Episode 277: '#AMFAD'/John Carpenter's Vampires' (1998)

Adventures in Movies!

Has there ever been a more appropriately titled movie than 28 Years Later? We talk about the latest casting news for a sequel that seems like it has been decades in the making. It is the 35th anniversary of HBO’s Tales From the Crypt. Now’s the perfect time to rewatch your favorite episodes. All you need is to do is dust off those old DVDs…

Tribeca has always offered some of the best horror movies of the year. This year’s slate includes the world premiere of an old school slasher with a modern take. One of us feels that #AMFAD: All My Friends Are Dead breathes new life into the sub-genre. But why weren’t both of us as impressed?

#AMFAD is a high energy film that sometimes does more than it has to, but there is a lot to like. We talk about the evolution of the Final Girl, funny deaths, and today's fear of sexy scenes. Is it the start of a new franchise or just something for Jojo Siwa to add to her resume?

It would not be hard to believe that when John Carpenter shot Vampires, he did not care what happened since his legacy was secured long ago. Little did he know that the movie would be another strong addition to his already impressive filmography. It has some very noticeable flaws, but in a year that included a fifth Children of the Corn movie, Gus Van Sant’s Psycho, and a movie written by and starring Twisted Sister’s Dee Snider, John Carpenter's Vampires is easily one of the best horror releases of 1998.

The treatment of Sherly Lee is one of the worst ever seen, but is the entire film misogynistic? (Hint: The only women with speaking lines are hookers.) Daniel Baldwin chews up the scenery decades before his brother made sure the Baldwin name would live in New Mexico infamy. But the absolute star is James Woods.

Vampires oozes machismo - you can smell the testosterone through your television set. Woods takes things to a whole new level of manliness. Fans of Curb Your Enthusiasm and improv work will love Woods’s performances as the awesomely named Jack Crow. A minimum of 91% of his lines are improvised leading to gems like him asking a priest if he got an erection while Crow was kicking his ass. It is an amazing piece of work that absolutely needs to be seen to be appreciated.

Adventures in Movies! is a part of the Morbidly Beautiful Podcast Network. Morbidly Beautiful is your one stop shop for all your horror needs. From the latest news and reviews to interviews and old favorites, it can be found at Morbidly Beautiful.

Adventures in Movies! is hosted by Nathaniel and Blake. You can find Nathaniel on Instagram at nathaninpoortaste. Blake can be found on Twitter @foureyedhorror and on Instagram at foureyedhorror. You can reach us personally or on Twitter @AdventuresinMo1.

Music in the background from https://www.FesliyanStudios.com