August 29, 2012 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • Page 23 ‘Moth Diaries’ taps into popularity of vampire tales by Dennis Seuling Based on Rachel Klein’s young adult novel, “The Moth Diaries” (IFC Films) spotlights 16-year-old Rebecca (Sarah Bolger, “The Tudors”), who is haunted by her poet father’s recent suicide and records her most intimate thoughts in a diary. Many of those private thoughts are centered on Lucie (Sarah Gadon), Rebecca’s best friend and roommate at school: the ivy-covered Brangwyn. But when a mysterious, ethereal, and captivating new girl, Ernessa (Lily Cole, “Snow White and the Huntsman”), arrives at school, matters turn dark and terrifying. Mysterious deaths occur. Lucie and Ernessa become inseparable friends, and the shunned, heartbroken Rebecca begins to think the pale newcomer is a vampire who is draining Lucie of life. Rebecca determines to do something drastic about it. Mr. Davies (Scott Speedman), a young teacher, is on hand as the resident expert on all things vampiric and primary source of background exposition. Director Mary Harron lacks subtlety in yet another teen tale that capitalizes on the ongoing popularity of the vampire. That character has been a staple of the horror genre since Count Orlock slinked through his foreboding castle in 1920’s “Nosferatu.” There are almost limitless ways to treat the vampire, and movies have not been shy in exploring new and often bizarre ways to feature this popular, undead creature. Harron does not add much that is new. As the story turns to the supernatural, the tone alters little, and many scenes end abruptly. The film’s 82 minutes are not enough to tap the picture’s potential, and attempts to scare the viewer largely fall flat. Blu-ray bonuses include behind-the-scenes video dia- When Ernessa (Lily Cole) turns up as a new student at a girls’ school, unusual incidents of violence mysteriously begin. ries, a making-of featurette, and theatrical trailer. The film is also available on DVD. “The Pirates! Band of Misfits” (Sony Pictures Home Entertainment) is a claymation film using the technique of stop-motion animation, a special effect devised at the dawn of moviemaking and still impressive when done effectively. The bearded Pirate Captain (voice of Hugh Grant) and his band of misfits (Martin Freeman, Brendan Gleeson, Al Roker, Anton Yelchin, and Ashley Jensen) encounter adventures on the high seas in an amusing quest to win the coveted “Pirates of the Year” award. Along the way, they battle a diabolical queen (Imelda Staunton) and team up with a smitten scientist (David Tennant), but never lose sight of what a pirate loves best: adventure. The film also features the voice of Jeremy Piven as the villainous Black Bellamy. The characters are expressive and there is plenty of slapstick to keep little ones amused, though the voice work, particularly by Grant, is strictly of the “phone it in” variety with little originality or cleverness. In its favor, the movie draws upon the limitless possibilities of cinema to make the situations surrealistic, such as the running gag of a chimpanzee -- the subject of a Darwinian experiment -- forced to wear a suit to prove he will eventually act like a human, specifically a butler. The chimp communicates with index cards that always contain exactly the right words -- the visual equivalent of a rim shot. The Blu-ray/DVD combo pack contains a pirate disguise dress-up game, some short films by director Peter Lord, and featurettes on creating a chase scene and the stop-motion technique. “The Walking Dead: The Complete Second Season” (Anchor Bay) continues the apocalyptic saga of human beings attempting to survive in a world overtaken by zombies. Based on a successful series of comic books and graphic novels, this TV series follows a group of survivors, led by police officer Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln), searching for a safe and secure home. However, it is the living, rather than the zombies, who may be the biggest threat. Jon Bernthal plays Shane Walsh, Rick’s sheriff’s department partner before the apocalypse, and Sarah Wayne Callies is Rick’s wife, Lori. Also starring are Laurie Holden, Steven Teun, Norman Reedus, Jeffrey DeMunn, and Melissa McBride. The raison d’être of the series is the zombies, and they (continued on Crossword page)