Bloodthirst

OMG! Full disclosure: I only watched this to see how bad Tara Reid looks these days.

It's a train wreck of a movie.

Funny-talking, post apocalyptic, vampires wander the Earth in broad daylight biting people left and right willy nilly.

There are fight scenes that are totally laughable. The movie appears to be shot as if it was direct to video (dunno). The acting is quite simply horrible, but then the story-line is idiotic. Some guy dressed in an Australian coat with a three dollar mask hunts the vampire but no one else seems to know they can fight back with a stake. Also, for some reason it appears you can kill them with a shotgun.

I'll admit I had low expectations for this one but man-o-man did it come in even lower.

Why someone put money into backing this is beyond me.

Oh, and BTW Tara Reid looks like she was drinking something other than blood in this one.

This is another fun indie movie from Mahal Empire. From past experience, their movies range in quality substantially. However, Bloodthirst truly stands out as one of their better ones.

It is set in a post-apocalyptic world a la Mad Max. The exact nature of the disaster that led to this scenario is not explained. However, the great camera work of Michael Su (who also directs this feature) truly helps to build the world and make it and the pockets of survivors believable to the audience. Added to this backdrop are groups of wandering vampires tribes who, like Blade, are able to operate in the daytime and hunt down and feed on some of the survivors.

Given the low budget that this movie was filmed with, one might expect that it would be extremely low quality. However, due to some solid acting talent and great camera work, score and editing, this movie gives a feeling of being much bigger in scope and feels very rich.

Now, don't get me wrong. Some of the practical effects were a little weak and this was not my favorite role for Tara Reid who I felt did not really pull off being the vampire queen. I also felt the final showdown was extremely predictable and would have played better if that battle was more drawn out.

On the other hand, there were some solid acting standouts. Unlike many indie movies, where big name actors are often only utilized in one scene, the star power was well used and had major screen time throughout the movie. Robert LaSardo truly plays up his role as the leader of the vampires. He is cold, scheming and calculating when called for but violent and passionate when angered. Sarah French is also solid in her role as a hardened survivor. However, Costas Mandylor absolutely stole the show with his role as the tough, wise and no nonsense vampire hunter, John Shepard, who we follow across the desolate landscape in his quest to rid the world of vampires.

All in all, if you love the vampire or post apocalyptic genre, there is a lot to love about this movie. Also, a final scene definitely leaves this movie open for a sequel which I have fingers crossed will happen at some point.

In a cinematic landscape often dominated by high-budget blockbusters and flashy special effects, "Bloodthirst," brought to us by the visionary minds at Mahal Empire, shines as a beacon of creativity, passion, and sheer tenacity. This post-apocalyptic vampire thriller proves that a limited budget can't hold back the power of an engaging story and a dedicated cast and crew.

Set in a desolate post-apocalyptic world overrun by vampires, "Bloodthirst" introduces us to the rugged and relentless John Shepard, portrayed with grit and gravitas by the ever-talented Costas Mandylor, known for his memorable roles in the Saw franchise. Mandylor's portrayal of the Vampire Hunter is nothing short of riveting, as he seamlessly embodies the character's toughness, determination, and unwavering commitment to his mission.

At the heart of the film is a classic battle of good versus evil, with Tara Reid, of American Pie fame, stepping into the role of the enigmatic Vampire Queen. Reid's performance is surprisingly compelling, showcasing a depth and intensity that many may not have expected. Her portrayal adds layers to the story, making it all the more engaging.

The supporting cast is equally impressive, with Robert LaSardo, Bishop Stevens, and Sarah French delivering noteworthy performances that enhance the overall quality of the film. Each character adds a unique element to the story, creating a rich tapestry of personalities in this dark, post-apocalyptic world.

What "Bloodthirst" lacks in big-budget spectacle, it more than makes up for with its well-crafted storytelling and an intriguing twist on the vampire genre. Directorial choices by Michael Su display a keen eye for making the most of their resources, and the result is a film that keeps you hooked from start to finish.

One of the film's strongest assets is its world-building. Despite the budget constraints, the production team has managed to create a convincing post-apocalyptic landscape overrun by vampires. The set design, makeup, and practical effects work together harmoniously, immersing the audience in this grim, bloodthirsty world.

The plot unfolds with a sense of urgency, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats as John Shepard embarks on his dangerous quest to eliminate the master vampire. It's a thrilling ride, filled with suspense, action, and unexpected twists that will have you guessing until the very end.

"Bloodthirst" is a testament to the passion and dedication of independent filmmakers who refuse to be limited by budget constraints. It proves that a compelling story and a committed cast can transcend financial limitations, delivering a cinematic experience that leaves a lasting impression.

In a world where big budgets often overshadow the true essence of storytelling, "Bloodthirst" stands as a shining example of what can be achieved through creativity, determination, and a deep love for the art of filmmaking. Don't let its low-budget status deter you; this film is a must-see for anyone who appreciates a thrilling, post-apocalyptic vampire tale brought to life by a talented ensemble of actors and filmmakers. "Bloodthirst" will leave you thirsting for more and eagerly anticipating Mahal Empire's future endeavors in the world of cinema.

What's with the "1" ratings? Very few films are really a "1." Those who give this film a "1" clearly have something against the makers of the film.

Moving on...

This is a low-budget, independent horror film. It was probably made for less than most movies spend on craft services. But that doesn't make it bad - far from it. With stars such as Costas Mandylor, Tara Reid and Robert LaSardo, there's some real talent on board.

And, unlike some other low-budget indies, the stars aren't in it for 2 minutes - they have major roles.

I'll avoid spoilers and say this: There's plenty of gore, laughs, and campy-cheese (or is it "cheesy-camp?") to make this film enjoyable. Most of the acting is good (Robert LaSardo is always a pleasure to watch) and the costumes/locations are believable - they keep you in the film.

If this was a $50 million movie, I'd give it a 3. But it's not. It was probably made for less than 1% of that amount...and, honestly, it's better than some big budget movies.

The Mahals have carved out a nice niche in the industry. This is another good one from them. Overall: 7.

Living in a post-apocalyptic wasteland, a vampire hunter and his protege manage to find an outcrop of survivors in the desert and enlist their services to help them track a vicious vampire clan running through the area feeding on the weak and must try to stop them before it's too late.

There was a lot to like with this indie vampire effort. One of the better features here is a rather intriguing storyline that attempts to employ an intriguing post-apocalyptic setup for vampires. As this opens in the aftermath of these works have taken place and the exploits of the gang running around feasting on the hold-out of survivors at the one location, this manner of bringing vampires into this setup is quite fun. It allows for the film to work within it's low-budget featuring the creatures coming down to enforce their superiority over the victims while they can think of a means of escape. As well, there's also the tracker coming for them hunting them down which has some equally fun means of trying to catch up for a great setup. This all lets the film have a solid and generally fine if somewhat low-key series of confrontations throughout. As the early scenes of them taking over the farm or hunting the stragglers in the wasteland have a nice bit of brutality alongside the cheesy situations, it comes off nicely against the later scenes where they've got the victims hostage in the basement and arrive mainly to taunt them before feeding. The concurrent scenes of the hunters going through the desert taking them out and hunting the creatures in the abandoned town where the vampires have kept their captives and the series of battles here provide some fun action featuring solid indie gore. These features all manage to have a lot to really like about it. The film does have some minor drawbacks to hold this down. One of the main factors against it is the somewhat repetitive first half that never gives the vampires much urgency for what they're doing. The idea of the vampires staying at the house of their prey, holding them like hostages, and coming back down on several occasions is a pretty underwhelming one that doesn't have a lot of interesting aspects to it. As well, this one tends to go through ill-thought-out material for twists in the finale merely to prolong the running time as the series of double-crosses and allegiance shifts that don't make much sense and well thought-out how it would play out in the story are what end up being the issues that bring it down.

Rated Unrated/R: Graphic Violence and Graphic Language.