Directed by John Russo and based on his novel, THE AWAKENING, HEARSTOPPER is another twist on the vampire mythos. A young doctor, condemned and put to death as a warlock in the late 1700's, awakens in present day Pittsburgh as a fangless vampiric being who's saliva is a deadly poison and who can walk about during the daylight hours. He meets up with museum curator Moon Zappa, falls in love, and comes across a serial killer who also seems to have the same vampiric affliction. There's also an extended cameo by Michael J. Pollard as a 'vampire expert'. This film is far superior to Russo's most recent endeavor, SANTA CLAWS.