The Mist

It definately feels like all I've been doing is watching scary movies. I feel this way...because its true. Those just happen to be the movies I picked up from the library and coming soon to the blog I'll be introducing theme weeks. But more on that later, I've got a flick to talk about. Its called the Mist and if you haven't seen it boy oh boy you're missing out, my friend.

 

What? Never seen a kite before?

Based on the novella by Stephen King, writer-director Frank Darabont creates a world so close to reality I bought into every minute of it. After a thunderstorm knocks out the power in a small New England town, David Drayton (Thomas Jane) and his son leave his wife at home and venture to the Supermarket to pick up supplies. The movie wastes no time introducing the Mist itself as it rolls over the mountain range and spills across the lake behind the Drayton home. Its ominous, but nature, and the characters can only shrug at its mystery...for now.

In true Stephen King fashion the mystery raises the tension from the get-go, as a panicked resident comes fleeing into the Supermarket claiming that "There is something in the Mist." But it isn't the H.P Lovecraft inspired terror that truly challenges the characters, its their own fear and inability to cope with things they cannot understand. The screeching banshee Mrs. Carmody spews her perversion of the Bible, always stirring the pot and driving me nuts the entire film. She is played by Marcia Gay Harden who is either extremely annoying in reality or just a damn good actress. If you've seen Mystic River, you know its the latter.

 

Let me tell you, this foo' had it comin'. 

This film will shock you, make you squeeze with tension, and so forth. If you're into that kind of thing, can't go wrong with the Mist. Definitely a movie that deals with what fear can really do to civilization. It may not be the ultimate discussion on the human condition but its a great monster flick. Tentacles, bugs, mist, bugs, dinosaurs, mist, Thomas Jane, crazy religious women. Great stuff. Oh there is a wild ending, too. Wild like googly eyes on a dire bear. See the Mist, and tune in next week for my Re-Do theme week.