Vampires Get Sexy Again In UK trailer For Xan Cassavetes Kiss Of The Damned

Regulars will know John Cassavetes is loved and adored at Cinehouse HQ and  Eureka! Entertainment are to release of Kiss Of The Damned, l an impressively stylish, slyly funny and decadent mix of 70's sexy vampirism, and debut feature narrative film from John Cassavetes daughter Xan .

The undead have a thirst for life and an appetite for destruction. Having sworn off humans, young vampire Djuna finds peace with her new partner, only for her less hung-up sister to invade their tranquillity and threaten the whole vampire community.

House Of Devil, Amer proof that going back to go forward will bring relative success especially in indie horror. Been a daughter of film auteur who made his name for stylish films 1970's it was obvious the influence would rub off, it also looks like the film takes old take on Vampire genre too. Could films like Jim Jarmusch's Only Lovers Left and now Xan Cassavetes  Kiss Of The Damned be the saviours of the vampire genre and give it back it's sexiness?

Eureka! Entertainment have released  new UK trailer for Kiss Of The Damned, they have sent us that trailer check out.....

Film's official UK poster

Synopsis

Milo Ventimiglia (TV Series Heroes, TV Series Wolverine, Rocky Balboa) plays Paolo, a screenwriter who has ensconced himself in a house far away from Hollywood in order to finish what seems like his last stab at writing a commercial screenplay. He’s easily distracted though and, after meeting the beautiful Djuna (Josephine de La Baume – Rush, One Day) during a night out, he’s inextricably infatuated. Djuna digs Paolo too, but she’s got a rare “blood disorder” that doesn’t allow her to venture our into sunlight. Scarily persistent, Milo keeps courting her until she finally relents and agrees to hook up with him under one condition – she needs to be tied up so she can’t bite him. Needless to say their lovemaking is somewhat acrobatic (despite the bondage) and she’s presented with a fair shot at his neck, which she takes.
Djuna begins to school Paolo in the ways of the vampire. They try to drink only synthetic or harvested blood and kill only animals (killing humans is strictly forbidden). But that doesn’t mean they live in a prudish culture. Paolo instantly takes a shine to the Euro-glitterati lifestyle that accompanies eternal life. Soon enough, trouble comes in the form of Djuna’s more carnal and violent sister, Mimi (Roxane Mesquida). Mimi doesn’t believe in the whole “not killing people” thing. She’s also not big on being tied down, preferring her three-ways and one night stands anytime and anywhere she can get them

Kiss Of The Damned will be released on DVD by Eureka! Entertainment on 27 January 2014 and stars Joséphine de La Baume, Milo Ventimiglia, Roxane Mesquida, Riley Keough and Michael Rapport.

Static DVD Review

Rating:
15
DVD Release date:
15th July 2013 (UK)
Rating:
15 (UK)
Director:
Todd Levin
Cast:
Milo Ventimiglia, Sarah Shahi, Sara Paxton
Buy Static: [DVD]

This year's horror features have mostly been sub-standard releases (with the odd exception e.g. Lords of Salem, The Conjuring), however, Todd Levin's Static serves as a stellar reminder that there are still filmmakers capable of crafting some classy scares without resulting to the use of lashings of gore.

Static follows writer Jonathan Dade (Milo Ventimiglia) and his wife Addie (Sarah Shahi) who quietly grief the loss of their child in their secluded home. However, the arrival of a hysterical young woman (Sara Paxton) chased by a group of masked men forces the young couple into a fight for survival.

Levin's feature is a slow-building one, captured with a quiet yet remarkably unsettling atmosphere (similar to 2008's The Strangers). Whilst the opening sets up this underlying unease in the couple's woodland-surrounded house, Gabriel Cowan's screenplay also establishes a sense of depth and humanity within the protagonists: we see Jonathan thrown off his work and Addie look for purpose as a result of their child's death. Therefore when the tension does escalate and the couple are threatened there is a genuine empathy and support for these characters.

The arrival of Paxton's character really takes the tension up a notch and thrusts Static into full gear. The actress plays the stranger with a sense of mysteriousness which could be construed as something more sinister as we see her skulk round the couples' home. Levin has a real knack for building suspense - perfectly showcased in one sequence which sees Jonathan venture out of the house to investigate the stranger's damaged car. As the film turns home-invasion thriller Levin fills Static with a variety of jumps and scares, avoiding the clichés traditionally found in these features.

Static's narrative is also filled with little titbits that allude to the film's twist ending - such as the couple finding security equipment in their home. These suggestions keep Static refreshing and unexpected, separating it from run-of-the-mill home invasion horrors. This is also helped by some terrific performances from the likes of Milo Ventimiglia, who is a captivating lead, conveying a convincing sense of emotion within the character and never resorting to overplaying things. Shahi is an equally powerful screen presence, whilst Paxton is a perfect addition to the mumblecore style of Static.

Static is an intelligent and well-crafted horror. It's quiet atmosphere and masterful tension, alongside some stellar performances ensure that it is one of the strongest horrors of the year.

★★★★☆

Andrew McArthur

THE DIVIDE DVD Review