Fear Friday ~ "Cute But Stupid"

When it comes to horror films I'll watch just about anything. Some elements, themes and setups I like much more than others. But one thing that goes a long way is a cute boy! Yep, cast a good lookin' man and I'm all the more interested in your offering. Unfortunately, a cute boy does not always equal a good movie. On that note enjoy tonight's film.

Fridays at the Laughing Vixen Lounge Blog are Fear Fridays. Fear Fridays are a celebration of all films spooky. Horror is a very broad genre and the Lounge loves it all. Each Friday you will find a review of a different film. These can range from Classic Horror (black and white and cheesy), Thrillers (suspense, jumps and a good mystery), outright Horror (chop chop, slash slash, die die) and anything else in between.

So pop some popcorn, kill the lights and enjoy tonight's selection. And please, share your comments on the film. Bad or good let me know what you thought of it. And now, my little ghouls and dolls, the Laughing Vixen Lounge Blog is proud to present this week's film.


Fear Fridays ~ Midnight Meat Train

Tagline ~ The most terrifying ride you'll ever take


Directed by Ryûhei Kitamura (No One Lives and Sky High) and released on August 1, 2008 by Lionsgate Films (Rated R). Struggling photographer Leon (Bradley Cooper) is told to not be afraid and show the real darkness of the city. So, armed with his camera, Leon stalks the city at night looking for shots. Unfortunately for him he finds exactly what he's looking for.

Where do I start with this one? Hmmmm.... so many things come to mind and most are not kind. Ha! But seriously, this is by no means the worst horror film I've seen (I've seen some real gems) but it's certainly far from great. It opened in very limited release here in the states then went right to DVD.

There is lots of blood!!! It squirts, runs, spills and shoots all over the place. One highlight is a cameo by Ted Raimi (Sam's brother). Just watch that eyeball fly! Ha! If you like gore then this one has plenty. If you don't like your horror with meat hooks and hanging dead bloody bodies then you should probably just leave this one alone.

This movie is an adaptation of a Clive Barker story. Had I remembered that before it started I wouldn't have been surprised by anything in it. Clive's movies are usually full of gore and at some point go off into the "otherworldly". I'll admit that Clive Barker movies have never really hit me the right way and I would have liked this story better had it been grounded in something more real. But if you're a fan of Mr. Barker then this one will probably rate higher on your list.

A horror film is always more fun to watch when they lure us in with a cute boy. And yes, that Cooper boy is quite nice to watch (and probably the only real highlight in this movie if you ask me) but I started feeling a little sad by the end that he was in it. His character is not the brightest. By the middle of the movie I had taken to calling him "cute but stupid" as he never listened every time he was told to "don't do that" or "don't go in there". But hey, we wouldn't have a horror story if people didn't do stupid things.


Midnight Meat Train is available on DVD and most online rentals.

Take a look at the original trailer...



Some trivia about the movie...
1. On its official North American release to cinemas, the film opened in 102 discount theatres, also called "dollar theatres" for their very low admission prices, rather than at regular first-run cinemas with normal ticket prices, which was a factor in its poor opening weekend box-office earnings.
2. Clive Barker provided some of the paintings seen in Susan Hoff's art gallery.   
3. The train in the film is a modified 2200 Chicago elevated car.   
4. Vinnie Jones and Bradley Cooper were born exactly ten years apart on January 5th. Vinnie in 1965, and Bradley in 1975.   
5. Vinnie Jones' character has no lines in the whole film apart from three words at the end.