Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Vampires on film and TV

Vampires have always had a place in popular culture. I remember growing up seeing numerous different film versions of Dracula (which creeped me out, if I'm honest!), I remember reading some Christopher Pike books about vampires. There were other movies that really stuck in my mind (like The Lost Boys, which I'll discuss in a minute) but for me, vampires became something I was really interested in after watching the TV programme, Buffy the Vampire Slayer. (Was it the same for you?!)

I loved Angel right from the start, but in the end, I think I preferred him as Angelus. And then there was Spike. I was completely sold from there. But of course there have been other very popular books and TV shows and films since then about vampires. There's crazy popular TV programmes like Twilight and True Blood and The Vampire Diaries.

While I do hear quite a lot of people braying about how they're tired or fed up with vampires and paranormal fiction, I can also see how vampires seem here to stay for awhile longer. I just hope that they aren't all sparkly or emo, as I prefer vamps when they're bad but perhaps that's just me.

Here are some of my favourite vampires from TV and film.




Eric from True Blood - Oh hello Eric Northman. You are pretty much the only reason I continued to watch True Blood for as long as I did. Sadly, even your gorgeous face isn't enough to keep me watching forever. I just don't have the time or energy to keep up with many shows and I found my interest waning after some of the crazier storylines that have appeared in the show that don't quite match up with the books. Still.




Stefan and Damon from The Vampire Diaries - I think the point at which I stopped watching the television show was when I'd heard that the author was forbidden to carry on with any sort of Damon-Elena storyline. I don't know if those rumours were true or not, but the idea of Damon and Elena maybe-possibly ending up together was something I was really rooting for. I don't like for hope to be all crushed like that. Still, the Salvatore brothers are very good-looking. It was also the inclusion of (boring to me) historical episodes which shifted my interest away from regularly watching. Perhaps I'll return to the show to watch more kick-ass Caroline though? I'm undecided.




Spike and Angel/Angelus from Buffy the Vampire Slayer - I've already briefly mentioned Spike and Angel, but it has to be said that I'm a huge Buffy the Vampire Slayer fan and I was so completely emotionally involved in this entire series and all of the characters. I think Joss Whedon did a fantastic job of world-building and characterisation and the mythology of the different mythical creatures. I did think Angel left at the right time (too much tortured brooding for me!) and that Spike was the perfect replacement. I love his attitude and Spike scenes always made me laugh.




Louis and Lestat from Interview With the Vampire - It wasn't until a few years ago that I actually read the book by Anne Rice. I didn't much care for it, as I thought Lestat to be a little bit on the whingey side, but I remember watching and enjoying the film when I was little. It seemed like a film I shouldn't be watching and so that whole I'm-too-young-to-be-watching-this-grown-up-film aspect of it makes me remember it more fondly than I probably should. I remember being quite creeped out by a lot of it, but I also really liked the different settings and the period clothing in some parts. But then, I'm quite shallow!




David from The Lost Boys - Here's one that I can't say very much about. I watched this when I was very, very young. I remember that it gave me nightmares and was one of the scariest films I'd ever seen in my entire life. And of course, as I had an older brother, he liked to torment me by watching this film over and again for the sole reason that it scared me. Still. An 80s film starring Kiefer Sutherland as a bad-ass vampire? Sounds like a film I should probably re-watch at some stage.




Edward Cullen from Twilight - I felt like I should include Edward on the list, as he's one of my favourite vampires in general, though not necessarily because of the films. I've only seen the first film and I wasn't overly impressed. Don't hate me!


Do you have a favourite vampire from film or television? Do you agree with any of my choices? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

9 comments:

  1. Oooh Eric is rather nice! I haven't watched True Blood but now I might need to start watching it.
    I like Carlisle best from the Twilight films, but that might be because I am closer to his real age!

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  2. Vivienne - Eric is a great reason to start watching True Blood!

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  3. Great post, I agree with all of these vampires apart from Edward, I'm afraid I just never got the Twilight thing. I think from these my favourites are Eric and Spike... must be the blond bad boy thing.

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  4. Jenni - I actually find it strange, because usually blonde boys do NOTHING for me. But I guess there are always exceptions..

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  5. Great post - I really enjoyed reading this and seeing your vampire picks!

    I have to say that I'm a huge Edward fan and I adore the way that he's written in the Twilight books but I also love Stefan and Damon from The Vampire Diaries. I can never choose between the two of them though as they're both gorgeous!

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  6. Spike and Angel are definitely my favourites although Eric is rather easy on the eye...

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  7. I usually go for tall dark and handsome so Angel always did it for me but considering I don't usually go for blondes I wouldn't say no to Spike or Eric lol. I only watched the first series of Vampire Diaries but I have to say Stefan is rather hot too.

    Great list though, I don't think I have any others that I would add to it, I'll have to think a bit more & will come back to you if I think of any.

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  8. I am an evangelist for The Vampire Diaries AND I think the show is definitely absolutely moving in the direction of the Damon and Elena thing happening. If that makes a difference to you. And there's a lot of kick-ass Caroline and she's my favorite.

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  9. SJH - Oh I don't have that problem, Damon all the way for me :) And yes, I preferred Edward in the books..

    Julianne - Ooh, understatement! :)

    Sarah - Excellent! I'm glad everyone's enjoying this random stroll down vampire TV..

    Jenny - I actually wrote this post awhile ago (for my paranormal themed month in October but couldn't use it then) and since then I've started watching TVD again! It does look like things could soon be happening between Damon and Elena..

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