I have always enjoyed vampires. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t have any issues with “Twilight.” While I’m an advocate for taking liberties with lore in order to take a story to the next level, there are some executions that I cannot get behind. I would elaborate, but that would lead to a rant that will definitely rob attention from this Thursday’s Top Three.

Instead of bemoaning cinematic transgressions against a genre I hold dear, I’d like to acknowledge my three favorite movie vampires. With mystique, strength and sex appeal, these vampires were—and still are—the ultimate go-getters that audiences should not forget. If you are concerned about the dearth of more current characters, know that it is not for my lack of seeking out them out. Also, know that these three characters are not ranked against each other. Doing so would detract from the respect I’d like to pay.

David (Kiefer Sutherland)

Seen in “The Lost Boys” (1987); Joel Schumacher, dir.

David was the mysterious bad boy that the girls liked and the guys followed. Soft-spoken, yet in control, Kiefer Sutherland made this motorcycle-riding ringleader magnetic even when the audience knew for sure that he was bad news. I can’t imagine Jack Bauer rattling this guy, even if he dragged him into the sun.

Louis de Pointe du Lac (Brad Pitt)

Seen in “Interview with a Vampire” (1994); Neil Jordan, dir.

The vampire who doesn’t want to kill is an old story, but leave it to Brad Pitt to bring the character to bro-nerrific heights. Louis de Pointe du Lac proved that a vampire could wear the most foppish clothes he wants, cause serious damage with lightning quick speed and shed tears of emotion…ALL WHILE DEAD! Brad’s multitasking family man skills obviously did not come out of nowhere.

Maximillian (Eddie Murphy)

Seen in “Vampire in Brooklyn” (1995); Wes Craven, dir.

There is no other vampire in the history of film (well…besides “Vamp”) that managed to be hilarious and menacing in the same movie. When you take a vampire from the West Indies, dress him up like Nick Ashford and send him on a quest to find his bride (again, Eddie?), what other combination would you expect? Any self-respecting Eddie Murphy fan will benefit from bearing witness to one of his earlier forays into quotable shape shifting.