The Vampire Craze
Posted by Matt Rosenberg on July 26, 2009 at 12:10 am
Is it me, or is there a new vampire movie/TV show coming out 3-4 times a year? It came swiftly and abruptly, but Hollywood is going through what we would call a vampire craze. The blood sucking, sex crazed, violent seeking night dwellers have pretty much taken over. Did somebody just wake up and say “let’s bring back vampires.” Or perhaps it went something like this, “I can’t make a successful money making movie unless it has vampires.”
Interestingly, the rest of us can’t seem to get enough. In fact, foreign film industries are trying the vampire theme out as well. I’m trying to make sense of it, but I’m having trouble. Why is everyone into vampires these days? There has been various forms of vampire legend adaption; everything from romance to violence. We have vampire stories for kids, and we have more violent and sexual adaptions for adults. Lets just take a peak of vampire themed movies/tv in pop culture these days.
True Blood – the HBO series has taken over the Sunday night spot as it entered its second season. To be honest, I haven’t jumped on the band wagon but that’s not to say that the rest of the world has. People go rogue from 9-10 on Sunday nights because of “True Blood.” Sure, Anna Paquin is good looking but I thought Michael Strahan copyrighted the front tooth gap.
Underworld Trilogy – Kate Beckinsale starred in the original in 2003 and returned for the sequel in 2006. In 2009, the final Underworld came out, and although it was weaker than the first 2, unlike Godfather 3, this third installment was actually pretty good. This vampire saga is more like a comic book than anything loaded with pretty cool action scenes. The premise is based off the battle between vampires and werewolves. Big box office success (and DVD success)
Twilight Series Coons! Night of the Bandits of the Night video – I do not know much about, but this Vampire saga has completely dominated the teen market. I would dare not diss it, as I do not want to become a marked man by 14-16 year old girls. The success of the first movie catapulted the speedy production of the second installment, “New Moon,” who’s trailer can be seen here. It hit Comic Con also, as Nick in his guest post, The Alibi buy mentioned previously.
Now for a runoff… “Let the Right One In” came out earlier this year, 3 “Blade” movies were made, a ton of money was put into “Van Helsing,” random Dracula movies come out once a year, and a new version of Buffy The Vampire Slayer is in pre-production.
Even more interestingly, vampires have really sunk their teeth into Japan. “Blood: The Last Vampire” is in theaters now and came from Japanese filmmakers. The story is about a vampire named Saya, who is part of covert government agency that hunts and destroys demons in a post-WWII Japan. Ummm, sounds like Blade + a twist of government huh.
Finally, Korean director Chan-Wook Park, creator of 2003 smash hit Oldboy, will have his new vampire movie “Thirst” get released to theaters later this year. Additionally, this movie was all over Comic Con as well. Hollywood Insider, Ron Ashley, tells the Banter that he caught a screening of “Thirst” and the movie is pretty good. On a side note, Oldboy was such a success that Steven Spielberg is currently shooting the US remake starring none other than Will Smith.
I need someone to explain to me this craze. I think vampires are pretty cool and do enjoy their movies, but it’s just like all of a sudden everything is vampire related. If you want to make a money making movie, do a vampire movie. It’s sort of sad, but true. Dear Banterers, please advise.
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7 Comments
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Vampires are the in thing these days. A few years back, before the days of True Blood and long before I had heard of Twilight (book or movie) I was thinking it’s a shame that my favorite type of super-natural creature, the vampire, was not featured more in the industry today. I’m a big fan of Buffy The Vampire Slayer and have been for about six or seven years. I always hoped these awesome creatures would be featured in more films.
Well now they are, unfortunately I’m not into most of the vampire films out now. Too much romance not enough blood sucking, there needs to be a better balance.
@Travis True Blood is one of the best shows on TV right now, that gets the trophy. I agree, more romance and tweeny bopper programs now. Curious to see how the remake of Buffy turns out. I also like the darker vampire material.
@Everyone
And now the new WB has a show called the “Vampire DIaries.” what is the deal
TWILIGHT & TRUE BLOOD & VAMPIRE DIARIES ARE AWESOME!
I love all the books! The reason it is so popular is because they have sexualized dangerous creatures that say young, alive and strong forever. Who would want that!?
I love vampires i hve loved them since i was young. I was topo young to watch buffy but did see parts of it i realy want to see the remake. I love the show true bloo its way better then twilight. true blood is the best vampire show out there its about the vampires and the changes they need to make to fit into society now a days. the vampires are hot sexy and tehey still drink human blood. unlike the gay vamps the cullens who spakle vamps should not sparkle they burn and they have fangs why in btwilight ar there no fangs. r alll hollywoood needs to put back on better vampire stuff so this craze last a long time.
@Maia I love True Blood as well and think it’s much better than Twilight or a lot of the other vampire crap that is on TV. If you want a good vampire movie, check out the Swedish film Let the Right One In. They are starting to make the American version soon but you are better off checking this out first.