The New Dark Shadows- Why, God, Whyyyyy???

Okay, so I remember hearing rumblings about this a couple years ago, but I forgot.  Then today I was watching a YouTube video and the trailer for the new Dark Shadows movie came on.  My first reaction was joy... about 10 seconds in it was worry... about 30 seconds in it was sadness... then by the ends I was ready to weep.

I became in love with Dark Shadows when the 1991 version aired on NBC.  In case you've forgotten (or missed out on it):

"In 1991, a short-lived prime-time remake was produced by MGM Television and aired on NBC from January 13 to March 22. The revival was a lavish, big budget weekly serial combining gothic romance and stylistic horror. Although it was a huge hit at introduction (watched by almost 1 in 4 households according to official ratings during that time period), the onset of the Gulf War caused NBC to continually preempt or reschedule the episodes resulting in declining ratings. It was canceled after the first season.

The final episode ended with a cliffhanger: Victoria Winters (Joanna Going) learning that Barnabas Collins (Ben Cross) was a 200-year old vampire. It has been reported that the opening episode for a proposed second season would have had Victoria collapsing, after seeing Barnabas, and losing her memory of his terrible secret."

Back to the horror of this new film (which comes out May 11.)  So I saw that it starred Johnny Depp as Barnabas and I thought that would be great!  Then I started to realize he was awfully pasty looking (think Alice in Wonderland and Charlie & the Chocolate Factory) and thought, "isn't Barnabas supposed to be attractive?"... then horror set in as I started to wonder if it was a Tim Burton production... then I saw Helena Bonham Carter... then I cringed as I realized they had turned the movie into a campy comedy from Tim Burton's "reimagining."  And now I have no interest in seeing the movie.

I've caught episodes here and there of the original series (that aired from 65-71) because it used to be in syndication on some station back in the day, but like I said, I fell in love in 1991 and was so disappointed that it ended after one season.  Of course I was like 9, so I got over it quickly.

But the thought that they could have adapted it for the big screen with the classic love story and Barnabas being charming and deep... that would have been great.  But then they had to ruin it and let that dang Tim Burton get his annoying little hands on it and I can't freaking stand Helena Bonham Carter!

Anyway, here's the trailer... feel free to commiserate with me.

Remember When Vampires Weren't Cool?

Neither do I! I recall elementary school when the library got in a crisp new copy of an abridged version of Bram Stoker's Dracula. I was hooked. I wanted to know more about these immortal bloodsuckers. As I got older, I continued to be fascinated. I wanted so badly to see Interview with a Vampire, but it was rated R and there was no way I was going to convince my parents to let me see that. So, I opted to read the book. I recall doing a book report on it in eight grade, in fact.

Well, years passed, my interests went elsewhere, and I slightly forgot about my love for all things vampire. Oh, there's been things here or there, like the revival of Dark Shadows on TV, that didn't live long, the excitement of the rumor they were going to make it into a movie and the bummed outness when it didn't happen.

And then of course came Twilight. I'll admit, I had vaguely remembered my sister in law telling me about it, but at the time, I was way too busy to read for fun. Then the movie came out and I really wanted to see it. I forgot how captivating the stories of immortality and undying love could be. I think we all fear death at some point and who doesn't love the idea of love and it being all consuming and all encompassing? I was smitten and had been bitten- by Twilight fever.

I ventured into reading all the books in the saga, but was incredibly disappointed at how not well written they were! The story was superb, but the writing was not. So, 600 pages into Breaking Dawn when I could not bear to read one more word, I googled the ending. I love happy endings!

Of course this is old news. But, I am so surprised by all of the websites, blogs, chats, twitter characters devoted to the romantic world of the vampire! Recently, I was dragged into a chat at Olympic Coven and was amazed at how detailed these people are! They have created a whole world of characters, inspired by Twilight. Each character is portrayed by a real person and they each have a twitter account for that character. The dedication these people put into these roles is mind blowing! But IRL, they are some of the nicest people you could meet!

As aforementioned, I know I am not first in line to talk about this newly surged love in all things vampire, but have only recently been reintroduced to an idea that is delicious in its theory and design.

If you'd like to follow some of these characters on Twitter, check out:
@EternalEsme
@CelticGirl1913
@ScarlettDane
@Go_Ask_Alice
@GarrettDenali
@Renee_D
@AngelaVampire