Bloodsucking Cinema Review from The Massie Twins

Starz Inside Original special presentation of “Bloodsucking Cinema”, airing October 22, 2007, features excellent back stories, commentaries and retrospectives on one of cinema’s most inspiring and shocking creations: the vampire.

Hosted by esteemed film critic Richard Roeper, “Bloodsucking Cinema” commences with the early origins of the legendary monsters, including Vlad the Impaler and moving to F.W. Murnau’s 1922 classic Nosferatu, which paved the way for other vampire films. The introductory information is hopefully common knowledge to film buffs and vampire aficionados – it is the progression of the vampire film that becomes truly engrossing.

Clips and stills from Tod Browning's unparalleled 1931 masterpiece “Dracula” are shown, intercut with special-effects wizard Stan Winston and several other makeup artists, actors and film critics, including respected film historian Leonard Martin and Harry Knowles, of questionable expertise.

Delving into the evolution of the vampire, John Carpenter discusses “John Carpenter's Vampires”, which are cast out into the burning hot desert climate. The sexier styling of Mexican vampires are introduced, including the mention of foreign language versions of older horror movies being filmed on the same stages and sets right after the American version of the film was wrapped.

One of the seminal actors of the horror genre, Christopher Lee is saluted and recognized for his work in such revolutionary classics as “The Horror of Dracula.” Hammer Films, which produced dozens of cult classic horror movies during the 70’s is discussed, along with the fan favorite “Brides of Dracula.”

Anne Rice’s “Interview With the Vampire” introduced audiences to something they had never seen before: a child vampire. Joel Schumacher's vampire thriller “The Lost Boys” features Kiefer Sutherland in a memorable role that made vampires seem like cool young rebels. It was one of the first films to demonstrate the idea that vampirism may be a blessing as opposed to a curse.

Cheech Marin makes an appearance to discuss “From Dusk Till Dawn”, a makeup and prosthetics-heavy gorefest in which vampires are most certainly the villain. On the opposite end of the spectrum is “Underworld”, in which vampires are chiefly the protagonists, appearing sleek and sexy. Stephen Sommers, the director of “Van Helsing” and Len Wiseman, director of “Underworld” discuss their takes on vampirism. Joining them is John Landis, who filmed the innovative “Innocent Blood”, featuring a vampire who refused to misuse her bloodlust.

Several other well-known contributors to the vampire legacy are introduced, including Uwe Boll and Kristanna Loken of “Bloodrayne”. Excellent samplings of films are put under the spotlight, and informative talent commentaries accompany each. “Bloodsucking Cinema” is an impressive look into the inner workings that inspired vampire classics and the many reasons we continue to enjoy the bloodthirsty masters of the night.

- Mike Massie


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