The Blood Countess review – Isabelle Huppert reigns supreme in a surreal vampire fantasia

Vienna turns into a playground of camp, cruelty and aristocratic disdain in a blackly comic take on the Báthory legend – with Huppert gloriously suited to the title role From the dark heart of central Europe comes a midnight-movie romp through the moonlit urban glades of Euro-goth and camp from German director Ulrike Ottinger. As for the star … well, it’s the part she was born to play. Isabelle Huppert is Countess Elizabeth Báthory, 16th-century Hungarian noblewoman and serial killer, legendary for having the blood of hundreds of young girls on her hands and indeed her body, in an attempt to attain eternal youth. The “blood countess” has been variously played in the past by Ingrid Pitt, Delphine Seyrig, Paloma Picasso, Julie Delpy and many more, but surely none were as qualified as Huppert who importantly does not modify her habitual hauteur one iota for the role. Her natural aristocratic mien and cool hint of elegant contempt were never so well matched with a part. She gives us the ...

David Warner, One Of The Greatest Character Actors Of All Time, Passes Away At Age 80

Since the world learned of English actor David Warner's passing on July 24, the film industry has gone another one of its finest ambassadors. At 80 years old, he was. His family has already confirmed the tragic news, identifying a major oncological condition as the cause of death. He has handled his diagnosis over the past 18 months with his customary dignity and grace. His legacy has impacted the lives of many over the years, the family said in a statement. "We, his family and friends, will mourn him dearly and will remember David as a kindhearted, giving and caring man, partner, and father," they added. Despite the fact that Warner has appeared in a large number of motion pictures and television shows, his portrayal of photographer Keith Jennings in the movie Omen, as well as his roles as Billy Zane's bodyguard on the Titanic and the villain Ed Dillinger in the movie Tron, remain some of his most recognisable performances. In the 2018 rendition of Mary Poppins Returns, the British-American actor played a retired admiral in his most recent film role. In addition to his work in cinema and television, he frequently appeared on stage, particularly with the Royal Shakespeare Company. Mark Gatiss, an actor and writer, praised Warner on social media, writing that "having the privilege of working with him and calling him a friend is a treasure beyond words," Barbara Crampton, an actress, gave a moving eulogy in his honour. He was such a fantastic, sincere, and real person. One of the greatest character actors ever has passed away, Barbara reported. Nerdier moviegoers recognise him as an actor determined to stand out despite weighing several pounds in prosthetics: On "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine," Warner portrayed a Cardassian villain.

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