Midnight Meat Train

Flipping the channels one night a couple of weeks ago, I saw the title "The Midnight Meat Train" and hit record hoping it would be the movie adaptation of the story I had once read. Sure enough, it was indeed a movie adaptation of the story by the same title written by Clive Barker.

Varying only slightly from the written story, the movie is a fantastic adaptation thanks to relatively unknown writer Jeff Buhler. What really pulls the story right off the pages is the superb acting job of Vinnie Jones who is famous to American audiences for his role in "X-Men: The Last Stand" as the Juggernaut. In this film,he is a ruthless butcher.

For those of you who have never read the story, let me tantalize your imagination with this brief synopsis:

Our protagonist is a photographer, Leon (who is brought to life on the silver screen by Bradley Cooper, recognized from his more recent film appearance in "The Hangover") looking for an inspired edgy subject matter. He finds more than he bargained for when he discovers a killer stalking the late night subway lines. Now when I say killer let me tell you the character played by Jones uses a classic meat hook and a large meat tenderizer with one end that is larger than a softball. Enter graphic gore here!

Leon begins to track the killer's movements and finds that countless people who have been simply reported as missing persons have been victims on the midnight meat train. Drawing Leon deeper into the mystery is that this appears to have been going on for nearly a hundred years. His journey leads him to the killer's lair where he makes the most disturbing discovery yet. Something ancient and horrible.

A not too bad movie for late night viewing. It may not keep you on the edge of your seat, but it will keep you moderately entertained.

CJ