Having been sent my ballot for the Cyber Horror Awards 2010 I swung into panic fueled action in order to catch up on my horror film viewing; so I could cast my votes. As you can tell by my lack of posting lately, since the birth of the spawn I have been a little remiss in keeping up with my horror material.

Black Swan was high on my list of ‘must see’ films and with the Oscars Ceremony hours away from starting I thought it pertinent to enter the discourse on the validity of the films nomination and the nomination of its stars Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis.

I enjoyed the film, Nina’s (Portman) descent into madness was believable and some of the twists and turns fed to the viewer by her delusions and illusions were well executed. The final twenty minutes of the film I felt were thrilling, the use of the sound of the swans wings created a fantastic scape for her transformation.

Kunis’ character was reasonable, with her feature moment being that she performs cunnilingus on Portman in a moment that cues Nina’s spiral into psychosis. Now I’m sure there are some quips to be made here about hairs on your palm or the consequences of performing the female beast with two backs… I can’t help but ask the question does a kiss on the Quinny warrant an Oscar for Natalie Portman? Hadley Freeman from the UK newspaper the Guardian wrote a funny dryly British article on the topic recently which is worth a read, especially as she makes the point that Natalie is not on her own this year in the trend for women in film to go the growl!

Ms Harker

I have been rolling this post through my mind since first coming across the news that a new film of Buffy The Vampire Slayer is going to be produced. The film is to be reincarnated in the absence of its creator Joss Whedon or any of the cast from the much beloved television series.

The interwebs have exploded with condemnation and I have been trying to reconcile why, I too have been choking on my rage at the prospect of this film being made.

It comes down to this… someone is messing with my childhood! Ok, so I was in my later teens, but still, they are messing with my memories! The nights sitting on the couch, waiting for Angel to come strutting in his long dark coat, looking all broody and delicious! Squealing with delight when he turned all bad arse and there was a blood red vein of hope that he could be mine not Buffy’s. The wistful evening fantasies that some day I too could wear tight leather pants and kick arse like Faith (because lets face it she was always cooler than Buffy…). Ahhhh good times, good times.

So for someone to come and meddle with those happy goth girl reflections is indeed distressing to my black heart. Those who own the rights are cashing in and attempting to ride on the flaccid fangs of the Twilight phenomena; it is obvious to all bar said owners, that the new Buffy film will have its own special kind of dysfunction without the talents of Joss Whedon. I think the man himself put it best in an email to E!Online:

“This is a sad, sad reflection on our times, when people must feed off the carcasses of beloved stories from their youths—just because they can’t think of an original idea of their own…”

Ms Harker

Mmmm broody!

It has been a long week, so as I sit at my laptop eyes drooping and a lovely shade of crimson forming bags under my lower lashes, I am searching for something to lift my spirits and why not my loins? The back log of The Walking Dead, movies and books I should have gotten to are messing with my chi.

So readers when I need a lift that is both hilarious and good looking I turn to the following clip of Dean aka Jensen Ackles from Supernatural… Grrr sing it tiger!

Ms Harker

After surviving the emergence of my offspring in what was indeed akin to an Alien tribute, I am returning to you children of horror, as I just can’t stay away any longer!

Much has happened in my absence True Blood season 3 has come and gone, again leaving a gaping wound not only in my viewing schedule but fantasy life. I am left to dream of the potential dalliances between the cool dominance of Eric Northman and the animalistic heat of Alcide, how is a woman to choose? On second thoughts why should I have to choose, where did I leave that fan this room is getting warm!

Grrrrrrrr

Mmmmmm

The Vampire Diaries has commenced a second season and appears to have found its fangs, however Damon’s have become a might flaccid since his falling for Elena (gag!) which is incredibly disappointing. Supernatural season 6 has also commenced; a recent convert to the series I am currently rocking out to some of the hilarious tunes that accompany the lads on their hunting adventures. Kansas anyone?

Scores of films have been released of which I will discuss in future posts, upcoming flicks are promising one of which The Rite I am particularly excited about as the book was fantastic, nothing like the catholic church, politics and the devil to brighten up a girls day. Although I intend to write a post on it in the coming weeks an honorable mention has to go to AMC’s production of The Walking Dead, I am loving it, great effects and the series so far is remaining faithful to the source material, the graphic novels by Robert Kirkman.

Well its been a pleasure getting back on the undead horse and blogging again. I will leave you with a fangtastic spoof on Vampire drama, with a musical twist, from Jimmy Fallon ‘Suckers’.

Ms Harker

As some of you may have noticed, I have been supremely slack in updating the blog of late. This is largely due to the symbiote I have been hosting in my body for the past 34 weeks. The little critter is due to make its grand entrance soon and this unfortunately means I am going to shut up shop here at Musings until 2011.

Thank you to all readers and supporters of the blog, I intend to return with more horror and raunch next year, but for now I will leave you with one of my favourite scenes from the new season of True Blood thus far.

Ms Harker

Like a heroin addict waiting for the methadone clinic to open, I trawl the web for a taste of True Blood news to satisfy my cravings until the Season 3 premiere on June 13th. I came across this trailer thanks to YouTube and True Blood Online. Ahhh I can feel the warmth running through my veins… Hello Sweetheart indeed! For a more extensive preview of Season 3 visit the HBO website.

Ms Harker

Things have been a little hectic around the Harker household with preparation in full swing for my very own Ripley moment, so apologies for the sporadic posting. However we are back on track this week with an installment from the world of The Vampire Diaries.

Is it just me or are people surprised at the improvement in the storyline and grittiness of what started out as a chocolate box, vaselined lens nod to horror? In the past half dozen or so episodes the show has seriously stepped up. Now, I am ready to admit I may be a tad desperate for TV Vampire action, like an undead bitch in heat I await for the return of Eric Northman to my lounge room.

However the storyline of Damon’s long lost love Catherine having somewhat wound up, we have a whole new kiss of vampires who have been released from the tomb into Mystic Falls. There has been an escalation in the shows tone, leaning towards darker at times more violent action, giving it more of a horror feel, rather than 9021VAMP. Elena’s biological mother is an intriguing plot line as is the rings she bestowed to certain characters which makes them immortal. Damon’s maintenance of his bad boy ways is a source of delight, who doesn’t love a man who can feast on a whole gaggle of sorority slappers?

However I have taken particular sadistic pleasure in the recent development which has the broody Stefan falling of the blood wagon. I am not a fan of the tortured, lamenting vampire protagonist, so Stefan’s new craving for the crimson liqueur has me giggling with evil amusement.  Lets hope the shows writers keep leaning closer to the dark side… At least until True Blood is back!

Ms Harker

Eat her Stefan, you know you want to!

Having woke up at the dawn’s crack yesterday I proceeded to read the online papers. Low and behold there were a couple of feature articles in both the London Times and The Age (Australia) on the lovely Anna Paquin. She who plays the sometimes irritating Sookie Stackhouse on everyone’s favourite vamp TV series True Blood, is campaigning for a gay rights initiative in the USA.

The campaign run by an advocacy group called the True Colors Fund has proceeded to overheat the internet and many a young man’s (and I’m sure some ladies) fantasies alike. Why you ask? Well the tidy little kiwi unit has ‘come out’ in her public service announcement (see below for the full video) for the group stating she is bisexual.

Fangtastic play Miss Paquin, supporting a righteous and worthwhile cause, slightly controversial but a risk worth taking so all people can be considered equal. Now with my politically correct endorsement out of the way, what does this mean for True Blood Season 3…

Will we see a return of the Queen of the Vampires making a play for Sookie, leaving Bill Compton to cry into his O Negative? Or will Eric and the Queen seduce the young waitress into joining a mange a trois? Ohhhh… the possibilities of the coming werewolf storyline just got a whole lot more interesting! Awoooooooo (is that how you write a werewolf’s howl?)!!

Ms Harker

With the news this week that HBO’s True Blood will premiere its third season on the 13th of June, the anticipation I have been managing to keep at bay (somewhat) has hit a peak and re-runs will not satiate its thirst! Now we have spoken before about the conundrum in the Harker household where there is a ban on reading the Sookie Stackhouse novels so as one individual does not gain information before another. So the books are not my salvation. I have been growing fond of the Being Human series and have developed a slightly lustful affection for the vampire with the Irish lilt Mitchell (Aidan Turner). My thoughts on the series will be posted at another time.

In short, I am interested to hear how others are maintaining their equilibrium during what feels like an eternity until the return of our favourite fang banging romp True Blood.

Ms Harker

What to write about this week has been quite the conundrum. Corey Haim’s death, the Oscars Horror tribute, that beast of a Twilight fan on YouTube who looks like she swallowed Shrek? No I think they have all been sufficiently covered. Instead I thought I would discuss one of my favourite horror diva’s from my favourite horror TV series Twin Peaks the devastating Miss Audrey Horne.

Audrey Horne was played by Sherilyn Fenn, who of the Twin Peaks ladies was the one with fabulous curves and didn’t go on to be famous for her anorexic frame ( Lara Flynn Boyle anyone?). Audrey is the embodiment of the wicked little rich girl with a secret heart of gold. The vixen virgin, constantly looking for her father’s approval, yet loathing him at the same time. She falls for the dapper Agent Cooper (who didn’t!) and proceeds to assist him investigate the murder of Laura Palmer.

Audrey’s commitment to assisting Agent Copper removes some of her bad girl image as she puts her safety on the line to infiltrate an underground brothel One Eyed Jack’s, becoming a lady of the night for a spell. This gives us an insight into her love for Agent Cooper, her ability to steam up the screen but also into her innocence.

Audrey was a style icon to young ladies during this time (well to me anyway!), the tartan skirts, tight sweaters and blouses were a must for any aspiring Twin Peaks Diva!

Ms Harker