Five Great Films From The Master of Modern Zombie Movies

“Martin” (1976)
Decades before “Twilight,” Romero made a film about a misfit teenage vampire, but the title character in 1976’s “Martin” isn’t sparkly or romantic. Instead, Martin (played by John Amplas) is an awkward kid living in a dying industrial town who craves human blood, but has to use a razor blade on his victims since he lacks fangs. As Martin squabbles with his eccentric uncle, falls into a relationship with a lonely middle aged ... more 

“Martin” (1976)
Decades before “Twilight,” Romero made a film about a misfit teenage vampire, but the title character in 1976’s “Martin” isn’t sparkly or romantic. Instead, Martin (played by John Amplas) is an awkward kid living in a dying industrial town who craves human blood, but has to use a razor blade on his victims since he lacks fangs. As Martin squabbles with his eccentric uncle, falls into a relationship with a lonely middle aged housewife, and calls into a late night radio chat show to confess his crimes, this movie intriguingly refuses to tell us if Martin really is one of the undead or just confused and delusional, and this is a major part of what makes Romero’s offbeat character study so powerful. Keep an eye peeled for Romero himself as a priest who enjoys discussing “The Exorcist.” less