Movies with bite

In keeping with the Halloween week, I've decided to do a little post on my favorite vampire movies. I despise almost every scary movie known to mankind, but somehow vampire movies get a pass. I love them!

Here are a few of my favs:

Let The Right One In

I don't think this movie is nearly as popular as it should be. It's a real sleeper, full of unexpected goodness and a touch of in your face violence. Of course, it's also got a sweet romance. What's not to love? Seriously, check it out. (If you're a Netflix customer you can watch it instantly online.)



Next up is another semi-sleeper:

Near Dark

Near Dark is gritty tale of a family of vampires and the human they lure into their midst. You'll see some familiar faces in this one, too. The whole feel of this film works for me.



Now for the more popular choices:

Underworld I & II

While not a straight up vampire movie because it also features werewolves, it's the atmosphere that pulls me into these films. That sort of blue-black gleam that everything has makes these movies feel slick and edgy even while focused on characters and story lines centuries old. Just great flicks!




Some more favorites:
The Blade series - Especially the one with Ryan Reynolds. You know what I'm talking about.
The Lost Boys - a fond remembrance from my teenage years. Also? Billy Wirth shirtless. Um, yes please.

What's your favorite vampire movie?

Apparently I like vampire books...who knew?

Like everyone else on the planet, I read "Twilight."

Not because I wanted to. Mostly because I felt like I should. Stephanie Meyer had found such a cultural touchstone for teens, and since I write YA, I figured I should check it out and see what the big deal was.

Eh.

It was interesting, I guess, but it wasn't exactly my cup of tea. I found Bella to be way too whiny and annoying, and frankly, not really a good role model for girls. And I wasn't a big fan of Edward.

This was probably because I've never really liked vampire books. Sure, I watched "Interview with a Vampire" back in the mid-90s when it was all the rage, and I even read it in French for the heck of it. And it was mildly entertaining. Mildly. I never could understand the huge appeal it held for so many in my high school (much like I can't understand the huge appeal the Twilight series holds for today's teens).

I've read a few vampire romances through the years, but mostly when there wasn't anything else to read, or it was written by a friend of mine. I've just never understood the appeal.

Until now.

After having read our very own Melissa Francis's BITE ME! and mother-daughter team P.C. and Kristin Cast's MARKED within a span of a couple of weeks, I can now officially say that I really like YA vampire books.

Well, at least those. LOL.

But seriously, check out BITE ME and the House of Night series. You won't regret it.