Having been captivated by the new Hollywood flick Twilight recently, it made me think of all the other great vampire films I’ve seen over the years – including the kind that are impressively breath-taking to the point of gasping or simply being spell-bindingly noir or exciting action pieces.
So here are some of the best films worth checking out for different reasons (in order of release to the big screen)…
The Fearless Vampire Killers (1967)
Reason: kitsch film about vampire killers and those that they are hunting. Great OTT period costumes and decor.
The Hunger (1983)
Reason: How can you beat Bowie, DeNeuve and Sarandon all in one movie? Or, for that matter, the club scene with Bauhaus playing at the beginning of the movie? Delicious noir. It also made me fall in love with DeNeuve – a gorgeous woman!
Legend (1985)
Reason: excellent plot, great acting by Will Smith, and lots of excellent action scenes, fright, and suspense, as he tries to make these ‘vampires’ (who became daylight-fearing bloodsuckers after being dosed up with a virus that supposedly cured cancer), back into humans, and excellent action.
Fright Night (1985)
Reason: interesting and suspenseful kitsch 80s film in which a group of teenagers try and evade, and then k ill off, an attractive vampire who has moved into the neighbour hood – particularly after the vamp finds out they know his true identity and reciprocally plans to dispose of them.
The Lost Boys (1987)
Reason: again, an awesome adolescent movie with vampires. Corey Haim and Corey Feldman are really good as the adolescent boys.
Near Dark (1987)
Reason: a truly fantastic trailer-trash vampire B- and road movie where they eat un-suspecting people along the way. ; )
Blade (1998 )
Reason: Fast and action-packed. Wesley Snipes is excellent as the sombre and muscular half-human, half-vampire vampire killer, Blade.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992)
Reason: the first of the great 80s teen vamp movies with Kristy Swanson as the blond vampire combatant.
30 Days of Night (2007)
Reason: amazing action and terror as vampires descend upon a town in the dead of winter killing its members. Extremely terrifying and suspenseful as a few people try and hide from the mad hoard of brutal killers.
Twilight (2008 )
Reason: based on the Stephanie Meyer book, which has sold over 30 million copies, this is a great ‘teen angst romance’ – with vamps and lots of action. Fast-paced with odd and curious moments in it, it’s worth seeing.
