| These are some of my favorite vampire movies of those in my collection...some are comedic, some are serious, and some are almost scary. They are listed in no particular order. Follow the linked titles to the IMBd movie datebase for a cast list, and a synopsis of the film.
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- loosely based on the book by John Steakley, the characters are the same, but the plot has been almost completely changed. This is a hard hitting movie from the hunter's point of view, but the book is even harder, the loss of well developed characters much more painful than in the movie. No romantic vampires here...these are brutal killers. See the book on which the movie was loosely based here.  Buy this movie at Amazon.com | |
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- based on the Marvel comic book character from such titles as "Tomb of Dracula" and "Nightstalkers", and more recently in a short run of his own title, followed by a series based on the movie. A sequel to this movie is currently in production. See Blade in the comics here, and  Buy this movie at Amazon.com | |
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- Eddie Murphy makes a surprisingly scary vampire, though there is of course a good deal of comedy in this film, however morbid it may be. He makes a cameo appearance as another character as well, similiar to those in "Coming to America".
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- based on the first book of Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles. This movie was clearly made for American audiences, who are not yet willing to accept the undertones of homosexuality that are present in the book. Steamy scenes were very, very toned down, and even then there were some protests. See more images from the movie here.  Buy this movie at Amazon.com | |
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- despite the title, this was actually Francis Ford Coppola's Dracula. Bram Stoker's original villain was brutal and evil, and his story was certainly not the tragic tale of love lost that this movie portrays. Allowing for poetic license, the story is very good, and the cinematography is beautiful, with so many subtle effects that one must watch it more than once to get the full effect of the film.
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- the original black and white movie, starring Bela Lugosi, is closer to the Bram Stoker version. The villain is frightening and romantic, and the special effects are surprisingly good for the technology of that time. This movie sparked many sequels, unfortunately causing actor Lugosi to become typecast, leaving us with such gems as the comedic "Abbot & Costello Meet Frankenstein", a movie that stars not only Lugosi, but also movie monster greats Lon Chaney Jr. and Boris Karloff. See more Lugosi and Dracula pictures here.  Buy this movie at Amazon.com | |
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- the original vampire movie, silent and in black and white. This is a breathtaking peice of cinema...if your version does not come with accompanying music, anything dark and classical will do. The special effects are even more subtle and in some cases better than the Bela Lugosi version that would be produced almost ten years later. This movie is a must have for any vampire movie collector.
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- I loved this movie...but I was disappointed by Rutger Hauer's portrayal of the evil Lothos. He is a good actor, and I feel he could have given much more to the part than he did. Besides that, this movie has comedy, danger, adventure and really cute outfits. It also has Paul Reubens making his first appearance since that embarrassing moment in an adult theater that ended his Pee Wee Herman career. As a vampire, he is more convincing than Lothos, and very entertaining. The popular television show based on this movie is also very enjoyable.
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- I watch this show religiously. In fact, for a while I had a friend tape it because our cable company ceased to carry WB. Humor, horror and teen angst make a surprisingly good combination here. The writers are excellent, and the costuming and effects are fantastic. The Angel spin-off series is very good too, and they often do cross-overs between shows. Visit the official B:TVS website at www.buffy.com. See images from the T.V. Show Buffy the Vampire Slayer here.  Buy choice episodes at Amazon.com: Season 1 Season 2 Season 3 | |
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- a wonderful film with an unusual vampire. More human sometimes than those she feeds from, the heavily accented Marie has to leave before finishing off her latest kill - a mob boss. This film brings up an interesting point about vampires in organized crime, something about which I've always wondered.
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- for any fan of Grace Jones, this movie is a must. I believe this is one of the first films to introduce the idea of a vampire club, where humans are lured in for a midnight snack. The horror genre is mixed with the typical 80's teenager adventure comedy, so there are comedic bits mixed in with the sorta scary parts. 
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| This movie is out of print, but may be found through ebay or Amazon.com auctions. | |
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- a dark exploration into the world of vampires with a view to blood as a drug, an addiction that can, with effort, be overcome. Starring Lili Taylor, the cover of this movie can be deceptive. The vampires display no fangs, and their hunting is brutal and feral, rather than seductive. Including a brief cameo by Christopher Walken. This movie is for anyone willing to explore the animal nature of vampirism.
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- an amusing vampire comedy, starring Jim Carrey in one of his less spastic roles, and the ever lovely Lauren Hutton as the vampire seductress. Based on a mix of myths, the vampire must feed on virgin blood by a certain hour, or she will grow old. I could be mistaken, as it has been a long time since I've seen this movie, but I believe her helper made several appearances as a vampire on this last season's Buffy The Vampire Slayer tv series.
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- one of the best modern vampire movies, this film pits an overimaginative young man against a lethal vampire. Of course, no one believes young Charlie Brewster until it is too late, not even television celebrity Peter Vincent, played by Roddy MacDowall. Although Chris Sarandon as Jerry Dandrige makes a deliciously sexy vampire in this movie, I think my favorite character was Charlie's friend, the half insane, secretly lonely Evil...perhaps the most sympathetically portrayed character in the film. See images from Fright Night I and II here. 
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- in this sequel, Jerry Dandrige's sister seduces Charlie into her group of monsters, and he can only be saved by Peter Vincent, who is a nervous wreck after facing off against vampires in the first movie. Good luck, Charlie. My favorite scene in this movie is just after the part where a vampire on rollerblades attacks a young asian woman...she is an artist, as revealed by the large art pad she carries under her arm. When she is attacked, her blood spurts onto the paper, and her hand twitches, spreading it in her last artistic effort.
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- a dark foray into a gang of young vampires, sometimes funny, sometimes touching, occasionally scary, and one of my favorites. Okay, so I drool a little over Michael (Jason Patric) and David (Kiefer Sutherland)...both are incredibly sexy as vampires, or as humans for that matter. It doesn't mean I'd let them bite me. This movie also stars both the Coreys (Haim and Feldman) who were teamed up a lot during the 80's. See images from The Lost Boys here.  Buy this movie at Amazon.com | |
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- a made for tv movie, this one is definitely worth checking out. Funny, a little frightening, a little slow at times, this movie explores vampirism as a disease and a religion. My favorite part is when Angelique confronts Vlad, her obsessed and jealous vampire ex-lover with the line, "I buried myself for a hundred years to get away from you! Can't you take the hint?" Some scenes are truly lovely, and this is one film where a cure, or at least a substitute for hunting, is found.
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- a classic vampire comedy, this movie explores the plight of a centuries old vampire in the modern 1970's. Some lines are copped from the classic Bela Lugosi film, such as "Children of the Night...shut up!" and "I do not drink...wine, and I do not smoke...sh*t", when offered a joint by our heroine. The gutsy female's boyfriend, a shrink, attempts to kill the vampire in various ways before he can put the bite on his woman three times. She, however, is enthralled by this strong and seductive vampire, in a day where men were either macho or ultra sensitive. Confidence (not ego) is all the seduction this vampire needs, though the pleasure of his bite sure helps a lot. Filled with great comedic scenes, this movie is an all time favorite.
 This movie is out of print, but may be found through ebay or Amazon.com auctions. | |
