1.) The Hunger (dir.: Tony Scott; Cast: David Bowie, Susan Sarandon) One can immediately tell that this movie was made in the early 80's. Bauhaus opening in a disco, while black clad club hoppers dance around to "Bela Lugosi's Dead." There isn't much to say about this movie. It definitely delves into themes of eroticism that people somehow relate vampires with, as well as the theme of eternal love. The outstanding feature of this particular vampire story is how an infected vampire will have an extended life, but will eventually start to age rapidly. Their bodies decaying in a matter of hours, then minutes, then seconds. It is heartbreaking to see David Bowie slowly age, desperately seeking a cure for this so he can live with his love forever.

Again, GM's should take note that their Vampires need not always be some sort of pure killing machine. Vampires in Rifts are designed for being this way, but there is that little notion that even vampires can think that "Is this all there is to undeath?"

2.) Interview with a Vampire (dir.: Neil Jordan; Cast: Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise, Antonio Banderas) Sadly, this movie was made. This story is the spawn of all that glam-goth crap that people have come to love about the vampire genre. Anne Rice took it upon herself to rewrite the myth, but decided to leave out the more pathetic principles of vampirism. The vampire thirst, while existent in the movie, is secondary to some homoerotic relationship between vampires, as well as some pedophilia thrown in. The sexually repressed undead prey upon humans, all the while wishing that they could pop a boner or get wet. There is no value to this movie, for the sake of RPG's or cinema. It's a theme done to the point of exhaustion, and done much better in other movies.

If you want vampire staking action, play Rifts. If you like to pretend that you're a vampire, and sleep around in coffins, and wear more make-up than Tammy Faye, Zsa Zsa, and Bozo combined, then play "Vampire: The Masquerade".

3.) Vampirella (dir.: who the hell cares; Cast: Talisa Soto) This movie has to rate as one of the all time worst, right along side Plan 9 from Outerspace. Not even Talisa Soto's fine body is a saving grace for this film. Based off of the cult classic, Vampirella certainly ranks as one of the worst comic book-to-film adaptions ever made. The movie does, however, give a few ideas for Rifts play.

In this movie, Vampirella has a sort of serum that is a substitute for blood. Also, the vampires have weapons that fire wood shards, as well as a functioning "solar cannon" or sorts. They also have restraints that do not let the vamoire change shape. These ideas can easily be adpated to play, with a few modifications. Otherwise, don't waste any time watching this movie.

4.) Blade (dir.: Stephen Norrington; Cast: Wesley Snipes, Stephen Dorff) This movie is everything that Spawn should have been. Blade is a hyper-kinetic, flashy, ass-kicking action movie, killing vampires left and right. While the plot and acting (save for Snipes) leaves something to be desired, the action sequences and photography allow the imagination (and testosterone) fly high. Blade, hands down, is the best comic-to-film adaption ever made. The director also seems to have an eye for Hong Kong style action, and comes very close to their style of choreography.

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