Monday, December 15, 2008

HBO Home Entertainment Joins the Digital Copy Ranks

HBO Home Entertainment president Henry McGee says ...we can expect to see “True Blood,” the Golden Globe-nominated series coming back for a second season, will see both DVD and Blu-ray Disc releases in the spring.

You can pre-oder the dvds now for a May '09 ship date
http://lovingtruebloodindallas.blogspot.com/2008/12/hbo-store-sale-10-off-free-shipping.html

So Rene's not dead in the books ?


Why no- no he isn't dead.
Of course, the whole ending in Dead until Dark is quite different that the True Blood version - in the books Rene is in the hospital and then in jail.

Bk 1
Rene, in his work clothes, was still wearing his knife on his belt. I yanked the snap open and pulled the knife from its sheath, and while he was still thinking, "I should have taken that off,"

I sank the knife into the soft flesh of his waist, angling up. And I pulled it out.He screamed, then. He staggered to his feet, twisting his upper torso sideways, trying with both hands to stanch the blood that was pouring from the wound.

I scuttered backward, getting up, trying to put distance between myself and man who was a monster just as surely as Bill was.
Rene screamed. "Aw, Jesus, woman! What you done tome? Oh, God, it hurts!"
That was rich. He was scared now, frightened of discovery, of an end to his games, of an end to his vengeance.
"Girls like you deserve to die," he snarled. "I can feel you in my head, you freak!"
"Who's the freak around here?" I hissed. "Die, you bastard."
I didn't know I had it in me. I stood by the headstone in a crouch, the bloody knife still clutched in my hand, waiting for him to charge me again.

He staggered in circles, and I watched, my face stony. I closed my mind to him, to his feeling his death crawl up behind him. I stood ready to knife him a second time when he fell to the ground. When I was sure he couldn't move, I went to Bill's house, but I didn't run. I told myself it was because I couldn't: but I'm not sure. I kept seeing I gestured to Bill to draw close. He did, his face resting on the bed next to mine. "Don't kill Rene," I
whispered. He looked cold, colder, coldest.
"I may have already done the job. He's in intensive care. But even if he lives, there's been enough murder. Let the law do it. I don't want any more witch hunts coming after you. I want us to have peace."

Bk 4
"You know who did those killings. He's in jail, unless something's happened that I don't know about. And he confessed." Catfish met my eyes, and his were very uneasy. This line of questioning had my brother's boss all twitchy. Granted, my brother was a little kinky in the sex department (though none of the women he'd kinked with seemed to mind), but the idea of him keeping a sex slave that I had to deal with when he vanished? Oh, come on!"He did confess, and he's still in jail," Andy

THE FUN-DEAD: ALAN BALL, HBO AND AUTHOR CHARLAINE HARRIS HAVE MADE US ALL WANT TO BE VAMPIRES AGAIN WITH TRUE BLOOD.

by Mr. Norman Maine

So you think Alan Ball (Six Feet Under) and HBO have made vampires cool again? Wrong. They may have brought it to your attention but it’s the eight great books by author Charlaine Harris that’s really brought vampires back and made us all want to be one…again. It’s the continuing saga of the adorable Sookie Stackhouse, with her ‘disability’ (she can read minds), her merry band of Southern-fried friends and family, of course, vampires.

These books are so much fun that you’ll want to go from one to the next right away and honestly, you should. Harris provides the consistency that was missing in the Ann Rice vampire books. Because the Rice vampires were basically about the vampires and their own kind, and the Harris books are more about humans and their relations with vampires, Harris has allowed herself a bigger playing field. Not only is there room to grow and expand on her original ideas but the addition of the synthetic blood in the first book gave her an opportunity to explore the vampire mind without having to have them chomp someone every night to stay alive—although there is certainly plenty of chomping.

Harris also kicked open the locked door of the vampire actually having sex with humans; well really, of vampires having sex at all. For a long time the allure of the vampire was, and still is, very sexual and what made it so hot was that it was always such forbidden fruit. Could they, couldn’t they? Dracula was very charming and in the Coppola version, Dracula (Gary Oldman) actually did have sex with the lovely Lucy, but he was in the form of a beast, or what looked like a beast. In Interview With The Vampire it was Lestat (Tom Cruise) and Louis (Brad Pitt) and then Louis and Armand (An- tonio Banderas). And although Rice created a very powerful homoerotic subtext, nothing physical came of it: their sex was sharing victims. But Harris has taken it to a whole new level with the notion that vampires can do it, seem to be really good at it and are at least as horny as their un-undead counterparts.

So far Ball and HBO have done a really nice job of taking the first book of the series and molding it into a TV show. Granted, HBO allows a freedom that the networks can’t match but they have had their share of really awful shows as well—remember John From Cincinnati, and Lucky Louie? Actually, I must admit that personally I thought the crass and hysterically vulgar Lucky Louie was brilliant. Anyway, The first episode of True Blood was dull and didn’t inspire much hope; the second episode was much better—subsequently the show built viewership each week and was consistently better each episode as well. True Blood turned into a genuine hit and created its own subculture of vampire fans and lovers, so much so that HBO has renewed the show for a second season. But knowing HBO as we do, we can expect to probably wait a minimum of 12 to 18 months for another season of True Blood. So to feed our blood lust, as it were, here is a brief review of the next three books in the “Dead” series. In our next issue we’ll cover the last four. By the time you’re done reading them all it should be time for the second season to premier!

BOOK 2—LIVING DEAD IN DALLAS:

In the first novel of the series, Dead Until Dark, Sookie met and fell in love with Bill the Vampire. While some of her neighbors looked down on Sookie for her relationship, others were more accepting of her unusual boyfriend. In addition to the uneasiness of her human friends, Sookie has some challenges from the undead side of her relationship. Given the mostly secret and politically complex nature of vampire society, Sookie is obligated to assist Bill when her unique talents are needed.

Here Sookie is required to travel to Dallas, accompanied by Bill, to assist in finding a missing vampire. The investi- gation is almost immediately complicated by an attack and evidence of spying on the local master–something that the vampires frown upon, and vampires frown a lot. We soon learn that our world is inhabited with other supernatural creatures, which Sookie thought were only myths. As it turns out they live in the shadows of society, a place once reserved for the vampire; some of these other children of the night are helpful, others deadly. Sookie’s life is soon threatened, to say nothing of her affections.

Despite some fantastical elements, this tale mainly plotted like a mystery. The story starts with a dead body, feeds us our share of investigation and the obligatory fighting for survival. While the mysteries are a major plot device, Sookie’s character arc, as well as her almost accidental exploration of the world around her, is the key element to this story. Sookie Stackhouse is a very likable main character and Harris’ gift of keeping her pleasant through the books is a gift—she remains humble, proud, and brave. Sookie possesses unusual talents but still holds true to the stereotype of believable small-town waitress. I certainly won’t give away anymore of the plot here, but I will tell you that this book, although good, is not as good as the first or subsequent titles; but it’s still worth reading.

BOOK 3—CLUB DEAD:

Club Dead features shape-shifters and werewolves now living side by side with humans. As usual, Sookie seems to possess the gift for getting into trouble. This time around we (eventually) find Bill, who was planning on leaving Sookie for another Vampire until he suddenly goes missing. Sookie’s confused emotions are the subtext of the plot for this entry. Being the third novel of the series, Sookie’s relationship with the Vampire world is well established. Sookie’s ‘gift’ makes her something of a misfit in the human world, but clearly very useful to the Vampires.

The plot of Club Dead is familiar but still interesting. Sookie is in danger from the very beginning of the novel. At first her enemies appear to be Bill’s captors. However, she soon pisses off a group of Werewolves who may or may not be linked to Bill’s kidnapping. Such a vast palette of enemies provides plenty of opportunity to create life-threatening situations for Sookie, and Harris crafts them well. The great mystery surrounding Bill’s kidnapping is a bit forgotten along the way, but it all wraps up nicely in the end. Club Dead is not a novel that will stand up to deep scrutiny, but it is good fun.

BOOK 4—DEAD TO THE WORLD:

The fourth book in the series finds Sookie back in Bon Temps still fuming at her ex-boyfriend vampire Bill. This time around all that Sookie wants to do is wait on tables, watch cable, and not get beaten up by yet another supernatural creature. In fact, when Bill announces he is bound for Peru to do research, she is even a bit pleased. But nothing lasts, and while driving home one night she finds Area 5 Vampire Sheriff Eric wandering around in various states of undress, confused and lacking any memory of who he was. Suddenly Sookie, who finds the new Eric much nicer than the old one, (we all know by now how conniving and ruthless Eric can be) is embroiled in a war that pits a coven of extortionist witches and werewolves who thrive on vampire blood against every supernatural creature in the Shreveport area. To make matters worse, Sookie’s perpetually half naked brother Jason disappears, leaving her worried to death and depending on a crazed, mixed crew of vampires and a somewhat ditzy fairy for support and protection.

Of course, the secret of this series is the fact that our somewhat “blond” heroine Sookie is a lot tougher than you might think. Yes, she is emotional, attracted to the spookiest men, has zero fashion sense—and lets not for get her “gift”—but time and again, through it all she has learned to pick up the pieces and carry on. If you don’t count her taste in men, Sookie’s actions generally makes sense. This is an easy read and a fun one. Harris again ties up MOST of the loose ends but leaves enough for the next book; and thankfully for the reader/viewer, Alan Ball, HBO and Sookie, there’s always going to be another book!

http://www.sohojournal.com/?p=1600


True Blood Christmas Carols - I Rescind


I Rescind (sung to the tune of "Let It Snow")

Oh, the vampire outside is frightful
But in here it's so delightful
Since I won't let him in
I rescind I rescind I rescind

He doesn't show signs of stopping
And his fangs they are a popping
He snarls "You let me in!"
I rescind I rescind I rescind

When I kissed the vampire last night
I thought he was a nice guy
But now he looks like he'll bite
So I have sent him outside.

Oh the vampire's eyes are glowing
And his fangs are really showing
So I won't let him back in
I rescind I rescind I rescind
*thanks to everyone at the HBO forum

True Blood Music Video of the Day


We really, really needed this on a Monday morning ..this is for the Eric5 minions

Sex and candy by Marcy Playground

Hockey anyone ? How about going to a game with Alex ?


Alex at a NYC hockey game - again you can use your nifty translator.

http://www.stars21.com/translator/swedish_to_english.html

article here in Swedish:

http://www.hockeyexpressen.se/nhl/1.1402648/mats-sundin-sag-rangers-vinna-i-natt

Anna Paquin's Blue State coming soon on DVD

Roadshow NZ are releasing the romantic comedy Blue State starring Anna Paquin and Breckin Meyer on DVD December 18th. Blue State looks at just how far one young man will go to prove his point that the wrong candidate won the 2004 presidential elections.

Making good on his campaign promise, Logue finds a traveling companion--a sexy, mysterious woman named Chloe (Anna Paquin)--and heads north. But Chloe is not all that she seems, and their journey takes more twists and turns than either could have imagined in this romantic comedy that's as poignant as it is disarmingly fun.

Anna Paquin and Nelsan Ellis win Satellite Awards


Congrats to our own sweet Sookie and wonderful Lafayette for bringing home
the awards bacon last night. This achievement follows on last weeks Golden Globe nominations for the show and for Anna Paquin. We fans knew we weren't crazy -this is a great show and it's so much fun seeing it being recognized like this.

*although Zeljko Ivanek is being recognized for his role in Damages on FX, he also starred as "the magister " in Bill's tribunal. " well, ya haven't bored me -that works in your favor."

Actor in a supporting role in a series, mini-series or motion picture made for television
Jimmy Smits Dexter Showtime
Zeljko Ivanek Damages FX
John Slattery Mad Men AMC / Lionsgate
John Noble Fringe Fox
Nelsan Ellis True Blood HBO
Harvey Keitel Life on Mars ABC / Twentieth Century-Fox

Actress in a Series, Drama
Anna Paquin True Blood HBO
Holly Hunter Saving Grace TNT / Fox Television
Glenn Close Damages FX
Kathryn Erbe Law and Order: Criminal Intent NBC / USA
Sally Field Brothers and Sisters ABC
Kyra Sedgwick The Closer TNT

http://www.pressacademy.com/satawards/awards2008.shtml

True Blood Social Networking ideas

One of the topics tonight I wanted to talk about was starting your own local True Blood fan club or Sookie Book club.
As many of you know we have started one in North Texas and we have even had a couple of F2F ( face to face meet up ) – and others are in the works maybe even some road trips.

Now, I will say I’ve done quite a bit of online political and social activism stuff so I’m not very queasy about doing things like online social networking and meetups --but you should always be careful.
You should never, never give anyone online any of your personal information and when you plan meetings always plan them at public locations

For example, we initially met at the coffee shop inside a big book store …and from there we planned meeting up for a movie.

The best first step for you would be to form a free Google group. It’s a great way to start getting organized and you can harness the power of Google to do it. If you are willing to be the organizer first create a Gmail address like ‘TrueBloodfansMiami "@ gmail.com’
Go to www.Google.com click on Gmail >click on sign up for Gmail and create your account

Once you have created an email address you can login to Gmail account and click on “my account link “ top right corner
In there you will find both Google groups and Google calendars and well as tons of other google function both can be used to help you get you group going and active.

We set up a goggle group and you can see ours at http://groups.google.com/group/loving-true-blood-in-dallas don’t worry about trying to write that down just go to the links area of the blog and you’ll see the link there

Once the group was set up anyone could join – we have 8 members and we can email back and forth and share files and docs and plan events and co- calendar. When new people contact me I can send them an invitation to join and Google group does all the work for you.

Another tool you can use within Google is the Google calendar you can post your events there and allow folks to see then and to co-calendar with you can even send invites right from within the calendar. There you can click on a date set up an event and you can set the calendar to be publicly viewable or to only be viewed by certain people it will even send you reminders of events

Again log in in with you Google group email and click on my account this time click on calendar

Then click on a date > then on add an event and it will walk you through the steps
You can then invite others to attend right from the calendar.

Now these are just some of the great tools available for free and online for social networking
You can also use things like Meetup (check it out at www.meetup.com ) but unfortunately it is no longer free but is a great tool and now cost about 10 a month but if you prefer this interface all the members can all chip into help pay the costs and then there is evite ( www.evite.com ) this mainly for sending out invitations but it could be used you could also even use your myspace or facebook and connect “ by adding or 'friending' each other

Speaking of Face book and MySpace you can add or friend Loving True Blood in Dallas is on both Face book and MySpace – again if you’ll go to the links area of the blog you will find links or just search for us next time you are on your site or search for us by truebloodindallas@gmail.com

I hope some of this was helpful and I hope some of you get face 2 face groups going on in your town…

Post in the comment area your TB wiki name and the town you live in and maybe you can make some connections