10/5/17 – day five of thirty-one days of horror!
We sadly lost zombiemaster George A. Romero this year, but
instead of honoring one of his living dead films, I choose to honor his lesser
celebrated vampire film Martin. Taking a deconstructionist tact on the vampire
myth long before it was fashionable, Romero’s story concerns the vampiric
exploits of Martin, a confused young man who has come to Pittsburg to live with
his highly religious uncle. While stalking local women he finds attractive,
Martin struggles with issues of sexual intimacy while keeping clear of his
uncle’s Van Helsingish proclivities and expressing his frustrations about what
the movies get wrong about vampires to a talk radio DJ. As crazy as this all
sounds, in Romero’s steady, grounded hands it is utterly compelling, his
matter-of-fact presentation heightening the comic absurdity of the blood sucking
scenarios while keeping things suitably horrific. Be warned: there’s an icky
rape factor to the way Martin drugs and drains his female victim, but actor
John Amplas brings a sad innocence to the portrayal that takes some of the edge
off his predatory night moves. This year impress all your friends by passing on
Night of the Living Dead and busting out Martin for your Romero Halloween party
tribute. Also watch for splatter guru Tom Savini in a small role, and Romero
himself as a gregarious chain-smoking priest.
