August 22, 2008

Lionsgate runs a 'Train' on Clive Barker

A couple months ago, you may have seen a trailer for a movie called Midnight Meat Train from horror master Clive Barker. Aside from the horrible name, you might've thought the movie looked good. I know I did. I loathe horror films. Especially the gore-ror variety. Imagine my surprise and, doubtlessly, many other's when the movie was barely released in any theaters. The details on what happened to this interesting-looking film are just now coming to light.

“The Midnight Meat Train” was originally set for a May 16 release date but was pushed to August 1, where it was only released in 102 second-run and dollar theaters. Though many of the screenings were viewed by sold-out audiences, the movie only made $83,361. Some fans can’t help but wonder if this decision was driven by corporate politics. That’s Barker’s take on the situation to be sure. The filmmaker said he believed Lionsgate president Joe Drake was essentially shortchanging other people’s films in order to focus more attention on movies like “The Strangers,” where he received a producing credit.

Barker told MTV News this week that he is “very proud that the movie is surviving the nonsense. People are getting to see the movie. It’s sort of starting to have a cult life.” He’s less positive in his feelings for Drake, calling him “small-minded” and a “nobody.”

“There’s room for everything,” Barker insisted. “You don’t have to sh– on somebody else’s work to advance your own material.”


And sh– on you he did, Mr Barker. Sh– on you he did.

MTV

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