Lifeforce (1985) aka Space Vampires

4 / 5 Jul '11
Tagline: The Cinematic Sci-Fi event of the Eighties
Directed by: Tobe Hooper
Written by: Colin Wilson, Dan O'Bannon
Actors include: Steve Railsback, Mathilda May, Peter Firth
Genre: Sci-Fi, Horror
Length: 116 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
Okay so let me start by saying: Space vampires who sap energy and change their victims into zombie like creatures. Phew, now if you can swallow that you can enjoy this flick! With Tobe Hooper at the helm and Dan O'Bannon as the screenwriter, you can pretty much guess you are in for an entertaining flick. It springs into action with a space shuttle sent to investigate Halley's Comet only of course they find some strange spaceship. There are strange bat like creatures that appear to be nearly turned to dust as well as three nudies (if you like boobs, then you should get a little something extra from this one) in capsules. They decide to take the specimens back to their ship for investigation thinking everyone is dead...note I said "thinking". Before long, it's super pandemonium in a good 'ole fashion kill fest as zombie like people run rampant and electricity bolts are everywhere. Anyhow the effects on this are quite notable, sure it's a bit cheesy in places but it never veers too far off course. It has violence, sex, a decent enough story considering what the plot entails (it is based upon a book by Colin Wilson called "Space Vampires"). Give it a whirl if you like colorful sci-fi/horror from the '80s, but if you are looking for something seriously scary this won't be ideal.

Availability:  On DVD

Stake Land (2010)

4 / 5 Jun '11
Tagline: The most dangerous thing is to be alive.
Directed by: Jim Mickle
Written by: Jim Mickle, Nick Damici
Actors include: Nick Damici, Connor Paolo, Kelly McGillis
Genre: Horror
Length: 98 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
Thanks to Dark Sky Films (The House of the Devil) who seem to be trying to revive the modern horror genre single handedly, and thanks to Happywax (Doomgoryums Horror Emporium) for finding this gem and recommending it to me. It's definitely one of the best vampire pictures to have come out in a while, it actually feels more like a zombie film (which I tend to prefer). The set-up involves a teenage boy called Martin (an homage to Romero perhaps?) who's folks are brutally killed by vampire attack. A fellow called "Mister" (Nick Damici) saves Martin and takes him on as a traveling companion looking out for him. Mister has a bit of a dark side, he is rather violent which is helpful when dealing with vampire attacks but sometimes he gets a little carried away with the living (although I approved of his brutality). Along the way they meet several other survivors and help them out along the way of course. It's also pretty interesting because the setting is definitely post-apocalyptic, and the survival element was very well incorporated into the story. It has everything one could want, action, violence, blood and gore as well as good pacing and likeable characters so in other words watch it!

Availability:  on DVD and Blu-Ray
Stake Land [Blu-ray]

Thirst (1979)

3.5 / 5 Jun '11
Tagline: Surrender to an Unholy, Insatiable Evil.
Directed by: Rod Hardy
Written by: John Pinkney
Actors include: Chantal Contouri, Shirley Cameron, Max Phipps
Genre: Horror, Sci-Fi
Length: 93 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
Although this isn't the fastest paced flick, nor is it the bloodiest flick ever it does have some unique qualities that keep it from biting. It's an Australian vampire picture from the '70s (which isn't very common), and there is a definite gothic feel to it. The plot is about a young woman called Kate (Chantal Contouri) who is kidnapped by a strange blood cult. Oh did I mention that Kate happens to be the direct descendent of Countess Elizabeth Bathory? What is so interesting is this blood cult I mentioned, see they have some sort of human cow factory thing set-up. Folks wander around in a daze like mindless zombies before being chosen to be drained of blood which goes into milk cartons for mass distribution. Kind of a neat idea on the 'ole blood trade/vampirism thing right? It is a shame that with such a good idea they couldn't have made a more thrilling movie. It just sort of explains itself and then the last half is pretty boring and forced feeling plus some more historical detail would have been nice. It also could have used more blood (there is very little actual horror in this, more conceptual I guess), and maybe a twist could have helped. Oh well as it is, it's still worth checking out, I found it pretty interesting, it just could have used some tweaking is all.

Availability:  On DVD

Dracula Bites The Big Apple (1979)

4 / 5 June '11
Tagline: N/A
Directed by: Richard Wenk
Written by: Fred Olsen
Actors include: Barry Gomolka, Peter Loewy, Steve Rubell
Genre: Horror, Comedy, Musical, Short
Length: 22 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
This is admittedly very campy and silly but with a musical/disco themed Dracula short film in New York from the '70s...what the heck do you expect? Dracula runs out of blood in Transylvannia, so he and Renfield (who looks spun out on something) pack in the coffin and take on New York. It's most certainly a comedy, in fact it really is very funny in parts what with the whole fish out of water scenario. Our story also takes Dracula to Studio 54 because he heard hot blooded folks would be there (har har), but of course he can't get in because he can't dance. It's far from scary, and on a horror front aside from the theme it isn't the most effective but judge it on it's merits alone and I think it's pretty entertaining. I wish there were more quirky little short films from the '70s like this one, definitely a lot of fun indeed. On a side note, this short film helped Richard Wenk fund his full length '80s flick Vamp which I also quite enjoy.

Availability:  Not on DVD but watch on youtube: 

Priest (2011)

3 / 5  May '11 
Tagline:  The War is Eternal. His Mission is Just the Beginning.
Directed by:  Scott Charles Stewart
Written by:  Cory Goodman, Min-Woo Hyung
Actors include:  Paul Bettany, Cam Gigandet, Maggie Q
Genre:  Thriller, Horror, Action, Western
Length:  87 minutes
Banned:  Nope

Review:
Well, this was my first ever 3D movie in the theater, and unfortunately it didn't really utilize this tool very effectively but it did add a nice touch or two.  The particularly stellar part was the Gothic animation in the beginning sequences, it's too bad they didn't use more of this throughout the film.  What they did use were CGI vampires that resembled Marilyn Manson, ridiculously laughable script ("Kill 'Em All") and some of the most implausible action sequences (oh I'm talking about you stones thrown into the air that were used as steps) I think I've ever seen.  Conceptually it's decent enough, it's about a war that occurred between humanity and vampires and Priests were the saviors of humans.  They have since disbarred and been outcast in society and must work demeaning tasks.  The vampires were supposedly vanquished (note I said "supposedly") which leads us to our next problem.  A family are brutalized and a daughter Lucy held captive by vampires, of course the way this works is that a Priest is related to her.  He must leave his Priesthood in order to kick some butt and save Lucy with a little help from a fella called Hicks.  Anyhow it is filled with action...and if you like scenes were people glide around on bikes in the sand (okay so I thought it was snow because I'm an idiot) for long stretches...you will love this movie.  There were at least a few redeeming qualities to this, the visuals were striking and the plot was okay.  Maybe not exactly my cup-o-tea but not worth writing off entirely.

Availability:  Still in theaters

Fascination (1979)

2 / 5 Mar '11
Tagline: N/A
Directed by: Jean Rollin
Written by: Jean Rollin
Actors include: Franca Mai, Brigitte Lahaie, Jean-Marie Lemaire
Genre: Horror, Porn
Length: 80 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
I'm shocked how terrible I thought this was, I mean it has a pretty stellar reputation! This is very much focused on being an "erotic" film and the horror/vampire bits seem rather an after thought. Even for eroticism it's poorly done, it's so darned wooden that it's hard to believe Brigitte Lahaie had an actual porn career. On the plus side, it's nicely filmed with a decent camera but I think that's about all I can say. The plot is about a thief who barges in on a castle for refuge that contains two Lesbians. The Women tease him and warn him of their upcoming group activities involving many Women coming over. Of course he ignores the warning and suddenly finds himself much in demand. It's just so gosh darned boring and sex filled that I didn't care about any minor plot details they bothered to give us. I actually hated this, it just seemed so gosh darned pointless but since it is so well liked by others I guess you'll need to find out for yourself...but don't say I didn't warn you.

Availability:  On DVD

Valerie And Her Week Of Wonders (1970) aka Valerie a Týden Divu

4 / 5 Mar '11
Tagline: N/A
Directed by: Jaromil Jires
Written by: Vítezslav Nezval, Jaromil Jires
Actors include: Jaroslava Schallerová, Helena Anýzová, Petr Kopriva
Genre: Horror, Surrealism, Fantasy, Drama
Length: 73 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
This is one unusual surrealist fairy tale/nightmare that is about a thirteen year old girl named Valerie who is reaching puberty. It has something to do with vampires (who I give credit as they are actually rather creepy and Nosferatuesque), and magical earrings and maturing but it's not a clear cut storyline. It's just insanely imaginatively put together, and visually it does remind me a bit of the works of Alejandro Jodorowsky and the plot is somewhat similar in a way to The Company of Wolves. It's rather controversial as the actress playing Valerie is a very beautiful 13 year old girl and there is nudity involved here. Yes it's artful, and it's not necessarily "distasteful" but it did surprise me to be honest. This film is very dream like and it's one of those films you just have to ride out and not question in order to truly enjoy but I didn't mind. It's sort of creepily and magically captivating and it really has made me curious about other Czech films. Recommended for those looking for an entirely different film about growing up.

Availability:  On DVD

Le Manoir Du Diable (1896) aka The House Of The Devil

3.5 / 5 Jan '11
Tagline: N/A
Directed by: Georges Méliès
Written by: Georges Méliès
Actors include: Georges Méliès, Jeanne d'Alcy
Genre: Horror, Short, Comedy
Length: 3 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
Sort of an odd little film that is maybe less preserved than expected, but you can still see what's happening (perhaps it was just the copy I watched). Mephistopheles flies in as a bat (he's a vampire), then he transforms into a human. He manages to conjure up various supernatural creatures that seem to bother or surprise him. It's a bit herky jerky, but I imagine these effects were quite ahead of their time. Georges Méliès has created an interesting scenario once again at least, though it seems a little more would have went a long way. It is considered to be an early horror film although comedy would also fit here I think. Either way it's worth a viewing for early cinema fans.

Availability:  On DVD

Let The Right One In (2008)

4 / 5 Nov '10
Tagline: N/A
Directed by: Tomas Alfredson
Written by: John Ajvide Lindqvist
Actors include: Kåre Hedebrant, Lina Leandersson, Per Ragnar
Genre: Horror
Length: 115 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
Considering this is a modern vampire film I actually expected to dislike this but luckily this was one of the rare good ones. It's stylish, and elegant, particularly the contrast with the snow and blood, very interesting. The cast is very effective and skilled and the plot is engaging yet simple, very easy to enjoy. It's no wonder this one made such headlines and inspired a remake (that I haven't seen). The story is about a young boy named Oscar who is bullied and lonely but he dreams of revenge. He meets an unusual neighbor girl, and despite initial resistance the two become close friends, only of course she has a secret. She can't go into the sun and she has rather odd eating habits. It's actually quite satisfying on a story level and on a blood level so horror fans who just came for the red stuff should still be pleased. Even for those who don't enjoy subtitles this one is worth the effort (plus there isn't a ton of dialogue), definitely one of the highlights of horror from the last decade.

Availability:  On DVD & Blu-Ray

30 Days Of Night (2007)

3 / 5 Oct '10
Tagline: They're Coming!
Directed by: David Slade
Written by: Steve Niles
Actors include: Josh Hartnett, Melissa George, Danny Huston
Genre:  Horror
Length: 113 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
Well, conceptually this is an interesting take on vampires, the idea is that in Alaska they have a month (or 30 days of night) of darkness. The group of people who decide to remain behind and to not go on vacation are in for a real nightmare. See vampires have chosen to hide out in their little town because of it's darkness they have an all you can eat buffet. Now it's based upon a comic book that I've never heard of or read but I can't help but think that is the reason for the stupidly speedy vampires (it's laughable). The other issue I have is that the CGI adjusted vampire faces look positively silly, it's like they are dueling with video game characters instead of vampires. If they hadn't done those things it could have actually been a really good movie I think. Keeping them mainly in the shadows was wise (because of the awful effects), and having them mutter their own dialogue was creative, I'll give them that. It is bloody, it does have excitement, and it does go on a little longer than it should have but it is mostly enjoyable.

Availability:  On DVD & Blu-Ray

Leak (1981) aka Mystics in Bali aka Balinese Mystic aka Mistik

4 / 5 Oct '10
Tagline: N/A
Directed by: H. Tjut Djalil
Written by: Jimmy Atmaja
Actors include: Ilona Agathe Bastian, Yos Santo, Sofia W.D.
Genre: Horror, Fantasy
Length: 85 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
Gosh I'm not even sure how to rate this one, it is quite unlike any other horror film I've seen though it seems to share a bit in common with Shaw Brothers productions. It's also my first Indonesian film, and it did make one heck of an impression and from what I understand it's their first serious horror effort. It's about an American girl who comes to Bali to research black magic for a book she is writing. Her boyfriend introduces her to a Leak who is some sort of which creature with a changing face that feeds upon blood to obtain youth and has an obnoxious laugh (like Witchypoo). The Leak marks a spell on her body which turns her basically into a puppet and by the Leak's influence she ends up turning into various animals (like a pig and a snake). Things get even even weirder still when she starts borrowing her head (with lungs and guts attached) to attack people. The problem is that the first half of the movie is rather talky and dull, the extremely weird and creative and silly stuff comes towards the end. It's worth waiting for most definitely, also the funny transition between the movie's cheap digital video effects and the rest of it being filmed nicely on actual film is quite amusing. It's a film that is certainly unique, and also it taught me about the whole vampire witch with the flying head business which apparently is a theme in quite a few films. I think most will really like this or really hate it but it's worth finding out either way which you are.

Availability:  On DVD

Mr. Vampire (1985) aka Geung si sin sang

4 / 5 Oct '10
Tagline: N/A
Directed by: Ricky Lau
Written by: Ricky Lau, Cheuk-Hon Szeto
Actors include: Ching-Ying Lam, Ricky Lau, Siu-hou Chin
Genre: Action, Comedy, Horror
Length: 97 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
Although I'm not sure this made a lick of sense were you to pull it apart it's not meant to be. It's purely entertaining absurd comedy with some kung fu action and a touch of horror thrown in. So I don't understand the why on most of this stuff but let's see if I can kind of give a plot synopsis. There is a Master, and two bumbling trainees, also an army of zombies who hop like bunnies (my favorite part) but are kept docile by putting spells on them. In fact spells (made from voodoo paper, and chicken's blood and sticky rice) seem to tame most things when they are in danger. There are also vampires, on of the assistants is bitten by a zombie and tries to stave off zombie effects by dancing around like a fool, and by filing his teeth and nails. The other assistant is possessed by some attractive ghost who throws her own head around. The lessons I learned from this film are that people in Hong Kong are very superstitious, you can't mix sticky rice with other rice, and that more zombies should bounce like bunnies, it's hilarious! It's well paced, action packed and full of laughs, definitely a winner for those of us looking for something rather strange but also very fun.  Also it's worth noting that there are several other entries into the Mr. Vampire series, but this is the first.

Availability:  On DVD

The Addiction (1995)

3 / 5 Aug '10
Tagline: The dark is their sunlight. What makes them different is what keeps them alive.
Directed by: Abel Ferrara
Written by: Nicholas St. John
Actors include: Lili Taylor, Edie Falco, Christopher Walken
Genre: Horror, Drama
Length: 80 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
I really expected something different here, heck I usually like Abel Ferrara films and I love the cast members but this didn't work for me. Why? Because I'm not into philosophy and it really seemed like it was trying to cram it out of every orifice. The plot is about a timid young student called Kathleen (Lili Taylor) who is bitten by a vampire. She then goes through heroin like symptoms craving blood and letting herself and her morals deteriorate taking down everyone around her. It's filmed in black and white rather nicely and it feels gritty, I'll give it that. Also they did a pretty cool vampire party sequence that offered up the much needed horror as most of this is a drama of sorts. I didn't absolutely hate it but I felt it was being pretentious and although the concept was intriguing the execution was too dry and dull. Not my kind of movie but it will definitely appeal to some, and I suppose credit for making an intellectual vampire movie.

Availability:  Not on DVD

Die Zärtlichkeit der Wölfe (1973) aka The Tenderness Of Wolves

4 / 5 Aug '10
Tagline: The First Gay Vampire Movie
Directed by: Uli Lommel
Written by: Kurt Raab
Actors include: Kurt Raab, Jeff Rodan, Margit Carstensen
Genre: Drama, Horror
Length: 95 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
Although it's not exactly a horror film I still found it to be rather captivating and interesting. This tale is based upon the Vampire of Düsseldorf, the same tale that the film M is based upon. I actually prefered this retelling as it wasn't so police heavy and it was more character driven but I'm in the minority with that belief. Fritz Haarmann (Kurt Raab) is a strange character known for helping out poor boys and giving people meat and whatnot. He's also known by some as a bit of a criminal and a nuisance, but most seem to like him. We know he has a live in male lover, and also that he likes to bring home pretty young men and drink their blood before butchering them and serving them to others. The thing is, the film is never graphic, well okay that's a slight exaggeration, some of the set and genitals are graphic sure but as far as gore and whatnot goes, it's implied. It's all in the dialogue, and Raab's acting that really pull this film from being rather mundane to something quite special and dark. It also has a rather black sense of humor that kept me chuckling even through the horrendous things that seem to be going on in the tale. This won't be for everyone but I really enjoyed it, it is artfully made with a great cast and authentic feeling sets and everything else. Recommended to people who want to see an entirely different side of vampirism and who are looking for more of a drama rather than a horror film.

Availability:  On DVD

Lemora (1973) aka Lemora: A Child's Tale Of The Supernatural

3.5 / 5 Aug '10
Tagline: Run, little girl! Innocence is in peril tonight!
Directed by: Richard Blackburn
Written by: Richard Blackburn, Robert Fern
Actors include: Lesley Taplin, Cheryl Smith, William Whitton
Genre: Horror, Thriller
Length: 85 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
A very unusual take on the Dracula concept, but it really isn't for kids I guess (like the title might dictate). In many ways it is a nightmarish fairy tale, a beautiful young innocent named Lila Lee has the voice of an angel. She has been raised by the church because her Parents are well evil I suppose. Lila Lee receives a message from Lemora (her Mom) which states that her Father is unwell and they've found Christ and that she is to come to them. Well she sneaks out on a trek, but it's in the middle of an extremely dangerous area. Zombie like people who live in the woods attack and not only that but witchcraft and vampirism seem to run rampant too. She gets to Lemora's and of course things aren't quite what they seem, her Father can't be found and to say Lemora is creepy would be an understatement. It's not a bloody massacre of a movie but rather a horrific situation that works particularly well because Lila Lee just seems so gosh darned innocent.The imagery is quite interesting and grotesque in some way, it's pretty visually interesting. It's also such a different take on this concept that I think fans will really enjoy this.

Availability:  On DVD

Leviathan (1989)

3 / 5 May '10
Tagline: Welcome to your worst nightmare, welcome to Leviathan
Directed by: George P. Cosmatos
Written by: David Webb Peoples
Actors include: Peter Weller, Daniel Stern, Ernie Hudson
Genre: Sci-Fi, Horror
Length: 98 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
Pretty silly clone of just about any sci-fi film you've seen but mainly it "borrows" from Alien and The Thing From Another World [The Thing]. The cast is mainly familiar, we have Peter Weller acting like a robot though I'm quite sure he's supposed to be human...his acting style is questionable at best. Also we have Ernie Hudson, Hector Elizondo and Daniel Stern too in the roles of miners who work undersea blowing up rocks to find silver. One of the divers finds an abandoned Russian ship which he pillages. It turns out the vodka has some sort of vampiric alien virus in it that infects most of the cast. It's pretty much an eye roller for the amount of "borrowing" that goes on, really nothing is even close to original. At least they bothered with a budget for the monster and effects and so forth, it's at least watchable. It's a shame they didn't do some more editing too because it was way too long and had tons of pointless scenes. Not as good as I'd hoped it would be but it's alright for the sort of thing that it is I suppose.

Availability:  On DVD

The Omega Man (1971)

3.5 / 5   Apr '10
Tagline: Pray for the last man alive. Because he's not alone.
Directed by: Boris Sagal
Written by: John William Corrington, Joyce Hooper Corrington
Actors include: Charlton Heston, Anthony Zerbe, Rosalind Cash
Genre: Science Fiction, Horror, Thriller
Length: 89 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
Oh gee well this was sillier than I expected and I knew this was a Charlton Heston flick going in and I generally appreciate his hilarious ways. The story I'm sure is very interesting, it's one of several film takes on the book "I Am Legend" of course and I haven't seen any of the other adaptations yet so I can't compare. I can say that the vampire/zombie things in this one were kind of lame looking...they had whiteish contacts, wore capes with hoods and looked like they'd bathed in baby powder...not at all threatening. The story goes that we are following Heston around who appears to be the last fellow alive because he was a scientist who had a vaccination to the disease that turned the rest of the population into zombiepyres. These monsters can't go out in the light so most of the time it's entirely safe! When he sees a mannequin that moves he learns he's not entirely alone hand has some silly love scenes and lots of fighting monsters too. I appreciated the violence but the tension and fear were never created, but at least the story kept some momentum. Not bad, but I look forward to seeing the adaptation called The Last Man on Earth, I've heard it's spookier and this story could use some of that!

Availability:  On DVD & Blu-Ray

The Legend Of The 7 Golden Vampires (1974)

2.5 / 5 Mar '10
Tagline: Deadly Horrors! Dragon Thrills! The First Kung Fu Horror Spectacular!
Directed by: Roy Ward Baker
Written by: Don Houghting
Actors include: Peter Cushing, David Chiang, Julie Ege
Genre: Action, Horror
Length: 83 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
I really didn't care for this, it's Hammer's last vampire picture and it's my least favorite by far. It combines the world of kung fu in with Dracula and I'm afraid the two don't fit together. The film was basically plotless though the spirit of Dracula (made up to look like Christopher Lee's version of Dracula only much cheaper) goes into the spirit of a fighter warlord guy in order to look after 6 other vampires. One of the only good things about this is the fact that Peter Cushing appears as Van Helsing but it's simply not enough to make this interesting. Much of the film is sword fighting group scenes with too much going on at once, and since they didn't bother with character development it's hard to give a hoot. That and it seems that it just keeps repeating over and over again making this film feel ridiculously long even though it really wasn't. It's even more shocking to see that Roy Ward Baker was one of the directors, he is usually on point! Well I should mention that I don't much care for kung fu movies and maybe that is why I really thought this was a bore, but then again maybe this was just lazy?

Availability:  On DVD

Captain Kronos - Vampire Hunter (1974) aka Kronos aka Vampire Hunter

4 / 5 Feb '10
Tagline: Evil Ends Here.
Directed by: Brian Clemens
Written by: Brian Clemens
Actors include: Horst Janson, Caroline Munro, Shane Briant
Genre: Horror, Adventure
Length: 91 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
Pretty amusing entry into the line of Hammer vampire pictures, this one follows a different sort of tale. See the vampires in this actually suck life from their victims and only leave a bit of blood on the side of their mouths. Additionally they prey on young women and when finished, their faces are extremely aged (or rather they each turn to the face of an old man wearing a wig). There is a heroic vampire hunter by the name of Captain Kronos (Horst Janson) fighting the good fight along with a wench he saved and his hunchback assistant. Thing is, Kronos isn't your typical hero, he's very into sexy ladies and he's been known to smoke herbal cigarettes (nudge nudge wink wink) and well he's a different sort of feller. Admittedly the hooded faceless vampire lurking about the woods is rather creepy and the idea is a very interesting one and it has a neat style to it. I also appreciate that it's unlike any of the others from Hammer that I've seen so far and it's very easy to appreciate. It's not their finest but it's far from their worst, a definite one to watch despite the lack of star power.

Availability:  On DVD

The Blood Spattered Bride (1972) aka La Novia Ensangrentada

3.5 / 5 Jan '10
Tagline: The revenge of a young bride on her wedding night!
Directed by: Vicente Aranda
Written by: Vincente Aranda, Sheridan Le Fanu
Actors include: Simon Andreu, Maribel Martin, Alexandra Bastedo
Genre: Horror
Length: 101 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
This was an unusual ghostly vampire picture that seems to break many rules. In some ways it's quite similar to Hammer's story of The Vampire Lovers but there is a good reason for this. They are both based upon the story "Carmilla" though stylistically the two are quite different. This Spanish take (although no Spanish language edition likely exists according to the box) is rather dream-like and surreal. Very much in the style of erotic Eurosleaze although the artistic touchs make it somehow slightly tasteful I suppose. A young couple to be wed shacks up at his family's home only something strange is going on there. The portraits of the Females in the family have been placed in the basement and one particular painting has the face cut out of it. The bride-to-be has visions of this blond woman and beings having violent fantasies. The girl seems to be some sort of masochist as her husband-to-be is rather pointlessly cruel to her. There is a fair bit of nudity here and even lesbianism as the blond woman appears in reality things get more complicated. Considering that this is such a hybrid of styles it does have some gruesome blood and the story is interesting (but slow). It should satisfy most though one does have to be rather patient and willing to accept the dream-like state of everything. It's an unusual take on the vampire theme but I think it could have been edited down to be quite great instead of rather good. Thanks to Infofreak for this recommendation!

Availability:  On DVD