...He who is doomed to wander alone in darkness. ...He who is condemned to destroy even those whom he loves.

Starring: Klaus Kinski, Isabelle Adjani, Bruno Ganz, Roland Topor, Walter Ladengast, Dan van Husen, Jan Groth, Carsten Bodinus, Martje Grohmann, Rijk de Gooyer, Clemens Scheitz

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"Death is not the worst. There are things more horrible than death." - Count Dracula

Why watch this? This version of the Nosferatu legend is a true work of gothic art.

Plot Summary: Jonathan Harker travels to Transylvania to finalize a real estate deal with the mysterious Count Dracula. Dracula, captivated by a photograph of Harker's wife Lucy, purchases a property in Harker's hometown of Wismar and journeys there, bringing with him a plague of rats and death. Lucy becomes aware of the sinister nature of Dracula and strives to end the reign of terror he unleashes upon Wismar.

Dad's Preview: Where the original Nosferatu (1922) presented the vampire as an emotionless creature, director Herzog gives us a man wracked by the torture of eternal life, ever searching for anything that can make him feel again. As in previous collaborations with Herzog, Kinski gives a masterful performance. He emanates weariness. When vampire brings the plague rats to London, the terrified townsfolk easily give up, hosting a banquet of madness, harkening back to the days of the ravaging Black Death. It's glooming, visually stunning, and oddly romantic. Again, we see that Bram Stoker's original vampiric vision is an excellent metaphorical vessel for art.

Werner Herzog Filmprod., Gaumont, Zweites Deutsches Fernsehen;
20th Century Fox

A Death Fight... Between Two Beasts!

Starring: Lon Chaney Jr., Ilona Massey, Patric Knowles, Bela Lugosi, Lionel Atwill, Maria Ouspenskaya

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★☆☆☆ - good

"I only want to die. That's why I'm here. If I ever find peace, I'll find it here." - Lawrence Talbot

Why watch this? ... two great Universal monsters in one film? I could not believe it!

Plot Summary: Lawrence Talbot, cursed to become a werewolf, is inadvertently resurrected from his tomb and seeks a way to end his tormented existence. His desperate search for a cure or release from his lycanthropic curse leads him to the ruins of Frankenstein's castle. There, he awakens the dormant Frankenstein Monster, hoping the mad scientist's secrets hold the key to his freedom.

Dad's Preview:  I discovered Universal horror films at age ten. I gasped at the undead Frankenstein monster! I hid my eyes from the snarling Wolf Man! I could not wait to see this beastly battle! And I was not disappointed! The tragic Larry Talbot, revived by grave robbers, seeks help by venturing to Castle Frankenstein. When he finds that the doctor died long ago, he explores the castle and stumbles upon the monster, frozen in ice, but still alive and almost thawed! Lon Chaney is again the wolf man, and Lugosi portrays the monster.

Universal Pictures Company, Inc.

Welcome to Snow Hollow...

Starring: Jim Cummings, Riki Lindhome, Robert Forster, Chloe East, Will Madden, Annie Hamilton, Jimmy Tatro, Hannah Elder

DML Rating: ★★★★★★☆☆☆☆ - above average

"Teeth are consistent with a wolf, so if anybody sees that Michael J. Fox guy walking around, let me know." - Officer Julia Robson

Why watch this? It's not easy to pull off bloody murders and snarky humor. This film does it well.

Plot Summary: A small, snow-covered mountain town is gripped by fear as a series of brutal murders unfolds, each occurring during a full moon. Officer John Marshall, a recovering alcoholic with anger management issues, takes the lead in the investigation while struggling with personal demons and town rumors suggesting a werewolf is responsible.

Dad's Preview: Deputy sheriff, John Marshall has anger management issues. He's also got a series of brutal murders to solve. All the evidence points to, well, a 7 ft. tall werewolf-like creature. This film is full of smart-ass comments, uttered by quirky characters, all set in the chilly, backward town of Snow Hollow, Utah. There are certainly also some major scary moments in this wintry thriller.

New Form, Vanishing Angle, XYZ Films; Orion Classics thru
United Artists Releasing

The desire... the fantasy... the nightmare

Starring: Sarah Patterson, Angela Lansbury, David Warner, Graham Crowden, Brian Glover, Kathryn Pogson, Stephen Rea, Tusse Silberg, Micha Bergese

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★☆☆☆ - good

"Never stray from the path, never eat a windfall apple, and never trust a man whose eyebrows meet in the middle." - Granny

Why watch this? It is a re-envisioning of Little Red Riding Hood, as a werewolf story.

Plot Summary: A young girl has unsettling dreams where she inhabits a fairytale forest haunted by wolves and werewolves. Throughout her dream, she hears cautionary tales from her grandmother warning her about the dangers of the woods and men. As she navigates this dreamscape, she encounters a charming huntsman, and the boundaries between dream and reality, between human and wolf, begin to blur.

Dad's Preview: This surreal horror movie is essentially the Red Riding Hood children's fable morphed into an oddly sensual nightmare. Perhaps this eludes to the reason that children's classic stories have endured - there's a few adult-themed subplots sprinkled within. I mean, as adults, is it more fun to be naughty or nice? What's the flip-side of fear? Excitement. Why is grandma's snout so long and hairy? Wait a minute. Anyway, this film has some truly scary moments, and the dream sequences, wow, things do get a little too wolfish.

Palace Pictures; ITC Entertainment

Some interviews with some vampires.

Starring: Taika Waititi, Jemaine Clement, Jonathan Brugh, Cori Gonzalez-Macuer, Stu Rutherford, Jackie van Beek, Jason Hoyte

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ - great

"Why does it matter? You bring them over, you kill them! Vampires don't do dishes!" – Deacon

Why watch this? Taika Waititi is on a roll. His off-kilter films are so creative, as is this one.

Plot Summary: Three vampires, Viago, Deacon, and Vladislav, navigate the difficulties of modern life in New Zealand. A documentary crew films their daily lives, which include paying bills, completing chores, and interacting with other supernatural beings and the human world. The vampires' lives change when a human familiar is turned into a vampire, and they must adjust to a new member.

Dad's Preview: This off-the-wall vampire comedy bit me right from the start. True, the four main characters are blood-sucking fiends, but they're also just roommates, sharing a flat in Te Aro, New Zealand. They endure many of the same issues all co-habitants have: a messy kitchen, noisy guests, blood all over the couch, dead bodies lying around. It's hilarious. Each vampire lived in a different time in history, which leads to constant cultural bickering. My fav is the pale Nosferatu, who mostly stays in his creepy basement coffin. 

Resnick Interactive Dev., Unison Films, Defender Films, New Zealand Film Comm.;
Madman Entertainment

One night is all that stands between them and freedom. But it's going to be a hell of a night.

Starring: Harvey Keitel, George Clooney, Quentin Tarantino, Juliette Lewis, Cheech Marin, Fred Williamson, Salma Hayek

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ - great

"Has anybody here read a real book about vampires, or are we just remembering what a movie said? I mean a real book." - Jacob Fuller

Why watch this? ... starts out as a robbery/kidnapping, then, boom, we're knee-deep in Latino vampires.

Plot Summary: Fugitive criminal brothers Seth and Richard Gecko are on the run and decide to kidnap the Fuller family, including a former pastor and his two children, to cross the Mexican border in their RV. Their plan involves hiding out at a remote strip club called the Titty Twister, waiting for a contact at dawn. However, their situation becomes unexpectedly complicated when they discover the bar's staff and clientele are actually vampires, forcing them to fight for survival until sunrise.

Dad's Preview: This film has really grown on me through the years. Director Rodriguez definitely has a lot of fun in the genre. A hidden coven of Mexican vampires are particularly nasty as they waylay unsuspecting travelers in their roadside bar. When two bank robbers and their kidnapped family stop in, it's all-out war. This was an early film for Clooney and helped create an edgier image for him. It's action-packed and bloody. There's even a Salma Hayek cameo, as the vampire queen.

Dimension Films, A Band Apart, Los Hooligans Productions; Miramax Films

When the moon is full the legend comes to life.

Starring: Benicio del Toro, Anthony Hopkins, Emily Blunt, Hugo Weaving, Geraldine Chaplin, Art Malik, Antony Sher

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ - great

"As I don't know where the lunatic will strike, it seems the practical thing to do is to stay as near as possible to the potential victims." - Dr. Aberline

Why watch this? This lycanthrope is true to Lon Chaney Jr., but a lot more lethal.

Plot Summary: Nobleman Lawrence Talbot returns to his estranged father's estate in Victorian-era England after his brother's brutal murder. A suspicious Scotland Yard inspector investigates as a creature terrorizes the village, rumored to be connected to an ancient curse. During his search for the killer, Talbot himself is attacked and falls victim to the very curse he is investigating.

Dad's Preview: After several modern films tried to recreate, and re-franchise, Universal Studio's monsters, my hopes were in the dumpster for this one. I could not have been more wrong. This is a great remake of the original Wolf Man (1941). Benicio del Toro rekindles the pitiful Larry Talbot: an innocent man, cursed to walk the world, becoming a vicious murderer when the moon is full. This dark, scary gothic treasure rings true, and has quite a surprising reveal at its climax. The superb CGI work mightily enhances everything, and here it is used wisely. An all-star cast, including del Toro, Hopkins, Weaving and Emily Blunt, adds richness to this convincing period piece. The transformation scene in the asylum is as disturbing, as it is thrilling. I recommend, well, that you give this one a bite. 

Relativity Media, Stuber Pictures; Universal Pictures

A NIGHTMARE OF HORROR!

Starring: Bela Lugosi, David Manners, Helen Chandler, Dwight Frye, Edward Van Sloan, Herbert Bunston, Frances Dade

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ - great

"Listen to them. Children of the night. What music they make." - Dracula, regarding wolves

Why watch this? The elaborate sets and Lugosi's haunting, iconic performance.

Plot Summary: Count Dracula, a Transylvanian vampire, travels to England and takes up residence in Carfax Abbey. He begins to exert his influence over local society, specifically targeting the young women, including Mina Seward and her friend Lucy Weston. When Lucy falls ill with a mysterious ailment, Professor Van Helsing is called upon to investigate, soon realizing the danger posed by the Count and working to protect Mina and expose Dracula's true nature

Dad's Preview: This classic film practically invented the "goth" classification. Lugosi's memorable role as the creepy Count spawned a slew of imitators and homages. This film's unique, Victorian atmosphere creates an eerie 17th century Europe, where all trees are dead, and it's forever dark and foggy. Though Lugosi would later portray several other Universal monsters, he only played Dracula once more, and that was in the comedy Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948).

Tod Browning, Carl Laemmle Jr.; Universal Pictures

Salem's Lot... where no one rests in peace...

Starring: David Soul, James Mason, Lance Kerwin, Bonnie Bedelia, Lew Ayres, Julie Cobb, Elisha Cook Jr., George Dzundza, Ed Flanders

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★☆☆☆ - good

"You'll enjoy Mr. Barlow. And he'll enjoy you." - Straker

Why watch this? This is the scariest film I ever watched on network TV. It traumatized me.

Plot Summary: Novelist Ben Mears returns to his childhood hometown of Salem's Lot, Maine, hoping to write about the ominous Marsten House that looms over the town. However, his arrival coincides with the arrival of a mysterious antique dealer and his unseen business partner. Soon, unexplained disappearances and strange deaths begin to plague the residents of the seemingly quiet community.

Dad's Preview: Made-for-TV horror movies were usually not very good. The scariest thing on TV was Kolchak the Night Stalker. This effort exceeded everyone's expectations. Based on the Stephen King novel, we are transported to the sleepy town of Salem's Lot, Maine. An old, creepy house is purchased by a Mr. Straker, and immediately townsfolk start to disappear. Kudos to David Soul (from TV's Starsky & Hutch) and the great James Mason, as the mercilessly evil Straker.

Warner Bros. Television; CBS

Sleep all day. Party all night. Never grow old. Never die. It's fun to be a vampire.

Starring: Jason Patric, Corey Haim, Dianne Wiest, Barnard Hughes, Edward Herrmann, Kiefer Sutherland, Jami Gertz, Corey Feldman

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★☆☆☆ - good

"One thing about living in Santa Carla I never could stomach; all the damn vampires." – Grandpa

Why watch this? This is the quintessential 80's film about hair-band vampires.

Plot Summary: Following a recent divorce, a mother and her two teenage sons, Michael and Sam, move to the coastal town of Santa Carla, California to live with her eccentric father. While Michael becomes involved with a mysterious gang and begins exhibiting strange behavior, Sam befriends two local brothers who believe the town is infested with vampires. Fearing for his brother's transformation, Sam and his new friends must find a way to combat the growing supernatural threat.

Dad's Preview: This is one of the better modern-day vampire films. Though it reeks of the '80's stylistically, the acting and action is very entertaining. I particularly loved the performance by Bernard Hughes as Grandpa - a guy just taking things in stride. It is well-done, successfully skating the fine line between horror and humor, as the kind-hearted Star desperately tries to save Michael from sharing her same nocturnal fate.

Richard Donner Production; Warner Bros.

An erotic fantasy about the animal in us all.

Starring: Nastassja Kinski, John Heard, Malcolm McDowell, Annette O'Toole, Ruby Dee, Ed Begley Jr., Scott Paulin, Frankie Faison, Lynn Lowry, John Larroquette

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ - great

"We are a incestuous race. We can only make love with our own, otherwise we transform. And before we can become human again, we must kill." - Irena Gallier

Why watch this? This film is as beautiful as it is horrifying.

Plot Summary: Irina, an orphaned young woman, travels to New Orleans to reunite with her estranged brother, Paul. Shortly after her arrival, she discovers a terrifying family secret: she is descended from an ancient line of "Cat People," beings who transform into deadly panthers when sexually aroused. As she navigates this dark truth, Irina finds herself torn between her attraction to a human man and the dangerous, insestuous nature of her family legacy.

Dad's Preview: I read that David Bowie did the soundtrack, so I gave this film look. I am very glad I did. This remake of the classic Cat People (1942) centers on individuals who are linked to felines and can transform into black panthers. They are doomed to kill mortals, because they can only breed outside of their race. Natassja Kinski captivates in the role of Irena, which perfectly fits her. The plot follows the original film, but adds new dimensions that enhance the story, namely the relationship between Irena, and her brother, Paul (expertly portrayed by Malcolm McDowell). There are some gorgeous scenes featuring the large cats. That said, some scenes are graphically terrifying and will make you flinch.

RKO Pictures; Universal Pictures

Imagine your worst fear a reality.

Starring: Dee Wallace, Patrick Macnee, Dennis Dugan, Christopher Stone, Belinda Balaski, Kevin McCarthy, John Carradine, Slim Pickens

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★☆☆☆ - good

"A secret society exists, and is living among all of us. They are neither people nor animals, but something in-between." – Karen White

Why watch this? ... because it will scare the heck out of you from start to finish!

Plot Summary: Following a traumatic encounter with a serial killer, a television news anchorwoman is sent to a secluded psychiatric retreat known as "The Colony" to recover. However, strange occurrences and bizarre residents at the resort lead her to suspect that the secluded haven may be hiding a terrifying secret. As she uncovers the truth, she discovers a dangerous world lurking beneath.

Dad's Preview: 1981 was a good year for werewolves on film (American Werewolf in London, Wolfen). This movie follows Karen White, a reporter as she stumbles on a secret haven for lycanthropes. These 7-foot tall wolf beings, unlike many film werewolves before them, are mentally still human when in wolf form. This enables them to remain intelligent, cunning and selective in who they decide to rip to pieces.

International Film Investors, Wescom Productions; Embassy Pictures

They can only kill you once. But they can terrify you forever.

Starring: Adrian Pasdar, Jenny Wright, Lance Henriksen, Bill Paxton, Jenette Goldstein, Tim Thomerson, Joshua Miller 

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ - great

"Caleb, those people back there, they wasn't normal. Normal folks, they don't spit out bullets when you shoot 'em, no sir." - Loy Colton

Why watch this? This ultra-violent flick is one of the most Western films in the vampire genre.

Plot Summary: Caleb Colton, a young cowboy, encounters a mysterious drifter named Mae and is drawn into her world. He soon discovers she is part of a nomadic family of vampires who roam the American Southwest. Caleb is forced to confront his humanity and navigate the dangerous lifestyle of the undead, all while grappling with his feelings for Mae and the threats posed by her ruthless companions.

Dad's Preview: My first thought while watching this was, "Why have I not heard more about this film?" Though similar in plot to The Lost Boys (1987), this is a lot grittier. Both films feature a bitten mortal struggling to turn into a vampire. This film's coven of blood-suckers is led by Hooker, portrayed by the ice cold Lance Henrickson. Bill Paxton, as Severen, is the out-of-control, sadistic killer you never want to happen upon. This flick is vampire 101, and hopefully, you'll sink your teeth into it.

F/M Entertainment; De Laurentiis Entertainment Group

An immortal battle for supremacy.

Starring: Kate Beckinsale, Scott Speedman, Michael Sheen, Shane Brolly, Erwin Leder, Bill Nighy, Sophia Myles, Robbie Gee

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★☆☆☆ - good

"... you're in the middle of a war that has been raging for the better part of a thousand years. A blood feud between vampires and lycans." - Selene

Why watch this? The visuals are amazing in this modern re-telling of a supernatural feud.

Plot Summary: There is a hidden war waged for centuries between aristocratic vampires and brutish Lycans. Selene, an elite vampire warrior, dedicated to exterminating the Lycans, finds herself attracted to a human, Michael, who becomes a target of the Lycans for mysterious reasons. As Selene races to protect Michael, she uncovers a conspiracy that threatens to ignite a new, even more devastating chapter in the ancient conflict.

Dad's Preview: This highly-stylized film focuses on an ongoing battle, fought unbeknownst to most people, between werewolves and vampires. Selene is a lethal vampiric Death Dealer. She discovers a young man who appears to possess characteristics of both sects. She breaks protocol and awakens Elder vampire Viktor for counsel because she does not trust their current leader, Kraven. Beckinsale shines as Selene - strong and bad-ass. Don't wait to sink your fangs into this gothic treasure.

Screen Gems, Lakeshore Entertainment; Sony Pictures Releasing

Six soldiers. Full moon. No chance.

Starring: Sean Pertwee, Kevin McKidd, Emma Cleasby, Liam Cunningham, Darren Morfitt, Chris Robson, Leslie Simpson

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ - great

"We are now up against live, hostile targets. So, if Little Red Riding Hood should show up with a bazooka and a bad attitude, I expect you to chin the bitch." - Sgt. Harry Wells

Why watch this? A company of British soldiers against a bunch of werewolves. Oh yeah!

Plot Summary: A squad of British soldiers, on a training exercise in the Scottish Highlands, stumble upon the remains of a Special Forces unit and discover they're being hunted by a pack of werewolves. The soldiers take refuge in a secluded farmhouse and must fight to survive the night against the monstrous creatures.

Dad's Preview: I love it when a film comes along, quietly, and revitalizes one of my favorite genres. This exciting romp does that and more. British soldiers on a training mission in the Scottish Highlands encounter a coven of rather vicious lycanthropes. It's frantic, exciting, and brings to life some of the most terrifying werewolves on screen to date. These nasty canines are 7-feet tall! Professional dancers were brought in to portray the monsters because the director wanted them to appear fit and move gracefully... and I gotta say, it's a cool look.

Kismet Ent. Group, The Noel Gray Motion Picture Co., VIctor Film Co.
Carousel Picture Co.; Pathé

The Terrifying Lover Who Died - Yet Lived!

Starring: Peter Cushing, Christopher Lee, Michael Gough, Melissa Stribling, Carol Marsh, John Van Eyssen, Valerie Gaunt

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"To liberate her soul and give her peace we must destroy that shell for all time. Believe me there is no other way." - Dr. Van Helsing

Why watch this? Christopher Lee is the best Dracula on film. Sorry, Bela.

Plot Summary: Posing as a librarian, Jonathan Harker travels to the castle of Count Dracula with the secret intention of destroying the vampire. After Harker falls victim to the Count, his friend and fellow vampirologist, Dr. Van Helsing, investigates his disappearance. Van Helsing soon discovers Dracula has relocated and is preying on Harker's loved ones, forcing the doctor to relentlessly pursue the villain to stop his reign of terror.

Dad's Preview: This is Lee's (and Hammer film's) first go as the blood-thirsty Count. Opposite him is Peter Cushing as the determined Van Helsing. This pair would go on to two star in over a dozen films together. This quasi-remake exudes a lot more sexuality than the 1931 classic from Universal. It's brooding Victorian atmosphere and creepy setting perfectly fits the genre. Hammer would make seven more Dracula films, most of them with Mr. Lee.

Hammer Film Productions; Universal-International

IS HE A MAN... OR UNHOLY BEAST?

Starring: Claude Rains, Lon Chaney Jr., Warren William, Ralph Bellamy, Maria Ouspenskaya, Patric Knowles, Bela Lugosi

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"Even a man who is pure in heart, and says his prayers by night, May become a wolf when the wolf's bane blooms, and the autumn moon is bright." - Maleva, the gypsy

Why watch this? This timeless classic still remains my favorite werewolf movie.

Plot Summary: Returning to his ancestral home in Wales, Larry Talbot becomes entangled with a gypsy carnival and the local folklore surrounding werewolves after a fateful encounter in the woods. A gypsy woman informs Larry that he was bitten by a werewolf, implying that he will transform into one himself. The film then follows Larry's tragic descent as he grapples with the terrifying possibility of becoming a monster.

Dad's Preview: Set in the Universal Studio monster universe, this big screen tale introduced the world to Lon Chaney Jr., son of silent-film film legend Lon Chaney (known as the "Man of a Thousand Faces" for his incredible feats using make-up). Lon Jr. would go on to portray the Wolf Man four more times. Chaney has donned the make-up for all four of Universal's marquee monsters: Wolf Man, Dracula, Mummy, and Frankenstein's monster. This is by far his best, most enduring effort. To his character, the tragic Larry Talbot, he brings a sense of helpless dread, and viewers feel pity for him - a man who cannot control his lycanthropic transformations. When he is the wolf, he will kill anyone near him, even loved ones. For that, he seeks death for himself, which is a noble gesture indeed.

Universal Pictures

There are some very good reasons to be afraid...of the dark.

Starring: Chris Sarandon, William Ragsdale, Amanda Bearse, Stephen Geoffreys, Roddy McDowall, Jonathan Stark, Dorothy Fielding

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"You deserve to die, boy. Of course... I could give you something I don't have. A choice. Forget about me, Charley. Forget about me, and I'll forget about you." - Jerry Dandrige

Why watch this? One of the best vampire films ever - scary, gross, and sporting a nice sense of humor.

Plot Summary: This creepy story follows a teenage horror fan named Charley Brewster who discovers his new, charming next-door neighbor is actually a vampire responsible for a string of recent murders. When no one believes his warnings, Charley enlists the help of Peter Vincent, a washed-up actor who hosts a late-night horror movie show and played a vampire hunter in films. Despite Vincent's initial skepticism, they must work together to combat the seductive undead threat lurking in the suburban shadows.

Dad's Preview: Just when it appeared that the vampire genre was completely worn out, this little gem appears. When a vampire moves in next door, a teen, Charley, seeks the help of Peter Vincent, who portrays a vampire killer on his late night show Fright Night. The vampire, Mr. Dandrige, takes an interest in Charley's girlfriend, Amy. Dandrige kidnaps her, and it's up to Charley and Vincent fight through the vampire's human minions and drive a stake into him. The effects are amazing, as is the story. Kudos to veteran actor Roddy McDowall as Vincent, and Chris Sarandon, as the best vampire since Bela Lugosi.

Vistar Films; Columbia Pictures

Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992), Director: Francis Ford Coppola rated R for strong violence, nudity, scary scenes

LOVE NEVER DIES

Starring: Gary Oldman, Winona Ryder, Anthony Hopkins, Keanu Reeves, Richard E. Grant, Cary Elwes, Tom Waits

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"You will, I trust, excuse me if I do not join you. But, I have already dined, and I never drink... wine." - Dracula

Why watch this? Gary Oldman's portrayal of Dracula is singularly unique... and terrifying!

Plot Summary: In 1897, a young solicitor, Jonathan Harker, travels to Transylvania to handle a real estate transaction for the mysterious Count Dracula. Upon seeing a photograph of Harker's fiancée, Mina, Dracula believes she is the reincarnation of his deceased wife. Imprisoning Harker, the Count travels to London to find Mina, unleashing a reign of terror and seduction upon those seek to protect the girl.

Dad's Preview: Universal Studio's Dracula (1931), starring the iconic Bela Lugosi, is certainly beloved, but I grew to love this rendition more. This is a masterpiece of film art. It's visually stunning, using state of the art make-up and special effects, vivid imagery, lighting, shadows, and creative scene transitions. It creates a creepy mood and suffocating tone, aligned with Jonathan Harker's descent into the clutches of the Count and his sirens. How good is this film? Good enough to negate Keanu Reeves' not-so-realistic British accent. Also good is Gary Oldman as the Count - he's both menacing and sophistocated.

American Zoetrope, Osiris Films; Columbia Pictures

An American Werewolf in London (1981), Director: John Landis, rated R for language, nudity, sex, violence, gore and scary scenes

 BEWARE THE MOON

Starring: David Naughton, Jenny Agutter, Griffin Dunne, John Woodvine, Brian Glover, David Schofield, Frank Oz

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

DML Top 50 #32 - Dad's Full (Spoiler) Review and Deep Dive of An American Werewolf in London

"On the moors, we were attacked by a lycanthrope, a werewolf. I was murdered, an unnatural death, and now I walk the earth in limbo until the werewolf's curse is lifted.” – Jack

Why watch this? The first transformation scene is worth the price of admission.

Plot Summary: Two American backpackers, David and Jack, are attacked by a creature on the English moors. One is killed, while the survivor, recovering in London, experiences terrifying nightmares and hallucinations. Soon, he discovers the horrifying truth about his attack and faces the potential of his own monstrous transformation.

Dad's Preview: This cinema classic is a different kind of horror movie. It has this almost tongue-in-cheek humor to it. This serves to relax the audience, makes them feel safe... then it literally bites your arm off! However, it is more than that, too. It has great performances and a brilliant soundtrack. The star of the film is Rick Baker's incredible makeup effects (which won an Academy Award). David's first transformation is a horrifying work of cinematic art.

PolyGram Pictures, Lycanthrope Films Limited; Universal Pictures