Night Junkies- a surprisingly good vampire film. I really wasn’t expecting much, but it was an interesting take on the old vampire trope. It had Burroughsian elements, what with all the references to addiction. Also, I’m a sucker for British movies. I’m a Guy Ritchie fan, so I like anything that takes place in London and I like hearing all the various British accents. There are some funny memorable scenes, especially the one in which the bald guy says, “You’re a fart, and I want you out of my ass.” His entire disquisition on farts is funny, like when he refers to Pythagoras as “that Greek muppet”. I was saddened to see him killed off after that scene, as he was perhaps the best part of the movie.

Unfortunately, I think the lead of this movie was supposed to have an American accent, and if there’s anything less believable than a Brit trying to do an American accent, I don’t know what it is. Look, British directors, I luv ya. But take it from me, if you have an American character, HIRE AN AMERICAN ACTOR for Pete’s sake. Don’t trust a Brit to do an American accent. Sure it might sound believable to you, but it won’t sound believable to me. The same goes in reverse, of course. Don’t hire an American to do a British accent- although this is more likely to pass muster with American audiences, since we really don’t know Brit accents that well. The most egregious example of this was Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves with Kevin Costner. I could barely sit through it. Nominated for an Oscar? Lordy. Costner doesn’t even try to do a British accent, yet he’s the only one on the set without one. He’s playing the quintessential Brit, with an American accent. Give me a break, or my money back, or whatever.

Anyway, a minor quibble with Night Junkies, an otherwise entertaining film and an interesting updating of a tired genre. However, since I’m a New Mexican ex-pat, I admit I liked John Carpenter’s Vampires with James Woods, if for no other reason than it was shot in New Mexico. For me, the choice of location is paramount; the location is often the lead in the film. I thought the shots of the New Mexican landscape made John Carpenter’s Vampires a good film from what otherwise would’ve been mediocre.

Oh yeah, one more thing about Night Junkies. It’s England’s answer to Near Dark. Favorite line from Near Dark: “Those people back there- they wasn’t normal. Normal folks- they don’t spit out bullets when you shoot ‘em. No sir!”