As a ‘mostly’ paranormal writer, (I write contemporary too) I love to watch the occasional unworldly movie, not just to feed the muse, but simply for enjoyments sake too.
Having never having watched Interview with the Vampire, I found it rather fascinating to see Brad Pitt, Tom cruise and Antonio Banderas team up, and all of them much more youthful! Kirsten Dunst also stars in the movie as a child actor.
In short, the movie was based upon a young plantation owner (Brad Pitt) in New Orleans, who upon the death of his family finds himself unwilling to live anymore. Lestat (Tom Cruise) appears mesmerized by Louis’ apparent death wish, and ‘turns’ him to become his immortal companion. When Louis feeds off a girl (Kirsten Dunst) with the plague, who is lying beside the corpse of her mother, a sickened Louis realizes he can’t stay with his maker any longer. Lestat ‘turns’ the young girl to give Louis incentive to stay…and so begins their journey.
Another of my favourite movies would be I Am Legend, starring Will Smith. Totally loved the concept of what appears to be the last human on earth with his canine companion (in fact, my heroine has a dog in a ‘last person on earth type scenario’ in book 2 of my Alien Hunger series). In this movie, a plague has turned the human race into vampire-like monsters who can’t tolerate sunlight—which is when Will ventures out to hunt and do his daily call out to any possible human survivors. He’s also experimenting with his captured ‘vampire’ subjects, trying his hardest to find a cure.
One of my all time favourites is the Underworld series. Totally love the kickass heroine, Selene, in the first movie who is hell bent on killing the lycans—the same species who allegedly killed her family. Michael is the man everyone wants (or at least his blood.) Underworld Evolution is the 2nd instalment to Selene and Michael’s journey, where they learn more about the mutation of genes that are the secret to creating a hybrid. Underworld: Rise of the Lycans is the third of the series, though chronologically the 1st as the story reveals the origins of the characters. The heroine of this one is Sonja, Viktor’s daughter, who is in love with Lucien, a lycan leader. Underworld Awakening is scheduled for release early 2012, with Selene returning in her kick butt role =)
Some other brilliant movies I’ve loved: Terminator (all the series!), Avatar (there’s supposed to be a sequel??) Red Riding Hood (so unlike the fairytale, but loved it), Cowboys and Aliens, The book of Eli, The Lord of the Rings (for the special effects alone), Twilight. And yes, many many more!!
What’s your favourite paranormal (or science fiction/fantasy) movie, and why? Tell me and you’ll be in the draw to win any one of my Winged and Dangerous e-books featuring gargoyles. Or for any of you who want to ‘follow’ my blog, you’ll be in the draw to win all three of the Winged & Dangerous series (or any backlist titles if you’ve read W&D).
Speaking of paranormal…here’s an excerpt from my recent release, “Identity Shift” my big cat shapeshifter story.
Guns ‘N’ Roses blared from inside nondescript apartment fourteen. She took a deep, calming breath as adrenaline surged within. She had him. At last her quarry was within reach. She raised a fist and hammered on the flimsy, peeling wooden door.
The music shut down. A baby wailed a few apartments down, a small dog yapping into life inside another. Heavy footsteps approached from the other side of the door.
“Yes.”
One word. One deep, masculine, primal intonation.
Her pulses jerked in response, her nipples beading tight beneath her black leather jacket and tight burgundy singlet.
If this is what he could do to a woman with one monosyllable behind a closed door, she could only imagine what he could do with a whole sentence, and up close and personal.
She cursed under her breath. She’d clearly been too long without a man, someone to ease the heavy ache of her breasts, the deep throb between her thighs. Just as well she wanted nothing more from him than answers.
Hesitating for a beat, she asked, “Mr. Powell?”
She closed her eyes at his long, drawn out silence. Then she heard him release a heavy sigh before returning wearily, “Who wants to know?”
Impatience drummed a loud tattoo behind her skull. A migraine was all she needed right now.
“I’m here on behalf of my father. He is—“ she swallowed back a wave of bitter loss and grief ”—was an archaeologist. You may have heard of him? Professor Thomas Leigh.” At the thick, almost suffocating silence that followed she continued more loudly, “He believed in the existence of human-panther shape-shifters—”
Her sentence ended on a startled gasp as the door flung open and she was jerked unceremoniously inside.
“Enough already,” Blake growled.
She hissed out a breath at the current of electricity sizzling through her arm’s every nerve ending; at the cheek of him dragging her inside. She tugged free, and looked up…and up.
Beneath scruffy dark blue jeans and a white t-shirt the man was a mountain of fluid muscle and sinew, repressed energy that vibrated with emotion and patently raw sex appeal.
“Are you mad?” she said through gritted teeth. “All I wanted was a civilized discussion, not to be dragged inside like I’m nothing more than…than a cave woman!”
He slammed the door shut behind her and pushed home a large bolt. When he peeled off his dark sunglasses—ludicrous inside the near dark room lit only by a naked bulb—she took an involuntary step back. His eyes were an unnatural gold-yellow. Beautiful, but deadly.
She sucked in some oxygen, forcing a calm she didn’t feel. Damn it all to hell, he really was sinfully delicious, with more vague hints of darkness beneath his honey-warm skin that tantalized and teased even as it repelled.
“I know who you are,” he said.
Hi Mel,
I am a huge paranormal movie fan too, so fabulous list of favorites. Another movie I really liked was Legion, which is about a group of strangers in an out-of-the-way diner who become the first line of defense when God, believing the human race is no longer worthy of Him, decides to end their existence. This motley crew’s only spiritual ally is the archangel Michael, played by Paul Bettany. Dennis Quaid, Tyrese Gibson, Charles S. Dutton, and Lucas Black. Great storyline, special effects, and Paul Bettany as Michael, was over the top amazing.
I am a Lucas Black fan from way back in the 90’s, when he was in a supernatural tv show called American Gothic with Gary Cole that I loved.
I’ve read the first two books in the Winged series and have Red Hot Lover up next on my wish list.
Already a follower of your blog.
Cathy M
caity_mack at yahoo dot com
Hi Cathy,
the moment you said ‘Legion’ I thought – yes!! Totally agree, a great movie =)
And thanks for being a follower – extra brownie points *wink*
Nice to meet you Mel! Great Excerpt! I so love stories about gargoyles! Call it a throwback to the Disney series LOL I’m also a paranormal movie fan. Willow is one of my favorite movies. Also love Ghost Rider! Even though it’s from a comic it’s a great concept.
You’ve definetly got a new fan. Going to follow your blog and going to check out your other stories!
Stephanie
DragonStar1974 )AT( aol.com
Hi Stephanie,
I remember the Disney series well – back in the days my family didn’t have a television, my sister and 2 brothers and I would go to our neighbors house to watch it =)
My daughter LOVES Ghost Rider, and Willow is one I’ll be checking out, so thanks for the recommendation – and for following =)
Love the sound of you new book. Best of luck.