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Vampire Weekend – Part 1

I’m letting the side down here having not talked vampires for a while. So after a fun-filled but busy week of interviews and reviews, I thought it time I indulge in my favourite topic again. Over the next three days, I’ll do a run-down of my top 10 vampire films. The heart-wrenching, the blood-thirsty, the terrifying or the just simply original, there’s quite a range coming up. Let’s kick off with the first four and why they made it…

 

Number 10

Queen Of The Damned

Ill probably be met with a few groans for choosing this one. Okay, so there were plenty of cringe moments and yes, I rushed to the cinema to see it only to be bitterly disappointed, but then I should have known better than to expect anything of the calibre of Interview With A Vampire. This film version of the Anne Rice classic did no justice to the book at all – in fact, if you hadn’t read the book, the ending would leave you totally confused. But for all it’s cheesy moments, it’s rushed and sometimes paper-thin storyline, it does have Stuart Townsand in it (and darn does it wear those leathers well) and a stunning portrayal of Akasha by Aaliyah. As well as some stunning gothic scenery, it’s basically a watchable film if you’re happy to keep it tongue-in-cheek. I was lucky to stumble on this YouTube trailer which manages to pick out some of the better moments of the film.

 

Number 9

30 Days Of Night

It’s graphic, it’s dark, its disturbingly gory and I spent plenty of moments hiding behind my hands, but it’s still an utterly brilliant film with a superb concept. Based on the comic book miniseries, if you want vampires the way they used to be then this film will remind you just how terrifying the original legends were. Oh, and it has Josh Hartnett in it. 🙂

 

Number 8

Let The Right One In (2007)

This Swedish romantic horror is based on the 2004 novel by John Ajvide Lindqvist. I haven’t seen the remake, only the original 2008 film (subtitled). I wasn’t sure what to expect when I first settled down to watch this film, but I found it one of the most poignant and moving vampire films I’ve ever seen. The storyline was superb. the acting immense and its dark innocence was something to be beheld. I was really moved by the developing relationship between the two main characters – a bullied 12 year old boy called Oskar who develops a relationship with a vampire girl called Eli – and an ending that I thought was just perfect.

 

Number 7

Fright Night (1985)

Don’t get me started on the remake – nothing beats the original when it comes to Fright Night. Yes, it’s dated and the special effects (rubber fanged bat, anyone?) might make you purse your lips to stop you smirking, but I still love it. It has a gripping storyline, you can’t help but root for the fumbling Brewster and Jerry (the vampire) is just enough of a mixture of dark and light to have you part smiling and part palpitating. It’s a classic vampire film and a prized possession in my collection.

I’ll do my next three in the countdown tomorrow. Anyone brave enough to hazard a guess at what might appear?

Vampire Feast

Tonight is the premiere of Twilight: Breaking Dawn – Part 2. It’s the end of an era. I’m no expert on Twilight. To be honest, they’re a bit young for me. I sing all due praises for Stephenie Meyer though. She’s done an amazing job bringing the genre to a whole new audience. But for me, Edward’s just too safe.

I love that about this genre – that there’s so much variety across authors, books, film and TV. Just because you’re a vampire fan doesn’t mean you’re going to fall in love with every set of male fangs that cross the page or smiles seductively on screen. But what’s the fun in getting too analytical about it? I say let’s have some simple Friday night indulgence instead.

So, in the build up to the release of Blood Shadows, and to get us into the ‘Kane’ zone (11 days to go!), I thought I’d share my favourite mad, bad and dangerous-to-know vampire characters with you (when I say characters, I mean ‘characters’ – but yes, it does help that they look like that too). As far as tainted, tortured and intense go, here are my top four fanged boys from film and TV…

Oh, and you might want to pull up a chair, maybe make yourself a coffee and lock yourself in a nice quiet dark room – and you’ll need the sound turned up if you want to enjoy the full effect of the footage!

(WARNING – some people might be offended by the content that follows)

 

Coming in at a very admirable fourth place:

Michael (The Lost Boys)

My first vampire crush, so I had to include him! In fact I have a crush on this entire film, so went with the slightly longer video footage than planned (4 mins). If you don’t know which one Michael is (shame on you!), I’ll leave you to work it out.

Just losing out on second place but still taking the enviable third place:

Damon (TVD)

Another 4 minute clip, but what true Damon fan is going to complain? Okay, it’s a little over indulgent, but you don’t have to watch it all… (yeah, right…)

In second place:

Deacon (Blade)

Oh, yes. That’s all I’ll say – yes. Less than two minutes of footage, but an utterly perfect two minutes all the same.

In the very well-deserved first place:

Mitchell (Being Human UK)

My absolute favourite vampire of all times. It helps that he’s played by the utterly hypnotic Aidan Turner (have you ever heard that guy speak? Sheesh…) As far as mad, bad and dangerous-to-know goes, well, you’ve got to love him. Just under three minutes in total… I might need to replay.

Thanks for indulging with me. If you’ve got a favourite vampire of your own, I’d love to hear who! It’s always fun to compare notes on my favourite topic. If not, I’ll just keep watching these clips over and over and over again. I won’t feel lonely. Not at all.

xxx