THE ORIGINALS: Missing True Blood? Try This Captivating Vampire Series On For Size!

Disappointed that True Blood has ended?  Looking for some more vampire action?  Then it's possible The Originals will be right up your alley.  A series spin-off from the CW's The Vampire Diaries, The Originals bears some similarities to its relative, but mostly in crossover characters who make the transition to a more,  if I may be so bold, adult series.  Most of the characters here are adults - ancients to be exact.
The Originals are exactly what the name implies:  THE originals.  Ancient vampires who were the first of their kind, created centuries ago by a witch mother anxious to save her children from death.  The Mikaelson family currently consists of five siblings, three of which factor heavily into the plot-lines of The Originals:

Klaus (People's Choice Award Winner for Favorite Actor in a new series, Joseph Morgan) showed up first on TVD, wreaking havoc in Mystic Falls.  He is a very powerful, VERY headstrong hybrid (half vampire, half werewolf) due to an affair his witch mother had with a werewolf.  He returns to New Orleans seeking to reclaim his power and control over the city, all the while trying to protect his unborn child - a product of his own coupling with a werewolf - Hayley (Phoebe Tonkin).  To gain control of the city he will need to thwart the domination his former protégé, the very sexy yet fierce Marcel (Charles Michael Davis) has over all the supernaturals and humans alike in NOLA.

Elijah (Daniel Gillies) also first showed up on TVD, attempting to keep a tight leash on the destructive and murderous plans of his younger brother Klaus.  If a vampire can be amicable and mellow, Elijah is the closet to that that you'll find.  He had a generally peaceful relationship with the Salvatore brothers and especially Elena from TVD.  He still found time to be a vampire though, and when the Mikaelsons trekked to New Orleans to set up shop, Elijah spends much of his time keeping Klaus out of trouble and the rest of his siblings unharmed. He develops a fondness for werewolf Hayley, causing a further rift between the brothers.

Rebekah Mikaelson (Claire Holt) is the only sister of the vampire clan and because of various insecurities, is quite cruel and spiteful.  Nonetheless, she continues to have a soft spot for her brothers and follows them to New Orleans.  This develops into a serious problem when she rekindles an old flame with Marcel.  The two were lovers a few centuries ago, but family ties and loyalties forced them apart.  She is eager to help keep Hayley and her unborn child safe, yet desires the power the family previously had over the city.

When you factor in a coven of witches, more vampires and werewolves than you can shake a (sharp) stick at, and some plain 'ol humans to up the ante, you've got an entertaining show rife with violence, battles between good and evil (and evil & evil, natch!), romance, and of course, a whole lot of bloodshed.  

The Originals: Season One (from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group) was just released on DVD Sept. 2 and awards us with not only the entire 22-episode season, but with some great special features, including 5 new featurettes - one of which details the origins of creating the spin-off series and another which lends more light on the Mikaelson family's complicated back-story. Of course it has commentary, deleted scenes, and also boasts some highlights from the 2014 PaleyFest!  You have just enough time to binge watch the entire series before its Season Two premiere on Monday, October 6.  I really have to say this DVD is an awesome package and you won't be disappointed.

The Originals is the CW's #2 show (after The Vampire Diaries) among adults and it's easy to see why - if you're looking for some escapism from the grueling banality of day-to-day life, and/or you're missing True Blood  like the devil, you owe it to yourself to pick up this DVD (better yet, get the Blu-Ray combo pack and see these guys in the highest definition available!) and settle in for a wild ride.

Just so you know, it's not necessary to have watched The Vampire Diaries to start watching this show.  It stands alone with its own mythology and story-lines. It's super-sexy while still staying true to vicious and savage vampire lore.
I'm psyched for Season Two!  Get sucked in!

DARK ARTS: Spotlight On HBO's TRUE DETECTIVE

~by Marie Robinson

I think I can speak for a great many people when I say that I am truly, madly, deeply in love with HBO's current original series, True Detective (Sundays @ 9pm est.).

The show, created by Nic Pizzolato, aired last month and is now coming on it's seventh episode. It stars Woody Harrelson and Matthew McConaughey as Louisiana-based homicide detectives Marty Hart and Rust Cohle on a 17-year hunt for a serial killer.

Since there are only two more episodes remaining in the short but inspired first season, I have taken the opportunity to seek out some fantastic SPOILER-FREE examples of fan art. Please enjoy, and if you haven't seen the show yet, it is not too late to discover your latest obsession.

Mike Malbrough (http://mikemal.tumblr.com/)

Ihaveahunger (http://i-have-a-hunger.tumblr.com/tagged/my-art)

John Amor (http://johnamorartist.com/)

Pati Cmak (http://paticmak.tumblr.com/)

Nagy Norbert (http://norbface.deviantart.com/)

Ibrahim Moustafa (http://theartofibrahimmoustafa.bigcartel.com/)

Francesco Francavilla (http://francavillarts.tumblr.com/)

Alisdair Wood (http://woodnart.blogspot.com/)

Victor Melamed (http://mlmd.ru/)

*Editor's note:  True Detective is a favorite of mine as well, so it gets the Fascination with Fear shout-out of approval!  Do check it out, as well as more fantastic art to come in our recurring feature, Dark Arts. / ch

TV Heats Up With Horror: Coming Attractions Autumn 2013

~ by Marie Robinson

I don’t know if it is just me, but it seems like there are a lot more horror series on at one time than ever before. Which is excellent for us! Here’s the scoop on some of the upcoming October television programs that are shot with a darker lens…

THE WALKING DEAD
This immensely popular, critically acclaimed zombie-thriller series returns this October for its fourth season on AMC. Based on a graphic novel, The Walking Dead has received insane amounts of success, including multiple award nominations and even a possible spin-off. There will be two new cast members joining the ranks this season—Christian Serratos (Twilight Saga) will be playing Rosita Espinosa, and Larry Gilliard Jr. (The Wire) will be playing Bob Stookey.
In anticipation of the upcoming season AMC has released several clips and still from episodes to come, as well as some teasers, promo posters, and glances behind the scenes. You can find most of this stuff by heading to The Walking Dead’s page on AMC’s website, HERE.

And here's a sneak peak:

AMERICAN HORROR STORY: COVEN
This October FX’s American Horror Story is returning for its third season. One of the things that sets AHS apart is that each season has it’s own individual storyline, and although a handful of the actors repeat (Jessica Lange, Evan Peters, Lily Rabe), their characters change. The upcoming season is called Coven and focuses on a school for witches set in New Orleans.
American Horror Story is known for their innovative and breathtaking promotions, in teaser and poster form. You can watch all the spooky teasers and clips HERE at FX, and LTV has been kind enough to gather all of the posters as well as some on-set shots; check that out HERE.

And the teaser:

SLEEPY HOLLOW
Two weeks ago FOX launched their brand new series Sleepy Hollow, starring Nicole Beharie and Tom Mison. The show finds Washington Irving’s classic tale set in the modern day, as Ichabod Crane (Mison) finds himself in the present to help save the world from its demise.

Off to a strong start, Sleepy Hollow airs Mondays at 8 p.m. Central.
 HERE  is the show’s official website where you can check out all the tidbits as she series progresses. If you are like me and have yet to begin watching, why not start with the promo below?

WITCHES OF EAST END
Lifetime’s new show, Witches of East End will premiere October 6th. The plot concerns a woman and her two daughters who are about to find out a nasty little trait they inherited from their elders—witchcraft! Based on a best-selling novel by Melissa de la Cruz, Witches of East End looks like an updated Charmed with a lot more sex appeal. I could get into it.
Check out photos and video clips at Lifetime’s website.

DRACULA
Jonathan Rhys Meyers (The Tudors) will star as Dracula in the new NBC series premiering October 25th. Other classic characters such as Mina and Van Helsing will also be on the show, which takes place in late 1800’s London, where the Count has come to exact revenge on those who made his life a living hell all those many years ago.

NBC’s website only has a few photos, but Bloody Disgusting posted an article with character sheets, a poster, and a promo. Check it out HERE.

Horror TV: The Future Looks Bright (and Bloody!)

Daryl (Norman Reedus) is proficient in taking out walkers on THE WALKING DEAD

There's never been a better time to be a horror fan  - or a more appropriate time to try to put out a new show in the horror genre. With the resounding success of such shows as Dexter, True Blood, and most recently American Horror Story and the wildly popular (and critically acclaimed) The Walking Dead, horror has proved it is very much alive and well and prospering on the small screen. In fact, The Walking Dead is averaging over 10 million viewers an episode - a feat unheard of for a cable television show, let alone a horror product. Even more impressive is that it is in contention to rival The Big Bang Theory as the top-rated scripted show. TWD is currently the number one show among 18-49 year olds. And it's not even on one of the big four networks.  Seriously, WHOA! And I know I'm not alone when I say this season has been its best yet!

The success of the aforementioned shows, as well as newer shows like the genre-bending Once Upon A Time, Grimm, and this season's 666 Park Avenue (just canceled, unfortunately) are making it more acceptable than ever to be a horror fan.
The teen rage shows such as The Vampire Diaries, this fall's newbie Beauty and the Beast, and the long-running Supernatural continue to guide new generations to appreciate horror and turn them into long-term fans.
And now, we have three new shows to look forward to in the near future that are nothing if not horror.

HANNIBAL (Mads Mikkelsen)  inspects the flatware.

HANNIBAL tries to draw new blood from the character of  Dr. Hannibal ("the cannibal") Lecter - whose character rose to fame under the sublime (and Oscar-winning) performance of Sir Anthony Hopkins in The Silence of the Lambs. In the upcoming take on the story, the unstable doctor Lecter works closely with Special Agent Will Graham - a criminal profiler from the FBI.  Lecters special skill set will become an asset to Graham, though the two are bound to clash eventually when their personalities, as well as Lecter's other hobbies, come to light. Though I wouldn't want to have the unenviable task of attempting to bring life to such an iconic character as Hannibal, Mads Mikkelsen (the Danish actor who portrayed the crazy-cool, bleeding-eye villain in 2006's Casino Royale) has been cast as the serial killer shrink, and I'm on board with it, as Mads just reeks a creepy vibe.  Also cast is Hugh Dancy (aka Mr. Claire Danes), who is set to play Agent Graham, and Laurence Fishburne will portray Agent Jack Crawford. Looks interesting, to say the least.

Freddie Highmore and Vera Farmiga relax near the BATES MOTEL

In BATES MOTEL (A & E, 2013), we get yet another take on the life of Norman Bates and his dear mother.  Freddie Highmore (Finding Neverland, Charlie & the Chocolate Factory) will bring on the weird as Norman, and Vera Farmiga will star as his beloved mama, Norma. Billed as a prequel to the famous Hitchcock film, it has Norman as an awkward 16 year old who is having trouble adjusting to his new school (and his new town, apparently - as we discover when we meet the sheriff and his deputy who are keeping a close eye on Norman). Also in the picture will be Norman's older brother Dylan (Max Theriot), who apparently is a bit of a bad ass himself.  But I have my doubts he's as disturbed as our pal Norman is. As a rabid fan of Norman Bates, I will have to do a mental adjustment to accept anyone but Anthony Perkins as Norman. But I am wildly curious about this series and you can bet your butcher knife I'll be parked in front of the flat screen when this series premieres next fall. (Might get my shower out of the way beforehand, though...)

Kevin Bacon and James Purefoy star in THE FOLLOWING this January

And in THE FOLLOWING (Jan, 2013- FOX), Kevin Bacon stars as an FBI agent on the trail of a serial killer (James Purefoy, Rome) the likes of which the world has never seen before.  This baddie has discovered a way to reach out to other serial killers and - for lack of a better phrase - band them together to wreak collective havoc on the United States.  In my book, anything with Kevin Bacon in it is bound to be interesting, as I have enjoyed his many forays into the darker side of cinema - and now he's checking into the small screen.  Bacon's retired FBI profiler is brought in to try to find an escaped serial killer that he caught years ago.
This psychological thriller is getting a lot of advance buzz, and most of it seems to be on the positive side.
Bizarrely enough, it's brought to us by Kevin Williamson - more famous for his teen shows like Dawson's Creek and The Vampire Diaries. But I don't think I'm being too bold in saying that I have a feeling it's a long way off from those shows if Kevin Bacon is starring.  It also stars Shawn Ashmore (The Ruins, Frozen, Mother's Day) and Maggie Grace (LOST, Taken).

So, horror fans, get ready for some small screen horror, and in light of all the violence and gore that network shows like American Horror Story and in particular The Walking Dead get away with these days, we could be in for a real treat.

OCTOBER 25: TWENTY-FIVE FIRST-RATE HORROR TV SHOWS

Now before we start, this is not a definitive list.  I don't want anyone bad-mouthing us before we start. It's just a list of shows that Marie and I have been lucky enough to see and call our favorites.  I'm sure you'll see some of yours here too, and maybe something you're not familiar with and want to take a look at on DVD. 
There are some really important shows in horror history here, and some of them are just pure, unadulterated FUN.  See if you'll agree....

THE WALKING DEAD (2010-present)
Currently my favorite show, it manages to mix true human emotion with zombies and come out smelling like a rose. Or should I say like a corpse? In any event, this is top-notch, fan-friggin'-tastic television.  It also boasts the highest ratings of any basic cable program in history. ~CH

ALFRED HITCHCOCK PRESENTS (1955-1962)
Even though this show is more thriller than horror, we must include it because it is from the Master of Suspense, himself! And if will definitely freak your shit out. ~MR

AMERICAN GOTHIC (1995-1996) 
Produced by Sam Raimi, the abbreviated series starred Gary Cole as a corrupt sheriff in a small town who tries to get people to step down to his evil level.  It was a show that was ahead of its time and wasn't given a chance on network television.  If it would have been on HBO, it would have lasted at least five years. ~CH

ARE YOU AFRAID OF THE DARK? (1991-1996)
Another one from my generation, but I'm sure many will fondly remember this Nickelodeon anthology series. Some very memorable spooky episodes. ~MR

BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER (1997-2003)
Do I even need to say anything? Okay, I will. Angel and Spike. And Sarah Michelle Gellar for the dudes, I guess? She's hot, right? Frankly, I'm not certain on the matter. ~MR

ANGEL (1999-2004)
A spin-off from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel stole the hearts of women everywhere by being a vampire who is cursed with a soul.  ~CH

BEING HUMAN (UK) (2008-present)
A ghost, a vampire, and a werewolf walk into a bar... No, no, just kidding. But what do we get by putting three supernatural beings together in one house?  Conflict, confusion, and a whole lot of craziness. Spawned an American remake of the show that is also still running strong. ~CH

DARK SHADOWS (1966-1971)
Hard to believe, but this show was actually a daytime serial.  In other words: a soap opera. I remember my grandmother watching these stories of one Barbabas Collins, a vampire who comes home to Collinwood to claim his ancestral home.  A vampire on daytime tv?  Seems rather ironic, doesn't it? ~CH

FEAR ITSELF (2008)
The creators of the Masters of Horror got it right the second time! I wrote a little article on it that you can check out right HERE ~MR

DEXTER (2006-present)
The award-winning Michael C. Hall starts as the title character, a blood-spatter expert who works for the Miami PD and is a serial killer in his spare time. This one put Showtime back on the map. ~CH

FRIDAY THE 13TH THE SERIES (1987-1990)
An American-Canadian production, this series capitalized on the F13 name to suck in viewers. It focuses on cursed antiques that all have a horrific story behind them. It had nothing to do with the film franchise except in name only. ~CH

FRINGE (2008-present)
With a major emphasis on "fringe science", this show has a similar feel to it as The X-Files, but the science often overtakes the horror here when they start digressing into parallel universes. But the cast is awesome and it does have some intriguing mysteries. ~CH

GOOSEBUMPS (1995-1998)
Everyone knows that I am a babe in the woods (as Christine so fondly calls me) and this is a show from my generation, but I will always remain a devout Goosebumps fan. That shit was scary! ~MR

KOLCHAK THE NIGHT STALKER  (1974-1975)
Darren McGavin stars as Carl Kolchak, a reporter who finds himself embroiled in mysteries and crimes that all have a supernatural elements. Think of it as The X-Files, version one.  ~CH

MASTERS OF HORROR (2005-2007)
Some of the biggest name in horror took turns directing these stand-alone episodes that play like a mini-movie. Argento, Carpenter, McKee, Hooper, Gordon...all took turns trying to scare us silly. While a few fell flat, many were actually quite good. ~CH

NIGHT GALLERY (1970-1973)
Rod Serling of Twiight Zone fame was the host of this spooky series and also wrote many of the stories, which were often based on stories written by the likes of H.P. Lovecraft and Fritz Leiber. ~CH

 

THE OUTER LIMITS (1963-1965)
More or less a copy of the Twilight Zone with more of a sci-fi feeling, it wasn't as long-lived as TZ either. But it still had some very effective episodes. "There is nothing wrong with your television set. Do not attempt to ajust the picture. We are controlling transmission...." ~CH

SUPERNATURAL (2005-present)
Oh those crazy Winchester brothers! Always getting into trouble with the supernatural. The two hunters travel around putting an end to things like demons and ghosts, and look mighty fine while doing so. ~CH

TALES FROM THE DARKSIDE (1983-1988)
One of my favorite anthology series, it was created by George Romero and mixed elements of horror, sci-fi and fantasy into little vignettes each week - some of which were unwavering in their horror. Great stuff, with a really creepy opening.   ~CH

TALES FROM THE CRYPT (1989-1996)
This anthology is hosted by the one and only Crypt Keeper, and it is very dear to my heart. My fondest memory of this show is watching it with my cousin in the lounge of the funeral home when we were young. ~MR

TRUE BLOOD (2008-present)
A campy slice of horror TV based on the books by Charlaine Harris, True Blood tells the story of Sookie Stackhouse, a telepathic waitress who falls in love with a vampire....then another vampire...etc.  Generally is the highlight of my hot summer Sunday nights. ~CH

THE TWILIGHT ZONE
I'm not sure what really needs to be said about TZ - it's a history-changing show that is intelligent as well as being unnerving on a regular basis.  I mean, who who doesn't remember Burgess Meredith breaking his only pair of glasses after a nuclear holocaust that left him with nothing but the time to read that he so desired...Kismet, I tell you.  By the way, here are my favorite thirty episodes. ~CH

TWIN PEAKS (1990-1991)
The mood and madness of this David Lynch series was way too much for prime-time. The bizarre tale of the unsolved murder of a high school homecoming queen takes so many quirky twists and turns it was impossible not to become completely engrossed in the mystery. One of my favorites, so much so that I wrote this.  ~CH

THE X-FILES (1993-2002)
Probably my favorite show of all-time, though I did enjoy the stand-alone episodes more than the show's mythology episodes.  What started out as a scary little show on Friday nights turned into a television sensation, and made Mulder and Scully a household name.
And here are my favorite stand-alone episodes.~CH

AMERICAN HORROR STORY (2011-present)  
I am obsessed with this show.  It's sexy, well-scripted, and scary! I also like that they are making each season completely independent story lines. ~MR

Fascination With FEAR ITSELF (2008)

~by Marie Robinson

Greetings, goblins! Even though I do not have cable, I do love a good television show. Though a continuous storyline has its perks—as a viewer you get to know the character, the setting, the storyline, itself—after so many seasons it can lose its freshness. My favorite shows are anthology-style, such as the Twilight Zone, Tales from the Crypt, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, and Tales from the Darkside.

Fear Itself only survived one season, but I have cherished every episode. I found it on Netflix a year ago, but it originally aired in 2008 on NBC. The creator is Mick Garris, who is known for the Masters of Horror series and a slew of Stephen King adaptations. The producer, Adam Goldworm, also did Masters of Horror.

 "The Circle"

Now, I’m sure all of us horror lovers know that many episodes of Masters of Horror are notoriously awful (a friend and I recently laughed our way through John Landis’ Deer Woman), which is a shame since it has an extremely impressive collection of directors, but in my opinion they got it right the second time around with Fear Itself.

Fear Itself also has a few notable directors. John Landis returns, along with Stuart Gordon (Re-Animator), Brad Anderson (The Machinist), and Rob Schmidt (Wrong Turn). And while there aren’t any big name actors, there are a few you will see and say, “Hey, there's that guy/chick,” such as Anna Kendrick from Up in the Air and Scott Pilgrim vs. the World and Scream Queen Brianna Evigan.

"Skin and Bones"

Each forty-five minute episode is its own little horror story. Some are supernatural, some serial killer—they cover the classics and some original ideas as well. What I love about the show is the originality—each episode stands on its own. They pull you in and keep you watching, and they sure as hell get you sweating. This show masters suspense and of course, fear. I’m not kidding, this show is freaking SCARY! One episode, entitled “Chance”, about a man who is faced with his own evil doppelganger was so intense I turned it off! I’m sure you guys are judging me now, but watch that episode, I dare you!

My favorite episode is called “Skin and Bones”, directed by Larry Fessenden, and it is about a man who becomes possessed by a wendigo. In case you didn’t know, a wendigo is a creature in Native American folklore, an evil spirit that possesses people and turns them into cannibals. Now, unless we have some cannibals in the crowd (nice to meat you), I guarantee watching this episode will give you gooseflesh and gags.

Seriously, this show is the stuff of nightmares! It is a shame that it only lasted one season, but lucky for us all the episodes are on Netflix!

Anthology shows are probably my favorite because I am short story writer, myself, and I am always looking for examples of spooky, clever, and quality tales.

Check this show out and let me know what you think! And if you are familiar with the series and have a favorite episode, please, do tell.

*Editor's note:  After reading this synopsis of Fear Itself (and remembering that I not only watched some of this series when it was on but I actually did a small review of it here on FWF), I checked on Amazon and you can buy the entire first season (the only season) for only $13.20.  Matter of fact, I bought a copy for myself, so thanks Marie! / ch