One would certainly be inclined to think that it should be about time for vampire films to become extinct. I mean, Twilight pretty much sank any cult appeal that legions of bloodsuckers could ever hope to obtain and even wish to hold on to for their eternal lifespan.
Regardless of these wanna-be emo goth pussy mentrual pancake eaters reducing the sex appeal and bloodthirsty butchery of those affectionately called Nosferatu to food court hopping hot topic shoppers, there does seem to be some lifesblood left pumping through the veins of this genre. There is an American made revamping (yes, all pun intended) of the brilliant Swedish film, Let the Right One in, out at theaters now that is called Let me in. There is as well a third installment of the Lost Boys staking its claim to a dvd release this month. On the more obscure tip is Suck.
Obviously with a title like that it would be wishful thinking for anyone attempting a film review to hope that the film does indeed suck for sake of a good joke. but as movies and jokes go... Suck does not suck actually. The film doesn't exactly do anything groundbreaking as vampire movies go. But it's a whole lot of fun and if you are looking to be entertained this rock and roll musical horror comedy should do just that. It is best one should go into this knowing that as vampire films go the heaviest accent here is on the comedy though.
The story centers around the exploits of a rock band called the winners, who long to be famous. In fact, other than gigging constantly and failing often, it can be noted that longing is about all this band ever seems to do. That is all about to change as their bass player, Jennifer, soon becomes a vampire and that special charisma courtesy of her vamp skills begins to start packing audiences in at clubs everywhere as the band tours throughout Canada and into the United States.
Jennifer was bitten by a legendary bloodsucker that goes by the name of Queeny, himself a fellow musician.
As there are quite a few musical performances from the winners band, along with even some interludes from Queeny, the film is somewhat of a musical, although the interludes are sparse. Still, it might throw non-musical fans for a loop when characters start to sing in place of talking.
Band leader, Joey, is played by Rob Stefaniuk, who also wrote and directed the film. Joey is willing to try anything to finally achieve his dreams of rock and roll success, even if that anything should mean allowing a vampire into the band. Besides, since said vamp has joined the band their gigs have never been more crowded and their web site continues to garner millions of hits.
Still, Joey does fancy himself the band leader and he issues forth several conditions upon which Jennifer should oblige if she wishes to stay in the band. The first of which is not feed on any other members of the band and turn them into vampires. Of course this rule is broken right away, although not for lack of trying on Jennifers part. In fact, all the guys in the band are dying to become undying..... and so, undying they do.... and before you know it.... the band is on their way to superstardom.
Being deeply rooted in music, along the way for the ride are several music artist cameos that are quite entertaining in their own right and certainly make the film all the more fun for it.
Henry Rollins sports a wig far more frightening than any of the films bloodsuckers as an obnoxious dj.
Alice Cooper is typically creepy as a vampire bartender. His daughter, Calico, even plays a barmaid.
Iggy Pop also turns in a role as a studio head.
But the absolute stealers of the show here are Moby and Alex Lifeson. Moby plays a metal singer named Beef Bellows, who fronts a band called the Secretaries of Steak. His brief screentime is certainly a highlight of the film.
The Rush guitarist plays a nerdy border guard in a hilarious scene.
You also get Malcolm Mcdowell as a vampire hunter named Eddie Van Helsing. How cool is that?
Mcdowells Van Helsing follows the band on their tour stops in his efforts to battle vampirekind. He carries a flashlight everywhere because he is afraid of the dark. There is even a scene where Mcdowells character flashbacks and the film makers incorporate footage of a young Mcdowell from his 1973 film O Lucky Man. How cool is that?
Suck is fast paced. It's downright silly at times and often quite hilarious. My major complaint was the ending. The rest of the film motors along just fine and then it's almost as if they were unsure of how to end things, so it just seems to die at the very end. Seems the film makers could have taken a queue from their vampires and rocked things into undying mode. Still, as vamire movies go, this is totally one movie that doesn't suck. All despite its name telling you that it does.
***Original post date 10/12/2010***
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