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Christopher Lee as Dracula
The rise in the popularity of vampires causes one to categorize the type of vampires that we choose to watch. The first category is the fanged vampire. This is the vampire of the past that is a true monster. They have an animalistic need to satiate a hunger that goes beyond human control. They are the vampires that many of us grew up on- Dracula, Angelus from Angel, and Buffy’s evil vamps, including pre chip Spike. They are the criminals in From Dusk til Dawn, the Nightstalkers from Blade, and of course John Carpenter’s Vampires. These monsters made you sit at the edge of your seat, close your eyes, turn your headm and hold your breath until the slashing and feeding are over. They chase helpless women and tear men apart. There is no controlling the monster. But is that the reason why people like the fanged vampire? Can it satiate a need in us to allow our imagination to play out these violent actions while we sit innocently and safely in our homes enjoying the action without any of the consequences?
The second category is the defanged vampire. These are the vampires that are more popular today. They are the brooding vampires that hate being a monster and long to be human again. They are sexy and turn a woman’s head in a different way that the fanged vampires. These vampires hide the monster within thus categorized as defanged. They are our knight in shining armor that is here to rescue us and make us feel “alive” rather than fearful of death. Examples include Twilight’s Cullen family, Angel from the Buffy and Angel seriesl, Moonlight’s Mick St John, and numerous of vampires that are more popular today. Do we enjoy these vampires after we have a rough day at the office and just need to unwind? Does this defanged vampire allow us to feel better about the monster within us by putting a prettier face on the monster within? Is it better to face the monster that we fear rather than the one we know?
Many worry that the defanged vampire will overtake the fanged vampire in popularity. But there are no worries about this. The recent Swedish movie "Let the RIght One In" showed us that the fanged vampires are here to stay. The vampire, Eli may appear to be a young child but portrays the life of a fanged vampire very well.
I know that depending upon my mood is how I choose which vampire to watch at the time- fanged or defanged. Trust me there are enough of both of these monsters to go around for everybody.
So tell us what is your favorite vampire and why? Which do you think is more popular? Do you think that one will push the other out of the light or is there enough room for both.
Comments
Awesome! Very good for your first one!
thank you. it had to be completed in a short time. Keep sending this to people and see how many readers I can get.
I will be doing about 3 of these a week
Good starting article, just watch out for those extra characters on words. :)
I absolutely love Mick St John from Moonlight- he may be defanged but he is still sexy. He is a true knight in shining armor who became human once again but only until he had to save his love.
I think sometimes the gross vampires are too much for me but at the same time ones that are too nice also are too boring.
Awesomeness in all... i'll have the bad boy vampire anyday... the raw passion in some of them is just too hot to ignore... i like twilight and the soft spoken defanged ones but it isnt the nature of the "true" vampire... love your article and will be waiting for many more...
Thanks for the comment. I'm a fan of the "fanged". Probably won't read or watch Twilight. Check out "Near Dark". I hear it is a fabulous vamp movie, but haven't found a copy of it myself to watch. Good luck, yourself.
I have seen Near Dark and absolutely love it. I love both types depending on my mood. They each give me something- a way to let loose anger and a way of dreaming of romance.
thanks for the comment
I'm thinking it's more of a matter of, "how gothic, do you want to be today."
haha Shana. But I know you love Eric and he is definitely not defanged and still sexy
Pretty impressive!!
Near Dark is one of the most realistic vampire movies out there.
-HP
I can think of another de-fanged vampire cop who was the archetype for most of them today: Nick Knight, in Forever Knight, back in the late 80s, early 90s. Remember the pilot episode with Rick Springfield? ;)
Good writing - keep it up.
huh......
Cecil- I loved Forever Knight- reminds me of a 90's Angel and a modern Mick St. John from Moonlighting.
I just wish that there were more vampire shows of any sorts. I am going to be discussing Vampire Diaries, the new show on CW next week- so check it out
Awesome article
Thanks to one reader- Scrooge - for passing on information about Christopher Lee- pictured above- one of the best vampires ever
Queen Elizabeth II has announced that he will be knighted.
Lee is famous for of course playing Dracula in the Hammer films, Sauron the White in LOTR, Count Douko in Star Wars, and a villain in a James Bond film.
Congratulations to one of the best bad boys to be sooo good
Everyone needs both extreme and not extreme danger in their lives, so both will remain equally popular. My favorite vampire would have to be Spike from Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
30 Days of Night. Fanged.
yeah and stephan and damon are definitely defanged as well. they are too pretty ot be monsterous vampires no matter their actions
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