"Bitten" is a flawed human/vampire sex romp that has been done better numerous times. (John Landis's "Innocent Blood" the Sean Patrick Flannery starring vehicle "Insatiable", etc.), but the nudity and a valiant effort from Jason "Jay" Mewes has to make this film better than "Twilight".
The infection that is "Twilight". I have heard good things about "The Runaways", but because of Stewart's involvement (before I saw her in Woody Allen's "Café Society" where she shined), I would rather see Mewes as Joan Jett, but I will digress.
Jack is a kind-spirited EMT (a stretch for Mewes) who has had no luck with women. His only friend is the veteran foul-mouth paramedic Roger. His outlook is a hopeless one, but then he finds the stunning Daneeka in a trash pile outside his apartment.
Being covered in blood, she appears to have been attacked. The only clue to what had happened are marks on her neck. Roger thinks she is an addict, but Jack is smitten with her and is determined to be with her no matter her flaws. At least that is how it starts off. Once he finds out what she is willing to go through to score, she maybe too much for him to handle.
"Bitten" is the most recent vampire flick that dealt with the feeding as an addiction. English films "Night Junkies" and "Vampire Diaries" were documentary style bombs that villainized the need to feed. Wales's "Cravings" is about making blood addiction a psychological issue, but the lack of a cohesive story stifles the breakout performance from Jaime Winstone. The American attempt, Starz's "Thirst", is fun but can only be appreciated as camp. Leave it to the Canadians to present a viewable version of the premise.
Why am I writing this review? I should drop things and write my take on blood junkies since no one seems interested in my no/low-budget, pro-wrestling zom-com "Main Event of the Dead". My writing is obviously adequate. If you would like a story treatment or have suggestions on how to get this project out of development hell, email russthebus07@gmail.com. Thanks.
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IMDb - Bitten (2008) |
"Bitten's" story has to be appreciated by giving us dynamic, multidimensional characters, so you do care about them. The biggest problem is with casting. Mewes has always been cast as Mewes (see "Feast"). His mentor in the film Richard Fitzpatrick is known for one dimensional roles (Police Chief from "The Boondock Saints" franchise). Erica Cox's character does not have enough to do in the film. They are just interesting enough, so you can appreciate the efforts of the cast, so the film is a bit of fun.
What really works for the film is the direction. The sets are lousy, but Harvey Glazer is fearless in what he shoots no matter how tasteless it can be. If there is any scene worth complaining about, it is the tedious nature of the threesome, but you can go and get some snacks during that (see my blogs "The Dark Knight Needed a Sex Scene, Where Was Harley Quinn" and "Sex Scenes and Who Is to Blame for Cyborg 2").
No one has mastered the bloodsucking addict genre, but "Bitten" shows that we are getting there. The acting is passable, the direction shows promise, but the story cannot come up wit a satisfactory resolution like every other film in this indie demographic. Not great, and "The Insatiable" and "Innocent Blood" are better comedies, but like all none pot-themed Mewes flick, it is a bit of fun.
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