I absolutely love your blog! I’ve gone through all the VC cannon and so many of the wonderful fanworks, but now I’m having withdrawals! Is it strange that my solution is to watch Rise of the Guardians? I mean, Jack Frost IS a cheeky undead optimist who’s trying to find his purpose in the world :P My real question is, are there any Lestatesque/VC-esque books or movies you’d recommend? I agree that OLLA and What We Do in the Shadows are fantastic >:D

Merci beaucoup, glad you like this thing! You want more?

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You do, I see >:}

I’d agree w/ you about Jack Frost, he’s forced into his immortal status by accident, too, and he’s orphaned and has to figure out what to do w/ himself, too. Jack and Lestat are definitely both

cheeky undead optimists! And yes, OLLA and What We Do in the Shadows are fantastic, that’s for sure! Those movies were very much the VC movie we had been waiting for, with different facets of VC-adjacentness. OLLA more for the aesthetic and WWDITS more for the comedy.

I don’t think that any ONE movie or book (or book series) has all the ingredients that make up that unique VC flavor but there are many that are adjacent. I knew this was going to end up being a masterpost, that’s why it took so long. Also I restrained myself from any Tom Cruise movies. He should have his own masterpost ;D

*cracks knuckles* Okayyy… SO, 

VC-Adjacent is more doable than Lestatuesque, bc everyone’s headcanon of Lestat varies and we all know how attached I am to Tom Cruise So I’ll give you one Lestatuesque rec and the rest are VC-Adjacent.

Lestatuesque: 

Blade Runner (1982) – this movie is mentioned in canon (QOTD). AR had wanted to cast Rutger Hauer as Lestat. But he was too old when they finally got IWTV into production D: so watch this and see her vision for Lestat.

Over and over [Armand] watched Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner, fascinated by Rutger Hauer, the powerfully built actor who, as the leader of the rebel androids, confronts his human maker, kisses him, and then crushes his skull. It would bring a slow and almost impish laugh from Armand, the bones cracking, the look in Hauer’s ice-cold blue eye.

“That’s your friend, Lestat, there,” Armand whispered once to Daniel. “Lestat would have the… how do you say?… guts?… to do that!”

In no particular order* 

(and @annabellioncourt​ helped me out here, so wherever there’s an *, those are her recs that I agreed with)(and there are other movies I love obviously, but I tried to limit this list to VC-Adjacent only; and I couldn’t think of any of my fave books that come close enough to fit in here).

Vampire movies:

  • *Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992) – Well this goes w/o saying, and it also shared movie!IWTV’s Michele Burke as head of the makeup dept ;D
  • The Lost Boys (1987) – @skeletalroses​ is kind of my authority on this one, and >>>this movie is cited as a major inspiration for WWDITS.<<<
  • What We Do in the Shadows (2014)- Including it on here bc of reasons, this is a very classy documentary of several vampires flatting together in New Zealand as a big coven ball approaches.
  • Only Lovers Left Alive (2013) – Including it on here bc of reasons, this is a very classy film of several vampires visiting together in Detroit, Michigan, and Tangiers, Morocco, as the world is slowly taken over by the “zombies” (not actual ones, metaphoric ones). And there are alot of parallels between the married couple and Claudia Ava, who is thirsty all the time and above the law bc of course she is.
  • Shadow of the Vampire (2000) – It’s a behind-the-scenes fanfic of the filming of the legendary Nosferatu! Mostly horror w/ a dash of comedy. Bonus: Eddie Izzard.
  • Dracula: Dead and Loving It (1995) – Yeah I love Leslie Nielsen, fight me. It’s a Dracula parody. This will never not be funny.
  • Jennifer’s Body (2009) – well she’s not really a vampire but she eats ppl, so close enough. I love the dynamic between Jennifer and her best friend, how you’re not sure whether Jennifer wants to bring her into this, or just terrify her, but there is something kind of Akasha-esque about this creature.
  • Let the Right One In (2008) – the original is better than the US remake (Let Me In, 2010) but they’re both worth watching. Child vampire! Choosing a new BFF! She has to respect the Being Invited In Rule, tho.
  • The Little Vampire (2000) – a cuter child vampire, w/o much of the angst of being a child vampire, overall super cute and I had to include this bc of Jack Frost. 

Other Horror movies/shows:

  • *Crimson Peak (2015) – @annabellioncourt​ says: “would be a fair addition because of the atmosphere of it as well as its campy factor”
  • Hannibal (2013-2015) – the TV series bc #murder husbands, like c’mon. One pushing the other into being more murdery and the other resisting it. @cloudsinvenice informed us that “Bryan Fuller was a huge IWTV fan growing up – there’s a Nerdist podcast in which he describes how, at the age of 13, he phoned Anne Rice because he wanted to work on the IWTV screenplay. The story is a gem and starts about 32 minutes in, but the whole thing is really great.”
  • The Walking Dead (2010-current) – my new drug, group dynamics, fighting for supremacy, survival, romance, killing!
  • Sweeney Todd (2007) – It’s pretty goth, it has some comedy, it has murder, it has ppl pining for each other. Also, a musical. My fave is the whole By the Sea song sequence bc Helena is trying so hard!
  • The Witches of Eastwick (1987) – Jack Nicholson is the devil and wants to make his own harem of 3 powerful witches what could possibly go wrong? There is a hilariously awful scene in a church. Jack approaches Lestatuesque levels of charm as he courts these women, and then there’s supernatural stuff going on. 
  • The Addams Family (1991) – Gomez and Morticia have the kind of ship Lestat would kill for. He would probably dig their aesthetic to some extent, too. Also murderous kids, who are encouraged to be murderous. ONE HAPPY FAMILY.
  • Black Swan (2010) – something about this, maybe the aesthetic, feels very Theatre Des Vampires.
  • Beetlejuice (1988) – Alec Baldwin! Looked like this once upon a time! But mostly, ppl dealing with being dead and not having a very helpful ghost w/ the most trying to help them. When it works for him.
  • Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975) – campy, musical, murdery, I still don’t really know what it all really means but it’s fun. Dr. F can be compared to Lestat, in that he’s lusty, charming, glamorous, materialistic, bossy as hell, has a real mean streak, tries to make the perfect lover for himself and fails at it over and over… an essay could be written comparing them. @laurasking is my authority on RHPS.

Other movies/shows:

  • Phenomenon (1996) – Telekinesis and someone dealing w/ acquiring it, and how his community treats him bc of it. THIS IS CUTE so like, yeah, much further away, I almost didn’t include it. Gonna lose my reputation over this rec OH WELL it’s your fault, Anon, bc Jack Frost.

Anime – recc’d by my best friend:

  • Vampire Princess Miyu – “similar atmosphere" 
  • Witch Hunter Robin – “quite gothic”
  • Otogizoushi – “very atmospheric" 

Annbellioncourt’s Recs bc she is classier than me:

  • Byzantium (2012) – Neil Jordan’s first vampire movie since IWTV
  • Wolfman (2010) – “its cheesey, but its atmospheric, spooky, and bloody”
  • The Hunger (1983) – “is one I always suggest to people wanting more”
  • The Bloody Chamber And Other Stories – Angela Carter
  • Carmilla – Bunch of adaptations of this.
  • A Taste of Blood Wine – 

    Freda Warrinton

  • Blood Opera Sequence – 

    Tanith Lee

  • Historian – Elizabeth Kostova

  • Fevre Dream (yes its spelled fevre) by George R. R. Martin (yes, its THAT Martin, and his take on vampires is Very Good.)
  • Sunshine by Robin McKinley
  • The Delicate Dependency by Michael Talbot
  • The Hunger by Whitley Scriber

Voice of Louis – or, “I’ve had to listen to that, for centuries.”

@annabellioncourthad cited the following as similar to Louis’ voice in IWTV:

  • “Oscar Wilde’s era of the very late 19th century, which is what most people think of today when they think “Victorian writing.”

“Similar in voice (though not subject) would also be:

  • Matthew Arnold (read some of his essays, and tell me that’s not how Louis talks),
  • Wilkie Collins
  • Henry James

Moar recs from her under Spooky Book Recommendations

Anyone can feel free to comment or reblog this with their own recs *u*

Please make Interviews & Rec an ongoing thing.

I think I can accommodate that request…

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You wonderful ppl sent me so many wonderful birthday wishes! I am so honored and flattered and pleased and speechless! ^,….,^ Will reply to all of them of course, asap, but can’t do more tonight as I was out later than expected and am falling asleep at the wheel.

For those who don’t want to get spammed w/ my birthday replies I’m tagging them #iwantmyiwtv attack the inbox. Sadly, I can’t tag them until I post them, that’s the way Internet-Explorer-tumblr works, which is UNFORTUNATELY the only browser we’re allowed to have at the office *fumes* but I do tag them right after I post. 

Gallery

sheepskeleton:

Lestat does not enjoy his trip to Starbucks.

Armand is losing his shit in the distance

THEY KNOW HIM TOO WELL stop the overly flirtatious attitude w/ those poor overworked baristas so much and maybe they’ll get your name right you ass

OH WAIT MAYBE ARMAND IS RESPONSIBLE… #fic request

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hobbitology:

voiceofnature:

Amazingly surreal Las Pozas in the rainforest by Xilitla in the Mexico mountains. Created by Edward James in the 40′s, it includes more than 80 acres of natural waterfalls and pools interlaced with towering surrealist sculptures and buildings. The many trails throughout the garden site are composed of steps, ramps, bridges and narrow, winding walkways that traverse the valley walls. It was supposed to be a “Garden of Eden” containing a huge variety of plants and animals. 

those look like elven ruins

What do you think of the choice of Tom Cruise as Lestat? When the movie came out I read A.R. wasn’t happy and I was surprised, but then I read the books and I agreed with her. I love the movie and he acted very well, but I can’t see him fit as Lestat.

You come into mY HOUSE-!

*siiiigh* Are we still talking about Tom Cruise’s casting? I recognize that I’ve been in this fandom since before the movie came out (so it’s been officially 21 years of hearing this question), and that there are new ppl to fandom every year with their own headcanon of the character. 

When anyone comes across AR’s very strong initial negative opinion of Mr. Cruise they may even agree with her at first. However! She published another opinion after seeing his performance (in the test reel even, thanx @annabellioncourt!) in which she praises him to high heaven even more strenuously! She still occasionally mentions him on her FB with affection, even now.

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So as I said. AR changed her opinion:

“ON TOM CRUISE: From the moment he appeared Tom was Lestat for me. He has the immense physical and moral presence; he was defiant and yet never without conscience; he was beautiful beyond description  yet compelled to do cruel things. The sheer beauty of Tom was dazzling, but the polish of his acting, his flawless plunge into the Lestat persona, his ability to speak rather boldly poetic lines, and speak them with seeming ease and conviction were exhilarating and uplifting. The guy is great.“

And I agree with her 110% *u*

You can find some other options for casting Lestat in my #VC casting tag, but what I think it all boils down to is that an actor’s job is to ACT. Since a fictional character exists in our imagination, there is no perfect physical casting for him EVER. Not even illustrated in graphic novels or animation. We can all agree that there are certain physical characteristics he should have, like having blond hair, but there are so many shades of blond. Even then, that one thing we can all agree is necessary for Lestat was TOTALLY DISCARDED in the Queen of the Damned movie sooo… *shrugs*

It’s up to the director to choose who they want to act out the story they want to tell. 

Bonus: Neil Jordan, #certified vampire therapist

Gallery

vagabonddaniel:

i-want-my-iwtv:

coldinhumanity:

remarried:

in the early years, armand questions daniel ceaselessly about where he goes and what he does. daniel has had enough. 

alt caption: pornography with the vampire.

//well that’s it I’m dead. Those two arts killed me. I have expired. See u in hell guys

Armand is totally judging those actors: “You know, Daniel, I was the director of a theatre -”

“I know,”

“I have vast experience in actor’s performances-”

“I KNOW!”

“- and this acting is terrible, Daniel. Terrible.”

“…" 

ooc: I just love how totally unsexy watching it with Armand would be.

“I don’t understand why this titillates you. Is it merely watching the act or is there something about these people?” Squints. “Their clothes?” 

“Yes, Armand, I’m turned on by pizza delivery uniforms.”

“That explains the empty boxes in every motel room.” 

Daniel side-eyes him. “Did you just make a joke?” 

“Why is she mentioning her husband? That seems like an inefficient way to seduce a man.” 

Daniel rolls his eyes. “The threat of discovery is exciting.” 

“Why is he still holding the pizza? Surely if she’s felatting him, he can put it down–” 

Daniel clicks off the television. “You know what. I’m going to go get more beer.” Looks back down at the VCR. “Maybe some whiskey.”