The Mist (2007)

 

 

A freak storm unleashes a species of bloodthirsty creatures on a small town, where a small band of citizens hole up in a supermarket and fight for their lives. 

A monster movie executed as a psychological drama with a simple message ("We've seen the enemy, and he is us"), but with an extraordinary and downbeat ending.

On rewatching: A great monster movie for our times; the social analysis is even more virulent nowadays. 

Maltin***: "Suspenseful and graced with very good effects, this is a monster movie in the classic mode. It also has some social commentary...Controversial ending is changed from the story." 

 

The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

Two imprisoned men bond over a number of years, finding solace and eventual redemption through acts of common decency.

Drawn-out, but never boring and always touching buddy story, the movie manages to revive some old and almost forgotten Hollywood virtues, basically an interesting story well told.

On renewed viewing: Still agree with my old assessment, a modern-day fairy tale.

Halliwell*: "A melodrama of wasted lives and male bonding with a twist ending, more enjoyable for the performances than the narrative, which veers unpredictably between toughness and sentimentality."

Maltin**1/2: "Widely praised film is well crafted but terribly overlong, and (like much of Stephen King's non-horror writing) hollow and predictable."