His blood runs cold

RE “The Vampires With Real Bite” (Oct. 21), [co-creator of “30 Days of Night”] Steve Niles’ omission of Francis Ford Coppola’s “Bram Stoker’s Dracula” [from his list of outstanding vampire films] is, perhaps, a demonstration of his plebeian tastes.

Coppola’s film was certainly not a great movie but it had the artistic touch of a great director, which somehow saved it from the B categories of Niles’ selections. Gary Oldman’s performance was deliciously over the top, but delightfully so, because of his enormous talent. His euphoric and orgasmic state as he licks the blood from Keanu Reeves’ razor blade is vintage Oldman.

Furthermore, I entirely disagree with Niles’ opinion that Tom Cruise gave a fantastic performance as Lestat. Cruise doesn’t possess the depth or range to play Lestat or any vampire. Nor does he possess the physical characteristics: too boyish and uninteresting of a face. Anne Rice had objected vehemently to the casting of her vampire novel. The fact that Cruise received favorable reviews is irrelevant; he was absolutely miscast.

Giuseppe Mirelli

Los Angeles