Based on a short story by horror author clive barker, the midnight meat train is a great example of how gore, carnage, and graphic effects are no substitute for an actual story. The films story diverges from the short story and introduces new characters, but retains some basic concepts and aspects of the story s outline. Jeff buhler adapted the story and filming, in new york and montreal, was originally scheduled to begin on the 17th october 2005. If you have seen book of blood and midnight meat train, then reading the short story behind it is so very rewarding.
The midnight meat train was released in august of 2008 and is based on the eponymous short story from volume one of clive barkers books of blood. The midnight meat train is a 2008 mystery horrorthriller film based on clive barkers 1984 short story of the same name, which can be found in volume one of. Stepping back on board the midnight meat train today, its clear that this brutal but lyrical short story retains a narrative power that has not been dimmed by. A dark and gritty adaptation about a serial killer.
His love for the city gets diminished however by a series of grisly killings in the citys vast underground network of subways. The midnight meat train released at a time when i was getting a little tired of modern horror movies. The film suffers from many trends that now seem dated within the genre, and relies on excessive gore and jump scares to create tension. There was a bad run in the mid2000s, where stuff like hostel and even underworld were what. Back in 2008, director ryuhei kitamura delivered audiences the midnight meat train, based on a 1984 short story of the same name. The midnight meat train provides examples of an odd place to sleep. He lay under one of the seats now, sprawled along the vibrating wall of the car, hidden from view. Oct 07, 2015 clive barkers short story, the midnight meat train from his books of blood collection is a brutal and unflinching look into such a world. It could have been seconds or hours that passed before kaufmans eyes flickered open again, and his mind focussed on his newfound situation. Midnight meat train 2008, directed by ryuhei kitamura.
In this instance its not a softening of the imaginative and perverse imagery of his short story that scuppers proceedings as that arrives more or. It was adapted from a clove barker short story, and i have read in several places that it. Probably not a great idea, since it really has all the. Apr 06, 2020 based on a short story by horror author clive barker, the midnight meat train is a great example of how gore, carnage, and graphic effects are no substitute for an actual story.
These 10 underappreciated movies make for the perfect. Contents the book of blood the midnight meat train the yattering and jack pig blood blues sex, death, and starshine in the hills, the cities dread hells event jacqueline ess. The midnight meat train is a 2008 horror film based on clive barkers 1984 short story of the same name, which can be found in volume one of. The midnight meat train is a 2008 horror film based on clive barker s 1984 short story of the same name, which can be found in volume one of barkers collection books of blood. The midnight meat train is exactly what i expected until. It was directed by ryuhei kitamura from a screenplay written by jeff buhler. The midnight meat train is classic barker in many ways, for what starts off as a slasher flick develops cleverly into the fantastical and the bizarre. A creative and energetic adaptation of a clive barker short story, with enough scares and thrills to be a potential cult classic. I just watched the movie midnight meat train and boy was that a confusing movie. May 15, 2019 back in 2008, director ryuhei kitamura delivered audiences the midnight meat train, based on a 1984 short story of the same name. The midnight meat train is based closely on a clive barker short story, and changing the name would lose its builtin barkerfan audience. One of these stories was the midnight meat train following one leon kaufman as he literary eminences like stephen king noticed early on the creativity and powerful prose throughout the books of blood, bringing clive barkers stories to the forefront of horror fiction. The secret fathers of new york have kept their existence a secret in this way. Stepping back on board the midnight meat train today, its clear that this brutal but lyrical short story retains a narrative power that has not been dimmed by time.
Mar 14, 2020 the midnight meat train is a 2008 horror film based on clive barkers 1984 short story of the same name, which can be found in volume one of barkers collection books of blood. Leon complains about the city in narration, has his coffee spilled in a diner, reads about the subway slasher, and the next day is trapped in a subway car with him cue climax. With vinnie jones, bradley cooper, leslie bibb, brooke shields. Her w ill and testament the skins of the fathers new murders in the rue morgue the inhuman condition the body politic revelations down, satan. Unfortunately, the film was only given a limited theatrical. Financial analysis of midnight meat train 2008 including budget, domestic and international box office gross, dvd and bluray sales reports, total earnings and profitability. Back in 2008, clive barkers short story the midnight meat train, his novel books of blood was adapted into a film. The story went that a german visitor, lost in the subway system late at night, had come across a body in a train. A photographers obsessive pursuit of dark subject matter leads him into the path of a serial killer who stalks late night commuters, ultimately butchering them in the most gruesome ways imaginable.
The film follows a photographer who attempts to track down a serial killer dubbed the subway butcher, and discovers more than he bargained for under the city streets. The film follows a photographer who attempts to track down a serial killer dubbed the subway butcher and discovers more than he bargained for under the city streets. Horror legend clive barkerwho wrote the short story on which the midnight meat train was basedhas since blasted thenlionsgate president joe. The midnight meat train after new york office worker leon kaufman falls asleep on a latenight subway train. The midnight meat train is exactly what i expected until it. Butcher block all aboard carnagedriven the midnight. The midnight meat train introduction to the special definitive edition. Jeff buhler screenplay, clive barker short story the midnight meat train. Crime, train, serial killer, new york film adaptation of the clive barker short story of the same name follows a photographers torturous quest to track down a serial killer. The midnight meat train is a 2008 mystery horrorthriller film based on clive barkers 1984 short story of the same name, which can be found in volume one of barkers collection books of blood.
The midnight meat train is a 2008 horror film based on clive barkers 1984 short story of the same name, which can be found in volume one of barkers. Apr 03, 2020 the midnight meat train is based closely on a clive barker short story, and changing the name would lose its builtin barkerfan audience. This story, which eventually earned a long overdue screen transfer in 2008 is one of the most unnerving works ive yet to read from barker. The midnight meat train is the best, goriest movie to watch. What i loved about the original story was the ending and how barker went from telling a pretty straight forward slasher tale ala jack the ripper to something that was otherworldly ala h. Butcher block all aboard carnagedriven the midnight meat train. Another top notch offering from volume one is the book of bloods immediate successor. Overall, midnight meat train is a simple, bloody, hardcore offering certain to satisfy fans of the genre. Train 2008 vinnie jones and bradley cooper in the midnight meat train 2008.
Butcher block all aboard carnagedriven the midnight meat. King noticed early on the creativity and powerful prose throughout the books of blood, bringing clive barkers stories. Clive barker adaptations ranked, worst to best screen rant. In this 100minute horror movie, adapted from clive barkers short story. The midnight meat train is a 2008 horror film based on clive barkers 1984 short story of the same name, which can be found in volume one of barkers collection books of blood. It was adapted from a clove barker short story, and i have read in several places that it is an allegory for a man accepting his homosexuality. The short story takes place over a very short period of time.
So short a time to lose so many treasured illusions. And while the turn at the end of the third act does bring the train firmly into barker. Jul 31, 2008 overall, midnight meat train is a simple, bloody, hardcore offering certain to satisfy fans of the genre. Apr 22, 2017 the midnight meat train released at a time when i was getting a little tired of modern horror movies.
Based on clive barkers 1984 short story of the same name, the midnight meat train follows a photographer obsessed with dark subject matter. The midnight meat train is a 2008 horror film based on clive barkers 1984 short story of the. The midnight meat train horror based on clive barkers short story of the same name, this chilling horror tale stars bradley cooper as a new york photographer who attempts to track down a serial killer dubbed the subway butcher and discovers more than he bargained for under the city streets. Lets take a ride on the midnight meat train 2008 10. Based on clive barkers 1984 short story of the same name, the midnight meat train follows a photographer obsessed with dark subject matter getting in over his head when he discovers a serial. The midnight meat train is the best, goriest movie to. The killer walks onto the midnight train, and turns his head to reveal that he is leon, ready to go on his nightly slaughter. The midnight meat train critics consensus a creative and energetic adaptation of a clive barker short story, with enough scares and thrills to be a potential cult classic. Oct 29, 2017 horror legend clive barkerwho wrote the short story on which the midnight meat train was basedhas since blasted thenlionsgate president joe drake, accusing him of deliberately tanking any. In the final scene, the police chief hands the train schedule to the new butcher, who wears a ring with eight stars. The midnight meat train 2008 cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more. Leon takes matters into his own hands, entering the subway train at midnight, only to witness a shocking bloodbath, as the butcher kills several passengers, then hangs them on meat hooks.
The midnight meat train 3 stars leon kaufman is infatuated with new york city, the city he had always wanted to live in. Theres a lot to say about how he eventually fucks his gf anally against her enjoyment, her dying at the end ceremoniously thus removing her from his life, his obsession with vinnie jones mahogany character the guys named after stiff wood for christs sake, his insane obsession with red meat. Based upon a short story by clive barker from the authors famed books of blood collection, the midnight meat train stars bradley cooper televisions alias as leon, an aspiring photographer whose agent brooke shields challenges him to capture the true underside of new york city. The ending, whilst disliked by some and unexpected by most, in my opinion was great and i loved the fact that at least answers are given. On my brothers recommendation, i also read another short story from the book titled rawhead rex. There are six books in total, each simply subtitled volume 1 through to volume 6, and were subsequently republished in two omnibus editions containing three volumes each. Midnight meat train is directed by critically acclaimed japanese director ryuhei kitamura versus, azumi, sky high in his american debut, and based on legendary horror writer clive barker s popular, eponymous short story from his classic books of blood collection.
The midnight meat train is exactly what i expected until it wasnt. A concerned maya and her friend jurgis, a shortorder cook, begin to examine. Books of blood are a series of horror fiction collections written by the british author clive barker. The movie is an allegory for a man becoming homosexual. The midnight meat train is an excellent adaptation of a clive barker short story that is strong horror and effective due to great directing, dark themes and an intense story of obsession, insanity and human harvesting. The midnight picture show planned the midnight meat train as the first of their films of blood in 2005, backed by finance from lakeshore entertainment and distribution by lionsgate. Midnight meat train writer weighs in on rumors of sequel plans. While maybe a train isnt odd to some, leon could have avoided the plot wholesale by simply waiting to go home to fall asleep.
Based on british horror writer clive barkers signature short story, this flashy tabloid take on the subway butcher occasionally matches its an exquisite brut. The official clive barker website the midnight meat train. Based on a short story by clive barker, the midnight meat train was released in 2008 before being rushed to dvd, and honestly, it isnt hard to see why. Oct 30, 2008 the midnight meat train 2 5 stars 2 out. Leons involvement quickly turns into a dark obsession, upsetting his waitress girlfriend maya, who is as disbelieving of his story as the police chief. The word mythology does come closer to conveying what barker does in books of blood volumes, but the best way to perceive it as painting with words.
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