The opening credit theme for What We Do In The Shadows is a bit of an antithesis to the movie itself. The chorus, sung by Norma Tanega, says “you’re dead, and out of this world.” The vampires the movie centers on may be dead, but they’re far from gone. The film, opening this weekend at The State Theater in Ann Arbor, is directed and written by its stars Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement. Clement is best known as half of Flight of The Conchords, of which Waititi directed a few episodes.
The film centers around a group of vampires living together in a Gothic-looking New Zealand house. Through the documentary-style storytelling we see these vampires live out their nightly lives. The flatmates are each a different kind of famous vampire, from the Nosferatu-like Petyr to the aptly-named former warlord Vladislav. Anyone who’s a fan of vampires (yes, even the sparkly ones) will find something to love here.
The film is full of set pieces that reflect how these powerful undead beings are also flawed versions of ourselves. These vampires still like to get dressed well and go out to nightclubs. But their typical characteristics hinder this; since they have no reflection, they’re forced to draw each other to understand how they look. Many of us (especially those of us with roommates) can fall behind on doing the dishes. These vampires are no different, even if their only dishes are blood-smeared goblets.
One of the better aspects of the film is the drastic shifts in tone. Waititi aptly blends horror and humor together in parts; there are scenes that can leave you laughing or screaming, and a few scenes surrounding his character Viago can tug at your heartstrings.
What We Do In The Shadows has a lot going for it, from wonderfully constructed characters to lines you’ll be quoting to everyone you know. It is sure to be recognized as a cult classic along with other great mockumentaries, like This Is Spinal Tap and Behind The Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon. The film is playing at the State Theater this week until Thursday, March 19. See the full release schedule here.
$10/general. State Theater, 603 E. Liberty St., Ann Arbor, MI. 734-668-8397.
The opening credit theme for What We Do In The Shadows is a bit of an antithesis to the movie itself. The chorus, sung by Norma Tanega, says “you’re dead, and out of this world.” The vampires the movie centers on may be dead, but they’re far from gone. The film, opening this weekend at The State Theater in Ann Arbor, is directed and written by its stars Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement. Clement is best known as half of Flight of The Conchords, of which Waititi directed a few episodes.
The film centers around a group of vampires living together in a Gothic-looking New Zealand house. Through the documentary-style storytelling we see these vampires live out their nightly lives. The flatmates are each a different kind of famous vampire, from the Nosferatu-like Petyr to the aptly-named former warlord Vladislav. Anyone who’s a fan of vampires (yes, even the sparkly ones) will find something to love here.
The film is full of set pieces that reflect how these powerful undead beings are also flawed versions of ourselves. These vampires still like to get dressed well and go out to nightclubs. But their typical characteristics hinder this; since they have no reflection, they’re forced to draw each other to understand how they look. Many of us (especially those of us with roommates) can fall behind on doing the dishes. These vampires are no different, even if their only dishes are blood-smeared goblets.
One of the better aspects of the film is the drastic shifts in tone. Waititi aptly blends horror and humor together in parts; there are scenes that can leave you laughing or screaming, and a few scenes surrounding his character Viago can tug at your heartstrings.
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What We Do In The Shadows has a lot going for it, from wonderfully constructed characters to lines you’ll be quoting to everyone you know. It is sure to be recognized as a cult classic along with other great mockumentaries, like This Is Spinal Tap and Behind The Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon. The film is playing at the State Theater this week until Thursday, March 19. See the full release schedule here.
$10/general. State Theater, 603 E. Liberty St., Ann Arbor, MI. 734-668-8397.
