TV Series - "Blood Ties" and Fanged Creatures

It's interesting how vampire stories keep sprouting up in the market. "Blood Ties" has been around since 2007, but I've never had the chance to watch it until recently. It's also making the rounds of syndication worldwide, thanks mostly to that little known saga involving ashen faced Edward Cullen and equally pallor Bella.

In "Blood Ties", a private investigator Vicki Nelson (Christina Cox) becomes witness to a back street mauling of a waiter, but what she saw was a "big man wearing a cape". Superman maybe? Or Batman - who has a bigger cape? Alas! The victim's wounds were found on his neck with saw-like serrations... blood drained dry from the victim's body. The Toronto police doesn't believe in vampires, or do they?

Vicki used to work for the police department until she was diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa which would force her working behind desks instead of being out in the fields. Detective Mike Celucci (Dylan Neal), Vicki's former partner and occasional lover, was, of course disappointed with Vicki's decision. But this murder and mauling case will have them working beside each other - again.

Meanwhile, a sinister soul, Henry Fitzroy (Kyle Schmid) is made aware of this spate of grisly murders. Henry is - hold your breath - a 500 year old vampire! The character itself is based on a historical character who chose love over familial duty and sacrificed his mortal life to remain forever with the woman he loved but circumstances disallows him to stay with the girl. These days, he lives as a graphic novelist in downtown Toronto who, while investigating the case, gets drawn to the willful demeanor of Vicki. A romantic triangle ensues, thus giving the series its compelling tension amidst gore and blood thirsty creatures.

I partial to the constant squabble and intermittent flirtations between Vicki and Mike (a throwback to the old school TV series in the 80's) , while Henry pursues and helps out the aggressive private investigator. These good looking vampires are gradually making their way around the world, and you kinda wonder when they will set sail towards the Philippines. Maybe they can head straight to that ex-president's room and suck her dry? And include her school of greedy piranhas. Errr... I mean, relatives! And since there are talks of the aforementioned seeking asylum to the Dominican Republic, maybe Henry can inform his fanged compatriots in Santo Domingo to give them their due welcome once they make their getaway?

Watch for those steely neck brace though. Bon appetit, Henry!

Vicki Nelson, private investigator



Henry Fitzroy



Detective Mike Celucci







Vicki and Mike share intimate details.






Christina Cox


Christina Cox


Christina Cox


Kyle Schmid


Kyle plays 500 year old Henry. He bares his razor-sharp fangs above.


Kyle Schmid


Kyle Schmid


Dylan Neal plays Detective Mike Celucci, Vicki's occasional lover and former partner.


Dylan Neal poses for a ladies' magazine.


Dylan Neal

The Thaw - Prehistoric "Parasites" in the Arctic

I am re-posting this blog written last March 22. How was I to know it will be shown in commercial theaters and re-titled "Parasites" by its brain-deficient distributors?

Capsule

Snow and the freezing environment in vast, unpredictable terrains as backdrop in movies have always fascinated me. This probably roots from my childhood memories of frolics in Lake Tahoe or those memorable journeys to snowcapped Colorado mountains. So if you give me a film that has snow, add a dash of horror or suspense, then I am a happy soul! Mark A. Lewis' "The Thaw" intrigued me, though I have to admit it isn't brilliant movie-making!

Three of Dr. David Kruipen's students have been invited to join him at the Canadian Arctic for his scientific experiments. His estranged daughter Evelyn (Martha McIsaac) joins them for the ride (just so she can get her inheritance - not unlike KC Concepcion in "I'll Be There"). But unknown to the thermally-challenged crew, Dr. Kruipen (Val Kilmer) has discovered a mysterious thawing mammoth, a prehistoric animal that is believed to be the evolutionary "predecessor" of present-day elephants (Haven't you seen any of the "Ice Age" movies?). As he examines further, he unearths a virulently spreading prehistoric vertebrate parasites that can decimate flesh in minutes! When the parasites finally catch up with the guests, the remaining survivor must do everything to contain the "bugs" from reaching the civilized world!

Though the story feels derivative - there have been great titles like Bille August's "Smilla's Sense of Snow" (with Julia Ormond), Zacharias Kunuk's "Atanarruat - The Fast Runner", Asif Kapadia's "Far North" (with Michelle Yeoh), even Kate Beckinsale's recent "Whiteout"? - I still relished on the element of isolation, the immense power of a harsh environment against human will, and the indomitable spirit that permeate this arctic thriller! It would have been the perfect avenue for searing character studies. Unfortunately, the story teller just isn't that insightful. If you were bored at home, this would be an acceptable alternative to counting the nails on your ceiling. Other than that, I can go back to daydreaming about Lake Tahoe.

Val Kilmer is ecologist Dr. David Kruipen.

Aaron Ashmore is ecology student Atom. Ashmore is a veteran to several suspense-thriller and horror films. The latest I saw just a few days ago was "Fear Island" (a TV movie) with Haylie Duff and Lucy Hale. Interestingly, Ashmore appears alongside Kyle Schmid in "The Thaw" and Michael Storey's "Fear Island". What are the odds of that happening?