We’re continuing our Friday Favorites series with underrated titles. We all know there are a ton of vampire films, and a lot of them not that great. But we also know there are plenty out there that seem to slip away into the night or disappear with the morning sunlight. Now is your chance to step forward and let us know some that we may have not have heard about.
Now I’m not going to be too picky here other than it needs to be about vampires, in some form or another. Could be a traditional one or one that is more psychological. Could be realistic or more allegorical. I’m just looking for titles that are good but don’t seem to be talked about as often as they should. One that I am always trying bring up is Larry Fessenden’s Habit (1995) that he wrote, directed, and stars in. There is a lot going on here, from maybe being just a dream, delusion, or just a traditional vampire story. But it works so well in any and all those departments. I would HIGHLY recommend this one.
So let’s hear what YOU got.
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I think one of my favorite vamp films is one no one ever talks about. Blood and Donuts. Little Canadian film from 1995 (though I think it came out in Canada in 1989) starring Gordon Currie as Boya the vampire. Nice cameo from Cronenberg as a crime boss. The characters are really quirky, I love Boya, and his new friend/sidekick, Earl (played by Louis Ferreira) is hilarious. I wish more people would watch this and give it the love it deserves.
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I remember that one when it first came out and for some reason never rented it. Going to add that to my list! I do remember reading about Cronenberg’s little bit part. I love it when he shows up in little things like that. My favorite is the hit man in To Die For, just sitting in his car watching Nicole Kidman. So great.
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When I think about it, I own quite a number of “underrated” vampire films on DVD. Two really good titles which come to mind are The Vampires Night Orgy (1972) and The Strange Love of the Vampires (1977). Both of these films were directed by Leon Klimovsky and are both brimming with that wonderful shlocky, gothic atmosphere which I adore from that era of film making in the 1970’s.
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I am also a big fan of Vampires Night Orgy. I will watch ANYTHING with Helga Line in it. But I have to say, as big of a Spanish horror fan that I am, I have not seen The Strange Love of the Vampires, or at least not under that title. Going to have to look into that.
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The alternate title is “Night of the Walking Dead”. I picked this film up many years ago on VHS as “Strange Love…”. The film is still awaiting a proper DVD release.
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I would also add that Strange Love of the Vampires has a ballroom scene with a gathering of the undead, reminiscent of Polanski’s Fearless Vampire Killers (1967), another excellent underrated movie which happens to be my personal favorite vampire film.
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First one that comes to mind is Fright Night 2. Everyone loves the first but I think the sequel is a good follow up that no one ever mentions.
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I’ve always liked part 2. It might be something to do with Julia Carmen. The comedic elements are a bit stretched here, but I still think it is pretty good. And how could you go wrong with Roddy McDowell as Peter Vincent again!?!?!
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I’m with you two, I LOVE Fright Night II!! Massively underrated
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I havent had time to really think about this but 30 days of night comes to mind immediately. I really liked the way the vampires are treated. They come across as vicious night animals.
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I agree, Chris. That is another one that has been ages since I’ve seen it, probably right after it first came out. No traditional vamps in that one, just blood thirty beasts.
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One that I rarely hear much talk about that I enjoy is The Night Flier. What an ending that one has!
The Langella Dracula is another one that is high on my underrated list. Aside from Jon, I don’t know many people who are fans of that fantastic film and that’s a damn shame!
Don already mentioned, it, but I’ll also throw a vote in there for Fright Night II as well. Always thought that it was a great follow up to the original film.
Finally, they may not be necessarily THAT obscure, but I’ve always really loved the Subspecies series and its “companion” film The Vampire Journals. Radu is hands down one of the coolest vampires there is!
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Night fliers and 30 Days were the next two on my list. Ive not seen the Langella Dracula in ages, I guess I need to give it a rewatch.
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I know I’m a minority on this one but I did not like Night Flier. Maybe I need to rewatch it again but I just thought the title character looked silly as hell.
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