The Setup

Borne of myth, creatures of legend. Dragons haunt the dreams of just about every culture on the planet. Deriving from the Latin Draco, the term originally simply referred to any great serpent. However, as time has passed our idea of dragons has evolved to refer to two very specific and distinct types in our culture.

Oriental Dragons

Yes, they predate the Latin term. However, as the west was exposed to these creatures of old, it was the word that best fit, and so it stuck. Serpentine creatures with long bodies and four squat legs, these dragons frequently represent potent powers of nature, or forces of the universe. Much like the Greek gods, only less humanized.  We touched very lightly on these dragons in our Giant Monster event screening of D-War, as it was a better fit.

Why? Because this month, we wanted to focus on:

European Dragons

Of tooth and claw, fire and destruction, European dragons are the stuff of nightmares. These creatures have bodies more like lizards, often with large bat-like wings with which they typically use to fly or glide. Frequently depicted as maliciously intelligent, these monsters are focused primarily on destruction and eating. Oh…and they usually breathe fire.

We’re not ashamed to admit it: Flying fire-breathing lizards make our jeans fit a little tighter.

The Menu

The Booze: Flaming Dragon’s Breath

Cinnamon Schnapps, Bicardi Rum, and FIRE. This has the potential to be quite interesting. And yes, we’ll have fire extinguishers on hand.

The Food: We’re going to go with our standard snack-fare, as we don’t immediately know what dragons eat, other than virgins and the like.

The Movies

Reign of Fire (2002):Christian Bale, Matthew “I’m too sexy for my shirt” McConaughey , fire breathing dragons in a post-apocalyptic wasteland….mmmm TASTY.

Dungeon & Dragons-Scourge Of Worlds (2003): This is a Dungeon and Dragons CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE. That’s right, the first-ever interactive feature screened at the cavalcade! We predict that this may devolve into some bizarre drinking game, and possibly get voted off. But that’s ok, because we’ll have backup.

Suggested Alternatives

Dungeons & Dragons (2000): Based on the popular fantasy role-playing game of the same name, the movie follows a small band of adventurers who set out to free their Empire from its oppressive rulers. Featuring Jeremy Irons having a field day with the concept of overracting. Marlon Wayans is in it too. Sadly, he doesn’t die.

Dragonheart (1996): There’s a dragon, and a heart, Dennis Quaid and Sean Connery’s voice. This is a very seriously done-yet very silly movie that has some of the best VFX the late 90s could offer.

DragonSlayer (1981): WE. LOVE. THIS. MOVIE. Some of the most astonishing visual effects of the 80s in a deadly serious dark fantasy. We’re not mentioning it for a Cavalcade though, as it’s a bit slow in parts for a big gathering. We just think you should see it. Immediately, if not sooner.

Also! Don’t forget Q: The Winged Serpent! Read Tom O’Reily’s review of it here!