# Salem's Lot (the new one) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 17, 2004, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/salems-lot-the-new-one/250907 "2004-06-17T19:23:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Batsinma\_Belfry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ea5d25/32.png) [@Batsinma\_Belfry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Batsinma_Belfry)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2004, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/salems-lot-the-new-one/250907/1 "2004-06-17T19:23:49Z")
Anybody going to watch it? I’m hoping the special effects are atleast a little better, if not the acting. ---
**Author:** ![gobear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8dc957/32.png) [@gobear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gobear)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2004, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/salems-lot-the-new-one/250907/2 "2004-06-17T19:31:43Z")
It’s gotten uniformly bad reviews so far, but this kind of show is review-proof. I saw a preview that I thought was awesome, for example, In the scene when the asshole bus drives gets bitten, we see a child vampire crawling toward him on the ceiling of the bus ---
**Author:** ![Batsinma\_Belfry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ea5d25/32.png) [@Batsinma\_Belfry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Batsinma_Belfry)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2004, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/salems-lot-the-new-one/250907/3 "2004-06-17T19:40:11Z")
The first one was so very bad. This one has to be a little better (I hope). ---
**Author:** ![tremorviolet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e47774/32.png) [@tremorviolet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tremorviolet)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2004, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/salems-lot-the-new-one/250907/4 "2004-06-17T20:19:56Z")
> [@hillbilly queen](#): > > The first one was so very bad. This one has to be a little better (I hope). Ah, c’mon, anything with David Soul can’t be all bad… 😉 ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2004, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/salems-lot-the-new-one/250907/5 "2004-06-17T20:35:33Z")
I liked the first one just fine, and I’m looking forward to this version, mainly because of Rutger Hauer. TNT does a decent job with their movies, from the few I’ve seen so far. ---
**Author:** ![BiblioCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ed8c4c/32.png) [@BiblioCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BiblioCat)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2004, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/salems-lot-the-new-one/250907/6 "2004-06-17T20:58:03Z")
It’s on Sunday and Monday, right? Two parts? ---
**Author:** ![Saxman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f6c823/32.png) [@Saxman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saxman)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2004, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/salems-lot-the-new-one/250907/7 "2004-06-17T21:02:50Z")
Although James Cromwell only went to Australia for three days’ of filming, his scenes are (as always) great. ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Death](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ecccb3/32.png) [@Evil\_Death](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Death)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2004, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/salems-lot-the-new-one/250907/8 "2004-06-17T23:43:37Z")
> [@hillbilly queen](#): > > The first one was so very bad. The miniseries, or the cut-down movie they made from it? One is good, the other is not. ---
**Author:** ![Unauthorized\_Cinnamon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/bc8723/32.png) [@Unauthorized\_Cinnamon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unauthorized_Cinnamon)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2004, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/salems-lot-the-new-one/250907/9 "2004-06-18T00:05:27Z")
Oh, I’m going to watch it for sure. The original movie kind of brought my husband and me together - I needed to watch it for a class (yes, that class rocked), and he \*claimed \* he liked it and offered to let me use his VCR. (Just checked with him - he’d seen it as a kid, and remembered it being a lot better than it actually was. But he also used it as a ploy to see me again.) Anyway, it looks like it could be pretty good. It can’t be any worse than _Rose Red_, anyway. And in light of recent events in the Kingverse, I’ll be especially interested in old Pere Callahan. ---
**Author:** ![Batsinma\_Belfry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ea5d25/32.png) [@Batsinma\_Belfry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Batsinma_Belfry)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2004, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/salems-lot-the-new-one/250907/10 "2004-06-18T02:11:55Z")
> [@Evil Death](#): > > The miniseries, or the cut-down movie they made from it? One is good, the other is not. I guess I’m thinking of the cut-down movie. I only saw the miniseries once when it originaly aired, (yes, I’m that old). ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2004, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/salems-lot-the-new-one/250907/11 "2004-06-18T04:06:30Z")
> [@BiblioCat](#): > > It’s on Sunday and Monday, right? Two parts? I don’t know the complete schedule, but I checked (cuz I’m not watching on Sunday) and it’s also going to be shown on Friday, all at once. ---
**Author:** ![LateComer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b5ac83/32.png) [@LateComer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LateComer)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2004, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/salems-lot-the-new-one/250907/12 "2004-06-18T13:05:24Z")
> [@hillbilly queen](#): > > I guess I’m thinking of the cut-down movie. I only saw the miniseries once when it originaly aired, (yes, I’m that old). I remember watching the mini-series. I was 10 years old. I also remember it scaring the hell out of me. The kid vampire scratching at the window of his brother. The vampires in the cellar crawling toward the door. I saw it a couple of years ago on tv and was surprised at how lame it was. I will watch this and I hope it is much better. I understand that the production is certainly much better (over 20 million budget). ---
**Author:** ![Nutty\_Bunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/d07c76/32.png) [@Nutty\_Bunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nutty_Bunny)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2004, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/salems-lot-the-new-one/250907/13 "2004-06-18T13:51:31Z")
> [@LateComer](#): > > I remember watching the mini-series. I was 10 years old. I also remember it scaring the hell out of me. The kid vampire scratching at the window of his brother. The vampires in the cellar crawling toward the door. > > I saw it a couple of years ago on tv and was surprised at how lame it was. I will watch this and I hope it is much better. I understand that the production is certainly much better (over 20 million budget). I was about to post the exact same thing. I just want to add the scene where David Soul jumps down on top of the casket that’s just been put in the ground and opens it up and the vampire-child sits up! Aaaaaaaahhhhhh! That was the scariest part for me (I was nine or so at the time). But yeah, watching it now, it’s kinda lame. I may watch the new one, out of curiosity. But I just remembered–I’ve put myself on a TV diet, so who knows if I’ll stay away. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Death](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ecccb3/32.png) [@Evil\_Death](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Death)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2004, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/salems-lot-the-new-one/250907/14 "2004-06-18T14:30:24Z")
> [@Nutty Bunny](#): > > I may watch the new one, out of curiosity. Or more. There’s a substantial amount of talent involved this time. > [@](#): > > But I just remembered–I’ve put myself on a TV diet, so who knows if I’ll stay away. 😉 A TV diet? Sounds like you’re trying to lose weight by eating TV dinners. ---
**Author:** ![tremorviolet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e47774/32.png) [@tremorviolet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tremorviolet)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2004, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/salems-lot-the-new-one/250907/15 "2004-06-18T14:32:46Z")
The [New York Times](http://www.nytimes.com/2004/06/18/arts/television/18TVWK.html?8hpib) (you may need to register) gave it a pretty good review. > [@](#): > > This “Salem’s Lot” is a significant improvement on the undistinguished 1979 mini-series starring David Soul, and it ought to please the many fans of Mr. King’s 1975 novel. The special effects here, including the physiognomic morphing that is the sine qua non of recent horror movies, has an unholy smoothness. Scenes of crouched beings scurrying across ceilings will excite wonder and fear and not ridicule, as analogous images in the earlier movie did. Now I’m wondering if it’s gonna be _too_ scary for me. (I’m a total wuss about horror movies…) ---
**Author:** ![Nutty\_Bunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/d07c76/32.png) [@Nutty\_Bunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nutty_Bunny)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2004, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/salems-lot-the-new-one/250907/16 "2004-06-18T16:01:02Z")
> [@Evil Death](#): > > A TV diet? Sounds like you’re trying to lose weight by eating TV dinners. No, too much sodium. I’ve been rotting my brain with too much reality TV and need a break. I’m going to do something more productive with my time, like go for walks and read (not at the same time, mind you). ---
**Author:** ![FriarTed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/friarted/32/1052_2.png) [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2004, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/salems-lot-the-new-one/250907/17 "2004-06-18T16:26:28Z")
I’m watching- Hauer, Donald Sutherland, James Cromwell- not missing this for anything! It sure can’t be worse than the first version. _L_ ---
**Author:** ![Batsinma\_Belfry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ea5d25/32.png) [@Batsinma\_Belfry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Batsinma_Belfry)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2004, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/salems-lot-the-new-one/250907/18 "2004-06-21T04:34:26Z")
Hmmm, I’m not too impressed with the special effects so far. Maybe the second part will be better. ---
**Author:** ![Turek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/turek/32/18782_2.png) [@Turek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turek)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2004, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/salems-lot-the-new-one/250907/19 "2004-06-21T04:48:04Z")
So far, my two favorite parts of been the song “Stand By Me” at the karaoke bar, and the dog named Cujo. Both nods at SK, of course. ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2004, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/salems-lot-the-new-one/250907/20 "2004-06-21T05:37:04Z")
When the screen came off the window, it looked like it landed on a single rose. DT reference? I don’t remember the Dud character from the book or from the other movie. Could be wrong, or maybe he’s Duddits from Dreamcatcher? In one of the alternate DT worlds, or something? The updated references (e-mails, Afghanistan, etc.) aren’t working for me, and what’s the point of changing Matt Burke into a gay black man? Mike was cute though. I’m taping it for my daughter, and zapping the commercials. I might try to watch the tape, see if it’s more engaging without the ads. The NY Newday review was good, and the reviewer had especially nice words for the second part. Rob Lowe is a bit wooden. I like Eva’s character, we didn’t get enough of her in the original. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/salems-lot-the-new-one/250907.md?page=2)