Btw....the next Anita Blake novel is due out June 3rd. Called Blood Noir

ACK!!!
T-- You're right!! It was Amsterdam... I was interested... but not knocked out.
quips about the past... would definitely make one think... would tick me off... and I'd be in a library somewhere lookin stuff up... but that's just me.

He is not so hunky everybody would remember him...but hunky enough, eh?
The premise is interesting... and I'd like to see it.
It comes on late, tho... I confess I fell asleep.

Things are finally on the move, again, with Johnny Depp's Dark Shadows movie project! This is an excerpt from the Dark Shadows fandom's Shadowgram newsletter:

"*** UPDATE: THE PLANNED NEW DS MOVIE PROJECT - JOHNNY DEPP / GK FILMS / WARNER BROTHERS

SG #112 announces: "With the 3-month-old writers' strike now ended, development will resume on the Warner Brothers planned DS feature film starring Johnny Depp. A writer is expected to be announced soon and SG will report any confirmed news as it develops. Unlike television, where programs are often written, produced, and aired in a matter of months, motion pictures require a longer span of time to prepare, execute, and market. A finished movie would not appear before late 2009, at the earliest." SG #113, subsequent print issues, and the SG UpdatesList will feature all official news and updates.

This new SG #112 includes extensive media coverage about the proposed new DS film."

This from an older issue of Shadowgram:

"ShadowGram Online Dark Shadows News Updates List
Marcy Robin's Cyberspace "Dark Shadows" News Update List
An Internet Publication of SHADOWGRAM
< ShadowGram@aol.com >
Number 173. July 26, 2007.
*********************************************
Hello, Dark Shadows Fan,

ShadowGram (SG), The Official Newsletter & News Source for Dark Shadows (DS), announces the following just-breaking news.


**** JOHNNY DEPP'S PRODUCTION COMPANY & GK FILMS PLAN TO DEVELOP NEW DARK SHADOWS MOVIE FOR WARNER BROTHERS

Daily Variety will publish the following article in tomorrow's (July 27) edition:
Depp lights up 'Dark Shadows'
Graham King to produce Warner feature
By Michael Fleming

Johnny Depp is getting in touch with his inner vampire.

Warner Bros. is teaming with Depp's Infinitum-Nihil and Graham King's GK Films to develop a feature based on the '60s daytime supernatural sudser "Dark Shadows."

Depp has said in interviews that he has always been obsessed with "Dark Shadows" and had, as a child, wanted to be Barnabas Collins, the vampire patriarch of the series. The role was originated by Jonathan Frid.

A rights deal just closed with the estate of Dan Curtis, the producer/director who created the soap that aired weekdays on ABC, from 1966 to 1971. Depp and King will produce with David Kennedy, who ran Dan Curtis Prods. until Curtis died last year of a brain tumor. Infinitum-Nihil's Christi Dembrowski served as the point person on the deal.

Over 1,225 episodes, "Dark Shadows" was a highly atmospheric, spooky soap that featured gothic horror staples like vampires, monsters, witches, werewolves, ghosts and zombies. The show has a continuing rabid fan base that populates Dark Shadows Festival conventions.

Numerous TV revivals of the series and pic adaptations have been attempted over the years but none with as high-wattage a star as Depp.

Depp, who is coming off "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End" and who just wrapped the Tim Burton-directed "Sweeney Todd," is next expected to star in "Shantaram," a Mira Nair-directed adaptation of the Gregory David Roberts novel that Depp, King and Plan B are producing for Warner Bros. Depp, King and WB are also mobilizing to make a film about the life of Alexander Litvinenko, with Depp poised to play the former KGB agent, who was fatally poisoned.

**** SHADOWGRAM NOTE:

Johnny Depp's company and Dan Curtis Productions have been in discussion for several years about the possibility of teaming for a Dark Shadows film. The development of a script, which will now begin, can take months and sometimes years. But hopefully, the process will run smoothly with the possibility that filming could begin as early as 2008, though even in a best-case scenario a finished film may not appear before 2009. It is also much too early to speculate on any further casting ideas, though there is a hope that some original DS actors may be utilized in some capacity.

ShadowGram will follow-up with further developments in coming print and online editions."


For those who haven't seen it, yet, here is some additional older info on Johnny's upcoming feature film project, Dark Shadows, based on the classic gothic horror TV Drama from the late '60s and early '70s:

(Cinematical.com article)
http://tinyurl.com/2b36v4

(Eonline.com article)
http://tinyurl.com/2566qp

(tvjots.com article)
http://www.tvjots.com/2007/07/bite-me-john...doing-dark.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dark_Shadows

(See the Johnny Depp mention in the third paragraph)

Here's a great interview with Johnny, from 1999:

http://www.combustiblecelluloid.com/intdepp.shtml

In the 7th paragraph, he explains his childhood fascination with Barnabas Collins.


A little more interesting history on Johnny's impending portrayal of vampire Barnabas Collins:

http://www.johnnydepp-zone.com/reeljohnny/

"Coincidentally, series creator Dan Curtis gave his blessing to Johnny playing his most famous character in an interview published online on five years ago (September 18, 2002). Responding to a suggestion that a DARK SHADOWS film remake would work if Johnny Depp were cast as Barnabas, Curtis replied: "I agree that Johnny Depp would be great as a new Barnabas."

You don't get a stronger endorsement than that. Regrettably, Dan Curtis has since passed away from a brain tumor, so, Johnny won't have the opportunity to work with the original creator of Dark Shadows on this film project.


I expect more news, soon, and I'll post it as soon as I see it. I watched Dark Shadows in the '60s, and, many of us longtime fans (who include Johnny in our number, of course) look forward with great anticipation to the release of his interpretation of the role of tragic vampire Barnabas Collins.

-Raycheetah =^[.]^=

Well, now... that does have an effect on the landscape.

I love lookin' at this guy... I love his work, and he is just too pretty...
Great actor, so I do look forward to the develoopment of Dark Shadows...
Wonder whom they'll cast for the witches???
And what they'll do with the Manor... that was fun.

A Dark Shadows movie starring Johnny Depp as Barnabas Collins? That ought to be somethin' to see! I can't wait! I was just a little thing when Dark Shadows aired. I had a sister that watched it though so I did get some exposure. Isn't it funny the things we remember? I can picture Barnabas to this very day.

Did anyone see New Amsterdam last night? I'm not sure if I like this show or not yet. Granted, John is pretty to look at even though his lips are a little thin for my tastes, he seems to be a decent actor. The premise just didn't grab me ya know? Nothing like Moonlight did. And with my luck, New Amsterdam will make renewal and Moonlight won't <sigh>

T-- don't even think it!!!
Moonlight has to come back. Doesn't it?
Amsterdam is growing on me... if only the concept of living thorough history. Haven't we all???
Still, the idea that his "true love" turns out to be married... could be some major plot twists coming.
I like that...

Oh yeah well....I'd love to live for the next thousand years or so just so I could see what's gonna take place

Where did you see that his love is supposed to be married? I was sure it was his new partner....


And I can only hope and pray that Moonlight comes back for a second season <crosses everything she has two of>

He goes back to see her after the "tests"... and catches her outside the hospital (I think) where she is with a man... introduces man as "My husband"


Her being the doctor that saved him/didn't save him when he had the heart attack.
Is that his son that is running the bar??? I thought they were friends... Can he be married to someone other than his "true love"????????????

So, yeah... getting more interesting.
HOwever.
I love Moonlight.

Well it doesn't matter if the doctor is married or not...it's the new partner I tell you, lol.

And yeah the bar owner is his son, but he never married his mother remember the whole black/white thing?

So yeah I guess he can marry if he wants but if he doesn't start to age then what would he tell the wife? "Oh yeah well I know that men age a LOT better than women, but I'll watch you turn into a prune?" LOL

On the loving Moonlight....THAT we can agree on wholeheartedly!

Have you ever tried watching on line??? Their site is beautiful... but the streaming is sketchy. I'll be watching... and it just ..stops. Can't re-boot... can't switch players... annoying as hell.

I tried to watch one of the eps that I missed and I got so frustrated!!! GAH!!! I kept closing browzers and reopening trying to get their stupid media player to work and got a big fat nothing!


I was happy when the strike cause some reruns because I got to see the ep I missed

Yeah... that was my experience...
My ECS was just in and suggested I try using Microsoft explorer... I resent using explorer, but I might try it just to get my show viewing... I like watching shows I love over.

Could it be something I learned from Firefly????

Using microsoft internet explorer won't work for you because it that's what I run....the problem lies with the media player that the site uses. It sucks AND blows a whole herd of satanic goats.....<grumble>

HA!!!!! I cannot get the video to play.... but it looks like Mick is back 25 of April!!!!
I don't mind waitin' for that pretty face!!!

Sure hope he doesn't mind being 90 million women's fantasy...

I'm sure he doesn't, lol. And yeah I knew he'd be back in April...for four more eps....which is what they originally contracted for I think. But there's no word yet on renewal for season 2 so....keep your fingers crossed...or put a lucky penny in your shoe or something Btw I posted a link to moonlightfans.com one page back I think, maybe two I didn't look before making this post though, sorry. That's where I get all my info from

Ok-- I'm in. Another place to post... and hang out with like minded folk drooling over delicious men.
It's good... I like it.
Thanks again, Ms. T-bug, for keeping us informed!

Da nada Ms. Singer...though you really need to thank Ray because he's the one I got that link from originally

Still... I didn't know it was there. You guys are just the best.

Had a busy day in the classroom, so not getting in to check in tillllll..... late.
But I posted to Maiii... I'm glad she's made it, now... If only 1tosmile... & PE... no haiku thread.
Our shiny fiction... I'm missin' the rest of the gang.

Mornin' y'all

Way late, I missed y'all...
Spring break, I'm a new Great Aunt... Isabella arrived Friday, about three weeks early, but still 5lb 11oz. Mom did 14 hours of labor... long day for her.

Here's another one for yas:

http://moonlight-detective.com/

Ah, it's good to be back! 'Course, best of both worlds (and, the one I'm still workin' on) would be bein' "back" here from Hawai'i.

-Raycheetah =^[.]^=

The problem with the newer vampire shows is that they mess with the vampire legend a lot, changing things or doing stuff like making the vampire able to appear in the daylight and such.

Dark Shadows stuck pretty much to the legend.

There was a Dark Shadows ripoff back in 69-70 (a Canadian soap) called "Strange Paradise" but they stayed away from vampires, prefering to use voodoo and witchcraft. They also dabbled in using a "Snake God" as an enemy.

Hey Alpha, welcome to GalacticaBS!

Welcome to the forum, AlphaNova! Glad to have you!

Problem is, the whole vampire mythos (most especially the well-known European folklore) has been done to death. Now, writers who want to wring a bit more mileage out of the basic concept are going to some significant lengths to make sure that their own visions of the immortal dweller in darkness are fresh and unique (for which I can't really blame them).

Dark Shadows had the advantage of being the only real player in the field; now, the list is crowded with many competing concepts, and, while the presentation of the shows is often very good, it's been tough to find one that comes across as really "different," except in how they present the condition of their vampiric protagonists.

Blood Ties, in particular, has an interesting take on vampire territoriality, though what really makes the show stand out, especially in the early episodes, is how well-researched the other supernatural elements are. After an initial gamut of creature of the week, though, the strain starts to show, though, as the familiar tropes (and, some not so familiar) are visited. Still enjoyed it, especially for the characterization.

Characterization is also a strong suit for Moonlight, which does not present the pervasive otherworldliness of BT, thus creating a more down-to-earth, realistic milieu in which to operate. Still wondering why Mick sleeps in a freezer, though!

I look forward to more discussion on this topic!

-Raycheetah =^[.]^=

Vampires suck!

Remember when Mick said the really old vamps smell of decay... this is the first time to deal with the concept of being really 'dead'. Dead fleash gets stinky in the sunlight... heat-- speeds decay. Mick iced himself down in the motel... we found the lady vamp lounging in the tub filled with ice. I think it is to prolong their 'viability'... and ability to blend. Now Beth hasn't said anything about Mick being cold... so, on the one hand... I get it...but it doesn't jive. If vamps warmed up as soon as they came out of the deep freeze-- they'd start to decay.

Now, it doesn't quite jive with the concept of immortality. But it explains the freezer. Or why vamps in the old days preferred cool caves or basements...

Oh--- And welcome to the party, Alpha!!

Wunner how Mick smelled after his stint out in the desert, then... Does that mean vamps would avoid warm climates, in general?

I dunno, it seems like a hastily tacked-on bit of mythos differentiation, without real thought being given to the implications.

Ah, well, hopefully, we'll all get the opportunity to learn more from the show.

-Raycheetah =^[.]^=

http://television.aol.com/news/story/_a/fa...402094809990002

I hope it helps!

Thanks, Tbug! I had suggested this to some Blood Ties fans, whose show is in more danger of cancellation; it sure makes for great publicity!

-Raycheetah =^[.]^=

Info on the Moonlight blood drive:

http://www.savemoonlight.com/

"Moonlight Blood Drive
Fans of the CBS vampire detective television series Moonlight have organized a national blood drive to show their support and to celebrate the return of new episodes beginning Friday April 25th.

The freshman series has amassed a huge fan base and a cult-like following, as evidenced by winning the “Favorite New TV Drama” on The Peoples Choice Awards, and the show consistently won it’s time period.

The Official Moonlight Blood Drive is being sponsored by www.youchoose.net, which is the place for fans of TV programs to join campaigns for their favorite shows, including “save our show” campaigns.

The National Red Cross has taken an active roll in the blood drive and is acting as a liaison with all of the local Red Cross chapters nationwide. The Red Cross donation button on the www.youchoose.net pledge site will take you to where you can donate directly to the American Red Cross of Greater Los Angeles. We selected this Red Cross chapter to replenish funds that were depleted by the wildfires.

The Official Moonlight Blood Drive will be held at various locations nationwide April 18th through April 27th. To participate, fans should access www.youchoose.net and click on Moonlight Season 2 in the Crusades section on the main page to see the three options on how to pledge to give blood or donate money and to find the locations where blood drives are being held.

There still is a need for volunteers to help at sites already set up or to run a new blood drive sites across the nation. There are over 4000 total pledges so far. To see how simple it is to run a blood drive site go to www.moonlightblooddrive.org and click on the “volunteer” link. There are many blood drive sites already set up in cities such as Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco and Philadelphia. Fans who need information and do not have an internet connection can call 800-335-4852 Pacific Time 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM daily. To respond to this press release e-mail Barbara at robes4you@aol.com .

The Official Moonlight Blood Drive t-shirt, that is sure to become a collector’s item, will be available for donors during the blood drive through www.youchoose.net. The t-shirts and other items will be available for fans to purchase, who do not participate in the blood drive, after April 27th. Go to www.moonlightblooddrive.org to find a link to a site where they are available."

-RC =^[.]^=

I did like Forever Knight. Kindred? It was an odd mixture of mob like stories combined with vampires.

I did like the 1991 version of Dark Shadows. I never got to see the WB pilot, but someone I know called Missy Pitty Kitty did see it at a DS Fest and said it was horrible.

This is from a fellow Browncoat, lifted from the Save Blood Ties Yahoo group:

"SaveBloodTies.org Website Launch
Posted by: "Kevin Bachelder" kevin@savebloodties.orgkrbachelder
Sun Apr 6, 2008 8:58 am (PDT)
Hi everyone,

I've been on the list for a few weeks but haven't had the chance to
say hello yet. :)

I just launched the http://www.savebloodties.org website. I included
a link to this list on the 'Fan websites' page and I'm still setting up the site so I'm looking for feedback from all the fans.

I posted some basic info here...

http://www.bloodties-bloodlines.com/phpBB2...opic.php?t=2637

Looking forward to working with you folks.

Take care,

Kevin"

So, there's a growing, organized effort to support the renewal of Blood Ties. Jump on it, if ya care to!

-Raycheetah =^[.]^=

Thanks Ray!!
I still haven't seen it.
I'll see what I can drum up in the way of support, tho. After what happened to our heroes... we must do when we can...

http://ls.ztfsb.net/zt40/c5.php?HBG/125220...DWEB227N4RGPDGW

Quick! Everyone go here and vote for Moonlight to stay on the air! It's a USA today survey

You know I'm a votin' fool, Ms. Bug! I cast my vote, and put in my two cents' worth, as well.

-Raycheetah =^[.]^=

Thanks Ray I knew I could count on you!

Kevin Bachelder, the Browncoat podcaster who also established a Blood Ties campaign site at:

http://savebloodties.org/

...is also quoted at Slice of Sci Fi:

http://www.sliceofscifi.com/2008/04/14/cen...-ties-launched/

You know how we Browncoats are, suckers for a cause. Well, this cause is pickin' up velocity, and, as noted earlier in this thread, Blood Ties is a great show! Anybody else who wants in on this, go to the topmost link, and you can subscribe to email updates on the action.

Vampires suck blood. Networks that don't renew good shows just suck.

-Raycheetah =^[.]^=

I contributed Ray! And I'm leaving this here for the rest of you. It's to vote for new male breakout star and Alex is winning by a landslide!

http://tinyurl.com/5g6g8d

Fans of Blood Ties are collecting donations of cash to pay for a series of ads in the Hollyweird trade internet periodical, Variety.com. You can find out more, including how to contribute, at:

http://www.geocities.com/bloodties_henryfitzroy/index.html

" SAVE BLOOD TIES
Greetings Fellow Blood Ties Fans
A Message from the Ad Committee

It is with pleasure we announce the following:

WE are pleased to announce the ads are completed and shown top and right. With money donated by you the fans of "Blood Ties", we will be able to place the following ads on-line in Variety.com. The ads will run for five consecutive days on Variety on-line, and will alternate randomly between a banner or a skyscraper for those five days. Information on the exact dates will be supplied when the ad is placed. In addition, the ad run, size and length will be determined by the amount money raised.

We have established a Pay Pal account and placed a donate button above for your convenience. We are ready to begin receiving donations, if you indicated that you would be willing to donate $20.00, or more you may do so now. WE have also established an e-mail address for all inquiries @: bloodties_henryfitzroy@yahoo.com

The cost of the advertisment to the fans will be around $3,500. As soon, as all monies have been collected, the ad will placed. The ad will not be placed until all monies are in place to pay for this expenditure. If the total amount of the ad cannot raised, all monies will be donated to "The Best Friends of Animals Society" ( www.bestfriends.org) in the names of : Christina Cox, Dylan Neal and Kyle Schmid.

So, if you would like something to make you proud to be a "Blood Ties Fan", please remember to make your donation early and tell all your friends on-line, spread the word to every board. We don't want to leave anyone out/or omit anyone from the largest endeavor by Blood Ties Fans to date.

Let's show everyone in the Trade(s) that "Blood Ties Fans" are here to stay! And in addition, what the shows Fans are capable of when they put their heart and soul into saving "Blood Ties".
Blood Ties Fans Can Bite Back!"

-Raycheetah =^[.]^=

I like Moonlight and I'm looking forward to some new episodes. I haven't seen Blood Ties, but I hear it's good.

I love Buffy and Angel. They're both excellent shows. I actually like them enough to own them. That's saying something because I don't purchase a lot of television shows.

(Resposted:)

To view streaming video of the entire series of 22 episodes of Blood Ties, (which comprise the first 2 seasons) for free, go to:

http://www.mylifetime.com/on-tv/shows/bloo...od-price-part-1

The "Select an episode" box allows you to do just that.

Also, you can order the DVD set of all 22 episodes online at Amazon.com UK; search by title. It's Region 2 (UK and Japan), but, if you have a region-free player, that's no problem. You can also order both Blood Ties and Moonlight on ITunes.

There are 5 Blood Ties novels out from Tanya Huff (Amazon.com, again, US is fine), plus another book on preorder (looks like short stories). She also does another series, the "Smoke" series with Tony Foster, another character from the Blood book series (you won't see Tony in the TV series, per Tanya Huff, as, she thought he had potential for his own series!), which include Henry, the Blood Ties vamp protagonist, as well.

The novels present the characters and their relationships rather differently, and, might not be to some viewers' tastes. However, they are the original source material for the series, so, adventurous completists might give the first novel or two a try.

Hope you enjoy it!

-Raycheetah =^[.]^=

Blocked. Drat!!
I've gotta spring for a cable link.. just as soon as I knock off a bank, or something.

<pats Ms. Singer on the back in commiseraion>

I uderstand 100%. We still suffer with dial up at home too, but it's because there's no broadband or cable service where we live. Makes things tough for vids and pics....<sigh>

Try impossible... the "high speed" link one could get... we don't have the lines, so I can't get it through the phone co.
The cable link is close to $50 a month... $20 more than my dial up, and that is still $20 earmarked for ... stayin' alive.

So-- I found a new vamp author!!!The book I picked up went to paper-back in 2007-- It is X-Rated Bloodsuckers by Mario Acevedo!!

It seems we have a multi-cultural thing, gon' on... Mr. Acevedo has created a vamp that is a vet from the Iraq/Afghani conflict... where he lost his soul and was turned... who is Hispanic from the Barios of L.A. He sprinkles his text with Spanish phrases, but bles him, he translates for the Gringos. Yup- he's a PI- it does fit the lifestyle... there are some intersting twists he puts into the genre, but it was a delightful romp.
As we wait impatiently for the next form our fav's... ie; Laurell K. Hamilton... so bless his little hear for gettin on the bandwagon!

I see three on his publishing list... The Nymphos of Rocky Flats, and The Undead Kama Sutra.

There is some sex... but they are not, I repeat NOT Hamiltonian. He suggests, opens the scene... then backs off. Don't let the chargd titles fool you!

If you don't read but one book soon...make it A Rush of Wings by Adrian Phoenix! Dark urban fantasy/vampire that's like nothing I've ever read before....FANTASTIC book, I've read it four, count 'em four times! Worth every penny. Tasteful sex scene, as in one, and none of the gratuitous sex associated with the other authors I enjoy. Must read here folks. Every review I've read about it, raves over this book and deservedly so.

Last weeks episode was awesome. Mick is such a stud.

He IS!!!.....I could gush and squee but I don't want to make you sick Russ, just cause I like you.

I loved the ep! I hope that the blood sample he took of himself as a transformed human can be analyzed and replicated, and that he doesn't have to go looking for coralene and her creepy as hell brother with the one black eye.....

Joseph was a true friend to turn him back so he could save Beth, but then he's always cool

Here's a message about a survey by Browncoat podcaster Kevin Bachelder regarding the possibility of a regular Blood Ties podcast:

"Bite Back - the Blood Ties podcast

Hello my name is Kevin Bachelder and I'm looking into the possibility of starting a podcast about the TV show 'Blood Ties'.

This survey is a quick way to get feedback from the 'Blood Ties' fandom and other possible listeners about the interest in this idea.

If you're not familiar with what a podcast is then this page from the SaveBloodTies.org site should help.

The podcast most likely would cover such things as news from the fandom, activities of the actors, articles about the characters and story lines from the series, email from listeners, etc.


Thanks for taking the time to give me your thoughts."

Blood Ties still hasn't been confirmed as renewed, and, as we know, getting the Signal out is one way to enhance the possibility that it will be!

ETA: The survey will be available through Wed May 7th.

-Raycheetah =^[.]^=