I Was A Teenage Vampire Lover
Posted in Films, Halloween, Horror |
Nosferatu, 1922
Nosferatu (1922)
This silent German film, directed by F.W. Murnau, is considered by many critics to be the finest vampire film of all time. It follows much of the same plot as the Stoker book and Florence Stoker, wife of Bram Stoker, attempted to have all copies eradicated from existence. Orlok is far from the attractive leading man later accepted in popular culture. As Orlok, Max Schreck strikes a chilling pose with his pointy ears and teeth, mangled hands, and lanky frame, and along with his long, buttoned coat, he creates the perfect image for a vampire costume. Once you’ve seen the movie, that image will remain with you.
Nosferatu (1979)
Klaus Kinski and Werner Herzog, the demented, dynamic duo, join forces in this modern remake of the silent original. The film is beautifully shot, and features fine acting by Kinski, whose movements are slow and deliberate. The beautiful Isabelle Adjani plays his victim. This is not an action-packed thriller by any means, but it is a fine artistic expression of the classic vampire tale. In 1984, the restored version played at the Berlin Film Festival along with a live score performed by an orchestra.
Tale of A Vampire (1992)
This vampire film truly is a romance. The very hot Julian Sands plays Alex, the main character, and a vampire. Like Twilight‘s Edward Cullen, and Louis in Interview With The Vampire, he only drinks the blood of animals. He leads a solitary existence and visits the library each night where he meets Anne who eventually wants to be “turned” by Alex. She is in danger, but so, too, is Alex. A mysterious stranger from Alex’s past arrives to warn Anne of Alex’s true nature. This is a unique twist on the standard vampire story.
The Lost Boys (1987)
This classic ’80s film combines horror and comedy and features good looking vampires, many mullets, and a ridiculously buff and shirtless, tanned saxophone player as a nameless wharf musician (standing in for The Call’s front man). When they hit hard times, the close knit Emerson family moves to Santa Carla (“murder capital of the world”), so they can live with Grandpa. Woody Allen alum Dianne Weist plays the mother of the film’s heroes, brothers Michael (Jason Patric) and Sam (Corey Haim). This film was one of the notorious pairings of “the two Coreys” as Corey Feldman plays comic book obsessed, vampire hunter Edgar Frog.
As vampire and damsel in distress, Jamie Gertz tries to be sexy in a modern hippy dippy way. She is set to devour Michael as her first kill. But it’s Mom Emerson who is actually the target of the “head vampire” played by Edward Herrmann.,
There are many cringeworthy moments due to ridiculous eighties fashion, mostly worn by Corey Haim. For some inexplicable reason, when staked, one of the vampires oozes glitter in a scene that highlights the silliness of the film’s hair styling choices. There is also much cheesy yet incredibly quotable dialogue. But, despite its flaws, this is among the best vampire films ever made. It’s full of action, develops the main characters enough that you root for them, and is entertaining from beginning to end.
Vamp (1986)
Your basic 80s romp about some young guys looking for a hot stripper. We think it’s all about the boobies until the plot thickens, and their quest finds them in the lair of Grace Jones who leads a coven of vampires. It’s entertaining, but not to be taken seriously.
Nosferatu, 1979
Honorable Mentions:
Andy Warhol’s Dracula a.k.a. Blood for Dracula (1974)
Two things: Udo Kier, and “wirgins.”
Blacula (1972)
It was inevitable that “Blaxsploitation” films got a hold of vampires. . . or was it? The facial hair alone is worth the price of admission, if it’s free on cable.
This is a far from exhaustive list. Much like relationships, there is much to say about some vampire films, while the less said about others the better. Perhaps you’ll share your thoughts about some of the vamps I may have omitted, and whether or not closet vampire obsessives should add them to their must-see-movies list.
Look for actors Lance Henriksen, Jenette Goldstein, and Tim Thomerson from Near Dark to reunite at the Flashback Weekend Chicago Horror Convention, scheduled for October 23-25, 2009 at the Wyndham O’Hare, in Rosemont, IL. Mercedes McNab (who played minor character Harmony in both Buffy and Angel), will also be making an appearance there.