Frank Darabont

I saw the movie; I hated the movie. Just now getting to the novella, I'm relieved that it's better and isn't cursed with the horrible celluloid ending.

One of the best perks is I didn't have to listen to as much detaield spiel from that religious woman, who goes down as one of the most annoying characters in horror movie history.

The characters are fine - child is cute and convincing, the MC strong enough although he does distract himself with carnal cravings, and there's the fun disbonding show more groups do when they face trouble together.

Creepy mist is creepy - there are some nightmarish monsters out there, especially horrible for those like me who detest spiders. As awful as the other creatures were, I'd take them any day over the horrible spiders in this story. *shudder*

It flies by pretty quickly, not only because it's a novella but because it's not weighed down with excessive prose. It sticks to the point and sets the creepy ambience well.

It's not perfect just because I was only half interested in the storyline (I already knew it going in), but it's a horror novella worth reading, especially this time of the year. show less

Few people would quibble with the quality of the film version of Uncle Stevie's second prison story - but before I reread the book, I wanted to see the differences between the film material up against the source material.

Bonus material here includes introductions from both Darabont and Uncle Stevie, detailing how the book and the movie came to be. Good stuff. If you've never read a screenplay, it's quite different in form. But the material shines through. The major difference from the source show more is that the film takes a much more chronological path to the story than does than the book. Not better or worse, just different, and probably easier to film. All the best stuff is in here.

5 bones!!!!!
Highly Recommended show less

RT78, meta 53, audience C. Not a commercial success. I’m surprised at those low scores, finding the story both interesting in terms of how people react to fearful danger, esp in a (small) crowd, and also distinctly scary. The acting was OK, Tony Joned and Marcia Gay Harden being particularly impressive. Nothing specially original about the monsters but they were (are?) scary, and after all, that’s what monsters do look like isn’t it? And the ending (the director’s idea apparently, show more not in Stephen King’s book, is great. I’m happy with my 4 stars. show less

Acting: 4.5; Theme: 4.5; Content: 2.0; Language: 3.0; Overall: 4.5

After a zombie apocalypse, the murder-hungry zombies ("walkers") have taken their anger and evil out on the remaining humans. Every living human who has escaped being bitten or scratched by the zombies are attempting to survive while fending off their attackers. A small group of survivors must secretly travel from spot to spot in order to find others who are still alive and need of help, along with surviving the onslaught show more themselves. The series have a lively bunch of characters, from level-headed Rick (Andrew Lincoln) to out-of-control Merle (Michael Rooker), with many in between. Highly recommend.

There is an abundance of gory violence and murder of mostly "walkers" (walking zombies) and also a fair share of vulgarity, probably 5-10 per episode.

***March 20, 2026*** show less