The problem with vampires is that, usually, they cant go out in daylight. That means that, however menacing they might be after sunset, when morning rolls around again, the heroes can just dig em up and stick a stake in them. 30 Days of Night sidesteps the whole daylight problem by setting its story in Barrow, Alaska, a town which is so far north that during the winter, the sun doesnt rise for a month at a stretch. Its such a perfect setting for vampires that its almost shocking no-ones thought of it before now. 30 Days of Night has another trick up its sleeve, too. Its vampires arent gothic hedonists who enjoy their claret out of jewelled goblets. Nope, these are vicious, nasty, brutal creatures whod snap your neck as soon as look at you. They look terrifying, all misshapen foreheads and far too many teeth, and the creepy shrieking noise they make only makes it worse; they seem entirely inhuman. Barrows isolated, blizzard-stricken location makes for a literally chilling atmosphere even before the monsters show up. The plot loses its way towards the end, and the inevitable triumph of the heroes stretches logic to its limits, but the setting is original enough to make up for that. 30 Days of Night isnt a film youll forget in a hurry. --Catherine Haskins