The Lost Boys

Directed by "St. Elmos Fire" director Joel Shumacher and starring an 80's popcorn movie cast, The Lost Boys is easily one of the smartest and funniest vampire movies ever made. Many of the cinematic vampire legend innovations used in later movies were invented by Shumacher and his team for this film.

Credit for the excellent vampire prosthetic makeup is also due. No wonder then that the makers of the 1998 vampire movie, "Blade" called upon the same talents for their vampire makeup.

In the role of leader of the vampire gang, we find a young Kiefer Sutherland, showing the trademark charisma that would make him one of the finest, most intense young actors of the 80's and 90's. A great supporting cast including the two Coreys (Haim and Feldman), who also starred together in "License to Drive" the following year.

In the female love interest role, we find under-rated Jami Gertz, who would later 'star' (sorry bad pun) alongside Steve Guttenberg in "Don't Tell Her It's Me" and later, in the 90's rip roarer "Twister".

Set in the mythical west coast resort town of "Santa Carla", a thinly disguised Santa Cruz, the movie seamlessly blends true horror with comedy and romance in such a style that it affected every vampire movie that was to follow.

The movie rightfully attracted a cult following with its mould breaking MTV vampire concept and is a classic that like fine wine, seems to get better with age.