Vamp (1986)

Purely Joyful Movie!

Best movie ever!

I like movies that are aware of what they are selling... without [any] greater aspirations than to make people laugh and that's it.

Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable

I was searching in DVD's store for a good titles to buy something,when l've face a weird one about vampyres,quickly l figure out that it's about Grace Jones's movie from mid 80',the cheapest price and bad cover give me some doubt to take it,after all l bring it and start watching without so much expectation,the picture on running l realize that l did the propper choice,this trash horror is quite amazing piece of art which will be in my mind forever!!!Resume:First watch: 2018 / How many: 1 / Source: DVD / Rating: 6.5

I've noted before that in the 80s there was a glut of horror films being made. It was like they'd suddenly become acceptable by then, the children hidden away and referred to only on special occasions. The rise of the horror movie at this time has led to the genre becoming what it is today, more mainstream than since the days of the classic Universal horror films. The only problem back then was that not all of those films were great. Some were but most qualified as mediocre. Then there were movies like VAMP that did well enough but dropped into the cult status rather than box office mega hit. The story follows two young pledges to a fraternity, Keith (Chris Makepeace) and AK (Robert Rusler). Their final task to achieve membership is to provide "special" entertainment for the frat's big bash. Of course AJ, the easy going slick talker of the two, decides that the best option is to head to the big city and pick up a few strippers to bring back. With rich pledge Duncan in tow (Gedde Watanabe) they're off and running. The problems begin when the trio find a local strip joint without realizing that all of the girls dancing there are actually vampires. When the vampire queen Katrina (Grace Jones) puts AJ under her spell, he ends up becoming one of the vampires as well. With the help of a waitress named Amaretto (Deedee Pfeiffer) Keith tries to escape along with Duncan. But thing, as they say, don't go according to plans. The movie was a fun film, offering just the right touch of humor to the horror to make a film unlike any other. This nice blend offered some moments that would make the least regular horror fan jump while the die-hards chuckled at their shock. The laughs were not belly laughs but enough to make you smile and have a good time watching.Makepeace at the time was coming off of earlier hits like MEATBALLS and MY BODYGUARD as a child and trying to shoot for more mature roles. Hitting a strip club was a change of pace in seeing him. Rusler had already hit the horror market as a cast member in NIGHTMATER OF ELM STREET 2. And Jones we making her mark on movies at the time, something she never really pursued strongly after just a few films. All in all the movie offered great entertainment which is what they were shooting for. Fans discovered it on cable and video and it was more popular after its initial release than during. Since then fans have been hoping for more and now they have it since Arrow Video has released it with a special version. Start with the fact that this is a new digital transfer. Included in the extras are the documentary ONE OF THESE NIGHTS: THE MAKING OF VAMP, behind the scenes rehearsals, a blooper reel, an image gallery, Dracula BITES THE BIG APPLE a celebrated short film from director Richard Wenk and a reversible sleeve featuring newly commissioned artwork by Twins of Evil.Arrow comes through once again with a solid take on a movie most would find unworthy of special attention. As always it shows why they are one of the best companies around when it comes to material like this.

After an unsettling start, this roars off in exciting manner through night streets, bathed as if by Mario Bava in streaks of green, pink and mauve. This could even be Planet of the Vampires, did we but know it. Inside a strip club we have a whole delirious section, fantastically designed and choreographed, the centre piece of which is the turn of Grace Jones. It is as good as anything she has ever done as she prances and dances and more to one of her own songs. Things get more vampiric and the delirium continues. Some time after halfway through, however, we suddenly notice the absence of the wondrous lady and realise just how flat and juvenile things have become. Things pick up towards the end and all in all, even including the music (very decent, especially for an 80s film) this is well worth a watch and much underrated.

This is one I never touched before because it was filed under comedy over here. I don't have any problems with comedy but spoofs aren't my thing when they come out of the US. But I follow the Arrow Video Blu Ray releases so I had to pick it up finally. Men, did I regret it that I didn't pick it up earlier. It is indeed a comedy but it also has a lot to do with horror. The storyline is very simple, two guys have to look for a stripper and go to the wrong one, one filled with vampires, oh yes, it was copied later as From Dusk Till Down. Not amused with American comedy I must say that I did laugh a lot with this flick. So stupid sometimes those guys are. But if you take a closer look then you will see that the director Richard Wenk did know his classics, they way it was filmed with the green and purple colours did remind me of those Italian Dario Argento flicks like for example Suspiria. The fact that Grace Jones is in it gives it another reason to watch. But she doesn't speak here but gives a good performance. Of course it wouldn't be a horror if it doesn't have any vampires and it does. The effects are all well done and the killing of Grace Jones is one to look for. Naturally Richard didn't forget that it was shot at a strip club so now and then there is some nudity. To end, it has a perfect mixture of comedy and horror, and look out for Billy Drago and Dedee Pfeiffer and Robert Rusler, common names in the horror genre.