Category Archives: Immortality

While we know them as distinct monsters nowadays, most tales of bogeymen tend to converge the further back you go. Vampires, werewolves and undead ghouls may have developed their own individual nuances and mythologies, but theyre really just variations of the same primitive human fears adjusted for different cultural climates. However, even among these infinite variations, if you go back far enough, one thing is certain: bad things come under cover of darkness.

Its this primal fear of the dark that makes Steve Niles and Ben Templesmiths 30 Days of Night such an effective graphic novel, with the story wasting no time in getting to its bloodthirsty premise. This also extends to David Slades highly underrated 2007 adaptation of the story, a faithful translation of the source material that still manages to dive even deeper into its single long night of vampiric carnage. Boasting a deceptively simple setup and chilling visuals, the film has become one of my favorite pieces of wintertime horror fiction, and I believe its still worth revisiting in 2021.

For those unfamiliar with 30 Days of Night, the story takes place in the quiet town of Barrow, Alaska as it prepares to undergo its yearly period of polar night, when the sun sets and the area is shrouded in darkness for a full month. This time, however, a group of vampires have caught wind of the phenomena and are planning a month-long invasion where they can feast on the locals without fear of the sun. Once the inevitable massacre begins, its up to Sheriff Eben and his wife Stella to protect the survivors as they endure the titular night.

The comic presents itself as a short and sweet horror yarn, borrowing elements from zombie flicks and even classic westerns (with the small town sheriff standing up against an overwhelming force and eventually settling things with a climactic duel), but the movie expands on the mythology and characters thanks to the added length. Niles himself returned to pen the first draft of the screenplay, having already pitched this story to producers before turning it into a comic, but the studio would go on to request rewrites by Stuart Beattie and, later on, Brian Nelson.

It would have been a crime to not turn this into a movie.

David Slade was appointed as the pictures director, and while hes mostly known for 2005s Hard Candy and Netflixs interactive Black Mirror special Bandersnatch, he was also responsible for some of the best and most stylish episodes of Hannibal and American Gods. Under his guidance, 30 Days of Night went on to successfully translate this highly atmospheric tale to the big screen, making one of those rare winter-time horror movies that actually look and feel cold. The movie was also a box-office hit, with impressive home-video sales to boot, though a lot of critics didnt quite warm up to it.

In a way, the film is actually structured more like a George Romero zombie movie than a traditional vampire narrative, presenting us with a small town under siege by undead invaders, though these creatures are more than brainless monsters. They may lack the elegance and romantic qualities of classic gothic vampires, but the antagonists of 30 Days of Night are still intelligent foes in their own primal way, hunting down humans with a ferocity that even the running zombies of Zack Snyders Dawn of the Dead remake cant compare to. This may not have been the first time that we saw a modern take on vampires, but the nosferatu of this adaptation are certainly a lot scarier and more grounded than what the genre usually has to offer.

A lot of that is accomplished by their unique designs, as the art department went to great lengths in order to reproduce Templesmiths eerie art style in the real world. This resulted in gorgeous make-up effects that make the vampires look like ancient, otherworldly entities. Their shark-like teeth may harken back to Tom Hollands Fright Night and their resistance to religious iconography may remind you of Anne Rices bloodsuckers, but the vampires of 30 Days of Night are distinct in their savagery.

Even with the terrifying visuals, what really cements these vampires as fearsome predators is the commanding presence of Danny Huston, who turns in a genuinely iconic performance as Marlow, leader of this immortal clan. His calculating demeanor and eldritch accent make this one of the most memorable vampire performances on record, and its hard to not get chills whenever hes onscreen. His interactions with the rest of the tribe are also our window into the mythology of this world, revealing much about the terrible consequences of immortality while also implying a lot of backstory and world-building without resorting to full-on exposition.

You dont need to turn into a bat to be scary!

The rest of the cast is also great, with Josh Hartnett and Melissa George (an underrated Scream Queen) making for a compelling lead couple, though its really unfortunate that the originally Inuit protagonist was made Caucasian in the movie. The town of Barrow itself is also a major character in the story, with this atmospheric locale slowly decaying as the cold sets in. Theres an undeniable tragic feeling when you watch this isolated community burn under a dark sky once the vampires decide that theyve had their fun, even if its obviously just a Hollywood set.

Thankfully, the real-life Barrow is a lot less dreary, more akin to a pleasant collection of seaside suburban housing than the gloomy settlement that we see in the film. Its also no longer known as Barrow, having reverted back to its original Iupiat name Utqiagvik in 2016. Regardless, its clear that the production design was going for an emulation of Templesmiths dreamy silhouettes and hazy architecture rather than authenticity. In fact, most of the films snow was actually fake, with the filmmakers prioritizing these exaggerated aesthetic qualities instead of real-world accuracy. I guess thats appropriate when you consider that this is a comic-book adaptation, but the movie still manages to feel absolutely frigid even though a large portion of it was shot in a New Zealand studio.

This stylization also extends to the films brutal effects, with more gore than you can shake a sharpened stake at. Not even the children are spared during the month-long invasion of Barrow, with some absolutely bombastic kills and copious amounts of (presumably) fake blood. The production value here is admittedly impressive, though the final showdown feels a bit less convincing than the rest of the film.

The movie has some other flaws as well, such as a weird time-skip in the middle of the story that worked better in the original comic, but its ultimately a satisfying horror yarn that makes the most of its premise. Oddly enough, I find that theres something comforting about watching these characters struggle to survive in this icy setting while youre still snug within the comforts of your own home. Thats why I tend to re-watch this one whenever the days start getting shorter and the temperatures start dropping (which, ironically, only happens around June here in Brazil).

In any case, 30 Days of Night is proof that the simplest stories are sometimes the most effective, and I think its a lot better than most folks give it credit for. From losing your loved ones to facing the existential terrors of immortality, the movie does a lot with what began as a simple fear of the dark. At the end of the day, theres a reason why so many horror stories begin with it was a dark and stormy night, and I think more productions should strive to make the most of a straightforward setup.

So, while you hunker down in your own homes this winter, be it because of ravenous vampires, the freezing cold or a certain respiratory virus, why not revisit the chills and thrills of 30 Days of Night? Just make sure to keep a light on, just in case

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'30 Days of Night': Revisiting the Dark Thrills of the Bloody Vampire Horror Movie - Bloody Disgusting

The Darksaber is symbolically powerful, but a future Star Wars property could reintroduce the Dagger of Mortis, which is significantly stronger.

The Star Wars canon has emphasized the power and importance of the Darksaber in The Mandalorian, but future properties may reintroduce an even more powerful weapon: the Dagger of Mortis. This mystical weapon holds symbolic significance like the Darksaber; but whereas the Mandalorian weapon is functionally almost the same as any other lightsaber, the Mortis Dagger is capable of far more. The Dagger may appear in several upcoming Disney+ Star Wars shows, potentially being a significant plot element that brings The Mandalorian, Star Wars: Ahsoka, and Star Wars: Rangers of the New Republic together in a crossover event. But what is the Dagger of Mortis and what can it do?

The Dagger of Mortis first appeared in Star Wars: The Clone Wars, where it was fought over by the three Star Wars Force-users who were found in the mysterious Wild Space realm known as Mortis. These beings, named The Father, The Daughter, and The Son all used the Force with near-omnipotent power, so naturally, the abilities and weapons of Jedi and Sith paled in comparison to those of Mortis. The Force wielders were nearly immortal as well, but the Mortis Dagger was one of the few things that could kill them. The Dagger was used directly to kill The Daughter and The Father, and indirectly to kill The Son (whose immortality was removed upon the death of The Father).

Related:Disney Already Cast A New Young Luke, Why Didn't Mandalorian Use Him?

The Darksaber may have the most unique lightsaber blade color and origin, but it is ultimately just another lightsaber in terms of functionality, though it does increase a wielder's aggression and tugs at their dark side instincts. Still, the weapons true power comes from its historical and cultural significance to Mandalorians. One must defeat the Darksabers owner in combat to have a rightful claim to it, and the wielder of the weapon is also considered the true ruler of Mandalore (at least by the time of 9 ABY). By being able to kill a god-like Force-wielder, the Mortis Dagger far outclasses any lightsaber, including the Darksaber. Considering the connections between Ahsoka Tano, the Mortis Force-wielders, and the World Between Worlds, the Dagger could easily make its reappearance in Star Wars: Ahsoka.

Of the three Jedi visitors to Mortis, Ahsoka Tano is the only one still alive in 9 ABY. The Dagger could be pursued by both Ahsoka and Grand Admiral Thrawn (who Tano was tracking down in her episode of The Mandalorian). The Dagger was left on Mortis when Ahsoka, Anakin, and Obi-Wan left the realm, but how they ended up there (and how they left) isnt made explicitly clear in The Clone Wars, so a non-Force user like Thrawn may attempt to access the Dagger through more crude methods, as Veris Hydan did to the entrance to the Worlds Between Worlds in Star Wars Rebels.

The Mortis Dagger could also be tied to the mystical World Between Worlds, given their shared connections to the Force wielders of Mortis. Perhaps the Mortis Dagger can be used for more than killing Force wielders and is a method of entering the mysterious plane. The World Between Worlds gives visitors access to any point in time and space, which would easily make it important enough to involve Din Djarin and Cara Dune (as well as Luke Skywalker and Grogu) in Ahsokas adventures. Though unlikely, the plane (and by extension, the Dagger) could be the catalyst for a crossover between the Star Wars Canon and Legends universes.

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David Miller is an author for Screen Rant, indie comic writer, and life-long lover of all things Star Wars, Marvel, and DC. He was born and raised in New York and has a degree in English from Rider University. When not writing, he enjoys reading comics and getting his fix of caffeine. He relates to Peter Parker maybe a little too much.

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How Star Wars Could Bring Back A Weapon More Powerful Than The Darksaber - Screen Rant

For all the talk about Illinois being a center of manufacturing and industry, agriculture is a major player.

No other state produces as much in soybeans as Illinois. According to the state soybean association, Illinois produced 532 million bushels of the crop in 2019. Iowa was second, at 503 million bushels.

Illinois also is the country's second-leading producer of corn, according to World Population Review. In 2018, Illinois farmers grew 2.3 billion bushels of corn. Only Iowa (2.5 billion bushels) produced more.

A crop in which Illinois is the far-and-away leader nationally is one that doesn't seem to get much notice, except around Halloween and the ensuing holidays.

Between 90 and 95% of the processed pumpkins in the U.S. are grown in Illinois, according to the University of Illinois Extension. The Tazewell County village of Morton claims to be the pumpkin capital of the world.

A Nestle USA plant in Morton produces Libby's canned pumpkin. That accounts for about 80% of such pumpkin sold worldwide, according to the company.

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What is Illinois known for? Here are 9 things good, bad and in-between - Journal Gazette and Times-Courier

Since 2018 Welsh actor Ioan Gruffudd has been playing a forensic pathologist in Australian drama Harrow, but it's not the first time he's portrayed a character with that job description.

He also starred as a medical examiner in the 2014 series Forever, only Dr Henry Morgan was different to Dr Daniel Harrow in a very unique way he's immortal and has been for 200 years.

Stream every episode ever of Forever for free on 9Now.

Forever follows Dr Henry Morgan as he works with Detective Jo Martinez to solve murders in New York. When not working, Henry tries to figure out why he is immortal and how to end the curse. He is also being hunted by another immortal named Adam.

The only person in on Henry's secret is elderly antique store owner Abe, who is also Henry's son. Henry and his wife Abigail adopted concentration camp survivor Abe after World War II. Abigail was the only other person he knew the truth about Henry, but she disappeared in the 1980s.

Starring alongside Gruffudd in Forever is Law & Order and FBI actress Alana De La Garza as Jo. Henry's assistant Lucas is played by Avatar and Bones actor Joel David Moore. Jo's detective partner Mike Hanson is portrayed by 24's Donnie Keshawarz, while their boss Leiutenant Joanna Reece is played by The Village's Lorraine Toussant.

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Veteran actor Judd Hirsch, from the sitcom Taxi and film Independence Day, plays Abe, with The Bold and the Beautiful's Mackenzie Mauzy portraying Abigail in flashbacks.

The other immortal in the series, Adam, is played by Torchwood and Enola Holmes actor Burn Gorman.

Forever is the kind of show that has a little bit of almost every genre. At its core it is a police procedural with a different crime to solve each episode.

The show also has elements of a period drama, with flashbacks to Henry's life over 200 years. We see the moment in 1814 when he became immortal, as well as meeting Abigail while working as medical personnel during World War II.

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Then there is the sci-fi element of Henry's immortality, which involves Henry emerging from a large body of water every time he comes back to life. His mystery isn't as curious as Adam's though, Adam claims to have lived for 2,000 years and is looking for the lost dagger that killed him and also Roman general Julius Caesar.

Forever was cancelled after one season of 22 episodes, despite popularity on catch-up services and an online cult following.

Creator Matt Miller shared his secret vision for the future of the series on Twitter in 2015. He revealed we would have found out about Henry's other family, including a Spanish lover, and Henry would've had a romance with another, much younger immortal. We would have also seen flashbacks of Henry as a child, along with the moment Abe learned Henry's secret.

Stream every episode ever of Forever for free on 9Now.

Read more from the original source:
Everything you need to know about the TV series Forever - Nine

Assassin's Creed Valhalla players can challenge and defeat Fenn the Wistful in a Flyting battle by picking the right dialogue when prompted.

InAssassin's Creed Valhalla, players take on the role of Eivor as they leadVikings to a better future in England. ThroughoutAssassin's Creed Valhalla'sstory, there will be plenty of dangerous foesandchallenging puzzles that must be overcome with strength and skill. In the downtime, however, there are other side quests and objectives that are much less life-threatening such as Flyting.

Flyting is a Viking contest that involves an exchange of insults between two individuals,ancient rap battling in other words. Successfully winning a Flyting increases Eivor's charismaskill, and players that get it to a high enough levelwill find additional dialogue for NPCs which open alternate choices during the story. While not every individual is open to a Flyting battle, there is one such opportunity against Fenn the Wistful.

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Before challenging Fenn to a Flyting, Assassin's Creed Valhallaplayers must first find him in the northern part of Wincestre. He will be standing outside of a farmhouse accompanied by two other men. Talk with Fenn to exchange some brief words before agreeing to the Flyting and wagering a small, medium, or large bet.

Playerscan also ask Fenn to repeat his previous line if they don't remember it while picking an appropriate response. Note that players can still win the Flyting even if they mess up once. If successful, Fennsays he's heard enough cruelty and will let players go.Eivorthen gets a boost to charisma and double the initial amount of silver that was wagered.

Keep in mind players won't find a Flytingat every point in Norway or England, but the biggest settlements and towns should have someone willing to clash against Eivor. If looking on the map, future Flyting NPCs are marked with a blue mask symbol.

Assassins Creed Valhallais available now for PC, PS4, PS5, Stadia, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.

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Source: Game8

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Daniel is a writer at Game Rant with a minor in Professional Writing. Since a young age, Daniel has been an avid gamer starting with the Mega Man Battle Network series. From there, he branched out to other titles over the years including vanilla World of Warcraft. More than anything, Daniel enjoys a good story that ties world-building and gameplay together as well as multiplayer games with friends. Daniel currently plays a variety of PC and mobile games including League of Legends and Fate/Grand Order.

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Assassin's Creed Valhalla: Fenn the Wistful's Flyting Guide - GameRant

The Arwen and Aragorn relationship is the main romantic relationship from The Lord of the Rings series, but some of it just makes no sense.

The Arwen and Aragorn relationship is the main romantic relationship from The Lord of the Rings series. Many people were engaged in their love story and wanted them to be together and happy. However, there are a lot of things about their relationship that dont make a lot of sense.

RELATED: The Lord of the Rings: 10 Fan Fiction Relationships We Wish Were Real

For people who only watched the movies and didnt read the books, things about Arwen and Aragorn and what keeps them apart can be even more confusing. Theres also the fact that the movies often add things in to tell a more watchable story, so there are definitely many aspects of their relationship that dont make sense.

While in many fantasy stories, especially newer ones, there are often relationships between different races, this wasnt the case in Tolkiens world. The reasons for this are kind of confusing and hard to explain, but the premise is that they basically have different gods.

Also, since elves live so long, its always going to be a lesson in heartbreak to be with someone who dies so quickly. However, it still seems way rarer than is realistic.

In the movies, Arwen gives this necklace to Aragorn as a representation of her love for him, but its not very well explained. Theres a sense that it is somewhat magical or contains her grace, but this is very vague.

While Arwen in the books did wear a white jewel, she actually gave it to Frodo. This necklace was mostly a movie invention, so its hard to say precisely how powerful its supposed to be.

In many ways, the world of Middle-Earth is fairly old-fashioned when it comes to gender roles. There are some exceptions to this for sure, but Arwen seems very much like an old-fashioned lady or princess whose father, Elrond, has a lot of say in her life.

However, since the movies tried to update things somewhat and give the women more of a storyline, this comes across as weird and patronizing.

While its technically possible for any human and elf pairing to fall in love, the thing that sets Arwen and Aragorn apart is that she has the ability to choose to be mortal or immortal like her ancestor Luthien.

RELATED: Lord of the Rings: 5 Times Aragorn Was Inspiring (& 5 Fans Felt Sorry For Him)

The reasons for this are a bit weird and have to do with the god figures in the world. While this is the explanation, its still not presented well in the movies. And, it seems like Arwen could realistically just live out Aragorns life and find happiness, but things are complicated.

In the books, Arwen is hardly mentioned at all in the main plot. The love story of Aragorn and Arwen is told in the appendices, but Arwen has very little role in the series.

However, the creators of the films wanted to include some of this love story while also giving Arwen more of a role. This means fans see her also as a capable warrior, so the fact that she never goes to see Aragorn again doesnt make a lot of sense.

In the books, Aragorn is a bit less of a reluctant hero than he is in the films. However, since that makes for a more interesting story with character development, Aragorn in the movies doesnt want to become the King of Gondor.

However, the reasons for this are rather shaky, and it makes him seem unwilling.

In one way, this makes a lot of sense. Aragorn clearly carries a lot of guilt over their relationship because he doesn't want Arwen to give up her immortality for him. He obviously loves her and doesnt want her to be hurt because of him.

RELATED: Lord Of The Rings: 10 Best Quotes From The Women Of Middle-Earth

However, it can also come across as if he doesnt respect Arwens choice in the manner. He is rather back and forth about things in an attempt to push her away.

Even if Arwen chose not to give up her immortality, theres a chance she would have died young anyway. Elves are immortal but they can die of things like battle wounds, and they can also die of a broken heart.

This is kind of a dramatic trope, but it is something that Tolkien laid out. And, in Arwens case, almost all of the elves would be gone from Middle-Earth by the time Aragorn died, but its a very weird concept in the first place.

Given how loyal Aragorn is, it always felt a bit weird in the movies when he did seem briefly to consider being with Eowyn. While at that point he technically had tried to break things off with Arwen, it did feel out of character.

Its clear that Eowyn would be the easier, sensible choice in a way, but its hard to see how this makes sense for him given the epic nature of his love for Arwen.

This is another thing that only happens in the movies, not in the books. This was definitely a way to create even more drama and desperation for Aragorn and drive his story forward, but it also just doesn't make sense.

If at this point fans presume shed already given up her immortality, then she would obviously be at risk if Sauron had his way. However, this applies to every person left in Middle-Earth. The movies make it seem like Arwens life force is almost linked to Saurons power, and this is strange.

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Amanda is a freelance writer in NYC. She is a professional writer and storyteller who loves TV, activism, and fandom. She would definitely die for Captain America.

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Lord Of The Rings: 10 Things About Arwen and Aragorn's Relationship That Make No Sense - Screen Rant