Razor Blade Smile (1998)

I gave this film a 9 out of 10, because it was exactly what I expected it to be.

I wanted to like it more than I actually did... But much of the humor totally escaped me and I walked out only mildly impressed.

The best films of this genre always show a path and provide a takeaway for being a better person.

It's a movie as timely as it is provocative and amazingly, for much of its running time, it is weirdly funny.

Sultry and willful Lilith Silver (marvelously played by with great saucy verve by the delectable Eileen Daily) gets turned into a vampire in 1850. Lilith becomes a lethal and seductive freelance hired assassin in order to alleviate the tedium of endless immortality. Lilith finds herself in substantial trouble when she begins bumping off members of the powerful underground sect the Illuminati. Ruthless Illuminati leader Sir Sethane Blake (a deliciously wicked portrayal by Christopher Adamson) kidnaps Lilith's lover and employer Platinum (hunky Kevin Howarth). Meanwhile, dogged Scotland Yard Inspector Ray Price (nicely essayed by Jonathan Coote) tries to track down and nab Lilith. Writer/director Jake West turns standard fright feature bloodsucker conventions completely on their ear with this wickedly witty, lively and stylish outing. Moreover, West shows a tremendous flair and skill for snappy editing, striking visuals (the CGI effects are remarkably good), and stirring action scenes. Better yet, West further spices things up with lots of tasty nudity, splashy gore, steamy soft-core sex, and a very British sense of bone-dry sardonic gallows humor (the surprise blackly comic twist ending is a total hoot!). David Warbeck has a nifty small part as a droll coroner called "The Horror Movie Man." James Solan's extremely raw and dynamic cinematography gives the picture an effectively gritty look while the rousing ooga-booga score by Richard Wells likewise does the trick. With her gorgeously voluptuous full figure, long, lustrous dark hair, skintight leather catsuit, and winningly brassy'n'sassy attitude, Daily makes a strong impression as a mega-hot Goth goddess to be reckoned with. A highly entertaining romp.

Lilith Silver(Eileen Daly, fetching in the lurid, sexy role)is so overcome with boredom she takes on the role of hit-woman-for-hire, labeled by the media and police as the "angel of death." She murders certain chosen subjects who are part of an ancient secret sect known as The Lost People, or the Illuminati..they wear a seven-pointed-star necklace and eyeball ring. Lilith is told that it is imperative to collect the eyeball rings from her victims as part of her finishing the kill by her source(..and lover), Platinum(Kevin Howarth). The Illuminati's leader, Sethane Blake(Christopher Adamson), is the one responsible for turning Lilith into a vampire centuries previous. The Illuminati are a powerful group with many of their members deeply en-routed in the fabric of London such as the government and police. Inspector Price(Jonathan Coote), of the Scotland Yard, is part of the group but doesn't understand that his leader is indeed a vampire such as the one murdering those of the case he has been investigating. Price will take it upon himself to hunt down Lilith as a modern-day Van Helsing wannabee, but has no clue that those myths such as crosses and stakes have no effect on vampires whatsoever(well, the stake can make you bleed, but isn't a major factor as in myth regarding it stabbing you in the heart with instantaneous death). What we do understand, through Lilith's narration is that decapitation and major blood-loss are what do the trick in killing their species. With the group hiring Lilith wanting their stash back because of her failure to retrieve the eyeball ring of a recent victim, Platinum's life will be in grave danger. Lilith cares for him and will risk her life in order to save his. It all leads to a confrontation between Lilith and Sethane as expected.Clad in tight leather with an ax to grind, Daly is quite easy to watch just by her sheer sex appeal alone. There's an overall Gothic tone, with lots of heavy breathing, hissing, and an abundance of theatricality. The film is a low-budget affair which took director Jake West 3 years to complete with the cinematography mostly shot on 16 mm film stock which actually gives it a grimy, grungy kind of appeal that works. West uses an assortment of framed shots assaulting the viewer with his camera calisthenics. The cast is lively, especially Adamson as the animated villain who loves to stretch out his dialogue with a sort-of hammy delivery and Coote as the rather uninformed, constantly-duped inspector make for an entertaining diversion from the usual vampire norm. Full of blood and feeding with Daly just relishing the role of vampire with the camera just embracing her figure and how it fits in the suit she wears on duty. Very British with an amusing ending.

after watching another of Jake wests entertaining movies i had been considering this film for a while. I have to say i was a little disappointed, firstly i felt there was a general rushed feel to the movie not the usual quality i would have associated with a Manga live presentation. As not to say this was unbearable i did find myself wandering off towards the end, not a strong grip to hold you watching, you may find this a problem if like myself your mind wanders easily. the overall quality is good general action scenes are well timed, but as stated in another review i read the fangs are all a little shoddy. pros = an interesting take on a saturated market of vampire movies that doesn't lend its self to the typical stereotypes. cons = a big two fingers up to the classic tried and tested vampire genre, a little to goth is good with all the leather and PVC and some unnecessary sex scenes.But watch it especially on a Friday night with a few brews don't take it seriously and take it for what it is.If the sequel is in the pipeline lets hope it grows up a little

This movie is pure brilliance. Camp, Cheesy and not to serious. When I saw it at the premiere in London, Eileen Daley came on stage and reminded us that this movie was shot for under £20K in three weeks. She also mentioned that it was meant to be camper than a campervan and poked more than a bit of fun at the too serious vampire movies.And even if one doesn't bear all of that in mind, it's still great :)It also has one of the best plot twists since The Usual Suspects towards the end.Deffo 10 out of 10