Homoerotic vampires are nothing new, they are in countless books and films and aren’t exactly surprising or shocking. With that in mind you may wonder why Vamperifica, a new LGBT vampire film, has so many people talking. Is it because it’s over-the-top or crude? Is it because it’s a LGBT movie? Nope, according to reviews, it’s because it delivers something unexpected… and not in a good way.
“Vamperifica is the story of Carmen McCoy, a flamboyant, twenty-something, sometime student at a small community college, who wants nothing more than to hang out with his best friend Tracy, be in a musical production at school, and maybe, one day, be a star. Instead, he discovers that for him, destiny has something else in store — he is the reincarnation of the 200 year old vampire king, Raven. Now, Carmen must choose between his friends and that destiny. “Vamperifica” is a mix of comedy and tenderness, drama and action, friendship and isolation, even a musical number! A campy riot with a malevolent mix of malice and mayhem evoking laughs and gasps throughout.”
Loads of websites have been talking about Vamperifica for quite a while now because after seeing the film’s trailer and movie stills everyone was dying for more. Expecting a hilarious movie packed full of classic horror movie blood and gore, they were disappointed. According to reviews they got lots of fantastic blood scenes, however, the humor fell flat and the entire plot went nowhere. So far the best thing about the film is its lead actor Martin Yurkovic. Other than him Vamperifica doesn’t seem to have a lot going for it.
After viewing the film at Screamfest Shocktillyoudrop.com said, “This is a five minute joke stretched to 90 minutes. Laughs are sporadic, Carmen is annoying and the story really doesn’t go anywhere. Once Carmen “turns,” the narrative operates on a predictable level: Someone insults Carmen, he retaliates and says something funny. Vamperifica repeats this cycle through most of the film without any genuine threat facing its protagonist. Even more puzzling is its conclusion in which focus is removed from Carmen to lay the groundwork for a sequel…which I definitely have no interest in.”
Yeah, it doesn’t speak highly of the film. But, I tend to disagree with most critics and usually love the films others hate so I just may ignore everyone and give Vamperifica a shot. What about you?
Check out the trailer below:
– Moonlight
… not the worst looking vampire movie…
I tend to respect films with original ideas and statements, no matter what others (or even what I myself) may think of them. It’s better to try a new idea and fail than to re-hash old ground.