Vampire Movie Recommendations

[Betty]

Can anyone recommend any GOOD vampire flicks? I'm on a vampire kick since reading twilight and so far every vampire movie I've watched recently has just - well - sucked.

Dracula - the more recent one that claimed to have one a few academy awards. Blah. Boring.

Underworld - slightly better but no tension between the characters. Could have been much better if they'd spent more time on building the relationship between them more... not like boyfriend type relationship but hello - there was no reason for them to kiss. No drama behind it.

I've got another one that just came in the mail but I'm afraid it's going to be hoaky - Embrace of the Vampire (with Alyssa Milano - straight to video perhaps).

I've not seen Interview with a Vampire in ages - and don't remember much about it considering I also read the book. I get the feeling I didn't like the movie after reading the book - but maybe I"m remembering that wrong.

There are a ton of vampire flicks at the movie store. Can anyone point me to some decent ones that aren't so disappointing?

[€uroMeinke]

A different take, but I always liked Nosferatu (both the original as well as the Herzog remake w/Klaus Kinskey)

Lost Boys was fun

[innerSpaceman]

The Hunger is likely my favorite vampire movie. Modern. Sexy. Timeless. David Bowie. and Catherine DeNeuve & Susan Sarandon as lesbian vampire lovers. What more could one ask?

The Lost Boys is tons of fun. Best I-Was-a-Teenage-Vampire movie ever.


Francis Ford Coppola's take on Bram Stoker's Dracula is my favorite version. There's barely a shot in the movie that doesn't have some sort of effective, old school creepy effect or bizarrity. Great slightly off-center performances throughout. Fantastic art direction. And the best love story angle in any version of Dracula.


Shadow of the Vampire is a fantastic film about the making of the silent Nosferatu, positing the actor in the title role was a real vampire (played fantastically by Willem Defoe and offset brilliantly by John Malkovich as the film director, F.W. Murnau)

[mousepod]

Some of my favorites (in alphabetical order):

Black Sunday
Blood For Dracula
Cronos
Dracula (the Bela Lugosi version)
Drácula (the Spanish version - filmed at the same time as Bela's version)
Fearless Vampire Killers
From Dusk Til Dawn
Horror Of Dracula
Innocent Blood
Martin
Near Dark
Vampire's Kiss

[Capt Jack]

Some of my favorites (in alphabetical order):

...From Dusk Til Dawn...


One of my favorites. I was going to post this one, but feared I was the only one who enjoyed it.

Must be seen uncut to be fully enjoyed.
(couple shots of tequila wouldnt hurt either)

[Betty]

Thanks for the recommendations! I'm adding them to my list.

Recently saw Lost Boys again - I'd forgotten that my guy Keifer was in it. Mmm... Vampires.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Another vote for From Dusk Til Dawn

[Ghoulish Delight]

Of course, recommending From Dusk Til Dawn in a vampire movie thread kinda blows the movie.

[Tref]

George Romero's Martin is a pretty good modern take on the Dracula story.

[LSPoorEeyorick]

Screw movies: TV! Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel are brilliantly written, cleverly performed, and terribly addictive and endearing. It took me about a season of watching (roommate at the time was forcing me) to get into it, but once I did, I was the one anxiously turning on the TV on Tuesday nights - just like he said I would.

Tom - also a major Buffy fan - has an organized list of which episodes aired when - so you can watch the series in tandem without getting ahead of yourself (there are crossovers.)

[Betty]

I've watched a few episodes of Buffy but never really got into it. It seemed like fluff at the time - but perhaps my tastes have changed since then. It was quite a while ago.

[BarTopDancer]

From Dusk till Dawn
Lost Boys
Bram Stokers Dracula (maybe I have a soft spot for it since it was my first R movie)
Lost Boys

ETA: I also liked Interview with a Vampire. Book and movie.


On the TV show list I'd also throw in Forever Knight. But I'm not sure if it's made its way to DVD yet.

Looks like I need to go read the Twilight thread.

[LSPoorEeyorick]

It seemed like fluff at the time...

No - nope, not fluff. A lot of it, particularly in later seasons, delves into some dark territory. I didn't really care for the first season, but then, I started watching during the fourth and went back. Grit through season one, and get into season two. You'll be hooked.

[Betty]

Kewl. I will definately give it another shot.

[flippyshark]

I became a Buffy believer just this year, and promptly devoured all seven seasons, along with the continuing "season Eight" comic books. I'm settling into Angel now.

My fave vampire movies have mostly been listed elsewhere on this thread already. In general, I tend to favor scary, non-sexy vampires over the heartthrob variety, because I want to be scared, not lulled into a woozy romantic swoon. (Buffy has loads of both.)

This thread is just begging for me to link to my own Dracula play (http://www.amazon.com/Dracula-Blood-Nosferatu-Play-Three/dp/0595208010/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1214328246&sr=8-1), which is too long and difficult to stage, and I'm currently slicing down into two acts for a tenth anniversary revised edition. (I'm going to miss the official anniversary by a bit.) Anyhow, it's got vampires, it's got romance, but not at the same time. Please forgive my shameless plug.

[Not Afraid]

My favorites:

The Hunger
Nosferatu (I adore the Kinsky version but the silent version is amazing)
Shadow of the Vampire
Dracula (1931)
Black Sunday
From Dusk to Dawn
The Addiction
Lost Boys
Interview with a Vampire (but the book is SOOOOO much better)
Nadja

I've never see Martin.

One that I haven't seen but it's on my list is "Dracula: Pages from a Virgin's Diary" It's a dance rendition of the Dracula story.



I'm much better with book recommendations.

[Gemini Cricket]

Francis Ford Coppola's take on Bram Stoker's Dracula is my favorite version. There's barely a shot in the movie that doesn't have some sort of effective, old school creepy effect or bizarrity. Great slightly off-center performances throughout. Fantastic art direction. And the best love story angle in any version of Dracula.
There you go not knowing things again. FFC's Dracula was sh!t smeared on film stock. What a lame film. Close to the book, yes, but danged boring.

I agree with Lost Boys, though. Although it looks a little dated now. But Dianne Weist is funny in it.

I really liked most of Shadow of the Vampire...

I remember liking Fright Night, too. But it's been awhile since I've seen it.

From Dusk Til Dawn? Interview with a Vampire (not my fav but lots of people like it)...

[mousepod]

For the record, I found The Addiction to be one of the worst movies I have ever endured in a theater. Easily the most pseudo-intellectual pretentious script ever attempted by the hack director Abel Ferrara.

But that's just my opinion.

[Not Afraid]

Tell us what you really think MP. ;)

[innerSpaceman]

Martin's a really interesting vampire movie, directed by George Romero of zombie fame, if I'm not mistaken.


Alas, Gemini Cricket is as wrong about Coppola's Stoker's Dracula as he is about most cinema. It's simply glorious in every respect.

[mousepod]

Maybe I should give FFC's Dracula another shot as well, because I was emotionally unmoved by it when I saw it theatrically. It was beautiful... but I found myself admiring the cinematography rather than getting involved in the story.

[Gemini Cricket]

Maybe I should give FFC's Dracula another shot as well, because I was emotionally unmoved by it when I saw it theatrically. It was beautiful... but I found myself admiring the cinematography rather than getting involved in the story.
Exactly.

And I was distracted by Dracula's really bad grandma hairdo.

[Not Afraid]

I wasn't fond of FCC's Dracula either, but I'd be willing to see it again.
However, I can't watch Vampire films when it is hot outside. It's very odd, but Fall to me is vampire season.

[Gemini Cricket]

but Fall to me is vampire season.
I just pictured Lisa as a vampire slayer...
:D

[Betty]

I thought it was really just so-so. Some parts better then others. Part of my issue was with Dracula himself - just didn't seem right to me somehow.

[Strangler Lewis]

I thought the FFC casting of Keanu Reaves and Winona Ryder as the romantic leads was an interesting tribute to the Lugosi "original" in that neither of the romantic lead actors in that film could act either.

[Not Afraid]

I also have never really seen Buffy. I saw a part of an episode but it didn't grab me. It's that television thing I suspect.

[Gemini Cricket]

Casting of vampire movies is important to me. I mean, Tom Cruise as Lestat? Not. I was picturing Julian Sands or someone of that ilk. Winona and Keanu bugged the crap out of me in that Crappola film.

[Not Afraid]

I love you GC.

[Betty]

I thought the FFC casting of Keanu Reaves and Winona Ryder as the romantic leads was an interesting tribute to the Lugosi "original" in that neither of the romantic lead actors in that film could act either.

I'm a Keanu fan because of my love for The Matrix and he looks a lot like an old boyfriend as well... but his high pitched soft voice was wretched... their romance was very blah and well - not romantic. Where's the effin passion? Although I felt the same about her and dracula as well. It wasn't the right combination of hotness and danger! I guess I'm looking for a recreation of "should I eff you or suck your blood and kill you".

[Not Afraid]

Orlando Bloom has more passion than Keanu Reaves.

[Gemini Cricket]

I love The Matrix. But Keanu has ruined several films by just being cast in them:
Much Ado About Nothing
Dangerous Liasons
Devil's Advocate

[Not Afraid]

OK, while I didn't like Reaves in Dangerous Liaisons, I don't think he ruined the film. There are way too many other great actors in that film. God, I love that film!!!!!

[Gemini Cricket]

You're right. "Ruined" in that I kept seeing him and wondering why he was in it. Apparently, he has to thank Geffen for much of his success. Or so the urban legend goes... ;)

DL was a great film. The makeup wiping scene with Close was great and she didn't say a word.

[innerSpaceman]

Yes, the movie was saved from Keanu ruinization. Now that's great casting and filmmaking.


His bland turn in Dracula was precisely what was called for. He was the upright, boring, English alternative to a life of vampiric passion and music.


Ah, well. FFC's BS's Drac is not for everyone. As I said, the performances are decidely off-center, and that can be off-putting for many people. I can see how such folks might not get emotionally involved with the story. The performances are downright weird in fact. To me, however, it's all part of a heavily-stylized masterpiece.

[Capt Jack]

anyone remember "Love at first bite"?

http://www.bigblockdart.com/Smileys/classic/finger020.gif

George Hamilton as Dracula-
Children of the night, shut up!

[Prudence]

anyone remember "Love at first bite"?



Now that one I actually have!

[Gemini Cricket]

I actually saw Love at First Bite in the theater. I'm totally dating myself here...

[mousepod]

I'm totally dating myself here...

You type well with one hand.

[innerSpaceman]

What's that comedy vampire movie with Chris Sarandon as the vampire and Roddy McDowall as the TV vampire killer in over his head. The girl went on to play the horny neighbor in Married With Children.

Oi, what was it called? Ooooh, Fright Night, that's it!

[Gemini Cricket]

You type well with one hand.
I just got zinged.
:D

[Kevy Baby]

Y'all have missed the best vampire movie eveh!

Dracula: Dead and Loving It (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112896/)

[flippyshark]

Y'all have missed the best vampire movie eveh!

Dracula: Dead and Loving It (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112896/)

Wow, only Mel Brooks movie I ever wanted to walk out on. (I didn't, but boy I hated it.) I've been told I need to give it a second chance, by lots of people. I'll think about it.

[Bornieo: Fully Loaded]

Dracula Dead and Loving it - Only love it because of Mel BRooks but he re-ued alot of his humor from other fims. Still fun to watch but not briliant.

FFC' Dracula - was a huge smelly pile of crap. I hated that film - hated HATED HATED that film. Gary Oldman looked like he was channeling "Madame" and I half expected Wayland Flowers to poke out from behind him. It was like a 8 foot tall Madame. FFC was channeling Sybil because every scene looked like it was a different film than the last. The only thing worth while was that cool lesbian Vampire chicks on the bed. :)

Vampire's Kiss - Funny funny funny.

Interview with a Vampire - Good film, but I always laugh when Tom Cruise tries to talk with the fake teeth. I'm sure they spent about 3 million in SFX just to edit out all the flying spit.

From Duck til Dawn is fantastic.

Love at First Bite - Funny funny funny

Shadow of the Vampire - Excellent

Fright Night II - I liked it better than Part 1 for some reason.

Anyway...

[madmonkeygirl]

Ok maybe not up your alley but mine is Vampires Los Muertoes with Jon Bon Jovi. Of course i would watch it even if he isn't in it but it is one good vampire movie not too much blood gorey etc. But enough and Jon does take his shirt off once at the beginning...lol

[CoasterMatt]

Bram Stoker's Dracula - absolutely love it, wonderful old fashioned physical effects and in-camera work, plus the most awesome suit of armor design.

Martin - We could have a fun movie night with this one

Jesus Christ: Vampire Hunter - Just watch this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IblzBerSFk) clip :)

[Capt Jack]

Jesus Christ: Vampire Hunter - Just watch this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IblzBerSFk) clip :)


http://www.bigblockdart.com/Smileys/classic/hammer_2.gif


:snap:

[lashbear]

The Hunger is likely my favorite vampire movie. Modern. Sexy. Timeless. David Bowie. and Catherine DeNeuve & Susan Sarandon as lesbian vampire lovers. What more could one ask?

The Lost Boys is tons of fun. Best I-Was-a-Teenage-Vampire movie ever.

Put me down as a +1 for both of these.. LOVE keifer in LB. LOVED the Lakme duet while Susan and Catherine went at it...