this. It insults an extremly good example of early film. Watch Nosferatu and apreciate good acting. Don't watch this and see a an exaple of over thought art house crap
Rating: 
Summary: One Vampire two monsters. Great performances all 'round
Review: If you wish to see great acting, a bit of the history of early film making and one of the scariest and yet comic pictures ever this one is for you. John Malkovich and Willem Dafoe are both fantastic in their roles as director and "actor" in this fictional telling of the making of the classic horror film NOSFERATU. Malkovich as the director so obsessed with his "science" that ANY compromise is necessary. The lives of his actors and crew are irrelevent.
Dafoe's character slowly gaining power over the film, he recognizes that Malkovich is a greater monster that he will ever be. The final scence where what remains of the crew keeps filming is the ultimate commentary on the fascination that evil has over us. It is an amazing movie. It is also a dark and disturbing movie. Like the MISSION I don't think I could watch it multiple times, but one viewing is enough. It is a picture that will stay with you for years
Rating: 
Summary: Defoe is Terrifically Terrifying.
Review: I had to see this flick twice to appreciate it. It tells of the making of Nosferatu, the German ripoff of Stoker's Dracula. WHile portraying post WW I German movie industry as one of drug-abusing, pseudo-intellectual S&M types, it does a terrific job of creating empathy for the vampire.
Instead of relishing immortality, nosferatu is lonely, lost and languishing in a steady descent in madness.
THe flick does a good job of contrasting the madness of Milkovich's character with the vampire of Defoe.
An interesting spin on vampirism.
Rating:
Summary: Unique horror picture
Review: "Shadow of the Vampire" has to be one of the more unusual horror pictures recently released. The plot is certainly clever, the acting top notch (especially by Willem Dafoe as Count Orlock), and the background scenery is spooky and atmospheric. Despite being a horror film, "Shadow" has several moments of comedy that give it a peculiar character. It's a pity the movie isn't longer. The DVD has some nice extras, including some brief behind-the-scenes footage.
Rating:
Summary: Great concept, nicely done
Review: I'm sure Murnau would have been quite flattered with this odd tribute. The concept of making a movie about Murnau and Nosferatu as a vampire movie is a great idea to begin with. The premise of the film - what if Max Shreck, the mysterious actor who played Count Orlock in the classic vampire film, really was a vampire? - is also a great concept, especially since so little was really known about him. The idea is great, but very difficult to handle, as the film proves; the ideas have not been fully developed, and there are huge gaps in the plot. Except for the characters and the scenes from the original movie, Shadow Of The Vampire has little to do with historical facts and the whole thing doesn't make much sense. But who cares? It's still incredibly entertaining, scary at times but never pointlessly gory, with a dark, ironic sense of humor which never trails into silliness. Merhige's directing is fabulous, and he seems to really feel a bond with Murnau; the photography, costumes and lighting are wonderful. Of course, the two lead actors steal the show - John Malkovich as Murnau and Willem Defoe as Shreck, both of them frightfuly good in their roles. Cary Elwes, Eddie Izzard and Catherine McCormack are all good too. The acting and the direction more than make up for the somewhat flawed script. At any rate, it's certainly refreshingly better than the dozens of terrible teen-summer-horror movie that have been swarming the theaters in recent years. A very good movie, if you're a fan of the genre. The special features, by the way, are really nothing special. Only Director's comments and a couple of interviews. I would have liked to see some reference to the original movie.
Rating:
Summary: An Intriguing Concept
Review: Max Shreck has, apparently, remained one of the more mysterious actors in the history of film. Best known for his role as Orlock in Nosferatu, he made only a handful of other films before fading back into obscurity. But who *was* he? We really don't know. This gap in our collective knowledge is the basis of Shadow of the Vampire. What if Shreck gave such a creepy performance in Nosferatu because he was a real vampire? Shadow of the Vampire is a well-made film that blends fear and horror effectively with humor. It will never really have you rolling nor will it scare you out of your wits but it always keeps you entertained. John Malkovich gives a wonderful performance as the egotistical and somewhat flamboyant Murnau. Willem Defoe is very good as Shreck but sometimes his thick fake accent makes him hard to understand. You might want to watch this one with the closed captions on. The DVD presentation of this film give you a number of goodies. Interviews with actors, director, and producer Nicolas Cage give you wonderful insight into the making of the film. Since I rented this one I was unable to listen to the commentary track but it was done as well as the rest of the disk I'm sure it's very insightful.
Rating:
Summary: You people like this?
Review: Amazing. I couldn't stand this film. It started out with so much promise, as well as hacing one of the greatest premises in horror history, a vampire film with a real vampire as the star. William Defoe is truly amazing, and John Malchovich (sp.?) was just as good. While it had at least two great scenes (Malchovich realizing Defoe is stronger than him; Defoe's scene where Shreck (sp.?) comments on "Dracula"). Sorry folks, that's it.
First of all, why do the other actors not seem concerned that their fellow actors are disappearing. Second, why did one guy see Shreck biting the film-guy on the neck and not seem to be overly concerned (i.e. he kept working with him?) Third, there were pointless nudity scenes that were in-your-face disgusting, tasteless, and useless. Fourth, this film made little sense when it came right down to it. Sure, the main point came across that the "vampire" was real, and that the director was powerless over him.
The ending was stupid, predictable, and sick. Like one reviewer over on IMDB said, I felt like I had just watched a snuff film, with an ending like that.
The film jumps from scene to scene and character to character that you just don't know what's going on. Where did some of these people go? Why does everyone stay on the film, especially those that saw Shreck catch a bat and bite its' head off?
One thing that did enjoyably suprise me was the appearance of Cary Elwes, one of my favorite actors. He did a great job as usual, but most of the rest was a waste.
See the original "Nosferatu", not this monstrosity. Avoid it at all costs. I fast-forwarded through quite a bit of the last ten minutes just to get to the ending to get this thing over with.
Rating: 
Summary: Admittedly different take on a vampire movie
Review: Scores points for cleverness, interesting themes, and some dynamite acting by Willem Dafoe, but this movie never quite takes off as a gripping piece of cinema. Worth a look, though, especially right after watching, as I did, the original "Nosferatu" (if you don't already know, the story in "Shadow of the Vampire" takes place amid the filming of that original silent classic). The DVD offers a nice print and a fair amount of extras.
Rating:
Summary: I hope this is not a semi-true story
Review: Once a gain Nosferatu rises to the top of our conciseness. This time in the form of a "making of". What if F.W. Murnau used a real vampire in the making of his movie? It is best to view the original movie first for a frame of reference. The concept is very original and the execution is quite good. There are not any overwhelmingly gory scenes to distract for the primes and there are enough spooky scenes to keep your attention. There are two major negatives on the DVD. One of the great advantages of the DVDs are that they went back to presenting movies with out a bunch of advertisements for coming attractions or mouth wash. Well you can not escape them on this DVD. Your only recourse is "fast forward". The thing that makes DVDs great are the extra goodies, such as voice over commentary the gives you insight to want you may have missed or not known about the movie. This commentary gives you more insight than you want. It makes the E. Elias Merhinge seem pompous and overbearing. The movie is force to have symbols and scenes to give it an in-depth quality. Despite this the movie turned out to be vary watchable This movie will make a good addition to your Nosferatu collection.
Rating:
Summary: If it's not in frame, it doesn't exist...
Review: Shadow of the Vampire is definitely one of my all time favorite movies. Willem Dafoe & John Malkovich are amazing actors in this ... and the script is witty and so funny! I found Willem Dafoe's character, 'Max Schreck' to be totally adorable. Yes, he kills people by drinking their blood, but there is something about him that almost makes you feel sorry for him. I mean, he did have to live out all those years, alone, probably bored... and hungry... and then the movie crew came along, and he was very friendly with them. Well, friendly with some, feasting on others. ;) I would like some makeup. Well you don't get any! (My favorite part of the movie). This movie just cracks me up, but it's definitely got a serious undertone, especially apparent in the ending. Which by the way, endings usually make or break the movie for me... in this case, the end made the movie, I thought. It was just so good. I'm sure not everyone will see the humor in it... but I think most people (especially those with a more sarcastic sense of humor) will appreciate this great film. The DVD is quite good as well. It's amazing ... the transformation Willem Dafoe goes through when they apply the makeup for Max. Very good acting... very good dialogue... very humorous... very easy to watch. Can you tell I love this movie?? If you like more Indie-themed movies (I personally feel they are usually more creative and better than Hollywood-mainstream movies, but that of course is just my opinion), or you like Mr.Burns from the Simpsons, like myself (So Max Schreck kind of reminds me of Mr.Burns (do I have weird taste in guys or what? haha) then you should definitely take a chance on this movie!!
|
