The Wolfman

One of the taglines for this movie: When The Moon Is Full The Legend Comes To Life. A haunted nobleman is lured back to his family's estate after his brother goes missing by his brother's fiance. He is reunited with his estranged father and sets out to find if his brother's disappearance is connected to the savage killings of villagers in the area. His investigation leads him to a horrifying discovery of a destiny he didn't know he had.

Lawrence Talbot is a traveling actor who comes back to his ancestral home to uncover the details behind his vanishing brother only to find his brother's dead body and a deeper mystery that can only be solved by delving into the family's past. Sir John Talbot is an experienced game hunter and as knowledge of his younger son's death that he has been keeping from Lawrence but as the situation escalates a confrontation between father and son is not far behind. Gwen Conlife is a woman torn between the grief she feels about the death of Ben and the growing attraction between her and Lawrence. Francis Aderline is a Victorian inspector fresh from the investigation of Jack the Ripper who is determined to find the reason behind the killings in this case.

I rather enjoyed this modern take on the classic wolfman movie and the old fashion horror movie atmosphere. This is a truly lavish production and each scene is made to linger with you like decadent chocolate truffles. Joe Johnston shoes he can direct a period piece with gothic undertones and Benico Del Toro reminds us that he can act with the most polished of thespians. Just don't go into it expecting a love story because this is more about a family being undone by secrets kept hidden that come out by the moon light. I rate this movie a Rated T.

The tagline for this movie: Some Heroes Are Made And Some Are Born Of The Gods. Zeus' lightning bolt has been stolen and the prime suspect is the son of Poseidon since demigods can steal the powers of gods. He must now go on a cross country adventure to find the real thief, prove his innocence and stop a war between the gods of Olympus. On this journey he is accompanied by his best friend and new friend who is a child of a goddess.

Percy Jackson is a high school student who learns that he is the son of the Greek God of the sea and also the prime suspect in the theft of the most powerful weapon on the planet with 14 days to clear his name. Grover Underwood is Percy's best friend and his protector in the mortal world who is not human at all but a satyr who wants nothing more than to earn his horns. Annabeth Chase is the daughter of Athena who would like nothing more than to meet her mother but hopes that by excelling at Camp Half-Blood that she will at least live up to her mothers legacy. Luke Castellan is the son of Hermes who can get you any thing you need at Camp Half-Boold and resents the rule of the gods never knowing their demigod children, but believes it is due to their lack of caring for their offspring.

I thought I would love this movie and since I never read the book series I did not know what to expect. I hate to say that the story felt like Harry Potter Lite and I don't know if this is Avatar backlash, but the special effects did not feel very special. I really expected more from Chris Columbus directed movie and even though the actors gave solid performances they lacked a certain energy. With plot that seems dated and effects that seem more fit for direct to dvd than an actual theatrical release I think you can guess where this review is going. I rate this a Rated D.

P.S. Stick around during the credits for a a bit of comeuppance for the stepfather.