In a new twist on an old theme, the coolly stylish British miniseries Ultraviolet brings vampires into the 21st century, though the word vampire is never uttered in this mix of The X-Files and somber British TV mysteries like Touching Evil. Jack Davenport is a police detective who stumbles into an elite government agency when his partner and best friend suddenly becomes a nocturnal thug and bites him on the neck. Davenport reluctantly cuts off his old friends and lovers to join the team, which includes Idris Elba as a merciless ex-soldier and Susannah Harker as a medical researcher, and investigate a web of counterfeiting operations, banking scams, and experimental labs featuring human guinea pigs. "What they're researching is pollution: contamination of their blood supply," offers team leader and former priest Philip Quast, but the question remains: are they soulless monsters out to conquer mankind, or a persecuted minority who just want to live in peace with the humans?

Writer-director-creator Joe Ahearne brings all the traditional vampire tropes up to date; not only do they lack reflections in a mirror, but they don't show up on video and their voices don't carry over phone lines or record on audio tapes ("which makes surveillance a bitch"). Sunlight burns like an acid, and when they die they go up like a flare, leaving a pile of ash in their wake. But it's the sharp character writing, moral quandaries, and ingenious twists of this smart, stylish conspiracy thriller that make this series gripping down to the final episode.

The two-disc DVD set features an audio interview with Ahearne along with episode synopses and character notes. --Sean Axmaker

asin: B00005KA70 binding: DVD list price: $29.99 USD amazon price: $24.99 USD other availability:

Posted by Vladimir Sat, 01/26/2008 - 22:29

 

Its over for me

It's over for me...

I walk alone in the darkness as late becomes early.
Far away the sound of a dog barking as I take a full breath into my
lungs. Cool, still air with a small unexpected breeze.
Trees lit from underneath from street lights along my path.

I walk for miles, listening with my eyes, with my skin,

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Mourning

All around, the mourners gather
My dread grows as the stroke of midnight
Falls against my stained soul
It severs me, and in darkness
My essence drips to the thirsty earth
In abject fear,
I beg for forgiveness
Now alone
My fervent plea falls upon blind eyes
This is my salvation

Fantasm
August 26, 2001

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Vampire killing kits from the late nineteenth century

April 11, 2007 (wired news) -- Auction hounds are snapping up "vampire killing kits" and "vampire hunting kits" manufactured by a nineteenth century quack named Ernst Blomberg. The kits, which have been found in Australia and sold by at least two auction houses (including Southebys, reportedly for $12,000), include silver bullets, a wooden stake, holy water, and other important vampire-destroying items.

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Bitten by a vampire

Most writers can remember the moment they started to compose their first story. For some, it started with an exercise book on the train. Others penned their first words in front of a blank computer screen. Successful children’s author Ann Jungman’s first attempt at literary creativity was slightly more public -- it happened in front of a class of unruly primary school children.

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Inside the Vampires Heart

The mist glowed with an eerie light,
She held onto his hand so tight.
He looked at her with tender eyes,
And led her firmly on.

The night was cold and chilled her bones;
He spoke to her in soothing tones.
She put her trust in him alone,
And knew she need not fear.

They reached the castles mighty door,
Uneasy thoughts began to soar.
But standing safely by his side,
Her doubts flew swift away.

He pushed the door and walked on through,
Then beckoned her to enter too.

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