30 Days of Night

Based on Ben Templesmith and Steve Niles' graphic novel, filmmaker David Slade's 30 Days of Night is a horror movie that doesn't really have a plot, so much as a situation: namely, a small Northern Alaskan town, just beginning a month-long stretch without sunlight, is attacked by vampires who now have plenty of time to feed on the populace. Josh Harnett and Melissa George play local husband-and-wife law-enforcement officials who attempt to conceal the few survivors while dodging their undead pursuers (led by Danny Huston). The carnage here is both grisly and plentiful, although the characterization is limited to simple traits intended to distinguish one victim from another. As usual, the histrionically-challenged Hartnett runs the gamut of emotions from A to B, while the normally solid George displays no chemistry with her leading man whatsoever. Strictly a time-killer for gorehounds, these 30 Days will seem like an eternity to anyone else. Not a necessary purchase. [Note: DVD extras include audio commentary (with costars Josh Hartnett and Melissa George, and producer Rob Tapert), eight behind-the-scenes featurettes on “Pre-Production,” “Building Barrow,” “The Look,” “Blood, Guts & the Nasty #@$&!,” “Stunts,” “The Vampire,” “Night Shoots,” and “Casting” (51 min. total), the first episode of the unrelated anime series Blood + (21 min.), and trailers. Bottom line: a fine extras package for an emotionally anemic horror flick.] (E. Hulse)