Transylmania (2009/Sony DVD)

 

Picture: C+     Sound: C+     Extras: D     Film: D

 

 

Spoofs of vampires have been more than you may recall.  Outside of the many send-ups of Dracula in later Abbott & Costello films, Clive Donner gave us Old Dracula and Roman Polanski gave us Dance With The Vampires (aka The Fearless Vampire Killers) and even TV has funny vampires from cartoons to two hit Filmation series: Ghost Busters in 1975 and Groovie Goolies before that (both reviewed elsewhere on this site).  Now comes Transylmania (2009, reportedly finished in 2007) and it is not funny at all.

 

Why?  Because it is by the brothers David and Scott Hillenbrand, who gave us the two (only two we hope) National Lampoon Dorm Daze features and along with their writing partners on those duds (Worm Miller, Patrick Casey) have simply made another stupid, gross, would-be outrageous teen comedy with (once again) no real laughs), then dressed it up for Halloween, but the party turned out to be really bad.

 

Nothing is funny here.  Some of this is outright dumb and the director’s think people acting goofy while opening up their eyes wide and saying dumb things equals humor.  This is the unrated cut and even with more nudity and likely more blood and some gore, that could not improve this in any way, shape or form.  At 97 minutes, it is far too long and if the makers actually understood Horror films and had some restraint, this could have been funny.  Someone owes Clive Donner an apology.

 

The anamorphically enhanced 1.85 X 1 image was shot on 35mm film, but this transfer is weak despite consistently good color.  The Dolby Digital 5.1 is also weak with a limited soundfield, harsh sound in parts and weak recording of some sound elements.  Extras include a Behind-The-Scenes Featurette, Gag Reel, Alternate Opening & Ending, Deleted & Extended Scenes (both with optional commentary), Stoner trailer and Filmmakers/Cast feature length audio commentary.

 

 

-   Nicholas Sheffo