Thursday, 4 June 2009

30 Days of Night: A month of Blood …

4th June, 2009



I’m thinking Adrian’s missed a treat, here.

He’s managed to break his arm, running for the bus!

Actually, I’m more sympathetic than I sound; he didn’t look too chipper, Tuesday night, and has been on some serious painkillers, for the past few days.

I’m thinking a get well soon’s in order, I know that.

But it did mean I had a quiet night in with a copy of the David Slade directed 30 Days of Night.

Which is both gruesome and horrific; two things that aren’t necessarily the same.

The gruesome part comes in, of course, because this is, after all, a vampire film.

During winter, the small north Alaskan town of Barrow* sees thirty days of night: which is when a small group of vampires manage to cut communications links to the outside world, and attack.

These aren’t the romantic, elegant blood-suckers of “Underworld” or “Dracula” or the party animals of the original “Blade”.

Slade has them as feral, wild animals, howling and screeching at the moon, and attacking their victims in a vicious feeding frenzy.

Intelligent, yes.

But very animalistic.

To the point where the word ‘pack’ is probably appropriate.

There’s also moments of horror.

For me, those included a scene where Eben — the Josh Hartnett character — realises his deputy, Billy, has killed his own family to prevent them being killed or turned by the attacking horde, and where Jake — Eben’s younger brother — suffers the emotional aftermath of having to kill a little girl who’s been turned.

There’s also the realisation, by Stella, Eben’s ex-wife, realises her former husband’s grandmother has been killed.

Which is wonderfully done by Melissa George; very subtle, and possibly only achievable on the big screen.

That mix, for me, makes this a very good film to watch; certainly that combination of elements made this a very good investment, back when I bought it.

I’m just sorry I didn’t suggest it, on Tuesday.

And wondering what language was used as a basis for the one used by the vampires …

Actor
Character
Josh Hartnett
Sheriff Eben Oleson
Melissa George
Stella Oleson
Danny Huston
Marlow
Ben Foster
The Stranger
Mark Boone Junior
Beau Brower
Mark Rendall
Jake Oleson
Amber Sainsbury
Denise
Manu Bennett
Deputy Billy Kitka
Megan Franich
Iris
Joel Tobeck
Doug Hertz
Elizabeth Hawthorne
Lucy Ikos
Nathaniel Lees
Carter Davies
Craig Hall
Wilson Bulosan
Chic Littlewood
Issac Bulosan
Peter Feeney
John Riis


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