Of Death & Dying (Corey Haim)... Angels... & Bite Bits!

Of Death and Dying

"Death by Stereo!"

This past Wednesday 10th of March 2010, we vampire fans, and more over Lost Boys lovers were hit with the news of the passing of actor Corey Haim.
Genre bloggers across the bloggersphere expressed sentiment and sorrow at this news. From Marta Acosta on Vampire Wire  to Nicole Hadaway on All things Smart and Scary, who credits the movie's influence on the writing of some of her characters.   
It was a tragic end to one of the better known icons of the 80's.

I'm an almost '80's baby, thus I was only about seven years old when the Lost Boys first came out, and Corey would have been about what, fourteen? I know I must have been still way too young when I finally saw the movie (as I do recall seeing it before I had ever even read Anne Rice or Dracula and I was initiated to those authors between the ages of 11 and 13).
But that's what you get, I guess when you grow up in a cinephile family.

I can't tell you how many times I've watched the Lost Boys. Every time it comes on television I watch it, and mind you, I already own the special edition DVD. I've watched it so many times that I know practically every line of dialogue by heart!

And although Corey was not "my crush" (neither Corey was for that matter... I was always a Jason Patric girl, even though he was waaay older, like 13 yrs older!), I still enjoyed the chemistry between the cast, esp. the two Corey's.

With Corey's passing and given what we have heard about the demons (in the form of drugs) which had possessed him over the years, one can only hope that this former Lost Boy, has now found peace in Angels arms.

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And Angels

And speaking of Angels, just some three months ago I speculated in a blog post that Angels may be the new Vampires, after reading all the hype surrounding Becca Fitzpatrick's Hush, Hush, and seems perhaps I was on the right "wing" of thought.
There has been a heavenly reign of releases recently (and blog posts to match).

- Over at VampChix there's a post on Dark Angels: the Fallen and the Nephilim , as they celebrate(d) Angel Week.

- Fang-tastic Books has an Angelology Excerpt and Giveaway.

- While the VampBoyz featured Paul Bettany in Legion as their Boy of the week!

- A little before that (a few weeks ago) author Nicole Hadaway wrote a review of Anne Rice's Angel Time, which Anne also mentioned about on her FaceBook page.

- And soon (next week), yours truly will have a review of author Skyler White's provocative new novel of fallen angels, now vampires in, and Falling,Fly. As well as an interview with the author.

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Bite Bits

 And speaking of vampires (don't you just love a good segue? :). Aforementioned author Nicole Hadaway is having a Giveaway Contest to win season 1 DVD of Blood Ties. The contest runs 'til next Friday 19th and is open to US & CND residents.

Also, a reminder (for all of us North of the American border) Canada's Space Channel still airs /re-airs episodes of Blood Ties, Fridays at 10am and Saturdays at 11am.
As well they (said Space channel) will be premiering season 1 of True Blood this Sunday 14th March @ 10pm.
I already saw and own the S1 DVD, but I'm such a "sucker" for the show (and vamps in general...but ex-nay on the "ilight Tway") that I'll most be watching it all again.

And info to the end - I just learned from self same Canada's Space Channel, that they will be airing The Lost Boys on Sunday 14th.

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And in memory of dear Corey, here is the music video of G Tom Mac's  Cry Little Sister

Bite Bits: Gabrielle Faust, Tanya Huff, Anne Rice & ... Kyle Schmid?

Gabrielle Faust (who can also be found on Twitter by the same name, re: Gabrielle Faust ), author of the Eternal Vigilance book series, is in the process of adapting a script, with acclaimed indie director Anthony Brownrigg, for the first novel in EV series. And a petition has been started to collect signatures to "show...enthusiasm for this creative project and prove to possible movie studio executives that there is a demand for this film to be made". Here is a link to the petition: Help Make Eternal Vigilance into a movie! 

The goal is to collect 500,000 siggy's by the end of 2010. And I for one, am in hope that they will be able to achieve this goal (hence why I've decided to dedicate a blog post about it).

As an avid, die hard vampire fan(g) girl, I would be lying (to myself and you) if I said that I didn't want to see more vamp fare out there.

I most certainly would. 

But that doesn't mean that just for the sake of making vampire film (or Tv series), it should be: come what may, or anything goes, be it good or bad!

Not at all!

But when something merits being explored, when it has the "chops" (pardon the pun), to potentially become something great (or even greater than it is), then one can only hope it be given the chance to do so.

I mean, when you think of it, there have been some (books-to-film) which have been given the chance to become more than what they are, but have left some of us, (of the more logic mind in my opinion), thinking; "Really? ... but it wasn't all that good!" ( insert obvious Twilight reference here)...

And just in case there is wonder as to what makes me qualified to critique what merits a good or bad piece of literature or film - well I cut my teeth on Dracula and Anne Rice novels at the early age of 12 and 13. Not to mention, at an even earlier age (6? 7?) on some classic films of varying genres, from Alfred Hitchcock and Orson Welles to silent films, musicals and foreign language...

But I digress!

Faust's EV series continuously garners positive critical appeal, some of which can be read here: http://www.gabriellefaust.com/about-the-book 

So it's with a love for things that go "bite in the night" that I'm hoping and supporting that this book-to-film, gets to see the light of ... a studio set!

And yes, Gabrielle just happens to be a "HUGE" fan of actor Kyle Schmid (the embodiment of vampire Henry Fitzroy from tv's Blood Ties)... But that's beside the point!

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And speaking of Blood Ties, Tanya Huff, author of the Blood Books, on which Blood Ties is/was based, and from where we got our beloved vampire Henry Fitzroy (as played by Kyle Schmid ) is now on Twitter! Re: http://twitter.com/TanyaHuff 

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And speaking of authors, the (former?) vampire queen B herself, Mrs. Anne Rice, has, for want of a better term, "taken notice" of actor Kyle Schmid (it all comes back to him in this blogpost doesn't it? LoL!).

Albeit it was mainly to comment on the visually aesthetic appeal of the young actor - as fans posted photos in response to her (Rice's) FaceBook post that day regarding, one Matt Bomer of the tv show White Collar . 

Rice (referring to Bomer) said (and I quote): "I just love Matt Bomer. It's so difficult to determine what makes beauty; poise, voice, demeanor, all this is part of the mystery along with killer blue eyes and gorgeous dark hair, and gorgeous facial bone structure."

To which a fan of hers (and Kyle's I presume) replied: "Hi Anne, that description of Mr. Bomer (re: beauty; poise, voice, demeanor, ... killer blue eyes and gorgeous dark hair, and gorgeous facial bone structure) is also closely reminiscent of another actor (albeit younger than the aforementioned). This is actor Kyle Schmid!"

The pic posted by said fan must have caught the authors eye, for she then took the time to comment on it. You can see her comment here on her FaceBook page!

So who knows, reliable sources tell me (i.e. someone who had emailed her and received a response) that although she had "never heard of Blood Ties", she will "check it out when she can."

So in this world of "never knows", we may just yet hear her comment on more than his "aesthetic appeal", but his damn fine acting chops as well! ;o)

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And as I'm on the Kyle Schmid trend in this post, I might as well go full circle and add a fan made youtube video here, wherein, Kyle as his character vampire Henry Fitzroy, stars.


This vid (in my opinion) brings to mind a line of dialogue from the Blood Ties epi 5:55, where Henry says to Vicki: "I don't need to make a sexual advance... I am ONE!"

Well, you be the judge! 

Wishing all a Bloody good Holiday!... And some bite bits.

That other blood red (and green) holiday is now upon us, the only other time where we see as much red as on Valentines day or blood from ones' veins.


So I'd like to take this time to give a warm, red blooded Thank You and wish Happy Holidays, to all my Vamp-Boy and Fang-Girl followers - the newly Turned and Ancient alike (on here and those also following on Twitter and FaceBook, who stop by, occasionally, to read what I have to write :o).  

And here's a little Red Round-up of some of the Season's "V" - things:

1) Don't forget to check author Chelsea Quinn Yarbro's Guest post here on VampirePhile from last Thursday December 17th, on St. Germain's Rules of Vampirism. 

And also, from back in October, VampirePhile's very first author interview with author Roxanne Rhoads.



2) Do you have your Fitzroy? Henry that is! Be ready for 2010 with 12 months of the handsome Blood Ties, bastard Prince himself, vampire Henry Fitzroy calendar from CafePress.

3) VampChix is doing their 12 days of Christmas countdown, with only one day to go. Check it out and see who or what arises on the last (Christmas) day.

4) And while you're at VampChix, be sure to check out their eternal VampBoyz list.

5) Unofficial, but bloody good nonetheless, check out the vamped apparel at the Zazzle Vamp Out store. Cool fan created slogan tees, such as this Eric dedicated one (which I did buy :o) : "1,000 years never looked so good" indeed.

6) And speaking of Eric, earlier this week, SciFiGuy treated us to a sneak peak of Charlaine Harris' new Sooike Stackhouse book 10 cover : Dead in the Family. Which is set for release May 2010.

7) *Singing* "On the first day of Christmas, my True Blood fantasy..." On HBO's official True Blood FaceBook page, you are invited to continue in the revelry. (Singing along, here was my answer: "one Viking Eric biting...").

8) Today, over at the Eternal Vigilance, Gabrielle Faust, has posted a new clip from the upcoming DayBreakers, set for release in January 2010.


9) I've been hearing alot of buzz on this fairly new (August 31) book release called Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick. Some are touting it as the next big thing after Twilight. Only this time, it's with Angels. So who knows, soon Angels may be the new Vampires?

10) And speaking of vampires and angels, just a few minutes ago, Anne Rice announced via her official Anne Rice facebook page, about her official Anne Rice Ning page, she has recently created.

Lestat's mom, loves to keep connected with her fan(g)s...Not only does she have her official Anne Rice website, but there is also an official Anne Rice Twitter Stream and an official Anne Rice YouTube station....

Well I for one, I'm glad she likes keeping connected... here's hoping she may give some consideration to the suggestions of (our beloved) Kyle Schmid for the role of (her beloved) Lestat!?

And finally (for today at least), again, Thank You All for taking a stake "in" (but not "to") this ( VampirePhile) blog. Happy Holidays, and here's to All the best in the fang-tastic future ahead! :[

P.S. - I've added two new features to this here blog... One, at the very top (re: Blood Ties theme song with intro video) and the other, well... can you "Hear" what I'm talking about!?

Where have I been? / General Announcements / and All I want for Christmas is my “V” TV!

Where have I been? : Lost in “hyper” Space!

So just in case you were wondering (or even if you were not) as to where I  have been for the past several weeks  – having practically abandoned my blog updates of most things “vampiric” – Rest assured, some bloody good things are coming.

Nevertheless, the reason for my M.I.A is simple. I had temporarily become a Twitaholic and to a lesser extent, a FaceBook fiend! LoL!

Yes you read me right.

But it’s all related… to vampires of course!

Over the past couple weeks, after having created both a FaceBook page and a Twitter stream for this here blog. I had decided to explore both social sites further, getting a feel of the online community thereon, and especially those of the two most current newfangled (emphasis on “fang”) hit shows: True Blood and The Vampire Diaries.

At first I’d lurk about (like Edward in Bella’s room at night while she slept), reading the posts and discussions on the official TrueBlood HBO and CW Vampire Diaries FaceBook pages, as well as on their several Twitter counterpart, fan(g) pages: @TrueBloodHBO @TrueBloodNet @TrueBloodDotNet and  @CW_VampDiaries @tvdnews @tvdfansonline

And it wasn’t long before I too found myself joining in on both shows FaceBook discussions and Twitter tweets and re-tweets. As well as participating in the fun (but exhaustive) #FF :  *Follow Fridays and doing *Topic Trending!  (*that’s some Tweet speak for those not in the know).

So if you’re planning a hitchhike across the Twitter-verse to get your fave vampire show info fix, then the @forementioned are good places to start.

And also be sure to check out the “Mother” of all vampires (if you consider Bram Stoker to be the “Father” that is), Mrs. Anne Rice.

Yes, Lestat’s mom Tweets (via simultaneous linking of her FaceBook page and Twitter stream).  
@AnneRiceAuthor is also included among the females on my Authors-of-Genre list. 

So there you have it, I was lost in “hyper” space for the past several weeks… But now I’m back!

Info to the end (of this piece), according to The Global language Monitor: “Vampire” was the fifth word of 2009, while “Twitter” was the Top Word of 2009!

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General Announcements:

So in these weeks to come between Christmas and the New Year (and sometime after), I should have a few bite bits (a.k.a Topic Treats) with which to deck the blogs!

a) All I want for Christmas is my “V” TV:  Some recommendations for dealing with the vampire TV show hiatus withdrawals.

b) I see a New Moon Rising: A review of New Moon.

c) The Vampire Diaries –dot, dot, dot – And the devilish, delish Damon Salvatore:  a commentary piece on the hit new show and the talked about vampire du jour!

d) Guest blog post by Chelsea Quinn Yarbro for the release of her new novel Burning Shadows: Saint Germaine Chronicles. (Blog post scheduled for Thursday, December 17^th.)

So stay tuned!

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All I want for Christmas is my “V” TV:

To use (and pun upon) that famous phrase from MTV in the 1980’s: “I want my “V” TV!” 

And no, I’m NOT talking about that new series re-make “V” (The Visitors) on ABC . I’m talking “V” as in Vampires!

Vampires have risen once again – but then again for those of us, who are fans of the fanged, vampires never went away –  it’s just that it may seem to some that they are everywhere these days ( yup, they don’t just come out at night anymore) ; and especially more so in the last couple years!

Apart from The Twilight Saga: New Moon, which recently ripped apart the box office on its opening day (kinda like the way those werewolves ripped apart the vampire Laurent), we have also had, earlier this year (back in June) the much anticipated return of True Blood, season 2 on HBO and the debut (this past Fall) of The Vampire Diaries (based on the novels of L.J Smith) on the CW.

It was a bloody good Summer / Fall for all things fang-tastic.

Alas, now December is upon us.

We’ve already seen New Moon, like what, 2 or 3 times!  Both TV shows are on hiatus – The Vampire Diaries is set to return on the CW in January for the 2^nd half of its first season and True Blood is scheduled to return to HBO in June 2010, with Season 3 – and Day Breakers doesn’t hit theatres ‘til early 2010 either.

However, before we lie in the winter of our discontent and start shouting, batty in the belfry: “I’m mad as hell and I'm not going to take this anymore”, rest assured here are some recommendations of quick nip fixes for dealing with the vampire TV show hiatus withdrawals:

·        Beginning next week on December 14^th,  for five days, the CW will be re-airing the first 10 episodes of  The Vampire Diaries . That's five days, 10 episodes, 1 full week!

·        Starting December 28^th, catch True Blood season 1 on HBO. 3 episodes a night, 4 nights in a row.

·        For fans of Kyle Schmid or for those just curious to know about that vampire show I’m always tweet quoting about (and on which this blog was originally inspired… Henry Fitzroy anyone? ;o) – Blood Ties, season 1 and 2, is now available on DVD.
 

·        You think Eric and Damon are dangerously hot now? Well back then there was The Lost Boys. A classic that never dies and never grows old:  Need I say more?

·        And just for the neck of it: He was a grinch and a scrooge and a pet detective and yes, a vampire too (well almost), Jim Carrey in Once Bitten.

So what are some of your vampire TV show hiatus withdrawal recommendations?

I “invite” you to come inside, to leave your comments below:

Vampire Poetry: My Life, My Love, My Blood

This poem of mine was originally published on Fang-tastic Books this past Summer (June).
But with Halloween coming soon, I thought it fitting to repost:

My Life, My Love, My Blood

Through my life, my love, my blood - You live.

Seeking the mortal, from immortality.

Claws tear at my skin,

Seeking the essence of life within.

And I, by choice, give in, to your sweet, subtle sin.

You live your lost life through my blood.

You, who have lived far beyond regular reality.

Akin to your own muse, am I.

And you shall weep those blood tears when I die,

As *Louis had wept for *Claudia.

My breasts bleed, nicked by your ferocious fangs.

As you seek the womb of my breeding being.

You know it will come, your senses have gleaned

And you will savour my secret spate to placate your pangs.

And in those moments of great despair

You will miss me when I am no longer there.

You will crave me, as the life you once loved,

The life you once had, the life that gave you blood.

*Characters from Anne Rice’s “The Vampire Chronicles”

© 2011

Bite Bits : RDJ as the Vampire Lestat?

Say it ain't so!
Well this will just bite if it turns out to be true.

Robert Downey Jr to be the next vampire Lestat?

Readers, what say you to this?

I think they should perhaps consider a fresher, young face.
I’m thinking of course of Kyle Schmid who portrayed the vampire Henry Fitzroy in tv’s (unfortunately short lived) “Blood Ties”.
He is an as yet to be super famous, but extremely talented young man!
And there’s no denying his appeal and depth as a potential Lestat.