From Chelsea/VBC: This is the second in a series of spook-tacular posts leading up to Halloween. I’ve invited a few friends to fill us in on their favorite monsters. Today the too-clever-for-her-own-good (and talented) Kristen Painter convinces you to love her favorite vampire movie. Also, she gives away the first of her House of Comarré books, Blood Rights, and a copy of Near Dark. Pretty damn awesome.
My favorite vampire movie is also one of the most unknown (at least no one ever seems to know about it when I mention it) and underrated vampire movies out there. Near Dark. Heard of it? It’s okay if you say no, but if you’ve seen it, you’re my new best friend. Unless you didn’t like it then a hex on you. ;o)
Near Dark is everything a vampire movie should be: gritty, layered, and occasionally humorous/romantic/scary, with bouts of realism and mythology thrown in. It’s boy meets girl, girl turns him into a vampire, boy does things for her he never imagined doing. It’s Sons of Anarchy meets True Blood. Plus (a young) Adrian Pasdar, Bill Paxton and Lance Henrikson. Sold yet?
I’ll go so far as to say that movie might be what got me hooked on vampires. The movie doesn’t portray them as magical, mystical creatures who wear velvet and drink blood from crystal goblets. On the contrary, these vampires seemed…real. Watching them deal with ordinary situations becomes fascinating. There’s even a vampire “child”, one of the most curious and enlightening portrayals of such a character as I’ve seen.
So, did any of this influence me as I wrote my own vampire series, the House of Comarré? I’d have to say yes. Not directly, there’s no Easter egg that reveals anything specific to Near Dark, but maybe some of the grittiness of my own work is shaded by this film, maybe the way my vampires are monsters rather than glittery icons recalls these creatures that drew me in as I watched.
How about I let you decide? One lucky commenter will receive both a DVD of Near Dark and a copy of the first book in the House of Comarré series, Blood Rights.
Update from VBC: This contest is now closed. KH is the winner. We’ve contacted her. Thanks to everyone who entered.
I love Vampires and I will be looking forward to the movie and the book
I def have to check out that movie. And can’t wait until Tuesday 🙂
So picking up this movie now! Something new to add to the extensive horror collection 🙂
Yea I’m one that has not heard of Near Dark, I gotta go check it out. Thanks for stopping by Kristen.
I have not heard of this movie but sounds like a great movie that i would love to watch. vampire movies has come along ways since the old but great ones of the past.
I’d probably die inside with excitement if I won this. Go ahead and put my name on Malkolm’s body if I do..
If there was a prize for best comment, Caitlin would have won it. LOL
Wow, I’ve never heard of that movie, but I love watching vamps portrayed in a different light. I have not read your books yet either, so please pick me 😉
I love vampire and supernatural romance books and movies!!! I love The house of commare books!
Never heard of this film, but it sounds great. Have read the first two of your House of Comarre books and think they are great , the third book is sitting in my “to be read” pile right now.
Thanks for the giveaway, hope its international as I come from the UK.
House of Comarre book release dates are never soon enough! /drool
Just in time for Halloween. Who am I kidding it’s always a good time for a vampire movie! Thanks for the give away, I can’t wait to check out this book and movie.
For those of you that havent seen this film… WATCH IT! It is one epic film. prefect amount of blood to storyline ratio 😀 really must watch it all over again. Hmmm must look at amazon for the dvd though. I have it on VHS, shame my player no longer works d’oh!
Also I really have to get this book, Wonder is it kindle too? If not hard/paper back for me. I’ll make room just what to get rid of…. anne rice K Hamilton…. argh my book shelf is way too small lol. Need a tardis just for my books. Apparently I could rent out this room as a mini library. But i need this book so… hmmm
I can’t wait to check out this movie and most definately can’t wait for the next House of Comarre book!!
I love watching anything with vampires in it. I love reading about vampires. I am very interested in read this book and seeing the series. It sounds awesome.
I need to look for this movie….I hope I win it and the book.
I haven’t heard of the movie – but am now intrigued. The new series also.
I haven’t heard of the movie, but it sounds good! Thanks for the giveaway!!
No, I hadn’t heard of that movie. But am very willing to check it out!
I loved Near Dark! I haven’t seen it in a while so I’m about due. I’ve also been thinking about another vamp movie I haven’t seen lately but can’t remember the name of it. A woman gets turned but her boyfriend/husband thinks she’s dead, but she’s been turned by a bunch of psychotics and they’re staying at a camp for kids which will soon start arriving, boyfriend finally finds her at a club, follows her, she turns him, they suck the blood out of their cat, anyone know this one? Thanks!!
I haven’t heard of this but would love to see it! Thanks for the chance to win!
I’m sold, never heard of it, but def want to see it now! Sign me up! 🙂 Thanks!
I have not heard of the movie, but it sounds really good! I will have to check it out! Thanks for the chance to win!
I have always loved vampires and Near Dark is one of my favorites! It’s right up there with Lost Boys and Interview with the Vampire. I haven’t seen it in years so now I have to go watch it. lol And I love vampire books just as much as I love vampire movies so I absolutely have to check out your series! Thank you for the giveaway and it’s early but Happy Halloween. 🙂
Have not heard of this movie but it is now on my Wish List for Christmas. Love the House of Commare series (Malcom is my kind of guy) just cant get enough well written paranormal romance!! Thanks for this tip on a good flick (and a good giveaway).
I have to say I’m one of the many who haven’t heard of this movie. Definitely going to have to check it out. I’m not a fan of the whole sparkly vampire thing. This will give me something to watch when just about everyone else will be at the theater in a couple of weeks!
I’m new to the series. I was hooked when I sat in on a reading at AAD. Can’t wait til Tuesday! It’s a must buy!
I think I may have seen the movie ago but now I don`t recall .I am busy recording any vampire movies I can find this month.
Not hear of Near Dark? Seriously? What kind of vampire aficionado doesn’t know Near Dark?
LOL I didn’t mean to sound quite so snobby there. But yeah, it is definitely one of the least mentioned and more interesting movies in the genre. I collect everything from terrible C movies to the “Top of the Line” — how does one gauge that, exactly? — and it’s on my shelf.
Of course, I’m a freak for Razorblade Smile, another almost completely unknown low budget vampire movie that I absolutely adore, so I feel you on loving to spread the word.
I look forward to reading your book! Hope to win, of course, but it’ll go on my TBR nonetheless.
Happy Halloween!
My husband has probably seen this film. I think he has seen every vampire movie ever produced. The less well known they are, the better he likes them. I would definitely like to see it.
Winning a book would be awesome too. Thanks for considering us in your giveaway.
I’ve watched Near Dark a few times it’s been on IFC. Definitely something to look for if you haven’t seen it yet. Loved seeing Adrian Pasdar.
I so want to see this moive….I’m a huge fan of anything Vampire :)! Thanks for the giveaway!
I really think I DID see that when I was younger. And now I will have to watch it again, with all the OTHER Halloweeny movies I’m watching. So spoiled am I, thanks for the tip. I was afraid you were gonna say that one… ARGH… I’m bad with names. I think my fave is probably Lost Boys… Grampa’s comment at the end… bwuahahaha!!! And I love their mom, one of my fave actresses. And who isn’t in love with what’s-his-name? I digress…. LOL… Ciao!
i love vampires.
I can’t believe I’ve never seen this movie, I’m a scary movie junkie…thanks for the giveaway.
This movie sounds interesting.
I like vampires but haven’t heard of this movie. I may check it out for Halloween.
OMG I have never heard of this. Now it will have to be my Halloween weekend movie for this year!!!
Havent seen it and “glittering icons” are bleh HOT but bleh where’s the fire.
Halloween soon book club and I are getting it on!
-Ally in London, England
I don’t think I’ve seen this movie yet…I’ll definitely have to check it out!
I haven’t seen this one which is crazy since I love all vamp movies. Thanks for the giveaway!! 🙂
I will definitely have to check this one out! Thanks!