The-Burg.com - Central Virgina's Arts, Culture and Entertainment Weekly

We’ve feared them. Anne Rice interviewed them. Buffy slayed them.

Vampires have long been a part of our popular culture, usually as the villains of the story, the scary creatures that lurk in the dark and hide under our beds.

“Casino Royale” came along just as the James Bond franchise was sinking into a lazy rehash of all that had gone before. It jump-started 007 with its seamless mix of action and emotion, and now “Quantum of Solace” keeps it humming along — in a familiar, but forgettable, gear.

In this feature we catch up with Central Virginians who have gained notice in the entertainment world.

The extreme opposites within Kevin Smith’s filmmaking personality coexist in “Zack and Miri Make a Porno,” to hit-and-miss effect.

When H.G. Wells’ book, “The War of the Worlds,” was published — and well into the 20th century — Mars was considered mysterious, an ominous red spot in the night sky.