Nosferatu

Last night I had a serendipitous event: I viewed the David Lee Fisher version of Nosferatu, A Symphony of Horror. I haven't seen this movie, released in 2023 mentioned anywhere and imagined it has been overshadowed by this year's Bill Skarsgård/Nicholas Hoult production and thus had been largely ignored, though Amazon Prime Video and Tubi features it. It's been panned by some but I found it surprisingly well-done. Yes, it begins with some slightly stilted and occasionally bombastic scenery-chewing but settles in when one decides to watch it as if actually set in the period of the story. Then, both cast, dialogue and viewer adjust accordingly. The story blends scenes crafted to copy exactly some from the original 1922 Nosferatu, and occasional dialogue from Lugosi's version. There are some little jewels of cinematic moments, such as the backdrops appearing a combination of painting and projection giving it the primitive cinematic effect of the original. Stylish, artistic, surreal, and gothic, done in black and white. Except for the occasional bright red slash of blood or the golden lick of flames as when the Demeter burns.

As a whole, even with the "high school play" elements another viewer has panned, I much preferred this one over the 1979 Kinski Nosferatu which simply mirrored the original with dialogue and added nothing new (and believe me, at 82, I've seen a LOT of vampire/Dracula movies to compare it to). I thoroughly enjoyed it and look forward to the latest Nosferatu so I can add it to my very long list.

So...we all have our opinions and though my seem to swim against the majority...that's my opinion and I"m sticking to it.

Review of Nosferatu.

A Sinister Homage Rating: 7/10

The 2024 Nosferatu film, starring the inimitable Doug Jones as Count Orlok, offers a stylish and visually striking reimagining of the 1922 classic. With a graphic novel-inspired aesthetic akin to Sin City, the film leans heavily into its moody, stylized visuals, creating an atmosphere that feels both fresh and nostalgic.

Doug Jones, a master of physical acting, perfectly channels Max Schreck's original performance, capturing the eerie, unsettling presence that made the character iconic. The modern makeup effects pay faithful homage to Orlok's original design, updating it with subtle enhancements that emphasize his grotesque charm without losing the character's vintage horror appeal. Jones' movements and expressions are mesmerizing, making him a worthy successor to Schreck's legacy.

The narrative, while not groundbreaking, stays true to the tone and spirit of the original, offering a faithful tribute rather than an outright reimagining. The Director clearly crafted the film with reverence, focusing on evoking the same primal unease the 1922 film instilled in audiences nearly a century ago.

While some critics have dismissed the film for its perceived lack of innovation, it's important to watch it for what it is: an homage. As a modern love letter to one of horror's most enduring films, it succeeds admirably. The graphic novel-inspired visuals may not be to everyone's taste, but they create a distinctive look that sets this Nosferatu apart from more traditional horror films.

In the end, this Nosferatu isn't trying to reinvent the wheel-it's a celebration of its cinematic roots, elevated by Doug Jones' haunting performance and a uniquely stylized visual approach. For fans of the original or those who appreciate atmospheric, graphic novel-inspired horror, it's worth a watch. Just embrace it for what it is, and you'll find it to be a perfectly fine (and at times chilling) homage.

Doug Jones was great as usual, the movie however was a different story. The cinematics looked like something a couple of high school kids would have done on an iPhone 2. The director may have been trying to go for a specific "feel", but he failed miserably. It looked almost like an animated comic book. If that was the feel they wanted then they got it, but personally I did not like it at all. Most of the cast did an adequate job but they where wasted on this movie. I love Doug Jones and love vampire moves, but honestly just watch the original 1922 version or even the remake from 1979, both are far superior.

Maybe there was a good idea to make a sound update of Nosferatu in the tinted monochrome style of the original but the execution is truly dreadful.

The acting is about what you might expect from a high school play. Apparently it was shot on empty sets and the backgrounds were added later. They look like AI images generated from screengrabs from the 1922 original.

Doug Jones has just a few scenes as the vampire, behind very heavy makeup. He brings the only point of interest but it's not enough to justify slogging through this sleepwalking snoozefest.

There are no real scares in this alleged horror film and it adds nothing to the original.

I was amongst the first to see a screening of this movie and I thought it was very good. The acting was good and everything thing about it I enjoyed. I thought it was an enhanced version of the original with all the same scares but modernized. I think they perfectly accomplished what they wanted to. I felt like the the enhanced original scenes were fantastic. Maybe it was because it was viewed different on the big screen. Too bad it wasn't more widely released in the theaters. The added dialogue was good. I thought the acting was good. I thought Doug Jones as Orlok was fantastic. He is truly a master of that type of role. His movements tell a story with no words and is terrific. He should have been Orlok in the Eggers film. He would have made it so much better. Watch this movie for what it is and you will enjoy it while rediscovering the original greatness.