Razor Blade Smile

I mainly watched this because I had read an article about the female protagonist in an admittedly strange mag (Bizarre). My expectations were as low as they possibly could be so maybe that's why I enjoyed so much what I saw... The story's an entertaining and fresh go at an ever so well known theme (vampires) but what really makes this movie worth watching is a) the fact (?) that the entire cast really seems to have had great fun while doing this and b) that the visuals are just what they ought to be given that the makers didn't have a Hollywood budget. Amateurish at times, it is convincing enough for what it is - a cheap but fun vampire movie with lots of teeth, bites and blood. All I can say is that I great fun for an hour and a half. I wish I could say similar things about some lame but big budget movies like The Matrix or the like. Watch it and make up your own opinion. My bet is you won't regret it.

... she takes a liter (or two). Blood, that is. "Drink and heal" is vamp Lilith's code of survival. You can pump her full of lead till she's leaking like a sieve, but oh... just let her replenish her vital fluids through siphoning off some unlucky victim's fresh blood, and Bingo! The babe's back in business!

In spite of a few of its flaws, I couldn't help but like this movie. It is glaringly low-budget in places, and there are a few loose ends that are jarringly ineffective in the movie (example: the police detectives are questioning Lilith in New Scotland Yard (whatever happened to Old Scotland Yard, by the way?) and they have this tape recorder running, and the camera keeps doing close-ups of the tape... as if to imply, "Stay tuned! This little cassette tape somehow has real pending significance!" or something like that. Well, Lilith beats the rap so to speak, she walks out of questioning, and the one detective simply rips the tape out of the recorder and tears it up. So it is all just wasted suspense, leading you nowhere. I felt cheated.)

I also think there are a few areas of shameless padding (way too many shots of Lilith baring her pretty white fangs, for example). But all in all a very enjoyable flick. Thanks to the low budget, the production values actually lead to lots of groovy atmosphere of the "camp horror" variety, plus the movie boasts characters that are just compellingly 3-dimensional enough to latch on to and really get into. I also liked all the attempts at humor - the Chicken Vindaloo joke was cute!

Finally, I liked to read herein how other viewers from Britain could personally relate to those rocky outcroppings where the big gun battle takes place. As for me, it reminds me of the movie The Deer Hunter, with Robert Deniro. I have actually hiked in and around the very rocky outcroppings in the movie where they show Deniro hunting (it's supposed to be in Pennsylvania, but was actually filmed around Mt. Baker, Washington State.) So, fellow rock-relaters, I salute you.

Yes, the acting is broad (I think this is deliberate), and not all the characters act logically, but it was fun. Gorgeous women (I really can't judge as to the men in this film), blood and guts, sex and kink, interesting art direction, plot twists, and the good time enjoyed by the cast transmitted into my living room.

I have always thought that Bram Stoker was a shill for the "real" vampires, providing false information about their abilities, weaknesses, and what would be fatal to them. This movie gives a much better story for these things, although there are a few analogies to other movies and TV shows which shall here remain nameless. If/when I write a vampire or werewolf story this film will be an inspiration to me.

I love the locations, too, especially the manor for the beginning and ending, and the rock formations for the hostage resolution. And London, of course, is London.

Overall I enjoyed this; if you have a sense of irony you will too.

Okay, in my opinion, this movie is great. It has blood, violence, goth, and vampires. Not to mention very sexy women. These are all the components to a great horror movie like this one. RBS has great acting, a strong storyline, and an awkward twist at the end. I believe that everyone should see this movie at least twice.

Shot for just £ 12, 000, this film looks more like a million. Of course Vampire films may not be every ones cup of tea, but for heavens sake viewers look at the technique on show here. Amazing use of slow mo's, optical freezes and flashes. A true Maurice Binder title sequence, and staggeringly quickly cut, dynamic action scenes. If we are every to have more than just a Merchant Ivory based cinema in the UK then can be start supporting pictures like this. Empire magazine couldn't even be bothered to give it a review!! It may not be perfect, but how far do you think 12 grand goes these days? Also worth noting is the superbly over- the - top performance from Lighthouse's Chris Adamson. So often performances in low budget films look amateur, not here. Director of photography James Solan did an amazing job, the interior shots look as professional as many a Hollywood production and I'll bet he had about ten minutes to light each shot! The music by Richard Wells was also excellent. Well judged and perfectly placed. For goth fans everywhere and hopefully film fans, check this out on tape. Grab some beers, ask round a few friends and have a mad, entertaining and hilarious night in!! Forget those reviews that tell you it's awful....their just...err pains i