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Brian and Jason brought this one up on the latest Pod Stallions, and it was sitting in my DVR (via TCM), so I thought, hey, why not. I watched it a few nights ago to cope with post-Halloween depression.
I saw the flick for the first time about 10 years ago, and I recall being impressed with it. It was far more "legit" than it had any business being. William Marshal brings a great dignity to his character, despite the over-the-top exploitation aspects elsewhere in the movie. I'm still trying to decide if the very "Halloweeny" make-up used on the vampire minions is laughable...or disturbing. The arbitrary green and blue coloring of some of the vampires makes it look like a low-rent haunted house. But then there's the truly creepy scenes like the vampirized female cab drive running toward the camera in slow-mo.
Brian pointed out Dracula was a racist, and man, he sure was. But, Dracula is supposed to be an evil SOB, and this version delivers, despite seeming a bit...bland at first. When he vamps up and curses Maumwalde, it's downright chilling.
The guy playing the doctor character looked familiar, and worked well in the Shaft-like role. He was one smooth dude, but still likeable. The actress playing the romantic lead, Tina/Luva...she wasn't overly convincing. Pretty...but that's about it. I can't decide if her story arc was unconvincing from the writing, or just her acting.
Overall, a fun bit of horror fluff, with just enough real acting and scares to make it rise above it's blaxploitation brothern. Now I need to watch the sequel, which I remember being not as good, despite Pam Grier's presence.
Chris
I saw the flick for the first time about 10 years ago, and I recall being impressed with it. It was far more "legit" than it had any business being. William Marshal brings a great dignity to his character, despite the over-the-top exploitation aspects elsewhere in the movie. I'm still trying to decide if the very "Halloweeny" make-up used on the vampire minions is laughable...or disturbing. The arbitrary green and blue coloring of some of the vampires makes it look like a low-rent haunted house. But then there's the truly creepy scenes like the vampirized female cab drive running toward the camera in slow-mo.
Brian pointed out Dracula was a racist, and man, he sure was. But, Dracula is supposed to be an evil SOB, and this version delivers, despite seeming a bit...bland at first. When he vamps up and curses Maumwalde, it's downright chilling.
The guy playing the doctor character looked familiar, and worked well in the Shaft-like role. He was one smooth dude, but still likeable. The actress playing the romantic lead, Tina/Luva...she wasn't overly convincing. Pretty...but that's about it. I can't decide if her story arc was unconvincing from the writing, or just her acting.
Overall, a fun bit of horror fluff, with just enough real acting and scares to make it rise above it's blaxploitation brothern. Now I need to watch the sequel, which I remember being not as good, despite Pam Grier's presence.
Chris
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