Dracula Untold

At the turn of the century, a strong young prince named Vlad Tepes (Evans) peacefully rules a small kingdom. When a ruthless sultan threatens the lives of his wife and son, however, Vlad is willing to go to great lengths to keep them safe -- even at the cost of his very soul. His journey takes him to a cave high on a mountain where he encounters a being that bestows upon him a frightening power. In receiving this power, Vlad the Impaler becomes the legendary vampire Dracula.

Director: Gary Shore. Stars: Luke Evans, Dominic Cooper, Charles Dance, Sarah Gadon, Art Parkinson, Diarmaid Murtagh, Paul Kaye, William Houston, Noah Huntley, Ronan Vibert, Zach McGowan. 2014. 92 min. Action.

Dear White People

Biracial student activist Samantha White (Thompson) hosts a provocative campus radio show at the prestigious Winchester University. Sam is elected president of Parker-Armstrong, a residential hall under the threat of losing its traditionally all-black status in the face of diversification. Amidst the growing clamour, Afro-sporting nerd Lionel Higgins (Williams) is recruited by the all-white student newspaper to go undercover and write about black culture, though he really knows little on the subject. Resentment and misunderstandings abound in what turns into a campus culture war that challenges the conventional ideas of what it means to be black.

Director: Justin Simien. Stars: Tyler James Williams, Tessa Thompson, Kyle Gallner, Teyonah Parris, Brandon P Bell, Malcolm Barrett, Dennis Haysbert, Peter Syvertsen. 2014. 108 min. Comedy.

Exists

Matt (Davis) and Brian (Osborn) are looking to spend a weekend partying with three of their friends in their uncle’s secluded cabin in the woods of east Texas. The five pals set out for their summer getaway in high spirits, which are abruptly dampened when they arrive at the cabin and see its dilapidated state. Nevertheless, the pals are determined to have a good time and to film the weekend’s antics. The vacation is anything but fun, however, when an urban legend becomes reality and the partygoers find themselves stalked by the Sasquatch.

Director: Eduardo Sánchez. Stars: Dora Madison Burge, Samuel Davis, Roger Edwards, Chris Osborn, Brian Steele, Denise Williamson, Jeff Schwan. 2014. 81 min. Horror.