Les Prédateurs

Except for a killer opening scene with Bauhaus performing "Bela Lugosi's Dead" and a brief, yet tastefully shot, lesbian scene between Catherine Deneuve and Susan Sarandon, THE HUNGER has little to offer. Deneuve plays an ageless vampire currently enamored with teddy boy David Bowie. Bowie, who's about to expire --- and does so via some great Dick Smith old-age make-up --- is terrific but not on screen all that much. Deneuve plans on replacing him with Sarandon, a specialist on aging. Ah, IRONY! As a horror movie, THE HUNGER is not scary. As a thriller, it's deadly dull. Director Tony Scott fills virtually every scene with dry ice making this one of the dustiest movies imaginable.

Vastly underrated, but it's easily the best vampire film. Seems to be regarded as some kind of a trashy lesbian story, with a little bit of horror and gore thrown in for good measure; well, that's nonsense. These critics would have us believe that some silly Dracula film from the 30s is a masterpiece while this original approach to vampirism is a cheap, exploitative, erotic tale. The film is visually terrific, very atmospheric, has a good cast (Sarandon is excellent), and a superb soundtrack. Sarandon and Deneuve naked in bed is not exactly a deterrent, either. The last scene - a combination of visuals and music, is the absolute highlight of the film. If you'd like to read my parody/biography of Susan Sarandon (and other Hollywood intellectuals), contact me by e-mail.

"The Hunger" is the best vampire movie ever, an excellent cover letter from the late British director Tony Scott. The story revolves around eternal life, a typical element of vampiric plots but with a twist. The cinematography is excellent, totally inspired by the aesthetics of a music video, the music score is a delight in every scene. The performances are tremendous, highlighting Catherine Deneuve and Susan Sarandon. The makeup effects are perfect. The sound design is spectacular taking the viewer into the story. "The Hunger" is a classic horror film from the 80's, a masterpiece about vampires with a style focused on art cinema.

I just watched this film again for the first time in maybe 15 or 20 years and I did forget how slow moving this film is. I don't mind a film taking its time to tell a story but there are so many scenes where nothing happens and the characters are just staring at one another. Lots of style and beautiful cinematography and great sets really set the gothic mood in a contemporary setting. But while all this looks great there really is not much in the way of characterization. Film could have benefited from that. The make-up is terrific as we watch David Bowie age in a short time. For you trivia buffs they're are some recognizable actors in small roles like Willem Dafoe, John Pankow, Ann Magnuson and Jane Leeves. Not a bad film. Well made technically and some effective music but little characterization. A real curio.