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"Once Bitten is a new sort of motion picture. Call the category 'pseudo-porn for pre-teens,' and stay clear of it. No, Once Bitten doesn't feature nudity and it isn't pornographic in the usual sense. That's what is so insidious about it." The Orlando Sentinal, 18 Nov 1985
When you have a poorly reviewed film that debuts at number one at the box office, you get to read a LOT of criticism pertaining to your talent, intelligence, morality, and societal worth. The day the film opened I went to various newsstands, magazine shops (remember those?) and bookstores to find every review. After reading 10 or 12 ruthless pans, it just became kind of hilarious (I mean, I actually agreed with some of themthe ones that weren't insulting the actors' looks, anywaybut it was still overwhelming to be judged and blamed by so many people). The following are some of my favorites. BTW, as these reviews were written 35 years ago, I'm sorry to have to report that many of you critics are deadeither from painful heart attacks or lengthy, soul-crushing degenerative illnessesor possibly even some sort of unexpected, spectacularly gruesome accident. It was very sad how you suffered. You will be missed. Anyway:
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Once Bitten / Love At First Bite, combo Blu-Ray. |
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Thirty years after its initial theatrical premiere, Once Bitten was released on Blu-Ray, paired with Love At First Bite by the specialty company 'Shout! Factory' on February 10, 2015. It debuted at #8 on the Amazon comedy charts, #5 in the horror charts, and #5 in the romance charts (!). Critics were much kinder this time, as well (for the most part, anyway):
- Geekscape: "It's undeniable that Once Bitten is a classic for a reason."
- SyFy: Once Bitten's Countess is the Femme Dracula We Need: "In 1985, American cinema struck it big with the release of cult classics like The Breakfast Club, Back to the Future, Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome, and Weird Science. But in between these gems was a hidden jewel called Once Bitten starring a very young Jim Carrey and sultry model-turned-actress Lauren Hutton as the bloodsucker seeking her next big score."
- Hellnotes: "Once Bitten is a thoroughly 80s film, and that alone kicks it up a few rungs on my appreciation ladder. If I usually like comedies (and movies in general) from the 1970s, I usually love them from the 1980s. This oh so silly slice of cinema is no exception."
- DVD Talk: "Lots of dirty jokes and sex references are scattered throughout the movie, some goofy double-entendres, and plenty of eighties colors and fashions keep it fun."
- Mania: "This is one of those eighties classics that launched a star. Jim Carrey had been in a few things up to this point, but it is the role of Mark, the eighteen year old virgin, that launched his career."
"I would have loved to have seen 'Once Bitten' get its own blu-ray release with bonus content." (I'm ready for my interview, MGM) |
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- Icons of Fright: "Carrey's knack for comedic timing is perfect, even back in 1985, as he commands every silly scene he's in. When Mark becomes to the victim of a vampire (played the gorgeous Lauren Hutton), and gets bitten, he finds his world turned upside down, and begins to act different than he typically does, leading his girlfriends and friends to try to figure out what's wrong with him. It's a hilarious film."
- KeepItClassic.com: "I have always been a fan of 'Once Bitten' and maybe it is nostalgic reasons since my very first date as a kid was at the movies, seeing that very film. Who would have thought that is would take start Jim Carrey almost a decade to actually become a break-out star with 'Ace Ventura'? Although I would have loved to have seen 'Once Bitten' get its own blu-ray release with bonus content, I am happy to have a 1080p version available, even if is only as a combo with another film."
- WhySoBlu: "The film does have some really good humor in it, and good ideas. It's never ridiculously funny, but there's a sort of charm I found and would definitely pop this one in again sometime." (Three stars)
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