Storm of the Century

Stephen King's 'Storm of the Century' is more than I expected. Compared to Stephen King's other movies (that he himself adapted/wrote), I place it up there with 'The Stand' and 'Rose Red.' An offland Maine island is under attack from two forces (or are they really one?): a fierce storm and the mysterious André Linoge. The former takes out the power lines and radios, forcing the townsfolk to gather together in the basement of the town hall. The latter shows a mysterious power to manipulate the objects (and people) around him. I was very impressed by the performance of Tim Daly in this. He did a great job as the lead role. The real charm of this movie to me was the community spirit the town showed. The characters (as in all Stephen King's works) are very believable. The way they pull together in this miniseries was particularly endearing. Overall, I'd give it a 9/10. Not something you should miss if you ever have the chance.

No Spoilers here. One of my favorite 10 movies, and easily the best made for TV movie ever. Storm of the Century reaches the highest level of suspense of any movie I have ever seen. I have watched it 5 times now, and am amazed at how linear it is for its length. Not a minute is wasted.

As with every great film it is not for everyone, but keep in mind that no movie is rated above 9.0 here, and that some people will not like it because it was made for TV, is Stephen King, is long, isn't packed with CGI or gore, or isn't a comfortably predictable Hollywood story. Don't let the fact it isn't rated 8.0+ fool you-this is an outstanding movie.

Absolutely anti-Hollywood (I love it for that as well), this is much more like an independent film not trying to be artsy. Few big name stars, no wasted sub-plots to draw in general audiences, no special effects wedged awkwardly in, not packed with pretty people who cannot act or out-of-place one-liners. This is a pure horror/suspense movie.

If you want a movie you can predict the ending to within 10 minutes, or settle down comfortably to another familiar rehashed horror story, pass on this one-it is original, chilling, and as gripping and memorable as any movie you will see. Like any horror suspense movie, you won't get the full effect if you have it on at noon while surfing the net and chatting on the phone. I most closely would compare it to Silence of the Lambs or The Ring in tension and flow, but without the shock value. The tension and eeriness this movie creates is palpable.

This is not a slasher/gore movie, and you will get a chance to know the main characters of Little Tall Island, as well as see an original portrayal of antagonist Colm Feore (who perfectly nailed his role). Yes, Anthony Hopkins would have ALSO been great for this role, but I don't think better. If you are chilled by hearing "I'm a Little Teapot, short and stout..." afterwards, you'll be here posting great reviews as well.

Stephen King created an unnerving miniseries with "Storm of the Century", about a blizzard in a Maine town bringing a stranger (Colm Feore) who tells everyone "Give me what I want and I'll go away." And this guy isn't kidding. Not only does he know everything about everyone, but he's got something ugly in store for anyone who challenges him. Some scenes in the movie are very likely to make your blood freeze. And I agree with a previous reviewer that people shouldn't complain about the ending: things can't always be sugar-coated (this is Stephen King, remember).

All in all, this is really impressive, and you're sure to like it. You may never trust anyone again after watching this. Also starring Debrah Farentino, Casey Siemaszko and Jeffrey DeMunn.

I guess that we're all little teapots in some way or other...

Beginning with Salem's Lot in the 1970's, there have been scads of memorable TV adaptations of prolific horror author Stephen King's books and short stories.

STORM OF THE CENTURY could very well be the best of the bunch. It excels due to King's uncanny ability to insinuate unthinkable horrors into believable small town settings. Here, he captures the life of Little Tall island, complete with its personalities and local flavor.

The characters are built up and fleshed out, so that it actually matters when bad things start happening to them. Tim Daly is quite convincing as the sheriff, as are the other residents.

Colm Feore is exceptional as the mysterious stranger, Andre Linoge, one of television's all-time greatest horror villains. His slow takeover of the town is systematic and wickedly effective.

Network TV owes a lot to Stephen King, especially in this case. The "mini-series" format is perfect for this story. It allows it to unfold in a more natural, unhurried way.

Highly recommended...

"Give me what I want and I'll go away," demands the black-eyed, stocking-capped stranger Linoge (Colm Feore), who appears in a quiet island community on the verge of the worst storm in decades and brutally bludgeons an old lady to death. Tim Daly, the town sheriff and voice of reason and moral strength, locks up the quiet madman, but the deaths pile up as Linoge acts them out from his cell like a murderous mime pulling psychic strings. Stephen King, whose original teleplay is his best work for the screen since The Stand, transforms the sleepy burg into a Peyton Place of guilty secrets and criminal activity ripped from under a blanket of small town normality while the white-out of the snowstorm completely cuts them off from civilization. Director Craig R. Baxley nicely maintains an icy tension while the waiting game goes on, perhaps a little too long, before Linoge finally reveals "what he wants" and the drama turns into a struggle for man's soul in miniature. The more ambitious special effects and set pieces sometimes disappoint but are more than made up for in King's knack for turning the mundane into the macabre (the children's song "I'm a Little Teapot" has never sounded more sinister) and a few brilliantly realized sequences, the best of which occurs when townspeople are literally yanked out of existence while watching the storm. Storm of the Century is one of the most successful translations of King's brand of horror to the screen.