Storm of the Century
4/4
Starring: Tim Daly, Colm Feore, Casey Siemaszko, Jeffrey DeMunn, Debrah Farentino, Becky Ann Baker
Rated PG-13 for Intense Thematic Material and Violence/Gore
When deciding whether or not to recommend "Storm of the Century" to you, there's really only one question I have to ask: can you stand 4.5 hours of constant chills? If the answer is yes, then definitely check this one out. If not, go for something shorter, like "The Descent" or "Halloween."
Granted, "Storm of the Century" isn't as frightening as either of those films, but it isn't trying to be. It's really almost Hitchcockian. If Alfred Hitchcock and Agatha Christie collaborated on a supernatural thriller, it may have turned out to be something like this. Apologies to Stephen King, of course, who wrote the screenplay.
Tall Island is a small village off the coast of Maine. Everyone knows and looks out for each other. But more importantly, they can keep secrets. They're bracing for a huge storm that's going to pummel them for three days at least. But just before it hits, a mysterious man wanders in and brutally murders an elderly inhabitant. Shopkeeper and constable Mike Anderson (Daly) and his friend and partner Hatch (Siemaszko) arrest the man, who calls himself Andre Linoge (Feore). Linoge surrenders without incident, although it's no surprise why. Linoge is not a normal man. He can read people's darkest secrets and manipulate them into doing what he wants, be it killing themselves or others, or leaving the ominous message "Give me what I want and I'll go away." As the body count rises, Mike and the rest of the residents have to figure out how to stop a man who doesn't need to leave his cell to cause death and destruction. And what exactly does he want?
All across the board the acting is first rate. For the most part the cast is comprised of TV character actors, although many have done film work as well. The best performances are given by the two leads, Tim Daly and Colm Feore. Mike Anderson is really the perfect small-town hero. He may not know how to stop Linoge, but he does the best he can and instills confidence in the townspeople. He's also a tenacious adversary for the killer; no matter how bad things get, Anderson doesn't give up. Tim Daly plays him in his typical low-key fashion, and it works.
As his nemesis, Colm Feore is truly chilling. With his slow deliberate movements and unreadable body language, Feore can get the nape hairs on end by simply sitting there (although the all-black eyes that sometimes get red pupils are a nice touch). Similarities with Anthony Hopkins' performance as Hannibal Lecter are impossible to ignore, but there are enough differences in how Linoge is written and acted to avoid making the character a cheap rip-off.
Like his actors, director Craig R. Baxley comes from a predominantly TV background. His shot selection is basic but effective. Where Baxley really shines is with atmosphere. This is a stifling, claustrophobic and constantly menacing setting; a perfect place for Andre Linoge to push his victims to the limit. While undoubtedly some of the special effects are cheesy, it adds to the creepiness. Plus they are outnumbered by the special effects that do work.
As much as I loved "IT," "Storm of the Century" is superior. The characters are better defined, the story is more compelling and it's a hell of a lot scarier.
Starring: Tim Daly, Colm Feore, Casey Siemaszko, Jeffrey DeMunn, Debrah Farentino, Becky Ann Baker
Rated PG-13 for Intense Thematic Material and Violence/Gore
When deciding whether or not to recommend "Storm of the Century" to you, there's really only one question I have to ask: can you stand 4.5 hours of constant chills? If the answer is yes, then definitely check this one out. If not, go for something shorter, like "The Descent" or "Halloween."
Granted, "Storm of the Century" isn't as frightening as either of those films, but it isn't trying to be. It's really almost Hitchcockian. If Alfred Hitchcock and Agatha Christie collaborated on a supernatural thriller, it may have turned out to be something like this. Apologies to Stephen King, of course, who wrote the screenplay.
Tall Island is a small village off the coast of Maine. Everyone knows and looks out for each other. But more importantly, they can keep secrets. They're bracing for a huge storm that's going to pummel them for three days at least. But just before it hits, a mysterious man wanders in and brutally murders an elderly inhabitant. Shopkeeper and constable Mike Anderson (Daly) and his friend and partner Hatch (Siemaszko) arrest the man, who calls himself Andre Linoge (Feore). Linoge surrenders without incident, although it's no surprise why. Linoge is not a normal man. He can read people's darkest secrets and manipulate them into doing what he wants, be it killing themselves or others, or leaving the ominous message "Give me what I want and I'll go away." As the body count rises, Mike and the rest of the residents have to figure out how to stop a man who doesn't need to leave his cell to cause death and destruction. And what exactly does he want?
All across the board the acting is first rate. For the most part the cast is comprised of TV character actors, although many have done film work as well. The best performances are given by the two leads, Tim Daly and Colm Feore. Mike Anderson is really the perfect small-town hero. He may not know how to stop Linoge, but he does the best he can and instills confidence in the townspeople. He's also a tenacious adversary for the killer; no matter how bad things get, Anderson doesn't give up. Tim Daly plays him in his typical low-key fashion, and it works.
As his nemesis, Colm Feore is truly chilling. With his slow deliberate movements and unreadable body language, Feore can get the nape hairs on end by simply sitting there (although the all-black eyes that sometimes get red pupils are a nice touch). Similarities with Anthony Hopkins' performance as Hannibal Lecter are impossible to ignore, but there are enough differences in how Linoge is written and acted to avoid making the character a cheap rip-off.
Like his actors, director Craig R. Baxley comes from a predominantly TV background. His shot selection is basic but effective. Where Baxley really shines is with atmosphere. This is a stifling, claustrophobic and constantly menacing setting; a perfect place for Andre Linoge to push his victims to the limit. While undoubtedly some of the special effects are cheesy, it adds to the creepiness. Plus they are outnumbered by the special effects that do work.
As much as I loved "IT," "Storm of the Century" is superior. The characters are better defined, the story is more compelling and it's a hell of a lot scarier.
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