Enough with the boos, and enough with the screaming violins!

I don’t think I am alone when I call this a problem with modern horror flicks. It all revolves around startling you and how far they can get people to jump in their seats. Don’t get me wrong this is all part of the experience and in itself nothing wrong with that, but when the whole movie revolves around it, the story suffers.

When I go to see a horror film I want story. I want a plot that fascinates me and lights every nerve in my body. I want to sit there and go wow that was awesome as the lights come back on. Sadly many modern horror films have gone the way of boos and gore in order to shock, rather than a scary, brilliant story.

There are exceptions to this rule though and one of those is the film Mist from 2007, based on a short story by Stephen king and directed by Frank Darabont. Mist is one of those films that gives us a great story and leaves us stunned in our seat.

Our main character, a husband and father, is caught in horrifying circumstances. They all live together in a large house, with a lovely lakeside view where he spends his time as a painter, working for Hollywood companies making, movie posters.

One day their live is interrupted by a storm that brings with it creeping mist that moves out from the water. Before it reaches them, the man and boy, along with their next door neighbor head out to the local supermarket where the story really begins in earnest.

This movie really has brilliant characters that come from all walks in life. We have everything from the realist to the religious fanatic, and everything in between. We have suspense and calm. Everything really that makes a good story. There is horror and there is gore, but that is only used as a tool to further the story being told, not the other way around.

This flick is one of the few that I could honestly call better than the original short story. I think that in this case, writer and director came together to create an improvement on the original tale.

All in all I would say that the last fifteen minutes are what makes this movie worthwhile. This is one of those few movies that leaves you sitting in your seat, confused and not quite sure what you’re thinking.

The Mist (Two-Disc Collector’s Edition) [Blu-ray]

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April 13th, 2012