I just realized how few Halloween posts I’m likely to do this year, so I decided to write one about a heavily debatable topic among horror fans: who is the best vampire on film? (And if you say any of the Cullens, I absolutely will not take you seriously.)
While there are those who swear the best will always be the originals, Nosferatu and/or Dracula, my personal choice is a little more recent. I am a huge fan of The Lost Boys, and David is deliciously evil, but nor does he have my vote. No, my favorite takes us back to 1985.
Fright Night, featuring the positively wicked Jerry Dandridge, as portrayed by Chris Sarandon. (And no, I don’t accept Colin Farrell in the role.)
He’s sexy, he’s suave, he’s charming, he’s seductive…and he is mean as a snake, emotionless, led by his baser needs. The creepiest, most dangerous thing about Jerry is how seamlessly he fits in with humanity. Sure, he’s a little odd, a bit too formal, but there’s something alluring in that, something that often persuades those around him to lower their guard.
The highlight of Fright Night, in my opinion, and the moment when I myself would be doomed to my fate, is the dance scene.
Sorry, Charlie. My hormones are overpowering my brain cells, and I’m going with the sketchy dude who’s been following us and watching you from next door…
So, in the spirit of spooky season, tell me which movie vampire is your favorite, and why.
I can’t believe it’s been almost 2 months since I last posted about the reading challenge! Time really got away from me, but rest assured I am still progressing towards my goal.
When I updated y’all in May, I had just finished Harrow Faire book one, The Contortionist (Kathryn Ann Kingsley) and was about to check out Room Service by Maren Stoffels, as well as book two in the Harrow Faire series, The Puppeteer. I read both of those, along with a few others, so here are my thoughts on each.
1/2. Room Service and Fright Night – Maren Stoffels
Rating: 3.5/5 for both
I enjoyed both books, don’t get me wrong, but the stories feel almost as if you’ve missed something from the very beginning. There’s not a lot of background, nor is there any character development, and while I don’t want to be overwhelmed with details (as Stephen King is prone to doing), I do need a little more in regard to the characters and their relationships. Still, if you’re looking for a fairly fast-paced read that is easily digestible, definitely check out this pair of books.
3. Cirque Berserk – Jessica Guess
Rating: 4/5
This was a fun read with a good twist. I think I finished it in two days. My complaints were minor, so I won’t bore you with them. If you like slashers and amusement parks, this is a must-read!
4. The App – Stuart James
Rating: 4.5/5
Stuart James delved into one of my new favorite subgenres of horror: using the internet to find victims. It’s not unheard of in this day and age, which creates a sense of reality (though the complexity of the app in this book still seems…not quite doable yet). I loved this novel, even if the characters frustrated me at times.
5. Hidden Bodies – Caroline Kepnes
Rating: 4/5
It’s odd that I’m just now reading this, as I have watched every season of “You” the instant they were available and read the first book over a year ago. This was a quick read for me, because Kepnes’ style of writing is easy to follow and keeps you wanting to see what’s next. I could have done with less of Joe’s snide opinions on certain topics that had very little to do with the story, but overall, I really liked this book.
6. The Puppeteer – Kathryn Ann Kingsley
Rating: 3.5/5
I’m still not sold on this series and these characters, though I do like Cora’s sass and determination. I still have the remainder of the series on my To-Be-Read list, but I think they will be read when I don’t have any “must-reads” to get to.
7. Wonderland – Jennifer Hillier
Rating: 4/5
Wonderland was certainly readable, but I wasn’t necessarily absorbed in the story or attached to any of the characters. I will admit, the labyrinthine twists and turns kept me turning the pages and earned the book its 4/5 rating.
8. The Last House on Needless Street – Catriona Ward
Rating: 5/5
I have saved the best for last. I feel like I could do an entire blog on Catriona Ward’s The Last House on Needless Street, but I’ll keep it short and sweet. This novel is so beautifully crafted. I was almost put off by the beginning, because it seemed to dive straight into the middle of something and I was momentarily lost. That was done intentionally, however, as the reader soon discovers. I loved the characters, the story itself, the twists, the overall sense of melancholy throughout. I actually cried at the end. There was hope in those final pages, but Ted was such a likable, tragic character. If you’re reading this mini-review, let me tell you that this book has to be on your list and should be read ASAP!!!!!
**
Next up on my list is Any Witch Way You Can by Amanda M. Lee, which is book one of the Wicked Witches of the Midwest series. I have read 28 books, and my goal is 35. Feel free to drop in and tell me what you’re reading, or about any good finds you’ve come across this year!
Look, we all know dancing is a means of expressing oneself, right? A lot can be said without a single word being uttered. Dancing can be fun, goofy, romantic, a narrative…but in this case, we’re talking about sex, pure and simple.
You don’t have to bump and grind to get the point across, and these three scenes are proof of that.
1. The ballroom dance in The Labyrinth (1986)
Come up with any detail in these four minutes that isn’t fraught with sexual tension. I’ll wait.
This scene is iconic. I guess you could argue that this is actually supposed to be about romance, but the moment she first spots him from across the room is just…electric. Plus, David Bowie is so swoon-worthy in this role.
2. At the club in Fright Night (1985)
Chris Sarandon is the sexiest, most deliciously evil vampire I’ve ever seen. I’d be drawn to him, too. It was a little strange for me to see Amanda Bearse getting mildly sensual, though, given that I was only familiar with her in “Married With Children” when I first watched this movie. Lol.
3. The wolf dance in Red Riding Hood (2011)
The music – Fever Ray’s “The Wolf” – is really what sells this one. When he looks up at her, knowing she’s jealous, and then the two of them glare daggers at each other throughout the whole dance, it builds a tension that is palpable.
(Feel free to comment with your own additions! These are just the ones that jump out at me, personally.)
It is no longer October, but I obsess over horror year-round, so some of my top 5 lists will still feature spooky themes!
Vampires are my favorite fictional monsters. I do appreciate the sex appeal, obviously. Even without it, however, I’ve always preferred the tales that surround vampires over all other creatures that go bump in the night.
These are five of my favorite vampire films. Note that this only includes the non-animated (though I do love Hotel Transylvania). And as always, these are listed in no particular order.
1. Fright Night (1985)
Everything about this movie is great, even Amanda Bearse’s exaggerated transformation near the end. Chris Sarandon is extremely attractive as Jerry Dandridge, but the reason the character is so perfect is his cruelty and IDGAF attitude: he knows how to blend in with humanity and that makes him doubly dangerous.
P.S. – The scene with Jerry and Amy dancing at the club is my favorite part.
2. The Lost Boys (1987)
This iconic film had to be on the list, right? Along with a fantastic plot and an all-star cast, The Lost Boys also had an epic soundtrack. The movie has inspired the generations that followed, resulting in sequels, music videos in which famous scenes are recreated, and several covers of the theme song, Gerard McMahon’s “Cry Little Sister.”
3. Suck (2009)
What do you get when you combine musicians and vampires? A cheesy comedy that is nonetheless extremely watchable. I don’t think you can go wrong with rock stars who are bloodsuckers — with the exception of Queen of the Damned; they screwed that one up — and the addition of Alice Cooper and Iggy Pop make Suck a must-see!
4. Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992)
It’s been a while since I’ve watched this one, but I remember the entertainment value of putting a sassy Valley girl in charge of hunting vampires. I didn’t think the television series recaptured the original charm at all.
5. Dracula: Prince of Darkness (1966)
Christopher Lee is the best Dracula. My mom taught me that at a very young age. I actually bought her a collection of Dracula films starring Lee last year for Christmas.
Horror is an interesting genre because there are so many facets. Fear, whether rational or not, is a personal experience. I feel that this gives the writers, directors, etc., of horror films a lot of room in which to play. There are movies I don’t find remotely creepy that scare my friends, and vice versa. So naturally, this list is very subjective.
1. Halloween — (The original one. Rob Zombie’s remake was atrocious.) How can you not love this movie? I watch it every year.
2. Halloween II — They should have stopped with this one. But come on. Trapped in a hospital, unable to fully function because you’re on meds, and people are gradually disappearing around you…
3. Saw — Judge me if you must, I didn’t sleep after I watched it the first time.
4. Scream — Yes, it’s terrible, in a way. Still, it started a string of movies that everyone close to my age watched.
5. Urban Legend — The least lame of those particular slasher films. The premise was actually legitimate. So underrated.
6. The Houses October Built — A mockumentary. Haunted houses, clowns, and a stripper joint where the dancers wear monster masks. Two thumbs up.
7. The Den — Okay, this one bothered me more than it should have. It had that realistic edge, the multiple events that made me say “That could really happen.” I was tense throughout.
8. Fright Night — Again, the original. Not that I don’t love Anton Yelchin, but Chris Sarandon may literally be the sexiest vampire in the history of ever. When he dances with Amanda Bearse in the club… Rawr!
9. Lights Out — It wasn’t exactly scary. However, it was very well done.
10. The Final Girls — In my opinion, not technically a horror film despite being classified as “horror” and “comedy”. With that being said, I adored this movie. It was SO good. Funny and full of feeling, as well as all the 80’s slasher flick staples, this is a must-have in your collection.
I would give The Funhouse Massacre honorable mention. Another movie that embraces the comedic value of horror films, it toed the line of cheesiness rather admirably, without ever crossing into full-on lame. The killers and their methods actually earned a shiver or two.
And that’s it! Most of these can be found on Netflix or Hulu, I believe. And Showtime has been running The Funhouse Massacre into the ground. Pop some popcorn, grab a blanket, and turn off the lights… It’s time to get spooky!
Mostly Music 