dreamtrove I have to say, expecting nothing, knowing nothing, I was impressed. This is one of those rare hidden treasures to run across, in its chaotic unnerving kind of way.If you liked Let the Right One in, Hellboy, Neverwhere, and some of the more offbeat horror noir, like Close Your Eyes, this one should appeal to you.There's a minor thematic anti-abortion, understandable if you consider Russia's population decline, but I suspect that's what earned the film its haters. That said, the criticisms are pretty off base, the acting is quite good. There's an intentional dry-noir feel, and something of a chaotic world out of control that you get from a film like District 9. This is a lower budget film, so don't expect any serious cgi etc., but for classic noir fans, it's not needed, and probably wouldn't help.Overall it stacks up favorably against most good vs evil battles in that the characters and events have something real about them, not just strict servants of the story arc that you find so often in horror.I was pleasantly surprised, anyway.

Chrysanthepop Timur Bekmambetov's 'Nochnoy Dozor' (a.k.a. 'Nightwatch') is one of Russia's most expensive and highest grossing films. For a film that mostly relies on special effects, this sci-fi fantasy comprises fresh ideas. However, as enjoyable as it is, it's full of holes. In many places, the story loses focus and seem to delve towards areas without going far enough to explore them properly. The story lines are kind of muddled which is the result of Bekmambetov trying to say too much in too little time. The director does confirm that the second movie (it's part of a trilogy) will develop the stories introduced here. 'Nochnoy Dozor' is also lacking in humour but at the same time some sequences are unintentionally funny. Moreover, the climax felt weird (even melodramatic to an extent).Bekmambetov's direction is quite stylish and the film has plenty of energy. There's some fine cinematography. The special effects aren't always first rate but they help in creating atmosphere which is why it works very well as an atmospheric feature. In addition, the soundtrack and sound design are very good.The actors are all competent. Lead actor Konstantin Khabensky does an adequate job. I would have liked to see more of hottie Zhanna Friske.Flawed it may be, but 'Nochnoy Dozor' is quite a cool film and I've enjoyed it a whole lot more than most of these recent Hollywood blockbusters.

deacon_blues-3 Now the Russians are infected with the sophomoric, puerile "Wow! Wouldn't it be just so cool to be a vampire or something?" virus. Heaven help us! I too once had such aspirations--WHEN I IS WAS 10 OR 12! But apparently there are still droves of lame- brained geeks out there who think this crap is really interesting. It's really tragic that these lame-os have such empty lives that they continue to be enamored by the prospect of being found to be an "Other." Or a "Hero" or a vampire or a werewolf or some other stupid creature that no one was ever supposed to want to emulate. But, lo, and behold! We have spawned a generation of dip-wads who never get tired of stories that are all about being somehow more special than the rest of us. They are immortal. They are powerful. They are mysterious. They are sexually desirable. They are evil, but they are really just misunderstood and want to be good. In short, they are everything that these dip-wads are not and never will be. They will keep on fantasizing about this lame garbage until they gasp their last, pitiable mortal breath in some hospice after living their pathetic, wasted lives. GOOD RIDDANCE! Listen up! You aren't supposed to want to BE a vampire, anymore than you're supposed to want to BE Ted Bundie, John Gacy, or Jeffery Dahmer! You're supposed to hate them and be afraid of them--those are normal responses and attitudes. These creatures are the enemies of society and humanity, they are not endangered species, victims of disease, genetics, or social inequality. And they certainly are not desirable sex partners! HOW SICK! PULEEZE! NO MORE GOOD VAMPIRES OR WEREWOLVES! NO MORE EVOLVING UNDEAD ZOMBIES! NO MORE SYMPATHETIC, MISUNDERSTOOD MONSTERS! BLAH! And if I hear one more "scientific" explanation of vampirism or lycanthropy I'm just gonna puke! When will everyone wake up and realize that the only entertaining element in these myths is that they DEFY such rationalizations. When you make a vampire or a werewolf a scientific phenomena, it takes all the terror out of it. All that's left is to study it as an oddity, motivated by some sick fascination, admiration, or desire for emulation. I don't watch horror movies because I want to be sexually aroused by the creature, I watch them to be scared! I don't watch horror movies because I'd like to be some sort of super-normal creature, but because such creatures are insidious, destructive, and downright evil. I don't want a horror movie to explain monsters to me medically, socially, or scientifically, I want to be confronted with something that defies all the smug, arrogant, and presumptuous deification of science that obsesses our numbed society and takes all the fun and mystery out of storytelling. Hey, girl! Don't answer that blood-sucker's booty call! Ward him off with your crucifix, splash holy water in his face, pound a stake through his heart, cut off his head, stuff his mouth with garlic, and throw what's left out into the noonday sun; cuz dat ain't yo' boy-frien', dats a demon-controlled rotting corpse! HOOAH!

Maz Murdoch (asda-man) I didn't know much about "Night Watch" I knew it was Russian, but I didn't know much on the storyline except that it was confusing so whenever it's been on the TV I've missed it purposely, however I thought let's give it a go! So I popped it in one night and I actually had a really great time watching it! The first point I have to make is the incredible visuals, some of these jut blew me away right from the opening with the granny clapping her hands and so this withheld my interest throughout and not once did I get bored watching it. This a feast for your eyes and really quite inspirational filmaking. For this reason alone it is worth a watch for the striking cinematography and impressive special effects. No one can take away the imagination this film possesses.So, as for the plot, it was a little messed up I didn't know it was about vampires and thought it was an interesting take on how you can see them their reflection but not them. Essentially it is a battle between vampires and "Others" where they are trying to keep a truce but it's got a bit out of hand. I did find the plot engaging and different though it deep need a few tweeks to make it more solid.I appreciated how the subtitles had a life of their own, they were incredibly animated which is something I've never seen before. SOme people might find this a bit off-putting but I really liked it, they would sometimes fade, give a washed out effect, become bigger or red at the appropriate times. Nice touch.I did think that it thought it was better than it was. "Night Watch" sets out to be the huge epic "Lord of the Rings" type film, now I have never seen "Lord of the Rings" but I've heard how amazing it is and so "Night Watch" just doesn't live up to the standard it desperately tries to set itself.In the end "Night Watch" does have its sweet/humorous moments and it really is beautiful to look at with some edgy fight scenes and likable characters, however it just isn't focused enough. But i did have a great time watching it and will definitely be looking out for its sequel.