Anne Rice. Why are ‘true’ horror fans dismissive of her work?
Posted by Ms Harker | Filed under Horror Films, Horror Genres, Horror Reading
I picked up a DVD copy of ‘Queen of the Damned’ during the week at Borders for $7.95. A couple of months ago I picked up a copy of ‘Interview with the Vampire’ on DVD. I have watched both films, one has held its age well, one not so well. One stays true to the story created by Anne Rice the other not so well.
I watched ‘Queen of the Damned’, maybe I was wearing goth coloured glasses the first time I saw it? Or I allowed my fond adolescent memories of reading Anne Rice’s Vampire Chronicles to taint my recollection of the film. Holy flaming corpses was it bad! Especially in comparison to Interview, despite the Tom Cruise factor. So lets compare shall we? Which will help lead us to the posed question, why do ‘true’ horror fans give Anne Rice such a staking?
Interview with the Vampire stars Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise, with Christian Slater making an appearance also. All big stars at the time, all not too hard on the eyes. The film true to the book follows the story of Lestat (Cruise) and Louis (Pitt) through mainly the eyes of Louis, who is ‘made’ by Lestat post the death of his wife and child. They journey together through Louis’ rejection of having to feed on human blood, Lestat’s debaucherous behaviour and Louis creating a child vampire Claudia (young Kirsten Dunst), which is against vampire lore. Claudia rebels as she is tired of being treated like a child by Lestat and believes he is dominating herself and Louis. She takes matters into her own hands , poisoning Lestat then slashing his throat, out pours enough blood to fill a small swimming pool and they dump him in the swamp outside of New Orleans.
Louis and Claudia travel to Paris in search of their own kind, where they find a kiss of vampires led by Armand (Antonio Banderas, very easy on the eyes).The kiss feel that Louis should be punished for making Claudia, Armand wants Louis for himself and the undead merde` hits the fan from there, with some thrills and chills in between.
The reason I feel this film has held its age so well is two fold. Firstly it sticks to the story and myth created by Rice and secondly the ability of the film to move through different periods in history keeps the viewer interested and again this potrays Rice’s story telling ability to emphaise the “reality” of a vampire’s life eternal.
On the other hand ‘Queen of the Damned’… as a film committed one of the cardinal sins of casting… let’s toss in a popular starlet with no acting experience, put her in as little clothing as possible to get some of the kids in ie: Aalyiah. Second sin, cast the central character differently to the first film, Lestat is played by Stuart Townsend, not Cruise (and who could blame him for saying no!) in this film. Third sin, portray badly or mock the sub-culture ie: Goth’s who are most likely to watch your film.
The film did not follow the story of Queen of the Damned, it combined plot lines from The Vampire Lestat, Queen of the Damned, Tale of the Body Thief, Merrick and Blood and Gold, oh and a couple of characters from The Mayfair Witch trilogy. The acting was really bad, the effects were terrible and by combining elements of the above novels you lost any semblance of the intricate world of the vampire, of which Rice created.
Now granted her books are more on the romance side , however the attention to detail of the mythology and history of her vampires is what made these novels so interesting. There may not always be a huge scare, however throughout some of the later novels there is some thrills to be had, and the interplay between the various kisses that form can be both vicious and predatory. I think they are on the lighter side of the horror, however I do think they hold their place in the continuum of literature within the genre.
For me I think Rice’s work is within the ‘romance gothic’ area of horror, a more classic approach to the subject matter, not high end literature such as Bram Stoker and Mary Shelley, however attempts to lean that way.
This brings us to the conundrum stated at the begining of the post; why do ‘true’ horror fans dismiss the work of Anne Rice? Is it because her work went mainstream? Is it because its not ‘hardcore’ enough, not enough torture and people having their ‘parts pieces’ preserved in bottles? I am interested to hear your thoughts…
Ms Harker
Interview with the Vampire
Queen of the Damned
Tags: Horror, Horror Flms, Horror Novels, Vampire
Twilight fever… akin to the Rage Virus?
Posted by Ms Harker | Filed under Creepy Pictures, Horror Films, Horror Reading, Life imitates Horror
Depression era rationing of internet bandwidth has been occurring in the Harker house hold this week, its almost over , however it has had a detrimental effect on my ability to keep up with the teaser trailers etc. As apparently, because of my web habits, it is due to me we are on rations, why I never! So this has left me trawling through forums, flaming some boards and having some hilarious interactions with a couple of my fellow femme fatale bloggers BJ-C (Day of the Woman) and Superheidi (PrettyScary.net).
Some of these interactions have involved discussions/digs at the Twilight Saga and Twifans. Now regular readers know my thoughts on the Twilight Saga. However I have been both shocked and appalled at the viciousness of the Twifans towards those who do not agree with them.
The first footage from the new film in the Twilight Saga: New Moon has been posted on Fangoria today. As you can see from the comments regarding the new footage the Twifans are a little overstimulated. Which is surprising considering the amount of advertising, both subliminal and brutal the public is being subjected to by the Twilight PR machine. BJ-C at Day Of The Woman has reached her wits end, coining the new term which is hilarious ‘Twatlight’.
Superheidi at Pretty-Scary was subjected to some rude comments when she posted about the New Moon movie posters, which lets face it are quite rubbish. As is most of the merchandising whether it be coffee mugs, tote bags, bookmarks, key rings, pencil cases, stickers, bobble heads , or your very own Edward Cullen Doll to molest at night (see below).
These interactions got me thinking, that potentially we are witnessing a new type of virus, not unlike the Rage Virus in 28 Days Later. It only infects those under the age of sixteen, it impairs their ability to form a rational argument, articulate/communicate in proper English. It also appears to impair the frontal lobe as the level of dis-inhibition and aggression towards others is also distinctive. However unlike an acquired brain injury, which damages the same part of the brain and involves similar impairments, the aggressive behaviour in these sufferers is triggered by criticism of the Twilight Saga, leaving me to conclude and name the disorder Twilight Fever or Twi-flu.
There is no known cure in sight for Twi-flu and unfortunately there is still three more films to hit screens (including New Moon), this disorder will become more prevalent and spread further throughout the world. There may be potential for a vaccine. Therefore I propose raising funds by starting a Grey Ribbon Day. Grey to symbolise the Twilight vampires who can walk around in the daytime as long as its overcast.
So next time you are abused online by a Twifan, remember Twi-flu, remember grey ribbon day and give generously.
Ms Harker
An Edward Cullen Doll, to kiss and hug and...
Tags: Horror, Horror Films, Twilight, Vampire
The Lost Boys and purple spandex…
Posted by Ms Harker | Filed under Horror Films
The Lost Boys
For those of you who recall the original film ‘The Lost Boys’, who remember crushing on one of the Corey’s (Feldman all the way!), or indeed a young Keifer Sutherland. Here is a small memento that always makes me giggle with glee when I am feeling morose and maudlin during a long working week: I present to you ‘Saxophone Guy’. Enjoy!
Ms Harker
