Daybreakers

[Ovation]

I'm not a huge fan of vampire movies (the Bela Lugosi and Coppola films are an exception--I like those a fair bit) but I was intrigued by the premise of Daybreakers. The majority of the world's human population is infected by a virus that makes them vampires and global society has adapted to this reality (in some interesting ways). The problem is the "food supply" is running very low and no effective alternative yet exists. I'll leave it at that and only say that it's worth a viewing (warning: while not the most blood-spattered film I've seen, it is a vampire movie, so those with low tolerance for blood should think twice). Good cast with Ethan Hawke, Willem Dafoe and Sam Neill.
:35: out of :5:
I would have rated it four stars if the ending had been a bit less predictable. Still worth watching for the first 2/3 especially.

[George Bellefontaine]

I sort of got bored with all those vampire flicks so I passed on this one. But you make it sound inteesting so perhaps I'll give it a rental.

[Ovation]

I passed over all the other ones (Twilight series, various others--the last vampire movie I watched was my BD of Bram Stoker's Dracula as I love Hopkins in that movie as well as the superb soundtrack).

The movie poses a number of interesting questions that might have been even better in a mini-series, but it still works as a movie. I think (this has been suggested in at least one review I've read) the final act becomes more predictable and conventional because the funding was not available for a more elaborate conclusion. I'd bet the three principals appeared for less than their usual fee (they're not A-list stars like Cruise or Hanks but they don't come free).

If I were teaching film, instead of history (with the occasional historical feature film thrown in), I might do a unit on recent "dystopias" by examining this film along with Children of Men and Blade Runner. Might be worth a "dystopia" weekend of screenings, at any rate.

[David Meek]

This one is on my "get in trouble at WalMart tomorrow" list along with Green Zone and Sherlock Holmes. Y'have to take advantage of these trips to the mainland. :

[DelRay]

Seen this one a couple of weeks ago. I'm also not a big Vampire movie guy, but I thought that this one was pretty good.

[David Meek]

This one turned out to be a little further off the way-too-beaten-vampire-movie-path than I had originally thought. Rather than getting into plot details and the like, I'll just say I did like the premise, casting and acting even though the end felt particularly rushed (and yes, predictable). :3: out of :5: which would have easily been higher with only a more thought out ending.

[George Bellefontaine]

Yeah, I have to agree with Tex here. The ending needed more work. But I wasn't sorry I rented it.