Dracula - Dead and Loving It

Starring:Lysette Anthony, Gregg Binkley, Mark Blankfield, Megan Cavanagh, Jennifer Crystal, Rudy De Luca, Cherie Franklin, Ezio Greggio, Darla Haun, Harvey Korman, Peter MacNicol, Chuck McCann, Leslie Nielsen, Matthew Porretta, Clive Revill, Leslie S. Sachs, Avery Schreiber, Steven Weber, Amy Yasbeck
Studio: Castle Rock
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Amazon.com
In 1995, it was promising to hear that Mel Brooks was creating "the companion piece to Young Frankenstein." He had also brought in the heavyweight of deadpan--Leslie Nielsen. As Lt. Frank Drebin in the Police Squad movies, Nielsen has no peer for silly stuff--just the player Brooks would seem to need for a strong movie, as any fan of Brooks perpetually hopes a new film may rekindle his madcap magic. Alas, the end results in Dracula: Dead and Loving It include a sprinkling of amusements and one big belly laugh. Brooks and his writers use a very tight adaptation of Bram Stoker's novel, but the spoofs can be spelled out as we go, as if they are paint-by-number. Some are jabs at Coppola's version of Dracula, but most are attached to classic Dracula films. If any real pleasure comes from the movie it's thanks to the efforts of the cast. Peter MacNicol plays the crazed Renfield to the letter, Steven Weber has a good time as the tight British Harkin, and Lysette Anthony charms as the doomed Lucy. Brooks and Nielsen ham it up just fine. There's even a surprisingly controlled performance by Harvey Korman (a character spoofing Anthony Hopkins's role in the misfire The Road to Wellville). As with Brooks's period comedies, the film looks better than it needs to and includes a few tricky special effects for good measure. This has nothing to do with the audience laughing--we need bigger jokes. And when you double over laughing in one scene--involving a stake through the heart and a bucket of blood--you want the movie to achieve Brooks's days of glory, when hearty laughter was the norm, not an isolated moment. --Doug Thomas
Description
A comic reinvention of the Bela Lugosi classic about a Transylvanian vampire who works his evil spell on a perplexed group of Londoners. Mel Brooks's Count is a pratfalling evil prince of a guy who believes in long relationships. Brooks portrays vampire hunter Van Helsing, who won't give a bloodsucker an even break.

DVD Features:
Audio Commentary:Commentary by director/co-writer Mel Brooks, co-stars Steven Weber and Amy Yasbeck, and co-writers Rudy De Luca and Steve Haberman
Theatrical Trailer

Average customer rating:

One of Mel's best.
Not bad but also not great
Incredibly Funny!
just wow!!
Fantastic Fun

Dracula - Dead and Loving It
Starring: Lysette Anthony , Gregg Binkley , Mark Blankfield , Megan Cavanagh , and Jennifer Crystal
Manufacturer: Castle Rock
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Horror | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( D ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

Robin Hood - Men in Tights
Love at First Bite
The Naked Gun DVD Gift Set
Spy Hard
Wrongfully Accused

ASIN: B0001ZX0O2
Release Date: 2004-06-29

Amazon.com

In 1995, it was promising to hear that Mel Brooks was creating "the companion piece to Young Frankenstein." He had also brought in the heavyweight of deadpan--Leslie Nielsen. As Lt. Frank Drebin in the Police Squad movies, Nielsen has no peer for silly stuff--just the player Brooks would seem to need for a strong movie, as any fan of Brooks perpetually hopes a new film may rekindle his madcap magic. Alas, the end results in Dracula: Dead and Loving It include a sprinkling of amusements and one big belly laugh. Brooks and his writers use a very tight adaptation of Bram Stoker's novel, but the spoofs can be spelled out as we go, as if they are paint-by-number. Some are jabs at Coppola's version of Dracula, but most are attached to classic Dracula films. If any real pleasure comes from the movie it's thanks to the efforts of the cast. Peter MacNicol plays the crazed Renfield to the letter, Steven Weber has a good time as the tight British Harkin, and Lysette Anthony charms as the doomed Lucy. Brooks and Nielsen ham it up just fine. There's even a surprisingly controlled performance by Harvey Korman (a character spoofing Anthony Hopkins's role in the misfire The Road to Wellville). As with Brooks's period comedies, the film looks better than it needs to and includes a few tricky special effects for good measure. This has nothing to do with the audience laughing--we need bigger jokes. And when you double over laughing in one scene--involving a stake through the heart and a bucket of blood--you want the movie to achieve Brooks's days of glory, when hearty laughter was the norm, not an isolated moment. --Doug Thomas

Description

A comic reinvention of the Bela Lugosi classic about a Transylvanian vampire who works his evil spell on a perplexed group of Londoners. Mel Brooks's Count is a pratfalling evil prince of a guy who believes in long relationships. Brooks portrays vampire hunter Van Helsing, who won't give a bloodsucker an even break.

DVD Features:
Audio Commentary:Commentary by director/co-writer Mel Brooks, co-stars Steven Weber and Amy Yasbeck, and co-writers Rudy De Luca and Steve Haberman
Theatrical Trailer

Customer Reviews:

One of Mel's best........2007-05-20

I first discovered this film when I came across it at the video rental store. I hesitated to rent it for a number of reasons: I had heard nothing of it during it's theatrical release; Mel Brooks had been in a slump for some some time; and it starred Leslie Neilsen, who by that time was known primarily for milking his Frank Drebbin character to death in a number of very lame "comedies". But I rented it anyway and boy, was I glad I did!

The film is a laugh riot from beginning to end. Of course, it helps if you are familiar with the original Dracula story and its' various film incarnations and are attuned to Brooks' comedy style. If you are not up on the latter, just watch it a second or third time to get into the rhythm. Once you've gotten into the flow, you'll find it's a really fun ride.

While Neilsen, Brooks, Weber and Korman are all splendidly amusing, it's Peter McNichol who really steals the show as Renfield. Many people think of Artie Johnson's turn as Renfield in "Love at First Bite" to be the quintessential comedic portrayal of the character, but McNichol is much funnier. I would have given him a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for this one, but unfortunately, he, as well as the film itself, was overlooked by the critics and the Academy. Too bad, as this film deserved better. The critics pretty much savaged this film (and most of Mel Brooks' films after "Young Frankenstein"), but apparently the critics have just forgotten how to laugh and simply be entertained by a movie. You will laugh and be entertained by this movie.

Not bad but also not great.......2007-05-14

This is quite a funny film in some moments, but also a little bit predictable. Its a good laugh if you are looking for a cheap one.

Wouldn't rate it as good as Spaceballs, though worth a watch every so often.

Incredibly Funny!.......2007-05-09

My husband, my sons and I love this movie. It is silly and hilarious. A+

just wow!!.......2007-04-06

I love this movie. I saw it years ago and laughed so hard. I recently thought about and decided to buy my own copy and it was worth it and still as funny as the first time I saw it.

Fantastic Fun.......2007-03-22

I first saw this film many years ago. It was funny then and it still is now. If you've seen Bram Stoker's Dracula, then you need to see this movie. It's a great spoof that makes fun of the movie.

Average customer rating:

One of Mel's best.
Not bad but also not great
Incredibly Funny!
just wow!!
Fantastic Fun

Dracula: Dead and Loving It [Region 2]

ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

( D ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

Robin Hood - Men in Tights
Love at First Bite
The Naked Gun DVD Gift Set
Spy Hard
Wrongfully Accused

ASIN: B00004RY9S

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

One of Mel's best........2007-05-20

Not bad but also not great.......2007-05-14

Incredibly Funny!.......2007-05-09

My husband, my sons and I love this movie. It is silly and hilarious. A+

just wow!!.......2007-04-06

I love this movie. I saw it years ago and laughed so hard. I recently thought about and decided to buy my own copy and it was worth it and still as funny as the first time I saw it.

Fantastic Fun.......2007-03-22

I first saw this film many years ago. It was funny then and it still is now. If you've seen Bram Stoker's Dracula, then you need to see this movie. It's a great spoof that makes fun of the movie.

Average customer rating:

One of Mel's best.
Not bad but also not great
Incredibly Funny!
just wow!!
Fantastic Fun

Dracula: Dead and Loving It [Region 2]

ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

( D ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Robin Hood - Men in Tights
Love at First Bite
The Naked Gun DVD Gift Set
Spy Hard
Wrongfully Accused

ASIN: B00004S5S9

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

One of Mel's best........2007-05-20

Not bad but also not great.......2007-05-14

Incredibly Funny!.......2007-05-09

My husband, my sons and I love this movie. It is silly and hilarious. A+

just wow!!.......2007-04-06

I love this movie. I saw it years ago and laughed so hard. I recently thought about and decided to buy my own copy and it was worth it and still as funny as the first time I saw it.

Fantastic Fun.......2007-03-22

I first saw this film many years ago. It was funny then and it still is now. If you've seen Bram Stoker's Dracula, then you need to see this movie. It's a great spoof that makes fun of the movie.

Average customer rating:

One of Mel's best.
Not bad but also not great
Incredibly Funny!
just wow!!
Fantastic Fun

Dracula: Dead and Loving It [Region 2]

ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

( D ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Robin Hood - Men in Tights
Love at First Bite
The Naked Gun DVD Gift Set
Spy Hard
Wrongfully Accused

ASIN: B00004WN5E

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

One of Mel's best........2007-05-20

Not bad but also not great.......2007-05-14

Incredibly Funny!.......2007-05-09

My husband, my sons and I love this movie. It is silly and hilarious. A+

just wow!!.......2007-04-06

I love this movie. I saw it years ago and laughed so hard. I recently thought about and decided to buy my own copy and it was worth it and still as funny as the first time I saw it.

Fantastic Fun.......2007-03-22

I first saw this film many years ago. It was funny then and it still is now. If you've seen Bram Stoker's Dracula, then you need to see this movie. It's a great spoof that makes fun of the movie.

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