Saturday, February 16, 2008

Maybe you've noticed.

#3

I have a thing for vampires. Ever since I was a fairly young child I was both drawn to and terrified of them. I remember devouring everything I could find to read about the mythology and mystique of the vampire, then lying in bed in the dark paralysed with fear, repeating in a whisper, "They can't come in unless you invite them." The intimacy of the bite, the thrill of fear, the power of the biter and the powerlessness of the bitten.....all of these things haunted my daydreams - and my nightmares - for years. I suppose it was all part of a young girl's (ahem) awakening, now that I read this paragraph over. (Sorry, Mum. I realise it's possible you'd rather not know that.)

I didn't really notice my vamp obsession until lately, when I was scouring the DVD bins at London Drugs for a copy of Underworld and Underworld Evolution. The movies weren't there, so I stalked over to the Aud-Vid desk and commanded the pimply lackey to order the set. They arrived in short order - four hours of Kate Beckinsale with blue-black hair and fangs. I felt the thrill of victory. I cackled a mad gleeful laugh. Back at home, I lovingly put the DVDs onto the shelf that holds my favourite movies, sat back and read the titles over: Underworld. Underworld Evolution. Buffy the Vampire Slayer Chosen Collection. Angel: the Series. Bram Stoker's Dracula.

Hm.


9 comments:

Tabatha said...

I watched Underworld the other night. I didn't know there was a second. I need to go rent it.

Anonymous said...

Hmmm indeed. I'm just not a vampire person. Like the stories enough, but not as much of the thrill-seeker, I guess :)

NattyChick said...

Now this is a passion we both share. Have you ever read any Brian Lumley? I love his books.

Gena said...

I'm with you on this one, although I didn't go quite so far. Still, if it's got vamps in it, I'll watch it. Just yesterday I was flipping through the channels lamenting the fact that there wasn't a single episode of Buffy or Angel on.

Olga said...

I was looking at those movies at Sam's 700$ club and thinking about if I'd really like to watch that,

Still thinking about it....
I remember watching Salems Lot a millon years ago and the floating kid outside the window, yeah, that kinda put me off on Vampires all together.

Jo said...

It's not such a bad thing to be interested in ;)

Shan said...

Well, I don't watch much in the way of actual horror, vamps or no vamps. The ones I watch are softened up - romanticised I guess. The Underworld movies are quite violent but most of the violence is non-human, which makes all the difference. It's also got a surreal look to it - not 'vamps in your backyard' scary.

Anonymous said...

Hey, I just finished watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer (the early '90s one with both Hilary Swank and Luke Perry)! I love vamps, although I actually don't like other types of horror. I remember watching this TV series about vampires as a youngish person (although I can't remember the title) and one of my ongoing fantasies was that I was a character in that world, usually one with an unnatural taste for blood...
Tara

Dave Hingsburger said...

OK, Shannon, I've tagged you on my blog today, not to worry, it isn't the typical type of tag, I think it will interest you. Dave