Black Vampire

Starring:Betty Barney, Marlene Clark, Enrico Fales, Tara Fields, Bill Gunn, Richard Harrow, John Hoffmeister, Leonard Jackson, Duane Jones, Mabel King, Tommy Lane, Candece Tarpley, Betsy Thurman, Sam Waymon
Director: Bill Gunn
Studio: Image Entertainment
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Amazon.com
A landmark in the history of African American cinema and one of the most important films of the 1970s, Ganja & Hess suffered a tortured fate that nearly resulted in its extinction. Briefly released in New York City in 1973, it was originally intended to be a "blaxploitation" horror thriller, but actor-director Bill Gunn (who died in 1989) created something much more complex and artistically expressive: a vampire film starring the late Duane Jones (earlier immortalized as the hero of Night of the Living Dead) that never mentions the word "vampire," addressing interwoven themes of addiction, passion, class distinction, faith, and the place of blacks in a dominant white society. Unfolding on a sensual level that is better experienced than explained, the film is equal parts dream, nightmare, and existential odyssey.

Amazon.com essential video

One of Roman Polanski's more overt comedies, this 1966 monster spectacle stars Jack MacGowran and Polanski as a clunky but heroic pair of vampire killers. Called upon to rescue the beautiful and buxom daughter (Sharon Tate) of an innkeeper from a Draculalike bloodsucker, the duo muddle through all sorts of scrapes, the most intense being a scene in which a room full of dancing vampires realize the human interlopers are the only ones in the room who are reflected in a mirror. Scary and funny, the film has some unforgettable set pieces, a terrific score, one of the few records of Tate's extraordinary beauty, and vibrant performances. Not exactly Polanski in a relaxed mode, but clear evidence of his estimable skills as a director of both brilliance and polish. --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews:

One of Polanski's first mainstream films.......2007-06-20

Honestly, this movie isn't very good. For the time, it was an attempt at thinking outside the box -- which Polanski is known for. An interesting spin and an interesting plot. The acting definately left a lot to be desired. But the jewel in this crown... seeing Roman Polanski and Sharon Tate together on screen.

Great spoof........2007-06-13

This is a great spoof of vampire movies. It's quite funny, albeit slightly boring. I do love this movie though. I'd also like to recommend the musical based on this movie, "Tanz der Vampire."

not spooky, not funny, not sexy.......2007-04-12

There's a reason Polanski is not known as a comedy director. I dont know. Maybe this was funny by 60s standards? Laugh-in? This film certainly wasnt scarey. And the cut erotic scenes are G-rated by 2007 standards.

not funny, not scary, kinda boring.......2007-03-26

i was recommended to see this film after seeing the ever so brilliant and hilarious Young Frankenstein. i lost interest halfway through it sadly and had to skip around..which is a shame since i paid a good 15 bucks for it and the characters looked really promising in the beginning..the language and speaking is so slurred that i had to turn on subtitles. this movie to me seems like one of those old movies you would see on AMC and watch only when there is nothing else on tv... it is that boring....or maybe i just dont get it or something. anyways, rent it if you need to see it...do not expect a movie in the same league as young frankenstein

Memorable and Unique.......2007-03-15

This tongue in cheek horror spoof is wonderfully distracting (Sharon Tate comes to mind here- .WoW.stunning.It is also hilarous throughout. The film is very atmospheric and the set designs (castle roof top scenes and the castle itself for example- though there are many!) are just wonderful and very convincing. Not to mention the beautiful soundtrack which will remain with you long after the movie ends. Comes highly recommended!

Average customer rating:

"he's waiting to freak you out!"
Im in love with Stephanie Beacham!!! Amazing bust!!!
could have been better
Dracula adapted a new fashion of Rock N Roll & hippies youth culture in the 70's
dark

Dracula A.D. 1972
Starring: Christopher Lee , Peter Cushing , Stephanie Beacham , Christopher Neame (III) , and Michael Coles
Director: Alan Gibson
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
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Hammer Horror Series (Brides of Dracula / Curse of the Werewolf / Phantom of the Opera (1962) / Paranoiac / Kiss of the Vampire / Nightmare / Night Creatures / Evil of Frankenstein)
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Horror of Dracula
Frankenstein Created Woman/The Legend of the 7 Golden Vampires
Jess Franco's Count Dracula (Special Edition)

ASIN: B000A0GOG4
Release Date: 2005-10-04

Amazon.com

It was only a matter of time before Christopher Lee's Dracula visited Swinging London, arriving fashionably late for the party in 1972. In Dracula A.D. 1972, Count D was dispatched in the 19th century with a carriage-wheel spoke. The vampire's ashes and fancy ring are handed down to a young Londoner named Johnny Alucard (Christopher Neame) who looks as though he's seen A Clockwork Orange too many times. Proposing that his hippie posse look for new kicks ("yet as old as time"), he holds a Black Mass and summons you-know-who. Peter Cushing joins Lee yet again; luscious Stephanie Beacham, in an amazing shag haircut and purple velvet, is Cushing's granddaughter. She considers grandpa's scientific interests "way out," but then again, their last name is Van Helsing.. The time-period switch makes the grooviness seem laughable, although otherwise this is an acceptable outing, especially for Lee's suave, overtly sexual take on the role. It was his penultimate entry in the Hammer Dracula series, and is certainly better than the finale, The Satanic Rites of Dracula. --Robert Horton

Description

London's become a small town for a handful of jaded psychedelic-era hipsters. But Johnny Alucard has a groovy new way for his pals to get their kicks. A certain ritual will be the living end, he insists. And if you still wonder where Johnny's coming from, try spelling his last name backwards. Dracula is raised into the modern era in this Hammer Studios shocker that's "quite well done" (John Stanley, Creature Features). Christopher Lee dons the cape for the sixth time and seeks out fresh victims. As archnemesis Van Helsing, fellow horror legend Peter Cushing clutches a vial of holy water and edges within throwing distance. Their harrowing battle royale is not to be missed. In fact, it's the living end. Director: Alan Gibson Starring: Peter Cushing, Christopher Lee, Stephanie Beacham

Customer Reviews:

"he's waiting to freak you out!".......2007-06-29

that tag line above is taken from the theatrical trailer that comes with this DVD. actually the trailer itself is a very nice appetizer for the movie and I'm glad it was included with the disc. the film itself begins with a flashback to the year 1872, one hundred years before the main body of the story begins. from the first frames of dry leaves blowing along a carriage path in London's Hyde Park a careening coach appears in view with a struggle aboard involving the evil Count Dracula vs. the honorable Professor Van Helsing. when the carriage capsizes the Count is left fatally wounded with a pierced wagon wheel spoke entering his heart.
The Professor dies in the accident but as the Count is reduced to ash a young assistant comes along to scoop up an amount of the ash's which he buries in a churchyard not far away.
we are then taken to modern times (1972)and a party at a posh London home.
the party is highlighted by the rock group Stoneground but apparently some hippy flotsam and jetsam have slithered onto the scene much to the distaste of the lady of the house! these slithering but groovy young people that have made themselves welcome at the party include Jessica Van Helsing the great granddaughter of the Professor. Also part of the group is Johnny Alucard(Dracula spelled backwards), a descendent of the assistant who had gathered the Counts' ashes 100 years earlier. As an aside, it was a treat to see Sal Valentino, the leader of Stoneground singing Alligator Man at the party. Sal used to be in the Beau Brummels. He kind of sounds like Dr. John when he sings. But anyway, after the party is shut down by the men in uniform via complaints from the Grande Dame, the crew dash off for drinks at a coffee bar called The Cavern. It is here that Johnny tries to lure his friends into a ritualistic 'black mass' that he will conduct that night, much to everyone's nervous apprehension. Everyone that is except Laura from the group played by Caroline Munro who finds it all quite exciting and cheerily suggests "it could be a giggle". well, later that night as they all gather inside a darkened candle-lit gothic church set for demolition(de-sanctified) Johnny begins his black magic, casting a deep spell upon them and building up to an unholy sacrifice. Laura volunteers and to everyone's horror is soon dabbled with blood and ashes from the 100 year old Count. Everything goes very badly very quickly and the friends flee from the scene too scared to answer Laura's cry's for help. Johnny, you see, has taken his heritage to heart and to rise 'the master' up from the unsacred ground is his mission, and poor Laura is his pawn. And yes, the master does emerge from the depths and eyes the present of Laura that Johnny has prepared for him. A word here about the performance of Christopher Lee as Dracula. Watching the actor's very expressive face was wonderful to watch. Merging from calm and steady to bloodthirsty lust to frightening aggression and even later as he falls under attack and is fearing for his life(or, unlife, i suppose)is a study of the actors repetoire of facial expertise. The next day all the friends meet again at The Cavern very worried about the absence of Laura. Johnny assures them she's just out of town. No one buys it and sure enough Laura is found dead outside the grounds of the old church. The Inspector from Scotland Yard eyes the corpse of a girl with seemingly all the blood drained out of her. He seeks out someone he believes can help with this gruesome murder, the grandson of Professor Van Helsing(Peter Cushing). Van Helsing gets on the case right away and is especially concerned as the dead girl was in his granddaughters circle of friends. I think i'll leave it at that and conclude by saying this is an excellent thriller from the early 1970's.

Im in love with Stephanie Beacham!!! Amazing bust!!!.......2007-03-12

I have had a huge crush on Stephanie Beacham ever since I first saw this movie. What a beautiful face. What
glamourous hair, what an incredible body. She is amazing. I had always been aware of Miss Beacham, but my
crush began when I saw Dracula AD 1972 on VHS in 1994. At the climax of the film, she wears the sexiest white gown ever shown in a horror film. Amazing

could have been better.......2007-02-26

I purchased this dvd because I am a new fan of the Christopher Lee vampire films. Adapting the character to the groovy year of 1972 was not a bad idea for this film, but it was overdone. Still, it's fun, but if you if you are thinking of buying this film in hopes that it will be as good as Horror of Dracula or Dracula, Prince of Darkness, you may want to pass.

Dracula adapted a new fashion of Rock N Roll & hippies youth culture in the 70's.......2006-09-27

Christopher Lee could replace his predecessor Bela Lugosi as Count, This film is a great example for Lee as Count. Though his style was a bit floppy, cause he becames slowly tired to play Dracula at that time.
As a result the Hammer Film bosses have tried to mixture the old gothic horror elements with a new fashion like a youth Rock And Roll culture during the 70's. It sounds a bit silly, but that was 1972 when they had produced for something new.

Christopher Lee could balance and continue his charismatic predecessor Bela Lugosi(1882 - 1956) in the 60's Hammer british Dracula series.
The differences are:
- Lugosi was more a theatrical Dracula from Broadway. Lugosi acted very elegant, exclusive & gentleman as a Dracula star. His charming style becomes a legend.
- Lee is more a mainstream Dracula star. He is not a theatre star like Lugosi did in 1931. He'd prefer a type of cold elegant beast. His style is less charming because he has to accustom himself into various directions in eight Dracula series.

Lugosi played as Dracula three times:
1. Dracula 1931
2. Return of the Vampire 1944
3. Mark of the Vampire 1935

Lee played as Dracula 8 times (see Filmography Imdb)

Frankly Bela Lugosi was a bit more charismatic than Christopher Lee, but Christopher Lee could balance the great charisma of his great predecessor.

dark.......2006-09-22

when this movie starts it is so dark you can't even see anything. The only way you can know what is going on it to read what Amazon tells you.

After that it is just stupid.

Average customer rating:

Terrific And Very Funny Chinese Horror-Comedy!
Temporarily Hold Your Breath
Sticky rice!
A classic film of undead martial arts tomfoolery
Chinese ghost tale keeps things hopping

Mr. Vampire
Starring: Ching-Ying Lam , Siu-hou Chin , Ricky Hui , Moon Lee , and Billy Lau
Director: Ricky Lau
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B0002CR08Q
Release Date: 2004-09-07

Description

Master Ko (Lam Ching Ying, stunt master in Fist of Fury and Enter the Dragon) faces the daunting task of re-burying a rich man's father - in the hope that the new tomb will bring further prosperity. The frightening twist comes when the corpse comes back to life with a foul and vengeful netherworld gang. Desperately trying to right his wrongs, Master Ko finds himself sinking in deep trouble as apprentices Dan (Ricky Hui) turns into a vampire himself and Harry (Chin Siu Ho) is reduced to a weak soul posseses by a fierce ghost.

Customer Reviews:

Terrific And Very Funny Chinese Horror-Comedy!.......2007-04-23

I wish there were more films like this one. It's great to see parody in any genre. Moreover, it is necessary at times. Which leads us to this unique film "Mr. Vampire." Having first seen the film many years ago [release date around 1986], I originally owned an import VHS copy which was pretty choppy and bad to say the least. I was happy when the DVD was released and grabbed it up right away. That's how much I like this film. The film has action, horror and comedy. Those who are into Martial Arts films, however, may not find the film as much action-based as you might like. But it does deliver as a fun parody of Martial Arts action. Nevertheless, I did like the fight sequences and acting, and the film succeeds exceptionally well as a very funny film. Which is one of the reasons I bought the film initially anyway. This is a funny delight of cinema from Hong Kong, and I would recommend to viewers to check it out.

I don't wish to give away too much of the film, therefore, I will leave out some of the funnier sequences from this review. However, I will write that the film centers on one Master Gau (Ching-Ying Lam) and his two assistants Chou (Siu-hou Chin) and Man Choi (Ricky Hui). Master Gau is in the business of controlling vampires. Both he and his assistants [bumbling ones at that] are in for one funny romp. They are trying to cope with the rewawakened corpse of a man. However, things backfire, and the viewer is in for one exceptionally funny horror-comedy. In trying to deal with the very strong 'hopping vampires' the film progresses through a maze of slapstick comedy [But in a very good way] as it spoofs Kung Fu and gives a delightfully comedic twist to the horror genre. Also, Chinese bureaucracy and the police are dealt with in a funny and lampooning way.

Yes, there are silly parts in the film, but it's done in a hysterically funny way, and that's what makes this film so funny. Also, while garlic is the recipe in the West for combating Vampires: English and American films in particular, in China--it's sticky rice. I really like this film. It delivers in every way that one will find entertaining. With Master Gau up to his elbows in trying to help his two assistant's Man Choi and Chou from falling prey to the vampire curse they now battle, he also finds himself up against one tough super powerful vampire. Not at all like what we see in the vampires flicks here in the West. This is a great and entertaining film. I recommend the film highly. I enjoyed the film immensely, and still do. Highly recommended.

Temporarily Hold Your Breath.......2007-03-16

Don't let the title mislead you. The film title should have been translated as Mr. Zoombie instead of Mr. Vampire as these hopping ghosts are what we called zoombie. When the film was first released in the 80's, it was titled as Temporarily Stop Your Breathing. It was an enormous hit throughout Asia. 2 or 3 sequels were made afterwards. It also created a zoombie sensation in Japan. Among the Chinese zoombie movie, this one stood out the most as it succeeded in all three genres that it tried to achieve: action, comedy and horror.

Mr. Vampire, along with Chinese Ghost Story 1, is among my favorite films from the 80's.

Hop, hop and hop.

Sticky rice!.......2006-07-19

"Mr. Vampire" is a movie for people tired of angsty, gorgeous vampires with thick Transylvanian accents.

Instead, this hilarious supernatural comedy has a different kind of vampire -- the superstrong, zombielike "hopping vampire." And dealing with the hopping vampires are a long-suffering Taoist priest and his bumbling assistants, who add all sorts of wacky twists.

Master Gau (Ching-Ying Lam) agrees to help the wealthy Yam family move their patriarch's body -- until he sees the undecayed body. Turns out Grandpa is a vampire. And after his bumbling assistants fail to properly restrain the vampire, it gets loose, kills its son, and now the vampire hunters are facing TWO vampires instead of one.

To make matters worse, Man Choi (Ricky Hui) has been infected with vampire toxin, which will turn him into a vampire if they can't cure him with sticky rice, and Chou (Siu-hou Chin) is being seduced at night by a ghost. Master Gau must cure one, save the other, and somehow destroy a superpowerful vampire that invades the Yam household.

"Mr. Vampire" was such a success in China that it started a whole trend of "hopping vampire" movies. But as with most trends, the original is still the best and more entertaining example. And it incorporates traditional vampires and succubi from China, as well as little-known mythical trivia (such as sticky rice being the "garlic" for a Chinese vampire).

Expect lots of Peter Jacksonish twisted humor (Man Choi having his fangs filed down) alongside the more typical kind (Chou and Man Choi cast a spell to make their romantic rival strip in public). But when the vampires show up, there are plenty of wild, undignified action scenes. And lots of property damage -- they break every piece of furniture they come across.

The late Ching-Ying Lam became a star thanks to this movie, and his staid, unibrowed priest is a likable guy when you consider everything he has to deal with. Hui and Chin are hysterical as a pair of earnest but hormonal guys. They're kind of an annoyance when Gau isn't actually fighting vampires, but perhaps they're good for doing errands.

(Fortunately they also cleaned up the subtitling on this movie. The original subtitling was comically bad, but the new ones are are very well done)

"Mr Vampire" is one of China's better supernatural comedies, with weird vampires and lots of sticky rice. Hysterical and warped.

A classic film of undead martial arts tomfoolery.......2006-02-27

Very good.

The performances are excellent, and the broad humor is genuinely amusing. There's also a heck of a weird story with hopping vampires and a ghost lover. The Asian sensibility of these elements is what pushes this into the forefront. These are not Bram Stoker's undead, and even the ghost is much more physical than you'd ever see in an American film. And she can even shoot off her head, which is pretty damn neat.

This is an excellent movie for anyone looking for monsters, martial arts, and a healthy dose of humor. Can't recommend it enough. So see it already.

Chinese ghost tale keeps things hopping.......2005-09-23

Sifu, the One Eyebrow Priest, needs all his skill to vanquish a powerful "hopping ghost"(like Hsien-Ko in "Darkstalkers," but more vicious) without much help from his two likeable, less-than-bright pupils. A bite from this creature will turn the bitten one into another vampire-zombie-ghost. Quick, get the sticky rice!

Average customer rating:

AWESOME!
Real vampires, passions and death
Vampire Clan
Standpoint? Indecisive
Bad story, good Drew

Vampire Clan
Starring: Drew Fuller , Alexandra Breckenridge , Timothy Lee DePriest , Marina Black , and Kelly Kruger
Director: John Webb (IV)
Manufacturer: Lions Gate
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B00007ELFT
Release Date: 2003-01-14

Customer Reviews:

AWESOME!.......2006-07-16

i love this movie. Its different from all other vampire movies that i have ever seen. This movie doesnt just have a bunch of fictional vampires biting peoples necks. Its with real people like us. They just practice vampirism. One of the best things about this movie is the amazing music. All the songs are excellent. Alot of the music is by the Genitorturers- so check them out if you want to hear them. Vampire clan really isnt a horror movie at all, but its very dark in nature. I recommend it for someone who wants to see a vampire movie thats totally different and unique.

Real vampires, passions and death.......2005-10-14

I have watched this movie at least 10 times. Real vampires, teenage angst, road trip, and true life crime is how I would summarize the movie. Immediately after renting it, I bought it.

Why do you watch vampire movies? I watch for the psychological thrill; the tensions between death, passion, seduction and sensuality. That is why I cherish this movie. If you want gore or if you cut you might want to skip this movie.

The charged atmosphere among the members of the clan is compelling and believable. The blood drinking was thrilling in ways I have never seen in another movie. No fangs. Instead the movie depicts blades, cutting and sucking. I have personal experience with other real life vampires. I have scars to prove it. This is the real deal folks.

Like another reviewer I would like to have seen the lives of the characters before the road trip. I think this could help build the tensions between the characters and bring out their motivations.

The first few times I saw the movie I watched the murder scenes, but they are not really interesting for me. They are just slasher stuff even though based on reality. I am not even interested in how true to life the killing was.

The pacing and story telling devices work well for me. I think the script is fine. The cuts between the police office and the story is a cool way to tell the story and keeps reminding you that this is all real.

This is the best vampire movie I have ever seen. The Interview with a Vampire ranks second since it is also about the psychology of vampirism.

Vampire Clan.......2005-08-29

This movie (as described in other reviews) wasn't extremely accurate with the details of what had actually happened but does give you a basic understanding. In real life Rod was a gangly teen with long hair not a manipulating hottie. But Drew Fuller who played Rod did do a great job of how they wanted to depict the leader of the group. When watching this movie people have to remember that this is a MOVIE not a documentary and is only based on what really happened. If you rent this movie hoping to see what actually went one during the murder in 1996, you will be sadly disappointed, although pleased by the acting. If you want to get only the facts then get a book from the library, if you want the facts but also to be entertained and wowed by how gorgeous Drew Fuller is...then get this movie.

Standpoint? Indecisive.......2005-04-26

Seeing only few frames of this movie, I cannot really tell you exactly how good the movie itself is; but in response to the previous review, I can say this: The events really did happen: look it up. Roderick Farrell is convicted and is currently serving out his life sentence. Of course- if you really cared at all, or was prepared to give an accurate review, you should have looked up the facts before bashing it.
The movie itself is a very VERY accurate recount of what really happened in the Vampire Clan (what I've seen and read). Watch it if you're interested in the case... or in any vampire RP gone a little out of hand...? Perhaps a little real-life vampirism...

Bad story, good Drew.......2005-04-08

Note: Like others, I didn't feel like registering, but I'm 20.

I thought this movie was ridiculous. I want to say it was unbelievable, except it supposedly really happened. Nevertheless, I thought the whole thing was quite silly, and the plot really boring. It doesn't capture your attention at all. Drew Fuller, however, was amazing as usual. If you are a Drew fan, go for it. Otherwise, don't bother.

Average customer rating:

I love it
It's BAD but that's ok. It's supposed to be bad.
You gotta love that bowtie.
Long, Hard Ride
Horror Hilarity

Transylvania Twist
Starring: Robert Vaughn , Teri Copley , Steve Altman , Ace Mask , and Angus Scrimm
Director: Jim Wynorski
Manufacturer: New Concorde
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Transylvania 6-5000

ASIN: B000058TIH
Release Date: 2001-03-27

Customer Reviews:

I love it.......2006-03-16

A fine low budget comedy that pokes fun at just about any horror film you can think of,The dvd looked better than I expected since it came from concorde which is known for bad transfers, over all a fine film.

It's BAD but that's ok. It's supposed to be bad........2005-11-22

Plot

Dexter Ward (Steve Altman) comes to see his Uncle Ephram (Jay Robinson) who has recently died. It turns out that Uncle Ephram is not dead and needs to get a huge, yet very lightweight, book called "The Book of Ulthar". Somehow this book can raise 'The Evil One' to come forth and conquer the world. It turns out that this evil book was checked out of Ephram's library several decades ago by Marinas Orlock (Howard Morris), who looks like a cross between Sigmund Freud and Colonel Sanders... in other words VERY SCARY LOOKING. Dexter goes to find Marinas's daughter, Marissa Orlock (Teri Copley), and together they travel to castle Orlock in the most obvious of horror places... Transylvania.

Acting

This is one of those movies where you really cannot tell if the acting is intentionally bad or just bad in general. Steve Altman does several pretty good impersonations. Teri Copley plays two people that look and act exactly the same, but with only a slightly different voice. The vampire girls act like they're in a medium-quality porno flick. The people at the tavern don't really sound like they're from Transylvania. They sound like a mixture of people from all over Europe, and all with pretty bad accents. You do see appearances from other mainstream horror movies including Freddy Kreuger, Jason Voorhees, Leatherface, and Hellraiser's Pinhead.

Sound and Music

The movie has a distinct musical theme running through it. The title music makes it's appearance in different forms throughout the movie. The score is a mixture of cellos, clarinets, singing voices and what sounds like a harpsichord. I think the music is done quite well for a cheesy horror spoof.

Special effects

The effects are pretty good. There's your standard fake movie blood, but not too much of it. There are intentional bad props, such as a rubber bat and clearly-visible string in the dungeon. Special effect lighting is good, for what little there is of it. The only major effects I saw were cartoon stars swirling around Dexter's head when he was knocked out, as well as a room in 3-D. Sadly, there were no 3-D glasses included in the box. That would be icing on the cake for wackiness.

Overall

This movie is good for parties, especially if you have your own "Bad Movie Night". If you like cheesy vampire flicks such as "Transylvania 6-5000" and "Blood & Donuts", then you'll love this movie. People who don't like intentionally ridiculous and campy humor will certainly be turned off by this movie. So you do have to be in the right mindset to enjoy it.

You gotta love that bowtie........2002-12-23

This movie is what you'd get if Airplane! had crash-landed in Transylvania. The general plot: A young man must fulfill his Grandfather's dying(?!?) wish to hunt down a rare and dangerous volume of Occult rituals with the aid of a plucky young actress descendant of the man who'd checked out the book. Together, the trio must brave the Transylvanian countryside and the vampiric Count Orlock along with his Tall Man servant (played by Angus Scrim) to regain the book before the count can use it to reserect an ancient, world destroying demon. Lots of site gags, sound gags, bad jokes and psuedo-cameos; more than enough to choke a Frankinstien.

Long, Hard Ride.......2002-06-22

Imagine a movie like Airplane, only with a change of setting. Oh, and the jokes aren't funny. Here's a clue, folks: wacky doesn't equal funny without a little help, and this movie could use more than a little help. It has it's moments, but they aren't worth waiting for.

Horror Hilarity.......2001-10-03

This movie had me hooked from the very beginning with "amateurs." After that I never stopped laughing. The horror puns, spoofs and cliches abound.

I couldn't believe that they had finally released a DVD version. It seems like it had been an eternity waiting for a version that I could keep.

Customer Reviews:

aaliyah.......2004-04-13

ok interview with a vampire is definitely one of the best vampire movies ever. queen of the damned wasn't so hot. the only good thing about the movie was aaliyah's performance. it's true she certainly did have limitless potential. it was like when she released one in a million. it was a huge step from age ain't nothing but a number and then when "aaliyah" was released it was a huge step from one in a million. she had the same affect on the big screen that she did in music. watching queen of the damned, i couldn't believe that was the same young woman who was in romeo must die. she was a great talent on the brink of superstardom and will be greatly missed.

Queen of the Damned/Interview with the Vampire.......2004-03-06

The movies are good.

It is not the movies that I have a problem with. It is the FORMAT.

QUEEN of the DAMNED is FULL SCREEN

Amazon.com

Don Sharp's moody if workmanlike horror film suffers from the absence of Christopher Lee, whose intense, almost feral presence in The Horror of Dracula made him one of the most memorable bloodsuckers in film history. In his place is a veritable undead cabal led by the vampire patriarch Ravna (Noel Willman), a nobleman whose family literally holds a tiny Eastern European village hostage. When a young honeymooning couple wanders into this terror-gripped crossroads, Ravna decides to make the innocent bride his own, and the dizzy groom can only turn to the dark eyed, wild-bearded Prof. Zimmer (Clifford Evans) for help. It's an unusual chapter in the vampire legend, as these undead are more like a cult interested in adding to their numbers, complete with formal ceremonies. Sharp creates a thick cloud of dread from the empty streets, the mourning peasants, and the fog that seems to carpet the doomed town every night, but has less success with his cast. Only Zimmer emerges as a memorable figure, an almost demonic-looking vampire hunter who comes off as a shadowy alter ego of Van Helsing. Christopher Lee returned in Hammer's next vampire picture, Dracula, Prince of Darkness. --Sean Axmaker

Description

Lost on the way to their honeymoon, a young couple are lured into the castle of hypnotic Dr. Ravna, plunging them into a nightmare of horror and deception from which there may be no escape.

Customer Reviews:

Toxic "Kiss".......2006-06-02

When people think of Hammer Horror's vampires, they think of Christopher Lee being dispatched by Peter Cushing. Too bad that those wonderful actors weren't in "Kiss of the Vampire," because they might have salvaged a tepid vampire flick that descends into silliness by the third act.

Honeymooners Gerald and Marianne (Edward de Souza and Jennifer Daniel) run out of gas near a rural inn. They end up staying for the week, and are invited to the chateau of Doctor Ravna (Noel Willman) for a masked ball. But when a drugged Gerald wakes up, he finds that everyone -- even the innkeepers -- deny that Marianne ever existed.

Desperate, he ends up going to the peculiar Professor Zimmer (Clifford Evans), who agrees to help him, since he has a personal vendetta against Ravna. But to get Marianne back, the two humans will have to tackle a whole castle full of evil vampires -- and somehow break Ravna's hypnotic hold on her.

The travellers-get-attacked-by-undead plot is pretty much a cliche by now, and it feels stale even in "Kiss of the Vampire," with its paint-by-numbers plot and bland acting. It has most of the Hammer staples -- rich settings and evil vamp cults -- but the plot is both ridiculous and very, very slow.

At first it's easy to be swept away by the vague menace of the vampires, and the sumptuous castle they live in. Unfortunately by the third act, it's deteriorated into dozens of panicking vampires running around in nightgowns. It's as silly as it sounds. The climax goes even further with lots of thunder'n'lightning black magic, and about six hundred rubber bats.

And the cast cannot salvage the glacial plot,. Daniel and de Souza do what they can, but their characters are such blithering idiots that it's hard to care; Evans does a good job, but his character is too thin. Willman tries hard to be Christopher Lee's Dracula, but he can't manage the same feral, sultry quality. He just looks embarrassed.

"Kiss of the Vampire" follows the formula of Lee-Cushing movies with none of the quality, eroticism or intelligence. One of Hammer's lesser vampire movies.

This is for the DVD Not the Movie.......2005-12-11

Like The "Dracula Prince of Darkness" DVD I Think Since Because The Hammer Horror Series Boxset has Come out I Think This Has went oop Too Bad Thank God I've Got This Edtion even though this movie is in the boxset i've just mentioned

moody, atmospheric non-Lee & Cushing vamp flick.......2005-09-14

Chris Lee and Peter Cushing's battles through several of Hammer's Dracula films really burned into people's thinking that Hammer Vamps meant these two in their clash of the Titans - Dracula and Van Helsing. However, Hammer did a handful of vampire flicks with a more sensual quality, like Lust for a Vampire and this gem, The Kiss of the Vampire. Because viewers missed the formidable presence of Lee and Cushing having at it again, I think this film was rather dismissed. It really needs a second -- and third -- look.

It's moody, atmospheric with a sensual quality stronger than the Lee-Cushing Drac flicks. I think it's mostly undermined by Noel Willman as the head vampire. Had they had someone of the raw sexuality of the commanding Lee, this likely would have been considered one of the best Hammer Vamps. Willman just does not imbue the film with that pull -- the repulsion against the bloodsucking ways, but the power that draws against all. He just doesn't put it over like Lee. But then few men could! Alas, where was Ian McShane when you needed him?

Willman is a nobleman - what else - over a tiny hamlet where he is actually doing rather better than Drac ever did. His castle is richly appointed and full of fellow vamps. Old Noel has his own Vamp Camp going. Naturally, the villagers live in terror as not only do they have a master vamp in residents, they have to fear all his vamp friends, too. Rather a large drain on the locals.

When a young honeymoon couple's car breaks down outside the castle, they come under the control of the evil vamp Count. You have the counter balance of evil with Professor Zimmer played, again, with less flair than Cushing, by Clifford Evans.

Despite Zimmer's warnings the couple come under the control of the Vamp master and his cronies, who have decided the young bride would make a delectable feast and new member to Happy Vamp Camp. Zimmer is fairly strong as his Van Helsing type role than Willman is as head vamp. The plot while predictable is lavishly filmed, complete with costume ball.

Because the lack of the two Hammer legends and the "we've been down this road before" causes people to initially dismiss the beauty of this film.

Give it a chance. Don't compare it, just judge it on it's own merits, and I think you will find it a richly done, impressive film that is very underrated.

IT'S THE KISS OF DEATH.......2004-11-11

Edward De Souza and Jennifer Daniel star as a married couple on their honeymoon traveling through Europe. But When their motor car breaks down they are stranded at an old inn on the side of the road. They soon except the hospitality of a Dr. Ravana{Noel William} at his castle for a maqeurade party. Ravana takes an interest to Marianne{Daniel}. And would hope she would succumb to his dark powers and become the queen of evil. Due to a curse at the climax of the film, Ravana and his disciples are torn to pieces by bats! A great film with horror and love intertwined. A film you don't want to miss. Starring Clifford Evans, Edward De Souza, Noel William, Jennifer Daniel and Barry Warren. Directed By Don Sharp. 88 Minutes

FIRST KISS.......2004-04-27

Since the plot has been described in several other reviews, I'd like to concentrate on the sumptious behind the scene areas this film does so well in. First, the coloring and use of it are marvelous; notice the brilliant red dress that sets the lovely Jennifer Daniels apart from the other party guests; the way Edward De Souza's hat matches his wife's riding outfit; the detail to the architecture in both the hotel and the chateau; the gorgeous and sinister music by James Bernard that director Don Sharp incorporates into the scene where Barry Warren plays its seduction to Daniels; and the effective use of wind and rain. This movie, first released in 1963 as Kiss of Evil, is not one of Hammer's best productions, but it is a rich, diffuse entry into the vampire genre, and Clifford Evans (looking a little like a middle-aged Sean Connery) has a malignant ferocity in his Van Helsing-like role.
Not a classic, but definitely for fans of the Hammer days!

Average customer rating:

Great story-some unfortunate stylistic and cinematic ideas
DUMB
Wacky, Kiny Vampire Rubbish! :=8P
It s**ks!
Everyone who reviewed this movie is now my friend.

Club Vampire
Starring: John Savage , Starr Andreeff , Mariam Parris , Michael J. Anderson , and Diana Frank
Director: Andy Ruben
Manufacturer: New Concorde
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Dark Town
Deep Blue Sea

ASIN: B0000648YP
Release Date: 2002-06-25

Customer Reviews:

Great story-some unfortunate stylistic and cinematic ideas.......2004-12-15

Once you get past the awful stylistic choices, this movie has a compelling story line with likeable main characters. Unfortunately, the heavy stylized effects start off early when the good vampire's girl gets turned into a vampire by a jealous vampire girlfriend. It would be easy to dismiss the story at this point. The dancelike action-reaction scene falls short. But if you watch this movie, and get used to this style--the characters take over. The mother, turned vampire, trying to protect her son is terrific. At first, she doesn't even know she's a vampire. Resisting the urg to kill her boy,she eats the family's pet instead--a hamster--in a gruesomely funny scene. My favorite scene is when two thugs try to attack the newly born vampiress. They get the surprise of their lives.
I do have to say that whoever did the lighting in this movie needs help. There are other lights besides big key lights with gels( and more gel colors than two). But, in my humble opinion the movie is better than its production values. It's a fun little vampire flick.

DUMB.......2003-06-27

How people get money to make these movies is beyond me.the movie was cheesy and the acting was as bad.It was part MTV video at times also with all the music they played during it.I can't think of nothing good to say about it.

Wacky, Kiny Vampire Rubbish! :=8P.......2000-02-29

Appallingly awful, deadful mess of a vampire moovie, bolstered by wretched acting, cheap fx, stupid characters, and faux-artsy direction. Never has the MooCow seen such horrible pretention boldly displayed as "art". It's one of those fake "alternative" flicks where everybody has a ring stuck in their face, even the kids. The whole herd howled in laugher through out the entire moovie, which showed, among udder things, an underground nightclub where chunky, hairy men are ridden like horses, topless bimbos playing nude "Twister" to cheesy Kenny G-like lite-jazz, and a green-haired, spider-tattooed midget vampire, who pops around at will, sort of like a demonic little Kazoo from the old "Flintstones" cartoon. John Savage("The Deer Hunter") gives the embarassing performance of his life, every bit as bad as John Voight's overwroght, cheesy performance in "Anaconda". The rest of the grade "D" cast is worse, and overacts shamelessly. A ttal cheesy howler! :=8D

It s**ks!.......1999-06-14

The only good thing about this horrid piece of garbage is the Twin Peaks dwarf. But since he plays an episodical role he doesn't save the day. Otherwise the movie is highly irritable with the low quality of concept and production.

Everyone who reviewed this movie is now my friend........1999-04-22

words cannot describe how bad this movie is.

Customer Reviews:

1 decent movie and then a really bad one.......2006-12-31

KUNF FU FROM BEYOND THE GRAVE-Billy Chong stars in another supernatural movie after making the classic 'Kung Fu Zombie'. Sai Aan Dai(Bai Sai Ngai) from '10 Magnificent Killers' and 'Buddhist Fist' is a black magician who is stirring up all sorts of trouble and using human hearts to make his master invincible. The master played by the great Lo Lieh has trouble of his own because Billy Chong is here to kill him after receiving a message from his father that he must take revenge for him and Lo Lieh is the one who killed him. Alan Chui(Rebellious Reign) shows up as what seems a comedic role at first and some of the fights in this movie are definitely worth watching. Chui and Chong taking on Sai Aan Dai is the highlight of the film, with an appearance by Dracula as a close second. And don't be fooled by Sai Aan Dai's somewhat deformed eye. He is one bad mother AND he can call on Dracula whenever he needs help.

The final fight between Lieh and Chong is nice only to see these 2 go at it on screen together but overall it is dissapointing. 2.5/5 though if I had to choose I would go with a 3.

Picture quality is horrible and English dubbed

CHINESE VAMPIRE STORY-groundzero loves to rename movies and this movie is actually called 'Mr. Vampire #5' or 'Mr. Vampire 1992'. This is the first movie I have seen in the series and I defintely should not have started with the last entry. Lam Ching Ying starred in a lot of these movies where he played a Taoist priest and this is only the 3rd I have seen. While he gives a good performance, the movie is not a good vehicle for him. There is just not a lot going on. Chin Siu-hou(Fist of Legend) stars as one of Lam's assistants or pupils but doesn't really get to do much action. Maybe a punch or two and one brawl with some vampires but not nearly enough. Now if the story was good this would all be fine but it just drags along when there is no action and the only thing worth seeing is the general hopping around like a Chinese vampire. The finale is very unspectacular and you have to wonder if they just filmed this movie for a couple of days while shooting another project and added the special effects later. 1.5/5

Picture quality is horri-awful, has small black bars at the top and bottom, in is Chinese with burnt in imbedded subtitles. But you can actually read the subtitles! That is if you feel like it.

Dracula, Come To My Aid!!!.......2005-11-11

Holy crap! Two truly demented chop-socky epics on one disc for one low price. I would rate this disc a little higher if the transfer quality were better. Both films will appeal to fans of godawfully inept vampire-fu for sure, but just be warned that the audio/visual mastering is at times distractingly bad.

Some Classic Insanity.......2005-06-06

This DVD, from Ground Zero Entertainment's "Black Belt Theater" line, assembles two completely insane Hong Kong movies about the afterlife - "Kung Fu From Beyond the Grave" and "Mr. Vampire 1992" (incorrectly labelled "Chinese Vampire Story" on the box).
"Mr. Vampire 1992" (the fifth in a popular series) tells a practically incoherant story of babies aborted during pregnancy. These angry babies keep pop up in spirit form, doing wacky things like peeing on people's faces (very graphically, I might add - isn't there a law against this?). Also, there's a lot of really failed comedy...and vampires. It's nuts. Don't ask me to make sense of it.
"Kung Fu from Beyond the Grave" is even better. It's the crazy story of a young man visited by the zombie of his dead father. The father tells the young man to avenge his murder. This kung-fu monster mash has it all - even Dracula, in what I suppose is a guest appearance.
The DVD is crappy by any standards. Both the movies seem like second or third generation dupes, with lots of scratches and faded colors. "Mr Vampire 1992" looks slightly letterboxed (maybe 1.66:1), but, oddly, some of the special effects actually protrude onto the lower black bar. Go figure. There are no extras, which is unsurprising.

Cream of the Crap!.......2005-03-20

I would first like to make two things completely clear:

1. I have only seen Kung Fu from Beyond the Grave so far, so my review will only be for that movie only, and not chinese vampire story.
2. The 5-star rating I have given this movie denotes that it's a five-star movie as far as crap kung fu movies go! If, on the other hand, you're looking for some cinematic masterpiece, you are encouraged to rent Citizen Kane or Schindler's list.
That being said...

First and foremost, if you're the type of person that would rent a movie called "Kung Fu from Beyond the Grave" then, more than likely, you're the type of person who's going to greatly enjoy it.

Pretty basic plotline, good guy seeks revenge against evil guy who runs a city through violence and bribery for killing his father. Of course, it wont be that easy. The evil boss guy is protected by a great fighter and a powerful wizard who controls POWER OF MAGIC and looks strangely like professional wrestler, The Rock.

Also, the evil bad guy has evil aspirations become impervious to all attacks and weapons thanks to an evil spell being put upon him by his evil wizard, who does evil. The truly sinister evil thing about this evil man's evil plan is that the spell requires human hearts, plucked from unsuspecting victims while they are in the throwes of passion. evil.

The good guy has a few proverbial aces up his sleeve as well though, including a hunchback and his zombie-pet-friend-things, a magic spell book and a kung fu ninja government agent.

The plotline may not sound impressive, but you really learn a lot during the course of the movie. For example:

- Zombies hop like bunnies and listen to prayers with antennas that stick out of their coffins.
- If you have power of magic on your side, you can turn the tip of your finger into a bomb.
- Hell has a system of currency and you can bribe Hell's police to let you come to the real world to talk to your son.
- Simply by burning a wad of one dollar bills, you can summon a smarmy little Count Dracula to fight battles for you.

If the promise of a movie merging kung fu with the undead tempts you, then give into your temptation right now, this crap's for you!

Average customer rating:

Terrific And Very Funny Chinese Horror-Comedy!
Temporarily Hold Your Breath
Sticky rice!
A classic film of undead martial arts tomfoolery
Chinese ghost tale keeps things hopping

Mister Vampire
Starring: Ching-Ying Lam , Siu-hou Chin , Ricky Hui , Moon Lee , and Billy Lau
Director: Ricky Lau
Manufacturer: Tai Seng
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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