"Dracula" by Bram Stoker

   The Gothic thriller, Dracula, written by Bram Stoker, has to be one of the best written books I have ever read! It is written in the epistolary format, as a series of letters, diary entries, shipping logs, and newspaper clippings. Bram Stoker wrote all of these from either the protagonists point of view or an outside source, such as the newspaper clipping and shipping logs. The events that are portrayed in this book took place in both England and Transylvania.

It all starts when Jonathan Harker, an English solicitor, goes to Transylvania to Count Dracula's estate to give legal help for a real-estate transaction overseen by Harker's employer. Soon Mr. Harker is trapped in Dracula's estate and only in a last ditch effort, in which he climbs down a sheer cliff out of his window,  is he then able to make his way back to England. So began this long dark journey, in which he will never be the same again. Then comes the other main characters such as Wilhelmina "Mina" Harker, Jonathan Harker's wife, Lucy Westenra, the first victim of the Count's, then there is Arthur Holmwood, Jack Seward, and Quincey Morris who were all Lucy's suitors. Of course no one can forget Abraham Van Helsing the leader of this motley crew.

  Alright here is some of the back story on Dracula. Dracula is actually a work of fiction with some historical facts mixed in.  Many believe that the idea of "Dracula" came from Vlad the Impaler or Vlad Dracula, the king of Wallachia in Transylvania, who is said to have killed anywhere from 40,000 to 100,000 Europeans during his reign. Now the meaning of the word Dracula means the son of dracul and dracul means the devil or the dragon. You can easily see where Bram Stoker got his inspiration.

   Now vampire lore had been around for a long time before Bram Stoker ever decided to write Dracula. Back in the 18th century, in the Balkans and Eastern Europe, there was a huge influx of vampire superstition which created a mass hysteria. This hysteria caused some corpses to be staked and for others to be accused of vampirism. The myth that you can't see vampires in the mirror was actually started by Bram Stoker.

 The 20th century started the trend of the vampires who are the tragic heroes. This totally departs from the original myths and superstitions in which vampires where basically the devil incarnate. We have moved into an era where the idea of vampires have become teenage fantasies instead of unspeakable horrors.

 One last nugget of wisdom..... Vampires don't sparkle they burn to ash when the sun touches them. Thank you and goodnight!!

Jake

The First of Many to Come! "Gladiator"

    When the Roman general, Maximus is betrayed and his family murdered by an emperor's corrupt son, he finds himself captured by slave traders and made to fight as a gladiator. He soon proves himself a fierce fighter and is sent to Rome to fight in the Colosseum where he can finally get revenge for his family.
  
    "Gladiator" is directed by the brilliant Ridley Scott who got inspired for the movie by the painting by Jean-Lèon Geròme Pollice Verso. The film stars Russell Crowe as Maximus, Joaquin Phoenix as Commodus, Connie Nielsen as Lucilla, Djimon Hounsou as Juba and Richard Harris as Marcus Aurelius . This film has to be my #1 favorite movie of all time! The acting is moving and heartfelt and the music, composed by Hans Zimmer and Lisa Gerrard, is beyond genius!
   
     This action packed drama is filled with everything from a sadistic king to government conspiracies to bloody fights in the Colosseum. Joaquin Phoenix does such an amazing job playing Commodus, the mentally unstable king, that it's scary!! While Richard Harris (when I first watched the movie I said  "it's Dumbledore" haha) does a masterful job being Marcus Aurelius, the old king and father of Commodus and Lucilla. While Russell Crowe brings an amazing strength and vulnerability to his character.

    Alright here is some back story on this film. It's actually loosely based on historical events. *Spoilers* Though in the movie Marcus Aurelius was killed by his son Commodus, in real life Marcus died from the plague. Also unlike the movie where Marcus tried to give the throne to Maximus he actually allowed his immoral son to become emperor, even while knowing of his moral faults. Maximus's character is actually fictional though he does hold similarities to Narcissus, who was actually Commodus's killer in real life. 

     Another amazing part of the film was its script written by David Franzoni! My favorite quote from the movie is "What we do in life echoes in eternity". It means that someones action whether they be big or small can and will effect you, those around you and even the world for the rest of your life and beyond. It's about making the right choices and its about dealing with the consequences when you get it wrong. It's about doing something good in the world and not just sitting still waiting for someone else to take a stand.

      I would highly recommend this movie!! Although I wouldn't watch it if you are at all squeamish when it comes to blood and guts..... Its Rated R for intense, graphic combat.

I give this movie a 9.5 out of 10 stars.

Peace,  
Jake