FUN UPDATE OF THE KING CLASSIC NOVEL FOR TV AGAIN

Jul 27, 2010

by FM_ALEX
posted in WHAT CAN I SAY?

Rating:

SALEM'S LOT

I happen to like this updated mini series from the King classic which was also adapted much earlier into a mini series with Tobe Hooper at the helm. This version is not that movie and is not exactly like the book either but I must say that I found it really entertaining. From the acting to the over all story this just seemed like a good time to me, those around me agreed. Even though it is not completely faithful to the original work it is still worthy enough that King put his name on it, there have been others he hated enough to not have his named attached no more.

The story is the same about a writer coming back to his hometown and an unspeakable evil is lying in wait. Of course you all know that the evil in which I speak is vampires with Barlow [Rutger Hauer] of course as the lead heel in this. As the small town slowly starts to die around poor Ben Mears [Rob Lowe] who is still traumatized to an incident as a youth he starts to realize something is going on. People are disappearing and others are acting a bit strange and this all coincides with the arrival of Mears and the never seen around town Kurt Barlow. Barlow's assistant Richard Straker [Donald Sutherland] is out and about running an antique store, he is an odd fellow. But when it all comes down to it there are some vampires running around and a select few have to step up and take them down. Those few are probably the most unique and diverse group of hunters ever but hey it makes for a good time. There is the returning home writer who witnessed a murder/suicide as a child in Mears, the doctor who is sleeping with a patient and also being set up by her in Dr. James Cody [Robert Mammone], the priest who may be more gone then he appears in Father Donald Callahan [James Cromwell], a school teacher who likes the fellas in Matt Burke [Andre Braugher], and of course a kid named Mark Petrie [Daniel Byrd] who has more lives than a cat.

That group comes together to stop this evil virus that has invaded the town and they may or may not be successful. Director Mikael Salomon keeps things moving and makes the film look very atmospheric but at times the film seems uneven. Sometimes one thing will be going on and the next we switch gears, some films do that intentionally but I doubt this film was supposed to do that. Still it is an enjoyable film and writer Peter Filardi did a decent enough job up dating this film into today's world. The film looks good and there are actually some pretty good moments in this version of the King classic.

As far as performances go I think every one was up to par and delivered well, no weak performances as least from what I could see. Rob Lowe as always been a favorite of mine and did a good job in this film in the lead role. Rutger Hauer was good as the evil lead vampire named Barlow and pulled of the role well, as did his side kick played by the great Donald Sutherland. As for the rest of the hunters that accompanied Rob in this film they all did great jobs. Robert Mammone was excellent as Dr. Cody and was one of my favorites in the film and James Cromwell was equally as good as the disgruntled priest. Andre Braugher was great in his role bringing something very new to the character and of course the surprise of the film Daniel Byrd was good in this as well, in fact his character may be the best and most fearless of the hunters.

Every one else in this film was great as well with like I said no one giving a bad performance at all. If you did not catch this one TV or even if you did I recommend this one to every one, it's good for a lazy Friday night or Saturday. To all King fans out there this may be a disappointment to you if you don't give it a chance, just know that this is an up date for our time we live in now with cell phones and all that stuff. This is a fun mini series that I thought was worth the purchase.

FUN UPDATE OF THE KING CLASSIC NOVEL FOR TV AGAIN

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woopak_the_thrill July 27, 2010

this wasn't bad, since it was more detailed than the 70's movie (though that was arguably more fun) Nice work, buddy!

FM_ALEX July 27, 2010

Agreed WP, I think I would actually give the first one 5 stars.

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FM_ALEX
Ranked #2

I basically am just a normal person obbsessed with Mixed Martial Arts, pro wrestling, movies of all kinds, music of all kinds, books of all kinds, and of course foods of all kinds. Just trying to keep … more