The Mist (2007)

[Sea Hag]

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a45/77717/mistposter2.jpg

Release Date: November 21, 2007
Studio: MGM
Director: Frank Darabont
Screenwriter: Frank Darabont
Starring: Thomas Jane, Marcia Gay Harden, Andre Braugher, Laurie Holden, Toby Jones, William Sadler, Frances Sternhagen, Jeffrey DeMunn
Genre: Horror
MPAA Rating: R (for violence, terror and gore, and language)
Official Site: http://www.themist-movie.com/

Plot Summary: Three-time Oscar®-nominee Frank Darabont ("The Green Mile," "The Shawshank Redemption") reunites with horror-master Stephen King to write and direct this chilling adaptation of the author's original short story. Following a violent thunderstorm, artist David Drayton and a small town community come under vicious attack from creatures prowling in a thick and unnatural mist. Local rumors point to an experiment called the 'The Arrowhead Project' conducted at a nearby top-secret military base, but questions as to the origins of the deadly vapor are secondary to the group's overall chances for survival. Retreating to a local supermarket, Drayton and the survivors must face-off against each other before taking a united stand against an enemy they cannot even see!

New Trailer: http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1809834165/video/4594432


I go into convulsions when I think about this film.

[Mr_Vindictive]

Generally a King adaptation means disaster. With Darabont at the helm, I have a huge amount of faith in the film. I haven't read the story in years and will see about doing so before seeing the film so I can make a balanced comparison.

I don't know how I feel about the imagery of the poster but it is damn refreshing to see a one sheet without the actors' names in bold letters at the top.

[CPL CHUD]

King's writing has become weaker and weaker with time. His truly innovative stuff was written when he was chained to a bottle. I applaud him for beating his addiction, but I can't help but think he was more uninhibited back then. He went more with his gut; whatever dark corridor it might lead him down. Is The Mist a solid story, or does it follow the same framework and predictability of his latest other efforts?

[I am Legend]

its from Skeleton Crew, which imho is a great collection of some of his finest short stories. its the opener, so its more of a novella than a short story, and it rocks. this movie makes me wet. i have wanted this to be done on the screen forever, as have most King fans. this is one of his best short stories.

[swivel]

Frank Darabont could take King's worst shit and make it into a gem. I have no fear with him at the helm. Shawshank and Green Mile are both in my top-20.

[Morbid]

As I stated earlier, The Mist was (and still is) one of all-time favorite short stories. There is no way the movie will ever surpass the experience I had reading the story, but from what I have seen, they are doing a great job.

Part of why this movie will not work for some, especially those who read the story, is the fact that for the most part, your imagination did most of the work...especially in the case of the monsters in the mist. I saw the preview twice in the theater, and I am a little iffy on the CGI, as it didn't look all that good...but I am hoping that doesn't hinder the overall movie.

[Sea Hag]

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a45/77717/rm73big.jpg

[Athena]

I finally saw the trailer and must say...I'm kind of excited.

I like the gamble that is a King adaptation. Some are pretty bad, but there are a couple of absolutely brilliant ones. I'm always interested to see which it'll be. :)

[CPL CHUD]

Hearing your guys input makes me a little more excited to see this. I'll probably end up spending the money for the theater experience on this.

[sweet_misery]

The second trailer is great and this movie will get my money on opening day.

[Mr_Vindictive]

I was watching something a few days ago, I forget what, and there was someone from a film website talking about the state of horror today. They were talking about the new films coming out and The Mist was one mentioned.

The person, supposedly an "insider" and "expert" at these things said that The Mist is a remake of The Fog.....

That person should be punched in the balls.

[Hepatitis-D]

I was watching something a few days ago, I forget what, and there was someone from a film website talking about the state of horror today. They were talking about the new films coming out and The Mist was one mentioned.

The person, supposedly an "insider" and "expert" at these things said that The Mist is a remake of The Fog.....

That person should be punched in the balls.


I believe I watched that too. It was AOTS on G4.

It was Zev Berman, Director/Co-Writer of Borderland (http://imdb.com/title/tt0452592/), who said that.

He definitely made himself look like an ass with that comment.

[Mr_Vindictive]

Yeah, that was it Hepatitis-D. I watch and read so many film related media that I had forgotten what it was on.

The sad part is that no one on the show knew enough to actually call the guy out on it.

[Sea Hag]

Thankfully this has gotten Horrorholic's stamp of approval:



Few King stories affected me like The Mist. I remember the first time I read it like yesterday, sitting up in my bed late one night. Being so engrossed in the story, I tore through it in about an hour and a half and immediately proclaimed it as my favorite King story ever. Needless to say, I hold this very high on my list of favorite modern literature.

Darabont's film, keeping true to the original novella, concerns a group of townspeople trapped in a supermarket by an other-worldly mist, inhabited with Lovecraftian creatures no less. It's a story of
hope, the condition of the human race and how both of those work together in making a life-and-death scenario even more harrowing.

Since Darabont has been trying to get this film off of the ground for years (he originally considered it for his first film but ultimately went with Shawshank), it's no surprise that what I found being laid out before me was a true labor of love. What particular struck me as unique was the choice to leave out any sort of score throughout the majority of the film. While some may argue that some scenes feel stripped of further emotional heft, I feel that it actually gives the scenes more impact by letting the character driven script conjure up emotion by itself. The cinematography, much like the silence of the score, furthers the atmosphere of the film to where the tension essentially oozes off of the screen. Brought to us by the same team behind FX Channel's The Shield, the camera gives the film a real gritty and life-like feel, constantly searching the supermarket for safety and hope, much like the characters.

The acting is excellent across the board, always keeping the story riveting. Marcia Gay Harden, who plays Mrs. Carmody, the local religious zealot, gives it her all in the standout performance of the film. While always giving very intense performances in her work, she occasionally oversteps the boundary of campiness by coming on as very over the top. However, since it's absolutely essential that the character come off like that for the situational 'Lord of the Flies' aspect of the film, it's really a brilliant bit of casting. Thomas Jane, as David Drayton, our poster painting hero, really stands
out as well, bringing the right amount of tenacity and fearlessness to the role. Andre Braugher, most noted for his turn as Detective Pembleton on Homicide, brings the right amount of ferocity and
pessimism to the table as Brent Norton, the know-it-all lawyer from New York.

While most people would be quick to jump on the bandwagon like so many others and proclaim that it's similar to The Fog because of precipitous weather conditions, I would be more inclined to say it resembles The Thing, in that there is no break in the tension. In the Fog, we have daylight, in which our heroes can find answers and safety. In The Thing and The Mist, there is no safe ground, every second counts and the terror never takes a break.

The physical effects, courtesy of KNB, showcase the incredible imagination of the crew. Bringing the gore and grue that I only pictured in my head for years to the big screen was a delight. The
visual effects done by CafeFx, the same team behind Pan's Labyrinth, were a bit iffy. Tentacle violence holds a special place in my heart, surely like everyone else, but they look very CG, almost to the point
where I couldn't buy that they were actually occupying the same space as the characters. With the bar set as high as it was by the other aspects of the film, I expected more care to be taken with it.

While there are other minor problems with the film, such as a small bit of downtime in the middle act, most people seem to have the biggest one with the ending. There is no doubt in my mind that it will either make or break the film for you. Going beyond the ending in the novella, Darabont doesn't leave it up in the 'air' so to speak but goes somewhere even the darkest part of my mind wouldn't dream of. And that is something that really makes the film stand out and bring itself full circle. I'm glad, thankful even, that he chose to bring me there and go beyond what would be considered a normal 'Hollywood' ending. King himself praises the new ending, saying "It is the most shocking ending ever and there should be a law passed stating that anybody who reveals the last 5 minutes of this film should be hung from their neck until dead."

Easily the most 'mist-ifying' horror film of 2007 and one of the best of the decade, the character driven story and relatable themes will no doubt make it a classic to be talked about for years. The Mist is the real deal.

9/10

[I am Legend]

saw it this afternoon. its an easy 9/10. plays just like the book, and the ending was harsh. no crying about a kitty-cats and puppy-dogs "hollywood" ending here.

[Sea Hag]

Sweet^:D

[I am Legend]

saw it again today with my daughter.

it kicks much ass, and is better the 2nd time around. (like good sex)

[AnalBreeze]

saw it again today with my daughter.

it kicks much ass, and is better the 2nd time around. (like good sex)

How old is your daughter?

I would like to take my son!

[Sea Hag]

Man, this really did deliver on all of my lofty expectations. What do you think Morbid?

[I am Legend]

How old is your daughter?

I would like to take my son!

11

[Sea Hag]

We've just briefly conversed online but I can honestly say that Legend & I would get along like gangbusters in person. You rule Legend!


And this is easily one of, if not the best horror film of the decade.

[sweet_misery]

And this is easily one of, if not the best horror film of the decade.

Nice!

I'm really looking forward to seeing this movie. The only bad thing is that I have to wait until Tuesday to do so, but I'll be there first showing of the day.

[ZombieBabe]

11Do you think it'd be too much for my 8yo? He's seen NOES, DotD '04 and AoD. Oh, and Monster Squad.:D

[Horrorholic]

Do you think it'd be too much for my 8yo? He's seen NOES, DotD '04 and AoD. Oh, and Monster Squad.:D
I don't. There's really nothing too graphic (gore-wise) and little to no sexuality. I'd say its pretty safe!

[Killroy]

I just got back from seeing the film with my son.

The Mist is my favorite Stephen King story.
The Mist is my favorite Stephen King movie

Yes, I am on a bit of a high after seeing the film, but it exceeded my expectations. My son, who is 12 and has not read the story, LOVED it as well. I was so surprised that someone had the balls to fudge with the original ending, and make it better.

No lengthy review from me here, aside to say that I enjoyed every bit of it and it has topped The Shining and Carrie (and even Maximum Overdrive :D) as my favorite King adaptation in both faithfulness and feel to the story it was based on, as well as just a stand-alone horror film.

Oh, they did a pretty good job in the time they had, to show how Mrs. Carmody won her followers. This was a situation that could have really fucked up the film had it not been done correctly. Thankfully, it was.

[AnalBreeze]

OK! That does it, I'm takin' my son to this tonight! :rolleyes:

[AnalBreeze]

Well, my son and I went to it and loved it!
He's 8 and he saw nothin' in this movie that he don't see at home!
Why it's rated R is beyond me, Language I guess, but he hears me all the time!
I was all ready for us both to be crying at the end but we didn't!
If the kid at the end would have said something like...
"Daddy, you promised" or something like that... We would have been.

Still a great movie! 9/10
Tom Jane is just a flat out great actor! :D

[AnalBreeze]

Weekend Box Office

1--Enchanted............ $35,332,000

2--This Christmas....... $18,600,000

3--Beowulf ............... $16,240,000

4--Hitman ................. $13,035,000

5--Bee Movie ............. $12,010,000

6--Fred Claus ............. $10,735,000

7--August Rush .......... $9,430,000

8--American Gangster...$9,207,000

9--The Mist ............... $9,062,000 :eek:

10-No Country/Old Men..$8,112,000


I thought it would open at #3 or #4 but....
Opens at #9 at the box office?
I guess Horror fans are tired of supporting good films!!!

[McVain]

I have two free tickets to go see this but was hesitant after seeing the trailers. I didn't think it looked all that great. However, I did finally get a chance to read the book and loved it. After reading this thread I'd have to say it looks like I should probably use those tickets soon. lol

[Morbid]

I am FLOORED with the fact that Hitman opened above The Mist. There is no hope.

[Sea Hag]

Weekend Box Office

1--Enchanted............ $35,332,000

2--This Christmas....... $18,600,000

3--Beowulf ............... $16,240,000

4--Hitman ................. $13,035,000

5--Bee Movie ............. $12,010,000

6--Fred Claus ............. $10,735,000

7--August Rush .......... $9,430,000

8--American Gangster...$9,207,000

9--The Mist ............... $9,062,000 :eek:

10-No Country/Old Men..$8,112,000

That's pathetic...

[Tolo]

I saw Beowulf! I contributed to number 3!

I was going to go see The Mist but the friend I was going with went to the wrong house to pick me up. The showing we were going to was the latest one possible in our area, so we couldn't see it. It was either Beowulf, Hitman, or Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium.

I am hoping to see The Mist this weekend.

[Sea Hag]

Don't tell me you skipped this one C.H.U.D.?

[Mr_Vindictive]

I'm dying to see it. I'm a huge King fan and this looks to be fantastic. Sadly my wife and I wont have a chance until next weekend.

Sucks that the film had such a low opening.

[Tolo]

Anyway, I saw this last night and I thought it was a great. It was a really fun monster movie and it was nice having the audience react to scenes as they should have. Every time there was a new monster I was on the edge of my seat in excitement. They all looked pretty awesome. The death scenes were fantastic. I can't see anyone into horror movies not enjoying this movie on some level. Mrs. Carmody was one of the biggest bitches ever in a horror movie.

I could not wait for her ass to die. When she finally did, the audience clapped and cheered.


I did have a couple of problems with the film. The CGI for the most part looked great but there were a couple times when it looked pretty bad. Part of the garage scene looked terrible and one of the scenes when they are driving in the mist looked like crap. This may have just been me but the way Thomas Jane cried sounded uh...awkward? Just the sounds that he made are not sounds I have ever heard someone make when crying.

All and all, I'd recommend to this to everyone who enjoys monster movies to some degree.

8/10

[Morbid]

What's funny, Tolo, is when I was a kid and read the book...the portion in your spoiler made me cheer. It was strange, all these years later, to get the same feeling watching the movie. They did a great job with the film, even if some of the visuals didn't make it.

[CPL CHUD]

Don't tell me you skipped this one C.H.U.D.?
Just saw it last night...and I traveled through a snow storm to do so. The CGI wasn't distracting, the atmosphere was tense, the monsters were sufficently cruel and unsympathetic (I loved the tentacle thing, hail Lovecraft!) and the whole thing was grim and downbeat; the way a horror flick should be. I'd recommend it! I'm sufficently surprised.

[Sea Hag]

Interview with Darabont: http://liljas-library.com/showinterview.php?id=49

It covers his thoughts on the finished film, what to expect the dvd (march 25th) to include & The Long Walk. (people who've yet to see the mist should skip it)


http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a45/77717/fx5.jpg

Love those things!

[KillBill20]

Interview with Darabont: http://liljas-library.com/showinterview.php?id=49

It covers his thoughts on the finished film, what to expect the dvd (march 25th) to include & The Long Walk. (people who've yet to see the mist should skip it)


http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a45/77717/fx5.jpg

Love those things!

That thing is cool! That's like John Carpenters: The Thing cool right there!

Well now I can't wait for the DVD, I should have seen this one in theaters.

~Kyle

[AnalBreeze]

You WILL like it, Kyle!

[KillBill20]

You WILL like it, Kyle!

Is that a threat? lol.

~Kyle

[sweet_misery]

Interview with Darabont: http://liljas-library.com/showinterview.php?id=49

It covers his thoughts on the finished film, what to expect the dvd (march 25th) to include & The Long Walk. (people who've yet to see the mist should skip it)


http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a45/77717/fx5.jpg

Love those things!

Great interview! Thanks for posting it, Sea Hag.

[Sea Hag]

The Mist DVD Special Features
Posted By : thegoldensimatar, Tuesday Jan,22
Filed Under : Horror on DVD,


Frank Darabont's adaptation of Stephen King's novella The Mist is in my opinion, the best horror film of 2007 and one of the best horror films of recent years. So when it pops up on DVD in March, I'm gonna be picking this one up without a second thought. Fangoria today got their hands on the DVD specs for both the single disc regular and two disc Collector's edition:

Standard Edition:

Audio Commentary with Frank Darabont
Eight Deleted Scenes with optional commentary
A conversation with Stephen King and Frank Darabont Featurette

Collector's Edition:

Black & White Version of the Film
Audio Commentary with Frank Darabont
Eight Deleted Scenes with optional commentary
A conversation with Stephen King and Frank Darabont Featurette
When Darkness Comes: The Making of The Mist Featurette
Taming the Beast: Shooting Scene 35 Featurette
Monsters Among Us: A Look At The Creature FX Featurette
The Horror of it All: The Visual FX of The Mist Featurette
Drew Struzan: Appreciation of the Artist Featurette

That black and white version sounds fantabulous!

[CPL CHUD]

That black and white version sounds fantabulous!That sounds really interesting. I hope they added aging effects to make it seem like it is a really old monster mash from the 50's era.

[Sea Hag]

I hope they added aging effects to make it seem like it is a really old monster mash from the 50's era.

I don't think that'll happen. I'm hoping for Darabont to change the look of the film from a textural standpoint. (anyone can just turn the picture of their tv to black and white) Films like The Crawling Eye and Night of the Living Dead have that unmistakable old monster movie look and I hope he captures that.

[sweet_misery]

The Mist DVD Special Features
Posted By : thegoldensimatar, Tuesday Jan,22
Filed Under : Horror on DVD,


Frank Darabont's adaptation of Stephen King's novella The Mist is in my opinion, the best horror film of 2007 and one of the best horror films of recent years. So when it pops up on DVD in March, I'm gonna be picking this one up without a second thought. Fangoria today got their hands on the DVD specs for both the single disc regular and two disc Collector's edition:

Standard Edition:

Audio Commentary with Frank Darabont
Eight Deleted Scenes with optional commentary
A conversation with Stephen King and Frank Darabont Featurette

Collector's Edition:

Black & White Version of the Film
Audio Commentary with Frank Darabont
Eight Deleted Scenes with optional commentary
A conversation with Stephen King and Frank Darabont Featurette
When Darkness Comes: The Making of The Mist Featurette
Taming the Beast: Shooting Scene 35 Featurette
Monsters Among Us: A Look At The Creature FX Featurette
The Horror of it All: The Visual FX of The Mist Featurette
Drew Struzan: Appreciation of the Artist Featurette

That black and white version sounds fantabulous!

It'll be the 2-Disc Collector's Edition for me.

[CPL CHUD]

I don't think that'll happen. I'm hoping for Darabont to change the look of the film from a textural standpoint. (anyone can just turn the picture of their tv to black and white) Films like The Crawling Eye and Night of the Living Dead have that unmistakable old monster movie look and I hope he captures that.
Those are the aging effects I'm refering to.

[Sea Hag]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-64pR2ARecY

Awesomeness.

[Sea Hag]

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a45/77717/5885_article.jpg

[Horrorholic]

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a45/77717/5885_article.jpg

I wish that teaser poster from Comic Con was the DVD cover but... eh, this one is decent.

[Sea Hag]

I wish that teaser poster from Comic Con was the DVD cover but... eh, this one is decent.

That's what I said.

[Sea Hag]

From the script:

Alternate Beginning at the Arrowhead Base

FADE IN:
BLACKNESS. AND SILENCE> A little card comes up
THE STORM
A crash of lightning rips from the sky, revealing :

EXT. A MILITARY BASE - NIGHT
A metal sign on a chainlink fence being whipped by a nasty storm: "ARROWHEAD PROJECT -- MILITARY PERSONNEL ONLY." We close in as lightning booms and crashes, moving past the sign to reveal a low, nondescript building...

INT. ARROWHEAD PROJECT LAB - NIGHT

...in which high-tech EQUIPMENT encirles a huge, pressurized CHAMBER. The chamber is low-tech, ribbed-and-riveted steel, like an old fashioned diving bell. Its massively thick glass portholes stare mutely out, dark inside. Surrounding it: labcoated PERSONNEL everywhere, seated at work stations, screens streaming data.

A pair of tense scientists, MACHEN and NAYLOR, hover at the shoulder of a seated tech named PHILLIPS.

NAYLOR
We should pull the plug for tonigh. The storm...

MACHEN
...s'got nothing to do with it. Our power sources are shielded. Stable. (to phillips) YES?

PHILLIPS
Absolutely.

MACHEN
(to NAYLOR)
Relax.

Activity mounts. We hear a rising TURBINE WHINE. Banks of VIDEO AND WAVE-SPECRTUM CAMERAS are trained at the darkness within the chamber. Everybod's intensely focused, eyeing thier data streams, murmuring to one another, the whole vibe very "Mission control." Phillips looks up.

PHILLIPS
Sir? Alignments are set.

MACHEN
Engage.

switches are thrown, commands keyed in. Scientists and soldiers peer into the chamber, eyes straining into the darkness, and"

INSIDE THE CHAMBER

A FAINT PINPOINT OF LIGHT APPEARS INSIDE THE CHAMBER, blooming into existence from nothing, growing ever brighter like a spotlight being shined through a keyhole...

THE ROOM

A hush falls. Faces are slack, stunned. A UNIFORMED COLONEL moves to Machen's side, gazing in wonder as:

Inside the chamber, the "keyhole" widens, irising open to become a portal of dancing, swirling light. It shimmers, growing larger and brighter, halating the glass...

People are struck with wonder, light rippling their faces, reluctantly tearing thier eyes away to check their boards as:

MACHEN
Check your data streams. Give me constant updates, flag my anaomalies...

Suddenly:

EXT. MILITARY BASE/LAB - NIGHT

LIGHTNING slams from the sky, blasting along the fence, the power lines, anything metal or electical. A slodier is blown out of the guar booth as the surge EXPLODES every circuit and panel, sending up showers of sparks as it courses along...

...and WE PAN the surge as it goes blazing into the TURBINES powering the lab, sending them into smoking overdrive...

INT. ARROWHEAD LAB - NIGHT

...and creating instant panic as:

PHILLIPS
We got a hell of a surge! Needles are way in the red@

MACHEN
Disengage! Shut it down!

A mad flurry as they try to shut the system down -- but the WHINE CONTINUES TO BUILD, the "PORTAL OF LIGHT" within the chamber growing larger and brighter still...

COLONEL
C'mon kill the goddamn power!

PHILLIPS
I can't!

MACHEN
What do you mean you CANT? Trip the breakers!

Machen darts over, frantically punching buttons. Phillips' screen is flashing data almost too fast to make sense of, while the light inside the chamber swirls ever faster...

NAYLOR
The system's overloading!

PHILLIPS
Where's the power coming from?

MACHEN
(gazes up, realizing)
The lighting. We're pulling it right out of the sky.

EXT. MILITARY BASE/LAB - NIGHT

He's right -- overlapping bolts of lightning are blazing down, coursing the array of power turbines...

INT. ARROWHEAD LAB - NIGHT

...while the light withen the chamber builds into a whirlwind of unearthy power. People shield their eyes from the glare, helpless to do anything but watch. A few techs break and run...

MACHEN
Remain at your stations!

COLONEL
How thick is the goddamn glass?

MACHEN
Thick enough. Pressurized to forty atmospheres.

But even Machen sounds uncertain. The Colonel moves closer, peering deeper into the light. Its blinding us, but:

COLONEL
AM I... SEEING SOMETHING IN THERE?

Angle shifts to video tech #1, scared *beep* trying to darken and adjust the image enough to see.

Video tech # 1
There is something.....

MACHEN
What?
Video tech #1
...something...MOVING!

we see it, something in the light. Something...slithery. AND thats when the first crack appears in the glass. The SOUND OF THE SNAP makes everyone freeze, staring in horror, desperaty hoping it holds, but:

CRACK, SNAP! another crack. the glass begins to spiderweb. People turn and run, but it's too late, because:

MACHEN
(SOFTLY)
Jesus.

WHAM -- the first windows EXPLODES out, lacerating a tech with flying glass, blowing him back in his seat as a HUGE ERUPTION OF OTHERWORLDLY MIST blows through and engulfs him...

...and the window EXPLODES out in sequence as the mist freightains into the room, blowing techs back in their chairs, engulfing people on the run, muffling thier screams, wiping everything completely and into:

BLACKNESS. Silence......

Darabont never filmed this and I'm glad it wasn't included. (though it would be cool to see as a deleted scene) I think it would've taken away from the impact of when everything started going to shit for the townsfolk.

[Sea Hag]

Glowing review of the dvd: http://www.creature-corner.com/?type=reviews&id=3280

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a45/77717/themist_001.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a45/77717/themist_007.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a45/77717/themist_003.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a45/77717/themist_006.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a45/77717/themist_002.jpg

WOWWY WOWWA, that just looks awesome.

[dop]

I was finally able to see this on the teather yesterday(opened two weeks back but had been out of town), it was great.

The B&W idea seems interesting, maybe one day someone can go even further and do a version like this using a diferent edit, one with less cuts beteen shots and little camera movement to give it more of a clasic feel.

[Sea Hag]

My friends & I all agree that the b&w version is better than the colored one. It's really awesome.

[Sea Hag]

A view of the film that's pretty damn thought provoking:

MAJOR SPOILERS for those who haven't seen it yet.




I'm not going to debate the ending, really. I thought the ending rocked! Chris Alexander is right, it appeals to the nihilist in me. While ambiguity is effective at times, I appreciated the ending in this movie. I feel the novella's final sense of hope was a little too bright. I am thrilled that Hollywood had the balls to actually release this ending, and can't help but wonder if some find it "forced" purely because we've been programmed to accept happy endings (which may completely destroy a film) yet reject grim endings simply because they are too dark? If all hope was lost 30 seconds wouldn't make a difference. Nor would 30 minutes. The army saving the day is unlikely when you're in that frame of mind. Hindsight is 20/20, and the character will likely off himself once he discovered what he did - that's the humanity of it.

However, that only applies if you perceive the entire movie in a specific way.

(Also, No one has mentioned either that Drayton made a promise to his son that he wouldn't let the monsters get him. I'm sure that promise is what was important to him at the time. )

Regardless of how I feel about the ending, I have other thoughts as well - I am rather disappointed to see they haven't already been discussed.

1. The audience (i.e. you guys) is clinging to the notion that these phemonena have been explained - the military conducted experiements that interrupted the space/time continuum and the creatures from another dimension have crossed over into ours.

That's fine. That theory was put forth in the movie, allthough not directly. There was no military mastermind who confessed to doing so. There was no evidence that the experiments in dimensions have anything to do with giant bugs invading. There was one MP, on the brink of death, with a guilty conscience. One MP who thought he knew what triggered the mist. The other 3 MPs came to this conclusion AFTER contact with one dying man trying to repent.

It could be what happened. But the audience is clinging to this theory in the same way Crazy Mrs. Carmody clings to armageddon. There's no proof, only rumours and speculation, yet you're all taking it as truth. In that case, we're all fucked. They obviously outnumber us, and no amount of militia in the world can gain control over creatures who reproduce as quickly, or kill as efficiently.

2. Carmody put forth the notion that the world was ending - citing Revelations as the evidence that God is vengeful and evil prevails. Given that a fair amount of King's work focuses on the ultimate battle of good vs. evil, and has heavy Christian influences (in The Stand and IT, with the good guys winning), it's plausible that this is the basic idea of the plot - the end of days is upon us. It's refreshing (and notable) that, in this instance, the religious zealots are portrayed as crazy, scary and bad.

Taking this theory further, Carmody did prophesize that the child's death would set them free. Interesting, isn't it, that it is AFTER the kid dies that the mist finally lifts?

3. Going back to the alternate dimension theory... We're assuming that the creatures from another dimension have crossed over into ours. Alternately, what if we are simply trapped in their dimension? Through a rift which closes after a period of time, returning the survivors to their own dimension as the mist lifts? The army would have nothing left to fight, because the dimensions are no longer crossed.

4. Finally, a theory that ties together the religious, superstitious and scientific:

We never see what happened to Brent Norton (or those who follow him), or the woman who left the store first. We see only the stock kid (who doesn't leave the loading dock, but gets dragged out), and the biker, the dead MP in the pharmacy and the dead wife at home. The movie never even alludes to the deaths of the others. We don't hear the others scream, we don't see their bodies or blood.

So what if... the only way to escape the mist is to walk into it. Without fear, without hesitation. What if those who go running and screaming are attacked. Those who are fearful are attacked. But those that go willingly to accept their fate, with hope in their hearts, are saved and the mist is lifted? Drayton did just that at the end. He was consumed with anger, he wanted to die... but he did not go fearfully. Again, because of King's preference for the supernatural and recurring themes of good/evil/fear/hope I think that this is a possibility. This may also be an explanation for the grocery store inhabitants to be alive - lacking their sacrifice, they took the next step that religious cults do... mass suicide. They all walked into the mist blinded by their unquestioning faith. Or it's possible that only in proceeding without fear we are able to cross back into our own dimension, to see beyond the mist and the creatures. It's scientifically hypothesized that matter can occupy the same space at the same time in different dimensions... what if the crossing over of dimensions occurs only because of some whacked out visual/tactile/auditory perception of the other dimension around us. Being fearful amplifies that perception.

And that is why I love the ending so much - not just because everyone dies but Drayton, not just because I'm a nihilist... I love the ending because it allows for these possibilities - it leaves not only the last few moments open for interpretation, but the entire movie. If you look at it from different perspectives, you can see a different film entirely.

[Sea Hag]

B&W ftw!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MIUVDsz-lM

[brokenandtwisted]

I didn't really like this movie aside from Harden acting like a crazy motherfucker...which I enjoyed, and made the movie for me...I'd give it a 7/10.

[KillBill20]

I just finished watching this one and it was fucking great! I loved everything about it. I can't wait to sit down and watch it again in Black and White, and once more with Directors Commentary. The ending was unexpected and excellent. I'm very happy that I finally picked a copy of this one up! Its already made its way into my top 10 favorite films!

~Kyle

[Sea Hag]

I got the theatrical poster signed by Frank Darabont. Should be getting it back from the frame shop on Wednesday:D

[AnalBreeze]

I got the theatrical poster signed by Frank Darabont. Should be getting it back from the frame shop on Wednesday:D


How fuckin' cool is that? :D

[AnalBreeze]

Are we havin' double post problems again? Not my fault this time! :D

[Hippiepoet]

The Mist.....goddammit. I just watched this movie last night and really it was a cool scary flick until the fucking end. I hated the damn ending. Pissed me the fuck off. (well the bible thumping bitch in the movie got on my nerves as well and I'd have offed her ass long before they did)...but

I was sitting there watching them in the vehicle at the end, thinking, "No, No, don't you even fucking go there!"....and fuck they did!

I never thought the four of them (well 5 including the boy) would give the fuck up like they did. I would have sat there until the fucking monsters came for my ass.

I was so pissed after watching this that I had to take an anti-anxiety pill and go and read a book!.

I'd give this movie a 6/10. I probably won't watch it again unless I am in a Valium induced euphoric state.:cool:

[Horrorholic]

I got the theatrical poster signed by Frank Darabont. Should be getting it back from the frame shop on Wednesday:D
Did you win it from B-D or was he at NYCC?

[Sea Hag]

Did you win it from B-D or was he at NYCC?

Mr.D hooked me up. He must've read me whining about not winning it in The Mist thread. The man's a saint.

[Dr. Salvador]

The Mist.....goddammit. I just watched this movie last night and really it was a cool scary flick until the fucking end. I hated the damn ending. Pissed me the fuck off. (well the bible thumping bitch in the movie got on my nerves as well and I'd have offed her ass long before they did)...but

I was sitting there watching them in the vehicle at the end, thinking, "No, No, don't you even fucking go there!"....and fuck they did!

I never thought the four of them (well 5 including the boy) would give the fuck up like they did. I would have sat there until the fucking monsters came for my ass.

I was so pissed after watching this that I had to take an anti-anxiety pill and go and read a book!.

I'd give this movie a 6/10. I probably won't watch it again unless I am in a Valium induced euphoric state.:cool:

there is a scene where the boy tells his dad to promise that, no matter what, he wont let the monsters get him, so dad, thinking all is lost, does what he has to do. hardcore? yes. but in the mind of the father they are all dead anyway (not only the father, all of them in the car), so he is giving his sonat least the lesser of two shitty deaths.

at the very least its not your typical hollywood ending, so embrace that point eh!

also, that ending is from the story, just redone from a "what if this happens" type thing thinking to himself, to an actual event.

[michelle]

Read the short story many years ago. I knew what was coming, however, it was still heart wrenching to watch. I would have to agree that religious crazy bitch would have been taken out much sooner. Also liked the irony that the woman begging for help, for her kids at beginning of the grocery store lock down was on one of the military trucks in the end. She made it with her kids. :)

[sweet_misery]

I got the theatrical poster signed by Frank Darabont. Should be getting it back from the frame shop on Wednesday:D

Awesome. You gonna show pics, so I can be even more jealous of you?

[Sea Hag]

Awesome. You gonna show pics, so I can be even more jealous of you?

Sure:)

[Sea Hag]

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a45/77717/nerdogre.jpg

NERD ALERT!

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a45/77717/MistPic.jpg

The righthand side got a little smooshed during delivery but the frame guy I went too did a bangup job. Even upon close examination you can't see any imperfections.


http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a45/77717/nerdogre.jpg

[sweet_misery]

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a45/77717/nerdogre.jpg

NERD ALERT!

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a45/77717/MistPic.jpg

The righthand side got a little smooshed during delivery but the frame guy I went too did a bangup job. Even upon close examination you can't see any imperfections.


http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a45/77717/nerdogre.jpg

Niiiice!

[KillBill20]

Kick ass dude! The only signed thing I own is a small "House of a 1000 Corpses" poster signed by Bill Moseley. I'll trade you my Bill Moseley for your Frank Darabont :he:

~Kyle

[Sea Hag]

Kick ass dude! The only signed thing I own is a small "House of a 1000 Corpses" poster signed by Bill Moseley. I'll trade you my Bill Moseley for your Frank Darabont :he:

~Kyle

If you show up at my cousin's birthday party dressed as Hellboy it's a done deal.

[KillBill20]

If you show up at my cousin's birthday party dressed as Hellboy it's a done deal.

Dude...if only you knew the half of it:

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i191/westman00/n501021663_17692_9628.jpg

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i191/westman00/n501021663_17694_44.jpg

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i191/westman00/Newspaper.jpg

We're talking 4 years of High School and being the WC Lynx. Not to mention the fact that I've also periodically been Sparky the Fire Dog and Franklyn the Reading Turtle. Along with all my random costumes for work, including Hellboy, Ceaser, and The Riddler. Along with countless other random things including Mick Mars and Slash from Guns and Roses.

Where is the party and who do you want me to be? :cool:

~Kyle

[AnalBreeze]

Kyle, you have to post your Hellboy picture!

[KillBill20]

Kyle, you have to post your Hellboy picture!

I have! Its over in the DD Picture thread... I'll re-post it (because I still have my photobucket tab open..)

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i191/westman00/HellboyArmSmall.jpg

How come you always seem to get outa dress up as shit? Next time your putting on my Jason mask and coveralls and walking around as him. To fuck if Shanon agrees with it or not!

~Kyle

[Sea Hag]

Kyle, you have to post your Hellboy picture!

I've seen it before. And it rules.

[Sea Hag]

September 16th
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51oixtmjTEL._SL500_AA240_.jpg

New Interview with Darabont:

Beaks: It's great to be talking about this movie with you now. I missed you during the theatrical release, but now that THE MIST has been out for a while, we can focus on the ending. It's engendered some very passionate responses.

Frank Darabont: Pro and con.

Beaks: I've had a number of arguments over the conclusion, and interpretations tend to break down along political lines - though I do have a left leaning friend who read it as a conservative tract.

Darabont: Conservative!? Oh, no, baby! That's an outraged liberal tract!

Beaks: I agree. But she read your punishment of Thomas Jane's character as a swipe at defeatist liberal attitudes.

Darabont: (Pause) Wow!

Beaks: This is a very well-read individual, too. Very intelligent. But she was pretty resolute on this.

Darabont: Here's my feeling on such things. Whether I agree or disagree with this reading, I am absolutely delighted that the movie opens itself to interpretation. SHAWSHANK certainly does for people. THE GREEN MILE does for people. THE MAJESTIC probably less so. But I love movies that are open to interpretation, where people infer, or bring something of themselves to the table. If that's her interpretation, she's a right to it. As long as it stirs some kind of reaction. There's so much stuff we see that just washes over us; it plays too by-the-numbers, and then you're done. There is no interpretation to be had. There's just, "Okay, I watched something."
Beaks: Filmmakers are afraid to end their films with Bonnie and Clyde getting shot to shit, and then say, "Okay, there's your movie!"
Darabont: "Bye!" (Laughs) Well, I grew up in the 70s watching the movies that were coming out then, and I'm not the blanket acolyte who says, "All movies made in the 70s were genius." No, I was there, and there was plenty of by-the-numbers crap then, too. But I certainly will concede that there was more experimentation going on - certainly within the studio system - than there is now. We're trying stuff like that: the non-obvious stuff, the leave-it-open-to-interpretation stuff. I think that's wonderful. It's definitely what excites me. I don't necessarily want to walk out of the theater knowing exactly every stroke that the storyteller made. Because if I don't, then I get to walk out and think about it a little bit. "Gee, what do I have to bring to that?" It's like Stanley Kubrick movies - not that I'm comparing what I do to Stanley Kubrick. But there was always something that was open to interpretation to a greater or lesser degree, and that was always so stimulating to me, so intellectually exciting.

Beaks: Absolutely. That's the kind of excitement that got me queuing up multiple times for EYES WIDE SHUT. It was the type of film that raised so many questions, I wanted to go back and engage with it again. THE MIST was definitely one of those experiences where, after I'd absorbed the shock of the first viewing, I wanted to get back in there. I didn't think you were going to take us all the way there. I kept assuming there was a safety net, and, because of that, I left the theater shaking.

Darabont: Really?

Beaks: Oh, yeah. I just didn't see it going there.

Darabont: You know, some people love that sensation that you just described, and some people really don't. I knew going in that that would be a divisive thing, but some of my favorite movies were [divisive].

Beaks: Do you find that, after the fact, people are beginning to embrace this as they did SHAWSHANK? For different reasons, of course.

Darabont: I have no idea. I think only time will really tell, and I don't think enough time has passed for me to get a sense of it. But, geez, it took years for me to grasp that there was something special going on with SHAWSHANK, that it had some lasting value for people. So... I don't know. Come back in five or ten years, and we'll finally have an answer to that question. A fair one, anyway. I hope so! It'd be great!

Beaks: Do you think the film's reception was due to people not wanting to be hit in the face with the harsh realities of what it is we're going through as a nation - even on a metaphorical, microcosmic level? We just don't want to be perturbed?

Darabont: Oh, yeah. The whole "Don't Worry, Be Happy" syndrome that we have as Americans has never allowed for much getting slapped in the face by reality, I'm afraid. Certainly now is no different. It may be to a greater degree now than it has been before, but, again, time will tell. Retrospect is always the greatest tool. But, look, a part of me doesn't blame the average moviegoer for wanting to go to the movies half the time and walk out feeling happy because they saw the superhero beat the supervillain. I get that. Shit, I like that. I want that sort of film catharsis, too. Just not at the exclusion of something that challenges me on occasion, or kicks me in the nuts, or dares to piss me off - because I dig those movies as well. The art form, I believe, should count for more than just the opening weekend gross. That's how I feel about what we do. It should count for more than that. And when it does, I'm such a happy man. When I see PAN'S LABYRINTH, I say, "Thank god! Art happened! An artist showed up to work, and he painted with beautiful, elegant brushstrokes." It's like a Monet. It'll last for a while. It's not a blockbuster I'm going to forget in ten minutes.

Beaks: The nice thing with PAN'S LABYRINTH, though, is that people had time to discover that film. It was handled in such a way that the opening weekend was never a factor. But, getting back to the tone of THE MIST, I'm wondering if you were working on it pre-9/11, and, if so, whether the tenor of the piece darkened after 9/11.

Darabont: I think my idea for what THE MIST was going to be was pretty intact prior to that event. I think what changed after 9/11 was my determination to make the movie. It felt like it was more relevant than ever. The issues it deals with are timeless: it deals with extremism; it deals with a mental condition of fascism; it deals with mob mentality. Those things have always been around, but it just went from being a timeless story to being a very timely story. To me. And that's what really made me want to buckle down and do it. The intention was always there to do it, but [9/11] just sort of reinvigorated the need to do it.

Beaks: When you were developing and, ultimately, shopping the film, did you ever get notes that said, "Well, obviously, you're not really going to kill the kid."?

Darabont: (Laughing) No. What I got was financiers saying "Okay, we'll fund your movie, but, of course, you have to change the ending." And I'd say, "Of course, I won't. And, of course, you won't finance it." I understood. And we shook hands and parted ways. That's why I wound up making it for Bob [Weinstein]. Bob was the only guy who said, "Wow, this is ballsy, this is crazy. I can get behind this, but you have to make it for a price." And so I wound up making it for him for about half the budget other people had been offering me. And I thought, "You know, that's a fair tradeoff. I won't make a salary, and I won't get the little things that I usually get for making a movie. But I get to make the movie my way. And I have to shoot it in six weeks. Financial accommodation was well worth being able to maintain the creative vision of the movie, and it's a choice I'd make again. I'm just happy to have gotten the movie made.

[Ash Williams]

Just got the 2 dics...CANNOT WAIT to watch in B&W!:sheep:

[Mikey B]

Just got the 2 dics...CANNOT WAIT to watch in B&W!:sheep:

Aw, you're so cute with your regular edition.

Just kidding. Let me know how it is. I still have only seen the color version.

[Ash Williams]

Aw, you're so cute with your regular edition.

Just kidding. Let me know how it is. I still have only seen the color version.

Sorry we cant all be hollywood bigshots with your blu rays, caramel machiados, frilly toothpicks, and things with ivory accents.

Im just on the dumpy east coast......Bonomoless and all.

hahaha I will let you know...might do that on thurs...May watch Johnny Dangerously tonite.

[brokenandtwisted]

Sorry we cant all be hollywood bigshots with your blu rays, caramel machiados, frilly toothpicks, and things with ivory accents.

Im just on the dumpy east coast......Bonomoless and all.

hahaha I will let you know...might do that on thurs...May watch Johnny Dangerously tonite.

Pffft. We all know Hollywood is full of closeted homosexuals. Let him be an elitist jerk, they're so insecure on the West Coast! :P

I actually didn't really like this film until I saw it in black-and-white...so check it out.

[Ash Williams]

Pffft. We all know Hollywood is full of closeted homosexuals. Let him be an elitist jerk, they're so insecure on the West Coast! :P

I actually didn't really like this film until I saw it in black-and-white...so check it out.

He is not being an elitist...he is just miffed cuz he has been working so hard and he hasnt had time for his MMA. You know how he gets when he doesnt get to roll around with sweaty inshape men.

[Mikey B]

Sorry we cant all be hollywood bigshots with your blu rays, caramel machiados, frilly toothpicks, and things with ivory accents.

Im just on the dumpy east coast......Bonomoless and all.

hahaha I will let you know...might do that on thurs...May watch Johnny Dangerously tonite.

Aw, you talk so sexy. Dangerously FTW!

Pffft. We all know Hollywood is full of closeted homosexuals. Let him be an elitist jerk, they're so insecure on the West Coast! :P

I actually didn't really like this film until I saw it in black-and-white...so check it out.

And, to think I used to like you...:dong:

[Mikey B]

He is not being an elitist...he is just miffed cuz he has been working so hard and he hasnt had time for his MMA. You know how he gets when he doesnt get to roll around with sweaty inshape men.

Just wait til you see me roll with your butt buddy in Dec.

[brokenandtwisted]

And, to think I used to like you...:dong:

:rofl:

But no, really, check out the B&W version.

[Ash Williams]

Just wait til you see me roll with your butt buddy in Dec.

Just wait till you see my.....um....

[Ash Williams]

Aw, you talk so sexy. Dangerously FTW!:

never seen dangerously....Split says its good

[Mikey B]

:rofl:

But no, really, check out the B&W version.

:D

Oh hellz yeah. I can't wait.

Just wait till you see my.....um....

WEAK!

never seen dangerously....Split says its good

It's amazing. Glad you like it.

[Ash Williams]

WEAK!


Dude, I would never say dick on a forum.

[Mikey B]

:crazy:<---You

Dude, I would never say dick on a forum.

[Menasyng]

Watching it in B&W really makes it look better. Excellent film, possibly the best King adaptation. Really well made, and the film makers obviously had an actual understanding of the source material.

8/10

[Ash Williams]

Watched the Black and White tonite....incredible, it was excellent....I rented this the day it came out and loved it then....now, i love it even more.

[Mikey B]

Watching it in B&W really makes it look better. Excellent film, possibly the best King adaptation. Really well made, and the film makers obviously had an actual understanding of the source material.

8/10

Watched the Black and White tonite....incredible, it was excellent....I rented this the day it came out and loved it then....now, i love it even more.

Thanks guys. making me more excited to watch the B&W version. Besides the tentacles (which were still better than Sci Fi films) and the cheesy love sub plot between the marine and the chick, I loved it.

[Death Bed]

Man this movie ain't got shit on Dreamcatcher.

[silvahalo68]

I'm a huge King fan. My first experience with the Mist was reading the short story....wow, loved it still a fave today. Reading a story way different than adaptation and many King movies have totally blown on screen. But I got to say I really enjoyed this one, although the ending was weak compared to the original story.