Rating: 
Summary: They're just like us!
Review: Martin isn't like other kids his age. He's cunning, smart & conceited (he doesn't care about what others think of him, yet acts as though he thinks people should just get it.). The only way he feels comfortable with being around people is when he has physical controll over them. Yet what he really is is a lost & scared kid that's just trying to be like everyone else. He moves in with his much older cousin Cuda, a religious fanatic determined to rid his family of the "curse" of vampirism that's supposedly plagued his family for centuries (Cuda believes Martin was born in 1892). At some times, even Martin himself considers himself a sort of old soul. However, Martin knows this isn't true & blames this thinking on his cousin's religious rantings. Martin knows he needs help, but is afraid to seek it for fear of being found out & riddiculed. He finds solace in the host of a radio talk show, much like a teenager may find comfort in reaching out to a celebrity who, they feel, may have gone through the same things.
The black & white clips were at first confusing because I had no idea where these scenes were going at first. But then I saw how it fit with Cuda's belief that his family was cursed. The ending is a beautiful, but tragic reminder of how society is both intolerant and ignorant of what they can't (or very often refuse to) understand. A must see for any student of psychology and/or sociology!
Rating:
Summary: Murderous Martin
Review: Martin, a very early film directed by George Romero, is the very definition of an unsung classic horror film. Released on a shoestring budget at the end of the 70's and dismissed by audiences as "just another slasher film", audiences missed out on a razor sharp black comedy sprinkled with moments of an ultra-sadistic personality study. Martin just doens't believe he's a vampire. Emotionally and morally, he sucks the blood and life out of all those who trust him and are around him, a perfect allogory for the decade to come. Martin deserves to be seen and appreciated by the masses at this time, if only to observe one of the most ironic and startling final scenes in the history of horrific cinema.
Rating:
Summary: Simply Amazing
Review: Most viewers of today are jaded by the formulaic hollywood treatment to modern films. One director has kept the integrity and intelligence to continue making films that are timless classics. Romero's MARTIN is one such flick. Martin (John Amplas) gives a stunning performace of a modern vampire trying to live with his dangerously orthodox uncle (Licoln Maazel). Throughout the film we are treated to a series of events that Martin must overcome such as sexuality, finding blood and avoiding his uncle who is constantly harassing him with garlic, crucifixes and mirrors. The acting from other supporting characters such as Tom Savini is spectacular giving the film a genuine feel. This is the kind of film that stuns you at the end and can be watched multiple times in one day without tiring and trust me nothing is more moving than when Martin finds his love interest lying in a pool of her own...Well I'll let you figure it out.
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointment, I'm afraid...
Review: Not such an interesting movie after all, and not a very good transfer to DVD. Sure, the subject gets an intelligent treatment, but it's definitely not scary, and not a movie to watch twice. I was deeply disappointed, especially because of the huge amount of [positive comments].
Rating: 
Summary: A horror film unto itself
Review: One of Romero's greatest. While his "Dead" films have gotten the most public attention, this early work exudes a richness that deserves it high praise, indeed. This becomes more and more apparent after repeated watchings. The film tackles several subjects at once (vampirism, industrial town life, personal isolation) and succesfully brings them together. Amplas is superb as a young man struggling with identity. Is this insanity or truly a curse? We are given the chance to decide for ourselves, as no easy answers are forced upon us. For those who like George Romero, for those intrigued by vampirism, for those who appreciate a dose of complexity with their horror: check this film out.
Rating:
Summary: One of Romero's true masterpieces
Review: Over his career Romero has offered some films which were merely good ("The Crazies", "The Dark Half"), and then there have been those that are truly great. "Martin" is one of those. Like Romero's other masterpieces it has a lot of social commentary and delves into what it is that makes out society go off. Who are the real monsters? John Amplas, in his first role, is perfeclty cast as the quiet, haunting figure of Martin, who may or may not be an 84 year old vampire. Since he has no fangs, he has to resort to drugging his victims and using a razor blade. Slow moving, but never boring, and Romero uses beautiful location shots of the city (not sure what one) in the background of the photography. Kudos to Romero, to Amplas, and everyone else involved in this, it's a rare treat. The ending is unexpected and will leave you thinking for quite a while. Check it now.
Rating:
Summary: One of Romero's true masterpieces
Review: Over his career Romero has offered some films which were merely good ("The Crazies", "The Dark Half"), and then there have been those that are truly great. "Martin" is one of those. Like Romero's other masterpieces it has a lot of social commentary and delves into what it is that makes out society go off. Who are the real monsters? John Amplas, in his first role, is perfeclty cast as the quiet, haunting figure of Martin, who may or may not be an 84 year old vampire. Since he has no fangs, he has to resort to drugging his victims and using a razor blade. Slow moving, but never boring, and Romero uses beautiful location shots of the city (not sure what one) in the background of the photography. Kudos to Romero, to Amplas, and everyone else involved in this, it's a rare treat. The ending is unexpected and will leave you thinking for quite a while. Check it now.
Rating:
Summary: The Shy, Teenaged, Virgin Nosferatu. How Interesting!
Review: Poor, Martin (John Amplas) just happens to be an 84 year old vampire in a shy, teenaged, virgin boy's body. Martin gains his victims' cooperation with the use a needle and drugs instead of the usual power of hypnotism that vampires are supposed to have, and uses razors to slice forearms & necks in the place of fangs. Martin's vampiric episodes are intercut quite nicely with black and white footage of an earlier period in his life. Crosses, garlic, sunlight, and mirrors have no effect whatsoever on Martin. He explains that things of that nature are just superstition & Hollywood's idea of vampirism. George Romero paints a lovely horror picture with this film made in 1976. Highly recommended for any vampire lover or Romero fan. Most excellent!
Rating:
Summary: The Shy, Teenaged, Virgin Nosferatu. How Interesting!
Review: Poor, Martin (John Amplas) just happens to be an 84 year old vampire in a shy, teenaged, virgin boy's body. Martin gains his victims' cooperation with the use a needle and drugs instead of the usual power of hypnotism that vampires are supposed to have, and uses razors to slice forearms & necks in the place of fangs. Martin's vampiric episodes are intercut quite nicely with black and white footage of an earlier period in his life. Crosses, garlic, sunlight, and mirrors have no effect whatsoever on Martin. He explains that things of that nature are just superstition & Hollywood's idea of vampirism. George Romero paints a lovely horror picture with this film made in 1976. Highly recommended for any vampire lover or Romero fan. Most excellent!
Rating:
Summary: An interesting take on the vampire tale.
Review: Romero has always been somewhat of an oddity in the realm of horror. He manages to squeeze so much into his films that the viewer almost HAS to watch his movie over and over to get it all. Martin is one of those films. Hidden behind his frantic editing, long tracking shots, and remarkably refrained violence is a stong tale of conformity, abandonment, and religious persecution all entered around a 17 year old boy named Martin who thinks he is a vampire. Whether or not Martin is in actuality a vampire is left up to the viewer to decide. He certainly thinks he is, though. Without fangs, he must resort to razor blades to draw blood, a plot device that sets up some rather humorous and well-directed scenes. Early FX work by Tom Savini takes backseat though to Romero's own direction, which is deft and stylish. A great piece of genre work.
|
