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30 Days Of Night (2007); David Slade
Topic Started: Apr 3 2008, 03:45 AM (323 Views)
Stony Brooke da Mesquiteer
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I used to always go to the video rental shop and get horror movies. I didn't care, independants, straight to video, and the mainstream stuff. Lately I've been into foreign, classics and foreign classic films. The other day I was talking to a co-worker about 30 Days Of Night and he tells me he bought it and he'll let me borrow it. Let me tell ya....they don't make 'em like they used ta.

A small Alaskan town is getting ready for the annual 30 days when their part of the world will be cast into total darkness. The majority of the town's folk leave for the Winter event, leaving the remaining 170 or so folks ripe for vampires. As the vampires quickly do away with the majority of the remaining citizens, a small group is left to fend themselves from the hoard of bloodsuckers. Josh Hartnett plays the town Sheriff and he's the only actor I recognize in the film by name. Melissa George is his wife and I recognize her, but not by name. Hey, I recognize Toshiro Mifune when I see him.

This movie was based on a graphic novel and has potential but never reaches it, sez me. The vampires look creepy and some of them have this red suff around their mouths and jowels (it ain't blood, I don't think) that looks as if they were in one of those cherry pie eatin' contests, you know the ones, where you have to keep your hands behind your back. The camera work drove me crazy as if a person having a grand mal fit was filming.

Stony's favorite scenes.....the editting during the beginning of the film. As 2 of town's denizens watch the sun sink behind the horizon, the sun and western sky is dark red, showing us that night is about to descend on the unsuspecting prey, as they talk about how beautiful the scene is. Next we cut to the Sheriff driving to the edge of town with a deputy as they are going to change the town population sign (a tradition!) and the sky is blue again. Editting.....a job that takes schooling. Common sense......something that can't be learned!

2 Bong Hits....a good concept that never reaches the screen potential it coulda had.
It's like Rodney King used to say, "Can't we all get a bong."
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Greypilgrim
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I was thinking of buying it...NOW maybe, I'll rent it.

Thanks for the review, Stony.
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Stony Brooke da Mesquiteer
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GP....I know you're a BIG fan of comic artists and I wondered if you'd read the graphic novel? I'm gonna check it out in the near future because it appears to be a good idea for a story.
It's like Rodney King used to say, "Can't we all get a bong."
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marlin lee
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I liked this film quite a bit better than Stony. I enjoyed the premise of the townsfolks being hunted over the entire month. Sort of horror in slow motion. But even if the premise was a little different the main characters and their relationships were mostly cliche. It hits enough I'd recommend watching it but misses just enough I'd recommend renting before buying. Call it 3 bong hits.
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panzer the great & terrible
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Three bong hits would put me right to sleep -- but I'm a cheap date.
Life is just a bowl of cherries, it's too mysterious, don't take it serious...
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Greypilgrim
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Stony Brooke da Mesquiteer
Apr 3 2008, 08:13 AM
GP....I know you're a BIG fan of comic artists and I wondered if you'd read the graphic novel? I'm gonna check it out in the near future because it appears to be a good idea for a story.

No, I haven't yet. I don't get out to the comic shops as much as I should any more, but next time I do, I'm going to look for the book.

I'm sure it must've been executed better than the movie--most books are.

Of course, there were many who enjoyed the film adaptation of Frank Miller's Sin City. I found it bit uncomfortable--but visually haunting as a film

Since the Lord of the Rings trilogy, I've found I have a low threshhold for computer generated images--which is why I haven't seen 300 or a few others yet that lean heavily on CGI's.

Back to 30 Days of Night.....

The tv commercials made the movie look good and scary--which they're supposed to do. It's a shame that it might have failed as a whole.

Still, based on both Stony's and Marlin's opposing viewponts, this would definitely be a renter with a high anticipation factor.
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Stony Brooke da Mesquiteer
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greypilgrim
Apr 3 2008, 07:32 PM
Still, based on both Stony's and Marlin's opposing viewponts, this would definitely be a renter with a high anticipation factor.


The key word there is HIGH , GP.

I'm gonna buy the first novel and see how I like it before going on to the 2nd.

My rating system has 5 as the highest amount of bong hits. Maybe I should put that in my posts so everyone'll know.....or does anyone really give a shit what a 1970's pothead thinks :lol: :lol: :lol:
It's like Rodney King used to say, "Can't we all get a bong."
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Chandu
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Stony Brooke da Mesquiteer
Apr 4 2008, 05:05 AM
greypilgrim
Apr 3 2008, 07:32 PM
Still, based on both Stony's and Marlin's opposing viewponts, this would definitely be a renter with a high anticipation factor.


The key word there is HIGH , GP.

I'm gonna buy the first novel and see how I like it before going on to the 2nd.

My rating system has 5 as the highest amount of bong hits. Maybe I should put that in my posts so everyone'll know.....or does anyone really give a shit what a 1970's pothead thinks :lol: :lol: :lol:

Stony, until we have a poll, rating opinions, I don't know why yours don't carry just as much weight as anyone else's around here! :unsure: :lol: ;)
Not plane, nor bird, nor even frog. It's just little ol' me...
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Stony Brooke da Mesquiteer
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I'm just funnin' Chandu......I love MY opinions ;) :blink:
It's like Rodney King used to say, "Can't we all get a bong."
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Chandu
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I sorta was too. Can you imagine an opinion rating poll? Everyone would get one vote, their own! :lol: :lol: :lol:
Not plane, nor bird, nor even frog. It's just little ol' me...
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Greypilgrim
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Chandu
Apr 4 2008, 11:59 AM
Stony Brooke da Mesquiteer
Apr 4 2008, 05:05 AM
.....or does anyone really give a shit what a 1970's pothead thinks :lol:  :lol:  :lol:

Stony, until we have a poll, rating opinions, I don't know why yours don't carry just as much weight as anyone else's around here! :unsure: :lol: ;)

Maybe cause the self-proclaimed "1970's pothead" is named "STONY"!??! B) :lol: :P ;)

Tends to make credibility a wee bit difficult. :(

But I find his insight to this particular film very...ummm...insightful. :blink: :lol:
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Stony Brooke da Mesquiteer
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greypilgrim
Apr 4 2008, 11:47 PM
Chandu
Apr 4 2008, 11:59 AM
Stony Brooke da Mesquiteer
Apr 4 2008, 05:05 AM
.....or does anyone really give a shit what a 1970's pothead thinks :lol:  :lol:  :lol:

Stony, until we have a poll, rating opinions, I don't know why yours don't carry just as much weight as anyone else's around here! :unsure: :lol: ;)

Maybe cause the self-proclaimed "1970's pothead" is named "STONY"!??! B) :lol: :P ;)

Tends to make credibility a wee bit difficult. :(

But I find his insight to this particular film very...ummm...insightful. :blink: :lol:


I carefully picked out my moniker B)
It's like Rodney King used to say, "Can't we all get a bong."
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The Batman
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Actually, GP, in this case the movie follows the book quite closely. The art style of the comic is echoed quite effectively in the film. I would agree with Marlin over Stony, pick up the flick, you shant be disappointed. 3 solid bongs hits (and I'm hackin' up a lung).

You will have to pick up a TP version of the story, as the comic has reached the $50 per issue level, in the back issue markets (for the first issue, anyway). It is worth a look.
Always be yourself! Unless you can be Batman...then always be Batman!
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Stony Brooke da Mesquiteer
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Barnes and Noble have the graphic novels for 18 bucks, but they can be found cheaper at Deepdiscount.com.......here
It's like Rodney King used to say, "Can't we all get a bong."
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