My Top Ten Vampire Movies

October 30, 11:51 PMBoston Movie ExaminerPeg Aloi

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Catherine Deneuve and Susan Sarandon in The Hunger.

Radicals for Happiness blog.

Vampires have been with us since Bram Stoker's 19th century novel Dracula, and they never seem to get old (no pun intended). They can be scary, sexy, silly, or mysterious. Their ability to seduce strong-willed people, to transmute their form into bats or cats or wolves, their gothic clothing, their dramatic make-up: what's not to love? I've assembled a list of my favorite vampire films, some famous, some obscure. I hope you find something to sink your teeth into!

1. Dracula (1979, John Badham). This sumptuous film stars Frank Langella as the Count, and features a stellar cast including Laurence Olivier as Professor Van Helsing, and Donald Pleasance as Dr. Jack Seward. Although there is no explicit nudity or sex, this is a very erotic film due to Langella's electric charisma.

2. Bram Stoker's Dracula (aka Dracula) (1992, Francis Ford Coppola). The all-star cast include Gary Oldman as Dracula, Winona Ryder as Mina Harker, Tom Waits as Renfield and Anthony Hokins as Van Helsing. Gorgeous visuals and direction. I find Gary Oldman less sexy than Frank Langella, but this film is beautiful.

3. The Hunger (1980, Tony Scott). David Bowie and Catherine Deneuve star in this atmospheric horror film about an ancient vampire queen and her consorts. Manhattan looks like a dreamy, decadent wonderland and the art direction is stunning, as is the music selection. Susan Sarandon also stars, and has a steamy love scene with....well, watch it and find out.

4. Let the Right One In (2008, Tomas Alfredson). This Swedish art film offers an unusual take on the classic vampire film, with its wintry landscapes and icy color palette. A teenage boy befriends a female neighbor and gradually grows to accept her dark secret: she needs to drink human blood to live. Authentic performances and haunting imagery make this unforgettable.

5. The Lost Boys (1987, Joel Schumaker). The young Brat Pack actors really make this one, including Jason Patric, the Coreys Haim and Feldman, and Kiefer Sutherland. Teenage vampires kick ass in their suburban community. Dianne Wiest and Barnard Huges also star.

6. Ganga and Hess (1973, Bill Gunn). An unusual and haunting film starring Night of the Living Dead's Duane Jones as a reclusive, wealthy professor with a taste for blood. African and gospel music and imagery make for a unique atmosphere, and there's some great 1970s-style eroticism.

7. Dracula (1958, Terence Fisher). The Hammer Studios made dozens of vampire films and some of the best ones feature Christopher Lee as the count. This classic also stars Peter Cushing as Doctor Van Helsing. Despite only having a few lines, Lee captivates as Dracula, perhaps the most charismatic Dracula in cinema history. The Hammer Studios made some of the best vampire films, with elements that came to define the genre: misty graveyards, creepy castles and pale women in diaphanous gowns.

8. Martin (1977, George Romero). An unexpected treatment of the vampire story, focusing on the psychological aspects of vampirism, and questioning the familiar vampire folklore in a modern context. Martin Matthias stars in the title role, a young man who treats his vampirism like a curious personality trait. Spooky and riveting, and one of Romero's best works as writer-director.

9. Near Dark (1987, Kathryn Bigelow). This fine thriller that eventually developed a large cult following is part vampire flick, part western, part dramatic love story. A wonderful modern treatment of the genre, very stylish and  funny to boot. The young cast is fine although mostly forgettable, but Lance Henriksen (Millennium, Dead Man) is excellent.

10. Nadja (1994, Michael Almareyda). This black and white arthouse piece stars Peter Fonda as Van Helsing and Elina Lowensohn as Nadja, a haughty, seductive vampire. Martin Donovan also stars, and the deadpan delivery style suggests a Hal Hartley film, while the dreamy soundtrack and gothic visuals are more reminiscent of David Lynch. A little-seen but worthwhile addition to the genre.