Innocent Blood (1992)

Rating: B-

Dir: John Landis
Star: Anne Parillaud, Anthony LaPaglia, David Proval, Chazz Palminteri

[14] American Werewolf it ain’t, but this still provides a very nice 119 mins of fun. Landis plays with the vampire mythology in a similar way, bringing it into a modern setting, specifically Pittsburgh. Disturbed while on a meal, a French vamp turns a leading mobster (Robert Loggia) undead, and has to off him and his crew before the plague spreads, with the disbelieving help of an undercover cop. Lots of nice touches – the mobsters all listen to Sinatra, there are some pointedly pointless cameos, and pretty kinky sex for a ’15’ movie – and Parillaud is very good as the vampire, faking bimboness to get her meals. Interestingly, I don’t think the V-word was mentioned in the movie at all – you’d think someone might suss it, as every TV screen seems to be playing a flick with Lugosi or Lee! Some plot holes are evident, and while not a very cinematic film, it’s worth a video rent.