I am in love with a vampire. His name is NOT Edward Cullen. It was the spring of 1995. I was thirteen. My brother Scott brought home a movie from Blockbuster titled Interview with the Vampire. I remember my mom even today, "Scott, Penny is not gonna like that movie. It will scare her." Even after thirteen years of life with Penny, my mother clearly had no grasp of who her daughter was. I got pissed at her when she told me not to go watch Jurassic Park in the theater with my brothers a year earlier. She said I would hate it and it would scare me, blah, blah, blah. Then when I saw it on vhs, I LOVED it. Mom! You made me miss a phenomenal motion picture experience on the big screen… (I'm not bitter.) Silly mommy, trix are for rabbits. Mom's movie of choice: Steel Magnolias. Penny's movie of choice: Lord of the Rings, or something including a lot of people getting exterminated. Anyways, learning that my mother's choice in movies and mine are completely dissimilar is a whole other blog…
I had no preconceptions or expectations as we started our movie. Who is Brad Pitt? I knew Christian Slater and Tom, of course. The movie immediately took me into a whimsical, sinister, very dark world. A world, where killing innocent for survival is elegant. Where being immortal is endearing and terrible simultaneously. I almost felt sinful for getting pleasure from such a thing. Very well done wardrobe, acting, writing, and special affects. Most impressive in 1995. I desperately wanted to be Claudia. My favorite character in the film, portrayed by a very young Kirsten Dunst. Her film debut I believe. It instantly became my most favorite movie of all time. Nothing has nudged it out of its trophy position to date. IWTV is actually and adaptation from the book by Anne Rice, which surprisingly I have never read. (It's not too late; you can still buy it for me for Christmas.)
This dark and twisted love for vampires has flourished over the years. I found myself watching documentaries on History Channel and Discovery Channel, about Vlad III the Impaler. More recognizably know as the Count or Dracula. Believed to be the roots from which all of this vampire mythology stemmed. I find Vlad (shout out to you Anna!) to be most intriguing. I have not read or watched much on the bloodsucker recently, but I recall the tale going something like this. Romania (Transylvania) - a really, really, really, long time ago, he would impale or crucify his prisoners upside-down and catch there blood in basins below. Then, would enjoy himself a scrumptious, thick, glass of blood with his dinner. Many times, victims were still in a conscience state, body slowly drained of life, as Vlad sipped on their blood, seeing that he liked to indulge while it was till warm. Merlot anyone? There are also gruesome tales of female mutilation and torture he used as punishment for sexual misconduct, or crimes of promiscuity. The count would have their breast cut off or would have them impaled through their vagina. Yeah. You just read that. Reminds me of another evil yet alarmingly intriguing man, Jack the Ripper. Most of the vampire-like horror stories passed thru time all evolved from our dear friend Vlads. Also inspiration for Bram Stoker's classic, Dracula.
Other notable movies/books /comics that nurtured this sick puppy into a healthy love for these blood thirsty immortals are Blade, Van Helsing, A league of Extraordinary Gentlemen, and most recently, Twilight. Elizabeth Bathory is most excellent in League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, by the way. Also a true to life person like Vlad the Impaler. She was a countess, who murdered somewhere around 600 girls, and was said to have bathed in their blood. Virgin blood, so that she may retain her youth. She in turn is a pioneer of the vampire movement. Super sick! I love it.
Look out Louis! (Brad Pitt's character in IWTV) There is a new kid in town, and his name is Edward Cullen. It's a rare occasion that I jump on the pop culture train, but this was a must. I was skeptical. I really actually only just jumped on the caboose. Was barely hanging on with my pinky finger when Tonya I walked into the grapevine mills movie theater 2 weeks ago. With our tummies full of steak and Shake and our pre-purchased tickets to Twilight we waited with a theater full of teeny boppers and gothic , star wars emperor-like dressed kiddos, with no clue, no expectations, much like that fateful day 13 years ago when my brother walked thru the door with what is now my most beloved film. I'm not going to say a lot about Twilight. All you need to know is it is good. If you enjoyed watching Louis bite people in IWTV, then you too will enjoy Edward. I bought book two. New Moon. I am halfway thru it. I find the novels to be equally as enjoyable as the movie.
It would be misleading if I was not to make note of the fact that I am extremely squeamish when it comes to blood. Actually, it is not the blood itself that brings me to a weak state of being, it's anything from lack of circulation to gashes, neck/wrist wounds; totally freaks me out! You are confused, I know. How can I be a passionate lover of vampires, but become faint at the sight of a cut vein or the sound of a pounding heartbeat (used for background in IWTV every time someone was getting bitten, genius!) (Actually feeling a little light headed typing this now.) But I felt it important to mention, because if you ever have the experience of taking on a vampire flick with me, I might pass out here or there. Do not panic. It's normal. I think its part of the intrigue. I love a challenge. I enjoy learning to face what I fear.
Why? Why do I and so many others have this odd and quiet honestly disturbing attraction to something so evil, so taboo? I do not know. It's mysterious. It's intriguing. Its hot men battling with the monster within. I dig it. Join me on the dark side won't you?
Disclaimer: Buffy the Vampire Slayer the television series sucks. The Lost Boys movies suck.
No comments:
Post a Comment