What have we learned?

[ShadowDog]

LOL  I wasn't taking up for the hideous movie by any means.

By the way, with this movie and True Blood both coming out last year, it made me wonder again why in the hell we never get Male human/ Female vampire love stories?  I'm sick to death of this Male vampire / human female crap.  It's been DONE.

[Kenotic]

Well, let's see...

Angel: Moody, hopeless romantic vampire. Hates self. In forbidden romance with Buffy. Kicks ass.

Buffy: Insecure, pretty teenage girl. In forbidden romance with Angel. Kicks ass.

Edward: Moody, hopeless romantic vampire. Hates self. In forbidden romance with Bella. Wuss.

Bella: Insecure pretty teenage girl. In forbidden romance with Edward. Wuss.

I'm sure there's a bit of a Buffy ripoff here, but also ripping off everything that came before.

Angel: Cursed to feel remorse - the main reason he's no longer killing. Ultimately acts in Buffy's best interest and gets out of town.
Edward: He, um....got better. Sort of. Except when he isn't. Acts manipulative and cruel.

Buffy: Welcomes her friends' help and eventually outgrows Angel. Worst nightmare is becoming a vampire. Goofy name.
Bella: Acts like she hates every one who is nice to her. Distances herself from real people and begs to be a vampire. Name as subtle as an anvil.

[Fuzzy Necromancer]

Much like her namesake, Bella can be crushed and used as a powerful toxic agent in drink and food or to kill werewolves.

[Darth Geek]

Much like her namesake, Bella can be crushed and used as a powerful toxic agent in drink and food or to kill werewolves.

I thought Bella was a not so subtle referance to Bela Lugosi.

[Ayriana22]

I don't think the author (stephenie meyers) would be as clever as to us bella's name in reference to Bela Lugosi. She's never seen or read any vampire fiction other than her own, except perhaps the Count from sesame street ( one glittery pussified vampire Ah ah!, two glittery pussified vampires ah ah!) Bella is just short for Isabella. I'm reading the books right now just so I can absolutely confirm the extent of their horribleness (and the writing, plot and characters are AWFUL,) Edward is annoying, moody and controlling,  while Bella is a self absorbed and spoiled, and the poor werewolf Jacob gets shit on by her every chance she gets. I'm debating burning these books when i'm done reading them or giving them to my local library. Some good has to come of this mess.

As to the dynamic of the male vampire/female human relationship I think it has a lot to do with the sex appeal and/or that the woman in the story is supposedly more fragile(Bella, sookie, mina murray) and needs some kind of super human "protector".

Although i wouldn't exactly call Buffy fragile, and if anyone who's read the Anita Blake series (which is going to be a TV movie/series on IFC in the next few years*squee!!!*)she kicks ass and is called the Vampire Executioner for good reason. There are also 16 well written books in that series with the 17th coming out in June, as well as a comic book 
IFC tv GREENLIGHTS ORIGINAL EVENT TELEFILM "LAURELL K. HAMILTON'S ANITA BLAKE: VAMPIRE HUNTER" FROM LIONSGATE
Film Based on the #1 Best-Selling Novels To Air on IFC tv Summer 2010

NEW YORK, NY – March 31, 2009 – IFC tv announced today it has greenlit its first original event telefilm, "Laurell K. Hamilton's Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter," based on Hamilton's series of best-selling paranormal fantasy novels and produced by Lionsgate and After Dark Films. Adapted by Glen Morgan ("X-Files," "Final Destination"), who also serves as executive producer, the movie begins production this summer.

Rights were acquired from Hamilton's agent, Merrilee Heifetz of Writers House. There are currently 16 books in the series, all published in the US by Penguin Group (USA), with more than 6 million copies in print worldwide. Seven of the novels have made the New York Times Bestseller list and the most recent one, "Blood Noir," debuted at #1 on the list on June 15, 2008. The next highly anticipated Anita Blake novel, SKIN TRADE, hits shelves June 2, 2009.

Mixing mystery, fantasy, and horror, the film will center on the character of Anita Blake, a street-savvy, down-to-earth vampire hunter with a lousy dating life and a penchant for bringing dead people back to life. Blake also works as a police consultant investigating preternatural crimes. Tough, sexy and independent, Blake battles the supernatural as she attempts to solve a variety of paranormal mysteries, come to terms with her own abilities, and navigate a complex string of romantic and political relationships which include a master vampire and an Alpha werewolf.

"I'm thrilled to be bringing my characters and world to television for the first time," stated Hamilton. "After Dark Films, Lionsgate and IFC all push the boundaries on film. I push the boundaries on paper. I can't wait to see what we can create together."

"This unique partnership with Lionsgate, After Dark, Laurell and Glen continues IFC tv's commitment to provide groundbreaking content that you cannot find anywhere else" said Evan Shapiro, president of IFC tv and Sundance Channel. "Anita Blake on IFC will offer a fresh and unique take on the genre; the type of approach that defines our brand."

"'Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter' marks the first time in IFC tv's history that we have created a fictional feature film for the network. IFC is appealing to its core base of men ages 18-34 who are looking for vampire content. The popularity of the network in this demographic indicates that there is a clear demand for films that delve into provocative topics and nothing is more classically provocative than vampire lore" said Jennifer Caserta, EVP and general manager of IFC tv. "Anita Blake fits perfectly with our successful original programming."

"Laurell has created a fascinating heroine in Anita Blake and we quickly recognized the on-screen potential for this vivid character," said Kevin Beggs, Lionsgate's president of television programming and production. "We have an outstanding creative team and are excited to be moving forward with IFC, which will allow us to fully explore the complex world of Laurell's highly intriguing and erotically charged novels."

"We are excited to have acquired this successful property, and to have partnered with IFC and Lionsgate. We look forward to bringing "Anita Blake" to the small screen," stated After Dark Films' Courtney Solomon. "I am confident that television viewers will be captivated by Laurell

K. Hamilton's spellbinding stories, much as readers have devoured the popular novel series."

Executive producers are Courtney Solomon ("Dungeons and Dragons," "An American Haunting," "Captivity, "After Dark's Horrorfest") and Glen Morgan ("X-Files," "Final Destination"). Laurell K. Hamilton, Jonathan D. Green and Stephanie Caleb are co-executive producers. IFC executive producers on this film include Debbie DeMontreux, senior vice president, original programming, Jennifer Caserta, executive vice president and general manager and Evan Shapiro, president of IFC tv and Sundance channel.
ABOUT IFC

Operating under the mantra "always, uncut" IFC (The Independent Film Channel) recommends and creates genre-bending content that indulges the alternative culture obsessions of our influential audience and makes it available across multiple platforms: on-air, online and On Demand. In pursuit of what's new, next and relevant, IFC creates original non-traditional comedies like The Whitest Kids U' Know and Z Rock and irreverent non-fiction such as The IFC Media Project. IFC's original programming airs alongside a comprehensive independent film library of award-winning titles and cult classics, as well as content inspired by Music, Web, Gaming, Animation, News & Culture and more. IFC broadens the audience for independent culture through its exclusive live coverage of notable film and music events like the Independent Spirit Awards and South by Southwest. The network's on demand offering, IFC Free, gives audiences the opportunity to watch premieres of all of IFC's original series before they air on the linear network. IFC Media Lab offers financing, professional development and distribution opportunities for aspiring film makers. IFC is a subsidiary of Rainbow Media Holdings LLC.
ABOUT LIONSGATE

Lionsgate is a leading next generation studio with a major presence in the production and distribution of motion pictures, television programming, home entertainment, family entertainment, video-on-demand and digitally delivered content. The Company is leveraging its content leadership and marketing expertise into a global multiplatform entertainment company through the recent acquisition of TV Guide Network, one of the 25 most widely distributed cable networks, the recent acquisition of TV Guide.com, a premier content and navigation portal, partnerships that include the FEARnet branded VOD and Internet horror channel with Sony and Comcast, the expected fall 2009 launch of EPIX, a new premium entertainment channel with partners Viacom and MGM, investment in the leading young men's digital distribution platform Break.com, ownership of the premier independent television syndication company Debmar-Mercury and an alliance with independent filmed entertainment production and distribution company Roadside Attractions.

The Company is a market share leader at the North American theatrical box office for calendar 2009 propelled by such theatrical box office successes as TYLER PERRY'S MADEA GOES TO JAIL, MY BLOODY VALENTINE 3D and THE HAUNTING IN CONNECTICUT, which opened this past weekend. Other recent successes include SAW V, RELIGULOUS, FORBIDDEN KINGDOM, RAMBO and THE BANK JOB. Lionsgate has forged a strong position in television with the production of such critically-acclaimed series as "Mad Men," "Weeds" and "Crash," the distribution of Tyler Perry's "House of Payne," "Family Feud" and "South Park," and upcoming shows including Tyler Perry's "Meet The Browns" and "The Wendy Williams Show." In addition, the Company's home entertainment business, propelled by such recent DVD successes as TRANSPORTER 3, SAW V and TYLER PERRY'S THE FAMILY THAT PREYS, is the industry leader in box office-to-DVD conversion rate and has market share of nearly 7%. Lionsgate handles a prestigious and prolific library of approximately 12,000 motion picture and television titles that is an important source of recurring revenue and serves as the foundation for the growth of the Company's core businesses. The Lionsgate brand remains synonymous with original, daring, quality entertainment in markets around the world.
ABOUT LAURELL K. HAMILTON

Laurell K. Hamilton is the author of not one but two New York Times best selling series, and her first Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter novel, "Guilty Pleasures" is now a hugely successful graphic novel published by Marvel Comics. This series has garnered such a huge following, that there are now more than 6 million copies of Anita in print worldwide, in 16 languages. Hamilton's work is noted for its strong female characters set in vivid and complex storylines that mix a number of genres, including erotica, horror, fantasy, science fiction, mystery, and romance. She can be contacted through her agent, Merrilee Heifetz, at Writer's House.

Merrilee Heifetz Writer's House 21 W 26ThSt New York, NY 10010-1083 MHeifetz@WritersHouse.com

# # # Press Contact:

Hannah Sheinbaum IFC 646-273-3628

hsheinbaum@ifctv.com

Leah Krantzler The Lippin Group for Lionsgate

(323) 965-1990

lkrantzler@lippingroup.com
/off shameless promotion of stuff I like

But also if you look at the Bram Stoker and some of the older vampire fiction it's usually the vampire is male and his victims female... so perhaps it's a trend carried over from that.
The only one I can think of off the top of my head where the female is a vampire first or is seen as the "protector" is Underworld but then the guy becomes a werevampman thing so I guess that doesn't count as much.

[Lovye]

The only one I can think of off the top of my head where the female is a vampire first or is seen as the "protector" is Underworld but then the guy becomes a werevampman thing so I guess that doesn't count as much.

What about, "Camilla"?

Anyway, OOOOOH!!  You're reading the books?!!  I wanted to get them from my library, but, my library doesn't carry them yet.  How much violence/action is in the books?

[Darth Geek]

Anyway, OOOOOH!!  You're reading the books?!!  I wanted to get them from my library, but, my library doesn't carry them yet.  How much violence/action is in the books?

? It's a romance novel for teenage girls. Take a wild guess.

[Ayriana22]

Lovye my answer to your question is below. Not that i really think anyone here is actually reading the books for enjoyment, but you never know so i don't wanna spoil anything.


Well that depends on how you define "action" and as far as romance... just a lot of hesitant kissing/staring. And then a lot of bitching about losing the other person and the ability to kiss/stare at each other more. Its odd because there was way more touchy-feely action going on in the book than there was in the movie.   The character of Edward really REALLY bothers me. He's totally douchey in the first 3 books and then in the fourth he's falling all over himself to give in to everything Bella wants.  I think he's a maniac depressive vampire the way his moods constantly change and/or just a poorly written character.  The creepy part is when the werewolves start "imprinting" on toddlers.

As far as actual action/fights? There is one fight in the third book that has some potential when they make the movie to be good but that's really it, and that depends on who directs it. And as mentioned in other posts and our riff, the first fight/killing scene in the movie wasn't even in the book.


-Kate

[ManUnderMask]

From a review I read of the books, Meyer goes out of her way to minimize any and all conflict, and because of this has to shoe horn in something that looks like conflict but smells like shit.

I wonder how the movies will handle the imprinting from the Werewolves, especially since the two examples I have deal with an adult (or close enough) imprinting (read: identifying their future mate) on babies.

[Pak-Man]

I learned that kids today think playing baseball in the rain is a rebellious act (At least that's what the music was implying.)

[Thrifty]

I learned that an elder vampire who knows he has the power to stop feeding in the middle of a frenzy and has done it several times will neglect to do so, and instead foist that responsibility on a reluctant and inexperienced vampire who doesn't think he can, for no apparent reason.

[ShadowDog]

As to the dynamic of the male vampire/female human relationship I think it has a lot to do with the sex appeal and/or that the woman in the story is supposedly more fragile(Bella, sookie, mina murray) and needs some kind of super human "protector".

But also if you look at the Bram Stoker and some of the older vampire fiction it's usually the vampire is male and his victims female... so perhaps it's a trend carried over from that.
The only one I can think of off the top of my head where the female is a vampire first or is seen as the "protector" is Underworld but then the guy becomes a werevampman thing so I guess that doesn't count as much.

I think you're right as to the reasons.  But I think the first author/filmmaker who competently capitalizes on this glaring void is going to make a mint.

[Darth Geek]

I learned that an elder vampire who knows he has the power to stop feeding in the middle of a frenzy and has done it several times will neglect to do so, and instead foist that responsibility on a reluctant and inexperienced vampire who doesn't think he can, for no apparent reason.

I wondered that too, when I first watched it (with Rifftrax).

[RoninFox]

I learned that an elder vampire who knows he has the power to stop feeding in the middle of a frenzy and has done it several times will neglect to do so, and instead foist that responsibility on a reluctant and inexperienced vampire who doesn't think he can, for no apparent reason.

I wondered that too, when I first watched it (with Rifftrax).

Yeah, that part really bothered me.  Total lapse of logic there.

[Tyrant]

I learned that an elder vampire who knows he has the power to stop feeding in the middle of a frenzy and has done it several times will neglect to do so, and instead foist that responsibility on a reluctant and inexperienced vampire who doesn't think he can, for no apparent reason.

I'm sure it had something to do with training or conditioning Edward further into resisting feeding on humans. Like if he could resist feeding on Bella who he's in love with, then he could resist feeding on a total stranger. Or something. More logically, that would backfire and he'd be more likely to feed on anyone out of the frustration of not being able to feed on Bella after tasting her blood, but since when does anything in Twilight make any sense anyway?