Vampire Monster

Vampires and similar demons were originally used to explain what people in ancient times could find no other explanation for. This could include small or large epidemics caused by unexplainable illnesses such as the plague, rabies, or tuberculosis. These diseases not only made their victims look as if they were possessed by demons, but they also made the patients spew blood, which made the lips appear bloody. With no scientific explanation available at the time, people would turn to supernatural forces to explain these horrible sicknesses.

The works of several serial killers also have a hand in vampire origins and mythology. In the 1930s, serial killers Peter Kruten and Richard Trenton Chase were both named vampires after they were caught drinking their victims’ blood. In Stockholm, Sweden an unknown assailant was nicknamed the Atlas vampire because the victim was drained of blood. Perhaps the most infamous “vampire” is the 16^th century Hungarian countess, Elizabeth Bathory, who used to bathe in her victims blood in order to retain beauty and youth.

The vampire is now a fixture in popular fiction. Such fiction began with 18th-century poetry and continued with 19th-century short stories. The first and most influential of which was John Polidori’s The Vampyre, featuring the vampire Lord Ruthven. The vampire theme continued in penny dreadful serial publications such as Varney the Vampire (1847) and culminated in the pre-eminent vampire novel of all time: Dracula by Bram Stroker, published in 1897. Its portrayal of vampirism as a disease of contagious demonic possession, with its undertones of sex, blood and death, struck a chord in Victorian Europe

Anne Rice’s Lestat de Lioncourt

The latter part of the 20th century saw the rise of multi-volume vampire epics. The first of these was Gothic romance writer Marilyn Ross’ Barnabas Collins series (1966–71), loosely based on the contemporary American TV series Dark Shadows. It also set the trend for seeing vampires as poetic tragic heroes rather than as the more traditional embodiment of evil. This formula was followed and perhaps perfected in novelist Anne Rice’s highly popular and influential Vampire Chronicles (1976–2003). The brat prince Lestat de Lioncourt and his companions brought vampires out of the dusty graveyards and introduced them to the mortal world, completing the metamorphosis of vampires from ancient immortal monsters to modern immortal humans.

Today’s vampires look less like they have crawled out of a coffin and more like they walked off the fashion runways. Instead of burning when exposed to the sun, vampires sparkle and shimmer as if they had spent time skinny-dipping in a lake of glitter. Twilight, by Stephanie Myer, has its vampires going to high school, falling in love and even procreating.  True Blood, a television series in HBO, have its vampires living out in the open with humans and fighting for their rights within our laws. The Vampire Diaries, aired in CW, has its vampires working with law enforcement, walking freely in the sun, and protecting humans. These vampires are no longer separate from our world, but a part of it.

Vampires still posses the strength, prowess and predator like qualities of their original predecessors. However, the focus of the vampire has shifted from their supernatural nature to their social interactions with humans and themselves. Instead of being soulless monsters, these vampires are tortured extensions of humanity who struggle to control the darkness within them. Vampires have gone from being explanations to what was at one time deemed unexplainable, to the embodiment of secret human desires.

Even the idea of vampires being creatures of the night hold appeal when it comes to the modern vampire. In modern urban life, the nightlife doesn’t mean exile. Instead it means excitement, freedom and limitless possibilities. Nightlife today, symbolizes youth, drugs and alcohol, sex, and the culmination of secret desires. The night holds new adventures, intriguing mysteries, and the possibility of sexual encounters, all of which is offered in the cloak of darkness. Vampires, who have always been icons of the night, now symbolize all the exhilaration that modern nightlife promises.

The Vampire Diaries

However, in today’s vampire culture even the sunrise curfew that has been laid on vampires of old folklore is being lifted. In Twilight, the largest cultural phenomenon associated with modern vampires, the blood sucking highschoolers not only walk freely in the sun, but they abstain from human blood. The vampires from the Vampire Diaries also walk freely in the sun and without the added sparkling skin of their fellow vampire brothers and sisters from Twilight. It would seem that vampires are becoming less monsters and more human.

Vampires who exhibit self-control and are unselfish and disciplined is the new phenomenon that has permeated present day cultures. These bloodthirsty creatures are more sympathetic to humans and hold intimate relationships with them. They are portrayed as unrelenting lovers who would withstand anything to protect their loved ones. They are worldly, deep, understanding, and strong. Vampires appeal to our sense of adventure and mystery, our desire for deep love and youth, and our allure for beauty, violence and sex. Modern culture promotes vampires almost as if they were the perfect lover and friend; beautiful, compassionate and dedicated to you one hundred percent.

True Blood– Blood and Sex

However, is current obsession with vampire mythology something that should be approached with caution? After all, compassionate or not, these are still killers, predators that stalk that streets. Does the promotion of these creatures in popular culture promote the wrong message to younger more impressionable minds? Many have argued that the vampire culture has a negative effect on youth. It promotes reckless violent and sexual behavior and makes the bad boy or girl seem more attractive. There have even been several murder cases that revolve around the sub culture that vampires promote. Are these bloodsucking creatures still the dark threat to humanity they once were?

Vampire culture has evolved greatly throughout the ages as society has changed. Vampires have evolved from the utterly alien monster, a creature of the night, a killer from the deep forest to a killer conversationalist, a suave connoisseur of human emotions, and the superior human being. In their first guise in culture, vampire mythology were used explain the unexplainable and deliver a delicious sense of fright. Today, a vampire, with a single bite, can give you social advancement, love and power that nothing else can provide. They offer you the fruits of the forbidden tree, a temptation that is delicious to indulge our senses in.

Answer: According to the legends, your “friend” can become a vampire in many ways. Of course there is getting bit by a vampyre, or being the illegitimate child of parents who were illegitimate themselves. Another possibility is if your “friend” was once a werewolf, then he or she is out of the proverbial woods—problem solved.

If your friend doesn’t meet any of the previous qualifications he/she can start to practice sorcery, be excommunicated or commit suicide—that last one has a 99.999% failure rate in the creation of vampires. Of course there is also being still born, which is obviously not an option in this case.

In addition, other vampire creation scenarios include but are not limited to; anyone who has eaten the flesh of a sheep killed by a wolf, was a seventh son of a seventh son, was the child of a pregnant woman who was looked upon by a vampire, was a nun—not a novice—who stepped over an unburied rotting body, had teeth when they were born, or had a cat jump on their corpse before being buried—also not an option for your friend—has also been said to have turned people into vampires.

Hope this answers your question.

~from the easel of
Julian Greigh

Answer: Vampires do not glitter. They don’t sparkle, shine, glisten, glimmer, shimmer, twinkle, dinkle, winkle or anything other “cutesy” thing when exposed to the sun.

Stephenie Meyer, author of the Twilight vampire book series, made it all up. In fact what she has done is taken the legend of Faeries and recast them as vampires.

In no other vampire mythology does vampire skin sparkle in the sunlight. In fact, most mythologies agree that sunlight has a deleterious effect on vampire physiology, sometimes causing their undead skin to burn at a rapid pace. This is primarily the reason that vampires don’t want to be seen in daylight, it hurts. The sparkling vampire (Faerie) is strictly a “Twilight” invention.

~from the easel of
Julian Greigh

As you may (or may not) have noticed,  most of my posts lately have been either reviews on either books, or the latest episodes of True Blood. Whilst I love writing those I felt today I needed to come back to what my blog was originally for.  My weird and random thoughts and musings, normally leaning towards the darker, vampyric side of my life, always leading down some obscure pathway that lets everybody know I have totally lost the map.  For those that only come to read the reviews – feel free not to bother reading any further .

So apart from my quite obvious obsession with all things vampire, if it is supernatural based there is a good chance I will give it a try, be it movie, book, or TV show.  It was purely by chance that I happened upon the show “Lost Girl” which is all about the Fae.  Now these aren’t your typical “Tinkerbell” or even True Blood type fairies.  These have a whole sub-culture all their own and I adore it (except for the wolfie fae ….. wish they hadn’t picked him for the main lead *sigh* but then you can’t have everything!).  Now last night my favorite character Kenzi (who is actually human) went undercover at a high school and when she met a bunch of bitchy mean girls she addressed them as “Heather, Heather, and Heather”!  (Check out a bit about my love of this movie in an earlier blog Chaos Is What Killed The Dinosaurs Darling!!!! V””V) This amused me for the rest of the show as anyone who has read previous entries will know I have a little obsession with that 80′s movie.  It got me to thinking how often my husband and I reference obscure little 80′s movies (and some not so obscure) in our everyday life.  And the answer was pretty often.  Movies today, in my opinion, just don’t open themselves up to that one classic quote, the one line that will forever stay with you….or in my case the whole suitcase in my brain that is FULL to overflowing with references that only a select few will understand or care about.

Which brings me to the bloodlust section of today’s musings.  No there really wasn’t any kind of link there I know but that is where this journey is going.  Actually there is a minor link, as movies today seem to try to impress with the sheer amount of blood and gore that they can get into 90 minutes with none of the “fear” that can actually be caused by a bit of suspense.  OK I will admit that was a stretch but oh well.  Bloodlust has been on my mind this week partly because of the recent events in True Blood but also with the books I have been reading and the obvious correlation between bloodlust and plain old lust.  one of the original deadly sins. From Laurell K Hamilton and Jeaniene Frost to the more subtle innuendos from Lestat in Anne Rice’s Vampire Chronicles, the connection, if you adore the vampires, is everywhere.

With erotica making a such a splash in the mainstream with the STILL ridiculously popular “Fifty Shades Of Grey” (Can ANYONE tell me what the deal is with that? … See previous musings … Fifty Shades Of Grey – My Thoughts – Warning Spoilers V””V, Pleasure, Pain, And The Fifty Shades Of My Darker Life V””V, and 50 Shades And My Seemingly Ever Increasing Desire To Lobotomize The Sheep!! V””V).  The only good thing to come out of it is Anne Rice has re-released her Sleeping Beauty trilogy so the world can actually see some real erotica …. let’s see how many of the sheep will actually read that.  My guess – probably NONE! Why? Because there aren’t a million people babbling on about how great it is.

Anyway back to where I was originally going before the ranting took the better of me, there is the obvious connection between the whole bloodlust from a vampire and lust in general (biting, blood, sex and death and a recurring theme in many places) but what about other forms of bloodlust.  Those say of a serial killer?  How many people out there watch a movie like Hannibal and think that it is romantic? Or going back to Heathers were desperately hoping that JD would succeed? Luckily for me, as I have mentioned on many occasions, I  have both a husband and a select group of friends that are not repulsed by my obvious, for want of a better term, true bloodlust.  Be it vampires or regular killers, movies, tv shows, or books, I write this knowing at least a few people out there will understand what I am trying to say.  They do not want to shine a light and take away all the darkness.  They understand that some of the most exciting things live there and do not want to be saved by true love, forgiveness, or any other of the salvation options that are all the rage.

And finally that brings me to my book A.D.D, although reading back over this it might be more accurate to call it just A.D.D in general as this is definitely one of the less focussed pieces I have written.  I think perhaps i left it too long and the thoughts in this crazy mass of firing neurons have just gone way out of control.  Pair that with an ever-increasing lack of sleep and you end up with this, severely crazy musings from a frazzled vampire obsessed mind.  Oh well so be it!

But back to the book thing.  Over the last 2 weeks I have noticed that at any one point I will have 2 or 3 books on the go.  Most unusual for me as I normally pick a book, read start to finish, and move on to the next one.  Now this is not actually all my fault as it started with me acquiring a couple of books on my Nook. One of my favorite pleasures is to read in the bath and with my propensity for dropping things, reading on the Nook is not an option and thus I started to have a “Nook read” and a “Bath read” which meant 2 books on the go at the same time.  Since then though things have gotten worse and I am like a magpie drawn to new shiny things.  It doesn’t matter what I am reading if another book catches my eye then I go straight to that.  Of course new books often have that effect anyway and with my wonderful husband earning $50 Barnes and Noble gift cards through work incentives the temptation is all to readily fulfilled.  The blame cannot solely lie there though as friends suggest things which I have to read immediately, I have a new book club that invited me called the “Booksluts” with their books of the month (Really could there be a more perfect name??) and then of course there is the library which I cannot possibly enter without checking out at least one book … and when they have 3 books right there on the shelf from the same series that I love … what is a girl to do?

Well for now this girl is going to pick up her latest purchase from yesterday and see what vampire adventures it leads her down …..

V”"V

Back Blurb : 

‘ … This is the story of Louis, as told in his own words, of his journey through mortal and immortal life. He recounts becoming a vampire at the hands of the radiant and sinister Lestat and how he became indoctrinated, unwillingly, into the vampire way of life. His story ebbs and flows through the streets of New Orleans, defining crucial moments such as his discovery of the exquisite lost young child Claudia, wanting not to hurt but to comfort her with the last breaths of humanity he has inside. Yet, he makes Claudia a vampire, trapping her womanly passion, will, and intelligence inside the body of a small child. Louis and Claudia form a seemingly unbreakable alliance and even “settle down” for a while in the opulent French Quarter. Louis remembers Claudia’s struggle to understand herself and the hatred they both have for Lestat that sends them halfway across the world to seek others of their kind. Louis and Claudia are desperate to find somewhere they belong, to find others who understand, and someone who knows what and why they are …’

Sentenced in a Sentence :

I really wanted to like this novel, but found the characters wooden and unapproachable – finally I left Louis to his midnight munching around page 100, and decided to fly off in search of something with a little more bite

4 out of 10

Vampire / Supernatural / Classic

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Next time on the bookshelf : “The Rook” by Daniel O’Malley

A few days ago, July 4, I spent much of the day re-reading the Declaration of Independence, The Constitution, The Federalist Papers and other foundational documents of our nation.

I came away astounded, again, at the sheer genius of Jefferson, Franklin, Hamilton and company. They had no computers, no Twitter, no blogs, no IMs, no cell phones – barely had working printing presses, and yet they produced the quintessential documents outlining the path to a viable Republic.

As is my custom on Wednesday nights I then went to church.

Before the youth group and children were dismissed from “grown-up” church, I flagged the Pastor down and asked if I could share my day of research. I explained to all that the first July 4th Celebration was more of a sober gathering of people willing to lay EVERYTHING THEY HAD, INCLUDING THEIR VERY LIVES, on the line for the cause of liberty. I shared that liberty has its costs: from 1776 and for years afterward, things only got more challenging for the intrepid colonists. I also shared President Reagan’s famous quote that “Freedom is only one generation away from extinction”.

I love those kids, but the glazed look in their eyes showed me that we have either done a poor job in fostering liberty and the fundamental truths attached thereto in the lives of this next generation … or maybe they were just being teenagers and children. It struck, however, me that my rhetoric had about the same effect on the rest of the congregation with minor exceptions.

Perhaps the cause lay more with how congruent “liberty” and “personal responsibility” are – both in theory and in practice. When the personal responsibility “light” comes on in a brighter mode for these young people, perhaps their liberty “light” will shine more brightly as well. OR conversely when personal liberty is threatened to a severe degree then personal responsibility for our Republic will awaken

Back to “O Come All Ye Faithful”: Independence Day is much like Christmas in the celebration of ideals and principles. Perhaps that accounts for why I always seem to hear a Christmas song in July, because the “spirit” of these holidays is quite similar.

I am a free man (endowed by my Creator) with certain unalienable rights; among them are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. I count the finished work of Christ and the Constitution as the keys to my liberty and my rights.

The light of the Constitution has never been covered with as much confusion and muck as it is right now. Many of those responsible for the “muck” hold high and powerful offices in our various states – and in Washington D.C.

This Republic currently stands in jeopardy of a clear a socialist/globalist agenda or mob rule (by the way democracy without the framework of a Republic, such as the U.S., is merely mob rule on a large scale – think Egypt and the “Muslim Brotherhood” – for example).

Our children have been programmed by an “educational system” to compartmentalize principles. The carefully homogenized version of history occasionally intersects truth. I love teachers. I’m not blaming teachers for intentional misinforming our children “with malice aforethought”, per se. Yet history seems to be rewritten by the textbook authors to fit the modality of their political persuasion. What I read in textbooks today verses when I was in high school has had a bit more than a “face lift”. Sort of reminds me of the old Soviet Union. Hmmmmm.

I recently told my African American grandson that Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a Republican and that it was the Democratic Party which had supported slavery in its original form and now supports it through pervasive large government entitlement programs. I further told him that it was the intent of the Founding fathers to staff our Congress with Citizen Legislators and not professional Politicians so we might limit government and maximize freedom.

He (being sixteen to my sixty) told me I must be mistaken about Rev. King because the Democrats have always helped blacks and why would Rev. King be against democrats? He went on to say that we would be better off if we just had a dictator. He suggested he might fill that job when President Obama was no longer able to fill it.

NOW THAT was an eye opener.

OK, I know there was joke in there somewhere because Ken is a bright young man with a good sense of humor. But as we discussed it further he explained to me that he understands that it is the government’s job to take care of the people. He asked me how the government could get that job done without all of the workers needed to “take care of the people”. He went on to say that it just “makes sense” to allow a benevolent dictator to handle things because that would be more efficient than a congress which really does nothing.

How much was he “pulling my leg” and how much was serious? I don’t truly know. My question is how could a sixteen year old make such a cogent argument in favor of a “Big Brother” type government without some external influence.

Freedom truly is only a generation away from extinction.

One bit of research I found on Wiki was a quote from Benjamin Franklin. At the close of the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia on September 18, 1787, a Mrs. Powell anxiously awaited the results, and as Benjamin Franklin emerged from the long task now finished, asked him directly: “Well Doctor, what have we got a republic or a monarchy?” “A republic if you can keep it” responded Franklin.”

I believe we can keep the Republic, but ONLY if “We the People” will awake from our collective slumber, our abysmal “teenage-like” self absorption, our apathy (and/or disgust) and take personal responsibility for the future of “the land of the free and the home of the brave”.

God bless America!

BGT

I am still obsessed with them. I don’t know. Maybe it’s their fangs. Perhaps I wonder how would it feel if one bite my throat and suck my blood. I know it’s crazy, that’s why I’m writing about it.

It’s insane but I wanted to become a vampire myself. It’s engrossing to know you can be so powerful and seductive too. But also being all alone. The solitude and loneliness that you don’t belong in this world. That you are a predator.

I think I understand them. I understand their need for blood (I don’t like vampires who don’t feed on humans). They are the reflection of the other side of humanity.

It started with Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice then The Vampire Lestat, The Queen of the Damned, Tale of the Body Thief… all Vampire Chronicles including Pandora and Vittorio the Vampire. Basically, I read everything Anne Rice wrote about them. Then I ventured to everything she wrote. I’m a huge fan.

Then there’s Jennifer Armintrout. I became fond of her Blood Ties series. Tanya Huff with her Blood Price and others. LJ Smith of The Vampire Diaries, Charlaine Harris of Sookie Stackhouse novels, and of course, Twilight Saga of Stephenie Meyer. The Dracula of course and Salem’s Lot by Stephen King. And all other vampire novels I read.

I also read other vampire books and encyclopedias like The Vampire Book: The Encyclopedia of the Undead and American Vampires.

After reading everything within my reach, the moved to TV Series and Movies. Especially those that came from the novels I’ve read. Of course Underworld is in my list. I like Selene a lot.

Write your passion, I frequently read it. Yes, I am. I don’t care if it’s been over done. My vampire novels are not entirely the same with the others. Influenced, I guess but not copied. I thank all the authors who did a great job at immortalizing the vampire folklore.

In a modern day world with the rise of Nu Metal in the early 2000′s, Lestat the Vampire (Stuart Townsend) rises to a new sound he had never heard before. A sound that rises him from the grave. Upon encountering the goth band making all the racket, Lestat

Townsend as Lestat. Anyone see Dorian Gray?

reveals himself to be a centuries old vampire comes to make all their wishes come true. Now he just broke the unspoken agreement all vampires tailor themselves to. Don’t talk about being a vampire, or that vampires exist. But he is doing this for a reason.

To break the monotony. His silken and brooding voice (sung by none other than Jonathan Davis of Korn) charms all the goths in the entire world, a la Deathklok from Adult Swim. Pronouncing proudly that he is a vampire, Lestat hopes that other vampires will come out of hiding, even if it is only to get him. He has the world on a string, and he’s shaking it to find out where they’re hiding.

The beautifully frightening Aaliyah.

Meanwhile, at the London paranormal research building, Talamasca…

Jesse Reeves (Marguerite Moreau) is a young researcher, looking into whether or not Lestat is actually a vampire. Analyzing his lyrics, she feels she’s stumbled onto something real. With a colleague of hers confirming that it’s true, David Talbot (Paul McGann, you Dr. Who fans out there may know him as the 8th Doctor… personally, I don’t care.) hands her a diary of Lestat’s pasts and beginnings. When the two intertwine, a evil, ancient presence arises, leading to a new world order. Unless it can be stopped. I’m talking about Aaliyah as Akasha, the vampire Queen of Egypt. Word.

So you have your wondefully sexy and fierce R&B singer that I said I loved from Romeo Must Die. She takes on this role with as much grace before her tragic end (this film is dedicated to her). You have Stuart Townsend, the man who was almost destined to play Aragorn before Peter Jackson up and said he didn’t want him. You may ask, where have I seen Townsend before in a similar film? Look no further than the suave Dorian Gray in The League of Extraordinary

Some pimpin’ old vampires.

Gentlemen. Badass. He was a great addition to the film and really had the whole “Metal Sex God in Leather Pants” look going on. And Jonathan Davis backing him up on vocals. He’s Irish too, so you can’t hate. Marguerite Moreau was beautiful as ever in the film, giving Lestat a reason to fight for humans. And can I say again that Jonathan Davis makes a cameo in the film? Look out for him.

The Moreau factor.

And this is where I come to why I liked the film. Nu Metal. The early 2000′s framed my pathway into teenagery. That means I was frustrated and awkward. And what better music to listen to than Deftones, Static-X (my favorite bands), Disturbed, and the almighty Korn? Nothing in the world soothes my soul more than death metal. And you get all new hauntingly original songs from Korn? This movie is a package deal. It could’ve almost worked out as a rock opera. I’d be down.

And this is also the point where Anne Rice doesn’t get it. Goths/metal have forever been linked with vampires. It’s a fact now at this point. And a woman who was 58 at the time of this movie should’ve keeled over dead at the use of music in this film. New age music that’s not from my early years? Noooooooo! Understandable response. The movie is nothing she’s seen because it’s meant for the goth scene. The punk and metal scene. Because that strain of music has adopted the vampire image and feel. And, in that way, this movie works for me as a metal fan.

Jonathan Davis on his throne of Korns.

There are those out there who think that Korn is a hack band. They’re original, true, that can’t be denied. But, for some people, they’re washed up, or not hard enough for a lot of hardcore metal fans. They’re like Limp Biskit (I don’t even care to look up his name…) But that’s all wrong. And they hate old Limpy boy. Korn has been around since 1993. It is now 2012. They are infusing techno methods now, into their music. They were ahead of the curve when it came to electronic music back in the day, before all this started. They’re metal, they’re rap metal, they’re nu metal. They. Are. Korn. They can do whatever the shit they want. They are the original when it comes to everything. They are groovy and they are hard. And they hate the world. What could be better?

Now that you know my secret obsession with Korn, you know why this movie works for me. But it’s just my opinion. The acting was fine (I thought Stuart Townsend really stood out), and I pooped myself the second I heard him sing and I knew it was Jonathan Davis. It just

Can’t get enough of the sexy darkness.

clicked with me. It doesn’t have to with you. That’s why I specially recommend this to fans of Nu Metal and all things dark. For those of the 90′s and 2000′s who want to relive a bit of angst. And maybe suck some blood. 7.1 out of 10.

Two regal and noble vamps.

nominating Kirsten Dunst for best supporting actress, this movie cleaned up for a drama about blood suckers. With an all star cast including Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, and Antonio Banderas, what woman could resist the allure of at least two hunky men? For me, I couldn’t resist a movie spoken in Old English (Shakespeare style).

At the start of the film, we encounter a reporter (Christian Slater, supposed to be played by River Phoenix before his untimely death) following an interesting man with long hair. Before he knows it, he is cornered by what he finds to be a vampire from the late 1700′s. His name is Louis (Brad Pitt, french pronunciation) and instead of sucking his blood dry, he tells him of his story. How he was turned and why he is here, now, telling him all this.

Is Jumanji what tainted this wonderful performance from Kirsten the child actress?

It all starts when Louis loses his wife and child, feeling as if he is a soulless human, wandering through the world in a cold daze. Seeking any means of escape, he encounters Lestat (Tom Cruise), a malevolent vampire who wishes to fulfill his wish, but not in the way he thought. Becoming companions, Lestat teaches Louis the way of the vampires and encourages him to enjoy the new life he has now. But Louis’ problem is that he still feels human with compassion and sympathy, not wanting to live a life alone, in the dark. Forever.

The movie moves through to the present day, skipping a few decades here and there, a century or more until we come to the point where

Great costumes.

Brad Pitt is talking to Christian Slater. It’d be interesting to see Louis enter the 20th century, but the movie was 2 hours long as it was. It covered all the important parts of a period piece film, with elegant and regal outfits galore. The music I didn’t notice as much (sorry those who won an Oscar for the soundtrack) but I was more swept up with the look and feel of the film. Elegant, but always with that underlying element of death.

Hispanic thunder.

I had tried to catch this movie earlier, but I’d only seen snippets of it. I always came in on that depressing scene with Kirsten Dunst and I was like, “I gotta check this movie out.” Sitting down to an elegant (not Underworldy) film about vampires, I had no idea what to expect. Anne Rice, another woman who wrote about vampires? Pleasantly surprised was the end result.

I really liked all the performances in the film. I think that, and the writing/scripting for the film really set it apart from other vampire movies. You felt like they were humans first, and you forgot that they were out in the dark all the time. The language is poetic and fluid, and seems to slip off their tongues as if it was first nature. Tom Cruise (although people may shit all over his attempts as an actor for his beliefs in Scientology) was ballin’ in this film. He’s one of those actors that you know it’s him, and you’ll always see him as Tom Cruise and not the character he’s playing. But by god, he can deliver a vengeful rage of a line or something just as emotionally stirring. He’s a very

‘Sup, Slater?

engrossing actor and needs to be given credit for it. Beliefs/opinions needs to be separated from a body of work. They have nothing to do with each other.

As for the rest of the cast, they all did just as well. Brad Pitt (other than a Fabio looking vampire with long hair) is emotion filled and  a likable main character. That’s what he usually is. Kirsten Dunst was a phenom as a child actress in this movie, playing the adult in children’s clothing, Claudia the vampire. You know those performances where you see it and you think, “That girl was in Spider-Man with a snaggle

Vampires you can fall for.

tooth…” That’s a “wow” performance. Antonio Banderas, you don’t see him that much anymore these days (other than Nasonex commercials). But I appreciated his accent all the same. The Hispanic Schwarzenegger. Rico Suave.

With a great cast and some spectacular settings, who wouldn’t believe this was a well done period piece. And I love a good period piece. This film deserved awards and it really focused on the humanity of the vampire. People didn’t like The Queen of the Damned in the mind of Anne Rice, but we’ll see what I have to say on the matter… 8.5 out of 10.

There are many reasons, first of all, the character in the 1st book, was made out to be this hard obnoxious vampire. When in the second book, he isnt this character…It could be the depiction of Loius of him, but again, this is what made me think ‘Oh I love lestat…What an evil fool you are’

At the start, I loved how he was this innocent boy, turning into a man, killing the wolves, it was different, and i loved the imagery it gave me. Another thing I loved was the relationship between him and Gabrielle (his mother). The only thing I could have wanted was them to become an evil duo, but she became a recluse and ran into the forest.

I loved Nicholas, however I don’t think he should have been made into a vampire, this ruined the relationship for me. It devalued the connection, the story.

As for Marius and Armand, I didn’t like this aspect, Armand story bored me, making me want to skip it, and Marius, it was interesting, I love the King and Queen Description and Story. I just wished that was included in Queen of the Damned (movie).

Incomparrison to the first book, it doesn’t live up the expectation, the start of it grabbed my attention and then it wained, the character I thought he was, wasn’t what I expected. It devalued my love for Lestat.

However, Anne Rice is a great writter and the book overall was a good read. Interview with a vamipre in my opinion was better; story flowed and had more character definition.

The books are great, and compared to a well known saga full of vampires and warewolves, should be read more than that rubbish. I read about 5 pages and put them down as 1) I got bored and 2) the language and structure was unbareable.

Time to read Queen of the Damned and give you my feedback on this beast of a book.

Anyway, enough about the style. I don’t want to give too much away but I can’t help but mention a few of the characters, so if you want to read it I’d recommend you skip onto the next paragraph. Louis’s vampire companion party changes frequently, as he first lives with Lestat, then they acquire Claudia, next Claudia and Louis run off looking for other vampires, then Claudia asks for Madeline, then Louis’ ladies are killed and he goes off with Armand, before ending on his own again. As Rice cycles through these characters, I couldn’t help but enjoy the change of dynamics in Louis himself as his group changed. The timid and infinitely loving Louis that Claudia has all to herself is worlds away from his behaviour with Armand – even before the murders. Louis is a versatile character who remains interesting throughout the whole story, and that it what kept me reading, even more than the plot. Of course, I could not help making Twilight connections throughout – noting how Meyer raped the “family” ideas of vampires, how her Italian vampires were poor copies of the Vampire Theatre – but fortunately I could shake off such thoughts quickly and sink back in. The little plot there is – this can only be the Vampire Theatre mystery that is quickly solved, perhaps also the taking of Claudia – does not spoil the novel. It is an interview, after all. It brings some realism to the story that most stories lack. There are few convenient plot devices here. We watch the characters make mistakes and show more humanity than most human characters we read today.

I’m not saying that the book deserves any awards but it’s worth a read to anyone who wants a variety from sparkling teenage drama and werewolves. I haven’t finished the series so I can’t comment on the books as a whole but I enjoyed this book and would happily recommend it to anyone. Not sure if I dare to watch the film though. Brad Pitt as Louis is not something I want to see in a hurry!

From Dracula to Lestat, Edward Cullen to the Salvatore brothers, nearly all of us are guilty of losing ourselves in a vampire book at least once in our lives; everyone knows there are many vampire books to choose from- both fiction and non-fiction, but are we losing touch with the original concepts by over populating the genre?

Vampire literature goes back to around the eighteenth century; Heinrich August Ossenfelder’s poem entitled ‘The Vampire’ was written in 1748, and is thought to be one of the first pieces of literature to touch upon the subject. Even then there were romantic undertones, about visiting lovers after dark to give the kiss of a vampire. Bram Stokers ‘Dracula’ achieved the image of Vampirism as a disease, as well as giving the connotations of romance and lust. As we moved from the nineteenth to the twentieth century, we received Richard Matheson’s ‘I am Legend’ and Anne Rice’s ‘Vampire Chronicles’. These are definitely two of my all time favourite vampire books- although everyone loves a bit of romance; I liked how these portrayed the Vampire as a monster and a villain rather than as an object of affection. Personally, a creature who wants to suck your blood and kill you cannot be attractive, just a monster. With the twenty first century, we welcomed in ‘the Twilight Saga’, completely throwing away the old legends of vampires and making them sparkle.

Where most books similar to these usually find basis in fact; for example with Stoker’s ‘Dracula’, the author used real-life Romanian Prince Vlad the impaler as a starting point. There are many books documenting Countess Erzabet Bathory (who has also inspired many vampire myths and legends). Most legends that are used are based around Middle Eastern folklore, but can be explained away (in most cases) scientifically.

So they’ve spanned back in the media a mighty three centuries, legends varying, mostly around sunlight- in the Anne Rice books, they can only go in sunlight without incinerating if they consume the blood of an ancient vampire, yet in Stephanie Meyers ‘Twilight’ they simply sparkle in the sunshine!! Likewise, in ‘Dracula’, our main character can walk about in daylight, although his powers are less powerful, whereas in ‘Nosferatu’ (unauthorised 1922 film adaptation of Dracula), the vampire completely vapourises in the sunlight.

Arguably, the ideas around the vampire myth have remained relatively fresh and original, yet with hundreds and hundreds of Vampire books and poems etc. Knocking about, have we not rinsed the subject dry yet?! A few years ago, I loved all the vampire films and books, but then the market was filled with almost nothing but vampires and werewolves. I prefer the older Vampire books for many reasons, as well as the already stated, they are a lot less commercial, and aimed more at adults as opposed to teenagers, which makes it a lot less patronising in my opinion. There are so many other things to write about, why does everything have to be Vampires?! In fact, I’m almost afraid of writing a book about novels, as it’ll make me annoyed at myself for putting more of the same subject on the shelves!!

I must also say that Tom Cruise being a couch jumping, alien believing religious nut made perfect sense to play him in the movie.

Why ?

Because Lestat is a little, well maybe more than a little, unhinged. But in a good way…for a vampire that is. Vampires should scare you. Like a snake. Mezmerize and hypnotise and then strike.

Yes I have said I like Twilight. I also watch The Vampire Dairies (Ian Somerhalder is a softer version of Lestat if you ask me).

Ian Somehalder as Damon Salvatore

But let’s face it…they’re more hot than scary.

And now I will admiit to another addiction. Almost (I said almost) on a par with Supernatural and The Boys.

True Blood.

Come on…it is…well it is !!!

Just like Supernatural I saw the first episode by mistake.

Ahhhhhhhhhh…The Boys

Just like Supernatural (hey I have to mention it when I can) I was hooked immediately.

You didn’t think I’d be happy with one picture did you ???

The introduction credits are superb. Gritty…a little gross even, and awesome music. It was like nothing I had seen before.

To make it even better…SCARY vampires. Okay Bill may be a bit of a softie, but the rest would rip your throat out in a second. That’s what vampires should be like. It also helps if they are hot as well.

Like the character Eric Northman, played by Alexander Skarsgard.

After Lestat…this guy is the best vampire !!!

There are also telepaths, werewolves, werepanthers, a few fairies, witches and ghosts. There’s more but I don’t want to confuse you too much.

Sam (shapeshifter)

What is surprising to me is that over the past four seasons – season five has just started – the TV show has deviated quite a way from the books.

Nelson Ellis (Lafayette Reynolds) and Rutina Wesley (Tara)

Yes I have read ALL the books. While I got The Daughter in to watching the show (which she will never admit to BTW), she got me in to reading the books by Charlaine Harris. Most of them I really enjoyed. No…they are not Lord of the Rings, but they are fun, and they keep you wanting to turn the page.

Joe Manganiello (Alcide the werewolf) A seriously hot werewolf

So – right. The TV show is very different from the books and yet that is not all bad. Usually I get annoyed at such things…but not with True Blood. Both work, if for different reasons.

Deborah Ann Woll (Vampire Jessica)…love this girl

Anywho…these tempermental supernatural beings are back for Season Five and I couldn’t be happier. I just wish they’d make more episodes than they do. Watching Eric fly around and take his shirt off of course has absolutely nothing to do with it.

I watch it for the mythology and the story only !!!

What is also cool is that the lead female character is played by a New Zealander. Anna Paquin.

Anna Paquin (Sookie) with boyfriend Stephen Moyer (Bill)

So she was technically born in Canada…she grew up here from age 4 !!!! That gives us rights. Anna is the second youngest person to win an Academy Award. She won at age 11 for her performance in The Piano.

Her brother in the show is played by Australian actor Ryan Kwanten who I first saw when he was in the Australian series Home and Away.

Ryan Kwanten (Jason)

Hey…it was the kids who watched it, not me.

The rest of the cast does a pretty good job…after Eric, well I love the character of vampire Pam. Kristen Bauer van Straten is terrific.

Kristin Bauer van Straten as Pam

True Blood has been nominated in over 30 categories of awards, winning many of them. The list includes Emmys, Golden Globes, Grammys, People’s Choice, even Scream awards.

Season four ended with so many cliffhangers.

• The ghost of a serial killer warning his widow her new husband is trouble.
• The escape of the craziest vampire that ever existed Russell Edgington – why oh why did you not KILL him Eric ??????
• The return of a gay, religious, anti-vampire fanatic who is now a vampire.
• The shooting of one of the main female characters.

Season five has some great additions to the cast.

Lucy Griffiths as Eric’s sister

Scott Foley as Patrick

Peter Mensah was also in Spartacus

Chris Meloni in a change of pace.

Carolyn Hennesy plays a vampire.

While I could have possibly survived without Tara turning in to a vampire, I’ll hold judgement on that and see how it plays out.

After all there is ALL that sex as well. It reminds me of Spartacus. If you haven’t watched Spartacus…you haven’t lived.

I remember The Son being shocked the first time he saw it, True Blood I mean, well the sex on True Blood.

“What the hell are you watching,” was what I think he said. He did of course firmly plant himself on the lounge for the rest of the episode.

We single girls have to get our thrills somewhere. And Supernatural has finished until next season. I would just like to scream out – THANK YOU – to the universe for there being a Season 8 with The Boys and Baby.

The Boys …and Baby

In the meantime I’ll settle in for the winter months with the other supernatural beings from Bom Temps in Louisiana.

I never drink… wine.

As a girl who wants to sleep all day, live forever and not forgive the people she hates, it’s safe to assume vampires tickle my murder bone. Specifically, hot modern vampires. The classic standby of the tormented ghoul—galavanting around in shitty Sears Eurowear—does little for me. But the homoerotic undertones of Anne Rice (who ignited my love of the undead when I worked for B. Dalton Bookseller at the tender age of sixteen), the white trash over-sexualization of Charlaine Harris and the chaste necrophilia/bestiality of Stephenie Meyer bring out the hopeless romantic in me. I know vampires are passé, and our culture is up to its asshole in their melodrama, but I can’t help it. I’m allowed to go full estrogen sometimes.

To any guy rolling their eyes at this, I’ll explain the allure. Try to learn something. Few things are as appealing to a teenage girl than showing the world she knows better than it does. These creatures epitomize our intrinsic need to bring home the very boy that will drive our parents the farthest from their skull. In that sense, vampire stories are girl porn. After all, what is pornography if not a dramatization of forbidden fruit—that which is most unattainable to its audience? Men, your porn focuses on the mechanics of sex, because… well, look at yourself in the mirror. Women, on the other hand, are trying to compensate for a lack of intimacy. Know why? Because not only are you ugly, but when we do throw you a bone, you suck at cuddling, too.

We would rather endure the rigors of what is essentially a sentient zombie—or at least a cannibal with way better table manners—than sit through one more goddamn baseball game with you. Stop pretending it’s good. Sink your teeth into this (surprisingly vegetarian) appetizer, instead:

Bruschetta Of The Damned

Looks like meat, but isn’t.

• 1 baguette
• olive oil
• 1 package white mushrooms
• 1 package crimini mushrooms
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 tbsp fresh rosemary
• truffle oil
• salt/pepper
• extra sharp cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 425˚. Slice baguette on the diagonal into 1/2″ slices. Place slices on baking sheet and brush with olive oil. Bake for 7–8 minutes until toasted. In food processor, blend mushrooms, garlic and rosemary, until chopped very finely. Saute over medium heat in a pan with a little bit of olive oil, salt and pepper. When mushrooms are cooked drizzle with truffle oil. (You can skip this step if you don’t have any, but I’d rather you pony up for a bottle.) Top bruschetta with a spoonful of the mushroom mixture and a slice of cheese.

The fifth season of True Blood premiered last night, so a post like this was bound to follow. Staring at The Ass of Skarsgård is why I pay for HBO. Shenanigans, however, must be called. Never mind the bloodsuckers, werewolves, shifters, fairies, demons, witches and clairvoyants… do you really expect me to believe that a small Louisiana shithole could really have a population of resoundingly perfect teeth? Gay vampire Americans? Perfectly acceptable. Gay vampire Americans sans gingivitis? C’mon…

TWTG says, “You’re gonna bring the comedy, or we’re gonna pierce your nipple.”