Kingdom of the Vampire
Directed by JR Bookwalter/Brett Kelly
Tempe DVD

What we have here is a double feature containing the original Kingdom of the Vampire from 1991 as well as the remake from 2007 directed by Brett Kelly a man responsible for a number of releases on the Tempe DVD label including the Bonesetter films.

The original Kingdom of the Vampire was directed by JR Bookwalter of The Dead Next Door fame. While the movie does show its age, it moves quickly and has a unique angle of the vampire sub-genre. It takes a more realistic approach with a domineering mother and reluctant son who are the last two vampires on Earth. The mother son relationship definitely has shades of Psycho but as a whole is quite original.

Just like The Dead Next Door, the script and sets are filled with horror references and posters. For instance the vampires live on Martin St. and the son has horror movie posters on his walls and wears a Night of the Living Dead shirt. Its little touches like this that tells you this is a horror film made by horror fans for horror fans.

The acting isn't the best I've seen although the mother, Cherie Petry, is well acted and is as domineering and downright evil as needed for the character. The son Jeff, played by Matthew Jason Walsh, is a bit more submissive and whinier than needed but it suits the nature of the character. The supporting cast puts in good performances as well, with the sheriff, played by Tom Stephan, being a definite stand out.

The remake remains fairly true to the original but is a bit easier on the eyes aesthetically. Instead of working the night shift at a convenience store, Jeff played by Brett Kelly, works at a video store in this version. The story is a bit more fleshed out in this version and the dialog is written just a bit better even is some of the same lines are taken directly from the original film.

Most of the classic scenes have been left intact. The dead Girl Scout and the infamous kitten scenes are gorier than the original and possibly even more classic in this version of the movie.

The story between Jeff and his love interest is also much more in-depth in this version of the film. In many ways it is a very similar film to the original and while the original did have its charm I would say that the remake is a better film overall.

If you have never seen either version of the film this double feature is definitely worth your time. Both films have their charms and if you enjoy low-budget vampire cinema, both versions of the film are well put together and quite unique for a sub-genre riddled with clichs.

Order Kingdom of the Vampire Here!