Innocent Blood

Innocent Blood is a 1992 horror-comedy directed by John Landis and starring Anne Parillaud, Anthony LaPaglia, and Robert Loggia. The film follows Marie, a French vampire who has recently arrived in Pittsburgh, and her attempts to find a balance between her bloodlust and her conscience. Marie's plan is to prey on the city's dangerous mobsters, but things go wrong when she accidentally turns one of the gangster's underlings into a vampire, setting off a chain of violent events.

The film is set in the early 1990s and portrays a grittier, less glamorous version of urban America. The cinematography is moody and atmospheric, with the city of Pittsburgh acting as a character in its own right. The soundtrack is also noteworthy, with songs from the likes of Iggy Pop and Tom Waits providing a suitably haunting backdrop to the action.

The lead performance by Anne Parillaud is excellent, giving Marie a sense of both vulnerability and strength. She is a vampire who is longing for a connection to life but is also aware of what she is and what she must do to survive. Anthony LaPaglia plays Joe Gennaro, a police detective who becomes embroiled in Marie's mission to take down the mob. LaPaglia is charming and likable, providing a great foil for Parillaud's more serious character.

Robert Loggia is fantastic as the mob boss Sal "The Shark" Macelli, infusing the character with equal parts menace and humor. Macelli is an affable villain, someone who is almost likable despite his ruthlessness. There are also some great supporting performances, including Chazz Palminteri as Macelli's right-hand man, and Don Rickles as a mob lawyer who becomes a vampire.

One of the most enjoyable aspects of Innocent Blood is the way it blends horror and comedy. The film is genuinely scary at times, with some great vampire effects and a few truly tense moments. But it is also quite funny, with some great one-liners and a general sense of irreverence. The mix of genres may not be to everyone's taste but if you're a fan of horror-comedies in the vein of Shaun of the Dead or Gremlins, then Innocent Blood is definitely worth checking out.

Innocent Blood also boasts some impressive action sequences, with Landis directing a number of thrilling car chases and shootouts. The film's climax is particularly thrilling, with Marie, Joe and a group of vampire hunters taking on the entire mob in a violent and bloody showdown.

On a thematic level, Innocent Blood is a film about power and corruption. The mobsters represent the worst aspects of American capitalism, with greed and ruthlessness being the only values that matter. Marie, on the other hand, is an outsider who is trying to find a way to exist outside of this system. Her struggle is a metaphor for the struggle of anyone who seeks to live on their own terms in an oppressive society.

Overall, Innocent Blood is a hugely entertaining horror-comedy that deserves to be better known. With a great cast, memorable characters, and some impressive action scenes, it is a film that is both fun and thoughtful. If you're looking for a vampire movie that is a little bit different, then Innocent Blood is definitely worth seeking out.