CIRQUE DU FREAK: THE VAMPIRE'S ASSISTANT

RYAN: I remember when I first read about "Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant," the first thing I thought was, "seriously... another vampire movie?!?!" But then I saw the trailer and I couldn't wait to see it.

CAROLINE: I missed the screening. How was it?

RYAN: In a word... amazing!

CAROLINE: Really? I know there's a decent cast but I didn't think it would be that great.

RYAN: It's honestly the film I've enjoyed the most in the last 8 months.

CAROLINE: Wow, ok. What made it so great?

RYAN: The story is cool and unique for the vampire genre. It's like a fantasy vampire movie. They're not evil, people-killing vampires. And the make-up, costumes and color in this film is so vibrant, some scenes reminded me of "Moulin Rouge."

CAROLINE: That's cool. How was John C. Reilly as the vampire?

RYAN: You know, for an awkward looking dude, he's very charismatic. I really enjoy him as an actor. I think he and Paul Giamatti should either play brothers or lovers in a movie someday.

CAROLINE: [laughs] Random. I won't ask why. What about Salma Hayek?

RYAN: She plays John C.'s girlfriend/the Bearded Lady at the freak show. She's really good and of course, I loved Jane Krakowski as well. And Willem Dafoe is a scene-stealer. Plus, Broadway's Michael Cerveris is in it.

CAROLINE: OMG I saw him in Sweeney Todd.

RYAN: There are others you'd recognize too; a really fab cast.

CAROLINE: How were the effects?

RYAN: Great. They're seamless and powerful. The stuff you see in the freak show part of the movie is just incredible. It's like Ripley's Believe It or Not on crack. I wanna see it again.

CAROLINE: That paints a picture.

RYAN: One of the things I like best about this movie is the transition it makes from "reality" into the fantasy. It starts out like a teen high school flick and then morphs into this fantastical, creepy, cool and even cute movie.

CAROLINE: Uh-oh, cute? Level with me, isn't this just you liking a kids' movie here?

RYAN: No. Listen. The screenplay was written by the guy who wrote "L.A. Confidential" and the director did "About a Boy" and the first "American Pie."

CAROLINE: Ok. Those are some more mature credits.

RYAN: It's pretty clever and there is some language that you definitely don't expect and it's funny. And then in parts it's dark too.

CAROLINE: Wow, you're sold.

-- BOTTOM LINE --

RYAN: In many ways it's a perfect movie in the sense it's a strong beginning, middle and end. I was captivated the entire time and just sort of delighted by this film. I highly recommend. It's a fresh, fun take on vampires with its heart in the right place.

-- RATING --