Customer Reviews

Storm of the Century

5 star:		(126)
4 star:		(55)
3 star:		(16)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(17)

 

 

Stephen King's "Storm of the Century" is a good flick. Yet many King fans will attempt to associate it or transpose this work - don't bother. This movie is NOT based on any of his, or Bachman, books. Instead, this is King's evolvolution into a a very visual movie producer attempting to unbind himself from his book writing persona. He accomplishes this grand task in "Storm of the Century."

Based on a Maine island preparing for the snow storm of the century in 1989, the movie is based on a stranger, Andre Linoge, who kills a elderly woman for no evident reason. Then, he escalates into a bizarre evil force that captivates a small Maine island whos occupants have a hard time dealing with the truth. Mr. Linoge seems to know every evil act committed by the island's occupants: cheating, lying, bodily harm, and adultery. Instead, they seem oddly comfortable living in denial. "Give Me What I Want And I Will Leave" is the ongoing testement for Mr. Linoge. His methodology for death, with the help of his murderous cane, is often pointless and grotesque at times. The significance of this cane is never mentioned. Yet I was very pleased and quite surprised by Mr. King's ability to develop his characters so deeply. The Constable, played by Tim Daly, is wonderfully acted and developed. In "Storm," viewers quickly become familiar with the many Islanders only after the first hour. The unfortunate problem is that King doesn't develop the antagonist, Andre Linoge (great acting by Colm Feore!), no where nearly as some would have liked. Instead, throughout half of "Storm," you'll find Linoge's character sits and stares. When Linoge does speak, it shows wasted time on and underdeveloped character.

The ending is both vivid yet a letdown. Mr. Linoge's whole intent seems overkill while the Islanders reactions often understated. I think viewers will either love or hate it. Either way, viewers will enjoy the beautiful scenery, vivid photography, and colorful charecters in "Storm of the Century."

Even if I hadn't known Stephen King was the author of this 250 minute movie, I would probably have guessed. The attention to intricate detail which means a long movie (you can't leave anything out) is one of the hallmarks of King's work. The convention of the dark stranger who seems to know a small town's intimate secrets is a popular one with King, and although this is not a "scary" movie as such, it still has the suspense you'd expect. The acting is professional and workmanlike, if not Oscar material, and the scenery (of which the weather is the star) is lovely. If I could be sure I wouldn't be snowed in for days with a bad guy, I'd like to go and visit this little Maine island. My eighteen year old son and myself spent a lovely cold and miserable afternoon watching this movie.

I have mixed feelings about Storm of the Century. While I did wait with great anticipation for each installment of the mini-series, I must admit I thought the plot moved VERY slowly. Lenoge was a great villain - he was creepy and quiet and deadly. Every time his teeth turned into fangs I got goosebumps. There were many suspense-filled moments but few scenes of sheer terror. It's like the anticipation builds and builds and then falls flat. I kept waiting for the movie to move along faster in pace, but this thing went slower than my Ford on a cold Winter day. Okay, so having said that - I will admit that every night AFTER I had finished watching each part of the series, I was so tense that I couldn't fall asleep unless a light was on somewhere in the house. So I guess for all my condescension about the plot - I was effected by the movie on some level. One of the good things about this movie was the setting -- an island cut off from the mainland by a terrible snow storm - its inhabitants literally prisoners of the environment - so that when you add a supernatural maniac (who seems to have an affection for the song "I'm a little teapot" ) who wreaks havoc - you have the basis for an entertaining movie. I just wish it had moved at a faster pace and that it had reached the climactic scenes earlier.

Storm of the Century is an entertaining story with many of the basic Stephen King elements that we have grown to love over the years. The medium does have its problems, but the story is well worth the wait.

First the length: yes, yes, yes, the story does drag a little. This four hour movie could have been easily edited to three and a half or less hours with little loss. But I suspect that the story would never have been produced unless it could be formatted for a mini-series, hence the length.

As for the story, I was struck by the obvious parallelism with Nathaniel Hawthorne's Young Goodman Brown. In each story the protagonist is confronted by the devil and the community's sins are revealed one person at a time. Young Goodman Brown's wife, Faith, is eventually shown to be a potential follower of the devil, while Molly Anderson betrays her husband near the story's end.

Apart from this parallelism, I don't see a lot of common ground between these two stories. Storm of the Century appears to have a different theme: can a community, so compromised by personal wrongs, be expected to make sound moral decisions.

One has to give Stephen King credit, he didn't flinch from this issue. The response is realistic down to the rationalizations, excuses, and even the community's behavior when the crisis passes.

What an innovative idea from the Master of the Macabre to write a "novel" exclusively for television! When I first heard that Stephen King had a new miniseries coming out in 1999 and I heard the title, I kept saying to myself "I'm missing one of his books!" Until I finally realized the concept. Of course, after seeing King's words on the small screen I wish we could all read them in an actual novel (not just the teleplay). Sigh.

Believe it or not, I did not watch "Storm of the Century" when it was first teleplayed in February. And being the King fan that I am, that was not at all like me. But I had to make a choice - you see, 'Storm' started the same night and time as the X-Files and I just couldn't miss my show (the second part of a major mythology two-parter, no doubt). And seeing as I could never watch a King miniseries after missing the first part, I sadly missed it (and even worse heard from others how good it was!). But in the back of my mind I kept telling myself I would get to see it on video one day. Little did I know how soon the video would be released!

Happily I watched the four-hour+ miniseries, without commercials :), over two nights - it was a little too long for one sitting in the middle of a work week. And I really enjoyed it.

I hadn't known quite what to expect. Like most of you King fans, I would usually see one of his movies AFTER I had read the book (short story etc.). But, think about it, 'Storm' was NEW to everyone, King fan or not.

Tim Daly gave a wonderful performance as Constable Mike Anderson, the soul of the group of islanders. And Colm Feore as Andre Linoge (who reminded me a little bit too much of Leland Gaunt in "Needful Things," out to destroy another town), gave a credible, frightening and almost hypnotic performance.

Always love King's movie cameos, ala Alfred Hitchcock, and he gives another one here as a lawyer in a sleazy TV ad (through the broken picture tube, no less!).

Good, consistent Maine accents from the actors; can't help but have that drawl when saying Martha Clarendon!

Very suspenseful too. I truly did not figure out exactly what Linoge wanted until we, like the islanders, were told.

Great Town Meeting scenes at the end. Almost "realistic" in its conclusions - good does not always win out over evil, even in Stephen King's world. Excellent. (And "nice" homage to "the Lottery" there.)

Loved the reference to Dolores Claiborne in regards to the island being able to keep a secret; the collective dream of the islanders, especially the scene when the townsfolk walk off the dock into the ocean; and the oh-so-subtle, blink-and-you-missed-it, literal disappearance of some of the players into thin (white) air while watching the decimation of the light house.

I would have given 'Storm' 5 stars, but there were a few things that bothered me: the snow was fake and, quite frankly, it looked like it. And, for the Storm of the Century, it sure didn't look like there was much of it. The toppling of the lighthouse, at the critical point of implosion, looked like a tiny model on a sound stage. Plus, Linoge's cane (specifically the wolf's head) was a little tacky, and although I literally jumped the first time he bared his fangs, it wasn't so scary the tenth time. Also, the ending, after Linoge leaves the island, was a bit dragged out.

But these really are little things overall.

I know eventually I will buy 'Storm' on video (I have all the other miniseries; but when is "The Shining" coming out?), but the current price is too much. Unfortunately, I can't see myself watching the whole thing again for awhile. I'm not sure exactly why, but I think I know in my heart that nothing will ever surpass the thrill of seeing 'Storm' for the first time.

P.S. I will never listen to the song "Little Teapot" the same way again!

This was absolutely the best thing on television in 1999. Stephen King's best mini-series since the adaptation of The Stand. King's portrayal of a close knit, secret enshrouded Maine town has become one of his trademarks. Not since Salem's Lot has a King created town been host to such a delicious evil. I was truly fascinated by Colm Feore as the supernatural villain who only asks that the town gives him what he wants. And what he wants no one should ever give willingly. This was one of those "I can't believe that just happened" type of movies. The fact that a film of such devious quality was made for television is again a testament to Stephen King's appeal. Half the stuff in this movie I was surprised even passed the censors. But boy was I glad it did. My only disappointment was that King didn't turn this into a book. The screenplay is fantastic but a companion novel would have been such sweet frosting. This movie is a confirmation that Stephen King hasn't gone soft with age, he's only gotten better. Like a fine wine or more appropriately a can of beer.

At the outset I'd like to say that King's fans are gonna love this one. It's a bit slow, long, but it's spooky, scary, terrifying, nightmarish, and it delivers an unforgettable message at the end. Vintage King.

Now, for the rest...

A weird guy shows up in an island in Maine (King's favorite State), and kills an old lady for no real reason. But he doesn't go away - he waits to get arrested. In this case, however, the real prisoners are the residents, some of whom are murdered in vicious ways by the stranger, with the help of his ominous-looking cane.

Colm Feore is terrific in the role of the evil man, while Tim Daly does a decent job as the town grocer and Constable. The really cool thing about this film is that you never notice the length (close to 4 hours!), as scene after scene captures your imagination and tortures your soul.

Small town mentalities and moralities are exposed for what they are - cheap, narrow, selfish, and deadly. Each character has (or has had) a past (or present) that they'd never like the world to ever know. But the stranger (the Legion) knows EVERYTHING about everyone.

As secrets come out, and as hidden conflicts are brought out into the open, one can see the characters change faces. When the main objective of the stranger is revealed by him during a town meeting during the course of the storm, it's time for soul-searching and morals-testing. None emerges unscathed, except Tim Daly and his wife, though in completely opposite ways.

The ending is definitely not satisfactory, and seems forced to deliver some sort of closure to the viewer.

In summary- Positive things:

1. Good, strong character development.

2. Powerful storyline.

3. Intelligent, relevant screenplay.

4. Good photography.

5. Excellent acting by most.

6. Wonderful music score.

Negative things:

1. Length (some people will definitely groan!)

2. Unsatisfactory ending.

3. Colm Feore is not used very well.

4. Slow beginning, with a few scenes of really bad dialogue delivery and acting.

Only one word can describe this film, DEEP!! This is an extremely spiritual movie. I enjoyed every minute. This movie proves that we all ultimately choose our path in this life. Outcomes and all. It teaches us about free will and the power that we have inside to beat any and all demons. Too many of us run to church on Sunday, screamin' HALLELUJAH!! and are living the most trifling lives. The people on this island were full of herendous sins. They had verbal faith, but not spiritual faith on a soul level. When the time came for their faith to take action and pull together as a unit in God's name, they all cowered. All except one, but that one could not do it alone. Anything in this world, whether good or bad, we must first consent to the allowance of anything to happen to us and/or through us. Nothing happens without God's permission. If we are part of THE ONE TRUE SOURCE, that means that God lives within us and we in God. We give the okay for things to happen. This is why free will is always a daily challenge. The knowledge of Spirit is not enough. Our belief(s) is what will sustain and ultimately save us. The Demon in this movie knew this. He knew these folks were simple/take the Bible literally morons and that their "faith" was none. For those whom have not seen this movie, I will not spoil the ending, but remember this: A chain is only as strong as its weakest link. And even the strongest link cannot hold the entire chain together. Nothing is stronger than the power of the Almighty. Whatever that means to each of us. Ponder upon the many spiritual lessons in this movie. Thank you Stephen King.

This movie takes place in a small town isolated on an Island off Maine. And as the title suggest, it is hit by the worse storm ever. Snow so thick it is hard to see through and wind so strong that the waves of the ocean start to claim buildings. This alone would make for an exciting adventure movie. But of course King gives us more. A truly supernatural villain comes to town and knows everyone secrets. He starts to kill them off and keeps asking to be given `what he wants." As we watch the movie we are trying to figure out what he wants...and also wondering why the villagers do not give it to them.

The movie is suspenseful. And the acting is great. Everyone in this movie acts well, including the children. Of course the best is Colm Feore as the villain Andre Linge, and Tim Daly as the town Constable Michael Anderson. Better then most movies made today.
Only thing I would have added, is for a book to have been written.

Well, I live on a islan, there is a light house, and we have planty of stormes, afther I saw this movie I was sceptic to go out...

A great King movie! I will reconmand it.
Still, some old effects, but it has such an interesting story, so you will just keep on watching it.

Supernatural and exiting

Great movie.