Darren Shan

...than the low-ball figures its executives publicly predict. The Vampire's Assistant, envisioned as the launch of a franchise based on Darren Shan's horror-romance books, came with the creative pedigree of director Paul Weitz (American Pie,...

In this article: Amelia Earhart, Oscar, The Vampire's Assistant, Paramount Pictures, Hilary Swank, Million Dollar Baby, Halloween, Box Office Mojo, and Rotten Tomatoes

...which takes the idea of feeling like a "freak" during tricky teenage years and runs with it in a smart, inventive way. Honor student Darren Shan and his rebellious friend Steve (Josh Hutcherson) go to see the "Cirque du Freak" show. Larten...

In this article: Astro Boy, The Namesake, Amelia, Amelia Earhart, Cirque Du Freak, and Where the Wild Things Are

"Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant," is based on the first three books of the book series "The Saga of Darren Shan," by Darren Shan. At times it proves to be as flat as one of the pages in Shan's books, despite such a strange yet...

In this article: The Vampire's Assistant, Josh Hutcherson, Cirque Du Freak, John C. Reilly, IP Address, and Bob Dylan

...books and films. "The Vampire's Assistant," itself based on a 12-part tween book series known as the "The Saga of Darren Shan" by Darren Shan, continually tweaks with the expected stereotypes of its bizarro characters, though if it and...

In this article: The Vampire's Assistant, Paul Weitz, Cirque du Freak, The Golden Compass, John C. Reilly, Cirque Du Freak, and Harry Potter

...while transplanting the characters from Britain to America. Chris Massoglia plays a teen named Darren Shan (the books are presented as the author's autobiography, though Shan's actually a pen name for Irish writer Darren...

In this article: The Vampire's Assistant, John C. Reilly, Cirque Du Freak, Cirque du Freak, Paul Weitz, Step Brothers, and Will Ferrell

...end in Paul Weitz's stab at vampire camp in "Cirque du Freak," a not quite deadly adaptation of the frothy fanged kids book series by Darren Shan. Interestingly, the lead character is a 16-year-old named Darren Shan (Chris Massoglia).

In this article: Cirque Du Freak, The Vampire's Assistant, Paul Weitz, In Good Company, Psoriasis, Brian Helgeland, Topher Grace, and Jane Krakowski

...and TV series such as "True Blood." And in young adult books. "Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant" is culled from Darren Shan's four -- count 'em, four -- trilogies about a 16-year-old boy (Darren) who becomes the involuntary...

In this article: Cirque Du Freak, Cirque du Freak, The Vampire's Assistant, The Lord of the Rings, Salma Hayek, John C. Reilly, and Bloody Mary

...and inventive fable. It treats the idea of feeling like a freak during teenage years in a smart way. Played by Chris Massoglia, Darren Shan and his rebellious friend Steve (Josh Hutcherson) see a flier for the "Cirque du Freak" and go.

In this article: Astro Boy, Where the Wild Things Are, and Cirque Du Freak

...and dark humor by director Paul Weitz (American Dreamz). Weitz has taken several of the popular children's books in the series by Darren Shan and unified them into one tale, adding an edgier tone to this part horror film, part comedy and...

In this article: Cirque du Freak, John C. Reilly, The Vampire's Assistant, Paul Weitz, Salma Hayek, Josh Hutcherson, and Ken Watanabe

...Saga of Darren Shan," written by Darren O'Shaughnessy - who writes under his protagonist's name, Darren Shan. We meet the world of "Cirque du Freak" through Darren (Chris Massoglia), a popular, straight-A high-schooler whom his rebellious...

In this article: Cirque Du Freak, Cirque du Freak, Paul Weitz, John C. Reilly, The Vampire's Assistant, Salma Hayek, and Josh Hutcherson