The Mist (Two-Disc Collector's Edition)

When David Drayton(Thomas Jane) takes a trip to town with this son. They soon find themselves barricaded in a supermarket to escape a mist that appeared out of nowhere. The mist seems to be concealing something that snatches people into it.

The Mist was a very surprising horror film. The film begins as just another monster themed movie that tries hard to be scary. But comes off being more funny than anything else. Later on it changes pace and actually takes a darker turn. Using the characters supported by very solid acting to work its horror edge.

The Mists biggest strength for me has to be the acting. I'm mostly moved by characters that trigger some type of emotion in me. Whether it's compassion or a deep dislike. Marcia Gay Harden as Mrs. Carmody delivered an outstanding and very believeable performance. Her character as the sadistic religious nut even seemed too believable at times. And the funny thing is, I actually know people like this. I even recently had a fallout with a long time friend that has this same complex.

I love the writing to this film. One thing I noticed immediately is The Mist doesn't rely on cheap scares such as the shadowy figure running in the background or someone creeping up from behind for the flimsiest of reasons. The sudden shocks do happen out of nowhere but I found them to be done with some actual creativity.

Alot of thought was put into this film. The monsters are very well designed and well used. The gore is pretty well done also. It could have been a little more over the top but I'm happy with this.

Alot of people seem to hate this movie simply because of the ending. Well I loved the ending. Why? Because it's a horror movie and it's suppose to end horrible. I take my hat off for anyone who chooses to over step bounds and go too far. I don't want happy endings in my horror.

I can list reasons all night on why I love this film. But that would require massive spoilers. And I hate that. I think this film is worth watching. Just be warned, the ending really is a shock. And the bible thumper can really grate on your nerves if you hate hearing someone constantly preach.

Stephen King is usually overhyped garbage but this movie was fun and pretty well made. Granted perhaps time hasnt be kind to the Shining, and It seems downright goofy ("Hey! It's Seth Green!") but come on. Maximum Overdrive. However the Mist taps into something primal and for that it works.

Fear of the unknown is powerful, as is fear of what you can't see. As such naturally the characters slowly turn to someone who seems to know whats going on. Granted she's a nut but some of her ramblings start to sync up and thats more than enough for those with fear.

Some have complained about that crazy Christian lady as being unrealistic, but I'm not sure I can agree. Well known religious leaders have blamed 9-11 or Katrina on all sorts of stuff, many of which the crazy lady parallels. Remember, just because a character might represent certain Christians, they arent a stand in for all Christians.

Also the ending was pretty good and something worth seeing. It will certainly rub many the wrong way but don't let the thought of some bad ending dissuade you from seeing the movie.

I had read Stephen King's novella "The Mist" years ago and forgotten most of it. I remembered the book's basic premise and that was about all. Since this movie never played locally (don't ask me why--ask Chaeker's Theaters), I anxiously awaited its release to DVD.

Although I have been quite harsh on other King's novels (turned into movies), I was surprised at how good director Frank Darabont did with his actors, dialogue, and effects. Darabont also directed "The Shawshank Redemption" and "The Green Mile,"--two other Stephen King novels-turned-into-movies. Here, he puts several townspeople in a claustrophic atmosphere/apocalyptic end-of-times scenario, and then hurls everything he can at them. What the audience views is just how quickly man will turn on man.

Marcia Gay Harding, as the bible-thumper know-it-all, managed to make her performance very believable, as she was an actual character and NOT a caricature. Thomas Jane was also very believable as the father who tries to keep his wits in order for him and his son to survive the madness.

The movie isn't without its problems, which I will not go into here because I don't want to spoil anything for anyone who has not seen the film. Run time is 126 minutes, and it is rated R for language and violence. I recommend it for viewing--but not on a foggy night...

I thought 90% of the movie was excellent and hewed very closely to Stephen King's novella about a military experiment gone bad. I was all set to give it four stars. And then...there was that ending. I was very disappointed by the disturbing final scene of the movie, which, I believe, was gratuitously unnecessary. It changed a story that had an open-ended yet hopeful ending to a big screen episode of the Twilight Zone. While Rod Serling is one of my favorite writers, this film's ending did not jibe with what came before it. What was the rush? There were no monsters near by and, had they waited, the soldiers may have appeared and saved them all. It seems to make the film a vindication of Mrs. Carmody and gives credence to her religious rants. Should Frank Darabont decide to re-release this film at some future time with an ending more in tune with the novella, I believe it I would rate it a four star film.

That this movie was made by the same guy who made Shawshank Redemption is absolutely astounding, and that this movie currently stands at 3 1/2 stars with the Amazon community is amazing to me. I can't help wondering if the positive reviews are referring to the book.

I've seen Scooby Doo episodes that were scarier and more dramatic.

I am usually open-minded and willing to accept some flaws if there is some payoff, however, this movie only has the flaws.

The characters were bland, and the "Christian" was so stereotyped and unreal, that by her third scene she was unwatchable. They overplayed this character big-time. Her rather large role in the movie actually wiped out what little excitement or tension or drama the movie had been able to develop. When her character was speaking, it was so unreal and annoying we were rolling our eyes and fast-forwarding through her scenes.

Yes I realize this is horror fiction and is therefore unbelievable, but that does not mean it has to be stupid. There have been plenty of good horror movies that had unrealistic subjects. For example, the Tom Cruise version of War of the Worlds is obviously not realistic, and it wasn't perfect, but it wasn't stupid. I never felt the overwhelming need to fast-forward.

The ending - salt in the wound.

Watch it if you want to, but do not expect to be scared, amused, or entertained in any way - just annoyed. Keep the DVD remote nearby - you'll need it.