Fangs for the memories!

ONE - ah ah ah ah, TWO - ah ah ah ah!

Apologies for the title, but I'm a sucker for a pun (BOOM - that was another one) almost as much as I am for a good vampire caper.
Hell, we all are these days! But fear not readers with cinematic taste, this ain't going to be no homage to Twilight (I <3 R-PATZ!) but more of a nod towards a few good vampire films that have seduced audiences into either fearing the fang-ed ones or got them thinking "un-dead huh? doesn't sound too bad..."
From the terrifying to the ridiculous, Hollywood has given us film after film of these blood-sucking fiend-fests but my fear is that amid the latest wave of drivel cough (True Blood, Vampire Diaries, Twilight) cough, we lose sight of the many decent offerings out there for us to get our teeth into *groans*.

What?! I didn't call you pale! I was talking to the guy behind you...

First up is old-school classic, and arguably scariest depition of a blood-sucker:"Nosferatu" (1922). Director F.W. Murnau brought us a silent nightmare in this bone-chilling film. Given the year in which this was made, one can only shudder in fear at the prospect of what Murnau would do with the technological advancements of this era. Saying that though, the starkness of this film undoubtedly adds to the horror. Needless to say Max Schreck's timeless depiction of Orlok has gained world-wide acclaim, and deservedly so, forever etching the image of his rodent-like mug in our minds.Nosferatu 1922

Next up is Joel Schumacher's 80s teen sensation "The Lost Boys". Obviously alluding to J.M.Barrie's ageless Tootles,Slightly and crew, this has a more sinister edge to it - and one kick-ass 80s soundtrack! Vampires have never been so cool, I mean undead Keifer Sutherland and the Corey double-whammy (Feldman and Haim)? Nuff said.

This tale of 2 brothers moving to a Californian town infested with teen vampires provides laughs and frights gallore, something any 80s Brat Pack fan would enjoy, as well as blazing a trail for many a teen vampire flick to follow.

When I was younger this film was pretty damn scary, but now it's quite apparent that the scariest thing about this offering is the dialogue...

Sam (upon realising his broseph has become a vamp): "You're a creature of the night Michael, just like out of a comic book! You're a vampire Michael! My own brother, a goddamn, shit-sucking vampire. You wait 'till mom finds out, buddy!"
Brilliant.

Lastly, a little known but hugely acclaimed Swedish tale of childhood friendship between boy and vampire: "Let The Right One In". I saw this film in Sydney, at a matinee screening with about 20 aussie pensioners who seemed relatively unimpressed/ appalled by director Tomas Alfredson's portrayal of John Ajvide Lindqvist's novel. Idiots. It was excellent.

This haunting tale of a young boy, Oskar, who falls in love with a vampire girl, Eli, is captivating, chilling and poignant. Everything from the impressive cast to the bleak, icy setting of Stockholm suburb, Blackeberg, is strangely enchanting.

Fans of gore need not worry either, as although not gratutious, the blood is quite plentiful with the odd decapitation and human combustion thrown in for good measure - it's a horror afterall.

Apparently an American re-make has recently been released, and I probably will get round to seeing it at some point, but to be honest I see no need.