Vampire movies with something special:

Fright Night – 2011, 120min | Anton Yelchin, Colin Farrell, David Tennant

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Summary: High school senior Charley Brewster finally has it all – he’s running with the cool kids and dating the hottest girl in high school. But all hell breaks loose when charming Jerry Dandrige moves in next door. Charlie thinks there’s something odd about him, although no one, including his mom seems to notice. But after too many of his classmates vanish under bizarre circumstances, Charley comes to the conclusion that Jerry is a vampire preying on his neighborhood! Charley enlists the aid of Peter Vincent (Tennant), a self-proclaimed vampire killer and Las Vegas magician, to help get rid of this mortal threat.

Recommendation: Considering how short a time we enjoyed Anton Yelchin’s company, he is star material and I will forever recommend this Fright Night remake or Odd Thomas with him starring as the titular character. This version of Charley is great, a skeptic but willing to listen. Colin Farrell as Jerry is frightening while remaining attractive to his prey (very like Chris Sarandon’s original role). But it is David Tennant that I found having made the most updated changes in character design as compared to the vampire-hunting late night movie host Peter Vincent as played by (the wonderful!) Roddy McDowell. Both are genius and well delivered, but quite unlike each other and that makes an impressive difference. I can enjoy both versions of Fright Night without feeling guilty for snubbing anyone!

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Daybreakers – 2009, 98min | Ethan Hawke, Willem Dafoe, Sam Neill

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Summary: Set in a not-so-distant future where plague has infected or eliminated a majority of the human race, vampires are the top predator and they are looking for a snack. Since humans are in short supply, can a safe blood substitute be invented in time to keep the desperate from going feral? Crime and violence escalate as the pressure builds and the last few humans are on the run. When faced with a ‘cure’ to the vampirism, one researcher slows down to listen and puts himself through torture to attempt the change back to humankind.

Recommendation: So many great actors shared this work, I cannot name them all. Suffice to say, it’s a brilliant vampire story that hasn’t been rehashed multiple times. It’s unique and positive and sympathetic. The special effects are amazing (look for all the reflections) and the terror of losing oneself to the monster within is real. Daybreakers may be a favorite vampire flick.

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30 Days of Night – 2007, 115min | Josh Hartnett, Melissa George, Danny Huston

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Summary: The number of inhabitants in Barrow, Alaska, dwindles with the polar night – 30 straight days of darkness runs havoc even on the healthy and prepared. This year is a little different. Not everyone gets out when they need to, some are prone to taking underdressed walks in the cold without supervision, and the newest arrivals shortly cause all manner of trouble. Effectively isolated with no way out, the natives (humans) realize the arrivals are a tribe of monsters and must work together to escape the vampires’ notice.

Recommendation: There is a great deal to recommend this film, but it is not perfect. Several questions arise as the vampires start introducing themselves (inconsistencies, confusion about their origins, they use a language all their own). But the heroism and brilliance of my favorite characters (Stella and Eben) makes me come back each time. I had no idea before my research today that this was based off a graphic novel! May have to look it up.

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The Lost Boys – 1987, 97min | Jason Patric, Corey Haim, Dianne Wiest

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Summary: A recent divorce brings a mother and her two sons to a small coastal town in California to stay with dad/grandpa. Plagued by bikers and some mysterious deaths, the place doesn’t seem so nice. The younger boy, Sam, makes friends with two local boys who claim to be vampire hunters while the older brother, Michael, is drawn to the gang of bikers by his interest in a beautiful girl. Michael starts sleeping days and staying out all night while Sam becomes more and more suspicious.

Recommendation: I watch this movie just for the SOUNDTRACK! You have never seen a hotter saxophone-playing beefcake than on this fictional boardwalk. The Sutherland vamp gang set all kinds of fashion records way back when… and they still look cool! Jaime Gertz is her loveliest and the spectacular (if unlikely) death scenes are gruesome to the max. This romp is a noisy, funny, sticky mess of horror and action and everyone should see it once.

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