Blade
Based on the Marvel Comics character Blade, this film cast Wesley Snipes in the lead. He is a human-vampire hybrid but he has taken the human’s side, protecting them from the vampires. A stunning visual film, Blade caught mixed reviews, yet brought in a hefty payday. The story varies a bit from the comics, probably in an attempt to up the ante and bring more action and interest. There were two sequels that followed, completing the Blade trilogy.
The Blair Witch Project
One of the most well-known indie horror flicks, The Blair Witch Project stirred the pot with its raw, found video footage and newcomers. Three people go into the woods near Burkittsville, Maryland, in search of a local legend, The Blair Witch. Their adventure left them missing, yet their footage was found a year later. This footage is what is presented as the movie. It was such a different premise that some people wondered if it weren’t all true, until the movie’s stars all went on the talk show circuit soon after. With a ridiculously low budget, it grossed over $240 million worldwide. Not the first of the found footage kind, it is one of the most well remembered for the style.
The Blob
In 1958, a small indie film with humble beginnings became a sleeper hit. The Blob, a movie about a meteor, which crashes to earth, spilling out its deadly contents, which would terrorize the small town. Taking place in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, it was the debut role for Steve McQueen. McQueen settled for a payday of $3,000 due to a poor business decision, and the movie eventually grossed over $4 million.
Blade Runner
Directed by Ridley Scott and starring Harrison Ford, it is a film set in Los Angeles in 2019. There are humanoid robots, replicants, who have been designed to carry out specific tasks. When they defy their orders, cue someone like Harrison Ford to come and find them. A gritty, futuristic dystopian film, Blade Runner didn’t fare well at the theatres, but became a cult classic with a die-hard fan base.
The Birds
Set in Bodega Bay, California, Alfred Hitchcock spins an unforgettable yarn about mysterious, sudden and violent bird attacks. His ability to build the suspense and mounting terror are paramount to the effect of the film. By the end, you will be watching the skies and fearing birds. The special effects concerning the birds were fantastic, cementing this movie in its classic status.
Bram Stoker’s Dracula
The 1992 release directed by Francis Ford Coppola was based on Bram Stoker’s novel, Dracula. Coppola’s brilliant use of setting and atmosphere were unforgettable. The costumes and sets were a visual treat. A box office success, it showed that audiences were still driven to watch films about Dracula, even though there have been many over the years. The movie also won three Academy Awards.
