Directed by Mick Garris. Written by Stephen King. Starring Ruby Dee, Gary Sinise, Molly Ringwald, Corin Nemec, Rob Lowe, Adam Storke, Miguel Ferrar, Jamey Sheridan, Ray Walston, Laura San Giacomo, Matt Frewer, Bill Fagerbakke, Ossie Davis, Shawnee Smith, Ed Harris, Cynthia Garris, John Landis, Karem Abdul-Jabar and Stephen King himself.
Plot: a plague breaks out and humanity is divided between following a dark man with a dark purpose and a kind, elderly black woman with a message from God.
I figured we’d kick off our 31 days of Halloween with the original Stand mini-series. They’re remaking it and I don’t know how good it’s going to be, but this first one was great on every level.
It starts out on a secret government facility where a superflu was created in California. Of course, there’s a leak, and instead of doing his job and closing down the facility, Charlie Campion grabs his family and takes off down the road and across the country. He infects all sorts of people along the way and eventually, the flu spreads across the entire country. A “Dark Man” (Sheridan) takes over the in the West, while a kind, old woman named Mother Abagail (Dee) rallies people elsewhere.
It’s the perfect mini-series really. Here are some reasons:
1. It’s fucking scary. Like really. When Stu (Sinise) is in the hospital for instance in the first part of the four part series, too much wrong shit happens.
2. Its full of quotable lines. Like, “Mayhap it is and mayhap it ain’t.” And “M-O-O-N, that spells Moon.” And “My life for you!” Etc. etc. etc.
3. The protagonists are highly likable. There’s the Southern gentleman, Stu, the deaf mute, Nick (Lowe), the sexy singer, Larry Underwood (Storke), the old, dog lover, Glen (Walston), the mentally challenged and oh-so-lovable, Tom Cullen (Fagerbakke), etc. etc.
4. It’s engaging and emotional. There’s so many parts that have you close to tears. Not all your favorites will make it and even when they do, bad stuff will come upon them. Like when Nick appears in Tom’s dream and he can hear and talk. Just try not to tear up.
All in all, the movie may have some flaws, but the rest is so great that it overshadows them. So, for Halloween, we start with The Stand.
Our score: 100.
“I’m 106-years-old and I still make my own bread.”
I suppose I could list my favorite movies here, but instead I'll give you a strange glimpse into what makes me TaraRomero.
1. I met George Romero. He was the kindest and sweetest man. He talked to me for longer than he should have with the line getting longer. He also held my hand. And when he noticed the ladybug I have tattooed on my wrist, he said he liked it and asked me it's name. Till then, it had not had a name. Now, I call him George.
2. I love stickers. All stickers. I just adore them. I even ask for stickers for Christmas! As a matter of fact, the birthday that just past, every member of my immediate family gave me sticker packs as gifts. Affordable and extremely appreciated.
3. I have never put much stock in astrology or horoscopes, but I LOVE the magic of the MBTI. Omg. I am an INFP and it actually sounds just like me. Introverted mostly. Creative always. Heart before head and not the most logical. Totally me! For better or worse.
4. It's no surprise I count horror so high up on the list of things that make me, me. However, it's so within my soul that I was part of the Horror Club in college. Interesting bunch. And even took a Horror Lit class as an elective. I got an A.
5. Coffee always makes me happy. Always. I'm particularly fond of caramel macchiatos. But I'll drink black coffee if it's the only thing available.
6. I hate shock for the sake of shock and endings that depress me. I always mention the movies Within (2016) and the Eli Roth produced, written and starred in, Aftershock (2012), as proof of this distate I have. I abhor the idea that just because I like horror, some people think I'd actually praise a movie that lets you think the "Final Girl" just made it through the night, only to slap her in the face with a tsunami.
7. We are big time animal people. I mean, if I could, I'd have an elephant, a bear, a zebra, a penguin, an otter and a meerkat, living with me. Seriously though. We have 2 dogs right now and 2 cats. Both cats we picked up when they each came to our front door hungry. And both dogs we got from 2 different sets of neighbors. Both who, unfortunately, don't know how to care for pets long-term. But they're happy and healthy now!!
8. Revisiting my love of horror, one of the above cats, my cat, is a little black guy named Church. Because Pet Sematary. His middle name is even Pascow. To give credit where credit's due, the name was DJ's idea. But he loves horror too!
9. I'm big into art. Along with movie posters and an Anne Frank quote, I have some actual paintings on my wall. I really think Dali paints beautifully when he wants to. And if I don't get to see Michaelangelo's Pieta in person some day, I will be very disappointed.
10. Lastly, I find Emily Dickinson's poetry intriguing. I took an elective course about her as well. But do you know I injected horror even there? I was given a poem to dissect and I picked one on death, of course. Then, I researched old "Death Photos" and even printed out copies for everyone in the class. They were so interested in looking at them that it stopped them from all looking at me, and I was able to deal quite well with my stage fright. Haha
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