40/49
This new adaptation of Stephen King’s classic Salem’s Lot is a missed opportunity
Scenario
An author returns to his hometown of Jerusalem’s Lot in search of inspiration for his next book, only to discover that the townspeople are being attacked by a bloodthirsty vampire. Writer Gary Doberman told Den of Geek in June 2019 that his goal with the new version of Salem’s Lot is to make vampires scary again. He wants to break away from the sexier, more romanticized undead that have plagued pop culture for the past quarter-century, thanks to everything from Interview with the Vampire to Twilight to The Vampire Diaries. When Ben is reading old newspapers on microfilm in the library, the headline reads “Local Couple Victims of DUI”. The paper is believed to have been printed in 1956, at a time when the term "DUI" not yet used.. References Trog (1970). Sundown Written and performed by Gordon Lightfoot with permission from Warner Records By arrangement with Warner Music Group Film & TV Licensing.
None of that exists here
It is now well known that this film fell victim to studio interference from both PB and the producers. James Wang. The result is a mediocre, bland and lifeless product. King’s strength has always been his focus on the human element—the characters and how their relationships inform the narrative and provide an emotional core to his stories. Based on what’s left, it seems that director Dauberman had an idea of how to tell the story while staying true to the source material. His directorial approach is simple, almost naive, but for a story like this, it could be useful. However, all semblance of life has been drained away (probably in the editing room), leaving behind what I am.
Alfre Woodard (Dr
call "non-movie" The pace is so fast that it becomes annoying, making it impossible to care about one-dimensional characters who exist more as narrative devices than as real people. The visual style doesn’t help either, being reminiscent of The Conjuring series, a visually slick, sterilized horror flick aimed at the masses. Some of the character moments seem shot for efficiency, using the barest of framing, blocking and composition, rather than trying to convey real emotion. Cody) gives a performance that is a cut above the rest. . Mackenzie Leigh (Susan), John Benjamin Hickey (Father Callahan) and Lewis Pullman (Ben Mears) — in that order — do their best with the material. The younger actors are fine, but everyone else…not so much.
However, the production values are clearly visible
Some of the shows are even laughably bad. If the characters are one-dimensional despite the actors' Best of all, it seems fitting that the main antagonist can’t even be described as such. His only noticeable trait seems to be “Bleaarrggghh”; before feeding on its next victim. There’s virtually no blood or gore, and most of the violence happens off-camera. The score and sound design are serviceable, but far from memorable, and do little to enhance the story’s non-existent emotional impact. After nearly two hours of nothingness, the film turns into a boring, pointless and pointless "action packed" finale (follow the sun moving at a pace convenient for the plot). The sequence is complete with subpar CGI and one of the most anti-climactic endings I can recall.
a large, bloated no portion remains
Even if it will never be a masterpiece, there was an opportunity to make an emotionally resonant film with a timely theme about the fear of “the outsider” in a small American town. Films "What We Do in the Shadows" last season; is one of the biggest TV and streaming premieres this month. Check out our October calendar for more information!