Cool Design and concept but overall dumb

Rating: 4/10 (17 May 2020)

This movie is really dumb. I mean sure the vampires look cool. It has pretty good gore/kills. And I like the concept of being stranded in an isolated town being hunted in total darkness. But the film doesnt execute this very well. A lot of the characters make dumb decisions. The vampires make dumb decisions. The film has poor editing choices. There is some dumb dialogue etc. And fair warning, I'll have to mention spoilers.
Like for instance there is a scene where "The Stranger" has got a hold Eben's brother(sorry I forgot his name already) and is choking him out. Why does the grandmother and Melissa George's character NOT do anything? I mean, yeah he eventually lets go when Eben comes in and shoots him in the arm. But what if Eben hadnt come back at that very moment. Were they going to let him choke him? I mean Melissa George wasnt afraid to pull a gun on the guy earlier, so why is she just standing there? Also, its not long after this scene (when the power goes out) that Eben (who is Josh Hartnett btw) and Melissa George leave. They soon hear screams from the grandmother coming in from the walkie talkie so they rush back. There is blood everywhere and the brother is missing. They ask the stranger is he was taken who will not answer them. Now this could be a great moment to build some tension, however the next scene shows that the brother is safe at the diner. Which a)breaks said tension. and b)how the hell did he get out? I mean its not like this character is supposed to be some macho badass. And especially since the vampires seem to hunt in groups. Also, its dumb why they leave The Stranger behind. I get they want to reveal to the audience, that he was "in on it" in some capacity but they end up killing him anyway. So why didnt they just do that when the first at the police station and killed the grandmother. The biggest most annoying part to me though is at the diner Eben tells the others to make their way to so and so's attic and he will meet them there. Hes going to get supplies. However, we see him and Melissa George get into the truck and not too long after get attacked by some vampires. They of course get saved by some other townsperson and we see them make their way to said attic. Where they are greeted by the entire diner survivors. HOW THE HECK DID THEY BEAT THEM THERE? I mean, I would have assume that its a case where they did make their supply trip and that was just edited out or not shown at all. Otherwise that is flipping insane. I mean even with being attacked, they still headed out first and all. And I dont think it was implied that the others drove since he told them that if they heard noises to quickly roll under a crawlspace. It makes it sound like they walked there. Also, its said at one point (when theyre hiding out in the attic) that the vampires are searching houses. Are they inept at searching attics too? How does this foil the vampires. And later you see other survivors too...so are they just really bad in general? They even leave the attic at one point (cause they need food and what not) and get stuck there when it stops snowing. (Because, they were using the whiteout as a means of the vampires not seeing them). And again...why do the vampires not find them in a grocery store in an entire week? Also before this (while they're still in the attic) this one old dude (who probably has dementia) decides to wonder off and understandably the son goes after him. But why oh why is shouting at the top of his lungs
DAD!!!!!". I mean, even if it works to get your dad to come out of whatever and walk to you...you are also addressing your location to the vampires who are going to attack you and your dad. Like, people are seriously dumb. Nobody tried to radio for help in this entire movie either. I get that the last plane left and all. But wouldnt you still try and radio out for some backup. Radio to the military or something? Even if it doesnt work....again....no one tries this. There plan for the most of the movie just seems to be "Ride it out for 30 days". It isnt until towards the end of this month that they get any ideas about trying to fight them. Which speaking of me leads to the next dumb thing. Eben deciding to inject himself with vampire blood to fight off the vampires and save Melissa George. I mean....honestly why is this a good idea. Even if he manages to keep his humanity long enough to distract, he has NO idea for how long for and could easily end up turning on his friends/brother. It's stupid and reckless. Also when he goes to fight...only the vampire leader fights and him and everyone else stands around. Even when Eben loudly shouts for Melissa George to run....they all stay there. None of them decide to run after her.
It's a just stupid. I think the film could have been something cool...but nah. Acting....they were fine. Nothing more, nothing less.