By April MacIntyre Oct 25, 2007, 1:06 GMT
Starz is kicking off their fourth annual "Fear Fest" with a new documentary entitled, "Bloodsucking Cinema," Friday, October 26th at 8:00 pm.
10/16/2007 - Stan Winston - 4 Oscar winner! © David Gabber / PR Photos
“Bloodsucking Cinema” is a special Halloween timed edition of the compelling Starz Inside series hosted by film critic, Richard Roeper.
If you are a fan of the genre or a film buff in general, you must make every effort to see this informative special that paints a detailed history of cinema’s most prolific subject, the Vampire.
Vampires are sexy; they’re immortal; and the fear and desire they instill in our minds, both for the story and the premise of living for eternity, makes us always come back for more.
From the nascent German Expressionism in F.W. Murnau’s 1922 “Nosferatu” to the Westernized John Carpenter’s 1998 “Vampires,” or B-Movie with a hint of Mexican Vampire-style Robert Rodriguez’ 1996 “From Dusk Till Dawn,” the real-life story of Romanian Vlad III the Impaler is adapted for every classification of film.
“The Lost Boys” in 1987 was Joel Schumacher’s career turning point; he successfully balanced humor with terror and sex-ified the new generation of Vampiric anti-heroes, notably with Kiefer Sutherland’s mesmerizing performance.
“Bloodsucking Cinema” does a fantastic job of outlining the cinematic historical origins of the Dracula and introduces the audience to some of the biggest heavyweights in special effects makeup.
Greg Nicotero of KNB Effects (Narnia, The Island, Hills Have Eyes, Death Proof, Planet Terror, Kill Bill 1 & 2, Sin City and many others) gave fantastic insider information.
“It still holds up, it’s tremendously satisfying,” said Nicotero as he discussed Tod Browning’s timeless work in “Dracula.
He also gives insightful background on the snake dance scene with Salma Hayek and recounts torturing Cheech Marin with uncomfortable contact lenses on the set of “From Dusk Till Dawn.”
“We’re not the nicest animals out there, we’re able to believe in Vampires,” said special effects makeup artist guru, Stan Winston, with his compelling interview. “Not a human alive that doesn’t want or need to be afraid, to experience fear.”
Film critic Leonard Maltin also does a fine job informing us that Universal was diligent in cranking out the bloody celluloid; by day, the Anglos made their Vampire films; by night, the Mexicans filmed their sexier and more chilling bloodsucking tales in the dark - replete with heaving naked bosoms and mas carnal lust.
This happened during the time of Bela Lugosi – filming the original “Dracula” in 1931. Universal filmed the same movie in English and Spanish during the same time period. Lugosi would film in English during the day, and when they wrapped for the day, the Mexican cast and crew showed up and film on the same set.
“It was lurid, and sexier,” said Cheech Marin, who shares some film lore, providing great b-roll of Mexican film posters and film clips showing the amigos from Baja having a ball on the Universal lot after the sun went down.
“Bloodsucking Cinema” also provides great director interviews with John Landis (“Innocent Blood”), John Carpenter (“Vampires”), Len Wiseman (“Underworld”) , Joel Schumacher (“The Lost Boys”), Uwe Boll (“BloodRayne”)and Stephen Sommers (“Van Helsing”) who all reminisce about the production of their own Vampire tales, and the films that made an impression on them.
The most forgettable part of “Bloodsucking Cinema” was goofy actor Corey Haim, flat Kristanna Loken and film geek Harry Knowles, who was borderline sycophantic and could have been cut for another player in the genre.
If you already have Starz, “Bloodsucking Cinema” is an event in itself - worth owning or recording if you’re a film buff or aspiring film student. If you don’t get Starz, it is time to sign up. Starz Inside is riveting, quality programming.
“Bloodsucking Cinema” will kick off Starz 24-hour horror movie marathon.
“Bloodsucking Cinema," Friday, October 26th at 8:00 pm on Starz Featuring: Director John Carpenter, 4 time Oscar winner Stan Winston, Emmy and BAFTA winner Greg Nicotero, Emmy winner Everett Burrell, Director John Landis, Film critic Leonard Maltin, Internet film critic Harry Knowles, Actor and artist Cheech Marin, Actor Stewart Townsend, Director Stephen Sommers, Director Len Wiseman, Director Joel Schumacher, Director Uwe Boll, and actors Corey Haim (The Lost Boys) and Kristanna Loken (BlooodRayne).
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correctomundoOct 26th, 2007 - 19:50:48
you nailed it Harry Knowles is an overexposed sycophant too, and Corey Haim is a tweaker, everyone in Holly knows it.
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correctomundoOct 26th, 2007 - 19:50:48
you nailed it
Harry Knowles is an overexposed sycophant too,
and Corey Haim is a tweaker, everyone in Holly knows it.
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