Vampire Henry Fitzroy's re-Birth-day... & actor Kyle Schmid's Birthday.

 
So today, Friday July 23rd, is somewhat of an auspicious day for those of us who are vampire fans. And more so, for those of us who are fans of a specific, Royal, blue blooded (albeit bastard) vampire Prince.

And whom might that vamp, du (ce) jour, be?

It's none other than vampire Henry Fitzroy.

Today marks the day when, thanks to the creative genius of author Tanya Huff, the real life persona of Henry Fitzroy, bastard son of King Henry VIII and 1st Duke of Richmond and Somerset, died, but was re-born into the world of Huff's Blood Books as, vampire.


Today is also the day when, in the zodiac, the sun enters Leo and will remain there until August 22nd. Leo is represented by the symbol of the proud lion, which in essence, it (the lion) is also a royal symbol. Noted among the traits of a Leo personality are: Loyalty, self-confidence, charisma.

And speaking of Leo's and vampires (and don't you just love a good segue? :)  

The actor who embodied and breath life into the aforementioned vampire Henry Fitzroy on tv's Blood Ties also celebrates his own birthday under the zodiac sign of the Lion.

Yes Kyle Schmid is, as vampire Henry Fitzroy was, a Leo (albeit of the other month).  




Kyle will be celebrating his birthday coming up on August 3rd and in anticipation of this, an e-card was put together for him, for his fans to sign and leave messages.
Said card can be signed> here.






His Blood Ties co-star, actress Christina Cox also celebrates her birthday under the sign of Leo. This "lioness" celebrates this month, on July 31st, and an e-card has also been created for her fans to leave messages for her. Her card can be signed> here.

Movie Review: The Sorcerer's Apprentice

So, once again, I interrupt the usual "vampire themed" posts of this blog to bring you a general movie review. Albeit, the film is of the fantasy genre (with some aspects of mild horror) and one of the two lead actors did play in vampire back in 1988 (so you see, in a way, it's still "all connected" :)

So what film am I talking about? 

What film, filled with fantasy, magic AND physics, mild horror, adventure, humour, great action and special effects and an actor who once played a vampire in 1988  (the film in question being The Vampire's Kiss)?

Why it's Disney's The Sorcerer's Apprentice of course. Starring Nicolas Cage and hometown (Montreal/Canadian) boy Jay Baruchel.

The Sorcercer's Apprentice made its Canadian debut, as the opening film feature at the commencement of the 14th edition of the Montreal Fantasia Film Festival, hosted, as it has been for the past several years by my alma mater (and present place of employ) Concordia University.

In one of the venue's largest theaters, 700 of us (or more if you include the actor Jay Baruchel and the Disney representatives who were present) were treated to the screening of said film, in advance of its opening next Wednesday, July 14th (date on above poster is incorrect).

And what a treat it was.

After the general Festival opening announcements, Baruchel, in a state of, what can only be described as "giddy, geeky, glee" introduced the film to the happy hometown audience. Then we sat back and allowed the magic to unfold.

Without giving too much (or anything) away, I can safely say that The Sorcercer's Apprentice was indeed an enjoyable film. 

Nic Cage made good as the "just a bit" crazy master sorcerer Balthazar Blake, on the quest to find the one who could be the next  to acquire Merlin's magic and defeat the evil Morgana.

And Jay Baruchel proved to be well cast as the nerdy, endearing, reluctant hero / apprentice.

With a nice, balanced blend of action, adventure and pretty cool special effects. The film takes the viewer on a fun ride, reminiscent of classic Disney / Bruckheimer fare. And it'd also no doubt leave you laughing out loud at some unexpected moments in dialogue.

If you enjoyed The National Treasure movies, then you will certainly enjoy The Sorcerer's Apprentice.


I've to give Special Thanks to Cindy Canavan (Manager of the University's IITS Cinemas team). As well as to the Disney Reps whom I'd had the pleasure of meeting.

True Blood: A Vampire Villanelle

So last week, I was given the assignment (in my poetry writing workshop) to write a Villanelle. (An example of which is the popular Dylan Thomas' Do Not Go Gentle into that Good Night.)

Now mind you, I am (have always been) more of a free verse writing type poet. So as much as I may enjoy reading the occasional, traditional/ structured poetry, like, for example, Sonnets, I'm not much for writing them.

Nevertheless, I decided to take on the challenge of writing the Villanelle. And what a challenge it was... Until!

Until I decided to write on two of my favourite topics. Vampires, and more specifically True Blood.

And how apropos, because with season 3 almost upon us (with only 3 days left to go from today, June 10th), and as waiting has sucked to the point (of a fang) of wanting to "do bad things", here's hoping to God(ric) that the vampire villanelle helps sustain, even if only for a little bite... I mean bit! ;)

True Blood:  a Vampire Villanelle

 
 

True, it’s in the Blood and we know it all too well.
You don’t know how much is at stake!
'til Sunday, seeking solace in vampire Villanelle.

Season one was fangtastic, there was so much to tell.
How much more waiting does it take?
True it’s in the Blood and we know it all too well.

On Bill, Eric and Sam, *Sookeeh seems to have cast a spell.
Waiting sucks! Don’t tempt a fans’ faith.
'til Sunday, seeking solace in vampire Villanelle.

Lafayette’s a charm. Baby vamp Jessica’s a thrill, hell
Almost all in Bon Temps are just about great.
True, it’s in the Blood and we know it all too well.

Season two started strong. Close to the end it kinda fell.
Although, “I will Rise up” … the best episode to date.
'til Sunday, seeking solace in vampire Villanelle.

Season 3, soon we’ll see Alcide. So gravely we wait. We dwell.
HBO’s campaign? Bloody icing on the cake!
True, it’s in the Blood and we know it all too well.
'til Sunday, seeking solace in vampire Villanelle.

 

* Sookie – as per the way vampire Bill pronounces it on the show - Sookeeh

© 2010

"True" it's in the "Blood" T-minus 13 to the 13/06/2010 @ 9pm

Right now it's 9:00pm (eastern)on June 1st ... Day number 13 is almost over. Then tomorrow, day number 12, and the day after that, number 11... Can you feel it? Can you hear it? Can you smell it? Can you see it? Can you taste it? The anticipation is growing. Hell it's been growing for some time now. Since season 2 ended last summer... and boy does Waiting. Ever. Suck.  

But thank God(ric) our thirst will soon be quenched, as by about this time on Sunday June 13th, we'll be "neck" deep, back into one of our favourite shows. If you haven't figured out by now... I'm talking about True Blood baby!

HBO, the clever "suckers" that they are, have been teasing us die hard TrueBie fan(g)s relentlessly with their True Blood promos: "In Production" (behind the scenes shots), and the "Drop of Blood" minisodes, and the collectible posters ( VILF anyone ;) .... I'm sure some fans are just about ready to vamp, or better yet "were" out on someone's as...terix!  And speaking of Weres, well, we'll all see Alcide as he enters the Bill, Sookie, Eric triangle.

In any case (of TruBlood) while we continue to wait and count the days, towards nine that night, here are some random TrueBlood Season 3 stuff for the necking, oops I mean "checking". Enjoy!

HBO’s “Welcome Home” promo w/ True Blood S3 Clips

True Blood S3 official trailer # 3

True Blood S3 Invitation to the set

True Blood S3 minisode # 1 - Eric and Pam

True Blood S3 minisode # 2 - Jessica

True Blood S3 minisode # 3 – Sookie, Lafayette and Tara

True Blood S3 minisode # 4 - Sam

True Blood S3 minisode # 5 - Bill 

Exclusive clip True Blood S3 Eric and Sookie talk about Bill

Bite Bits: Kyle Schmid, VampChix, Faust and Fowley.

I interrupt the general vampire themed posts of this blog, to bring you a little acting review.... Well technically, the post is still "on point" as the actor in question has played a vampire before as well.

I'm speaking of Kyle Schmid, who played the vampire Henry Fitzroy in the tv show Blood Ties and who can now be seen in the new Canadian indie film GravyTrain. (Review on the new film GravyTrain in which Kyle Schmid co-stars with April Mullen and Tim Doiron redirects > Here!)

**Warning - This post may contain spoilers**

Kyle Schmid as Lance Dancaster in GravyTrain

Ok, so I know I can't do a review of GravyTrain, without giving mention to one of the actors there in, Kyle Schmid.

After all "some" (if not all) reading this review, may count themselves to be among his fans, who, though they (unfortunately) may have to wait a bit yet to see the film, are eagerly awaiting it, and are nonetheless, probably looking forward to hearing about his performance therein.
 
Well, I shan't give too much away regarding the plot a/o his role therein, but I must say, that the character of Lance Dancaster (as compared to the other characters of which we have seen Kyle play thus far) was yet another interesting departure for Mr. Schmid. And as we fans know, each of those other characters, in turn having been equally different from the other. 

Kyle embodied the character of the geeky Lance to a "baby blue turtle neck" T, injecting his performance with the personality, humour and mannerism of a sometimes bumbling, not-quite-adept, pencil pushing desk cop dork, who continuously, albeit vainly, tries to compete with Chuck GravyTrain's more cool, #1 cop persona.   


A friend, with whom I went to see the GravyTrain flick, and who by the way is not a fan of Kyle's (in the sense of, she has not seen much of his work and only knows about him because of yours truly... thus her opinion is an "unbiased" one), she told me, totally unsolicited mind you, that, and I quote:

"I think Kyle is a good actor and has the potential to do great things. This role was very different (from playing a vampire) but it's nice to see that he doesn't take himself too seriously and can take on the role of a goofy, funny character. I've seen him in *3 different movies and he portrays someone different in all of them. I'd like to see him in a comedy again."

*The "3 different movies" of which she is referring are: Zerophilia and The Blood Ties series and now GravyTrain.

Kyle Schmid continues to "become" or "inhabit" his roles on such a chameleon level that it's wonderful to watch. It is, to quote author Gabrielle Faust in a recent interview: "as if he has been that person in real life".

But to use a quote from Lance himself as he spoke to his "potato tooth-picked people" (as pictured above): "Don't believe what you hear I tell ya..."  But rather go catch GravyTrain if/when it pulls into a cinema station near you and see for yourself.

 *

And speaking of  author Gabrielle Faust and "recent interview". Be sure to have a read of said interview which Gabrielle did recently with Raelynn Coombs of the Memphis Vampire Examiner, see Here!

There in Faust talks about Kyle (yes Faust is also a fan), her life and work including her acclaimed post apocalyptic vampire series Eternal Vigilance (which by the way, there is a petition to: Help Make Eternal Vigilance into a movie!)

For those who haven't you should consider giving the Eternal Vigilance series a read. 

It's been continuously getting great reviews & the legendary Kim Fowley (record producer & former manager of The Runaways) recently compared Ms. Faust's writing to Harry Potter author J. K. Rowling. See the Dangerous Minds interview Here (at bite bit 14:17)!

*

And speaking of vamp chicks like Ms. Faust.  One of my favourite blogs which I follow, VampChix has a new blog banner for those wishing to add to your blog or site to "show everyone you love vampires". You can find the banner Here!

*

Review of author Jacqueline Lepore's "Descent into Dust"

"And though it is many decades later, it all comes back to me; back even to those early days, when the terror was new and I was dangerously untrained.  When I was young and did not yet know I had a secret..."

*

I have recently completed my second reading of author Jacqueline Lepore's debut Descent into Dust.
Yes, you are not mistaken, you did indeed read those words correctly. My second reading.
That is how captivating a page turner of novel this is.

Set amidst the Victorian era, the novel debuts by introducing us to the heroine Emma Andrews, a young widow on her way to her cousin's home in the countryside of Wiltshire.

It all begins innocently enough with glimpses into the life and surroundings, the somewhat fractured relationship between Emma and her sister Alyssa and the bond between Emma and little cousin Henrietta.

But nevertheless, within the first few chapters, as the story progresses, Lepore manages to weave in a sense foreboding that is almost palpable, and this is maintained through the story.

As I read, I felt myself being drawn into the mystery with a multitude of questions: Who is Marius? Is he real? What does he have to do with Henrietta and the Hawthorn tree? What is Valerian Fox's secret? What was the real story behind Emma's mother's "condition"? Who can Emma trust?

Lepore's use of the first person perspective, through the eyes of Emma, proved very effective in building the moments of genuine, hair raising suspense and terror, which all played out initially, on a psychological level, then manifested itself on a level all too real for the characters in the novel... and I have to admit, at some point too (psychologically) on/for this humble reader, given that some aspects manifested in my dreams thereafter.

Descent into Dust is a novel rich with intrigue, full of flowing textured language and good old fashioned Gothic horror. It taps at the window of your psyche before it grips you by the throat.

It mesmerizes into wanting to read on to the end and then some more (fortunately there will be more in The Cyprian Queen... unfortunately we have to wait until March 2011).
Don't be surprised, if like me, you read it twice.

I'm highly recommending you give this book a read!

For more on Jacqueline, you can be sure to visit her website and you can also find her on Twitter

You can also read some interviews with Jacqueline at: VampChix, Fang-tastic Books and Suburban Vampire.

New Vampire themed Video: Can't Sleep

Here's a bit of vampire themed vid for Friday.

Anders Häger Jönson, representative of the Stockholm based production company La Vida Locash brought their recently produced music video to my attention. It features dance music artist Adrian Lux "having an encounter with female vampires in a Swedish winter landscape."

I'm liking the cinematographic visuals. It's beautiful with the black & blue theme against the snowy white!

Enjoy!

Tanya Huff's vampire Henry Fitzroy may get re-newed (undead) life?

The news was broken earlier today by The Hollywood Reporter (well the THR news was actually broken to the rest of us first, by an alert Kyle Schmid fan, MaggieMay, on/via Kyle Schmid Central on Kyle's Korner), that Canadian author Tanya Huff's Smoke Books  may become the basis for the potential development of a new vampire series for the small screen, to be done by Fremantle Corp and Kaleidoscope Entertainment (the same company that gave us our beloved Blood Ties.) - In fact, the news was so fast breaking that even the author herself was surprised, as she tweeted here and here.

There was also this bit of news on the same topic, to which Mrs. Huff corrected  in her 2nd tweet above as per the correct location (i.e. not LA, but Vancouver).

Nevertheless, this news, as it broke today was met with tons of virtual applause by fans at the possibility - ( well once all goes well and they get the financing for this project ) - that the beloved and debonair vampire Henry Fitzroy may get to rise from his death like sleep, and once again grace our screens.

Of course added to this, is the further hope that if indeed this project comes to pass, that the man himself, Kyle Schmid, who IS the embodiment of said vampire, would indeed get to / choose to reprise his role as the vampire Henry Fitzroy. 

I mean afterall, for anyone who is a fan of Blood Ties you all KNOW that Kyle Schmid MAKES Henry Fitzroy who and what he is: "I am not to be taken lightly. Do not forget who and what I am." - Henry Fitzroy, Blood Ties

In the end (or maybe, in this case, hopefully, fingers & fangs crossed  - the beginning, again?) when all is said and done, regardless of anything else, such as any changes/differences that the Smoke and Mirrors (as the series would be called if green lit) may take on, the virtual voices are unanimous in who should be vampire Henry Fitzroy ( and as the expression goes Fifty Million Frenchmen can't be wrong, n'est pas!?)

So as much as my writers' mind wanders off and wonders on speculations of what has yet to come to pass, it is with Patience and Prayers that we fans will wait, as I tweeted back to Mrs. Huff, "with fingers crossed and bated breath".

But still... here's looking at you, Henry ;o)