SALEM'S LOT (2004)

You know the story: famous writer comes back to his hometown to confront some childhood demons concerning a creepy mansion.  While there, some vampire shenanigans pop off and he takes it upon himself to kick all of those smelly bloodsuckers in their undead nuts.

I liked this version...or, at least, the first two hours.  The introduction of the town and it's citizens is done well enough.  The story is continually moving forward, but then in the last hour, everything just putters to an end.  Like the movie itself was getting sleepy.

Dated early 2000's TV-level digital effects, steady pace, good writing despite a few plot holes (why didn't the priest recognize the homeless dude in the opening scene?), unsatisfying ending, unsatisfying looking vampires, one of the lamest boss fight in movie history, Donald Sutherland doing a Max von Sydow as Leland Gaunt impersonation(?), a Cujo reference, strong cast with good acting.

Overall, it's not a bad watch (especially for a made-for-TV movie), but I can't see any reason to watch it too often.

 

Miniseries from same source material - Salem's Lot (1979)

Sequel to original miniseries - A Return to Salem's Lot (1987)