This looks pretty good. Gotta be in the running for best movie title of the year...
KillerCannibal
11-30-07, 03:49 PM
Looks like there's some potential there. I've heard lots of good buzz, plus I had a friend that did a set visit and he said the sets looked really badass. I'll probably go catch it when it opens.
Joe Molotov
11-30-07, 04:32 PM
I'll probably go based on the title alone. :lol:
DVD Josh
11-30-07, 04:35 PM
Meh. Doesn't seem all that original and I'm not too excited about the cast.
flashburn
11-30-07, 05:09 PM
I'll definitely see this since Kitamura directed it.
Zen Peckinpah
11-30-07, 08:46 PM
The trailer made it look too Saw-ish and Vinnie Jones was horribly miscast in X-Men: The Last Straw, but I have a few excuses for wanting to see this.
Namely, the premise (dude in a business suit slaughters people on a subway, photographer has no idea where the bodies go). And, that pornorific title, which is right up there with Black Snake Moan for the awesomeness award.
Also like Brooke Shields' premise here. She tends to show up in really fucked up movies in small roles (i.e. Freaked and Freeway).
Seantn
11-30-07, 10:46 PM
Vinnie Jones was horribly miscast in X-Men: The Last Straw, but I have a few excuses for wanting to see this.
The trailer was before Rambo. Everyone was pretty into it until the title showed up, then there was laughter throughout the theater.
ukywyldcat
01-25-08, 09:12 PM
Before entering this thread I figured this was another gay flick, perhaps Brokeback 2 or something.
Trout
01-25-08, 09:25 PM
Before entering this thread I figured this was another gay flick, perhaps Brokeback 2 or something.
It is based on a Clive Barker story, so you never know....
BullGooseLoony
01-25-08, 09:48 PM
The poster looked cool. The trailer looks cool. So you know what that means...
it'll probably suck.
But I'll still see it in theaters.
Traxan
07-27-08, 03:44 AM
http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/film/669
I am so psyched to see Kitamura bringing his insanity to America. Now there's a Japanese import I can get into.
Well, him and Yuma Asami but that's a different story. :D
Zodiac_Speaking
07-27-08, 02:57 PM
Wonder how limited the release will be? Hmm, 100 theaters? for some reason LGF's keeps shuffling it and has no faith in it.
brainee
07-27-08, 09:08 PM
I'll definitely see this since Kitamura directed it.
Has Kitamura ever done a movie without matrix-y kung fu battles? Every movie I've seen of his has had them.
If the movie is daring enough to go in the way-out directions that Barker's story does, then this could be pretty good. Doesn't sound like it's getting a very good studio treatment though. My local theaters don't like showing horror anyway - it'll probably be a "wait until DVD" movie for me. Probably for the best, since there will likely be an "uncut" version that couldn't get away with an "R" rating (if the movie goes as far as the story).
Giles
07-28-08, 10:26 AM
wasn't this supposed to come out in the Spring? What was the hold-up, from what I've read, this SFX guys spilled alot of stage blood (problems with the MPAA?)
Traxan
07-28-08, 10:22 PM
Wonder if there's a problem with the title. I mean, it DOES sound like gay porn.
mhg83
07-28-08, 10:54 PM
If its getting released in a small amount of theaters, they should just go all out with an NC-17.
invisiblegt
07-29-08, 01:19 AM
If its getting released in a small amount of theaters, they should just go all out with an NC-17.
I generally check movie showtimes on Monday night, in order to plan my moviegoing in a slightly more, apparently, anal manner, and, if Cinemark.com's website is to be believed (and I have yet to ever have a problem with it)...
Midnight Meat Train will be bypassing every traditional "first run" theater in my area (Boardman, OH), and premiering in the local "cheap" seats. It is being released, but it will go directly to the theater which plays movies in the latter portion of their life.
Color me confused... (And moderately happy. If this does indeed turn out to be the correct information, this will mean that I will be able to see MMT for the recession-friendly price of $1.50.)
LiquidSky
07-29-08, 08:15 AM
Wonder if there's a problem with the title. I mean, it DOES sound like gay porn.
Nope. That's not the problem. From what I have read, the movie was originally planned for wide release and received very positive feedback for the trailer and early reviews. Now Lionsgate has a new head honcho who decided to dump it.
Guess I'll have to wait for DVD. It will be interesting to see how this new guy at Lionsgate handles the upcoming "Saw V".
Cosmic Bus
07-29-08, 09:19 AM
Lionsgate has a new head honcho who decided to dump it.
Ahh, I was wondering what had caused their recent shift into Weinstein-esque behavior... -ohbfrank-
clappj
07-29-08, 10:44 AM
Nope. That's not the problem. From what I have read, the movie was originally planned for wide release and received very positive feedback for the trailer and early reviews. Now Lionsgate has a new head honcho who decided to dump it.
You are correct sir.
http://www.fangoria.com/news_article.php?id=6791
http://www.fangoria.com/news_article.php?id=6764
lordzeppelin
07-29-08, 11:05 AM
I'll definitely see this since Kitamura directed it.
My thoughts exactly. I can't wait to check this out.
DeputyDave
07-29-08, 11:15 AM
I love Barker, I love the story, and the trailer looks great.
I'm there with bells on, dude.
notkevinbacon
07-29-08, 11:27 AM
What a shame that this is getting swept under the rug. I loved the Books of Blood... some of the best horror fiction I've read. I heard that they were going to do "Dread," but I can't find any evidence that's going to happen.
I will find a way to see this ASAP.
There were a lot of chuckles at the title when they played the trailer before Rambo. Except from me... I proclaimed a lonely "Hell yeah!"
chris_sc77
07-30-08, 05:19 PM
Holy sh*t! This movie is coming to the dollar theaters this weekend instead of going to any 1st run theaters in Columbus. That is something that rarely ever happens.
mcfly
07-30-08, 05:34 PM
I remember I saw a trailer for this a LONG time ago. I actually thought it looked pretty good, and I'm not really huge on horror films. What a shame. I don't think it's even coming out here.
Cellar Door
08-01-08, 02:59 AM
Yeah, I was on the phone with my friend and he was running down the list of movies playing at the dollar theater. When he said "Midnight Meat Train" I was like, Whaaa? When was it released into the first-run theaters? Came here to find the answer and I'm surprised to hear that it was released directly to the dollar theaters. Have any other films done this before?
Matthew Chmiel
08-01-08, 03:32 AM
Lionsgate is only releasing the film in 25 second-run theaters today.
Closest theater to me (and ironically Los Angeles as well) is Lancaster, CA.
This sadly isn't the dumbest move Lionsgate has made in the past week. The first was the announcement that Dance of the Dead was going direct-to-DVD.
Seantn
08-01-08, 03:55 AM
Yeah, I was on the phone with my friend and he was running down the list of movies playing at the dollar theater. When he said "Midnight Meat Train" I was like, Whaaa? When was it released into the first-run theaters? Came here to find the answer and I'm surprised to hear that it was released directly to the dollar theaters. Have any other films done this before?
Last summer the movie "Captivity" had a bit of trouble getting some theater bookings so I know that it opened up in a couple of 2nd run theaters on it's opening weekend (which for many of it's theaters, was also it's closing weekend!)
Matthew Chmiel
08-01-08, 04:16 AM
Last summer the movie "Captivity" had a bit of trouble getting some theater bookings so I know that it opened up in a couple of 2nd run theaters on it's opening weekend (which for many of it's theaters, was also it's closing weekend!)
Wasn't that much trouble considering After Dark was able to release it on 1,061 screens it's opening weekend (which is 1,036 screens than Midnight Meat Train will be on).
And ironically, Captivity still was in 764 locations for weekend two, before dropping down to 44 for weekend three, and then fading away.
DeputyDave
08-01-08, 10:53 AM
Lionsgate is only releasing the film in 25 second-run theaters today.
Closest theater to me (and ironically Los Angeles as well) is Lancaster, CA.
This sadly isn't the dumbest move Lionsgate has made in the past week. The first was the announcement that Dance of the Dead was going direct-to-DVD.
Damn, I was going to see this tonight with my son. I looked in the paper and its not showing in any of the "real" theaters. I honestly don't know of any dollar theaters here in San Diego and the paper doesn't list them.
Is there any way to see a list of theaters it will be showing on?
RichC2
08-01-08, 11:00 AM
I generally use Movie-Tickets.com for that, movie title - zip code and radius.
Sorry, no theaters are available within 40 miles of zip code 92108 that are playing the movie "Midnight Meat Train" on Friday, Aug. 1.
JPRaup
08-01-08, 11:03 AM
Yeah, its showing at a dollar theater around here in Rochester, NY. I'm not really interested in in though. I would see it, but I doubt any of my friends would.
SPiRAL
08-01-08, 01:59 PM
I'm catching it sunday night with a buddy when i get off work. $2.00 is totally worth it. I saw Brian DePalma's " Redacted " at a dollar theater a few months before it played in regular theaters. Gotta love this new strategy.
Seantn
08-01-08, 02:26 PM
What new strategy is that? Show the movie in a dollar theater with no promotion so that it bombs and then send it to DVD? That's this film's strategy. A rather hilarious strategy if I may say so myself.
achau9598
08-01-08, 02:37 PM
I bet this happens with Trick-or-Treat as well :(
Seantn
08-01-08, 03:18 PM
There's a theater in La Mirada, CA that is only playing this film twice a day even though all other films have about 4 shows per day, lol. Jeez, even they know they're going to be playing it to empty theaters.
GatorDeb
08-01-08, 03:54 PM
Where can you find the local dollar theaters where you live? (Vegas here)
Seantn
08-01-08, 04:00 PM
Mattew lives in Vegas and he says that the closest theater to him playing it is in Lancaster, CA.
DeputyDave
08-01-08, 04:32 PM
I know it's not playing in San Diego but now I'm curious if we have any of these dollar theaters here.
I knew of 3 but the all closed down over 10 years ago.
Matthew Chmiel
08-01-08, 04:51 PM
Where can you find the local dollar theaters where you live? (Vegas here)
Vegas has no second-run theaters. The only one we had, Tropicana Cinemas, finally went under for good in May.
Traxan
08-02-08, 01:56 AM
Last summer the movie "Captivity" had a bit of trouble getting some theater bookings so I know that it opened up in a couple of 2nd run theaters on it's opening weekend (which for many of it's theaters, was also it's closing weekend!)
Uh, well considering the backlash against that movie and how utterly sick it was... understandable.
Giles
08-02-08, 02:09 AM
What new strategy is that? Show the movie in a dollar theater with no promotion so that it bombs and then send it to DVD? That's this film's strategy. A rather hilarious strategy if I may say so myself.
when a studio has no desire for a film of theirs to make any money - I question their policies.....
nothing in the DC area - lame
Zen Peckinpah
08-02-08, 10:39 AM
I remember reading one of Jessica Simpson's movies got dumped in a few second-runs in Texas and it actually got pulled in less than a week. Understandably, it got torn apart, but this movie has gotten some pretty decent reviews.
Which is weird, as Lionsgate has had an impressive track record of balancing great genre offerings (Crank, Devil's Rejects, Rambo) and Oscar bait (Crash, Away from Her, Fahrenheit 9/11) and being pretty damn good with marketing (not on stuff that looks like shit, obviously, but still).
Julie Walker
08-02-08, 05:36 PM
I remember I saw a trailer for this a LONG time ago. I actually thought it looked pretty good, and I'm not really huge on horror films. What a shame. I don't think it's even coming out here.
I also remember seeing the trailer earlier this year before Rambo. Was that in Janurary or February? I forgot,but it was when Rambo opened.
I was looking forward to it,as it said March something was the release date. And then it kept being changed around, and now finally comes to this. But it was the main film of what I'm aware is coming out anyway, that I did want to see.
I don't care about The Dark Knight(& still haven't seen Batman Begins) and practically everything else out in theaters currently. I was waiting for the 'Train' as my next definite theatrical venture.
I might try to see it tomorrow at the dollar theater. It's only playing in one 30 minutes away. I don't know the quality of this theater at all though. So I'm a bit worried at the same time.
Seantn
08-02-08, 07:10 PM
There's quite a controversy with this movie a brewin'.
You see, the new head of LionsGate is Joe Drake. He fired the old guy, and he appears to be trying to make all of that old guys movies tank so as to say "See, his movies bombed, good thing I'm in charge." They've done a few stories about this on Bloody-Disgusting.
Not only that, but Midnight Meat Train was supposed to come out in May, but Joe Drake, new head of LionsGate, pushed it back because he had produced the movie "The Strangers" that was coming out at the same time from a different studio, even though he was now at LionsGate. So he bumped MMT off to August 1st and released it only in dollar theaters.
Because of the whole dollar theater thing, it really can't be denied that it is clearly being set up to flop. How can a movie make a good profit when you only charge people $1 to see it? You simply can't.
True_Story1011
08-02-08, 11:18 PM
enough with the talk about dollar theatre showings...
WHERE'S THE REVIEWS!?
Suprmallet
08-03-08, 05:41 PM
There's quite a controversy with this movie a brewin'.
You see, the new head of LionsGate is Joe Drake. He fired the old guy, and he appears to be trying to make all of that old guys movies tank so as to say "See, his movies bombed, good thing I'm in charge." They've done a few stories about this on Bloody-Disgusting.
Not only that, but Midnight Meat Train was supposed to come out in May, but Joe Drake, new head of LionsGate, pushed it back because he had produced the movie "The Strangers" that was coming out at the same time from a different studio, even though he was now at LionsGate. So he bumped MMT off to August 1st and released it only in dollar theaters.
Because of the whole dollar theater thing, it really can't be denied that it is clearly being set up to flop. How can a movie make a good profit when you only charge people $1 to see it? You simply can't.
While the length to which Drake is going is a bit absurd, this really isn't too different from when any other studio changes their upper management. Usually any movie that was in the previous administration's good graces gets dumped on, while movies that were sitting in limbo suddenly have a chance of getting picked up.
Zodiac_Speaking
08-03-08, 05:52 PM
Even if this film is an "eh" I still want to see it! Usually LGF does a good job at these types of films and if this is a new direction they're going in then that's a shame. Or wy didn't they just hold it till September?
All these remakes get 1000s of screens and are shit, at least this comes out of an original story. Geez....thank God for DVD.
Suprmallet
08-03-08, 05:55 PM
For those in LA, the Nuart is doing a one time midnight screening of the film on August 15th. The director will be there as well. You can order advance tickets at tickets.landmarktheatres.com. I already got a pair myself. :up:
Giantrobo
08-03-08, 06:08 PM
That sounds like a blast! I have to work that night but I'll be there in spirit as I pass right by the Nuart on the 405 around that time. :up:
Julie Walker
08-03-08, 07:18 PM
I'm unsure if I will see this in theaters now. I read some reviews on the theater it's playing at,and it's scaring me away. I always have to watch my money right now, with my work hours being cut drastically. So I can't realy waste all that gas driving out to this theater.
Also i'm depressed right now,and a grim horror film wouldn't be a good thing for me right now. Unless my mood changes before it's out of the theater. I'll probably just wait for the dvd.
RichC2
08-03-08, 07:50 PM
Requiem for a Dream cheers me up, grim movies can occasionally chirp people up :)
For those in LA, the Nuart is doing a one time midnight screening of the film on August 15th. The director will be there as well. You can order advance tickets at tickets.landmarktheatres.com. I already got a pair myself. :up:
That should be interesting. Ryuhei Kitamura finally gets to break into US cinema and it gets short changed due to studio politics, wonder how thats got to feel.
The O
08-03-08, 10:01 PM
I'm unsure if I will see this in theaters now. I read some reviews on the theater it's playing at,and it's scaring me away. I always have to watch my money right now, with my work hours being cut drastically. So I can't realy waste all that gas driving out to this theater.
The Brookdale?
Oh, it's fine. It's a dump, but hardly a violent, crime-infested place many might have you believe. Just bring a popcorn offering for the great mouse king, and his minions will leave your feet alone.
Personally, I didn’t care for the picture (http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/34172/midnight-meat-train-the/) (the crowd I watched the film with booed the flick), and some e-mail has trickled in proclaiming me dead wrong about this movie. However, when I press these faceless few for specifics, they fold like a towel.
So, for those who have seen it and enjoyed it, I would love to read a little more in-depth discussion on the positives.
Julie Walker
08-03-08, 11:58 PM
Requiem for a Dream cheers me up, grim movies can occasionally chirp people up :)
Yeah, they can make you realise you're life is not as bad;)
Speaking of which. I haven't watched Pink Floyd: The Wall since 2003 I think. That's one depressing,but amazing movie in my opinion. Maybe I should give my dvd a spin tonight?
The Brookdale?
Oh, it's fine. It's a dump, but hardly a violent, crime-infested place many might have you believe. Just bring a popcorn offering for the great mouse king, and his minions will leave your feet alone.
Well I'm still unsure about going there, after complaints of it smelling like urine and being such a dump. So it's still a huge wait and see.
I might go if I can get a ride out there to save on gas. A guy friend of mine loves gory horror movies and keeps asking me what's being released. So I should see if he's interested in going to it or not. I just left him a message and said the film may not be there in a couple days,so to let me know.
I was so depressed last night that even ABBA couldn't cheer me up when played at the club! So I'm unsure if seeing Mamma Mia! would lift my spirits or not. That was my other film option to check out sometime to get me out of this funk. At least I know it'd be in a quality theater;)
I'm sure I'll feel better soon though. But just sad one of my best friends moved away today,and last night was our final night out together. So I kind of wish Midnight Meat Train opened wide months ago as originally planned. Since I would have saw it in a flash, instead of being uncertain right now with all that is going on.
RichC2
08-04-08, 12:19 AM
Go watch Mars Attacks! the sight of stampeding cows set ablaze with poor CG perks anyone up !!
Or not, but regardless.
Hopefully Midnight Meat Train will get a proper home release at least, this entire thing is complete bullshit.
clappj
08-05-08, 12:57 PM
Saw this last night, and thought it was very enjoyable!
They stuck to Barker's storyline pretty well, including the ending (which I was pleasantly surprised by).
Damn shame this will likely be the end of what Barker had hoped would be several of the Books of Blood stories being made into films! :(
Gunde
08-05-08, 04:14 PM
While the length to which Drake is going is a bit absurd, this really isn't too different from when any other studio changes their upper management. Usually any movie that was in the previous administration's good graces gets dumped on, while movies that were sitting in limbo suddenly have a chance of getting picked up.
Yeah but why? Don't they wan't to make money?
I simply don't get it when any company shelves a movie. That has to cost more than risk making some money on a release..
Suprmallet
08-05-08, 05:28 PM
For these guys, ego is more important than money.
Edit: And more than that, if the movie makes money, then the new guy can't justify being the replacement for the old guy, because the old guy's movies are making good money.
The O
08-05-08, 10:53 PM
Some more answers on DHD today...
"For those of you who are claiming that this is all “conspiracy theories” drummed up by bitter horror fans, I can tell you, THIS IS A TRUE SNUB FROM JOE DRAKE.
I worked on this film (yes, above the line) and have knowledge of the conference room dealings from when the original script was bought, the production of the film under Lakeshore’s guidance, through Peter Block’s departure and most recently during this dust-up over LGF’s decision to deliberately wipe the horror fans noses in their own sh!t.
Here’s some cold hard fact:
1) Drake produced The Strangers and wanted to clear the schedule for counter-programming in May. His hard R horror flick made over $50 million FOR ANOTHER STUDIO THAN THE ONE HE IS RUNNING.
2) Meat Train was put on the back burner and the decision was made to release without advertising support. That is fine. That is LGF’s choice and right. They had a deal requiring at least 100 screens, so that’s what they promised the producers and fans for the Aug 1st release.
3) they refused to release a list of any theaters to ANYONE involved with the film. When I spoke to a rep at LGF they promised the film would be in all the major urban centers at the usual LGF chains, etc. THIS WAS A BOLD FACE LIE TO KEEP THE FANS AWAY FROM THE FILM.
4) There are additional fees due to various parties involved with this film if it were to gross a meager $250 K on opening weekend. This in not profit participation (which started around $20 mil) and would have not been a huge amount of money. Far less than the amount of money the film would have made if released without any ad support in decent theaters with decent ticket prices where fans had prior knowledge and they were located in urban areas were they could find it.
5) Joe Drake has a well known personal vendetta against Peter Block and more recently Clive Barker. His desire was to quietly dump their movie and move on. What he didn’t take into account was the FANS who built LGF (and also pumped up his own resume with films of questionable quality like Boogeyman, The Eye, Strangers, etc…) would feel deserted and betrayed and would take offence to this action. He deserves hte hate mail and heat.
6) LGF could have easily let word of mouth drive Meat Train to a few million bucks if they just chucked it out to normal theaters (I’m not talking the Arclight… just your average Mann or Amc in a city near you). The money that they DIDN’T EARN by taking this vindictive approach is being paid for by the producing partners, the shareholders and the fans. THIS IS BAD BUSINESS and Drake should be held accountable to his board!
7) For those of you who want to hate on the film itself. Go ahead. We’re in the horror business. We’re used to people slamming our product for the crazy titles, gruesome violence and often questionable production value. The thing is, Meat Train, was at the very least a cut above the average horror film and had a strong buzz and want-to-see in the market. The issue here is not the film, but the way it was handled and how personal vendettas got in the way of good business practice and fan loyalty.
And that’s why you should have no qualms about posting this story Nikke, you aren’t supporting this kind of films but simply reporting, with factual evidence, on the state of a very lucrative part of the film business.
As for the rest of you haters, go ahead and cry liar and point your fingers and laugh at the title and look down your noses… but those of us who spent YEARS of our life trying to deliver something that the Clive Barker fans would appreciate can still sleep well at night knowing that our little film wasn’t a flop, it was DUMPED in the most humiliating way by an ego maniac who was caught acting like a angry six year old and in the process pissed off a lot of people.
We also know that the TRUE FANS love the film and feel very gratified that Clive’s work was treated with respect and not watered down into PG-13 pablum with the hope of drawing in a bunch of unwitting teens.
And for those of you who support the film, LONG LIVE THE MEAT!!!!"
Matthew Chmiel
08-06-08, 03:30 AM
LGF, it was good knowing you. I look forward to more shitty Tyler Perry films and Meet the Disaster Movie Epic Spartans.
I still have a gut feeling that Saw V is going to be the first Saw film to misfire at the box office, especially with High School Musical 3 opening in it's same weekend. Counter-programing? Yes, but I am also friends with a bunch of schmucks who want to see High School Musical 3.
mcfly
08-06-08, 04:46 AM
. I look forward to more shitty ...Meet the Disaster Movie Epic Spartans.Aren't those Fox?
Seantn
08-06-08, 12:12 PM
Aren't those Fox?
The new film Disaster Movie is LionsGate.
As for Saw V failing, I feel that this is the point in the series where each film makes less and less money, but I'm not sure if it'll fail (especially since they keep the budgets so low, right around $10 million).
I actually really thought that part 4 would be the first one to fail, and it still made a lot of money (but not as much as the previous ones)
Matthew Chmiel
08-06-08, 06:48 PM
Saw IV had the second highest opening weekend for the franchise ...
... BUT had the largest second weekend drop for the franchise (almost 70%).
The film put a BAD taste in everyone's mouth, so who knows what fate has in store for Saw V.
GatorDeb
08-07-08, 10:57 AM
Vegas has no second-run theaters. The only one we had, Tropicana Cinemas, finally went under for good in May.
:( Thanks for info. Although if it was all the way in Tropicana, gas would have negated any savings! (95 and Craig here).
candyrocket786
08-07-08, 01:08 PM
So I'm guessing this will be a film destined for "cult status" in the years to come?
Matthew Chmiel
08-07-08, 03:04 PM
:( Thanks for info. Although if it was all the way in Tropicana, gas would have negated any savings! (95 and Craig here).
It was located on Tropicana and Pecos (i.e. on the outer edges of the ghetto).
Vegas had a slew of second-run theaters in the '90s, but all of them went under leaving Tropicana Cinemas being the only one until a few months ago.
GatorDeb
08-07-08, 08:30 PM
It was located on Tropicana and Pecos (i.e. on the outer edges of the ghetto).
Vegas had a slew of second-run theaters in the '90s, but all of them went under leaving Tropicana Cinemas being the only one until a few months ago.
That's even worse! :lol: They need to open up a second-run theater in Summerlin ;)
Zodiac_Speaking
08-08-08, 01:21 AM
I cannot believe MMT has opened in Omaha. I thought this was to be like 100 theaters and then bye bye to DVD. Maybe it's making money enough to spread out?
I do have to see this at our worst theater. I'm going at noon, so it should be okay, but to say the least, this is like a true grindhouse experience.
If I survive, I'll be back with some actual thoughts and review.
SPiRAL
08-08-08, 12:58 PM
My nephew and I saw it sunday night and the theater was 80 % full.
Zodiac_Speaking
08-08-08, 04:28 PM
Okay after seeing this, I still don't understand why I was seeing it at a dollar theater. It's not a new classic or anything, but for what it is, it's a decent horror film. In fact, comparing this to what has been released this year-it's head over shoulders from the rest.
The gore is fantasical, but raw and violent. The leads are all okay, nothing noteworthy. Barker's imprint is all over it. Fetishizing the violence, lusting over the meat, hell you even see his artwork at the gallery the lead is trying to get in.
If anything is wrong, its the characterizations. No development, everyone is stereotyped, but with some fun, interesting camera work, nice gore and some genuine suspense, I really liked it. Seek it if you can.
Grade: B-
ElementZ
08-08-08, 07:08 PM
B- is good enough for me, no dollar theatres around me so I guess I will wait for the dvd.
Giles
08-11-08, 10:52 AM
Entertainment Weekly hated it, gave it a D, still want to see it though.
Suprmallet
08-16-08, 06:44 PM
Saw this at the midnight screening at the Nuart. My friends got there at 9 PM, because the theater had told us it was sold out, so we should expect a long line. No one is there at 9, but they get in line anyway. Eventually more people show up and fill in the line. At around 11:15, a stretch hummer limo pulls up, blasting hip hop music. A bunch of people file out, all drinking cheap shit beer. Someone says "This is embarrassing. We come out of a limo and have to wait in line." Then these people are shepherded into the theater, while everyone in line is screaming and cursing at them. Turns out they're friends of the writer, and some of them work at Lionsgate. How do I know this? Because when we got into the theater, the writer drunkenly got on stage and told us NOT to boo and hiss when the Lionsgate logo came up on screen.
Kitamura was there and gave a nice little introduction. The movie itself was okay. The visuals were top notch. I enjoyed most of the characters, and Vinnie Jones was great. But it felt like it was lacking something. It's based on a short story, and the attempts to elongate it generally fell flat. And while everyone involved swore up and down that they kept the original ending, they left out a rather significant element of it, which was severely disappointing. I'd say it's worth a rental. Nothing to shout about, but certainly not worth all the derision Lionsgate has heaped on it.
Kitamura did a Q&A afterwards, and one of the bitches that showed up with the writer was making snarky comments the whole time. I really wanted to tell her to shut the fuck up, but the theater was pretty quiet while the director talked, and I didn't want to be an asshole.
In all, a flawed way to see a flawed film.
GizmoDVD
08-17-08, 01:23 AM
I was planning on going down to see it (at the Nuart) but just couldn't make it down :( My friend did go so he was at the same screening as you, Supr. He said Ryuhei was planning on working with Clive again and that he was staying in America. Hopefully he takes his movie to a studio that gives a damn.
Looks like I'll be buying this on DVD though.
Suprmallet
08-17-08, 06:06 AM
Yes, Kitamura did mention that he's working with Clive Barker on an original idea for a movie. He's planning to continue directing in America while producing in Japan, including producing animation. He said that seeing a sold out crowd show up for the movie gave him more strength to keep going in America.
GizmoDVD
08-17-08, 03:50 PM
That's awesome. Hopefully Liosngate pushes this one to DVD fast so I can pick this up. Its a shame the new Lionsgate boss did what he did to make his film (The Strangers - from Universal) get a bigger box office take.
Suprmallet
08-17-08, 05:09 PM
Yeah, it's lame. But, hey, at least we still get a brand new stale entry of Saw this Halloween. :rolleyes:
Julie Walker
08-23-08, 12:44 AM
For those in the Twin Cities MN area. The film just opened tonight at the Plaza Maplewood discount theater. It's playing only two showings a night, starting at around 5 pm and 9 pm (Check listing for exact time).
I don't know how long it will be there. But I am definitely going to try to catch the film now.
Julie Walker
08-24-08, 02:20 AM
I just saw it and it was pretty good. Not perfect or anything. But far better than most horror films I've seen lately, which just left me depressed and not entertained.
RichC2
10-02-08, 10:44 PM
This is now available on Fearnet on Demand for free. (Until 11/30)
Both in SD and HD.
d2cheer
10-04-08, 01:11 PM
This is now available on Fearnet on Demand for free. (Until 11/30)
Both in SD and HD.
I can only seem to find the sneek peek... the whole movie is available?
TomOpus
10-04-08, 04:28 PM
I can only seem to find the sneek peek... the whole movie is available?Yep, even with an intro by Clive himself.
riotinmyskull
10-04-08, 07:39 PM
watched this today via ON DEMAND and it was a real let down...really wish they would've explained more about the monster.
Gunde
10-05-08, 06:07 PM
I though it kicked ass. Very well made too - and gory.
Too bad that prick at Lionsgate...well too bad he's such a prick
shyguy1083
10-06-08, 01:32 AM
the trailer made the movie look pretty interesting. i completely missed this in theaters though. hopefully it'll get a dvd release soon. no access to on-demand for me. but i gotta ask...
what's this about a monster someone mentioned above? so it's not just a guy killing people, it's a monster? i'm curious and don't mind being spoiled
Josh-da-man
10-06-08, 02:55 AM
the trailer made the movie look pretty interesting. i completely missed this in theaters though. hopefully it'll get a dvd release soon. no access to on-demand for me. but i gotta ask...
what's this about a monster someone mentioned above? so it's not just a guy killing people, it's a monster? i'm curious and don't mind being spoiled
I haven't seen the movie, but in the short story it's based on the serial killer is slaughtering (as in literally butchering) people on the subways late at night so that the "founders" of the city can feed on them. The "founders" of the city are these twisted, sort of Gollum-like creatures that live below the city and were, at one time, the founding fathers of the city.
FunkDaddy J
10-06-08, 10:31 AM
Not a bad horror flick. Sure, it has its flaws. But it's got some great gore, and the story and acting are pretty good. It sure deserved a hell of a lot better from the studio. Shameful!
d2cheer
10-06-08, 10:43 AM
Yep, even with an intro by Clive himself.
I can't seem to find it would someone please post the link?
RichC2
10-06-08, 10:44 AM
I can't seem to find it would someone please post the link?
I don't think it's currently possible to post a link to your cable box's VOD options. :)
Fearnet on Demand is a cable On Demand channel (at least with Comcast and Brighthouse and presumably Time Warner), not a reference to a website.
I haven't seen the movie, but in the short story it's based on the serial killer is slaughtering (as in literally butchering) people on the subways late at night so that the "founders" of the city can feed on them. The "founders" of the city are these twisted, sort of Gollum-like creatures that live below the city and were, at one time, the founding fathers of the city.
Except in the movie it's not really explained who or what these creatures are
clappj
10-06-08, 12:13 PM
Can you record On-Demand movie to watch later.
I've never thought of the idea before.
d2cheer
10-06-08, 01:18 PM
I don't think it's currently possible to post a link to your cable box's VOD options. :)
Fearnet on Demand is a cable On Demand channel (at least with Comcast and Brighthouse and presumably Time Warner), not a reference to a website.
Thanks, my mistake for some reason I was thinking I would need to watch it from the website!
visitor Q
10-06-08, 03:39 PM
Not a bad horror flick. Sure, it has its flaws. But it's got some great gore, and the story and acting are pretty good. It sure deserved a hell of a lot better from the studio. Shameful!
MMT is not my typical film, but I just watched it about an hour ago (thanks Fear.net!) for the Hell of it. I agree with your take and add, it was much better than I expected it to be. The story flowed very well and the plotting opened up as believably as one could expect, dropping enough seeds along the way to keep the story interesting. If one isn't so concerned with the deeper "why's" then it definitely can be appreciated for its level of gore and atmospheric sets. It's also entertaining. Two particular fight sequences were both great!
The only real flaw I had was the reliance on heavy CGI use. Some of it was just plain stupid. But it's Kitamura and I was expecting it. Oh yeah, and the train leap was a bit far fetched.
Why Lion's Gate has run this one under the carpet is beyond me though. It's no less vicious or gratuitous than say, I don't know, Saw 2-5 ... Yeah, I don't get it either.
Original Desmond
10-11-08, 04:26 AM
this movie deserved a better release. Really quite a good slasher horror with a twist
i enjoyed it and the gore set pieces were excellent
DJariya
10-11-08, 04:31 AM
When is this coming on DVD? I thought this was going to get a theatrical release, but obviously that isn't happening or it got extremely limited release.
I've seen alot of straight to DVD movies get better treatment than this.
Geofferson
10-12-08, 12:57 PM
Caught this last night on Fearnet -- thought it was a pretty good genre flick. Gory as all hell. :)
asianxcore
10-12-08, 04:07 PM
Found out last night that a theater in San Francisco my friends and I go to for Midnight Movies/Foreign Films is showing this movie soon.
They showed the trailer before the premiere of "Eden Log" last night and the title of the film got a bunch of laughs from the audience :)
Can't wait to see the film though.
RichC2
10-25-08, 12:25 AM
I finally got an HD box today from the local cable company so I finally got around to watching the flick.
I actually thought this was a fairly well made little flick, with the right marketing it could have done decently. It doesn't have a ton going on under the hood, and yet still has more than a majority of the empty brained crapshack genre pics we get.
Kitamura is an excellent fit for the genre, his visual style fits it like a glove. Hope he gets to make a few more english flicks along the line.
Movie also had a great sustained atmosphere to it, felt almost more like a survival horror game than a movie.
(I agree that it does fall apart a bit near the end, though.)
LiquidSky
11-03-08, 09:04 AM
I finally got to see it this past weekend and would give it a solid "B".
Seantn
02-02-09, 02:19 AM
Just saw this, and honestly... I don't blame LionsGate for not wasting money on a big theatrical release. Seriously, it was well made (technically) and I think the director has a good future ahead of him, but the movie itself was just kind of boring. I didn't care what was going to happen next. It was all just sort of "blah".
However, I still don't get the point of dumping it only dollar theaters. That allowed it to make even less money than it would have made. Makes no sense to me. I'm not sure how much it takes to produce 100 prints of a movie and ship it to theaters, but why not take that money and use it to give it a big promotional push for its dvd release?
greg9x
02-02-09, 04:44 AM
Guess all the higher 'ratings' for this were from 'horror fans'..... just another 'see how gross we can make this...' movie. Initially, and even half way in, the story seemed promising but we were laughing at the silliness of it by the end. Alot of the 'why' was never resolved.
droidguy1119
02-02-09, 12:28 PM
However, I still don't get the point of dumping it only dollar theaters. That allowed it to make even less money than it would have made. Makes no sense to me. I'm not sure how much it takes to produce 100 prints of a movie and ship it to theaters, but why not take that money and use it to give it a big promotional push for its dvd release?Oftentimes a theatrical run is contractually obligated. That's why Idiocracy and Killshot played the tiniest number of theaters in the farthest-away places.
LickTheABCs
02-02-09, 02:32 PM
Seriously, it was well made (technically) and I think the director has a good future ahead of him
You are aware that the director isn't exactly a rookie, right? He's directed multiple films including Versus, Azumi, Sky High. Alive kinda sucked but he directed a pretty enjoyable Godzilla film also.
This was his first American film. Not first film.
LickTheABCs
02-02-09, 02:36 PM
Guess all the higher 'ratings' for this were from 'horror fans'..... just another 'see how gross we can make this...' movie.
Really? Coming from a 'horror fan' this movie wasn't in the least bit "gross" and is only worth seeing for Leslie Bibb. Even though she doesn't show boob.
Seantn
02-02-09, 02:42 PM
You are aware that the director isn't exactly a rookie, right? He's directed multiple films including Versus, Azumi, Sky High. Alive kinda sucked but he directed a pretty enjoyable Godzilla film also.
This was his first American film. Not first film.
I didn't say it was his first film. I said he has a bright future ahead of him. So does Steven Spielberg.
Navinabob
02-02-09, 02:44 PM
Really, that was him? I loved Versus.... Is Sky High worth seeing? I saw at Best Buy a Steel Book of a movie that said "From the creator of Versus", I'll post the title if I think of it.
LickTheABCs
02-02-09, 02:49 PM
I didn't say it was his first film. I said he has a bright future ahead of him. So does Steven Spielberg.
Ah, gotchya. Weird phrasing, I guess. :thumbsup:
Is Sky High worth seeing?
I enjoyed it. Despite all its flaws. It's worthy of a rental at least.
RichC2
02-02-09, 02:49 PM
Really, that was him? I loved Versus.... Is Sky High worth seeing? I saw at Best Buy a Steel Book of a movie that said "From the creator of Versus", I'll post the title if I think of it.
It was probably either Azumi or Death Trance. Death Trance is from the action choreographer of Versus and as such has Versus plastered on its cover as well.
chris_sc77
02-02-09, 04:22 PM
This would have made a good episode of Tales from the Crypt or Masters of Horror episode but as a feature it failed in most department. Stretched out way too long with a good payoff that was too little too late.
LickTheABCs
02-02-09, 04:45 PM
It was probably either Azumi or Death Trance. Death Trance is from the action choreographer of Versus and as such has Versus plastered on its cover as well.
It was most likely Death Trance. Since I know for a fact they have released a SteelBook version of that since I own it. But I'm way too fucking lazy to go find and see what the quote on the front is. As far as I know Azumi hasn't been released in a SteelBook (in the states)..
Navinabob
02-03-09, 02:43 AM
Yep, it was Death Trance. I'll rent that and Sky High and purchase later if I like them.
I really wanted to like Midnight Meat Train the entire way through but it lost me when the ending came out of waaaaaay left field. I did happen to see it twice so I managed to pick up a few more clues that makes the ending a bit stronger, but everyone else who watched it with me felt the ending took away most of it's promise.
mdc3000
02-09-09, 06:41 PM
I watched this today and really liked it...creepy as hell and the gore/kills were pretty damn good IMO. I thought it would have been better without the sci-fi element but Cooper and Jones really go for it and I thought it was fairly well made. Not the greatest thing ever but I was entertained...and the Ted Raimi scene, despite being slightly cartoonish, was fucking sweet.
Cedrock
02-11-09, 12:32 AM
Amazing movie! I'm the biggest horror movie and i watch good and bad horror movies and this is one of the best I have seen in years. Yes the cgi is a tad overkill if you want to nitpick but it worked. Great acting, great suspense, great gore, solid story (horror movies aren't supposed to be as much about the story as people expect). Highly recommended!
....and yea the ending was a little out of left field but it kind of made sense and was nowhere as crazy as High Tensions ending
Solid Snake PAC
02-11-09, 01:42 AM
(horror movies aren't supposed to be as much about the story as people expect)
Buy: