Innocent Blood [Blu-ray]

If you like the horror genre you might like this one, to sum up this review in one word is, Awesome!

Many people know who John Landis is. Yes, he is the father of Max Landis, the writer of the awesomely awesome "Chronicle"... but besides being the progenitor of an immensely talented and gifted writer, he is also an immensely talented and gifted writer AND director himself. Dubbed a "master of horror" for his work on "An American Werewolf in London" and on the Michael Jackson classic "Thriller," John Landis proved that title wasn't premature at all with this vampire companion piece to his groundbreaking and iconic contribution to lycanthropic lore. "Innocent Blood" is probably a film many of you haven't heard of, or even given the time of day to... but you should. You really really should. The movie is that good. It concerns a doll eyed, French beauty who is both vixen and vamp. Her sanguine appetite is satiated on the tomato sauce of Pittsburgh mobsters. Her routine is to cover her tracks by making her meals look like they were the victims of professional hits. The complication sets in when one of her entrees manages to make his exit, and just so happens to be the capo honcho himself. One by one he turns members of the Pittsburgh mafia into "made" men, which means she and an undercover cop must join forces to stop him before a whole new reign of terror begins.What makes this movie so special besides the performances and the subject matter is John Landis' masterful direction. He is able to ground the horror in realism, and still add his mordant touch of humor to help "liven" the material. Do not expect a complicated plot whose internal machinations require a flow chart -- prepare more for a situational comedy of errors in which gangsters and vampires collide in this genre-bending original. Landis knows how to flip the scenes so the meaty parts are well done, and still manage to infuse the movie with public displays of mayhem, which have long since become his trademark. Fine performances from all the principal actors, and a third act that reminds you why John Landis was the man who used to be king.

One of my favorite movie of all time now I can get a chance to wash it again and again 😆

I thought the film's central premise was too good to be true: a French vampiress who preys on Mafiosi and accidently leaves one of her prey alive. Wonder of wonders director John Landis pulls it off. Like his now classic "An American Werewolf in London" Landis strikes the right balance of horror and campiness that is inherent in the source material. Neither element negates the other and the right tone is struck. And what a cast!!! Aside from Anne Parillaud( "La Femme Nikita") as Marie, the sultry yet lethal vampiress the film also boasts an excellent Anthony LaPaglia as the undercover cop Marie falls for. The choicest parts however belong to Robert Loggia as the mob boss with a volcanic temper and Don Rickles(!) as a mob lawyer. "Sopranos" fans should also take note of alums Tony Sirico and David Proval in the cast. Perfect Halloween season viewing.

Well I said "gem" only for those who enjoy wacky horror gangster gore comedies. Yeah that's what this is, so its not for everybody. It is much better than American Werewolf in London, which is the successful Landis monster movie. Robert Loggia is obviously enjoying himself chewing up the scenery and everyone else. Anthony Lapaglia is young and may not want to put this one on his resume since it was a box office bomb. Annie Parillaud playing the vampire is the weakest link because she is not a very good actress when trying to speak English. Don Rickles makes the casting even weirder. John Landis made these niche movies for awhile, but the mismatched ideas were better than the films turned out to be and he disappeared once the fad wore off. Innocent Blood has gore without horror and comedy while not really playing for laughs. You either like it as an oddity or think its junk. I always liked it and have it on VHS, but couldn't find it on DVD. For the price its worth a look if you think its up your alley. There is nudity, but honestly its too dark to matter.