Foreign Poster Friday

It's a Polanski Two-fer! Not only do you get two totally awesome Polish posters for his epic Rosemary's Baby, but you also get the novel (see below).

Can we all agree that these posters are much, much cooler than our lame green one featuring an over-sized picture of Mia Farrow's head?

The Best Horror Literature: Rosemary's Baby

The Best Horror Literature: Dracula

A few factoids:



Not actually based on Vlad Tempes.


Sexy like Frank Langella? No. Gary Oldman as he seduces Winona Ryder? No. Dracula is actually an old, decrepit miser.

A lover? Not exactly. It's more entertaining this way, but the Count has long lost the ability to love. His motives are spite, lust, and, of course, the need for blood.

Did you know that you can star in Dracula? And for only $22!

Stoker (pictured at right), partially based the character Dracula on his then-boss, the owner of the theatre where he worked.














A vampire bat can eat up to half its body weight in 20 minutes. Its saliva contains anticoagulants that prevent its hosts blood from clotting.

The Best Horror Literature: Let the Right One In

I know this post is late--I've been absent a few days, but I promise I'm back to stay. What inspired me to post this today is that I went and saw Let Me In. I was reminded, while I sat there spellbound, that the novel the movie is based on is one of the best books I have ever read, and I doubt I will ever read anything as inventive, emotional, or well-written ever again. Unless it's a new Clive Barker novel, of course.

Please don't talk to me about the Swedish film: it's just OK. It's not the most brilliant film of all time and no, I don't mind reading subtitles. I'm not lazy. I am, however, a fan of clear and entertaining storytelling, which the original film did not have. Matt Reeves' remake does. It also incorporated almost every interesting aspect of the novel and put it on the screen... except for the best part of the entire book, which is the most original thing I have ever read in any horror novel. I won't spoil it for you, but I will say: go read the book.


Anyway, on to why this novel is groundbreaking. I have always held the belief that horror is more entertaining when, at its core, the story being told is not a horrific one. This goes for novels, short stories, and films. John Ajvide Lindqvist's Let the Right One In is not really a vampire novel. It's a book about childhood loneliness and the awkwardness of teenage love that happens to feature vampires. The novel is almost a coming-of-age book, with Oskar finding out more about love, himself, and the ways of the world than he would ever have liked. There has never been a more poignant portrayal of the bullied, isolated, angry preteen than in this book. And then to top it all off, we have some child-vampire carnage, we get a first-hand account of what it feels like to become a vampire (that is, what the internal process entails, emotionally and physically), and the all-too-human vulnerability of being confronted by a predator.

If you want to read the three best vampire novels of all time, go check out and Dracula, 'Salem's Lot, and Let the Right One In. You will not be disappointed.

The Best Horror Literature: "The Raven"

We all know Edgar Allen Poe is the best. But did you know that today is the anniversary of his death? It is! And so, in honor of this horrific genius, here is a video of CHRISTOPHER WALKEN reading "The Raven." Enjoy!

The Best Horror Literature: The Melancholy Death of Oyster Boy and Other Stories

Tim Burton wrote a book? Yes, yes he did. And it's a children's book, no less. The Melancholy Death of Oyster Boy and Other Stories is a must-read. Here's some of the book's brilliance:

The Best Horror Literature: Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark

When I was a kid I was obsessed with the series Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark. There were three main books in the series, but I think more came out later. These books are landmarks in the genre because they're just folktales retold for modern audiences--not just that, but modern children. These books are so creepy and fun. The main draw for me, though, are all the amazing drawings. For your enjoyment: here's a collection...