STRANGE THINGS HAPPEN AT SUNDOWN
PLOT-A vampire hitwoman takes on a mafia of New York bloodsuckers, seeking to destroy the one who made her.
VIOLENCE-Blood and gore a'plenty, as it should be for any modern vampire flick. Multiple neck bites, stabbings, shootings, gut-munching, and ripped-off limbs are some of the highlights.
SEX/NUDITY-If you like seeing blood-soaked women writhing around in skimpy clothing, you will adore this film. I only counted one actual topless shot, but believe me when I say that doesn't matter. This film is overflowing with sexy girls.
WHY I WATCHED IT-I've actually had the priviledge of following this project since January 2003 (when I was tipped off to the trailer by the filmmakers themselves). Anyone who's seen the trailer will surmise that it has all the markings of a humorous, violent, and creative vampire entry.
THE DOPE-I consider myself a decent writer, but sometimes I have problems finding the right words when I really like a movie. Having said that, STRANGE THINGS HAPPEN AT SUNDOWN is one fucking amazing movie. That's it. Fucking amazing in every way. The people who made this hit upon an excellent idea, combining elements of two of today's most popular television shows, THE SOPRANOS and BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER. Who would have ever thought of such a thing? But it works. Oh man does it ever work. The mafia vampire guys are kickass, they generate the perfect tone and are funny as hell. One of them gets up from slurping on the neck of a fresh kill and says, "Hey! I'm fuckin eatin' over here!", in that perfect Martin Scorsese way. The filmmakers also had a difficult task ahead of them, as the movie features several lead characters and plot threads that must cross paths and come together in the end. I don't know how they managed to pull it off, but for 2 solid hours I was glued to the TV screen watching the events unfold. It's scary, funny, and intense all at the same time. Not since John Landis's highly underrated INNOCENT BLOOD have I been so enthralled with a modern vampire tale. I'm a big fan of the BLADE movies, but I actually liked STRANGE THINGS even more. It's got my kind of humor, my kind of sex appeal, and some of the greatest camera work I've ever seen on an independent production. Definitely one of the best vampire flicks in recent memory.
MEMORABLE SCENES-When the mob enlists the help of a professional tracker, they arrive at the suburban residence of a mysterious cloaked figure known as "The Reaper". And who should answer the door but The Repaer's wife, June Reaper! She's also a vampire, and in her hundreds of years on earth has grown into a neat-freak, anal retentive maniac. When The Reaper leaves a dirty spoon in the sink, she goes absolutely nuts screaming obscenities at him. I laughed so hard I thought I was gonna have a coronary.
NOTES-Word has it STRANGE THINGS HAPPEN AT SUNDOWN recently scored a distribution deal with BRAIN DAMAGE FILMS, so hopefully we'll be seeing a DVD release soon. In the meantime, visit the official website of the STRANGE THINGS production company for details.
(May 2003)
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