undefined

The following is an on-going attempt to review a select number of movies dealing with the subject of Vampires and/or the affliction of Vampirism. Each of these reviews are designed first to give a critique of the use of vampires/vampirism in the movie, then advice on how to use these ideas into a campaign. Please feel free to contact me for any questions or comments.

Something to listen to while you read

1.) The Addiction (dir.: Abel Ferrara; Cast: Lili Taylor, Christopher Walken) This a movie that relates the affliction of vampirism to that of the addiction of drugs. It is a state of continuos thirst that can only be slaked by the submission to the addiction. A young Philosophy student finds out the hard way that philosophy is of no use in this state of being; that of wanton craving, and terrible withdrawals. This student (played by Lili Taylor) afflicts her friends, peers, and even complete strangers as she both sates her new need for blood and her curiosity of this state of being.

This movie is equal parts anti-philosophy and anti-vampire, destroying that glam-goth mystique held by so many so-called "gothers" that frequent certain night clubs. Vampirism, as in this movie, is not some romantic ideal of being in a state between life and death, but in a constant state of anguish, and degradation. It is not about some escape from the realities of life, but the wretchedness of a condition that can be known only by junkies, lushes, and those who have been in these states; that of a need not to escape reality, but having their reality be that of depravity.

This film can help GM's in the way that develops vampires beyond that created in Palladium. Vampires can now be seen not only as predators, but truly pathethic individuals afflicted with constant need. The vampires in Rifts are typically presented not resenting their state, but have not been developed as to how this state truly affects them. Rules are only given to form ideas about what physically happens to them when they do not feed themselves, forgoing any in depth emotional states that they are in. This movie is an excellent way to get a view that gets to the heart of the state of vampirism.

2.)Near Dark (dir.: Katherine Bigelow; Cast: Lance Henrikson, Bill Paxton) Bigelow made this stylisitic movie by blending elements of drifter trash, road killers,Texas culture, and vampires. Like so many other movies in the 80's, this film deals with the theme of an insolated misfit, in this case a young man who is afflicted with vampirism when he falls in love with a strange girl. He is not truly accepted in this girl's vampire family, as he is reluctant to feed on humans. There is the prominent theme of young romantic love and isolation prevelant throughout the feature.

The vampires in this movie have an interesting way of getting around. They steal vehicles, and paint the windows black. They also tape aluminum foil to the windows, and sleep inside during the day. They do this even with motel rooms they check in. They are extremely mobile vampires; their territory is wherever they may roam.

The vampires in this movie are like other created in the 80's; predators without a shred of conscience. Their reckoning is that if they don't feed, they die, thus people are just cattle. People don't think about eating a burger; vampires don't think about slicing open a human and drinking their blood. What is interesting is that the protagonist in this movie does his best to cling on to his humanity, while trying to deal with his undead state. He feels drawn to stay with his vampire family, but longs for the life and human family that he cherishes so much. This movie can give GM's help in developing vampires in Texas, as well as "good" vampires who seek to regain their humanity (although in this movie, the protagonist does; in Rifts, once you turn, that's it).

3.)Bram Stoker's Dracula (dir.: Francis Ford Copolla; Cast: Winnona Ryder, Keanu Reeves, Gary Oldman, Anthony Hopkins) This movie is an adaptation of the original classic. The theme throughout this movie is the sexually repressed vampire, as well as romantic themes of eternal love. It also makes for some serious ass-kicking vampire hunters.

There isn't much to say about this movie, due to the popularity of the story and the fact that the vampires of Rifts are based on this legend. However, this movie does deal with a vampire with more human emotions. There is a certain level of repression that Vlad Tempes has, not in guilt for his actions, but in the revelation of a love he has long since held dead in his heart, and how he confronts it. GM's can take note of this and develop Master vampires (if they already haven't) off of this rather romantic state: one of vengeance, self-denial, and longing.

4.)John Canpenter's Vampires (dir.: John Carpenter; Cast: James Woods, Thomas Ian Griffith) This movie does not concetrate on vampires whatsoever. The vampire villians in this movie have about the same personality as the Blob. This movie does deal with the vampire hunters in a rather macho, Rambo way. The action, unlike many other vampire movies, is methodical. These vampire hunters use a system of staking and killing unseen in many other films, which seem almost spur of the moment, or not even thought out half as well. The vampire hunters don't have a lot of depth to them, but this film is sure fun to watch with a beer.

Obivously, this film can give good ideas to the players as well as the GM's. Theme-wise, this movie lacks the slickness of Blade, and the depth of The Addiction, but it makes it up in a methodical, plotting type of action, equally on the parts of both vampire and vampire hunter. James Woods plays an excellent vampire hunter, and Thomas Ian Griffith plays a very creepy Master vampire. Griffith's little blood bath in the motel room is sheer wickedness.

Coming soon: Cronos, Blade, The Lost Boys, Interview with a Vampire, From Dusk 'til Dawn, Nosferatu, Vampyr, The Hunger, and others that I can find. I will not include anything that is too cheesy (i.e. Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Fright Night ) or give examples that I have already exemplified at least once or twice.