Comments on: Damn Secular Progressive Immigrant Vampyrs!

By: Noel Vera

Noel Vera — Sun, 05 Nov 2006 05:33:38 +0000

Thanks. Check em when you have the time, then let me know what you think, in post, comment or email.

By: bob

bob — Sun, 05 Nov 2006 01:19:36 +0000

Thanks much for thoughtful and interesting comments — I think you’re probably basically right. Certainly the theme that science should have certain limits goes at least as far back as Mary Shelley and probably further to whoever concocted the original version of the Faust story, and it’s largely a religious theme.

Still, I sensed something a bit different in “Vampyr” — but it’s going to be a while before I look at it again. (I’ve already deleted it from my clogged DVR.)
I also really want to take the time to give your contributation to the blogathon a proper appraisle. It looks way cool and brings me to a director I’ve never heard of (though, if his films got dubbed and shown on TV during the early seventies, I might have seen parts of one or two), which is always fun.

Actually, the only Phillipino director I’ve even heard much about is Lino Brocka, and I haven’t seen any of his films either — and gay melodramas might have somewhat less appeal to the readers than sixties horror.
Unfortunately, my head (and to a lesser extent, my time) is too full of the election right now to give anything that doesn’t relate to taking back the house and senate right now, but I’ll definitely my less politically obsessed readers should read it immediately. I’ve put the link below:

http://criticafterdark.blogspot.com/2006/10/gerardo-de-leon-two-vampire-films.html#links

By: Noel Vera

Noel Vera — Fri, 03 Nov 2006 07:29:35 +0000

On Dreyer and anti-science bias–actually much of Science Fiction is anti-science, or anti-arrogant science (go figure); that a supernatural horror film is anti-science should be unusual…but then, isn’t any film that affirms the existence of vampires supernatural (unless it’s by Richard Matheson?)? And since the doctor’s in cahoots with the vampire–well, that’s hypocrisy, or at least mean underhandedness on the part of the doctor (he’s human; he should be on our side). Not flattering for the practitioner of science.

I noted in my vamp article that Mark Holcomb suspects Maddin cribbed a few ideas from Gerardo de Leon’s The Blood Drinkers. Maybe, tho Maddin and De Leon both take much of their inspiration from silent films, which do use red and blue tinting.

That said, how many people you know use Asian vampires, front and center? If only Maddin copped to it, gave his Chinese vampire (the Yellow Peril!) cool shades or a bald head…

By: Glenn@StalePopcorn

Glenn@StalePopcorn — Tue, 31 Oct 2006 08:11:25 +0000

I kinda wanna see ‘Diary’ now. I’ve seen Madden’s ‘The Saddest Music…’ and that was… bizarre to say the least.

Really interesting reading about it though, especially when I had no idea what it was about beforehand.

By: bob

bob — Tue, 31 Oct 2006 05:27:21 +0000

Thanks for stopping by, Nathaniel.

I should definitely check out Maddin’s short films. I’d say I was a fan so far (I’ve really only seen “Careful” so far) — but I can certainly understand the exhaustion. He’s kind of archn but it’s a kind of stylization I enjoy.

As for “Blade”, I actually did watch about the first thirty minutes last night and I see your point!

By: Nathaniel R

Nathaniel R — Tue, 31 Oct 2006 00:30:25 +0000

Maddin’s take on the myth exhausted me –I much prefer his short films, but this post made me want to watch it again right now so that’s saying something.

in regards to Blade. what is there really to say. I noticed that no one is sayin’ it.