True Blood review: When vampires walk among us

Philippine Daily Inquirer

LOS ANGELES—What would you do if vampires came out of their coffins to live with humans?

Or, just think of the possibilities when they no longer need humans for their nocturnal fix and, in fact, are served bottled artificial blood in any bar they frequent.

Would women flock to prospective vampire boyfriends for their first taste (okay, first bite) of a preternatural affair?

HBO viewers in the Philippines, a country rich in stories and myths of a vampire-like creature variously known as the aswang, tik-tik, or wak-wak, will witness the adventures of another type of blood-suckers via the all-new HBO series, “True Blood,” which premieres tonight at 9 p.m. on MAX.

Telepathic waitress

Starring Golden Globe winner Anna Paquin (Best Actress in a Television Series-Drama) and created by Alan Ball (“Six Feet Under”), “True Blood” is based on Charlaine Harris’ popular Sookie Stackhouse novels, about a perky waitress with telepathic gifts and her relationship with the vampire Bill Compton, portrayed by Stephen Moyer (“The Starter Wife”).

Synthetic blood

“True Blood” portrays vampires who are able to live with humans following the formulation of a mass-produced synthetic blood which regulates their craving for human blood. Set in the backwoods of the Louisiana town of Bon Temps, the story revolves around Sookie Stackhouse, whom the 173-year-old Vampire Bill finds very attractive on account of her gift, which she considers a “disability.”

In an exclusive interview recently with Inquirer, “True Blood” creator and director Alan Ball explained what attracted him to the story: “I could not put the books down. I am not the kind who would usually read vampire stories, but it was a total impulse to buy the novels and I loved every word. They were funny, sexy, romantic, scary, dramatic—I really got lost in these little paperbacks. By the time I reached the third book, I said, there is a TV show in this … The images would just pop up on me so I could visualize what I had to do. Most of the characters were very vivid. I cared for them.”

Phenomenon
Ball, who personally met with Harris, revealed that the suspense-thriller will “explore the phenomenon of the vampire cult and the psychology behind it.”

Why do vampire stories work so well? He tries to explain: “I have my theories. They live forever. They are not constrained by conformity and moral codes. They are sexy. We live vicariously through them because they can be themselves and nothing else. Many women look at vampires as great fantasy objects. Vampires suck the life out of us, a potent metaphor indeed.”

Completely drawn

Anna Paquin, who portrays Sookie Stackhouse, told Inquirer in a separate interview: “I saw the script and I just loved it. I already love HBO since I watch everything on it, so working on a series was exciting for me. I also adore Alan Ball. I love Sookie because she is alternately tough, sweet, kind, innocent, knowing, sexy — and does all sorts of things that you don’t usually do as a girl. Then there is the vampire whom she befriends, and others she gets to know through him, who are dark and twisted. I am just completely drawn to the role.”

The actress, who won her first Oscar for “The Piano” when she was only 11, revealed: “There is something fascinating about vampires. For them, anything is possible and that is very attractive to many. ‘True Blood’ has it all — sleuth, women obsessed with vampires, fanatics, cute waitresses, and diehard rednecks.”

Good-looking cast

Joining Paquin and Moyer in the cast are Ryan Kwanten as Jason Stackhouse, Sookie’s older brother who is a babe magnet; Sam Trammell as Sam Merlotte, owner and operator of the local watering hole; Rutina Wesley as Tara Thornton, Sookie’s loyal childhood friend; and Nelsan Ellis as Lafayette Reynolds, the shady short-order grill cook. Janet Susan R. Nepales

http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/entertainment/entertainment/view/20090408-198607/When-vampires-walk-among-us

'Bite' anthology contains the Sookie short story, 'One Word Answer'

Maryse on her blog discovered how all important the Sookie short stories can be.

... in the “Bite” anthology...“One Word Answer” surprised me as it was a short story that actually gave us insight into a situation that we would be introduced to in “Definitely Dead” (I kind of wished I had known that when I read the entire series in a row - this one would have fit nicely in place).

http://www.maryse.net/books/i-have-just-started-the-bite-anthology.html

The time line HERE and list of Sookie books HERE

Spoiler Alert: True Blood - Episode 2.08 - Timebomb - Casting Call

We've just had this new casting call sent to us for True Blood, episode 2.08 called Timebomb. Filming for this episode should start around 21st April 2009.

[FRANK] 25-35. One of the largest and best-trained members of Fellowship of the Sun, he guards the church and tells Jason it's in lockdown. When Jason reveals his official ring, however, Frank is impressed and steps aside -- but not for long...GUEST STAR (14)

[BRENT AND KYLE] In their 30s, these Fellowship of the Sun members guard the church's anteroom. Though skeptical of Eric at first, they appear to fall under the vampire's spell...3 lines, 1 scene; and 1 line, 1 scene, respectively (6)

[RICH] Another Fellowship of the Sun member in his 30s, he attempts to stake Eric but gets pinned and trapped. He tells Eric he'll never make it past the rest of the group because they're armed with wooden arrows.sptv050769..2 lines, 1 scene (6)

Source: SpoilerTV

True Blood Music Video of the Day: Strange and Beautiful (I'll put a spell on you) by Aqualung

Strange and Beautiful (I'll put a spell on you) by Aqualung LYRICS

Thanks Nallo52

Anna Paquin Vanity Fair : Paquin’s Back

The wunderkind on bloodsucking and going blonde.

Plus: The youngest Oscar winners ever.
by KRISTA SMITHMay 2009

Name: Anna Paquin. Age: 26. Provenance: Winnipeg, Canada, via Wellington, New Zealand. Red-carpet baby: As one of the youngest people ever to win an Oscar, wunderkind Paquin (best supporting actress, 1994, The Piano) joined Hollywood's most exclusive club as a mere tween. "I remember looking up that night and thinking, There's a thousand people sitting on the bleachers and, for some reason, they all know my name!" Her bloodsucking return to the Zeitgeist .occurred last fall with the debut of Alan Ball's cultish HBO drama True Blood, which returns this summer and has already earned Paquin a Golden Globe. "The pilot script showed up, and I stalked [Ball] until he said yes," she admits. But there was one problem-her character, Sookie Stackhouse, was meant to be a blonde. "The morning I showed up for work after going blonde, everyone was very relieved."

http://lovingtruebloodindallas.blogspot.com/

True Blood – The Complete First Season on DVD and Blu-ray: Extras and bonus material

The Season One True Blood dvds will also include lots fo extras !

April 7, 2009 - On May 19, 2009, HBO Video will release True Blood – The Complete First Season on DVD and Blu-ray. The series chronicles the backwoods Louisiana town of Bon Temps ... where vampires have emerged from the coffin, and no longer need humans for their fix. Sookie Stackhouse (Anna Paquin) works as a waitress at the rural bar Merlotte's. Though outwardly a typical young woman, she keeps a dangerous secret: She has the ability to hear the thoughts of others. With the arrival of the vamps, things start becoming even more awkward in Sookie's life. It will contain bonus features and extra materials, and the DVD will be available for the MSRP (Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price) of $59.99, while the Blu-ray will be available for the MSRP of $79.98.

Here's the bonus materials:

• "In Focus: Vampires in America", a documentary that chronicles the integration of vampires into the human world
  
• "Tru Blood" beverage ads marketing the synthetic blood product to "out of the coffin" vampires
  
• Public Service Announcements created by groups on opposite sides of the "Vampire Rights Amendment" debate
  
• Vampire-targeted product ads for dating, motel and lawyer services
  
• Helpful hints and FYI's that pop up to unravel the mysteries surrounding the entire series (Blu-ray Exclusive)
  
• Animated maps to help viewers explore colorful locations in Bon Temps (Blu-ray Exclusive)
  
• ways to learn more about how your favorite vampires were "made." (Blu-ray Exclusive)

True Blood goes to the movies : Nelsan ( Lafayette) Ellis stars in the Soloist

This looks great and we know how wonderful Nelsan is ...very best of luck to him.
* Yes and Stephen ( Vampire Eddie) Root, a double TB goes to the movie thanks Sweetwater!

The Soloist

The Soloist is a forthcoming American drama film directed by Joe Wright and written by Susannah Grant. The film is based on a true story of Nathaniel Ayers, a musician who becomes schizophrenic and homeless. Jamie Foxx portrays Nathaniel Ayers, who is considered a cello prodigy, and Robert Downey Jr. portrays Steve Lopez, a Los Angeles Times columnist who discovers Ayers and writes about him in the newspaper. Production of the film began in January 2008 and will be filmed mostly in Los Angeles. The film is scheduled to be released on April 24, 2009.

Robert Downey Jr. ... Steve Lopez

Jamie Foxx ... Nathaniel Ayers

Stephen Root ... Curt

Tom Hollander ... Graham Claydon

Rachael Harris ... Leslie

Nelsan Ellis ... David




Here is a better clip of RDjr and Nelsan HERE

http://www.soloistmovie.com/

IMDb http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0821642/

Nelsan being interviewed:

Loving True Blood in Dallas Blogtalk Radio: Season 2 Spoilers Let's look at Eps 5 & 6 ( Episode 17)

Last night's Blogtalk Radio show: Season Two Spoilers

When we talk Spoiler, we MEAN SPOILERS!!!

We had an amazing surprise visit from an actress who has been working on the set of True Blood for the last two weeks. The wonderful " Marie" called in and told us a little bit about what's it like working on the shoot and was very complimentary of the working environment on set, her fellow cast members, the principal actors and the FOOD!!!

We then took a look at episodes 5 and 6 and what we know about them from casting calls, leaked titles etc.
I am joined by some of the lovely ladies from the True Blood IMDb thread.
Very special thanks to: Selena, Hera, VikingVamp and LindsayJo

We also had a little visit from Fanfic author, Terri Botta (Isilwath) who told us about a very worthy project they have been supporting. It's not too late for you to help! See links below.

If you missed the show you can listen by podcast below or on iTunes.

Past Loving True Blood in Dallas Season 2 Spoiler shows

Season Two Episode: One and Two
Season Two Episode: Three and Four

Here are links to Support Stacie and the Fan Fic auction:

http://supportstacie.net/?page_id=9

http://supportstacie.net/?page_id=221

http://www.majiksfanfic.com/phpbb/viewforum.php?f=101

True Blood tie-in book in Sweden: Död tills mörkret faller

from Sanna, my friend in Sweden ( I've already done an interview with her for the next Sookie International fan show!!)

Hi Dallas,

Thank you for the conversation last Saturday, great fun! I listened to your show last week and it was really interesting to hear your interviews.

I thought I should give you a short update of the Swedish book translation. The first book is indeed translated to Swedish
(October-08) and has the title D“öd tills mörkret faller”. I haven’t read it myself, and unfortunately, after reading some of the fan written reviews, I am not planning to either. Basically they say that the translation sucks compared to the original. :D

I am attaching a picture of the front cover and two photos I took in a regular bookstore and a photo of the English books you can see a little note saying: “Sara rekommenderar” meaning “Sara recommends”. :)

Ps. I couldn’t find anything to change on your blog. It is great as it is. :)

Best wishes
Sanna

New Vampire series debuts : Some Girls Bite by Chloe Neill

First in the Chicagoland Vampires series, Neill’s debut novel cashes in on the latest young adult vampire trend with this tale of love, hate and secret vendettas. University of Chicago grad student Merit barely survived one vampire attack only to be turned into a vampire by another. Merit finds herself struggling to come to terms with the many changes wrought in her once well-ordered life while learning about the vampire hierarchy of organized Houses and her place within it. Merit discovers her beloved grandfather, a retired Chicago beat cop is considerably more then she realized which is a good thing as she begins receiving threats and more young women are discovered torn apart in vampire attacks.

Despite her attraction to Ethan, the droolingly delicious master of Cadogan House and the vampire responsible for turning her, Merit spurns his offer of Consort thus setting them at odds. Named a Sentinel during her initiation rites, Merit begins learning martial arts so she can at least bluff her way through most confrontations, a ploy that backfires during an intense meeting between Houses. Still smarting from Ethan’s cold shoulder treatment, Merit proves her loyalty even as a kernel of hate begins taking root and only time will tell what direction that hatred will take.

Buy it here :
http://www.amazon.com/Some-Girls-Bite-Chicagoland-Vampires/dp/0451226259

Read more: Book Review: Some Girls Bite - Monsters and Critics - http://www.monstersandcritics.com/books/science_fiction_fantasy/reviews/article_1469142.php/Book_Review_Some_Girls_Bite#ixzz0C0DmiPbn

True Blood HBO/Max Asia: Fresh Blood for Max

MANILA, PHILIPPINES

As part of its efforts to pump fresh blood to its programming, newly reformatted cable TV channel MAX is set to premiere the award-winning drama series True Blood this Thursday at 9 p.m.

True Blood is based on the popular novels of Charlaine Harris about Sookie Stackhouse (Anna Paquin), a perky waitress with telepathic gifts — and an irresistible attraction to a handsome, 173-year old vampire named Bill Compton (Stephen Moyer).

Ms. Paquin was named Best Actress in a Drama Series in this year’s Golden Globes for her role in the critically acclaimed series, which was created by Alan Ball (Six Feet Under)for MAX’s affiliate cable channel, Home Box Office (HBO).

Robert Lyons, HBO senior vice-president for programming, told reporters last month that True Blood signals the start of more original HBO series crossing over to MAX to compliment its movie line-up.

Prior to the re-branding that commenced on March 29, Cinemax was created to be solely an all-movie channel.

"We thought that True Blood is a perfect fit to the new image we are trying to project for MAX, which is more hip, more young, and more geared for men," Mr. Lyons said.

Blood and sex

True Blood details the co-existence of vampires and humans in Bon Temps, a fictional small town in northern Louisiana. Thanks to a Japanese scientist’s invention of synthetic mass-produced blood, vampires no longer need humans for their fix. Vampires have progressed from legendary monsters to fellow citizens — though they can still come out only at night.

While there are those who welcome this development, many remain apprehensive about vampires. Religious leaders and government officials around the world have chosen sides, but in Bon Temps, the jury is still out.

Read on
http://www.bworldonline.com/BW040709/content.php?id=163

True Blood Music Video of the Day: Breath by Breaking Benjamin

Breath by Breaking Benjamin
Thanks, metalgirl80

Dead and Gone review by Charlaine Harris from Publisher Weekly

Thanks to Rose

Dead and Gone Charlaine Harris. Ace, $25.95 (320p) ISBN 978-0-441-01715-7

Telepathic waitress Sookie Stackhouse braces herself for trouble when another group of supernatural beings goes public in her disjointed eighth adventure (after 2008's From Dead to Worse). Following the vampires' lead, the shape-shifters decide to step out of the woodwork and announce their existence to the world. While the initial reveal goes smoothly, the brutal crucifixion of a young werepanther behind the local bar makes Sookie wonder if the people of Bon Temps, La., are as tolerant as she thought. Meanwhile, the FBI is asking questions about Sookie's uncanny ability to locate survivors after an explosion, and trouble is brewing among the secretive fae. Harris tries to cram too much into a single story, and even die-hard fans of Sookie's adventures in print and on HBO's True Blood will complain about the plot gaps. (May)

http://www.publishjavascript:void(0)ersweekly.com/article/CA6646876.html?industryid=47159

True Blood helps make Shreveport a hotbed of moviemaking

By HARRY SHATTUCK Houston Chronicle
SHREVEPORT, La. – Kevin Costner and Ashton Kutcher in The Guardian. Costner and Demi Moore in Mr. Brooks. Josh Brolin in Oliver Stone's W. Ice Cube in The Longshots.

During the past two years, about 40 movie and TV projects have been filmed in and around Shreveport.

Upcoming movies filmed here include Three Stories About Joan with Bruce Willis and Owen Wilson, Beyond a Reasonable Doubt with Michael Douglas and Amber Tamblyn and The Year One with Jack Black.

A must-stop for film buffs is the $4.7 million Robinson Film Center, opened last summer in downtown Shreveport. Directors use the facility to view "dailies," and the public congregates in intimate theaters to see classics, documentaries and independent and foreign films. Friday night Freak-Outs feature horror movies. Tours can be arranged by appointment. Periodic Q&A sessions are scheduled.

The center also includes exhibits of Harry Potter and James Bond memorabilia.

One tip: Time your visit for lunch or dinner at the center's Abby Singer Bistro. We enjoyed a delectable roasted-tomato gazpacho, a lobster risotto salad and a spicy Thai burger (sweet chile sauce, cilantro, ginger, garlic and sriracha). I was tempted, too, by the bistro's X-Boyfriend and Bushwacker martinis, but it was only noon.

Shreveport-Bossier City tourism: 1-888-458-4748; www.shreveport-bossier.org.

I have lots on Shreveport and Louisiana here:
http://lovingtruebloodindallas.blogspot.com/search/label/Louisiana

Go ask Dallas: Who would win between Twlight vampires and the Sookie Stackhouse vampires.

*gasp*

Dallas has not read any Twilight books or seen the Twilight movie. I would say we should defer to what Charlaine Harris would say to the question, "In a show down between the Twilight/ Cullen Vampires and the True Blood/Fangtasia Vampires who would win?"

Interview with a vampire: Stephen Moyer is a bloody serious actor

By Genevieve Loh, TODAY online

SINGAPORE: It was the 13th day of a balmy January, on a non-descript Los Angeles studio lot that I first laid eyes on my first-ever vampire.

Pale-faced, seductive-eyed, fang-filled vampire Bill Compton (otherwise known as actor Stephen Moyer in full costume) swanned into the interview room straight from a “hot” set, shook my hand, and proceeded to crack some joke about “Cambodian disco dancing”.

To be honest, I couldn’t tell you what he was talking about or whether it was funny. I simply wasn’t listening. He was my very first live (if you can even call them that) vampire and I was... mesmerised.

It didn’t matter that he was, in reality, a British Shakespearean actor masquerading as smouldering undead bloodsucker in True Blood, HBO’s hit vampire drama series. I was fascinated by his bloodstained fingernails and intoxicated by his lascivious dark character.

I was so intrigued that I wanted to learn everything about this 173-year-old vampire’s world — a darkly humorous other world set in the deep South where he’s in love with a telepathic human waitress named Sookie (played by Anna Paquin who won the Golden Globe for her role) and quenches his thirst (but not necessarily his desire) for bloodsucking with a newly-developed synthetic Japanese concoction called Tru Blood.

I had been bitten and sucked into the very vortex of a recently revived and currently uber trendy global phenomenon known as The Vampire Obsession.

Somehow, during this seemingly innocent set visit of Alan Ball’s satirical new world where vampires have “come out of the coffin” to co-exist with humans, this reporter had inexplicably become a fangbanger.

FANG CLUB

For the uninitiated, a fangbanger, according to www.urbandictionary.com, is a human who is addicted to vampires and the like, to the point of fanatic fervour. The term also refers to “men and women that hang around with vampires and enjoy being bitten”.

Vampire groupies, according to Charlaine Harris, author of The Southern Vampire Mysteries, the series True Blood is faithfully based on.

It has to be said that I certainly do not enjoy being bitten by anyone — vampire or otherwise. So what is the eternal allure of those nightwalkers that make them so hot? Is it their eternal youth? The constant sexual allusions?

As a genre, vampire tales are pretty long in the fang, dating as far back as the 1700s and coming a long way since Bram Stoker’s 19th century novel.

Every generation has had its own pain in the neck, from Bela Lugosi, to Anne Rice’s The Vampire Chronicles, to those deliciously evil 80s teen vamps in Lost Boys, to the smart and sassy genre-defying TV series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, right up to the recent mega-hyped frenzied spectacle of Twilight.

Indeed, vampire lore has remained in the foreground of pop-cultural consciousness. It has, over the years, morphed from the demonic, repressed Victorian sex fiend to this millennium’s most-eligible bachelor. Along with George Clooney, of course.

SUCKER FOR LIFE

Perhaps the enduring popularity of vampires can be attributed to the fact that they are seen as allegories of what is happening in our own life.

And True Blood certainly has life’s allegories — prejudice, discrimination — within. It just depends on which way you read it.

Creator and producer Alan Ball (Oscar-winning writer of American Beauty and creator of the groundbreaking TV series Six Feet Under) told TODAY: “I don’t know how you can do a show with vampires and not have any sex in it. They are such a potent metaphors for sexuality,” said the 51-year-old, laughing.

“I feel that the show takes place amidst all the terrors of intimacy and physical intimacy, and that in a way, is part of the whole southern gothic thing... Sex and violence is a big part of this world. It’s a big pulpy crazy world.”

Read on: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/entertainmentfeatures/view/420388/1/.html

True Blood premieres Thursday,9pm on MAX (StarHub TV Ch 59).

True Blood Music Video of the Day: Head like a hole by NIN

Head like a hole by NIN LYRICS
Thanks to KatieCatP