vampires

Fear Friday: Favorite Movie Vampire

October 20, 2023 — Leave a comment

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.

Happy Spooktober!

It’s Spooktober!

October 1, 2023 — 3 Comments

Fall is my favorite time of the year. It actually gets below 90° in Alabama, and the leaves are beautiful for, like, three days. Lol. And, of course, there’s Halloween. Given my love of all things spooky, y’all have probably guessed that Halloween is my favorite holiday.

This year, I have issued a personal challenge to myself, kind of an extension of the Goodreads Reading Challenge. See, I have never read Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein or Bram Stoker’s Dracula. I’m sure you’re thinking “what have you been doing with your life?” Well…I don’t know. Haha! I missed out on those classics, despite my parents having copies of both.

Anyway, sorry for my rambling. My point is, my goal for October is to read Frankenstein and Dracula. What better way to celebrate the season?

Happy October, y’all! If you have any other reading recommendations, I’d be glad to hear them. Drop a comment!

30 Day Film Challenge: Day 8 – A Film Where You Liked the Soundtrack More

January 8, 2023 — Leave a comment

Okay, I’m just gonna say it.

Queen of the Damned (2002) was an atrocious film, particularly if you had read the book. They left out so much that the movie didn’t exactly progress logically. However, the soundtrack was enough to – almost – save it. Hell, the scene in the tub while “Change (In the House of Flies)” by Deftones plays makes the entire film! Lol.

Update to My 2022 Goodreads Challenge (11/5/22)

November 5, 2022 — Leave a comment

I finished Danielle Vega’s Survive the Night and Natasha Preston’s The Fear. Both were readable books, yet I was disappointed with the stories overall.

On the bright side, I stumbled upon Small Spaces by Katherine Arden thanks to an Instagram post and I loved it! Yes, it is considered a kids’ book, but y’all, the creepy factor was real. I will certainly be reading the rest of that particular series from Arden.

My mom brought me Court of the Vampire Queen by Katee Robert. That was a disaster. If you don’t mind books with more smut than plot, this one should be right up your alley. Lol. I myself didn’t enjoy it.

And I know it seems horribly after the fact, but I just read The Maze Runner. I was unexpectedly impressed with the movie, and I tend to think the novels are always superior to the films, so of course I had to check it out. I couldn’t put it down. Another series I will have to follow through on.

My current reads are as follows:

Daylighters (Rachel Caine)

The Snakes (Sadie Jones)

This one was actually sent to me via a “blind date with a book” order from Etsy.

Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke – and Other Misfortunes (Eric LaRocca)

Once I finish these three, I will have completed my reading challenge for 2022!!!!!

Throwback Post: Top 5 Songs About Vampires

October 20, 2022 — Leave a comment

This post was originally published back in 2019.

Happy Halloween!!!!

Have you ever stopped to think about how many artists have written about vampires over the years? I’m sure there’s a case to be made for other supernatural creatures, but vampires are my favorite so I’m gonna feature them.

Note: This list is in no particular order and doesn’t even begin to skim the surface of its subject matter.

1. Die Krupps: “The Vampire Strikes Back”

Fun fact – This track was listed as a Rammstein song entitled “Vampire” years ago, and many people still believe it’s them.

2. Type O Negative: “Suspended In Dusk”

3. Atreyu: “The Crimson”

How could I not include Atreyu? They did an entire album centered around vampires!

4. David Draiman: “Forsaken”

This may be my favorite on the list. David Draiman’s voice is so ridiculously sexy, and he fits the whole eerie vampy vibe very well.

5. Blutengel: “Vampire”

Update to My 2022 Goodreads Challenge (9/27/22)

September 27, 2022 — Leave a comment

I finally finished The Hypnotist by Lars Kepler. It was a really good read, but other books kept jumping ahead of it. For instance: Long Live the Pumpkin Queen by Shea Ernshaw, which is a story from the world created by Tim Burton in The Nightmare Before Christmas (and is thoroughly enjoyable).

I also finished Rachel Caine’s Bitter Blood and read Fall of Night. I think I only have two books left in the Morganville vampires series and that breaks my heart. I love the world and the characters she created, and I’m going to hate to see it end.

Theme Music by T. Marie Vandelly was at the top of my to-be-read pile last time I posted, and y’all…that was one fucked up novel. I couldn’t put it down. I certainly didn’t see the twist coming. And that was Vandelly’s first book! I look forward to more from her.

I have now read 18 of my 25 book goal for the year. Here are the books I’m currently reading.

The Fear (Natasha Preston)

Survive the Night (Danielle Vega)

My want-to-read list is sitting at 65 books and I’m adding more basically every day. I don’t think I’m going to run out of options. Lol.

As always, if you have any recommendations, I’d love to hear them! Happy reading!

Update To My 2022 Goodreads Challenge (7/3/22)

July 3, 2022 — Leave a comment

Hello! It’s time for another update to my 2022 reading challenge!

Since my last post regarding this subject, I finished Afraid (a collaborative effort among Lisa Jackson, Lisa Childs, and Alexandra Ivy), My Pretties (Jeff Strand), and – yes – His Final Girl (Brooklyn Ann).

I also read Stephanie Perkins’ The Woods Are Always Watching and Guillermo del Toro’s Pan’s Labyrinth: The Labyrinth of the Faun. These were two unplanned purchases that jumped ahead on my list.

I have now read 13 of my 25 book goal. And my to-be-read list is now as follows.

1. Bitter Blood by Rachel Caine

2. Theme Music by T. Marie Vandelly

3. The Hypnotist by Lars Kepler (I actually started this one a couple of months ago, but I stalled out on it. Trying again.)

As always, I would love to hear what y’all are reading, and feel free to leave me recommendations!

Update To My 2022 Goodreads Challenge (5/9/22)

May 9, 2022 — Leave a comment

So you may remember this post about my progress on this year’s reading challenge, the book I was currently reading, and my (ever-growing) to-be-read pile. Well, I’m here for another update because I am determined to complete the challenge this year and I feel that blogging about it might keep me on track.

I have now read 8 books in 2022. My goal is 25. Since that last post, I’ve finished Black Dawn (Rachel Caine), The Thicket (Noelle W. Ihli), and The Invitation (Lucy Foley).

I am still working on Afraid (a collection of three offerings from Lisa Jackson, Alexandra Ivy, and Lisa Childs). And the next two on the TBR list? My Pretties by Jeff Strand and – for real this time – His Final Girl by Brooklyn Ann. I’m also going to finish The Morganville Vampires series this year…hopefully. I just keep sidetracking myself every time I walk into a bookstore. Lol.

What are you guys reading? Any recommendations for me? As you can see, I like the horror/thriller/suspense genres, and slashers are my faves. So if you’ve read anything that you think I would enjoy, I’d love to hear about it!

Three of the Sexiest Dance Scenes in Movie History

April 22, 2022 — Leave a comment

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.)

2022 Reading Challenge + My To-Be-Read List

March 17, 2022 — 1 Comment

I’m not gonna lie: the last two years I’ve participated in the annual GoodReads reading challenge, I have failed. My goal always seems achievable when I set it – after all, what else am I gonna do with my free time besides read?

Ha. The joke’s on me. Between work, writing, blogging, trips to Colorado to visit my brother and sister-in-law (and their answering visits to Alabama), and driving up to Kentucky to see my best friend, my free time always fills up.

But this year, I am determined. I will complete my list. Upon finishing Ania Ahlborn’s Dark Across the Bay, I have read 5 of my 25 book goal. Here is a short list of what’s coming up next for me.

Currently reading: Afraid, which consists of three intertwining tales by Lisa Jackson, Alexandra Ivy, and Lisa Childs

Up next:

  • Black Dawn by Rachel Caine (a Morganville Vampires novel)
  • His Final Girl by Brooklyn Ann
  • The Thicket by Noelle W. Ihli – I am very intrigued by the summary of this one. It sounds similar to the slasher flicks I enjoy.