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My earliest recollection of vampire movies would be when I was about 4 or 5 years old. I have three older brothers who took turns taunting me! But my brother, closest in age, would drag me out into the frontroom to watch a show here in Chicago on WGN called, "Creature Features", every Sat. or Sun afternoon, around 3-4 p.m., back then. They showed all kinds of Horror genre B-movies and we would be lying on the floor, chins in our hands, fixated on the scariest shows, with our little faces practically pressed against the t.v. screen... vampires were always my favorite!
In the 70s, they ran alot of Christpher Lee/ Peter Cushing vampire movies... I always rooted for the vampire, of course! We never flinched and when we did, we would roll around on the floor laughing at each other, hysterically... not scarey at all! When the vamps intended female victim would be hypnotized to float outside for a rendevouz in the night, I was absolutely mesmorized. I think that's when I first got hypnotized by the genre, myself! That usually initiated a game of me being the female vampire, chasing my brother, the wolfman around the frontroom... complete with our own set of play fangs! I think they were the costume stand-bys for Halloween several years in a row, there after.
I was about 7 when I checked out my first vampire book from the library... I can't even tell you what it was, but there's been hundreds after that, all blended together in my very over-active imagination.
My all time favorite movies though, are a hilarious little diddy by Roman Polanski called Fearless Vampire Hunters, with his wife, the Late Sharon Tate... tragic! And a real cheesy B-movie called Vampire Circus. The lead vamp is named Emil and is very sensual! He also shape-shifts into a black panther!! I think that was the very first movie that I related vampirism to sexuality.
I Love Anne Rice's vampire series!! But then, who doesn't?! I was thrilled when the movies came out. My other favorites are of course, Lost Boys and Bram Stoker's Dracula... which was beautifully filmed, I might add. I read the book when I was very young. Nothing though, can compare to Bela Legosi's Dracula, and the original Nasferatu... classic brilliance!
There's only two movies that have ever really scared the daylights out of me, the original Phantom of the Opera and The Exorcist... which has absolutely nothing to do with vampires... except that if I was to ever sit down and actually write one of my many journals that I keep, and think of what would be the most monsterous vampires, those examples are chisled into my brain and nightmares, forever.
What is it about the vampire mystique that fascinates me? I think first, and most importantly, is the illusion of immortality and rising from the grave, in perfection. Eternal youth and beauty. Vampires don't get sick and they don't die. They are very loyal protectors and fierce predators. Vampires are Heroes in my book! Anything is possible in the genre, these days.
Second, would have to be the sensuality and seduction... old world charm and chivalry, romance and passion. Love is eternal and conquers all until the sun rises! Angry vamps, being vamps excite me even more! Nothing's more powerful than a vampire warrior, conquering his enemies, for the love of his woman... it's actually very sweet, and yet very Dangerous. I guess it's the old "beauty and the beast" theme that sweeps me off my feet, and turns me into an emotional heap... I absolutely fall in LOVE with my vampires!
Blood Ties is the most refreshing vampire show, I've watched in a long time. When they took Forever Knight off, I was crushed! There's been a real void, since then. But I think Kyle Schmid is doing a Beautiful job filling that void and portaying our royal, Henry Fitzroy!! And I have a little crush on him now, too... just a little itty bitty one. What a brilliant concept Tanya Huff has given us! I've just started reading the first novel and I'm hooked, already! I Hope this show stays on for a very long time, so that I can be seduced by my favorite vampire, everytime I watch it... Perfection!
Submitted by CheriS
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My favorite vampires have to be Henry from Blood TIes, Stefan from the Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs, and Mick from Moonlight.
The Mercy books have the same edge as the Blood books and the TV show; funny but amazingly awesome. In the Mercy series, vampires are mostly evil but Stefan is different. They have to be fed upon for a long time before they can be changed, almost becoming vampiric themselves after being Bound - i.e. having the ability to be brought back when killed by the parent vampire.
Henry is awesome because he has a different attitude than most vampires in vampire novels and movies. He doesn't hate being a vampire, he enjoys it, but not in a way that makes him evil. He has many 'encounters' with women, but still only truly loves Vicki. Hehas no problem with drinking human blood, but only or survival. He doesn't kill people. He reminds me a little of a knight - protective and always willing to go against wrong.
Submitted by Miri
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My favorite vampire is Mick St. John from Moonlight on CBS on Fridays at 7pm, but my favorite myths are eyes changing to a red color from Vampire High, when a vampire is killed they turn to ash like Buffy the Vampire Slayer and I love in Moonlight how they jump really high and can move really fast. The way Henry Fitzroy uses his powers is sexy, dangerous in a good way and cool how he helps Vicki out. Vote to keep Blood Ties on, it's a great and cool show.
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Several years ago, after absorbing all of Ann Rice's novels, I got hooked on Susan Sizemore. Her vampires have such an amazing sense of humor and sense of self. Her ability to paint such vivid pictures with words are right up there with Rice. While reading her novels, I was given two other books about the supernatural and now find myself haunting the websites of Kresley Cole and Lara Adrian as well as Susan Sizemore to see when their next novel will be released. None of them follow the standard fare of vampirism but each has a unique story line and wonderfully warped sense of humor. Their heroes are uber-alpha males and their heroines are not your typical helpless females. Anyone out there who loves a good love story with just a bit of erotica and more than a bit of humor will love any of these authors. submitted by Gabi
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I love the regulars liek Anne Rice and The Twilight Weries. But my two favorites since their inception is theTemplar Vampires by Rene Lyons and The Southern Vampire novels by Charlaine Harris.
I love Moonlight and Blood Ties of course They always take the best shows off and leave the normal middle of the road shows on. I wish there was a channel for just vampire fanatics.
Can you imagine 24 hours of Buffy, Angel, Dark Shadows, Moonlight, Blood Ties,Dark Shadows, and Blade..wow. I would never leave from the front of the tv.
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One of my favorite vampire lore’s is written by Melissa De La Cruz, she bases her story in New York with some of its most prominent families who ancestors sailed on the Mayflower, they are wealthy, powerful and blue bloods an ancient group of vampires. Her story begins with a young girl who is thrown into this world shrouded with secrets, as she learns about the “blue bloods” she also learns her part in their society. It has a fresh look at vampires, and how they have come about. I would tell you more but do not wish to ruin reading the books for others she currently has Blue Bloods, Masquerade: A Blue Bloods Novel, and Revelations: A Blue Bloods Novel is coming out the end of October 2008. I love this series because it has a completely new look at vampires as well as retaining the sensuous allure and a bit of romance and mystery. Submitted by Kelsey
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