Weekend Therapy is Near Dark

Near Dark, so many reasons this movie is high up on my list for best in vamp. It not only has actors from the Alien franchise, sexy Lance Hendriksen, but a very pretty, young Adrian Pasdar and equally beautiful Jenny Wright (I thought she'd be big, what happened to her career?). 
This review is from Bluemoviereviews, from the DVD preview, more at the link.
Long before the red state chastity of theTwilightseries or even the homoerotic glamour of Anne Rice’s Vampire Chronicles, vampire films got a homoerotic glamour of Anne Rice’s Vampire Chronicles, vampire films got a strange and visceral twist courtesy of co-writer/director Kathryn Bigelow’s 1987 B-flick Near Dark, a gritty take on the sub-genre that was as much Western adventure as it was horror story. A cult classic for decades, the film gets its first DVD re-release in five years July 7, even as the director’s The Hurt Locker opens nationwide to riotous critical applause. Fans of the Whedonverse and HBO’sTrue Blood won’t want to miss it, while Twilight devotees owe it to themselves to check it out.
Small-town Oklahoma boy Caleb Colton (Adrian Pasdar, Heroes) gives comely drifter Mae (Jenny Wright, St. Elmo’s Fire) a ride home and gets a bite on the neck as thanks. The next day, as his skin catches fire in daylight, he’s kidnapped onto the open road by her gang of roaming vampires, including their leader Jesse (Lance Henriksen, Aliens) and his psychotic henchman Severen (Bill Paxton, Big Love). 

Ausiello's tweet from 35 minutes ago-

It′s Official: Chris Meloni Joins TRUE BLOOD as a Series Regular — Exclusive New Details!http://www.tvline.com/2011/11/true-blood-chris-meloni-season-5/
Executive producer Alan Ball revealed to TV Line that Meloni will be playing ”an ancient, powerful vampire who holds the fate of Bill and Eric in his hands.” 


Look who's back, I checked last night and it was still the post from the finale.
The Writers Are Back in Session

By Gianna Sobol

Time flies when you’re having fun, and we’re already back in action here at the ‘True Blood’ production offices, gearing up for Season 5 and enjoying the fan love from Season 4. It’s all gone by so quickly. We made new friends, lost some old ones (I’m particularly bummed about Nan Flanagan, aren’t you?) and weathered the heat of a Bon Temps summer.

Alan is busy casting new characters, breaking story and finding locations for the upcoming season. The writers are working away, the art department stops by every few days with new blueprints and set plans, and the offices are once again filled with our awesome and loyal crew. It’s an exciting place to be.

With the writers back in session toiling over season 5, Alexander Woo took a few minutes to chat with me about what he’s been up to.

Gianna:  So what did you do over the hiatus?

Alexander:  I went and got married.  We had three receptions all over the country, so we traveled a lot. Then went on our honeymoon, and attended another wedding before coming back to town.

Gianna:  Now that the writers are back in session, what are you guys and gals up to?

Alexander:  We have gathered to discuss the storylines and themes of Season 5, and scripts for the first half of the season are being written. We are preparing to shoot Episode 1 right now.

Gianna:  Have you read any scripts yet for the new season?

Alexander:  I've read episodes 1 and 2, and I'm very excited about them.

Gianna:  Do you know which episodes you'll be writing?

Alexander:  There are six writers and twelve episodes, so I will be writing two. I'm doing episode 4 now, and another one toward the end of the season.

Gianna:  Is there anything you can share with us about next season?

Alexander:  Some of the things that people loved in the first four seasons of ‘True Blood,’ you'll be getting more of. And there will also be some surprises that will hopefully delight everyone. We have a sense of what the fans have already enjoyed in the previous seasons, and we're doing our best to give our fans more of that but also leave some room for novelty and surprise.

Eonline's Kristin has a wee bit of scoop.
Yas: Any True Blood info not related to werewolves? I'm a fang-banger for life!
Prepare for a flashback to the 1950s. The city: San Francisco. Now who could possibly have business in San Fran during the '50s?

From Dallas, she has the recent casting calls on the page too.
Possible sneak peak of this week’s True Blood filming in Los Angeles
CAR EXPLOSION, 6PM – 12AM
Interior and exterior dialogue, Intermittent pedestrian control, Intermittent traffic control – 2 minutes standard, Equipment on sidewalk, in curb lane & across street, Wetdown, cranes and condors, prop bomb in car. trucks downloading equip on street., walk and talk, water based smoke. Condor. Crane. Generator. Picture vehicles. Scissor lift

     Collider has a smorgasbord of Battleship info, including a new trailer at the link. 

Ryan doing a fashion shoot, running through the waves, I wonder what the water temp is. More pics by Splash at the Daily Mail. Dont they need captions like- Oh noes, shrinkage!

He said he is excited to be returning as the Bon Temps lawman in the Louisiana set drama, despite the fact he has been busy filming comedy horror flick Knights of Badassdom and thriller 7500.

'They've been kind enough to schedule all my stuff on 7500 upfront to accommodate my 'True Blood schedule, but I really can't say anything more than that.'

He told Dread Central: 'We have started breaking down the stories for Season Five, and we start shooting at the end of November.

He also said his sidesplitting performances as the show do not come from him deliberately hamming it up.

He said: 'Jason's reactions on 'True Blood' are what I call more of situational comedy. 'I don't play him with the intention of 'Oh, I hope I get a few laughs from this'; it's more like the situation itself is funny, and it's his reactions that reflect that.'

Janina talked to Wetpaint last night, the whole thing at the link -

We caught up with the True Blood star at the Thursday night grand opening of headwear manufacturer New Era’s Los Angeles store, and she revealed that season 5 of the HBO vampire show will be "bloodier, sexier, and dirtier" than ever! 

Though the actress, who plays the shapeshifter Luna, didn't offer up too many specifics, she promised that fans should look forward to a wild ride when the show returns this summer. 

“We’ve been back for almost two weeks now and it’s already crazy. I mean, just insane!” Janina said on the New Era red carpet. “At the beginning of last season, the first episode was very relaxed and it started a year after we stopped season 3, so there was a lot of catching up to do. But this [season 5] is not a relaxed situation. We are starting really tense from the beginning."

From True Blood's Facebook page, Issue #4 of French Quarter.

DogTipper has info on Kristin's Collars Not Cruelty Campaign, more info at the link-

“We must continue to demand collars, not cruelty, in the fight against rabies,” added Bauer, who posed with her Labrador Retriever Ozmand to promote the campaign.
Denis OHare had a good run on American Horror Story, bye Larry! He is one actor that you seem to see in any show or re-runs, TVGuide says he'll be back on The Good Wife too- 
Court is back in session for Denis O'Hare. The Tony winner will reprise his role as Judge Abernathy on an upcoming episode of The Good Wife, TVGuide.com ha

O'Hare, 49, has appeared in four episodes of the CBS legal drama as the famously liberal judge. His episode is scheduled to air at the end of January. "We have missed him a lot," series co-creator and executive producer Robert King tells TVGuide.com. "He doesn't have to wear the burn makeup for this."

All I know is that when it was out that Michonne would be on TWD eventuall,y Rutina's name always came up, Angela Bassett too, lol.From God'sreview Tumblr-

The Walking Dead Fan Club” has just released this news telling that “Rutina Wesley”, “Tara” from “True Blood” will be the one to play Michonne in “The Walking Dead”.

Well guys, remember, this is a BIG rumor, nothing is confirmed, and as long as theAMC itself or the actress doesnt confirm this news, this isn’t true…s learned exclusively.

Added a Michonne pic so you get the idea of how this character rolls. Still no confirmation but it is on just about every Walking Dead and TB fansite.
UPDATE: Seems like this was another rumor, or is it?

Join tens of thousands of fans as they converge on the Pennsylvania Convention Center at Philadelphia Comic Con Wizard World Convention to celebrate the best in pop culture. Philadelphia Comic Con brings it all - Movies, Comics, Toys, Video Gaming, Games, TV, Graphic Novels, Horror, Wrestling, MMA, Original Art, Collectibles, Anime, Manga & More! Philadelphia Comic Con is brought to you by the group who produces the most widely attended Comic Con tour! 

Sam Trammell has worked in theater, on-Broadway, off-Broadway, film and television. He is an accomplished New York stage actor whose credits include a Tony nominated performance in “Ah, Wilderness!” at Lincoln Center. Off-Broadway, he starred in “Dealer’s Choice (play),” “My Night With Reg,” “If Memory Serves,” “Ancestral Voices,” and most recently, “Kit Marlowe” at the Joseph Papp Public Theater, where he received outstanding reviews. Trammell’s big break came when he landed the role of “Sam Merlotte” on HBO series True Blood. For more Philadelphia Comic Con guest and programming updates, become a fan of PHILADELPHIA COMIC CON on Facebook!

Spoilers Like Kisses for Hiatus Support Group

John Carpenter's Vampires had one good thing, besides Laura Palmer vamp, and it was Thomas Ian Griffith. I could never get into James Woods after seeing The Onion Field.
From Rhoswen7 (AGAIN)
Some info from background casting notices for True Blood season 5 (most likely for the first couple of episodes): 
Photo Double 5'8 Long Blonde hair / TRUE BLOOD 11/16/2011 THRU 12/12/2011
Photo double / Female / Caucasian / 20 - 30 /
A photo double who must have LONG Blonde hair, be 5'8, waist 26, bra size 34C, and shoe size 9. You must be these sizes exactly as you will be wearing the actresses clothing. Should be comfortable playing a corpse, with blood in your hair.
Frat Guys and Sorority Girls 18-23 / TRUE BLOOD 12/5/2011
Background / Male or Female / Caucasian / 18 - 23 /
A few featured Guys and Girls to play Frat Guys and Sorority Girls. They are looking for people who are comfortable interacting with the Principles, and also for some people with Newer American Cars that are in REALLY good condition. ie: Newer Mustangs, Chargers etc.
Nude woman to play a Prostitute Corpse / TRUE BLOOD 1/3/2012 THRU 1/16/2012 Background / Female / Caucasian / 20 - 45 /
A woman who is comfortable being completely naked and playing a corpse. There will be extensive body make up, as well as fake blood to imply you were killed by vampires. This scene takes place in 1905, so they are looking for a woman who has not had a breast job or ANY plastic surgery. They are also looking for a woman who is Not a size zero. Women back then were definitely more curvy. Having a Belly is great for this one. Dress size between 8-14. Looking for a Character woman. The more unattractive the picture, the better.
Topless Women to work in a Brothel / TRUE BLOOD 1/3/2012 THRU 1/16/2012 Background / Female / Caucasian / 18 - 45 /
Women who are interested in working as Prostitutes in a Brothel. This is a Flashback to the 1900's so they are looking for women with Natural breasts, and who have had NO plastic surgery whatsoever. You would have to be comfortable walking around the brothel in Skimpy outfits, or with your breasts exposed. They are looking for all types of women. But Especially women with dress sizes between 8-12. They are looking for women who would not be considered classically Beautiful. The more unattractive the better. Character looks are encouraged.
Charactery Guys to Play Johns in a Brothel / TRUE BLOOD 1/3/2012 THRU 1/16/2012 Background / Male / Caucasian / 18 - 65 /
Guys to play johns in a 1900's brothel. They are looking for people who look like they could be from this era. You would have to be comfortable walking around in your Boxers if they asked. And must be comfortable around nudity, or possibly sexual situations.
Very Featured Character Lady / TRUE BLOOD 1/2/2012 THRU 1/31/2012
Background / Female / Caucasian / 25 - 60 /
A very funny featured bit. A lady sitting in a diner, that the leads will be talking about. They refer to her as Manic depressive and crazy. The more charactery, the better. 
New Post by Rhoswen7, same casting call as previous but with more details. Thanks again-
The numbers in parentheses indicate the scene numbers the character is introduced in (which, by themselves, don't tell us much besides the likely order in which they'll appear in the episode, and who'll be in scenes with whom):
TRUE BLOOD, Episode #502, "Authority Always Wins"
Director: Michael Lehmann
Writer: Mark Hudis
Start Date: Approximately 12/15
Location: L.A.

[KIBWE] Early 40s to early 60s. A slender African gentleman vampire, he's an Authority council member who believes rehabilitation for prisoners over stricter punishment... STRONG RECURRING (52) PLEASE ONLY SUBMIT AUTHENTICALLY AFRICAN ACTORS FOR THIS ROLE.
[ROSALYN HARRIS] 40s to 60s. A Texas vampire with "hair high enough to interfere with air traffic," she's an Authority council member with a homespun wisdom-spouting mouth and a firm hand...RECURRING (52)
[ALEXANDER] 9 years old. An impetuous young vampire who was turned at the age of 9, he's an Authority council member who loves cigarettes and razzing his fellow council members...RECURRING (52)
[DIETER BRAUN] 50s to 60s. Caucasian. Strong, mature and self-possessed, calm and authoritative, with a piercing gaze. This vampire is extremely intimidating and probably a bit of a sadist. He uses innovative methods to torture a prisoner during an interrogation. GUEST STAR -- POSSIBLE RECURRING. COULD HAVE A GERMAN ACCENT BUT NOT NECESSARY (14)
[CHRISTINE VAN HEUSEN] Late 20s to 30s. Seen on TV, she's a cute brunette newscaster for a CNN-type program who conducts a high-profile, in-depth interview...1 speech & 5 lines, 2 scenes (23)
[CLERK] 30s to 40s. The kind of guy who buys pork rinds, he lives in a trailer and works at the Stake House, a home protection store that sells weapons designed to hurt vampires...3 speeches & 3 lines, 1 scene (23)
[BOY] 14, determined, hurt, and angry, he punches Jason in the face for sleeping with his mom and breaking up his parents...6 lines, 1 scene (31)
[ELLIS] 20s to mid 30s. A member of Jason's former road crew, he punches Jason in the face for sleeping with his wife...5 lines, 1 scene (36)
[NIGEL] 30s to 40s. A grotesque-looking vampire prisoner, he's been scarred, burned and deformed -- punishment for his predilection for eating babies...5 lines, 1 scene (13)
[WASHCLOTH HELEN] Curvy, 20s to early 30s. Seen in flashback to 1905 in San Francisco, she's a young prostitute who snorts cocaine... CO-STAR (11)
[HOT GIRL] A hot female college student at a kegger, she's excited when a notorious, unexpected guest shows up...3 lines, 1 scene (42)
[HOT DUDE] A hot male college student at a kegger, he's excited when a notorious, unexpected guest shows up...2 lines, 2 scenes (42)
[MAN] 30s to 40s. Seen in flashback to 1905 in San Francisco, this pleasant, well-dressed, seemingly non-threatening man is actually quite dangerous...2 lines, 1 scene (33) 
Janina is somewhere where it's 23 degrees????  Her tweet-

Janina Janina Gavankar 

Just wrapped today's work on #trueblood. My car is telling me it's 23° out here where we are.

Old interview with Ryan, yep, filler post.

Stephen Moyer has a lighthearted take on his bond with wife Anna Paquin. ‘We sort of complement each others crazy,” the British star, 42, tells Reporter. ‘And there is a bucketful of it!” The True Blood hunk kept his gal, 29, giggling during a visit to the Florida set of her drama Free Ride November 18. “They laughed the entire hour,” says a witness. Enteractivemagazine.com
Joe at the Trevor Project Event, from their twitter

Rutina joined the cast of Prometheus, the mysterious-somehow connected to Alien-prequel. It is directed by Ridley Scott and has a great cast, article from BET.com-See Update below

 Rutina Wesley's career is on the rise. The True Blood star is finally able to sink her fangs into some meatier roles, including a part opposite Idris Elba and Charlize Theron in Ridley Scott'sPrometheus. According to IMDB.com, the big-budget action flick is about a team of explorers who discover the origins of mankind on Earth and then must fight a battle to save the future of the human race. Wesley's role is described only as "Lara," but hopefully she gets to do some butt-kicking in her scenes. The film also stars Shame's Michael Fassbender and Girl With the Dragon Tattoo's Noomi Rapace.

Next up for Rutina, the highly-coveted lead role in Left to Tell, a biopic about a young woman who survived the Rwandan genocide by spending 91 days in a bathroom with eight other women, only to emerge and find her entire family had been murdered. The film is based on Imacculee Ilbagiza's best-selling memoir and is being produced by mPower, the company behind this year's powerful Machine Gun Preacher..UPDATE, The Vault spoke with her people and this story, unfortunately is BOGUS!

Joe does a Funny or Die video.

The Girl With The Tramp Stamp Tattoo from Emma Roberts      

Christy has some nice pics from TB filming on her twitter, Askars with a beard! Bill with what looks like contact lenses.
A must for any horror fan, I did a post last month or so on Hammer Films you know I'm a fan.

From Socialitelife.com formerly ASL

There was definitely a hipster vibe going on last night at the G-Star Rodeo Drive Store Opening last night (December 6) in Beverly Hills, California. Hello Ryan Kwanten! More photos at the link.

Fright Night Group Support

Chris Sarandon's turn as a vampire was both comedic and scary, if this was a drama he would have made a sexy beast, who was also terrifying. Fright night's cast is perfect for their roles, especially Roddy McDowell as Peter Vincent, the local late-night TV host of "Fright Night". The look on Roddy's face just makes me roll.

 
I'm in the mood for a little season two Pam, aren't you?

 

New casting spoiler, Carolyn Hennessy, she tweeted she has been cast as a vampire for S5. She plays Sonny's lawyer Diane on GH, she used to be on Cougartown and is in a ton of commercials and guestspots. 

THR has another article on the Chris Meloni casting rumor-More at the link.
For days now, True Blood fans have been buzzing about reports that Chris Meloni will stage a comeback to HBO by joining the series in a “major role” on Season 5. 
1. 50 is the new 500. Let’s face it. At 50, Meloni gives most 30 year olds in Hollywood a run for their money in the hunk department. Those good looks and the wisdom of living a half a century will translate well for playing a vampire that could very well be hundreds of years old. And, recent reports say that the series is casting for The Vampire Authority, the council which rules over all vampires and gives its royalty their power. Meloni would be perfection in one of those roles.
2. Blood, no problem. The actor has demonstrated several times in his career that violence and blood are not a problem for him. So, I imagine that if he were faced with taking down a few humans (or werewolves, witches, a bothersome fairy, for that matter), he wouldn’t flinch.
3. Clothing, optional. True Blood is well known for its nude scenes and executive producer Alan Ball places all the actors in some kind of state of nudity through out the season. Meloni has demonstrated that he isn’t afraid to let it all hang out if a role requires it.
True Blood Wiki has the premiere episode, "Turn, Turn, Turn", synopsis up, it says it's official.
As the dust settles in Bon Temps, Sam and Luna’s plans for a fresh start are interrupted by a new arrival, hell-bent on revenge. Meanwhile: Sookie’s vow for a life without vampires is put to the test; Lafayette struggles with his latest acquisition; Patrick calls in a favor from Terry, that will put his relationship with Arlene under pressure; Jessica takes a backseat, while Jason caters for anunwelcome house guest; Pam tries to make amends, and Bill and Eric plan their escape from the forces now pursuing them, but are soon drawn into a plot that will shatter the very foundations of the vampire hierarchy, and bring them face to face with their deadliest enemy.

HBO Says No to Stream-Only Service.
The boss of HBO as poured cold water on a single digital delivery streaming option for the HBO Go service, maintainig that cord cutting is just a temporary phenomenon that will magically disappear when the economy improves. HBO co-president Eric Kessler talking at the VideoshmoozeNYC event yesterday said, “there is no chance his company will make its original programs like True Blood or The Wire available to non-cable subscribers.”
The Insider's Jarett has a good interview with Carrie Preston about her movie, "That's What She Said" being shown at The Sundance Film Festival. Read it all at the link, Jarett was the writer of the NY Post's Popwrap column still missed by me.

Insider.com: Congratulations on getting That's What She Said into Sundance! What was your reaction?
Carrie Preston: I got the good news a week ago, while in New York, but wasn't allowed to tell anyone. It feels like I've been riding around on a big shiny bike that I got for Christmas inside my house [laughs]. I finally get to go outside and ride it around today! But I had assumed the movie didn't get in because there's an industry myth that if you don't hear from Sundance before Thanksgiving then you probably didn't get in. So I had already cried my eyes out and let it go, then my producer called with the good news and I started screaming like I just won the Super Bowl. So many people turned their heads and looked at us while I was crying. I was jumping up and down and hugging Michael [Emerson, husband]. It was super fun.

Thanks to Merjatb for the wonderful True Blood videos on their youtube channel

Denis O'Hare from the upcoming AHS episode

There are more photos from the show at Spoilertv, they are spoilery and good.
Video interview with Ryan K by USAToday

http://www.newsleader.com/videonetwork/605703643001/Five-Questions-for-Ryan-Kwanten
From True Blood News at The Nest on FB, Cosmo makes it sound like he's ancient.

,

Every good Monster needs supplies, Hoxton Street Monster Supplies is where only the most discreet shop.

FANG FLOSS-Our marvellously strong Fang Floss is invaluable in cleaning where traditional sticks and brushes can’t reach, removing all common forms of fang-matter, including: brains, gore, bones, viscera, entrails, seaweed, toffee, and much more. Ideal for the 21st Century monster who believes  chomping through flesh and bone shouldn’t have to put a crimp on post-mauling socialising. This spool can be carried easily in a pocket or a pouch, leaving both hands free to floss.

Ryan Kwanten is branching out on U.S. TV, from Eonline's Kristin.

We can happily and exclusively reveal that True Blood hottie Ryan Kwanten will guest star in the Valentine's Day episode of New Girl. Will it be love at first sight for Jess? Jess (Zooey Deschannel) will be celebrating her first Valentine's Day in six years as a single girl, and what better way to do that than with a meaningless one-night stand? So she drags Schmidt (Max Greenfield) out to a bar to be her wingman, and that is when she meets Oliver (Kwanten). Jess quickly finds out that she has nothing in common with him, which is really the last thing you should care about when it comes to someone who looks like that.

From Boston.com, 

“True Blood’’ star Rutina Wesley, who plays Tara on the popular HBO vampire series, was in Boston over the weekend to participate in Commonwealth Shakespeare Company’s “American Voices’’ reading of Sam Shepard’s “Fool for Love.’’ Wesley, who hung out at the Nine Zero hotel before heading out to the gig (which was held last night at the Calderwood Pavilion) told us that her two days in Boston wound up being rather romantic. Wesley read the play with her husband, actor Jacob Fishel. She told us that she hasn’t read opposite her spouse since the two were students at Juilliard. Back then, they were often cast together because of their chemistry, she said. “It’s been kind of fun to remember what that beginning was like - when we first fell in love at school.’’ Wesley guessed that last night’s audience would be populated not only by Commonwealth Shakespeare Company supporters, but by her “True Blood’’ followers. She said she’s happy to have the vamp fans at these stage events because it exposes them to another part of her resume. Many of the show’s fans came out to see her in “The Submission,’’ which had a recent run off-Broadway in New York. “They say, ‘I didn’t know you could do something else,’ ’’ Wesley said, adding, “I take it as a compliment.’’
True Blood star Rutina Wesley at the Nine Zero hotel yesterday. (Kayana Szymczak for The Boston Globe)