Midnight Meat Train

[Boner M]

http://www.wildaboutmovies.com/images_4/MidnightMeatTrainMoviePoster.j pg

I thought it was only natural for me to start a thread for this film.

My input ends here.

[megladon8]

I can't wait.

I was really surprised to see the trailer at Rambo - I didn't think this one would get a wide release.

I wonder if/how they will show the Old Ones.

[D_Davis]

Sweet - so there is actually a trailer now, eh?

Kitamura + Barker = fuck yeah.

Such a killer story as well. Really freaking twisted. It has to be changed quite a bit in order to make a movie out of it.

[megladon8]

Sweet - so there is actually a trailer now, eh?

Kitamura + Barker = fuck yeah.

Yep :)



Such a killer story as well. Really freaking twisted. It has to be changed quite a bit in order to make a movie out of it.

Again, I wonder if they'll incorporate the whole "Old Ones" thing into it. I think it could be done, and Kitamura might be just crazy enough to try it, but I just don't know how.

[D_Davis]

Again, I wonder if they'll incorporate the whole "Old Ones" thing into it. I think it could be done, and Kitamura might be just crazy enough to try it, but I just don't know how.

Right. I can just imagine the Old Ones...it could be really cool. There are a handful of stunning moments in the story. However, the story doesn't have much of a plot. I don't know how long the film will be, but they must have done some major tweaking to get a proper story out of it. My copy of the book is still packed away somewhere, but I need to find it and reread it soon.

[D_Davis]

God, that is a terrible trailer. I cannot wait for the 5-cuts/second trend/fad is dead and gone. That shit makes me ill. They've gotta quit spazin' out.

[megladon8]

Right. I can just imagine the Old Ones...it could be really cool. There are a handful of stunning moments in the story. However, the story doesn't have much of a plot. I don't know how long the film will be, but they must have done some major tweaking to get a proper story out of it. My copy of the book is still packed away somewhere, but I need to find it and reread it soon.


If you can't find yours, I have a spare I can send you! :)

I read the story for the first time the other night - strangely, about half an hour before seeing Rambo and seeing the trailer.

I really like Kitamura's way of creating the meat locker look in the subway.

Do you know how much creative control Barker had in this film? I know when he has complete control (ie Hellraiser) he tends to do incredibly faithful adaptations.

But like you said, the story spans about an hour's worth of time, so they'll have added a lot.

[megladon8]

God, that is a terrible trailer. I cannot wait for the 5-cuts/second trend/fad is dead and gone. That shit makes me ill. They've gotta quit spazin' out.


Yes it's terribly edited, but the actual footage looks like it could be good.

Plus, you said it before...Kitamura + Barker...add Vinnie Jones and Brooke Shields into the mix, and damn - can't wait :)

[number8]

The trailer is terrible, and the way the narrator says the title is unfortunate.

They played it right before Rambo, and the audience cracked up hard. They were still laughing and giggling at the trailer when the movie started. It took the footage of Burmese monks being burned for them to shut up.

[Wryan]

Wiki:

"Despite the best efforts of Jeff Buhler the writer of the film, Clive Barker insisted that the name of the film remain the same as the original short story. Jeff felt that the name of the film sounded too much like "a gay porn", and thought that this might deter potential viewers."

/dies of laughter

[D_Davis]

Well, seeing as how Barker is gay, and some of his writing can be considered pornographic, I can see how someone might think this sounds like gay porn. :)

[number8]

I'm convinced that he heard the title somewhere as a gay joke and decided to write a horror story around it.

[number8]

Incidentally, this poster looks like Vinnie Jones is unzipping his pants with his left hand at first glance, because of the title:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/33/Midnight_meat_train_ver2.jpg

[D_Davis]

I'm convinced that he heard the title somewhere as a gay joke and decided to write a horror story around it.

Man, totally wouldn't surprise me. Can't you just hear one of Barker's mates asking, "Hey Clive, you gonna catch the midnight meat train tonight?"

[Wryan]

"The most terrifying RIDE you'll ever take!"

Hahaha.

Also, I didn't know Barker was gay, but cool beans.

[Skitch]

Kitamura = I'm there.

[megladon8]

The trailer is terrible, and the way the narrator says the title is unfortunate.

They played it right before Rambo, and the audience cracked up hard. They were still laughing and giggling at the trailer when the movie started. It took the footage of Burmese monks being burned for them to shut up.


I missed this post.

The people at my theatre laughed as well. It actually was pretty funny at the time. Having all those kids there with their parents, and hearing that deep voice say "Midnight Meat Train" - it all felt a bit creepy.

[lovejuice]

I can't wait.

I was really surprised to see the trailer at Rambo - I didn't think this one would get a wide release.

I wonder if/how they will show the Old Ones.


can you spoil me a little bit? it's super-natural?

[D_Davis]

can you spoil me a little bit? it's super-natural?

Yes. Super natural, and super disgusting.

Here is the wiki synopsis:

A down-and-out man, Leon Kaufman, falls asleep on a New York subway (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_subway) train, only to wake up at a secret station beyond the end of the line. Kaufman encounters a man named Mahogany, who has killed and butchered several people and hung their bodies up on the train. Mahogany remarks that he will be forced to kill Kaufman to guard his secrets. Kaufman fights Mahogany and kills him in self-defense, but then the train doors open and strange malformed creatures board the train. The creatures eat the dead passengers, then force Kaufman to serve them as their new butcher, cutting out his tongue to ensure his silence. They tell Kaufman that Mahogany was getting old and could not do the job any longer, and that Kaufman now has a new career. It is also revealed that the creatures have also been the secret rulers of New York City for centuries. The police have always covered up for the creatures. Kaufman finds he now has lifetime employment.

[Sycophant]

Yes. Super natural, and super disgusting.

Here is the wiki synopsis:

A down-and-out man, Leon Kaufman, falls asleep on a New York subway (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_subway) train, only to wake up at a secret station beyond the end of the line. Kaufman encounters a man named Mahogany, who has killed and butchered several people and hung their bodies up on the train. Mahogany remarks that he will be forced to kill Kaufman to guard his secrets. Kaufman fights Mahogany and kills him in self-defense, but then the train doors open and strange malformed creatures board the train. The creatures eat the dead passengers, then force Kaufman to serve them as their new butcher, cutting out his tongue to ensure his silence. They tell Kaufman that Mahogany was getting old and could not do the job any longer, and that Kaufman now has a new career. It is also revealed that the creatures have also been the secret rulers of New York City for centuries. The police have always covered up for the creatures. Kaufman finds he now has lifetime employment.For the first time, I'm really interested in this picture. Awesome. Very curious to see how Kitamura does directing it.

[D_Davis]

For the first time, I'm really interested in this picture. Awesome. Very curious to see how Kitamura does directing it.

It's a great story.

[Dead & Messed Up]

I loved the short story - its supernatural elements are introduced suddenly, and they add a good amount of chills and surprising resonance to the story.

[megladon8]

A very positive review. (http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/26/sdcc-review-the-midnight-meat-train/)

Man I want to see this movie.

[D_Davis]

A very positive review. (http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/26/sdcc-review-the-midnight-meat-train/)

Man I want to see this movie.

Awesome.

Bloody disgusting liked it a lot as well:

http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/film/669/review

[megladon8]

Awesome.

Bloody disgusting liked it a lot as well:

http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/film/669/review


I'm really looking forward to it.

Comparisons to The Mist are definitely a good thing to read.

[megladon8]

This is kind of saddening (http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/13134), especially since it's been getting pretty good reviews.

[EyesWideOpen]

This is kind of saddening (http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/13134), especially since it's been getting pretty good reviews.

one of those theaters is about 10 minutes away from me so i'll try and check it out.

[Bosco B Thug]

This is kind of saddening (http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/13134) Whoa. Isn't this distribution strategy kind of really bizarre? I can't believe it's out in places already and I haven't seen any type of marketing for it (although it is eventually coming to LA on the 15th).

[Dead & Messed Up]

Okay, here's why the bizarre distribution:

1) New management under Joe Drake at Lionsgate is trying to shed their horror image (although they still like Saw) and is trying to hide this.

2) They've already recouped the budget on this through foreign distribution, so Drake feels no need to place it in wide release, probably due to the need for prints and marketing he has no interest in supplying.

3) The second-run theaters allow them to fulfill their contractually obliged theatrical release, without costing them much.

In other words, Drake's being kind of a douche about this, especially considering his last big hit was The Strangers.

[eternity]

This was actually way better than I thought it would be.

[Skitch]

Man, I want to see this bad. It's playing at the dollar theater in Canton, but I'll be damned if I'm going there this weekend.

I...couldn't get...tickets for the...Hall Of Fame Game! My Skins, playin' 35 minutes from me...

*bursts into tears*

[megladon8]

Okay, here's why the bizarre distribution:

1) New management under Joe Drake at Lionsgate is trying to shed their horror image (although they still like Saw) and is trying to hide this.

2) They've already recouped the budget on this through foreign distribution, so Drake feels no need to place it in wide release, probably due to the need for prints and marketing he has no interest in supplying.

3) The second-run theaters allow them to fulfill their contractually obliged theatrical release, without costing them much.

In other words, Drake's being kind of a douche about this, especially considering his last big hit was The Strangers.


So, what I read from this is...

Joe Drake is a cheap ass, and would rather continue to pound out movies that get terrible reviews and ho-hum audience reaction (Saw series), than putting out something different which has gotten great reviews and great audience reaction.

I hope he drives Lions Gate into the ground and ends up a hobo.

[Dead & Messed Up]

So, what I read from this is...

Joe Drake is a cheap ass, and would rather continue to pound out movies that get terrible reviews and ho-hum audience reaction (Saw series), than putting out something different which has gotten great reviews and great audience reaction.

I hope he drives Lions Gate into the ground and ends up a hobo.

SOP when an exec takes over for another is for the newbie to kill all the projects the last guy worked on. It's not dissimilar from the way a lion asserts its dominance by eating all the previous pride leader's babies.

[megladon8]

SOP when an exec takes over for another is for the newbie to kill all the projects the last guy worked on. It's not dissimilar from the way a lion asserts its dominance by eating all the previous pride leader's babies.


That seems like a very petty practice.

[Dead & Messed Up]

That seems like a very petty practice.

It's a petty business.

Bloody-Disgusting's organizing a grassroots effort to sell out all the theaters that are showing the film, and I respect the effort, but the war's already been lost. The smarter thing to do would be for the collective horror fanboys to endlessly pester Lionsgate about why they were so dickish. I'm going to try to make some calls on Monday.

[Ezee E]

Not in my area anyway. I'll see it on DVD for sure, if it gets there.

[Bosco B Thug]

Poor film. First getting teased because of its title, now this. Well, at least it got distributed in other countries. I wonder what countries.

I got a theater 20 miles out... naaah, can't be worth it, unfortunately.

[Wryan]

If a sequel should present itself, it should clearly be called Midnight Meat Train to Georgia.

[number8]

Just saw this. I liked it quite a bit.

[Russ]

Just saw this. I liked it quite a bit.

Well??? We're WAITING....


http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/549/caddy2ip9.jpg


Thoughts?

[MadMan]

Yes. Super natural, and super disgusting.

Here is the wiki synopsis:

A down-and-out man, Leon Kaufman, falls asleep on a New York subway (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_subway) train, only to wake up at a secret station beyond the end of the line. Kaufman encounters a man named Mahogany, who has killed and butchered several people and hung their bodies up on the train. Mahogany remarks that he will be forced to kill Kaufman to guard his secrets. Kaufman fights Mahogany and kills him in self-defense, but then the train doors open and strange malformed creatures board the train. The creatures eat the dead passengers, then force Kaufman to serve them as their new butcher, cutting out his tongue to ensure his silence. They tell Kaufman that Mahogany was getting old and could not do the job any longer, and that Kaufman now has a new career. It is also revealed that the creatures have also been the secret rulers of New York City for centuries. The police have always covered up for the creatures. Kaufman finds he now has lifetime employment.Whoa. That sounds like a pretty freaky/creepy movie. I'll be on the lookout for it when it finally hits DVD.

[number8]

It's on FEARnet HD on demand if you guys have Comcast. That's how I saw it.

[The Mike]

I missed this post.

The people at my theatre laughed as well. It actually was pretty funny at the time. Having all those kids there with their parents, and hearing that deep voice say "Midnight Meat Train" - it all felt a bit creepy.

Wait, there were kids and their parents at Rambo? :eek:


Anyway, this movie was pretty awesome. Lotsa gore, decent acting, and only a few really gross editing and CGI related blunders.

The ending was freakin' brilliant.

[Skitch]

That sounds AWESOME.

[D_Davis]

Watched this last night. It was okay. Really poorly paced; damn does it ever slow down to a crawl during the second act. I actually fell asleep for a bit. It's a little too long as well. However, the good stuff is really good. I'd give it a 6/10.

[EyesWideOpen]

It's on FEARnet HD on demand if you guys have Comcast. That's how I saw it.

It's on FEARnet on demand on COX cable also.

[Dead & Messed Up]

Wait, there were kids and their parents at Rambo? :eek:


Anyway, this movie was pretty awesome. Lotsa gore, decent acting, and only a few really gross editing and CGI related blunders.

The ending was freakin' brilliant.

How so?

I love the ending of the story, but I thought they could've spent another minute or two on the ending in the film.

Anyway, I enjoyed the hell out of it. The cat-and-mouse stuff was expertly done, the cinematography really struck a mood, and Vinnie Jones was awesome - very threatening.

[The Mike]

How so?

I love the ending of the story, but I thought they could've spent another minute or two on the ending in the film.

I agree on that, I just meant it was nice from a "I've got no idea where the movie's going with this...wait a minute...wtf?" standpoint. Not enough horrors these days take that risk with a purpose.

[KK2.0]

oh crap, this gotta come to my country PLEASE!!!

[Dukefrukem]

I want to love this movie...


1. Why did they let him go when he witness the murders on the train?

[megladon8]

I want to love this movie...


1. Why did they let him go when he witness the murders on the train?



Because they wanted him to be the new butcher.

Did you watch it all the way to the end?

[Dukefrukem]

Because they wanted him to be the new butcher.

Did you watch it all the way to the end?

I thought they just wanted him to be the new butcher because he killed the current butcher.

[megladon8]

I thought they just wanted him to be the new butcher because he killed the current butcher.


It was implied that not just anyone could kill the butcher. He was destined for it.

[Dukefrukem]

It was implied that not just anyone could kill the butcher. He was destined for it.

meh. i was also disappointed by the lack of explanation of the Butcher's skin disease and health problems. It went nowhere. We also see very little of the monsters. This movie could have been so much better.

[number8]

Why would we need explanations on those, and why would we need to see more of the monsters?

[Dukefrukem]

Why would we need explanations on those, and why would we need to see more of the monsters?

Because they are interesting and story driven. if the monsters didn't exist, there would be no need for a Butcher. So why can't the monsters just feed themselves. etc etc.

[number8]

But the story's not about Mahogany or the creatures. It's about Leon, a photographer, who in the process of immersing himself in violence, becomes the violence.

There's a difference between not answering questions and leaving you to question more. The questions you pose are really inconsequential to the story. Why can't the creatures feed themselves? Well, shit, I don't like hunting and killing cows myself. I prefer my local butcher to give me my beef.

[Dukefrukem]

I understand my questions aren't very relevant to the story but I'm still distracted by them. Here's an example:

What purpose does it serve to show the scene of the butcher cutting off those growths on his chest? what does that add to the movie besides a cheap and lazy attempt to make him look weird? If you're not going to go anywhere with it, or at least explain a bit more... why bother?

[Grouchy]

I understand my questions aren't very relevant to the story but I'm still distracted by them. Here's an example:

What purpose does it serve to show the scene of the butcher cutting off those growths on his chest? what does that add to the movie besides a cheap and lazy attempt to make him look weird? If you're not going to go anywhere with it, or at least explain a bit more... why bother?
I'm with you on this one. I don't usually like having everything spelled out, but stuff like that growths scene you mention reads like it's part of a mystery which is then never addressed by the script. I call it lazy writing.

Also, the subject of the guy who gets inmersed by the violence he photographs wasn't compelling enough for me. Specially since the scenes that are supposed to develop the character have craptastic dialogue.

[Dukefrukem]

Also, the subject of the guy who gets inmersed by the violence he photographs wasn't compelling enough for me. Specially since the scenes that are supposed to develop the character have craptastic dialogue.

OMG yes. I noticed this big time on my second viewing. The scene where he tries to take photos of his gf and keeps seeing violent images in his head was terrible.

And the Tofu to meat scene was also very weak.

[megladon8]

The scene where Leon couldn't take pictures of his girlfriend anymore was nearly comedy gold. Nearly. Unfortunately it goes on so long that it just becomes painful.

This movie could have been great. It's based on one of the best horror shorts I've read in...well, maybe ever. The "Books of Blood" still contain Barker's very best work as a horror writer.