The 411 Top 5 11.21.08: Week 140 - Supernatural Romances!

Posted by Trevor Snyder on 11.21.2008

The Top 5 Supernatural Romances

OK, first things first…a confession: I have read "Twilight." I know, I know, but give me a break. In my non-411 life, I work at a bookstore, and so I felt a need to see what the big dead was all about. Sure enough, I hated it. To be fair, though, I'm clearly not the target audience, seeing as how I'm well past being a teenager and I'm not a girl. But even if I don't like it, I must admit that not a day goes by that we don't sell multiple copies of the book and its three sequels to a never-ending army of vamp-obsessed girls. Take my word on it, the Twilight movie is going to be huge.

Some have suggested this is bad news for the vampire genre, as it continues a "wussification" of the blood-suckers that has been going on for some time now. I'm not sure I completely agree with that. Don't get me wrong, I prefer my vampires to be bloodthirsty and mean, rather than cute and sympathetic, but I can't deny that Twilight is really just continuing a long tradition of romance mixed with the supernatural. It's nothing new, folks, and to prove it, this week we're taking a look at:

THE TOP 5 SUPERNATURAL ROMANCES


Trevor Snyder

HONORABLE MENTION

Curt Reynolds and Julie Walker (J. Trevor Edmond and Melinda Clarke), in Return of the Living Dead 3 - Sure, loving a girl with nails, glass, and other assorted sharp instruments sticking out of her body might seem tough, but take a look at how hot Melinda Clarke is in this movie, even with the aforementioned body modification. I bet a lot of guys would at least consider necrophilia in this case.

THE TOP 5

5. Victor Van Dort and the Corpse Bride (voices of Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter), in The Corpse Bride

OK, so technically Victor's true love is Victoria, the living girl left behind after a series of events finds Victor whisked away to the land of the dead. But there's no denying a true connection begins to form between Victor and the Corpse Bride, a beautiful girl murdered by his former fiancé and now forever waiting for her own true love. It might not actually end up being Victor, but the fact that she is willing to give him up and allow him to return to Victoria is, in fact, evidence of love. Awww.

4. Samantha and Darrin Stephens (Elizabeth Montgomery and Dick York/Dick Sargent), in Bewitched

Stories like Twilight clearly exist to serve as exciting fantasies for girls who love the idea of the ultimate bad-boy with a heart of gold (and who just happens to be immortal). Here, then, is the guy equivalent, I guess. C'mon, any guys out who wouldn't want to be married to a cute witch, who could summon up just about anything with the twitch of her nose? This girl was so popular, two different actors wanted to play her husband!

3. Hellboy and Liz Sherman (Ron Perlman and Selma Blair), in Hellboy and Hellboy II: The Golden Army

With her pyrokinetic powers, Liz Sherman is certainly no slouch in the supernatural department. But it's small potatoes compared to her boyfriend, who is literally a demon from the bowels of hell. It's a heck of girl who is willing to date a hell-beast, but then again, he is a pretty nice guy. And then there's the fact that he's the only guy who can stand anywhere near her when she lets her powers go full force. Obviously, they're meant for each other, enough so that even a few minor hiccups in their relationship can't keep them apart. That's why in the next film they'll be embarking on a new journey…as proud parents. Warms the heart, doesn't it?

2. Dracula and Mina Murray (Gary Oldman and Winona Ryder), in Bram Stoker's Dracula

As many have pointed out before, Francis Ford Coppola's film is hardly Bram Stoker's version of the tale, despite the tale. Still, it's a pretty effective movie in its own right, and is certainly worth mentioning here since the are where it took its largest liberties was in really ramping up the love story between Dracula and Mina (here suggested to be the reincarnation of the Count's long-dead lover Elisabeta). Dracula might be the bad guy here, but thanks to Oldman's performance you can't help but be kinda pulling for the guy to get the girl…especially since his competition is Keanu Reeves.

1. Seth Brundle and Veronica Quaife (Jeff Goldblum and Geena Davis), in The Fly

"True love" is one of those things that is pretty hard to define, but I'd say a good start is when one of the pair is willing to stay with the other ever after their ear falls off while hugging! I mean, imagine if your significant other suddenly had to start vomiting on their food before eating, in order to digest it. Or if they started keeping pieces of themselves in the medicine cabinet. Would you stick around? Probably not, and that's why I give Veronica Quaife all the credit in the world. That Seth Brundle must be a hell of a guy. Kudos to Goldblum and Davis for making their odd relationship so believable even with all the craziness going on around them. And huge kudos to David Cronenberg, for crafting a twisted romantic tale so effectively that the idea of blowing away your loved one with a shotgun actually does end up feeling like an act of true love.



Bryan Kristopowitz

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Anthony Montoya and Katrina (Daniel Baldwin and Sheryl Lee), in John Carpenter's Vampires (1998): Montoya is a supreme bad ass vampire hunter and killer, and Katrina is a hooker who, after being bit by Valek, a "master vampire," eventually becomes a vampire herself. But before she completely changes, Montoya uses Katrina and her "psyhic link" with Valek to track Valek down and kill him (well, Montoya helps kill Valek. Most of the Valek killing is done by Jack Crow, who was played by James Woods). When Katrina does change, she sinks her teeth in Montoya's neck. And he lets her. Now, as we saw during the whole "tying the naked hooker up and beating the crap out of her" sequence, Katrina bites Montoya on the arm and he beats the crap out of her. Again, he doesn't do that later on when she bites him for a second time. So, by the end of the movie, there's a big change in their relationship. They're both vampires and they're "madly" in love. Did anyone see it coming? I know I didn't. And that's why I want to see a real Vampires sequel, where we not only would see Jack Crow tracking his old pal Tony Montoya and his lover Katrina, but we would also see Montoya and Katrina's relationship in its full on "supernatural" glory.

Korben Dallas and Leeloo (Bruce Willis and Milla Jovovich), in The Fifth Element (1997): Dallas is a scumbum ex-soldier turned scumbum cab driver, and Leeloo is some kind of super mystical alien warrior weapon thing that has to eventually stop a giant space demon killer planet thing from killing all life. It's Dallas' job to protect Leeloo and obtain the four stones that will enable her to stop the giant killer asteroid thing, and it's his job to love her because, well, that's something else she needs, the love of a human. Or something like that. I really don't have anything else more to say here beyond what I've already said and that, sometimes, all a mystical alien super weapon needs, besides a heaping amount of television and roasted chicken, is the love of a good man, and all a good man really needs is something with a vagina.

Belle and Beast (the voices of Paige O'Hara and Robby Benson), in Beauty and the Beast (1991): Belle is a hot babe human woman who promises to stay in the Beast's castle so Beast will release Belle's father, and Beast is, well, a beast. A mean and lonely monster who wants and needs to find someone to love him. And so, eventually, that's what happens. Belle falls for Beast and learns to love him, and Beast is rewarded with transforming into human form. While that's the "happy" ending we were all rooting for, if you sit and think about it, the relationship between Belle and the monster is actually more interesting than anything Belle and the monster in human form could ever hope to be. I mean, come on, he's a seven foot tall bear wolf thing and she's just a woman. Why would she go for that?

THE TOP 5

5. Curt Reynolds and Julie Walker (J. Trevor Edmond and Melinda Clarke), in Return of the Living Dead 3 (1993)

I haven't seen this flick in a long time, so I may be a tad fuzzy on some of the details, but what we basically have here is a boyfriend completely devoted to his girlfriend, even when she becomes a zombie and starts eating people. There's blood and guts everywhere. It's a shocking situation to be sure. Curt defies his father, the U.S. government (after essentially killing Melinda in a vehicular accident, which I want to say involved a motorcycle and a telephone pole, Trevor takes Julie's corpse to a secret government lab where the army is working on creating zombie soldiers or something and revives her), and good common sense to stay with Julie (she's a freaking zombie. Yeah, she may be a relatively hot zombie, but she's still a zombie). The flick ends with Curt and Julie walking into a giant fire to die as one, so, in all ways, it's a devotion until the very end. That's pretty dang special, isn't it?

4. Sam Wheat and Molly Jensen (Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore), in Ghost (1990)

Before Sam dies and becomes the ghost of the movie's title, we see Sam and Molly madly in love. They're a happily married couple who apparently love having sex while making clay pots and whatnot. So some stuff happens, Sam is murdered, becomes a ghost, and goes on loving Molly all the while trying to figure out why he was murdered in the first place (as we see, the common street mugging that results in Sam's death isn't so dang common). Meanwhile, Molly goes on being distraught and sad and depressed. But then she "dances with" Sam via the help of psychic Whoopi Goldberg and then, at the very end, gets to see Sam in his full on ghost form. Why? Because she still loves him, and he loves her, and, I guess, God wanted Molly to have a happy ending.

3. Arnie Cunningham and Christine (Keith Gordon and a 1958 Red Plymouth Fury), in Christine (1983)

Arnie is a wimpy nerd who becomes a leather coat wearing bad ass who bangs Alexandra Paul, and it's all because of the 1958 Red Plymouth Fury, "Christine," that he bought from some weirdo yokel, even after being told it's essentially possessed by evil spirits. After eventually getting bored with Alexandra, Arnie devotes the rest of his life and effort and energy to Christine. He watches her "come back to life" after being smashed to smithereens by a bunch of hoodlum punks, allows her to run down sweaty fat kids and asswipe douchebags for the hell of it, and even allows her to choke out Alexandra because, well, Christine enjoys being jealous and that's what jealous "women" do. Some men sure do love their cars, don't they?

2. Swamp Thing and Alice Cable (Dick Durrock and Adrienne Barbeau), in Swamp Thing (1982)

Swamp Thing is a scary half human, half plant monster who used to be a human scientist (Alec Holland, as played by the great Ray Wise), and Alice Cable is a hot babe with a sharp mind and huge breasts (that would be Adrienne Barbeau). Louis Jourdan is after them. Why? Because he's a mad man lunatic who wants to become a monster himself (like Swamp Thing). I mean, yeah, the relationship between Swamp Thing and Alice travels the same ground "Beauty and the Beast" travels as it's essentially the same story. Human woman has to find a way to love a grotesque monster and reveal his hidden humanity. But Swamp Thing is part plant, he can crush a guy's head with one hand, and he regenerate limbs with help from the sun. How cool is that? I'd say that's pretty dang cool. And if there's one thing women like it's "cool" guys. So, really, it's not all that hard to believe that Alice would go for Swamp Thing.

1. Seth Brundle and Veronica Quaife (Jeff Goldblum and Geena Davis), in The Fly (1986)

A doomed love affair between a weird beard but brilliant anyway scientist (Brundle) and a magazine writer (Quaife) in a sort of reverse "Beauty and the Beast" story where, as Brundle slowly descends into depravity and becomes a horrific creature (a human fly), Quaife sticks by him regardless of what happens, eventually killing him because he's just so dang nasty (she does it because she loves him). That about sums it up, doesn't it? And when I say nasty I mean nasty (this is a David Cronenberg movie we're talking about here). That's what most people remember. That's what I remember about the flick. But what about Geena Davis? Why does she stick around? Brundle impregnates her and she's never really sure if it happened before or after Brundle became a monster. You'd think after something like that she wouldn't mess around. She'd just go away. But she doesn't. In a sick, weird way, that's just great. Even with a monster after her and a possible monster baby gestating in her womb, she still hangs around. Wow. I may start crying here in a minute.



Joseph Lee

HONORABLE MENTION

Chucky (Brad Dourif) and Tiffany (Jennifer Tilly), in Bride of Chucky (1998), Seed of Chucky (2004)

THE TOP 5

5. Kong and Ann Darrow (Fay Wray, Jessica Lange and Naomi Watts), in King Kong (1933, 1976, 2005)

Hopefully this will make more lists than just mine. It's a beautiful woman and a giant ape. No, not a male stereotype, an actual giant ape! While the love story is more mutual in the 2005 version, and it's not completely a love story, there's still something there. Kong has an obvious attraction to Ann, so much so that he fights off dinosaurs, kills many people and eventually meets his end because of it. As the last lines of the movie prove, it was beauty that killed the beast.

4. Seth Brundle (Jeff Goldblum) and Veronica Quaife (Geena Davis), in The Fly (1986)

You've really got to love a guy to stick with him as he slowly falls apart. That's exactly what can be said for Geena Davis' character in The Fly. We get to witness Jeff Goldblum go from man to a strange hybrid and she is right there with him every step of the way. Seth's pulling out his own teeth and fingernails? She sticks around. He walks on the ceiling? She sticks around. The only way Seth got rid of her was by forcing her to put him out his own misery. That's dedication.

3. Caleb Colton (Adrian Pasdar) and Mae (Jenny Wright), in Near Dark (1987)

Adrian Pasdar hooks up with a girl for what seems to be a one night stand, then she bites him and turns him into a vampire. Not having any idea what to do, he joins a vampire family to learn how to be one. When he disagrees with their ways, he tries to get out only to have to fight off a crazy Bill Paxton. The reason this ranks is because even though it was a one night stand, he eventually bonds with her and goes to great lengths to stay with her, even when it means a finally showdown with the vampire family.

2. The Monster (Boris Karloff) and his Bride (Elsa Lanchester), in The Bride of Frankenstein (1935)

There are some that may say the worst kind of love is unrequited love. Boris Karloff became more than just a scary monster as he told the story of a creature that just wanted acceptance. The monster loved the Bride before she was even created. He loved the idea of her. Then, she also rejects him. In tears, the Monster declares "We belong dead" before blowing up the castle and presumably killing them both. Tremendous acting ability from Karloff to convey the emotion and story and present one of the most tragic love stories ever created.

1. Julia (Claire Higgins) and Frank Cotton (Oliver Smith, Andrew Robinson and Sean Chapman), in Hellraiser (1987)

Would you kill for someone you loved? Would you help that person go from a skinless skeleton to wearing your husband's skin and avoiding masochistic demons? It's got to be love that makes Julia help Frank as much as she does in Hellraiser. It can't be lust because quite frankly, I don't know any woman that would do what Julia does just to get laid. She helps to murder her own husband, who loves her, to give this guy some skin. Then she has sex with her husband's brother who is wearing her husband's skin. Only Clive Barker could give you a love story so horrific and yet also profound.



Rick Tym

5. Anthony Montoya and Katrina, in John Carpenter's Vampires (1998)

Montoya is a member of Jack Crow's elite vampire-staking team, sanctioned by the Vatican, and he doesn't take shit from anyone, not even the Pope. However, he develops a soft spot for Katrina, a stripper who is bitten and shares a psychic link with the vampire Valek, the current object of the team's hunting efforts. Montoya breaks one of Crow's many rules by falling in love with now-vampress Katrina—but to be fair, she bit him first. Crow knows Montoya is doomed to turn to the dark side, but begrudging respect moves him to grant them both a two day head start before he hunts them down and relieves them of their ancient curse. Let's hope their final days nights were happy ones.

4. Spike and Drusilla, in Buffy the Vampire Slayer (late 1990s – early 2000s)

God, this couple sure was fun in their heyday. (I speak, of course, of their time together in Sunnydale, not back in the late 1800s when the two of them, along with Angelus, raised hell overseas.) Perhaps the most dysfunctional couple ever to grace the small screen (at least the vampiric type, anyway), Spike and Dru were a match made in Hell—more fitting, then, that they should spend their tumultuous times together atop a Hellmouth. At first Spike cared deeply for the weakened Drusilla, nursing her back to health after her run-in with an angry mob in Prague, later infuriated by her coy encouragement of newly-demonized Angelus' sexual innuendos. To add insult to injury, she later dumped him for a Chaos demon! Never had this viewer felt so bad for William the Bloody. At least, not until he realized he was in love with Buffy, his wanting so great that he lowered himself to fighting alongside the Scoobies and even having a robot built in her likeness which was programmed to obey and love him. Not the best way to prove your worth, my friend. Neither was threatening to stake Drusilla when she returned to Sunnydale to validate your devotion to Buffy, but we all know how that turned out—and remember, Dru is still out there somewhere, wandering the Earth.

3. Marsh and Catherine, in John Carpenter's Prince of Darkness (1987)

Talk about a bad field trip. Marsh and Catherine are academics and lovers who help investigate a mysterious cylinder in the basement of an abandoned Los Angeles church. The content of said container is a murky green liquid which just so happens to be Satan himself. Even worse, this sentient lime Kool-Aid reveals the fact that Satan is the son of a much older, darker being who is the true Anti-Christ and lurks in a parallel dimension behind everyday mirrors. Catherine stops the father of the devil from crossing over into our world, sacrificing herself by tackling a possessed minion of evil and falling into the portal through which he is attempting to pull the Anti-Christ. The mirror is subsequently smashed, leaving her on the other side. A recurring dream showing the future circa 1999 throughout the film eventually reveals a possessed Catherine emerging from the church, presumably an aide to the impending Apocalypse. Marsh awakens from this nightmare and slowly reaches out to his bedroom mirror, and the movie smash-cuts to black, leaving the audience to speculate if he will be reunited with her, and what he may find should the glassy surface yield. Best. Ending. Ever.

2. Mina Murray and Count Dracula, in Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992)

In Francis Ford Coppola's retelling of Bram Stoker's 1897 novel, Mina becomes more than just a participant in the hunt for Dracula whose psychic link to the vampire gives the protagonists an advantage in their war against the undisputed king of the undead. Here she is a reincarnation of Elisabeta, Dracula's wife from his early days as Vlad the Impaler. Many debates have raged over the years regarding Stoker's historical references in the source material, and more than a few purists have taken umbrage with Coppola's 1992 film which shows the relationship in a different aspect. However, it is a compelling visage, casting Dracula in an almost sympathetic light as a monster doomed to forever walk the Earth because of his denouncement of God after losing the love of his life. Even more telling is Mina's acceptance of the vampire's kiss, and her willingness to protect and eventually deliver redemption to her reincarnated self's long lost love. Regarded as an adventure story by some and as horror by others, Stoker's original novel is also a tale of the heartbreak and sometimes unattainable passions shared by all characters, whether they are concerned with vanquishing evil, courting a partner or traversing the chasms of world continents to be reunited with loved ones. Here Mina and the Count manage not only to conquer geographical hurdles such as mountain ranges or oceans but reach across time itself to be together once more, and hopefully ascend into heaven as the mural in the chapel which Dracula lays dying depicts. Even though these figures are fictional, everyone should still hope that the light eventually shines upon them both.

1. Buffy and Angel, in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel (late 1990s – early 2000s)

Yes, more Buffy. I remember when this show was only a blip on my television-watching radar, even though the premise was intriguing. However, the only thing I had to form an opinion on before jumping into VHS copies of the show's first two seasons was the god awful original neutered film, so I believe I earn a pass on that one. When I finally did start watching Buffy, I thought the short first season was a fun and extremely valiant attempt to mix WB teen ideals with vampire lore. Then the second season came along, whacked me upside the head, and told me to pay attention. Call me Sally if you want, but the second season of BTVS was one of the best love stories I had seen in a long, long time. The very definition of star-crossed lovers was turned right on its ear as the audience watched Buffy and Angel court for the better part of a television season, only to be damned as soon as their love was consummated. Angel lost his soul after finally reaching the precipice of true happiness, and Angelus reared his evil fangy head once more. His torment of Buffy and all those she held dear was truly heartbreaking—how could any fan not remember Giles' reaction upon finding Jenny Calendar dead, murdered at the hands of Buffy's "boyfriend," or Buffy's tearful regret of crossing the line her mentor warned should never be breached? Even more emotionally wrenching was the crossover event between Buffy and Angel that occurred some seasons later, where Angel was allowed to glimpse a possible future where the two could be together with no worry of him becoming Angelus. Joss Whedon's Browncoats will tell you (in steadfast tones) that Buffy the Vampire Slayer is so much more than just a supernaturally-themed teen drama, and I agree wholeheartedly. The show is about all things human (and otherworldly) including love, loss, redemption and fighting the good fight, and none of the show's characters better exemplify these traits than Buffy and Angel.


(Author's note: With the release of Twilight this week, it is rather fortuitous that most of my top 5 this week is comprised of couples made up in part or wholly of vampires. To all Twilight fans out there, I hope your experience is as enjoyable for you as revisiting these favorites has been for me.)



Steve Gustafson

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Scott Howard and Lisa "Boof" Marconi in Teen Wolf - I'll always look for a way to mention Teen Wolf in any list or in my column! Typical love story? Wrong! Teen discovers that puberty for him means he turns into a werewolf. One of the side effects is that it also turns him into a basketball player with MJ level skills. By the way, I like how no one really goes nuts when he first turns into a werewolf during the game. They just kind of go with it. Back to the love...but will his new found notoriety cost him his true love? A Michael J. Fox CLASSIC!

King Kong and Ann Darrow in King Kong - I don't have to say much here. It's monkey love at it's finest. The original does it best. Ape meets girl. Ape falls for girl. Ape goes...well...ape $#!+ for girl, breaks out of chains, goes on a rampage, gets girl, protects girl, and dies at the Empire State Building. Supernatural? I guess not, but it's outside the normal bounds of love. Which means I could have included Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie Presley. Next.

Jonathan Switcher and Ema "Emmy" Hesire, in Mannequin - Points if you saw this when it first came out in 1987. I think I had it on beta. No joke. On the surface it's a basic plot. But once you throw in the whole "Egyptian spirit from 2514 BC stuck in a mannequin" it gets a little weird. Let's hit the main points. Jonathan Switcher is a young artist. He builds a mannequin. He makes it so perfect and beautiful, he falls in love with it. Kinda creepy, but go with it. The mannequin ends up in the window of a big department store. When he saves the life of an old lady who happens to be the owner of that store (You have to love those crazy 80 coincidences!), he is rewarded by getting a job at the store as stock boy. The mannequin comes to life as Emmy, (Egyptian spirit from the year 2514 BC). Fast forward...they fall in love. Cheesy 80's at it's best.

THE TOP 5

5. Swamp Thing and Adrienne Barbeau in Swamp Thing

The tag line says it best! Science transformed him into a monster. Love changed him even more! Bad special effects can't hide a love story for the ages! And give hope to zit hampered people everywhere! Dr. Alec Holland, chilling in a murky swamp, is trying to create a new species, a combination of animal and plant capable of adapting and thriving in the harshest conditions. A noble cause, indeed! Unfortunately he becomes subject of his own creation and is transformed . . .into SWAMP THING! Normally no woman would be able to stand the mere site of such a creature. But that's when love comes knocking on the door! So bad it's good.

4. Vincent and Catherine Chandler in Beauty and the Beast

Don't sleep on the television series! Ron Koslow's updated version of the fairytale was an instant classic that introduced us to an unlikely couple. Vincent, a mythic, noble man-beast, and Catherine, a savvy assistant DA in New York. Through an emotional bond connecting Vincent to Catherine, he is able to sense the dangers her job brings her, and he comes to be her protector as well as the man she loves beyond all measure. I like how they don't sell out and have Vincent turn into a stud prince but rather Vincent's inner beauty is allowed to remain the focus of who he is and it is Catherine's former "shallow" self that is the ugliness transformed by their love of each. Now that's one to grow on!

3. Allen Bauer and Madison in Splash

I'm all over the 80's with this list! Tom Hanks shows his acting chops in this one. Saving Private Who? He plays Alan Bauer, who nearly drowned as a child but has memories of being saved by a young mermaid. Don't we all? When he is jilted as an adult and loses his wallet in the surf, the sexy mermaid tries to return it. They are OBVIOUSLY soulmates who have been meant for each other, but Madison fears how he will react when he finds out she is not human. Silly mermaid. This movie has it all. Hanks, John Candy, and some semi-nudity from Darryl Hannah.

2. Captain Daniel Gregg and Lucy Muir in The Ghost and Mrs. Muir

I was going to put in here on the strength of SWAYZE alone but I'm going old school on this one. In 1900, strong-willed widow Lucy Muir goes to live in Gull Cottage by the British seaside, even though it appears to be haunted. Sure enough, that very night she meets the ghost of crusty former owner Captain Gregg...and refuses to be scared off. YES! Indeed, they become friends, after Lucy gets used to the idea of a man's ghost haunting her bedroom. I could make ALL sorts of jokes here...but I won't. But when a charming live man comes courting, Lucy and the captain must deal with their feelings for each other. Pretty cool tale from back in the day.

1. Captain Etienne Navarre and Isabeau d'Anjou in Ladyhawke

I'm sorry. You can't touch this movie. I was addicted to it growing up. If you haven't seen it, shame on you. Philipe Gastone, a thief, escapes from the dungeon at Aquila, sparking a manhunt. He is nearly captured when Captain Navarre befriends him. Navarre has been hunted by the Bishop's men for two years, ever since he escaped with the Lady Isabeau who the Bishop has lusted after. Navarre and Isabeau have a curse that the Bishop has placed on them that causes Navarre to be a wolf during the night and Isabeau to be a hawk during the day. When I saw this (in the theater! NATCH!) I was blown away and it easily gets my number one spot! A great supernatural love story even though they never get to be together. And if you don't get a little misty during the scene at sunrise...then you have no heart. Rutger Hauer at his finest!



Jeremy Thomas

HONORABLE MENTION:

Hellboy (Ron Perlman) and Liz Sherman (Selma Blair), Hellboy (2004) and Hellboy II: The Golden Army (2008) - There are those who argue that Selma Blair wasn't the right fit for Liz. I soff at them, because the relationship between Big Red and Liz is perfect, and it's due in large part to the performance of both Perlman and Blair.

THE TOP 5

5. Caleb Colton (Adrian Pasdar) and Mae (Jenny Wright), Near Dark (1987)

Near Dark is a personal favorite vampire film, and while that largely has to do with the performances of Bill Paxton and Lance Hendrickson, you have to give it up for these two as well. Mae lures young Caleb into her vampire "family," and even when he gets turned he finds that the only thing tying him to them is her. Eventually, he risks everything to save them both, and actually manages to do so. Turning the cold chains of undeath around? That's love.

4. Nick Powell (Justin Chatwin) and Annie Newton (Margarita Levieva), The Invisible (2007)

This David Goyer-directed supernatural thriller from last year was criminally unnoticed by audiences. Nick Powell is a kid who seems to have it all going for him; wealth, status, good looks, talent and aspirations. But when he is beaten and believed dead by troubled teen Annie over a case of mistaken identity. Nick finds himself outside of his body in a ghost-like state, but will only be there as long as his body is still alive. He follows Annie around, hating her at first until he realizes she's got her own problems and is guilt-stricken over it. Eventually she realizes he's there, and they work together to try and save Nick. The relationship betwen Nick and Annie, as one-sided as the interaction is, is beautifully done, and was an enormous reason for why this movie is so good. If you haven't seen it, then you're like the majority of audiences and you should check it out.

3. Selene (Kate Beckinsdale) and Michael Corvin (Scott Speedman), Underworld (2003) and Underworld: Evolution (2006)

For the record, I didn't like Evolution much either and Scott Speedman is an incredibly limited actor. The pairing of vampire and werewolf amidst a war created a lovely Romeo + Juliet feel though, and Beckinsdale is both great in her role and has a lot of chemistry with Speedman. Also, there is a scene in the sequel that seals it for me--when Selene is injured after their fight with Markus, and Michael desperately covers the windows of the warehouse they hide in with paint. Then they have what may well be the hottest vampire-werewolf sex scene of all time. Dayum.

2. Dracula (Bela Lugosi) and Mina Harker (Helen Chandler), Dracula (1931)

While I do, like Rick, like the Coppola version, I think the classic is the better love affair. Bela Lugosi is iconic in his role for a very good reason, and the relationship between vampire and mortal as established between him and Chandler is one that every vampire film since has cribbed from in some manner. You can't mess with the clasics, folks.

1. Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) and Spike (James Marsters), Buffy the Vampire Slayer (2001 - 2003)

Anyone who reads our "Watcher's Chronicles" column here on 411Mania knows I'm not a fan of the Angel/Buffy relationship. I just don't like it and think it was when Angel was his weakest as a character. However, Spike and Buffy took the relationship to a whole new level. It slow burned through Season Five, as Spike realized that he'd fallen in love with our Slayer, yet Buffy (understandably) spurned him. In Season Six, Buffy's pain from being drug out of heaven means she's willing to take herself down a self-destructive path. Now, this being Joss Whedon, you'd expect terrible things to happen. Instead, Spike and Buffy find redemption in the end through each other and what looked like a bad choice for Buffy saves Spike and herself. This is the definitive Buffyverse relationship, and I don't think anyone can change my opinion.

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