This is my official mea culpa thread for Danlo. I'd previously referred to this film as a steaming pile of dung. After he continued to sing it's praises, I went and rented it again last night (I hadn't seen it since it's theatrical release).
Whoops, it's actually pretty good.
Firstly, Carpenter used to (and still might) shoot all his films in Cinemascope, which makes for an absolutely gorgeous picture. Big props to whoever did the DVD transfer, because C-scope's lush depth is intact on the widescreen version of the film. It is a beautifully shot film.
Sam Neil is a lot like Peter Weller. A fine actor who does some great work, takes a lot of risks, but also churns out a lot of garbage. He plays John Trent as he should be, a cocky pragmatist who is overwhelmed by what he sees (or thinks he sees).
The story itself is much more layered than I remember, and while I still find the ending somewhat dissatisfying, the film works. If you're looking for a good mindscrew with a couple of good jolts, this film is for you. If you're expecting standard fare horror, forget it, you'll be disappointed.
So anyway, a thousand pardons Danlo. I can honestly say that the $4.50 and 90 minutes I spent on the film last night was well worth it.
In the Mouth of Madness
Moderators: sgt.null, dANdeLION
In the Mouth of Madness
"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." - PJ O'Rourke
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"Men and women range themselves into three classes or orders of intelligence; you can tell the lowest class by their habit of always talking about persons; the next by the fact that their habit is always to converse about things; the highest by their preference for the discussion of ideas." - Charles Stewart
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"I believe there are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations." - James Madison
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"Men and women range themselves into three classes or orders of intelligence; you can tell the lowest class by their habit of always talking about persons; the next by the fact that their habit is always to converse about things; the highest by their preference for the discussion of ideas." - Charles Stewart
_____________
"I believe there are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations." - James Madison
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I would have to give it a thumbs down. Carpenter is the master at beginning a film. He can create such atmosphere, suspence and tension, and then by half way through, it turns to uuter crap. MOst often that not, in his films, it ends up as some pseudo-zombie flick. Take 'Price of Darkness' for example. As with MoM, it starts out great! A mystery, some weird things happening, tension, and then, PLOP! it falls apart and we lose everything .. credibility (or at the very least, the suspension of disbelief), tension, acting! and chaos reigns. It's like Carpenter has a great idea, and then loses control of the whole thing and fall back on zombie-types....
Although, I live in TO and the church where part of this movie was filmed is on a lonely stretch of highway (404) going north from Toronto, and everytime I see it, standing all alone on the east fields, it does evoke a certain creepiness...
Although, I live in TO and the church where part of this movie was filmed is on a lonely stretch of highway (404) going north from Toronto, and everytime I see it, standing all alone on the east fields, it does evoke a certain creepiness...
~...with a floating smile and a light blue sponge...~
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sgt.null
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well as a reference for Stephen King and HP Lovecraft I think the film works very well. I really like the covers equaling the state of New Hampshire. while the effects of the b&b keeper and the shambling Lovecraftian monster need to be taken with a grain of salt, the bicycle guy on the road is an outstanding scene.
Lenin, Marx
Marx, Lennon
Good Dog...
Marx, Lennon
Good Dog...
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Loredoctor
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Loredoctor
- Lord
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*Hugs* It's because of your advice that I am back.Seareach wrote:I *love* that movie...one of my all-time favorites! Hey Loremaster...nice to see you back!
Waddley wrote:your Highness Sir Dr. Loredoctor, PhD, Esq, the Magnificent, First of his name, Second Cousin of Dragons, White-Gold-Plate Wielder!
Great to see you back LM! I was thinking about you this weekend, wondering if you'd ever return.
"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." - PJ O'Rourke
_____________
"Men and women range themselves into three classes or orders of intelligence; you can tell the lowest class by their habit of always talking about persons; the next by the fact that their habit is always to converse about things; the highest by their preference for the discussion of ideas." - Charles Stewart
_____________
"I believe there are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations." - James Madison
_____________
_____________
"Men and women range themselves into three classes or orders of intelligence; you can tell the lowest class by their habit of always talking about persons; the next by the fact that their habit is always to converse about things; the highest by their preference for the discussion of ideas." - Charles Stewart
_____________
"I believe there are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations." - James Madison
_____________
i had much the same reaction as Cail to this film when i first saw it, haven't seen it since, but you've all convinced me to give it a second look just to see if i agree with the assessments. i tend toward Usivius' point of view without having seen it a second time, tho.
you're more advanced than a cockroach,
have you ever tried explaining yourself
to one of them?
~ alan bates, the mothman prophecies
i've had this with actors before, on the set,
where they get upset about the [size of my]
trailer, and i'm always like...take my trailer,
cause... i'm from Kentucky
and that's not what we brag about.
~ george clooney, inside the actor's studio
a straight edge for legends at
the fold - searching for our
lost cities of gold. burnt tar,
gravel pits. sixteen gears switch.
Haphazard Lucy strolls by.
~ dennis r wood ~
have you ever tried explaining yourself
to one of them?
~ alan bates, the mothman prophecies
i've had this with actors before, on the set,
where they get upset about the [size of my]
trailer, and i'm always like...take my trailer,
cause... i'm from Kentucky
and that's not what we brag about.
~ george clooney, inside the actor's studio
a straight edge for legends at
the fold - searching for our
lost cities of gold. burnt tar,
gravel pits. sixteen gears switch.
Haphazard Lucy strolls by.
~ dennis r wood ~
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Loredoctor
- Lord
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Loredoctor
- Lord
- Posts: 18609
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okokokok... I'll check it out again. Often times I have a different opinion a second time (especially after a long time viewing). It usually works in the reverse, though: a movie I thought was great on first viewing reveals itself to be ... less than good. Embarrassed myself a couple of times when showing movies to the wife. ("Oh this is an awesome movie."... followed by an hour an a half of awkward silence and sidelong glances...)
~...with a floating smile and a light blue sponge...~
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danlo
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yeah...he still owes a great deal of debt to King but I think he gave it up to H. P. with The Thing, wow! 
I like The Prince of Darkness too (even tho the ending was kinda lame). I could place ITMOM on the same shelf as Event Horizon and The Serpent and the Rainbow. The Thing above them. Carpenter immortalized himself for me with Dark Star. **Say! What's that in the trash can? The Ghosts of Mars! 
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I like The Prince of Darkness too (even tho the ending was kinda lame). I could place ITMOM on the same shelf as Event Horizon and The Serpent and the Rainbow. The Thing above them. Carpenter immortalized himself for me with Dark Star. **Say! What's that in the trash can? The Ghosts of Mars! **fall far and well Pilots!