My Favorite Vampire Movies

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With the release of Robert Eggers' masterful and terrifying new version of "Nosferatu," I thought I'd share 15 of my favorite vampire movies.

I am a horror movie fanatic. After zombies, vampires are my second favorite type of creature in the world of horror. They are fascinating, seductive beings that only live by night (very sexy) and are connected directly to the libido and to the heart, and I love that.

There are many styles, types, and versions of the vampire, and hundreds of titles to choose from that cover every genre, from comedy to drama to romance and more. You can put a vampire into any situation and make it cooler, and these fifteen movies are just that...cool.

A Little Background: Hammer

Before I get to my official list (which is, admittedly, just scratching the surface), I want to mention a few titles from Hammer Studios.

Hammer Studios made the best, most interesting, and coolest vampire movies ever. It is the studio that changed my life.

Hammer Studios is a British film production company based in London. Founded in 1934, Hammer is best known for a series of Gothic horror and fantasy films from the mid-1950s until the 1970s. Many of these involve classic horror characters such as Baron Victor Frankenstein, Count Dracula, and the Mummy, which Hammer reintroduced to audiences by filming them in vivid color for the first time. Hammer also produced science fiction, thrillers, film noir, comedies, and years of television series.

Christopher Lee's Dracula

Hammer's "Dracula" series, with Christopher Lee as the Count (and sometimes with the great Peter Cushing as Dr. Van Helsing), is among the best vampire films of all time. I have included the finest title from that series on my list; it also happens to be the best version of "Dracula" ever made.

The other great Christopher Lee "Dracula" films from Hammer include such cool-ass movies as "Dracula: Prince of Darkness," "Dracula Has Risen from the Grave," "Taste the Blood of Dracula," "Scars of Dracula," "Dracula A.D. 1972" (with Cushing), and "The Satanic Rites of Dracula."

Hammer's Other Vampire Films

Then there are the fantastic non-Christopher Lee, non-Dracula vampire movies that Hammer produced that MUST be mentioned.

They are all worth a look, and some of them, especially the ones that star Peter Cushing, are exquisite. They are: "Vampire Circus," "Twins of Evil," "Countess Dracula," "Lust for a Vampire," "The Brides of Dracula" (one of Cushing's best performances), "Captain Kronos: Vampire Hunter," and the amazing "The Vampire Lovers," which not only features Cushing but also stars the incomparable, gorgeous, excellent Ingrid Pitt, who was also in "Countess Dracula."

OK, enjoy the Hammer masterpieces. Now, let's get to the list, which is in no particular order and does not include Robert Eggers' new version of "Nosferatu," even though it's a masterwork.

MY TOP 15 FAVORITE VAMPIRE MOVIES

1) DRACULA (1931)

You can't have a Best Vampire Movie List without this classic. Lugosi, Browning, Universal... please. Check out the Spanish version that was shot simultaneously; it's just as good, if not better.

2) GANJA AND HESS (1973)

Released a few months after "Blacula," this experimental blaxploitation vampire romance directed by Bill Gunn is a bold, weird, and challenging art film. As a kid, I didn't get it and had no idea what the hell was going on, but as an adult, I adore it.

3) NOSFERATU (1922)

The original silent German Expressionist Masterpiece by F.W. Murnau is still remarkable, as scary as hell. It features a legendary performance by Max Schreck.

4) THIRST (2009)

Park Chan-wook's insane and ballsy take on vampires breaks every taboo you can imagine. It explores themes that many vampire films never touch upon. And, wow, that ending shot.

5) HORROR OF DRACULA (1958)

One of the most important and seminal films of my childhood, this life-changer is not only the best version of Stoker's tale but also the film in which I discovered Christopher Lee and my hero, Peter Cushing, for the first time. Truly, it does NOT get better than this.

6) A GIRL WHO WALKS HOME ALONE AT NIGHT (2014)

This wildly original black-and-white Iranian vampire film, directed by Ana Lily Amirpour, is an incredibly creative hodgepodge of styles, tone, and content. Scary, sexy, and weird, its influences range from Spaghetti Westerns to punk rock videos, and it never misses a beat.

7) MARTIN (1977)

George Romero's best non-zombie film (and his second-best film of all time) is this deeply personal and strikingly raw take on the vampire genre, sifted through 70s-era sexual awakening, coming-of-age tropes, and the sins of the father. A young man (the remarkable John Amplas) is convinced that he's an 84-year-old vampire and proceeds to act out as such. It is a brilliant, stunning masterpiece from one of the greatest filmmakers to ever live.

8) INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE (1994)

Based on Anne Rice's book, Neil Jordan's fantastic adaptation starring Tom Cruise as Lestat is sexy, indulgent, creepy, and endlessly fascinating. It was so much better than I expected it to be, and except for the last two minutes or so (which I despise!), it's one of the best and most gorgeous vampire films ever made.

9) FRIGHT NIGHT (1985)

Tom Holland's boldly funny and loving tribute to the Hammer style of vampirism was a revelation when it was released in the 1980s and still has a powerful kick to it. A kid's neighbor turns out to be a vampire, and all hell breaks loose. It features the legendary Roddy McDowall as a corny TV host-turned-vampire hunter and was beautifully remade by Craig Gillespie in 2011.

10) VAMPIRE'S KISS (1989)

Nicolas Cage's greatest performance of all time is in this slick satire of the yuppie culture of the 80s, combined with the wonderful platitudes of the vampire genre. It is admittedly spotty, but there is enough batshit crazy stuff in it to recommend it highly, if not just for the scene in which Cage recites the alphabet in the craziest manner you will ever see.

11) THE LEGEND OF THE 7 GOLDEN VAMPIRES (1974)

OK, so Hammer Studios collaborated with the famous Martial Arts studio The Shaw Brothers to create this completely awesome combination of vampire/kung-fu epic in which Peter Cushing's Professor Van Helsing helps eight kung-fu-trained brothers save their village from vampires. Yeah, it's as nuts as it sounds, and it rules.

12) THE NIGHT STALKER (1972)

I'm cheating by including a made-for-TV movie, but I don't care. This absolute classic from my childhood, starring Darren McGavin as reporter Carl Kolchak, is forever stamped into my brain. Dan Curtis (who was also responsible for "Dark Shadows" and "Trilogy of Terror") created this fabulous thing that was turned into a short-lived television series that inspired everything from "The X-Files" to "Buffy the Vampire Slayer." It's classic 70s shlock that also happens to be outstanding in every way.

13) THE FEARLESS VAMPIRE KILLERS (1967)

Roman Polanski's truly weird, very funny, and inappropriately creepy little lark is also one of the most gorgeously shot and beautiful-looking films of the 60s. It is unlike any movie of its kind, and it works within the genre while also satirizing the hell out of it. I was completely fascinated with this movie as a kid, and I just couldn't really wrap my little mind around it. I still can't, but I still find it mesmerizing and magical.

14) LET THE RIGHT ONE IN (2008)

This tragic, romantic, and scary Swedish masterpiece about the relationship between a bullied boy and the mysterious little girl who lives next door is one of the best vampire movies ever made. Directed by Tomas Alfredson and featuring two of the best young actor performances of all time by Kåre Hedebrant and Lina Leandersson, it is timeless, daring, absolutely beautiful, and terrifying. Matt Reeves needlessly remade it in 2010.

15) NEAR DARK (1987)

I did save the best for last.

Kathryn Bigelow's one-of-a-kind combination of vampire and western is easily one of the best films of the 1980s. It is a cinematic lightning bolt of creativity and originality that will never be equaled. Ever.

Everything about this movie, from the flawless direction to the incredible cast to the fantastic score by Tangerine Dream to the lush cinematography by Adam Greenberg to the wildly original script by Bigelow and Eric Red, is perfect.

There isn't another movie like it in any genre, and as an example of a Vampire Movie, it not only represents the genre well but takes it to an entirely different level with new ideas, creative twists, and more. It is a cool western, a kick-ass action film, a sexy love story, and a great vampire movie. It is horrifying, funny, gross, intelligent, suspenseful, compelling, moving, and breathtakingly gorgeous, sometimes all at the same time.

It's The Best Vampire Movie Ever Made.

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What are your favorite Vampire movies?? Let me know by leaving a message at (773) 417-6948 or email me at nick@nickdigilio.com. Happy Holidays!

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CAPSULE MOVIE REVIEWS: 12-25-24

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Hey, I got a new pair of Film Critic pants for Christmas! Time to put them on for another week of film releases!

Four new movies are featured in this week's capsule (short) movie reviews for a special release date of Wednesday, December 25, 2024. Yep...Christmas.

1) NOSFERATU

Director Robert Eggers brings the third film version of the "Nosferatu" story to the screen with astonishing results. The original "Nosferatu" from 1922, directed by F.W. Murnau, is a masterpiece of German Expressionism and horror and is considered one of the greatest films ever made.

It basically told the story of Dracula from Bram Stoker's novel but changed the names (Orlok instead of Dracula) and some of the settings because of rights issues. Werner Herzog's 1979 "Nosferatu" remake with Klaus Kinski returned to the original names and text from Stoker's book. The result was quite interesting and fun.

The third version of the story, which goes back to the names and situations from Murnau's original, has been written for the screen and directed by Robert Eggers. Eggers is one of the most interesting and uniquely talented filmmakers on the planet, and with this film, he is now four-for-four.

His previous films "The Witch," "The Lighthouse," and "The Northman" are all incredible works that stand as three of the best films of the last ten years and peerless examples of recreating dark, twisted time periods with incredible detail and authenticity. Eggers is the real deal and one of the best writers/directors working today.

If you're familiar with the story from Stoker's book "Dracula," then you know the story here. Except for a few changes, it follows the tale very faithfully. The question as to whether Eggers can possibly bring anything new to the table is answered within the first three minutes of the film when he establishes an overwhelming mood and style that sucks you in immediately.

This is an absolutely terrifying film, made with such skill and confidence that I sat in my seat for almost the entire running time with wide eyes, a slack jaw, and a sense of deep appreciation for everything that was unfolding on screen. This is simply filmmaking of the highest order and horror execution of such mind-boggling assertiveness that I was completely awestruck by the experience.

The incredible cast is remarkable here, working under demanding circumstances and labor-intensive conditions to give some of this or any year's most intense, unbridled performances.

Nicholas Hoult (who is having a banner 2024), Emma Corrin, Ralph Ineson, Aaron Taylor-Johnson (he is forgiven for "Kraven"), the great Willem Dafoe, Simon McBurney (insanely good as the Renfield character), and especially Lily-Rose Depp all shine, while Bill Skarsgard is astonishing as Count Orlock, who can be added next to the other iconic horror characters he has played (Pennywise anyone?)

On the technical side, this film is flawless and breathtaking; the cinematographer, designers, customers, and make-up creators (the look of Orlock is new, horrifying, and astonishing, and the very slow reveal only adds to the effectiveness). Editors create a fully realized world that is a wonder to behold, like Eggers' other amazing period pieces. And this film breaks the record for the most live rats used in a movie.

Dark, sexy, appalling, beautiful, scary, and filled with a sense of dread that almost becomes a character in and of itself, this is one of the very best films of 2024, one of the finest vampire movies ever made, and it is certainly the best horror film of the year. - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

2) A COMPLETE UNKNOWN

In the early 1960s, 19-year-old Bob Dylan arrives in New York with his guitar and revolutionary talent, destined to change the course of American music. Forming his most intimate relationships during his rise to fame, he grows restless with the folk movement, making a controversial choice that reverberates worldwide.

Yep, that pretty much sums it up.

James Mangold, the director of such great films as "Logan," "Identity," "Heavy," "Copland," and the remarkable Johnny Cash biopic "Walk the Line," brings his latest to the screen, and it is one simply one of the best music biopics ever made, and one of the year's finest films.

The overwhelmingly talented Timothee Chalamet (perhaps my favorite actor on the planet right now) plays Dylan, and it is a performance for the ages, truly. He creates a complicated, mysterious, fascinating character (much like the mysterious real life man) whose personality, flaws and quirks are not fully explained, and that is the point.

Mangold and Jay Cocks' fantastic and smartly structured script (based upon the book "Dylan Goes Electric!" by Elijah Wald) covers only four early years in the career of Bob Dylan, but, wow, what an incredible four years it was.

The folk music scene of the period and the political and social events of that time are brought vividly to life via truly outstanding production design, sets, costumes, and cinematography. It takes you back in time so thoroughly that it's breathtaking.

The music performances themselves are incredible, with every actor and actress singing, playing their instruments, and performing live during filming. Edward Norton as Pete Seeger, Monica Barbaro as Joan Baez, Boyd Holbrook as Johnny Cash, and Chalamet work double duty in this film, and they are all remarkable.

Mangold and his cast also convey an invigorating sense of creation, joy, and energy as the scenes in studios, on stages, or in coffee houses leap off the screen with palpable power. I was literally on the edge of my seat during the climax of the film set at the Newport Folk Festival in 1965 when Dylan famously defied almost everyone in the music world and went electric. It's one of the biggest moments in music history and handled magnificently in the film.

In fact, almost everything is handled magnificently in this film, which is one of the most vibrant and important music films ever made. It is as close as anyone will come to getting some insight into the mystery that is Bob Dylan.

It always feels completely real and cohesive, even when it follows some of the inevitable cliches found in almost every music biopic.

What can be said about my boy Timothee? It is the best performance of his career (and that's saying a lot because he has given multiple amazing performances over the years). It is easily the best performance any actor has given in 2024... by far.

Chalamet is one of the most gifted actors of his generation, and watching him mature before my eyes has been a distinct pleasure and honor. His performance in "A Complete Unknown" is the work of a supremely talented man. It cements his place in history as one of the best actors ever to grace the screen. Yes, he is that good, and so is this movie. Just give him the Oscar now. - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

3) BABYGIRL

Nicole Kidman, who seems to be in every single film, streaming series, TV show, commercial, and AMC theater promo being produced today, stars in this sexy drama just in time for Awards Season.

Writer/director Halina Reijn's follow-up to her brilliant, twisted, and brutal satire of Gen Z, "Bodies Bodies Bodies," is a massive disappointment and a drop in quality of biblical proportions.

Kidman plays a married company CEO who, on the surface, seems to be happy, sexually satisfied, powerful, and content. That all proves to be an illusion when she begins a torrid affair with a much younger intern (Harris Dickinson), whom she allows to dominate her sexually and personally.

Reijn's clear intention is to take the stereotypical elements of the dopey erotic thrillers of the 80s and 90s—explicit sex, kinky games, forbidden dalliances, and horny wordplay—and turn them into something significant and, ultimately, feminist. She fails miserably.

What Reijn and Kidman are trying to do here is absolutely nothing new or daring; it's just a wee bit more sophisticated and a lot more pretentious.

The script's so-called "feminist" office politics, which complicate the plot and seemingly elevate Kidman's female co-stars, are just as stale and tired as the stuff in "Basic Instinct," "The Last Seduction," and especially, "Disclosure."

It also doesn't help that Kidman is truly awful in the film, relying on gimmicky mannerisms and completely unnatural histrionics to slam the emotions (dramatic, sexual, political, etc) down the viewer's throat. To make matters even worse, Kidman's partner, Dickinson, is an absolute disaster. Annoying, completely hollow, and not even remotely sexy, he gives one of the year's most irritating and inept performances.

Only Antonio Bandaras (Kidman's husband) comes away unscathed here, as he provides the only honest moments in the entire film. The film works whenever he's on-screen; when he's not, it's a complete chore to sit through. - ⭐️1/2

4) THE FIRE INSIDE

This exceptionally intelligent and compelling sports movie tells the true story of professional boxer Claressa "T-Rex" Shields' journey to a gold medal in the 2012 Olympics.

Ryan Destiny stars as Shields, a struggling, financially challenged resident of Flint, Michigan. She is simply amazing, embodying the athlete with a complete physical and emotional transformation that anchors this excellent film.

The great Bryan Tyree Henry co-stars as T-Rex's humble, broke coach who guides her to the gold medal and beyond. With this outstanding performance, Henry continues his impressive streak as one of today's best-supporting actors.

Written by Barry Jenkins ("Moonlight") and sharply directed by the terrific cinematographer Rachel Morrison, making her feature debut, this is one of the most satisfying films of the year and goes much further than just a typical underdog sports movie.

This is a wonderful portrait of determination, strength, and friendship, as well as an accurate portrayal of Flint, Michigan, and the world of boxing. - ⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

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My Top 10 Favorite Christmas Movies

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Every year, people around the world gather in front of their TVs, big-screen home theaters, or laptops to watch their favorite Christmas movies.

Everyone has their favorite Christmas or Holiday movies; some are perennial choices that appear on Best Of lists every year.

Obvious stuff like "It's a Wonderful Life," "White Christmas," "Miracle on 34th Street," "A Christmas Carol," "Meet Me in St. Louis," "Christmas in Connecticut," "The Bishop's Wife," "The Shop Around the Corner," and of course "A Christmas Story" which is broadcast on cable non-stop for 24 hours between Christmas Eve and Christmas night.

More modern classics like "Scrooged," "The Santa Clause," "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation," "Elf," "The Holiday," "Love, Actually," "Home Alone," "Bad Santa," "The Polar Express," "Fred Claus," "Four Christmases," "Jingle All the Way," "Kiss Kiss Bang Bang," and more, have been added to the must-see yearly viewing list (although I must say, there are many on this list that I absolutely hate).

I'm sharing my 10 favorite Christmas movies here. These are films that I love to watch nearly every year. Some are weird, some are dark and nontraditional, but some are well-known and beloved (I think). Now, despite the style, tone, and subject matter of a few, all of them are Christmas movies, and all of them are entertaining and make me happy every holiday season.

My Top 10 Favorite Christmas Movies

1) THE REF (1994)

My absolute favorite Christmas movie of all time is this smart and funny dark comedy about a thief who takes a family hostage on Christmas Eve until the coast is clear for him to make his getaway. Unfortunately, he kidnaps the most dysfunctional family ever, and chaos ensues when the relatives arrive for an unhealthy holiday dinner.

The incredible cast, led by a hilarious Denis Leary, includes Judy Davis, Kevin Spacey, Glynis Johns, Richard Bright, Christine Baranski, and Adam LeFevre. They all shine under the sharp direction of the late, great Ted Demme and with a brilliant script by Richard LaGravenese and Marie Weiss. I watch this film every year, and I love it more each time I watch it because it's so true and brutally accurate.

2) BLACK CHRISTMAS (1974)

Creepy, moody, terrifying, and very, very Christmassy, this incredible thriller from 1974 (the original, not the terrible remakes) is one of the most influential and imitated horror movies of all time. The simple premise of an unseen killer terrorizing a sorority house full of girls during Christmas is executed perfectly. The result is a deeply and disturbingly scary movie, and I absolutely adore it.

Directed by Bob Clark, who happens to be the same guy who directed "A Christmas Story," and featuring a terrific cast including Olivia Hussey, Keir Dullea, Art Hindle, Andrea Martin, Margot Kidder, and the great John Saxon, this movie will give you nightmares but also get you in the Christmas spirit. A horror classic.

3) THE ICE HARVEST (2005)

This twisted holiday heist-comedy has been criminally underseen and underrated since its very quiet release in 2005. It is brilliantly directed by the late, great Harold Ramis (his best film) and features career-best performances by John Cusack, Billy Bob Thornton, Oliver Platt, Randy Quaid, and Connie Nielsen.

The script by Richard Russo and Robert Benton is perfect, and I mean perfect. It is one of the greatest, smartest, and most efficient screenplays ever written. It is loaded with fantastic dialogue and beautifully constructed plot dynamics, with a breathtaking mix of outrageous dark comedy and plaintive crime drama.

There isn't a Christmas that goes by that I don't watch this little masterpiece.

4) DIE HARD 2 (1990)

Yeah, I chose the sequel over the original. In the past 25 years or so, as the argument of whether "Die Hard" is a Christmas movie or not rages on (it absolutely is, by the way), no one ever mentions the superior sequel, which also takes place on Christmas.

I have always preferred Renny Harlin's insanely entertaining sequel to the original, and I always will. While everyone else on earth is watching John McClane running around barefoot and climbing through the air ducts of Nakatomi Plaza, I'm watching McClane running around Dulles International Airport and ejecting himself from exploding planes. "Die Hard 2 is not only a better Christmas movie than the original, but it's also a better action movie.

5) GREMLINS (1984)

Yeah, you know this one, and you probably watch it during the holidays, too. For good reason...it rules, and it's one of the craziest, darkest, funniest, and coolest Christmas movies ever made.

6) TRADING PLACES (1983)

John Landis' hilarious, sharp, and beautifully cast film covers all of the holidays between Thanksgiving and New Year's, so you can watch it at least three times yearly during the season.

You all know this one too, and you all probably watch it as well, and why not...look at this cast: Dan Aykroyd, Eddie Murphy, Jamie Lee Curtis, Ralph Bellamy, Don Ameche, Denholm Elliott, and Paul Gleason.

Look, it's a classic. Even though I still don't know what the hell happens during the climactic trading sequence near the end, it's one of my favorite comedies of the 1980s. It is loaded with classic, quotable moments. It's a perfect "R"-rated comedy for the holidays.

7) BATMAN RETURNS (1992)

This was easily my favorite Batman movie until Matt Reeves' "The Batman" was released a couple of years ago, but it still remains one of my favorite Christmas movies of all time. Directed brilliantly by Tim Burton (whose "Edward Scissorhands" is also a great holiday classic), this thing oozes Christmas. It is both visually and thematically rich in the holiday spirit.

Michael Keaton remains the best big-screen Batman of all time, and his remarkable co-stars in this classic, Danny DeVito, Christopher Walken, Michael Gough, Michael Murphy, and the absolutely incredible Michelle Pfeiffer as the best Catwoman of all time, all light up the screen.

"Batman Returns" is a Christmas movie disguised as a superhero movie and a must-see during the holiday season.

8) EYES WIDE SHUT (1999)

Stanley Kubrick's final film is this twisted look at sex and marriage that happens to take place during the Christmas holiday. It is also loaded with Christmas imagery, lights, feeling, and mood, not to mention the full-frontal nudity, sex, drama, weirdos in masks, and murder.

Tom Cruise and a stunningly great Nicole Kidman play a well-to-do married couple whose conversations and nightmares about sex and infidelity result in a jealousy-spurred all-night romp through New York (none of which was shot in New York, by the way) experienced by Cruise.

All of the twisted insanity leads to one of the funniest and most brutal final lines of dialogue (delivered By Kidman) in film history. I love that people try to deeply analyze this film when it's just a simple story of a jealous jagoff experiencing some surreal insanity until he finds out that his wife just really wants to get laid. Merry Christmas.

9) THE LONG KISS GOODNIGHT (1996)

Written by Shane Black (who loves to set his action movies during the holidays) and directed by the fabulous Renny Harlin (who also directed number 4 on this very list), this batshit crazy, completely over-the-top action film is about a housewife whose memory returns and she realizes that she is a top government assassin and spy. Explosive, exciting, and bloody insanity ensues.

Geena Davis (who was married to Harlin at the time) gives one of the best performances of her career here. She deftly handles the ridiculous plot twists, the wild shifts in tone, and the very physical action stunts she is required to do. It's a remarkable piece of work by Davis, and teaming her up with Samuel L. Jackson is truly inspired and results in a fabulous partnership.

10) THE HOLDOVERS (2023)

This is at the bottom of the list only because it was released less than a year ago, so it's still new, but I guarantee that 25 years from now, people will be watching this wonderful film every year during the holiday season.

The great Alexander Payne's beautiful, funny, heartbreaking, and incredibly well-acted film has a simple premise: Three outcasts are stuck together at a New England prep school during Christmas break.

The always amazing Paul Giamatti (reuniting with Payne almost 20 years after "Sideways"), Oscar-winner Da'Vine Joy Randolph, and newcomer Dominic Sessa play the trio of oddballs who confront their problems, overcome much sadness, and learn the real meaning of the holidays.

This is an exceptional piece of work that will stir every emotion you can possibly have and make you laugh, cry, and think. It is, without question, one of the very best Christmas movies ever made.

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