Blood Ties
Rated: R
Directed by: Jim McBride
Running Time: Approximately 84 minutes
Starring: Jason London, Patrick Bauchau, Bo Hopkins, Kim Johnson-Ulrich
OK... Let me start off by saying that this is a movie concept that is, in my humble opinion, truly before its time and yet, at the same time very poorly done. 'Blood Ties' has taken the story of vampirism in a different, more realistic turn of events. However, the realism only comes in the form of the vampires represented not having an alergic reaction to sunlight, holy objects nor any of the other trappings of the mythological creature represented in many of the other movies before, and after it.
Let me set the stage for you. Cody (Jason London) awakens suddenly from a dream to find that his parents have just been killed and set ablaze by a radical group of religious fanatics led by Bo Hopkins character. Fleeing, or so he thinks, from these murdering zealots he heads toward Long Beach California, and to what he thinks is safety of a person he only remembers as Uncle Ely.
This leads to a minor series of strange and consecutive events surrounding a group of 'Carpathian Americans', aka vampires. During the strangest of occurances is a family gathering where Cody is presented ot Ely (Patrick Bauchau, whom some of you may remember from the ill fated Kindred: the Embraced TV series. He played the Archon of the Ventrue Clan). A minute discussion of the pendant he bears takes place. For those who haven't yet seen this movie, it is a carving of Lilith in blood amber.
One thing leads to another and the Hunters make themselves known by kidnapping Ely's sister and issue a challenge in the 'old ways' for a 'final battle' of a sorts. Push comes to shove and there is a climactic battle (of course) in which the vampires... Errr.. Carpathian American's win.
Push actually had to come to shove in order for me to stay awake during much of this film. Like I said before, it was a concept ahead of its time yet it was poorly done as well.
I hate to say this, but I could only give this movie 1 star out of a possible 5. Entertaining only if you are truly into the old school documentaries from the 60s and 70s. (Doesn't that guy still narrate the damnable things even to this day??)
This is Belfazaar Ashantison from the Bat's Belfry.
Goodnight.