Blood Ties (1991)

• 46% of users liked it
  (1,759 ratings)

This film concerns the exploits of the "Carpathian American" society in Long Beach. Carpathian Americans are just like any other expatriate organisation, they enjoy family get togethers, and share business opportunities (cf the Italian Americans ...). There is just one minor difference, the… More This film concerns the exploits of the "Carpathian American" society in Long Beach. Carpathian Americans are just like any other expatriate organisation, they enjoy family get togethers, and share business opportunities (cf the Italian Americans ...). There is just one minor difference, the Carpathian Americans seem to have a predilection for drinking human blood. The film begins somewhere deep in the bible belt where teenager Cody (Jason London) wakes to find that intruders have just skewered his parents and are about to set fire to them for good measure. Despite being shot by a crossbow bolt Cody makes his escape from the "hunters". He remembers his parent's advice to him that if he was ever in trouble he should contact his uncle(Patrick Bachau) in Long Beach. The uncle turns out to be a local businessman (of an unscrupulous nature) and also a leading light in the "Carpathian American" society. Cody is introduced to other members of the society notably Harry(Harley Venton), a crusading journalist and his non-Carpathian girl-friend/lawyer(Kim Ulrich) who wants to see his fellow Carpathians become more integrated, the wanton Celia(Michelle Johnson) who likes to have her neck bitten during moments of ecstasy, and "The Shrikes" a gang of tearaway biker teenage vampires. Before long Cody has been initiated into the terrible secret which ties this clan together. All would be well if it were not for the hunters who have followed Cody and are now seeking to destroy the nest of vampires they have found. The Carpathians must choose between their outward air of "respectability" and renewing an age old blood feud.