So. Who here is buying THE MIST on DVD?

[thehefner]

I don't suppose anybody here is buying the 2-disc special edition of THE MIST?

Because only on the 2-disc version is there also a black and white version of the film, director Frank Darabont's original vision, which is supposedly fifteen times more awesome than the theatrical color version.

I haven't seen the film either way, and have heard seriously mixed. But Frank Darabont is an old-school monster-movie geek with deserved Oscar cred, and is one of the very few people to excellently adapt Stephen King to film (King's strength is as a storyteller, not in his plots nor characters). The dude co-wrote both NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET 3 and THE BLOB remake (thus scarring me for life by creating one of the most enduring nightmares to this day) as well as directing SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION. He's earned my trust and curiosity.

Netflix only has the regular edition (while somehow also having the second disc?), and even if I can figure out how to adjust the color on my TV screen to black and white, I somehow suspect it won't be the same. Or maybe it will.

Or perhaps THE MIST just blows no matter what color it's in. But I'd still like to see this black and white version.

So, yeah. Anyone in my area buying the 2-disc special edition, so that I may bum it off you?

EDIT: Ooh, it turns out that the second disc from Netflix DOES have the black and white version! Never mind. The one review there says "I've seen both versions and I'll go ahead and say that I'll probably never watch the film in color again. The b&w version is the way to go. Incredible!" Consider me doubly-intrigued.

Comments

[lovedatjoker.livejournal.com]

I thought the Mist was excellent. and incredibly depressing. Mistah J would've laughed himself silly at the end. I found it very sad and disturbing, throughout.

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

I've managed to avoid any trace of spoilers regarding this infamous ending. I now greatly look forward to seeing the black and white cut.

I'll keep Mistah J's reaction in mind.

[suburbfabulous.livejournal.com]

When it eats Joe Seneca INSIDE THE CONTAINMENT SUIT?
Yeah, my homies and I yelled "OH SHIT!" so loud I'm amazed you didn't hear it.
The '80s were an era of cinematic excellence like NO other.

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

Yeah, EXACTLY.

No one believes me when I tell them how I'm still kinda freaked out by the Blob (so much so that I occasionally get wary around sink and shower drains... GHOSTBUSTERS II probably didn't help either), but that's because they never saw the 80's remake!

Usually when I describe it to them, and get to the part of the guy's screaming till his dissolving jaw dislodges inside the Blob, that's usually the point where they go, "Okay, okay, stop now, I get it!"

The 80's truly were. The 70's were the golden era for cinema in general, but for geeks and lovers of genre film, the 80's was OUR golden era. I never realized that until just now.

[suburbfabulous.livejournal.com]

I shower anyway.
I saw what happened to Anthony Perkins in CRIMES OF PASSION (where he menaced Jessica Rabbit with a lethal dildo)...showers are safe for me.
It's glaringly obvious that Dean Koontz, America's Least Original Horror Writer, was rewriting THE BLOB when he wrote PHANTOMS.

[gnort.livejournal.com]

Aye, the movie is good. I haven't seen the black and white version but it's quite good even in color. I heard that the black and white is better as well so that seems like the way to go. It's pretty visceral and intense, not something that you'd easily want to pop in the dvd player but it is definitely worth checking out.

That being said there are two nods to other King works which I thought were pretty kickass. The whole movie's good but those two things add a nice touch.

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

Neato! I'll keep my eyes open.

Yeah, apparently the black and white version really gives it the 1950's horror movie vibe that Darabont was going for. Here's hoping.

[civilbloodshed.livejournal.com]

Dude, are you talking about The Blob in color? 'Cause I can see what you're talking about with that. It's almost as disturbing as that part in Creepshow where the dude finds the meteor that makes plants grow...on everything. *shudder*

Also, I think I remember someone lauding the fact that the blob wasn't a stereotypical little-green-dude alien. Like, it was actually very creative of them to make the monster a formless shape of horror! Which it really is.

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

Well, they're both in color, both the original 50's one (with young Steve McQueen!) and the 80's remake. But I especially mean the latter, with its gloriously squicky 80's goo fleshy effects (in good company with remakes of THE FLY and THE THING).

Yeah, it's utterly faceless, thoughtless, and can get in anywhere. And if any of it gets on you, even just for a second, you're fucking screwed. GAH.

And who's the hero? The only kid who can save us all? Kevin fucking Dillon. We're so fucking screwed.

[civilbloodshed.livejournal.com]

...Wow, I never even heard of Steve McQueen being in it, much less the *star*. *makes note*