Day Ten: Vampires Suck
When I initially started writing this blog, it turned into a Stephenie Meyer rant. While there’s plenty I have to say on the subject (more on her portrayal of Bella than vampires and werewolves actually…especially now that I’m a father to an amazing baby girl), at this point hating on the Cullens seems so passe. Besides, Stephen King did a pretty good job of speaking about Meyer when Breaking Dawn came out. If you really want to hear what I have to say about Stephenie Meyer and the whole Twilight saga, let me know in the comment section below.
Speaking of our friend Stephen King, he wrote the following in the introduction of the American Vampire graphic novel (which should be required reading for all you vampire fans):
On what vampires should be: "Killers, honey. Stone killers who never get enough of that tasty Type A. Bad boys and girls. Hunters. In other words, Midnight America. Red, white, and blue, accent on the red. Those vamps got hijacked by a lot of soft-focus romance." - Stephen King
While I find myself agreeing with Mr. King in part, I’ve read plenty of non-Twilight vampire novels where the vampires don’t necessarily fit his depiction. For instance, Christopher Moore has written a trilogy of wacky vampire novels that are also great yarns. He’s right though, vampires aren’t brooding pansies. They’re bad ass killers. They aren’t romantic, they’re mysterious, sexy, and dangerous (did I really just write that?). They’re the guy in the leather jacket and motorcycle that your dad doesn’t want you to date. What I’m trying to say is that while my preference is for the dangerous, blood thirsty, stone-cold killers Mr. King references, as long as my vampires have some sort of an edge to them, I’m all in.
Besides, for those of you who say Stephenie Meyer ruined vampires for you, I offer two previous examples for your consideration.
Keanu Reeves in a vampire movie? Seriously? Ted "Theodore" Logan?
and
RIP Leslie Nielsen
Since it’s that time of year, I want to close with essential vampire movie viewing for this Halloween season (in no particular order):
1) The Lost Boys – my first introduction to vampires and still one of my favorite movies.
2) Let Me In – full disclosure, I’ve only seen the American remake, but it’s disturbing, heartbreaking, and well-made.
3) Blade – not your typical comic book movie – full of blood, vampires, and awesome one-liners.
4) Near Dark – the bar scene alone makes this movie worth it – plus Bill Paxton is so damn underrated.
5) Monster Squad – The Goonies meet the Universal Monsters. Lots of fun, with a legitimately freaky Dracula…plus you learn that Wolfman does in fact have nards.
So, what are your favorite vampire movies?
