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Another season of True Blood is upon us!  This season in particular has been so exciting, because we're getting into my favorite parts of the book series. (Club Dead & Dead to the World anyone?!)

Today, in honor of meeting Alcide and seeing Eclipse this week, I've got wolves on the brain. Let's discuss the school of thought on the  Animal/spirit familiar-wolf-werewolf, shall we?

To begin, we should address the history of  werewolves, either as hominid-proto wolves, or as a actual physical wolves.  The Vault has done a great post on the history of werewolves, which I'll direct you to rather than rehash. Awesome job ladies :)

In regards to True Blood, Alan Ball has stayed true to the #1 rule of TrueBlood Universe -- the supernatural elements must abide by the rules of the natural world.  That's why the vampire fangs are designed off of the cobra's, snapping back when not in use, and all shapeshifters take the complete form of the animal they turn into.  Therefore, his werewolves will be taking the form of real Timberwolves, and not he proto-wolf-man we see in such classic Wolfman horror flicks, or morphing into giant wolves a la New Moon.

Wolves have played an important role in Native American folklore, lending themselves well to Stephenie Meyer's own mythology throughout the Twilight books.  In the Quileute legends mentioned, the wolves were larger than life, presumably because the original spirit-wolf housed both the wolf and the spirit of the man. (p249, Eclipse) From a writers perspective, I'd argue they were created that size to both intimidate humans and to be able to stand up to Meyer's indestructible vampires.  This also adheres to the authors' ideas about supernatural creatures in Forks being driven more by magic than by the rules of real world physics.

This type of transformation speaks to the rules of shape-shifting rather than the traditional man-wolf tranformation.  For example, neither Harris' or Meyer's werewolves are completely bound to the cycles of the moon.  There's some interplay on the mythology which allows the transformation to take place at will.  What's fun as a female viewer of this type of transformation as opposed to the proto-wolf-man transformation, is of course that the creature loses or shreds his clothing upon transforming. Speaking to the dual-nature of the werewolf, they only need clothing when living as a human and half of their life is in the form of an animal.  The romantic implications here lend themselves to these men being protective, loyal and real animals in the bedroom (one can imagine... ;)  Proceed with caution though, Shapeshifters are also wild animals, which could prove to be very dangerous for any brave tail-chaser or furbanger.

Thank you Chiller for broadcasting "The Howling" last night, and re-igniting the werewolf theories I've been posturing on for months.  I've been trying for months to put together a coherent werewolf-related post, and for some reason, they never seem to materialize. There's just so many facets to the werewolf oeuvre, and it's hard for me to focus.  So this will be the first in a series of werewolf posts, which I am determined to bring to life.  Let's get to The Howling & my favorite aspect of the 80's werewolf movies -- the Transformations - shall we?

The Howling is a pretty clever movie for 1981, full of genre-referential humor and innovative special effects. It helped kick off the 80's werewolf/creature feature craze (Even Jack Nicholson did one!)  Check out the wiki entry for some really awesome easter eggs scattered throughout the film. Personal favorite: a copy of Ginsberg's Howl laying on the table.

"... [The film's] most celebrated effect was the on-screen transformation of Eddie Quist, which involved air bladders under latex facial applications to give the illusion of transformation... The Howling also features stop-motion animation by notable animator David W. Allen, and puppetry intended to give the werewolves an even more non-human look..."  source (This team went on to create the Gremlins in 1984.)

Here's my rendition of the transformation for those of you who haven't had the pleasure of seeing it live:

The face bubbles, oozes and pops with painful screaming underscoring the growing snout and massive teeth extruding out of Eddie's skull.  It is shot in the slow, agonizing style unique to this genre, and that is what makes it so great. Eddie's humanity just drips off his face, literally! Since he's been bitten, he's doomed to suffer this pain and deformity, and the filmmakers want you to feel it too. Another great aspect of the slow transform: Karen (or Terri, whoever) just watches dumbfounded even though in that time she could have totally ran away. But, instead she just watches and saves the running for after he's finished. I think it's polite, really.

I must admit I've favored An American Werewolf in London in the past, but after re-watching The Howling, I've gotta give respect.  I am such a sucker for the self-referential humor, and love the ending on 'live tv' which totally endears me to the horror genre as the most memorable films always leave you with questions, in this case, "Did I really just see Karen turn into a werewolf on the evening news?!"  Shades of many great movies & books to come,  [ahem, Charlaine Harris' great reveal ;) ] which leads me to say, Thank you Joe Dante!

I have been anxiously awaiting Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, Seth Grahame-Smith's follow up to Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. Seriously, any literary mash-up combines my two favorite things, which are english lit and campy B movie monsters. I mean, Does it get any better?

AL:VH looks promising, despite mostly tepid reviews. Personally, I love a good slayer -- makes me a reminiscent of Sunnydale's finest. Based on the few reviews I've seen, it seems like Honest Abe has the essential slayer elements  -- namely, strength and fighting skills, a nice-guy vamp which serves as his tourguide into all things fangy, plus a motive and setting which makes slaying pivotal to mankind's future in this instance, since the vampires are trafficking slaves in addition to feeding on the living.  The stakes are high, if you will, for Abe Lincoln to kick some vampire ass.

Plus, I love anytime we are given another identity for John Wilkes Booth.  One of my favorite references from Zoolander:

J.P. Prewitt: The truth is male models have been assassinating world leaders for over 200 years. Abe Lincoln wanted to abolish slavery, right? Well, who do you think made the silk stockings and powdered wigs worn by our early leaders?
Derek Zoolander: Mugatu!
J.P. Prewitt: [pauses] Slaves, Derek. So they hired John Wilkes Booth to do Mr. Lincoln in. The first model/actor! Dallas. 1963. John F. Kennedy.
Matilda: Lee Harvey Oswald wasn't a male model.
J.P. Prewitt: You're goddamn right he wasn't, but the two lookers who capped Kennedy from the Grassy Knoll sure as shit were!

I also want to thank the makers of the seriously awesome trailer below, since this story could possibly land in camp-movie history. 

This is so embarrassing. I have been reduced to a complete spaz screaming for help in my living room while playing an Xbox game. The unexpected "I'm in the Alley!! Hurry up! Now!!" panic which I found myself in a few nights ago, completely shocked and impressed me to the point that I thought Left4Dead earned a spot in my vampy and campy files.

Now, I'm a lousy video game-er, despite my enthusiasm. I'm just too impatient, especially for the realistic elements of L4D's gameplay, such as the necessity to carry a flashlight and not a million guns, or that it takes time to stand still and heal your teammates, and that if you are captured by the zombies with the lasso-tongue, you are trapped ... screaming in an alley... until one of your brave teammates can come rescue you.  I was repeatedly scolded for being way too "Leroy Jenkins" to play in survival mode, because I'm way too impatient to crouch and wait to see if the horde is outside the next doorway.  Let me just throw a grenade and blast on through, right? My attitude is let 'em try and catch me.

The look of the game is really creepy, since it's very dark which necessitates carrying a flashlight which only lights up a narrow circle cirectly in front of you. This forces you to be cautious and paranoid about what lies beyond that small ray of light. As if you couldn't tell by the distant sounds of groans and flesh-chomping just out of camera view -- and by god, don't let one of the fat ones spew on you, because that brings in the hordes and fast! Those bastards can run, sneak up on you, you name it.  These aren't Romero's stumbling grave-tenants.

Looks like Left4Dead 2 is out now, and I'm gonna recommend to the roomie that he should pick it up as soon as I can retrieve my self-respect from under the couch.  But really, go ahead and play with the light off. I dare ya.

"If you're suffering from Twilight Fatigue Syndrome (TFS), this gritty, unromantic tale will be a welcome break." I09

Sadly, I dont' think I'm gonna be able to go out and see it this weekend, but it's definetely on my list.  I think this has a bit of cult-movie potential as a contemporary vampire-themed allegory paralleling oil and corporate greed.  I'm intrigued, especially with Hawke and Dafoe standing behind it. It has all the elements of a '00 Vamp thriller: a virtuous emo vamp played by Ethan Hawke (after sunset, eh), a big-bad parable for the current global crisis, and battle-hungry vigilantes with crossbows. Who could resist?

As I've been watching my new Buffy DVD's (Thanks  Santa) I realized that Xander Harris reminds me of Bruce Campbell.  Now, I don't know if that comparison has been made, but, let's study the facts. Both are the handy comic relief in tense supernatural situations, both are quite inventive and clever under fire, and darn it, they kinda look alike.  [I mean, young Bruce of course -- "Ash" Bruce. And, do I see just a little bit of Peter Petrelli in there too?  I digress...]  Not to mention also that both have taken some serious injury for the team. Ash's arm, Xander's eye. Shame really. However, Ash is nothing if not inventive, and the chainsaw arm really allowed him to handle that boomstick.

What I admire most about Bruce Campbell is that he is the epitome of a humble and humorous B-movie actor who knows and embraces the genre. I have a tremendous amount of respect for him, and the man cracks me up. Bruce has the gift of being likeable during some of the most ridiculous scenes ever put onto film. I feel that type of humor is very indicative of Xander's self-depracating character throughout the Buffy series.  Buffy the Vampire Slayer was a fantastic show because it dabbled in so many genres: horror, comedy, adventure, and all of these were handled beautifully by Joss Whedon, who wrote the quick dialogue and relateable characters to root the supernatural stories in normal adolescence. Xander too, is always likeable, even in the face of danger. All I'm saying is, I'd like one of these guys on my side slaying demons.

Here are just a few great lines from the boys:

Well hello Mister Fancypants. Well, I've got news for you pal, you ain't leadin' but two things, right now: Jack and shit... and Jack left town. 

-- "Ash" Army of Darkness 1992

"I laugh in the face of danger. Then I hide till it goes away."

―Xander, Buffy season 1

There I was. Face-to-face with the mother of all ugly. So I say "Come get some", and BLAM, no more Mr. Nasty Face.

--"Ash" Evil Dead: Fistful of Boomstick 2003

I'm sick of being the guy who eats insects and gets the funny syphilis. As of this moment, it's over. I'm finished being everybody's butt-monkey!"

―Xander, Buffy season 4

http://blog.jinni.com/2009/11/vampire-vs-zombies-the-bloody-showdown/

The Jinni blog give Zombies 8 to 1...  lots of good stuff in there.  And I had to use this pic of Underworld vs. Planet Terror as a shoutout to a few of my personal faves.  :)

Take a look at some of my favorite non-fiction-supporting lit centered around vampires.

I think one of the most entertaining to have crossed my line of vision lately has to be the tongue-in-cheek (or fang-in-jugular, as the case may be) Diana Laurence's How to Catch and Keep a Vampire.  Ms. Laurence also writes a few series of 'tasteful romantic fiction' which frequently star vampires.  I love the 'girl power' attitude from page one--


Another interesting book, not so focused on the current trend, and a ligitimate entry of Lit-Crit would be Our Vampires, Ourselves by Nina Auerbach.  She focuses on the origins of the genre, the Byrons and Draculas, as well as the Lestats and Lost Boys.

"Ms. Auerbach implicitly rejects the Freudian and Jungian interpretations of these figures as either psychosexual metaphors or archetypes, preferring to see them in sociopolitical terms. But such interpretations need not be mutually exclusive. There is, after all, more in vampire metaphors than meets any one mind's eye."


Absolutely!  I'm gonna keep my eyes out for some more vampire related guide books. Stay tuned...

I love College Humor's take on the Vampire takeover of all media.  This one's got appearances by all my fav's.  Too good not to keep on here for posterity. :)

Clicky for awesomeness:Vampire Reunion

Excellent counterpoint --  not only is the Vampire mythology always changing, so is the mythology of those who defend the human race...

Addendum: After posting this I did a little more thinking about how the myths involve both humans and vampires, and plus with all the literary mashup going on, when I stumbled accross MTV's "Adapt This" segment of "Pinocchio the Vampire Slayer" it seemed oddly appropriate.

After being lucky enough to catch the last half of Gremlins this weekend (yes lucky), and soak up the reviews both positive and negative of Where the Wild Things Are it got me thinking about great cinema creatures.  Monster movies and what that reflects about us, how some creatures are endearing (hello Gizmo) and some are just terrifying. (Cloverfield) there's the classics such as The Fly, which remind us about humanity as we watch our hero lose theirs.  To wit -- this summer's apartheid allegory -- District 9.

Monsters are the physical manifestation of our fears and anxieties. Etymologically-speaking 'monster' is derived from the root "monstrare" meaning to show, also "monere" which means to warn.

...Monsters are chaos beasts, lurking beyond the cracks in the world of order. They may predate the creation of the world as we know it, living in dangerous and inaccessible places but still able to remind us of their presence in dreams and nightmares. In short, a monster is out of place, conforming to no class or violating existing classes.
Bearing this in mind, it seems that attempts to kill or sacrifice monsters may symbolize an attempt to stabilize reality, and bring the unknown under our control.  Source

That's the burning desires behind creating movie-studio monsters and then taming or defeating them -- another way to visualize our own inner struggles and find a way to overcome them. 

On his new single “Gangsta Luv,” Snoop raps that “Everyday is the same thang, I creep in/ It’s like True Blood, I sink my teeth in,” and apparently the name check wasn’t for nothing: Snoop told MTV he’s a Bon Temps nut. “I love that show. I wish I could be on it. I’d be a hell of a vampire, don’t you think? So what’s happenin’? True Blood, get at me — Snoop Dogg wants to be a vampire,” he said. Source

Umm... 2 words. Yes Please. or... Fo Shizzle?  I only hope he could play himself -- if any celebrities are fair game to already be vampires, I'd say Snoop Dogg qualifies.  Totally characterizes the meta-textural world where vamps are among us already, right? 

"Named after the friendly panther in Rudyard Kipling's "The Jungle Book," Bagheera Kiplingi would rather eat a meal of leaf tips than its fellow creatures. ... "This is the first report of a spider that feeds primarily and deliberately on plants," said the researchers." Source

There is an actual creepy-crawly which is demonstrating an amazing new behavior, mimicking the aw-inducing qualities given to our favorite blood-sucking leading men!  Just as spiders were always considered nothing more than fearsome creatures (still are in my mind...), now the paradigm has sifted to include an 'alternative lifestyle' so to speak...  Within the vampire community it's been considered morality/humanity (This is your Edward, Bill, Stefan, -type vampire) until this time, but I'd suggest that this finding may open the door to an evolutionary theory for choosing the more pacifistic lifestyle...

I also find it interesting that the spider is named after Kiplings' friendly panther, who also demonstrates the idea of blasting pre-conceived notions of fearsome creatures.

Corey Haim was all over it with the killer 1-liner, "Death by stereo!" in '87's classic The Lost Boys.

We have now seen that Muse has become the ad hoc Twilight House band, due to Stephenie Meyer being a fan. However, a line from this interview with Muse's Matthew Bellamy about how they agreed to become such integral part of the franchise struck a chord with me.

You have a song on the new Twilight film. Are you a fan?

A: Well, I liked The Lost Boys in the '80s. I remember that one had a pretty good soundtrack as well. This sort of film struck me as this generations version of The Lost Boys. Source

The Lost Boys -- Possibly the greatest example of the teen vampire flick.  Preceded by Fright Night and Once Bitten, (both in 1985) The Lost Boys took teen angst and insecurity, put on an earring and a lot of hairspray, and let it loose on America, complete with a killer soundtrack.  Who doesn't remember that Keifer Southerland smirk when even thinking about the "Cry Little Sister Theme"?  With the sparse kick-drum pulse and wailing synth -- topped off with that sad and creepy childrens choir --  Absolutely iconic for The Lost Boys, and the 80's youth culture of the movie portrayed. 

Setting the tone right from the opening credits (imho a suitable homage to another lost boy Jim Morrison) Echo and the Bunnymen's rendition of People are Strange plays loud as the camera sweeps over punk kids out on the Santa Cruz boardwalk loaded down with leather jackets and secrets, hanging out on the boardwalk with the sinster air unique to the 'vampire capitol of the world.'

After successfully reviving both the horror genre, and creating a new *teen* horror genre, the tradition of bringing hip tunes together with dramatic supernatural adventures has become anthemic to the cult-slasher-flick-formula.

Which brings me to Scream, Wes Craven's huge success in the line of genre re-invention, featured an amazing theme song from Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, "Red Right Hand."  With the growling vocals and piercing strikes on the anvil, viewers were already on the edge of their seats. Following this was an equally strong entrance of Billy (Skeet Ulrich) to a fantastic cover of Don't Fear the Reaper. Scream has since gone on to make 'a worldwide lifetime gross of $173,046,663 ... [making] it the highest grossing slasher movie as of 2009.' Source

Death by stereo... Slayings by stereo... killer tunes make it all way more fun.

Thanks to my favorite vampire blogger over at Entertainment Weekly, Mandi Bierly, for bringing this interesting viewpoint to light this morning.  Esquire suggests the the current vampire craze is driven by the urge young women have to have sex with gay men.

"Vampire fiction for young women is the equivalent of lesbian porn for men: Both create an atmosphere of sexual abandon that is nonthreatening. That's what everybody wants, isn't it? Sex that's dangerous and safe at the same time, risky but comfortable, gooey and violent but also traditional and loving. In the bedroom, we want to have one foot in the twenty-first century and another in the nineteenth."  Source

While I don't entirely agree with this, I do see the continuity within this new class of gentleman vampires hitting the airwaves (Edward, Bill, Stefan, even Angel). They represent the forbidden, the outsider, and a physical representation of the danger of falling in love and possibly getting hurt. Gay men could also be an excellent stand-in for the non-threatening partner who allows the usually gun-shy heroine to develop into a sexual being by rewarding her to the power -- especially over a mythical, immortal creature. Talk about power.

The search is on for immortal servers right here in my backyard! 

I love the idea of the objectified immortal vampire serving cocktails to mortals in some type of Chippendales scenario...

That said...where is this party, and how can I be invited? ;)

I've arrived, at long last -- new to the world of blogging, but not the world of blogs. I'm finally stepping out of the shadows after many years of silently reading and scheming one of my own. Now the hard part... getting down to business and writing!

Ideas for upcoming content include:

• Sookie Time-Man-Line by special request
• From Angel to Edward
• Bite Me: When Vampires became sexy... a manifesto

Anything you'd like to see? Send me a note!