Ahoy, squirts! Quint here with another look at the upcoming FOG remake. I'm hoping this one comes out really fun and any excuse to have Maggie Grace walk around in skin tight underwear is alright by me. I doubt this movie will even come close to the creepiness of the Carpenter original, but if I enjoy it as much as I enjoyed the remake of ASSAULT ON PRECINCT 13 then I'll be really happy. I don't think there's a press screening for this film here in Austin (if there is I have no invitation to it), so I'll be seeing it weekend of release. I'm just curious. Here's the review, a very mixed, but still positive leaning review. Enjoy!

Hey Harry - love the site man. Please use my talkback name "VH" if you use this short review. Thanks brother. Great news about John Carter btw. I read the Protosevich draft a ways back. Favreau is a great choice.

Caught a screening of THE FOG last night. I'm a big Carpenter fan (esp PRINCE OF DARKNESS and, while I’m at it, Roddy Piper and Keith David’s fist fight in THEY LIVE) but always thought the original FOG was kinda weak compared to the rest of his stuff. I must say I was not let down with the screening last night. That said, I was not blown away either. I imagine it will do decent business with the teen/ pre-teen set who are not likely to question the numerous holes and inconsistencies of the plot. Everyone else can catch it on video. Taken as is (namely as a vfx effect -laden remake of an incomplete horror movie populated with TV actors and Canadian unknowns) it's rather fun and I think - an improvement on the original. The other reviewer "Ben" was right about the "look" of the movie. It was shot by up and coming cinematographer Nathan Hope (he's credited on both CSI and the TV show FASTLANE both of which are known for their cool, colorful, and slick look) - who shoots the film like a more color-friendly Bojan Bazelli . The colors are vivid and pop while the actors and landscape look great.

The acting is okay. Resoundingly O ‘ K. I wouldn't blame such mediocrity on the actors as much as I would the limited amount of substance handed them to work with. Blair is much too big for this movie (such that she feels grossly under-utilized), Welling gets to drive an old pick-up and shout phrases like "Hurry up" and "C'mon hurry up!" a lot. I can’t help but like Welling even though SMALLVILLE has me trapped in a vicious cycle of expectation and disappointment. Sigh. It would be interesting to see him in a roll that forces him outside of the ‘handsome guy to the rescue’ mold though. Grace just concerns herself with looking good and/or puzzled.. Oh and expressionless. Plus her wardrobe choices are rather masculine and strange.

The so-so story has plenty of fun ‘don’t go in there’ moments. And to its credit, never takes itself too seriously. Not sure if this is done on purpose or not. Nor does it do much to hide the fact that it’s a straight-forward ghost revenge horror story. Right. I must admit to being particularly impressed with the sound design of the film. It’s big, and heavy, without sacrificing the little nuances. Along with the color of the film, the sound really breathes life into the various scenes, expertly heightening tension and scares. In fact it’s safe to say that the scares come more from the sound than anything else. Obviously THE FOG relies heavily on vfx (like so many movies these days) though it’s somewhat easy to forgive in a film like this. But coupled with the sound this new digital fog really is enjoyable to watch, sounding like an asthmatic breathing slo-mo through a paper towel tube as it twists and turns through tight spaces or comes bearing wall-like down on a victim. Very cool.

All in all a choppy somewhat sporadic showcase for creative vfx with truly great sound and sporting a nice crisp look. An improvement on the original look and feel wise, while lacking in the sense of class and smarts of a true Carpenter flick. It also feels under-directed in comparison to Carpenter, but hey, it’s Carpenter we’re talking about here. Check it out for an hour and a half of modest fun and if you want to have your girl friend grab tightly onto your arm here and there. Otherwise PRINCE OF DARKNESS anyone? ‘I’ve got something to tell you and you’re not going to like it!’