The Mist

The Mist (2007): Normally, movies based on Stephen King’s works tend to leave me a bit cold. In this case however, I must admit they did a pretty good job of making a scary movie which also tries to put some explanation to the odd goings on rather than just mentioning some sort of evil force as found in many of King’s works. The movie jumps right off after a bad storm cause a man, his son and his somewhat hostile neighbor to go to town to get supplies and try to start repairing the damage. Most of the townsfolk are there too, when a strange cloud descends on the town and soon most are convinced it isn’t too healthy to leave the store. If you have ever seen the old 50’s black & white creature feature called ‘The Crawling Eye’ you will find yourself in familiar territory. That movie had really cheesy special effects but was strongly supported by a good story and excellent performances from the B movie cast. The same can be said for this little flick but the effects are much better. The setting is a rather open grocery store that quickly turns claustrophobic when all are trapped and attacked by creatures that don’t resemble anything like the local flora or fauna.
The cast includes “A” list actress Martha Gay Harden who portrays the wacko religious nut job frequently found populating this type of flick. There is also the usual group that doesn’t believe anything is wrong and goes out and gets smorgasborded, but overall the movie does a good job setting up a bunch of average people coping with a totally unexpected set of circumstances. While the good ole US Army eventually comes to the rescue, the ending is a bit of a downer and unexpected. The most interesting part of the movie is its treatment of mob rule and man’s potential for violence. At one point some of the people trapped inside have to decide which is more dangerous, the giant bugs outside or some of the people inside. Most horror and SF fans will probably enjoy this one but those with normal tastes should probably miss The Mist. The movie is rated R for: truly icky and strange flying creatures with giant stingers, acid treated web firing giant spiders, swelling stung people with no epi-pens, a wacked wacko, attack by can of peas, ineffective flame throwing, suicidal victims, and for the generally depressing ending.

Botched

Botched (2006): This can be classified as sort of an “Abbott and Costello meet the Hostel Saw”. The movie is part caper movie, part horror movie, part comedy, and part over the top gory slasher movie. You know they threw a lot of fake blood around when there is a credit at the end for the ‘blood runner’. I enjoyed this flick and while not for everyone’s taste, it had me rolling in the aisle most of the time unless I was grabbing for my air sickness bag.
After a robbery in France goes awry, the lead felon is given another chance to pay his debt by robbing a Russian holy cross from a large building in Moscow. He hooks up with a pair of inept Russian hoodlums and this robbery soon goes off track too. They grab the cross but then get stuck in an elevator with a bunch of less than helpful hostages. Soon their worries about the police are the least of their problems as the cast is picked off in horrible ways. Filled with wild accents, wild action and escalating violence, it is slowly revealed that they are up against some Ivan the Terrible wannabes that are into human sacrifice in a big way and are not too concerned about how messy the activity becomes. Some of the hostages are a hoot, especially the Russian ex-army commando who is quite ineffective but lasts longer than most. Botched is highly recommended for those with a strange sense of humor and a strong stomach. The movie was unrated but would cut out an R for: ballet in combat boots, multiple shootings, multiple ricochetings, multiple stabbings, mace to the head (not the tear gas variety but the old tried and true type), multiple bloodly trails, multiple bloody entrails, decapitation, de-leg-afication, involuntary ear piercing, rat burning, wacko burning, alpha male burning, and especially for the shower of bodies and assorted parts falling onto amorous guards involved in horizontal activities with several ladies.