MovieChat Forums > Salem's Lot (2004) Discussion > Filmed in 2004 and still seems very rece...

Filmed in 2004 and still seems very recent

posted 12 years ago by jeffyoung1
5 replies | jump to latest

I watched SALEM'S LOT (2004) on youtube last night. I found myself highly impressed by how modern that eight (8) year old remake seems. There's references to: online merchandise cataloguing; product sales online; references to today's students spending more time with headsets and earphones than reading. The Ben Mears character uses a candy-bar-style cellphone that was the most popular design back in 2004, not the ubiquitious iPhone or Samsungs or similar styled cellphones of 2012 so that's one of the few visual clues the film is several years old.

I write this because today in 2012 far more people are accustomed to Internet shopping and buying than back in 2004. In the Information Age, a span of eight (8) years is a lifetime and technology changes significantly. The long-ago DOT COM boom of 1997-2000 fully intended Americans to change shopping habits to online sales but proved premature. Twelve years later, the dream of widespread online shopping is becoming realized.

The Salem's Lot remake, however, does not overdo the modern technology schtick, which is good because doing so in any film firmly plants the movie in that contemporary time period and so becomes 'visually dated' easily and quickly. Look at the cult classic, "Soylent Green" which takes place in 2022 but shows antiquated entertainment game technology and the policemen using snub-nosed, .38 caliber revolvers.

[–] tj_mower 12 years ago

I agree that this movie holds up well over 8 years, and I found myself thinking that while watching it too. Which is quite the difference from the book, which is obviously dated. However, I think you underestimate the amount of online shopping in 04. I think by then it had become an established and accepted buying method.

[–] MisterZed 12 years ago

In 2012 police still use revolvers (dating back to the 1890s) here in Victoria Australia. 2022 is only 10 years away.

Interestingly, Salem's Lot was filmed here in Victoria, Australia back in 2003. Although the filmmakers tried their best to make the town look American, even importing dozens of American vehicles, there are still a few Australian cars that can be seen.

[–] Frequency270 12 years ago

Eight years is really not that far back in time. This was a TV movie, and FX were good back then and have only gotten marginally better in the interim (nor there a whole lot more room for upgrade).

Damion Crowley
All complaints about my post go to Helen Waite.

[–] deadbodieseverywhere17 12 years ago

If you mean basic effects, then yes. If you mean CGI, then there is a world of difference between now and 2004. I agree the movie has aged well though. Just finished rewatching it :)

"They're all dead.....they just don't know it yet." - Eric Draven

[–] 12 years ago

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