Blood & Donuts (1995) Poster

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7/10
Original and charming vampire flick
angelynx-222 June 2000
It's not every day you see something original and clever done with the vampire genre, but this does it and then some. This is a unique, low-key, low-gore, charming little movie. Gordon Currie is very likable (and *real* easy on the eyes!) as Boya, the vampire who went into hibernation in 1969 and crawls out to face a grimy world of small-time mobsters, cheap donuts and a bitter ex-girlfriend who's waited 25 years for his return. Determined not to prey on people, Boya runs through dozens of rats and pigeons while forming shy friendships with a nervous cabbie and a smart, ironic donut waitress. The character has such fundamental sweetness and sincerity that he's impossible not to like, reticent and embarrassed about his vampirism but quickly bringing his undead powers to bear when his new friends need help, and quietly mourning the short lifespans of humankind (a theme often blared loudly in vampire films but gentle and subtle here). Much more about people, friendship and self-sacrifice than your average vampire film, and a nice change.
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6/10
Overlooked Film Worth Taking a Peek At
gavin694215 July 2012
There's a place between the living and the dead... and it is open 24 hours.

First and foremost, let us state the obvious: the taxi driver talks like a "constipated Christopher Walken", in the words of my girlfriend. And that is unfortunately annoying, but not annoying enough to distract from an otherwise good film. The lead actor is pretty good and rivals Johnny Depp's performance in "Edward Scissorhands". These films share the same sensibility in many respects, but go off is quite different directions.

Even David Cronenberg showcases his acting, which is just as remarkable as his directing (he is also excellent in "Nightbreed"). His bowling shoes analogy could have sounded asinine from someone else's lips, but Cronenberg makes it sound profound.

I loved the parallel with heroin addiction, which was particularly topical for a mid-1990s film, as the grunge was literally dying from the drug. I do not know if this was intentional, but i certainly felt like there was some inspiration there. While it is hard to call any vampire film "fresh", this one has some aspects that make the old genre seem new.

The worst thing about this movie? The title. What has kept me away from this movie for almost twenty years is that terrible name, which gives the impression of an even lower budget film than it is. In fact, it is not a bad movie at all and at least as good as the average 1990s horror film. More people should really give it a chance.
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6/10
Great title and a very sympathetic vampire .............
merklekranz19 December 2010
Going in you know it's going to be strange, but is it going to be good strange, bad strange, or just strange strange? The reason "Blood and Donuts" is good strange is it actually has a very clever script. Introducing Boya, a vampire just awakening after being asleep since 1969, and his trials and tribulations dealing with women and gangsters. He not only has an attraction for the donut shop girl, but a love from his past is hot on his trail, looking for revenge. Throw in David Cronenberg as a neighborhood boss, and you have enough to keep the movie going. The characters are likable, with Gordon Currie a standout as the sensitive rat eating vampire. The film is dialog driven, and the photography is creative. I recommend "Blood and Donuts". - MERK
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Best vampire movie ever, end of story!!!!
jlitnar9 June 2002
Don't care much if you like it, already saw one post that ripped it. But the bottom line is I can't get this movie out of my head. Great music score, great story line. I undertand it's a B movie, but that's okay! I was just plain entertained. First time I watched it was midnight on the Sci-Fi channel. Kept my finger on the power off button on the remote for the first 20 minutes, but couldn't bring myself to kill the movie. I was sucked in for this zaney ride into Boya's life and times. What a ride! I really cared about him, I felt his pain, I liked the guy. Someone I could be friends with. Buy the movie...watch the movie...be the movie.
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6/10
The story of a vampire who eats rats, liver and donuts....as well lives in Toronto.
planktonrules6 November 2019
There is no consistent lore about vampires...especially with newer films which sometimes feature sparkly vampires and vampires who can be photographed. So, the fact that the vampire in "Blood & Donuts" doesn't fit with existing stories of blood suckers doesn't mean it's a bad thing.

In this story, a vampire's been hibernating for over two decades and when he awakens he looks much like Marc Bolan (from T-Rex) and eats all sorts of odd things...rats, liver and donuts...mostly because he doesn't want to kill people. And, to make it even more unusual, he lives in crappy hotel room in the Toronto area...not exactly a vampire mecca. Along the way, he befriends a woman working in a donut store as well as a cabbie whose 'friends' are trying to kill him. So is this odd sort of vampire film work?

Apart from a scene involving the bathtub (which was just weird and silly), this is a pretty good film. However, it really isn't a comedy nor is it really a horror film. Horror lovers and comedy lovers might just be disappointed. I appreciated, though, how the vampire did not want to harm others--and he had ample opportunities to do so. A truly unusual vampire film...not great but worth seeing.
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2/10
much worse than all the conciliatory reviews here suggest
morlock-718 October 2012
If you are checking reviews here before bothering to stream this movie, do not be taken in by all the cutesy campy praise from people with a fond spot in their hearts for big hair from their '90s youth. The acting and scripted dialog are exceptionally bad with leaden one take delivery and pointless wretched accents that smash any possible suspension of disbelief. The only reason I gave it one more than a one is that it was shot on film instead of video and was edited in chronologically intelligible order. This is the kind of movie soft core porn producers and directors made in the eighties and nineties in hope of getting out of the skin trade; I know because I used to crew for them. Absolutely a waste of the time required to fast forward through it.
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6/10
Funny and Entertaining
lthseldy117 July 2005
I liked this movie, it's not your typical vampire horror movie where all the vampire does is go around feeding on the blood of strangers where this movie is about a vampire that looks as if he is trying to look like a sexy vampire but instead with his hair in almost dreads and homeless shabby clothes, dried up skin and ticking strange facial expressions I can't tell if he's supposed to be a human or beast. He looks as if he's spent too many days in the sun and has almost dried up and came back to life again. He meets up with this waitress at a donut shop that looks almost like him, a across between man and beast with scary eyebrows. The best scene is when he's taking a bath and decides to have sex with her in her sleep. He see's her on a regular basis and forgets about another lady that he also had an affair with decades ago. He finds a friend, a taxi driver who almost get's beat up and the man moves in with him and finds out that he's a vampire. The story continues where the vampire is afraid of dying and this is why he continues to life all these years. The vampire plays a sympathetic character as we feel emotionally sorry for him as he drags himself and others into his personal life. I would watch this movie but beware of the fact that it's not your typical blood, flesh and gut's vampire movie but if your with a date and you have popcorn, rent this one, you'll enjoy it.
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9/10
Not your usual vampire movie
slmstanley19 September 2000
Don't let the lurid cover fool you; this isn't a stupid direct-to-video release with bad dialogue & gratuitous gore. Instead, it's a thoughtful and rather bittersweet movie about a reluctant vampire and his attempts to maintain human contact in the face of insurmountable obstacles.

Returning from a self-imposed exile, Boya lives a marginal existence, eating rats in a flophouse,and mourning human friends gone by. Yet,he is drawn to light and life in the form of a neighborhood donut shop and it's fresh-faced counter girl. He also befriends a good-hearted cabbie who dreams of better things and owes money to the wrong kind of people. (And look for David Cronenberg in a juicy cameo role.)

This film is a breath of fresh air in the recent spate of vampire movies which appear to be nothing but an excuse to snarl insults and spray fake blood. Well-acted, well-written, well-directed....go and rent it. You'll be glad you did.
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6/10
Donuts will make you fat!
dugfmjamul22 September 2019
It's 1:00 Am in the morning and why am I watching this movie?

Because it's strange, weird and different, and good..it's entertaining.

I have seen almost every Vampire move ever made... really....most of them suck...but this one is worth watching.

I do like the Jessica Jones lookalike and the actor who sounds like Christopher Watkins ...they help make the move worth watching.
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10/10
Don't try to categorize as horror or comedy, but rather a character study.
hippiedj2 July 2000
Warning: Spoilers
After 25 years of slumber, a vampire is awakened by a golf ball crashing through his window and hitting him. What to do? Hang out at the local donut shop and fall in love...

So the film has vampires, mobsters, a cab driver trying to sound like Christopher Walken. People have been saying it's a horror film! NO! It's a comedy! No! Therein lies the problem people have with this film. They can't place it. So look a little more into this film and you'll see that it's basically a character study, and a rather touching one after it's been viewed. If one can put aside the supernatural element and mob storyline, it's about a few people trying to find their reason for living and how those are affected as they cross paths with each other. The element of the vampire's selfless act of self-sacrifice is both heartbreaking and immensely touching at the same time. All the other elements are there to make the story weird and of course entertaining. All in all it turns out to be quite a charming story when you understand the characters. Blood & Donuts is a unique find and one of my personal favorites. I've never seen anything quite like it!
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7/10
not the greatest, but different
evermore3007 June 2000
i admit, this film does have many flaws; however, it is weird and artsy in its own way. although gordon currie only has practice in films like puppetmaster, this role gives him a little room to try acting. he is the most bizarre vampire i think ive watched on screen, which to me makes it somewhat of a decent film. like i said its artsy, so beware if you dont like those kind....
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Blood & Donuts is a great "B" movie
KLaRocque11 November 1999
If your tired of watching the same-old vampire gore flick, this is for you. This is for the vampire-movie connoisseur. There are no fantastic special effects, no expensive actors, no real gore scenes. There is "Canadian" humour, which may or not work with our American cousins (or even on some Canadians).

Blood & Donuts features not a classy, good-looking, or powerful vampire. Boya Zsekely is a weak, quirky, and emotional vampire. <That's all I'm going to say about the actual film, since I don't want to ruin it for those of you who haven't watched it yet>

Look for our brilliant Canadian director David Cronenberg in ninth acting position. I love this man as a director, as an actor...I love this man as a director <LOL>. Actually, he fits this film like a glove.

This film is not for everyone. <My wife hated it, but she hates most of my 90+ vampire movies> This movie is a great "B" movie.
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6/10
a quasi vampire/human relations movie
disdressed128 November 2006
Warning: Spoilers
"Blood and donuts" is a an unusual film.It is one of the few films with a vampire that contains very little blood and the vampire is a very sympathetic character.the vampire is very shy and unassuming,and only harms people when there are no other options.he also has sense of humour.but this movie is more a study of human relations than anything else.the story revolves around the people that"Boya", the vampire, forms relationships with,via an all night coffee/donut shop.the movie is very low key in every aspect,which is very effective in this case.the movie is strangely compelling though it contains mostly passive action.this is an example of minimalist film-making,a film that is very much character driven.the vampire is very likable,with a genuine care for people and has a romantic streak.there are 2 other main characters,Earl a cab driver who,for reasons unexplained, is on the lit list of 2 minor thugs,and Molly, who works in the donut shop.These two characters are likable in a sad way.the whole film has an air of melancholy about it.so it stands to reason the characters themselves are also written as being sad,(as in having little hope),people.the 2 hoods are unlikable,and painted as sort of inept and pathetic.the movie itself is unique and low budget,and interesting to watch.if you are an action fan,you may not like this film.however,if you like a film with psychological underpinnings running through it, you should like "Blood and Donuts".
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8/10
Weird and Cult
claudio_carvalho3 November 2007
In 1994, in Toronto, the vampire Boya (Gordon Currie) awakens from his twenty-five years of sleep in a basement hit by a golf ball. He takes a cab to the local cemetery, retrieves his belongings from a grave and lodges in a low budget hotel nearby an all-night donut shop. Boya does not drink human blood anymore but rats and pigeons blood instead. While in the donut shop, Boya befriends and protects the taxi driver Earl (Justin Louis), who is having trouble with two criminals, and falls in love for the waitress Molly (Helene Clarkson). Meanwhile, his former passion of 1969, Rita (Fiona Reid), who misses her lost youth, is trying to locate him.

"Blood & Donuts" is a weird vampire movie, but also with a great potential of cult-movie. The unusual story is completely different from most of the films of vampire; actually it is a tale of loneliness, friendship, love and self-sacrifice. Goya is probably more human than any other character in spite of being a vampire. This is a typical very low budget movie that works, supported by magnificent story, screenplay, direction, performances, cinematography, special effects and music score. Actually the cinematography is top-notch and the music score is fantastic. I noted in IMDb that the excellent and unknown Helene Clarkson apparently interrupted her career in 1996. I regret only the terrible spelling mistakes in the subtitles in Portuguese of the Brazilian DVD released by Lider Distributor. Last but not the least, wait until the very last scene in the end of the credits. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): "Sangue de Vampiro" ("Vampire's Blood")
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10/10
Original, Inventive...dare I say: Heartwarming?
Enrique-Sanchez-563 March 2004
I thought I'd never say this about a vampire movie, but I sure did love this!

This indie effort is a hair shy of being a masterpiece. OK...I'm still trying to figure out why I am saying this...but still movie really dug into me and pulled my heart out. (Figuratively, of course.)

How many vampires can you say you would REALLY want to have as a friend? Boya is that vampire. He's all heart and soul. And that's a lot coming from a vampire.

BLOOD AND DONUTS has got to be the most inventive vampire movie I've ever seen. The fabric of the plot, interwoven with the quirky characters that populate this movie, coupled with great effects and careful direction has to now rank in my list of favorite movies.

Kudos to the director, Holly Dale, the writer, Andrew Rai Berzins and a really interesting and talented cast:

Gordon Currie as BOYA the vampire,

Justin Louis as EARL the cab driver/friend

Helene Clarkson as MOLLY the donut shop girl...

and let's not forget David Cronenburg as STEPHEN the "gangster"!

IF YOU THINK you've seen enough vampire movies, then you need to see this one! You'll be surprised.

The ending was very well done and satisfying for me. If you didn't get it, write to me...I'll be glad to explain what I think happened at the end and why.
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10/10
i can't tell you how much I loved this movie!!
makeupguy15 August 2006
The best vampire movie since Lost Boys.. but with very little blood and lots of donuts! The vampire is hot.. the story is both funny and touching.. and the performances are all AMAZING!! I don't' understand why it wasn't a bigger hit.. and I certainly don't understand why it's not available on DVD.

The love story between the vampire and the older lady is exceptinally poignant..

Just because it's Canadian doesn't mean it isn't good.

PS.. why do comments have to be a minimum of 10 lines.. that' just stupid.

I love the movie.. but I don't want to write a dissertation about it!
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9/10
Twisted and Charming
joeyt-762-91899614 August 2018
A vampire movie with heart! Wonderful cast of misfits and a low budget, love it. Of course David Cronenberg creepy performance is a must see for fans. Sit back and enjoy this sentimental twisted flick!
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10/10
Best Stupid Movie Ever
PartialMovieViewer13 July 2013
Warning: Spoilers
Seldom does Hollywood's easel of superfluous story-replays, succeed in escaping viewers' acumen. This movie is such a relief from the dull rehashing of tales masquerading as innovative brilliance, arrogantly assuming easy audience acceptance. This story is truly imaginative. This movie is a fun frolic through a donut shop – by a vampire – and some donut shop girl. Is this your typical poorly written script trying to come across as serious scary-theater - - - NO Way. It's poorly written and not trying to fool anyone. Are the actors trying to be serious? You have got to be kidding me. NO Way. Come on! This is a story about donuts and vampires. This flick is cheese with a capital 'C'. In no way are they trying to hide the cheese – it is melted all over the edges. There is no quasi-serious-actor – the flick is one big joke – and the cast is very well aware of it. With all this being said, I enjoyed this bit of entertainment - most brilliant in every aspect. Even as background noise, 'Blood and Donuts', was well worth the time. Rent it – watch it – and devour it.
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8/10
Unique, creative entry adds much needed "new blood" to a tired genre...
ccmiller14923 December 2006
Blood & Donuts is a unique, creative film that adds much needed "new blood" to the tired vampire genre. Gordon Currie is remarkable as Boya, a shy and sensitive "humanist" vampire who comes out of hiding after hibernating for 25 years since the moon landing. Boya is rather unkempt and freaky, but has a winning kind of innocence and a wild mane of Jim Morrison hair. He goes to a late night donut shop to re-familiarize himself with humans and comes to the defense of a slow-witted but endearing young cabbie who is being threatened by murderous mobsters. Meanwhile, an old flame who has aged for the past 25 years stalks the still young looking Boya, demanding that he give her the "gift" of eternal life. Viewers can't help getting caught up because the characters are so well acted and well-written. There is a good deal of humor along the way, although in the final analysis it's a sad and touching story. This film is astonishingly entertaining, innovative and effective despite its low budget. Far more so than other bigger budgeted films like "Tale of a Vampire" and "The Wisdom of Crocodiles" Thanks to Currie's and Louis' wonderful characterizations, audiences will not soon forget the charming, winsome Boya and his new-found human buddy Earl.
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10/10
A Wonderful ForayInto Fantasy
realart30 November 1999
My first reaction to BLOOD & DONUTS was THE BROTHER FROM ANOTHER PLANET. Not that BLOOD & DONUTS is a ripoff of BROTHER...but that both have the same "feel". BLOOD & DONUTS is an unusual film with unusual characters in unusual situations. It is a sincere film that does credit to its creators and participants. It is the most original vampire film I have yet to see. The focus here is not on the vampire or on vampirism but on the relationships that main character Boya forms and impacts. This film is as much a horror film as BROTHER FROM ANOTHER PLANET is a Sci-Fi film. And therein lies it charm. Highly recommended, but if you are expecting spine-tingling chills look elsewhere.
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10/10
a rockin vampire movie you can sink your teeth into
22222 July 2003
This is a great vampire movie you can sink your teeth into. It is nice to see some fun taken with the genre for a change!!!! Boya is sexy and fun, And the direction rocks.
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8/10
No reasons to not be a cult film
elficalua13 December 2021
Criminally underrated film to be forgotten in obscurantism. An almost dramatic, almost satirical vampire story in a delightfully nostalgic urban photography. The plot is tasteful - a virtuous and gentle vampire wakes up from a golf ball to fall in love and hate with humanity's conflicts again. The mysterious and caricatural characters are well balanced, just right to keep you curious. Gordon Currie's Boya is a delicious performance that deviates from the vague lines of Earl (Louis Ferreira). All together, an excellent movie to watch anytime, especially on Halloween.
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As usual, spoilers herein
justlikenancy1 September 2003
Warning: Spoilers
One of the best vampire movies I've ever seen. It features average-looking people (as opposed to overly-glossed "beautiful" people), and the plot is solid. Moon-obsessed Boya is suicidal because all his relationships are doomed due to his unnatural lifespan and his refusal to create a permanent companion (despite an ex's pleadings for this exactly). The backdrop is Toronto, actually Toronto as Toronto, not Toronto as Detroit or whatever. David Cronenberg plays the crime-boss, who uses a bowling alley as his place of business. While the movie in its entirety is somber, there are funny bits: Rita being caught simulating a facelift by sneering customers, Boya's accordion (not a prominent part, watch for him digging up his possessions), Earl misinterpreting Boya's friendliness as a homosexual overture (in the scene when Earl gives Boya a new shirt), Rita admitting that her bullet wound was self-inflicted... The song "Twilight Time" is used as a theme song for Boya, and upon further consideration of the lyrics, I am almost positive The Platters may have been intentionally singing about a love affair with a vampire. When I first watched this film I was concerned that the quality of it would not be constant throughout, but it is: lots of symbolism, and the notion that things come full circle--the golf ball that awakens Boya is hit by the crime-boss, who is eventually killed by Boya, who has been carrying the golf ball as a symbol of his beloved moon, and Boya went to sleep to avoid the horror of people having walked on the moon's surface. This is a fantastic film.
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9/10
I loved this movie!!! I frankly would love to own this movie.
rkeolam21 January 2006
In a way I have to agree with the validity of some other reviewers comments and yet I have to turn around and totally disagree. Though it's true this movie would have to be rated a B movie, I can't help but think that it has a cult following, albeit it small. The first time I saw it I watched again right away and loved it a even second time. Later I showed it to a friend and they loved it as well. It's a sweet story, yes probably uninteresting by today's pushed over the edge of all sensibility viewers' tastes, but I found myself quite captivated and thought it delightful in an admittedly sappy way. I must also admit although I found the main character endearing, it was the supporting actor's character and performance that really kept it going. I would recommend this movie to vampire lovers and non-lovers alike so long as one can put their cynicism, skepticism and basically jaded nature at bay for the length of the movie and just enjoy a sweet love story with a different twist, however uninteresting the premise might be.
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10/10
Vampire Comedy
zvezdochkapetrova21 December 2018
Love it. This movie is superb goth comedy!! This is very mild, non-gory, and a very decent vampire film. It also has an amazing soundtrack to go with it.
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