Blood and Donuts (1995)

The Eagle Has Landed

They say that there is nothing new under the sun, that everything is simply a retread of ideas that have gone before, just the same old thing merely dressed up in different clothes and coiffed appropriately to meet a younger generation's standards. Well I'm here to tell you that just ain't true because I am the proud owner of a 13 year old vampire film from Canada that even if these post Lestat, post Buffy days still brings to the table an impressive amount of intelligence, wit, style, humor, and grace. It bears the unlikely title BLOOD AND DONUTS, and it has made of me a true believer in the existence of creative filmmakers. Yes, Virginia, they still exist! Even today this film still feels fresh..

The film begins with footage of the lunar landing in 1969--that's when Boya decided to crawl into a burlap bag and go to sleep for what turned out to be 25 years. He is only awakened by chance when a freak accident involving an errant golf ball during the film's openning credits sets off a chain of events in his lair that would have made Rube Goldberg proud. His awakening is immediately sensed by a beautician named Rita who bears the slight marks of his fangs on her neck. After Boya gets the considerable kinks out of his assorted body parts that 25 years in a burlap sack tend to leave one with, he sets off carrying a shovel--looking for food perhaps? He catches a ride to the Westview Cemetery with a cabbie named Earl, a garrulous but likeable fellow who can't help but notice his passenger's tears and, wanting to make him feel better, says he could never trust a man who couldn't cry and then launches into a long sad story about his dearly departed dog. But Boya's left the cab and has sought out a particular grave to excavate. What, or perhaps who, is buried there? A long lost lover to re-animate possibly? Nope, just his personal belongings which include the prerequiste sharp leather coat and an album full of old photographs to which he tenderly adds another, a picture of a pretty blond, using his own blood as an adhesive.

You're probably wondering how the donuts enter into the film about now, right? Well after Boya finds himself a place to crash, a seedy hotel with an ample supply of rats in the walls, he ventures out again looking for an all-night market where he might buy some very fresh liver. But alas the neighborhood has really changed and he's hopelessly lost. He drops into the donut shop for directions and instantly becomes entranced by young Molly who works the counter. The donut shop is a haven of sorts in this very shabby neighborhood. Its owner believes that everyone deserves the right to be able to eat a donut and have a safe place to eat it in. While he sits in the shop staring at her, Earl the cabbie comes in, he's desperately tring to avoid some thugs who have been after him but they just happen to catch up with him while Boya is there which is bad news for them. After the beat down, Boya offers his room as a sanctuary to Earl, and Earl gladly accepts, although after awhile he starts to regret that decision as he begins to notice some rather strange things about his host. His habit of sleeping in the closet during the day seemed odd in retrospect, but it was that big gaping wound in Boya's chest that didn't seem to faze him at all that really upset Earl.

I'm not going to do much more in the way of a plot synopsis here simply because I don't want to spoil a moment of this film for anyone who has the curiosity to go out and hunt it down. Its very special. You've already met all of the primary characters with the exception of the "Crime Boss" who is played by David Cronenberg in a thoroughly delightful cameo role. And doing a plot synopsis would never do this film justice anyhow. Oh, you'd know the story, but that's all. Its a fairly original story too. I could also spill my guts and tell you all the many reasons why this film is so special and give you examples, but again, then you wouldn't need to see the film would you? Let's see if I can talk about it and NOT give anything away.

There is very little violence in this film, which considering Cronenberg is rumored to have had a hand either in backing it or in otherwise supporting it, is interesting. What violence there is comes primarily at the film's end. The sex scene is conducted with the paticipants being in two different buildings and its the guy who is in the bathtub and the chick who is fully clothed. The vampire transformation is extremely well done and perfects the technique and style used in BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER and does it even slicker--however, it is only used twice. There is only one death in the entire film. Having said all of this I just realized that I have turned off every single member of this film's potential audience. Oops.

But for those of us who know that there can be more to a genre film than sex and violence (if only for a change of pace every now and then) BLOOD AND DONUTS offers the perfect alternative. For starters its an extremely well written film. Andrew Rai Berzins has given us fully realized, flesh and blood human beings (even the undead ones) that we can actually care about and empathize with and laugh WITH rather than AT. Released in 1995, BLOOD AND DONUTS went on to be nominated for Best Screenplay in the Genie Awards, Canada's equivalent of the Oscars, which is quite a testimonial for any low budget horror film. Director Holly Dale has also managed quite a feat, she's taken what in lesser hands might have been a genre film awkwardly attempting to be something else and turned it into a film that managed to succeed on both levels completely. The talented cast helps out enormously with Gordon Currie as the enigmatic/romantic Boya doing most of the heavy lifting with a graceful, comedic ease. Everyone else is also worthy of mention; Justin Louis as the cabbie, Helene Clarkson as the less than glamorous Molly, and Fiona Reid as the wannabe vampire Rita. Photography and lighting are moody but not murky, and once again I must comment on the music, something I rarely do. In addition to the regular score which is effective, they've chosen old pop songs such as "Twilight Time" by the Platters, "I Put a Spell On You" by Screamin' Jay Hawkins, as well as versions of "Mr. Sandman" and "Blue Moon" all of which add enormously to the film even though none of them dates to the era when Boya crawled into his burlap sack.

Do yourself a favor. If you like something a bit off the beaten track, if you don't mind a virtually bloodless vampire film, if films like FIDO strike you as something the world really needs more of, track down a copy of BLOOD AND DONUTS. And sit through the credits for one final scene. September 27, 2008

Awesome Movie!

I was lucky enough to be going through the horror section of my local movie rental store and saw the title "Blood and Donuts". I had to check it out. Once I realized it was a vampire movie I rented it. It was so different from all the "typical" vampire movies. You couldn't help but really like Boya the vampire. Although no longer human he maintained his human qualities of compassion. He befriends a "cutely-stupid" cabby whose character I fell in love with right away especially when he realizes his new roommate is a vampire. I wasn't crazy about the waitress that Boya decides to make love to via "vampiric telepathy" (love that bath scene)! I warmed up to her only at the end of the movie when she finally lets her compassion for her friends show through. The end was sad but again it shows the human side of Boya. I first saw the movie in 1997 when I rented it. My local movie rental store was going out of business in March 2007 and I stopped by to purchase the used videos they were selling and was lucky enough to find "Blood and Donuts" the one I originally rented and I bought it for $2.50. I checked Amazon and was surprised to see the prices were so high for the used videos of "Blood and Donuts" so I know I got a masterpiece for such a low price. I would recommend this movie to anyone who enjoys watching vampire movies that are not typical. I give it 5 stars! May 14, 2007

A DIFFERENT vampire movie

This is definitely not your typical vampire flick. There's minimal gore, no mass killings, and a realistic-seeming depressive mode with natural flowing humor. March 25, 2007

Excellent Movie!

When I first watched this movie, it was because of the title. It was on cable, and I was channel surfing away, and stumbled upon it, and wondered about the "Blood", and why it was paired with "Donuts". I started watching it, and was so glad I did. This under-rated, under-appreciated movie is just so fun to watch, and actually leaves you with a warm feeling.

I loved the bonding of Boya and his ever-so-human friends. The people, their lives, the problems they face, and the compassion for humanity is all exposed in such a funny, yet plausible manner. Gone is the blood lust, and gore of most vamp flicks, and instead, you are given a well written, well portrayed, well balanced mixture of life at its seediest, with just a touch of hope.

Well worthy of a viewing. It definately became a cult classic of mine. January 19, 2007

Good!

I just bought this movie used for 3 bucks because from the cover, it looked like a hoot. However, I was plesantly suprised by the excellent storyline, acting, and dialoge. The movie is very interesting to me particularly because it seems somehow very plausible, despite the fantasy premise. The ending, the characters- it all felt right. What can I say? If yu are a fan of really quality cinema, this is certainly worth at least a rental, and then a buy. February 20, 2003

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