Movie Review, 30 Days Of Night

I just got back from a showing of 30 Days of Night. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0389722/ and all I can say is, damn, that was one hard core vampire movie. 

 

Now regular readers know I’m a monster movie geek, and I love to review low budget B-Movies.  This is certainly no B-Movie, but it totally brought out my inner monster movie nerd. 

 

30 days is brutal, absolutely brutal.  If you don’t know the basic plot, you’ve been living in a cave, but basically vampires take over an Alaska town that has doesn’t see the sun for a month during winter.  They take out the communications and transportation, and then proceed to kill the hell out of the townsfolk. 

 

The movie is based on the graphic novel by Steve Niles, and if you’re a fan of Steve Niles, then you know that he can do no wrong.  The man is a friggin’ genius.  Check out his other work.  I had already read the book, and the story diverged a bit, but the overall feel was captured. 

 

The cinematography is excellent.  You get these constant great views of the town, that makes you realize how small and vulnerable it is.  The characters are believable, realistic, and you feel like you know them, and that makes it hurt more when they suffer.  In my opinion, Josh Hartnett is actually a pretty good actor who catches a bunch of crap because he’s a pretty boy.  He does a great job in this, but the scene stealer is Danny Huston, the lead vampire who absolutely dominates the screen.  He’s just one bad mother. 

 

And on the vampires, thank goodness that these aren’t those damn Anne Rice homo-erotic sissy vampires that have been foisted on us.  Damn it, I want my vampires to be evil, not “misunderstood”, and these vampires are monsters, pure and simple.  No poofery, no puffy sleeves and silk cravats, no angst, and thank you, no whiny-ass goth kids in capes and their mom’s purple eye-liner. And when your monsters are monsters, that means you can really love it when they get ground to bits by pieces of heavy equipment, and that is half the fun.  Plus, major bonus points for what was probably the best beheading scene I’ve ever seen. 

 

If you like an honest, kick in the gut, horror flick, you should catch this one. 

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4 thoughts on “Movie Review, 30 Days Of Night”

  1. I just watched this, based on your recommendation. I think you’re selling it short! Definitely one of the best monster movies I’ve seen.

    Which reminds me, you need to watch “Blood and Chocolate” and do a review.

  2. I like your review, and I’m glad you liked film. I’m not sure why so many people dislike this film. It’s an original idea, in an original setting, with some really creepy vampires. what’s not to like? While the plot maybe mediocre I think there are enough great elements to add up to an awesome flick.

    I just reviewed this film myself on my blog. And being a fresh film critic I’m always looking for more feedback. And you are a good reviewer. ;)If you get the chance check it out.

    http://horrormoviemedication.blogspot.com/2013/02/30-days-of-night.html

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