"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)
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"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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