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| A solid effort! |
"What is this?" my wife asked me.
"It's a horror movie," I replied. "It's from a Clive Barker short story so it's going to be weird and bloody."
She then proceeded to put on her headphones and listen to Adele's latest album with a mixed look of contempt and worry for my mental health.
The Midnight Meat Train centers around a photographer in New York trying to make it big in the art world. To that end he decides to shoot the down and dirty street life. When, one night, he comes across a sinister looking man whom he decides to follow. He quickly learnes this man (played by Vinnie Jones), is a serial killer who makes the subway system his hunting grounds.
Pushed by the gallery owner for more gritty shots, he starts stalking the man and quickly finds this no ordinary Freddy, Michael or Jason, but the manifestation of something much, much bigger.
Judging from the comments on IMDB, feelings are mixed on this one. You either love it or you hate it, depending on what you're looking for in a horror movie. There is tons of gore for the blood-lovers and the acting is excellent. Especially Vinnie Jones' brooding looks sends shivers down your spine. When it comes to the ending, things get unraveled, though. Unfortunately, there is no earlier hint of this bigger picture that is going on. I have been told that in Barker's story things are much clearer from the onset. I, personally, like a good twist on a story, so it didn't bother me so much (although I did raise an eyebrow).
As far as obscure horror movies go, The Midnight Meat Train is one of those hidden gems. The concept is wonderful, like Book of Blood or Hellraiser. The story itself is wonderfully rounded without any lengthy philosphical digressions. And although you can feel where this is going from a mile away, the execution is done so remarkeably it's a joy to watch.
A solid effort!
2 comments:
I thought the same when I saw the film a few years ago. The set pieces really impressed me and Vinnie was excellent. I still have images from the film in my head, even after the story has become a bit vague in my memories. Glad to know I'm not the only one who was impressed by it - I love smaller budget films like this as they tend to take risks that the bigger films won't.
Couldn't agree with you more. That's why I try to highlight one each week. Happy you liked the post!
Greetings,
Marcel
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