30 DAYS OF NIGHT (Rated R)

You can tell Halloween is just around the corner when gory, bloodthirsty vampire movies seek to take a big bite out of the box office. “30 Days of Night,” for those unaware, is a miniseries of horror comic books that tells the tale of vampires enjoying a month long buffet in Barrow, Alaska, which is the northernmost hamlet in the Western Hemisphere. Due to its geography, this isolated village is plunged into total darkness for at least 30 days during the winter. This, of course, makes the place the ideal vacation spot for hungry vampires, who have no fear of imminent sunlight.

Legendary horror film producer Sam Raimi, who also has a long resume of writing and directing movies in the genre, employs the services of David Slade (“Hard Candy”) to direct “30 Days of Night.” The press notes say that Slade started his career as a journalist, later moving into directing. One is tempted to ask where he went wrong. Apparently, he didn’t go wrong with this movie, unless the director gets the blame for hiring some of the actors, particularly the lead character of Sheriff Eben Oleson (Josh Hartnett).

Hartnett has the unfortunate distinction of having even less thespian skill and charisma than Ben Affleck. His wooden style of acting is not a complete hindrance here, where his primary function is to remain somewhat stoic and laconic in carrying out his police duties. But then it works against him when having to sort out his marital problems with estranged wife Stella (Melissa George), involuntarily stranded due to the missing the last flight out of Dodge.

The premise of “30 Days of Night” is as simple as the graphic novels upon which it is based. The vampires show up in Barrow as if they had 30 day passes to Disneyland. The first telltale sign of something amiss in the tranquil frozen tundra of Alaska are the brutal slayings of all sled dogs and a smoldering pile of cell phones. As darkness falls, only the hardiest band of citizens stays behind in Barrow for a month long candlelight vigil. The cunning, bloodthirsty vampires, led by ultra creepy Marlow (Danny Huston), relish a month of free rein, and they quickly set things in motion by snacking on a few people whose disappearance won’t be noticed right off.

A scraggly, mysterious stranger (Ben Foster) wanders into town, babbling incoherently in apocalyptic terms and issuing vague threats that increasingly rattle some of the townsfolk. This guy looks like he spent a couple of months wandering aimlessly on Skid Row, drinking Jack Daniels by the case and without once taking a hot shower. Even when ensconced in a cell, the Stranger unnerves Sheriff Eben’s younger brother Jake (Mark Rendall) with psychobabble that makes Charles Manson practically coherent by comparison. It doesn’t take long for you to wish that the vampires might turn on their informant.

The fun parts of this movie are when the vampires go absolutely bonkers in their full-scale attacks on hapless victims. For the most part, they are virtually indestructible and possess physical strength normally reserved to superheroes. Because they appear invincible, you are left to wonder when the townsfolk will figure out their Achilles heel. Maybe it has something to do with grandma growing medical marijuana in a potting shed. In any case, Sheriff Eben and Stella fitfully try to keep alive the dwindling population, as they hide Anne Frank-style in an attic.

Sluggish at times, “30 Days of Night” nevertheless overcomes some of its dull spots by turning out some terrific vampire action. The undead creatures really do look menacing, unlike vampires seen in other movies. The vampires here don’t look like fashion models in GQ, wearing nicely tailored suits. These guys mean business, bearing their fangs in the ultimate bloodlust. For the horror freaks, blood and gore are rampant in “30 Days of Night,” and the film works well enough to elicit some real emotions and passion. You could do worse in this Halloween season, like seeing the umpteenth version of “Saw.”

DVD RELEASE UPDATE

The Pink Panther cartoon character is one of the coolest ever. There, I said it.

Thus, I am looking forward to the November 6th DVD release of “The Pink Panther: A Pink Christmas.” The coolest feline in cartoon history stars in this family favorite holiday special, which debuted in the final days when the cartoon series ran from 1969 to 1979.

Along with other features on the DVD, there’s “Pink Panther: Pink at First Sight,” when our penniless hero takes a messenger job on Valentine’s Day.

Tim Riley writes film and television reviews for Lake County News.

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