Good News, Bad News

Don't know what to make of 'Dracula Untold'. I had thought this would be about Count Vlad III (The Impaler), which would make it horrific enough and, possibly, compelling as well as entertaining. Turns out it's just another take on the Bram Stoker novel. (Do we really need another one of those)? Perhaps not the best.

Was very surprised to find out this movie is budgeted at over $100 million. Really... That's a lot. Never expected that kind of figure. With Dominic Cooper and Luke Evans in lead roles, is such a budget warranted? Not great, on paper at least.

And, that title. Untold? Doesn't work. Unknown would work. 'Dracula Unknown', or 'Dracula: The Unknown Story'. Something like that. If you have to have the word 'untold' you could go with 'Dracula: The Untold Story' but it still sounds dumb. Unknown is better. Other stuff would be better. Almost anything would be better. Untold is dorky.

Then, there's the fact this is directed by Gary Shore who, until now, has only done a single short film. Wow. Again, on paper, that looks weird. So be it.

Written by Matt Sazama who, before this, did nothing. Okay, I shouldn't say 'nothing'. According to IMDb he was an editorial production assistant on 'The Master of Disguise' (2002 with Dana Carvey). He also receives 'very special thanks' from the producers of 'Return to Zero'. So, saying he's done nothing is out of line.

Good news -- this is lensed by John Schwartzman (Seabiscuit, The Amazing Spider-Man, Jurassic World).

Other good news -- first poster looks great. Well, that was my impression when I thought the movie was about Vlad The Impaler. Now, considering this is another genre vampire flick, the poster looks cheesy.

The only thing that can save this movie is if it's about how Vlad The Impaler became a supernatural being. That might work. That could be an interesting story.

So -- wondering, waiting for reviews -- but right now the bad news outweighs the good.

$100 million... 'Dracula Untold'... Really?