Comments on: The Fog (1980) http://filmjournal.net/paulwjm/2008/03/06/the-fog-1980/ The Darkest Corner of the Web Tue, 02 Dec 2008 15:53:00 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=wordpress-mu-1.0 by: anephric http://filmjournal.net/paulwjm/2008/03/06/the-fog-1980/#comment-3012 Sat, 22 Mar 2008 14:58:04 +0000 http://filmjournal.net/paulwjm/2008/03/06/the-fog-1980/#comment-3012 Escape From LA is indeed a terrible film, but Snake is such a great character that it scrapes by on his charisma, however crap the film around him is. Carpenter shot bits of Village of the Damned in Inverness too (Inverness in glamorous California, obviously, not dingy old Scotland :p) but, as I mentioned previously, the locals made such a problem for him spoiling exterior shots and such (and revving up engines and things to spoil on-location sound) that he never attempted to film there again. Apparently, it's the preserve of stuck-up, wealthy retirees who don't like outsiders spoiling their lawns. Escape From LA is indeed a terrible film, but Snake is such a great character that it scrapes by on his charisma, however crap the film around him is.

Carpenter shot bits of Village of the Damned in Inverness too (Inverness in glamorous California, obviously, not dingy old Scotland :p) but, as I mentioned previously, the locals made such a problem for him spoiling exterior shots and such (and revving up engines and things to spoil on-location sound) that he never attempted to film there again.

Apparently, it’s the preserve of stuck-up, wealthy retirees who don’t like outsiders spoiling their lawns.

]]> by: Livius http://filmjournal.net/paulwjm/2008/03/06/the-fog-1980/#comment-3002 Fri, 21 Mar 2008 21:38:10 +0000 http://filmjournal.net/paulwjm/2008/03/06/the-fog-1980/#comment-3002 Paul, I would advise you to stay well away from the remake of 'The Fog' - one of those movies I dearly wish I could unwatch! Paul, I would advise you to stay well away from the remake of ‘The Fog’ - one of those movies I dearly wish I could unwatch!

]]> by: paulwjm http://filmjournal.net/paulwjm/2008/03/06/the-fog-1980/#comment-2984 Fri, 21 Mar 2008 16:13:30 +0000 http://filmjournal.net/paulwjm/2008/03/06/the-fog-1980/#comment-2984 I just found you guys' comments lurking around the spam bin - managed to rescue them just in time! You're right about your comments on Carpenter's inconsistent output, Daniel - inexplicable it surely is! I enjoyed those latter day films too, Mouth of Madness being a particular favourite of mine, but both endlessly rewatchable. Mike, I'm not tempted by your request... (though a great deal of cash could be persuasive...) :) I just found you guys’ comments lurking around the spam bin - managed to rescue them just in time! You’re right about your comments on Carpenter’s inconsistent output, Daniel - inexplicable it surely is! I enjoyed those latter day films too, Mouth of Madness being a particular favourite of mine, but both endlessly rewatchable.

Mike, I’m not tempted by your request… (though a great deal of cash could be persuasive…) :)

]]> by: Daniel Stephens http://filmjournal.net/paulwjm/2008/03/06/the-fog-1980/#comment-2927 Sat, 15 Mar 2008 13:33:17 +0000 http://filmjournal.net/paulwjm/2008/03/06/the-fog-1980/#comment-2927 He's an enigma really because he seems to be one of few directors with the ability to turn their talent off. I'd agree, Ghosts Of Mars was s stinker, but it was a stinker of humongous proportion, his worst film to date. I'd lump Escape From L.A. in that category too, and to a lesser extent Village Of The Damned. It seems impossible that a man who made such innovations within the horror genre with Halloween, and made classics like Escape From New York, Assault on Precinct 13, and The Thing, could make the steaming turd Ghosts Of Mars. But I guess there are many factors, not least, his worst films have come in the last ten or so years. Having said that, I really enjoyed Vampires (1998), and In The Mouth Of Madness is incredible. He’s an enigma really because he seems to be one of few directors with the ability to turn their talent off. I’d agree, Ghosts Of Mars was s stinker, but it was a stinker of humongous proportion, his worst film to date. I’d lump Escape From L.A. in that category too, and to a lesser extent Village Of The Damned. It seems impossible that a man who made such innovations within the horror genre with Halloween, and made classics like Escape From New York, Assault on Precinct 13, and The Thing, could make the steaming turd Ghosts Of Mars.

But I guess there are many factors, not least, his worst films have come in the last ten or so years. Having said that, I really enjoyed Vampires (1998), and In The Mouth Of Madness is incredible.

]]> by: Mike http://filmjournal.net/paulwjm/2008/03/06/the-fog-1980/#comment-2899 Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:50:19 +0000 http://filmjournal.net/paulwjm/2008/03/06/the-fog-1980/#comment-2899 I like this one, and as Livius said it might be my favourite Carpenter. Though I agree with all the corniness outlined in the article, it's the steady build-up of atmosphere that makes it for me. The film takes its time introducing characters and plotlines, while in the background the sense of menace grows palpably. Along with the TV version of Salem's Lot, it's good apooky stuff. The recent remake was bloody awful, mind, and I think a review from Paul would certainly be in order... I like this one, and as Livius said it might be my favourite Carpenter. Though I agree with all the corniness outlined in the article, it’s the steady build-up of atmosphere that makes it for me. The film takes its time introducing characters and plotlines, while in the background the sense of menace grows palpably. Along with the TV version of Salem’s Lot, it’s good apooky stuff.

The recent remake was bloody awful, mind, and I think a review from Paul would certainly be in order…

]]> by: paulwjm http://filmjournal.net/paulwjm/2008/03/06/the-fog-1980/#comment-2894 Sat, 08 Mar 2008 15:06:25 +0000 http://filmjournal.net/paulwjm/2008/03/06/the-fog-1980/#comment-2894 Wow - didn't realise he shot this around Inverness. Don't see why locals should moan if it brings their town a bit of business during shooting and subsequent tourism. I love settling down with a few glasses of Bacardi to watch the movie every couple of years - the mood is spot on. Wow - didn’t realise he shot this around Inverness. Don’t see why locals should moan if it brings their town a bit of business during shooting and subsequent tourism.
I love settling down with a few glasses of Bacardi to watch the movie every couple of years - the mood is spot on.

]]> by: anephric http://filmjournal.net/paulwjm/2008/03/06/the-fog-1980/#comment-2893 Sat, 08 Mar 2008 12:40:58 +0000 http://filmjournal.net/paulwjm/2008/03/06/the-fog-1980/#comment-2893 You can easily see why Carpenter fell in love with Inverness during the making of this film and bought a house there - I'd love to live there. Apparently, Carpenter wasn't a very popular resident because the sniffy locals hated the attention his film-making brought. You can easily see why Carpenter fell in love with Inverness during the making of this film and bought a house there - I’d love to live there.

Apparently, Carpenter wasn’t a very popular resident because the sniffy locals hated the attention his film-making brought.

]]> by: Rick Curzon http://filmjournal.net/paulwjm/2008/03/06/the-fog-1980/#comment-2888 Fri, 07 Mar 2008 23:35:35 +0000 http://filmjournal.net/paulwjm/2008/03/06/the-fog-1980/#comment-2888 A great movie. I first saw this 1979 production on the BBC's first screening around Christmas 1983 or 1984. Scared the crap out of me. Great score, fine direction, script and performances. Top drawer Carpenter. A great movie. I first saw this 1979 production on the BBC’s first screening around Christmas 1983 or 1984. Scared the crap out of me. Great score, fine direction, script and performances. Top drawer Carpenter.

]]> by: paulwjm http://filmjournal.net/paulwjm/2008/03/06/the-fog-1980/#comment-2887 Fri, 07 Mar 2008 18:54:02 +0000 http://filmjournal.net/paulwjm/2008/03/06/the-fog-1980/#comment-2887 Thanks. It's an easy film to like and I love settling back with a few Bacardis to watch it every now and again. I'm sure the same will never be said about the remake... did you ever watch it? At the risk of being prejudiced I just couldn't bring myself to. Thanks. It’s an easy film to like and I love settling back with a few Bacardis to watch it every now and again. I’m sure the same will never be said about the remake… did you ever watch it? At the risk of being prejudiced I just couldn’t bring myself to.

]]> by: Livius http://filmjournal.net/paulwjm/2008/03/06/the-fog-1980/#comment-2886 Thu, 06 Mar 2008 21:37:08 +0000 http://filmjournal.net/paulwjm/2008/03/06/the-fog-1980/#comment-2886 Good write-up. I've always enjoyed this movie, probably my favorite by Carpenter. Good write-up. I’ve always enjoyed this movie, probably my favorite by Carpenter.

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