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Michael Coast - Lists at Ranker

Bram Stoker's Dracula

Bram Stoker&rsquo;s novel Dracula has served as source material for <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/dracula-in-movies-through-the-ages/lyra-radford" target="_blank">numerous cinematic adaptations over the years</a>. Each adaptation puts its own spin on the story. Some keep close to the words on the page. Some focus on <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/real-people-and-events-that-inspired-dracula/nida-sea" target="_blank">the real historical aspects</a> surrounding the Dracula legend. Some seem hell bent on being <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/lamest-movie-draculas-ever/rebecca-shortall" target="_blank">as lame as possible</a>.

None of the many Dracula adaptations are as crazy, as baffling, or as downright weird as Francis Ford Coppola&rsquo;s 1992 version appropriately titled <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/bran-stokers-dracula-behind-the-scenes/orrin-grey" target="_blank">Bram Stoker&rsquo;s Dracula</a>.&nbsp;The casting was odd, the actors make strange decisions in their performances,&nbsp;the script emphasizes sex and the emergence of the modern world in a way that feels at odds with the more traditional, gothic source material,&nbsp;Coppola uses directorial techniques not seen since the silent era, and&nbsp;gallons of blood are spilled (some of it even from inanimate objects). Few movies before or since contain such a unique blend of insanity.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The 11 Weirdest Things About Bram Stoker's 'Dracula'

General

The 11 Weirdest Things About Bram Stoker's Dracula

Michael Coast

Hulk Hogan

Of all the crazy wrestling characters in the history of sports entertainment, none is more famous than Hulk Hogan. During the1980s and '90s (before more recent scandals), Hogan was an American institution. He starred in <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/hulk-hogan-movies-and-films-and-filmography/reference" target="_blank">movies</a>, and wrestled other legendary opponents, like Ric Flair, &quot;Rowdy&quot; Roddy Piper, and Antonio Inoki. But there is no shortage of ridiculous Hulk Hogan opponents as well.The weirdest opponents Hulk Hogan faced were a combative bunch.&nbsp;Some of these feuds were forgotten not long after they started. Some went of for years. A few of the wrestlers were accomplished in-ring performers who embraced colorful gimmicks. Others probably had no business being in a wrestling ring in the first place, let alone in the main event scene of some of the biggest wrestling companies in the world. One thing that they all share is that these characters outshone even Hulk Hogan’s over-the-top stage persona.

Hulk Hogan's Most Ridiculous Opponents

Person

12 of Hulk Hogan's Most Ridiculous Opponents

Stanley Kubrick

Despite all the plaudits&nbsp;Stanley Kubrick’s horror classic receives, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Shining-Jack-Nicholson/dp/B000GOUMPI?&amp;tag=rankercom-20" target="_blank">The Shining</a> isn't scary. It has all the trappings of a horror movie, to be sure: foreboding music, ghostly characters, and good old-fashioned&nbsp;murder. Do not be fooled by this. A deeper look at the film reveals&nbsp;The Shining is a comedy and, in fact, fits right in with the dark tone of other Stanley Kubrick comedies.In many ways,&nbsp;The Shining can be viewed as a parody of horror films. But that’s not the only thing that places the film on the robust list of comedies you thought were horror movies. There are portions of the film that are&nbsp;outright, laugh-out-loud&nbsp;funny. There is little doubt these sections were purposely played for laughs by Kubrick.There's no shortage of <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/stanley-kubrick-shared-universe-theory/jacob-shelton" target="_blank">theories about Stanley Kubrick movies</a> and or interest surrounding <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/weird-facts-about-the-shining/anncasano" target="_blank">the making of The Shining</a> in particular. Take a look at the evidence, re-watch the movie, then decide for yourself.

News Flash: The Shining Is Actually A Comedy

15 Reasons Why The Shining Is Actually a Comedy

Lists of fascinating facts and lesser-known details about the lives of people whose names you learned in History class (or should have).

Down in History

Brazil

The list of Brazilian Emperors is a short one. The Brazilian monarchy lasted for 67 years, ruled first by a father and&nbsp;then by a son, both bearing the name of Pedro. Of the two, Pedro II ruled Brazil for a far longer period; in fact, he&nbsp;sat on the throne for 58 of those 67 years. During that time, he stabilized Brazil’s political system, represented the nation to the rest of the world as a sort of sophisticated “philosopher king,” and helped bring his homeland into the modern world.But, in many ways, the fact that Pedro II was an emperor is one of the least interesting things about him. Of all the people ever to hold as much power as he did, few did more than Pedro to ensure that they lived a rich, full life apart from politics. Rarely was this done out of selfishness. Pedro II cared deeply for Brazil, as evidenced by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exile_and_death_of_Pedro_II_of_Brazil" target="_blank">his last words</a>:“May God grant me these last wishes –&nbsp;peace and prosperity for Brazil…”

Emperor Pedro II of Brazil Might Be The Most Widely Beloved Leader In History

The Wonderful And Oddly Tragic Life Of Pedro II, The Reluctant Emperor of Brazil

Wrestling

There are&nbsp;no shortage of American wrestlers who were big in Japan. Many of the big names in wrestling are equally familiar to audiences on both sides of the Pacific: Ric Flair, Hulk Hogan, and Dusty Rhodes. But there is another group of western wrestlers who are more famous in Japan than they ever were&nbsp;in their home countries.Professional wrestling in Japan isn’t fundamentally different than wrestling in North America in and of itself. The difference lies in the details. Matches and characters that would be considered classics in one country might be completely disregarded in another. More recently, given the ease with which we can&nbsp;watch&nbsp;shows from foreign countries over the Internet, these parallel wrestling traditions have grown closer together than ever before. As fans from America become more familiar with Japanese wrestling,&nbsp;some foreign wrestlers have found unexpected success connecting with Japanese crowds — both in modern wrestling and historically.So, let's examine this&nbsp;group of American (and Canadian) professional wrestlers with more fame overseas in Japan than at home.

American (And Canadian) Wrestlers Who Were Bigger In Japan Than In the US

Athlete

12 North American Wrestlers Who Were Way Bigger in Japan

World History

Of all the adventurers to come out of the Napoleonic Era, Thomas Cochrane may have had the most varied career. His travels took Lord Thomas Cochrane to Chile, Peru, Brazil, and most of the coastal areas of Europe. Born into a noble Scottish family in Dundonald (the future site of his earldom) in 1775, young Thomas shirked a commission in the army and instead elected to join the British Navy. He fought against the fleet of Revolutionary France and later the forces of <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/a-list-of-famous-napoleon-bonaparte-quotes/reference">Napoleon</a>. He was a war hero;&nbsp;he was a member of the House of Commons;&nbsp;and he seemed to be on track for an illustrious career as a statesman.But Cochrane’s life led him in a different direction. He left the United Kingdom under a cloud of scandal. Despite that, his name only became more celebrated in his day due to his exploits in South America. He eventually returned to his home country with honor. And, along the way, he lived a life that sounds like something out of a movie.

The Bizarre Life of Thomas Cochrane, British Admiral And South American Mercenary

Kings & queens, princes & princesses. They're made of blood and bones like the rest of us, but they're told they can do whatever they damn well please. Sometimes, this causes problems.

Royal Pains

People Trivia

Charles XIV John of Sweden's reign was not much different than that of other kings. He sat on the throne&nbsp;during a time of relative domestic peace, prosperity, and stability. But his biography reveals a startling fact: he was not a man who was born to be a king. He was not from royal blood. He did not marry into a royal family. He wasn’t even Swedish.The man who would become Charles XIV John of Sweden was born Jean Bernadotte in France in 1763, and he had a memorable life even before he took the Swedish crown. Bernadotte was a soldier during the French Revolution and the wars waged in its aftermath. He served as a field marshal under <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/napoleon-bonaparte-facts/lisa-waugh">Napoleon&nbsp;Bonaparte</a> and saw action in some of the biggest <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/a-list-of-all-napoleonic-wars-battles/reference">battles in the Napoleonic Wars</a>. Bernadotte&nbsp;even obtained a royal title before the one he more famously possessed in Sweden.Who was Jean Bernadotte? And how did Jean Bernadotte become king of Sweden? The details reveal the truly surreal life of the man who would be king.

How Did A French Military Commander Become King of Sweden And King of Norway?

16 Interesting Facts About The Surreal Life Of Jean Bernadotte

Steven Seagal

Few things in the history of cinema are <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/ludicrous-steven-seagal-stories/robert-f-mason">more ridiculous</a><a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/ludicrous-steven-seagal-stories/robert-f-mason"> than Steven Seagal</a> characters. Even among <a href="http://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/the-most-badass-big-screen-action-heroes">action heroes</a>, a category that lends itself to ridiculousness, the characters played by Seagal reign supreme. Just look at the names: Mason Storm, Forrest Taft, Detective Gino Felino. Once the patented Steven Seagal fight scenes are factored in - with all their hard shoves, aikido takedowns, and bone snaps - there is no doubt that he is the king of ridiculousness.But Steven Seagal movies are never a one-man show. They are chock-full of ridiculous characters, most of whom only exist to get beaten up by Mr. Seagal. Some of these characters are even more over-the-top than the man himself. These characters come from different backgrounds, different countries, and employ a wide variety of fighting styles. The one thing they all have in common is ending up on the business end of a beating.Here are the most ridiculous characters ever to take a beating from Steven Seagal.

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