I’m letting the side down here having not talked vampires for a while. So after a fun-filled but busy week of interviews and reviews, I thought it time I indulge in my favourite topic again. Over the next three days, I’ll do a run-down of my top 10 vampire films. The heart-wrenching, the blood-thirsty, the terrifying or the just simply original, there’s quite a range coming up. Let’s kick off with the first four and why they made it…

Number 10

Queen Of The Damned

Ill probably be met with a few groans for choosing this one. Okay, so there were plenty of cringe moments and yes, I rushed to the cinema to see it only to be bitterly disappointed, but then I should have known better than to expect anything of the calibre of Interview With A Vampire. This film version of the Anne Rice classic did no justice to the book at all – in fact, if you hadn’t read the book, the ending would leave you totally confused. But for all it’s cheesy moments, it’s rushed and sometimes paper-thin storyline, it does have Stuart Townsand in it (and darn does it wear those leathers well) and a stunning portrayal of Akasha by Aaliyah. As well as some stunning gothic scenery, it’s basically a watchable film if you’re happy to keep it tongue-in-cheek. I was lucky to stumble on this YouTube trailer which manages to pick out some of the better moments of the film.

Number 9

30 Days Of Night

It’s graphic, it’s dark, its disturbingly gory and I spent plenty of moments hiding behind my hands, but it’s still an utterly brilliant film with a superb concept. Based on the comic book miniseries, if you want vampires the way they used to be then this film will remind you just how terrifying the original legends were. Oh, and it has Josh Hartnett in it. 🙂

Number 8

Let The Right One In (2007)

This Swedish romantic horror is based on the 2004 novel by John Ajvide Lindqvist. I haven’t seen the remake, only the original 2008 film (subtitled). I wasn’t sure what to expect when I first settled down to watch this film, but I found it one of the most poignant and moving vampire films I’ve ever seen. The storyline was superb. the acting immense and its dark innocence was something to be beheld. I was really moved by the developing relationship between the two main characters – a bullied 12 year old boy called Oskar who develops a relationship with a vampire girl called Eli – and an ending that I thought was just perfect.

Number 7

Fright Night (1985)

Don’t get me started on the remake – nothing beats the original when it comes to Fright Night. Yes, it’s dated and the special effects (rubber fanged bat, anyone?) might make you purse your lips to stop you smirking, but I still love it. It has a gripping storyline, you can’t help but root for the fumbling Brewster and Jerry (the vampire) is just enough of a mixture of dark and light to have you part smiling and part palpitating. It’s a classic vampire film and a prized possession in my collection.

I’ll do my next three in the countdown tomorrow. Anyone brave enough to hazard a guess at what might appear?