Comments on: THE FEARLESS VAMPIRE KILLERS d: Roman Polanski http://www.altfg.com/blog/film-reviews/the-fearless-vampire-killers-roman-polanski/ The Oscars, film awards, new releases, Los Angeles screenings, movie classics, gay movies, film festivals, box office, foreign and independent films Sat, 11 Feb 2012 05:29:46 +0000 hourly 1 By: michaelhttp://www.altfg.com/blog/film-reviews/the-fearless-vampire-killers-roman-polanski/#comment-483124 michael Fri, 23 Oct 2009 17:00:03 +0000 http://www.altfg.com/blog/archives/2007/03/26/the-fearless-vampire-killers-roman-polanski/#comment-483124 This reviewer misses the point, I think. Hammer isn't unintentionally all that funny and comparisons to the Toho daikaiju films is simply wrong. What Polanski achieves here is comparable to many later films that seek to revise genres by inverting their elements and intentions (Chinatown, McCabe and Mrs Miller, Little Big Man, Nashville, Cabaret all come to mind). The juxtaposition of Abronsius' old-school concern with vampires resemble the chaste Van Helsing's scientific concern for thwarting the libidinous count. Abronsius' concerns are old fashioned and must be thawed out (literally) during the sexual revolution. Meanwhile, the younger Albert captures the genre's new priorities by revealing himself explicitly interested in sex. His concern for Sarah contrasts Abronsius' concern for destroying Von Krolok and his son. Objects ubiquitous to the genre are consistently critiqued as crosses, fangs, stakes, coffins, mirrors, and even cannons (seen prominently outside Castle Dracula in Hammer's first vampire film) are all hilariously reconsidered. Polanski reveals himself here on the vanguard of the sort of genre-bending work that pre-occupied many filmmakers, himself included, during the 60s and 70s. The film is an important one in understanding the shifting meaning of vampires in popular culture as the sexual implications of the myth make their inevitable way to the surface of the story in this film. This reviewer misses the point, I think. Hammer isn't unintentionally all that funny and comparisons to the Toho daikaiju films is simply wrong. What Polanski achieves here is comparable to many later films that seek to revise genres by inverting their elements and intentions (Chinatown, McCabe and Mrs Miller, Little Big Man, Nashville, Cabaret all come to mind). The juxtaposition of Abronsius' old-school concern with vampires resemble the chaste Van Helsing's scientific concern for thwarting the libidinous count. Abronsius' concerns are old fashioned and must be thawed out (literally) during the sexual revolution. Meanwhile, the younger Albert captures the genre's new priorities by revealing himself explicitly interested in sex. His concern for Sarah contrasts Abronsius' concern for destroying Von Krolok and his son. Objects ubiquitous to the genre are consistently critiqued as crosses, fangs, stakes, coffins, mirrors, and even cannons (seen prominently outside Castle Dracula in Hammer's first vampire film) are all hilariously reconsidered. Polanski reveals himself here on the vanguard of the sort of genre-bending work that pre-occupied many filmmakers, himself included, during the 60s and 70s. The film is an important one in understanding the shifting meaning of vampires in popular culture as the sexual implications of the myth make their inevitable way to the surface of the story in this film.

]]> By: Roberthttp://www.altfg.com/blog/film-reviews/the-fearless-vampire-killers-roman-polanski/#comment-483064 Robert Wed, 21 Oct 2009 22:50:42 +0000 http://www.altfg.com/blog/archives/2007/03/26/the-fearless-vampire-killers-roman-polanski/#comment-483064 I agree with jbarry. The "reviewer" does not get the movie at all. Comparisons with Mel Brooks' Frankenstein are really off the mark. This reviewer is much to superficial to get any of the subtle horror of this masterpiece. Why print somebody's review who just hasn't any appreciation of the genre? I agree with jbarry. The "reviewer" does not get the movie at all. Comparisons with Mel Brooks' Frankenstein are really off the mark. This reviewer is much to superficial to get any of the subtle horror of this masterpiece. Why print somebody's review who just hasn't any appreciation of the genre?

]]> By: bucky"Danctrinityhttp://www.altfg.com/blog/film-reviews/the-fearless-vampire-killers-roman-polanski/#comment-480482 bucky"Danctrinity Thu, 13 Aug 2009 18:07:12 +0000 http://www.altfg.com/blog/archives/2007/03/26/the-fearless-vampire-killers-roman-polanski/#comment-480482 "Dance of the Vampires" is a great title, and one of my favoite movies. Compares favorably with Morissey's "Blood for Dracula" in which Roman Polanski is also a character. Krolock, Herbert, Dracula, and Otto, great characters all. Beautiful girls in both movies. Honorable mention for "True Blood." "Dance of the Vampires" is a great title, and one of my favoite movies. Compares favorably with Morissey's "Blood for Dracula" in which Roman Polanski is also a character. Krolock, Herbert, Dracula, and Otto, great characters all. Beautiful girls in both movies. Honorable mention for "True Blood."

]]> By: jbarryhttp://www.altfg.com/blog/film-reviews/the-fearless-vampire-killers-roman-polanski/#comment-467611 jbarry Fri, 09 Jan 2009 04:15:18 +0000 http://www.altfg.com/blog/archives/2007/03/26/the-fearless-vampire-killers-roman-polanski/#comment-467611 This is one of my favorite movies. I just saw it after about 20 years, and it is every bit as good as I remember. This reviewer does not get it at all. In the first place, they are wolves, not dogs. Only Polanski could have made this film. The combination of horror and humor is exquisite, and unlike any other film. And the horror is visceral, framed as it is by the gorgeous depiction of the eastern European winter, the mountains,the intense scenes at the inn, the decadence of the castle, the beauty of Sharon. This is true Polanski. The reviewer reveals himself by comparing him to Mel Brooks. No way. This is one of my favorite movies. I just saw it after about 20 years, and it is every bit as good as I remember. This reviewer does not get it at all. In the first place, they are wolves, not dogs. Only Polanski could have made this film. The combination of horror and humor is exquisite, and unlike any other film. And the horror is visceral, framed as it is by the gorgeous depiction of the eastern European winter, the mountains,the intense scenes at the inn, the decadence of the castle, the beauty of Sharon.

This is true Polanski. The reviewer reveals himself by comparing him to Mel Brooks. No way.

]]> By: skfhttp://www.altfg.com/blog/film-reviews/the-fearless-vampire-killers-roman-polanski/#comment-453337 skf Wed, 03 Dec 2008 20:58:12 +0000 http://www.altfg.com/blog/archives/2007/03/26/the-fearless-vampire-killers-roman-polanski/#comment-453337 these are not that easy to find at video stores. Get strange looks asking about them to lol. Sometimes with vampire horror stuff your better off just buying if you can find them cheap. these are not that easy to find at video stores. Get strange looks asking about them to lol. Sometimes with vampire horror stuff your better off just buying if you can find them cheap.

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