I did a search for this in the forums and was surprised nothing came up. Anyone else heard of this vampire flick or even got an early viewing of it? Sounds promising. http://www.uproxx.com/gammasquad/2013/05/byzantium-finally-a-vampire-movie-that-looks-good/ http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/byzantium_2012/
I saw this at the last Toronto film fest and thought it was ok. Parts of it work well and parts are just mediocre. I'm glad I saw it I thought I'd love it considering that Neil Jordan directed it.
Not at all what this film is--blame the trailer. This is a brooding, moody, dark and often meandering film. It's not gripping; the threads repeat and there's very little progress, but it's beautiful to watch. Jordan channels a hint of Argento in some of the colors and the way he films the female characters. There's a lack of "action" in this one that makes the spoken dialogue so creepy but again, it can feel like it's treading water for much of the run time.
Saw it at an arthouse a couple of weeks ago.Moody and atmospheric,it has an odd tone and structure and is filled with well done period flashbacks.Some effective bloody moments as well.The two leads are very good.Nice score too. Odd sidenote:about halfway through the film I thought I began hearing the Village People song Y.M.C.A in the background of one moody scene.Later the Tina Turner version of Proud Mary popped up....in a flashback scene taking place in the 19th Century ! I walked out unto the lobby to find that a street concert was going on outside the theater,hundreds off people were rocking out to tribute bands....in Colonial Williamsburg !
I thought it was superb; a breath of fresh air from the atypical vampire film. There's some quirky scenes here and there that also liven it up. The cinematography was really quite atmospheric, and the music score by Javier Navarrete (The Devil's Backbone, Pan's Labyrinth) was very effective where it needed to be. I'm really surprised the film hasn't gotten more recognition than it has...
It was indeed a very pretty film, if the plot wasn't entirely original or groundbreaking. I thought it got off to a pretty slow start (despite the gruesome killing at the beginning), but once it got into the backstory it got a lot more interesting. Worth a rental, but I don't feel the need to see it again.
I still haven't seen it yet but I really want to - it's on my Christmas list but if I don't get it then Ill buy a copy myself. I do find Gemma Arterton absolutely stunning no matter what movie she is in.
Picked up the steelbook, pretty sweet https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EiW4YO2oyHU YOu can have a geeze at the link above
I just watched this again and I loved it. Viewing it for the second time only makes the movie better. The vampire lore that it creates is pretty cool.
