With Fall almost here, I’m in the mood to watch John Carpenter’s The Fog
Grab your cardigan and pumpkin spiced latte because I’m in the mood to start watching the perfect horror film to kick off the Halloween season.
Michael Myers might be more iconic, but The Fog is an actually scary (for the time) supernatural film with an idyllic soundtrack, atmosphere, and performances. Even though it was filmed in California, it perfectly captures the small town feel of an isolated New England village, which is so paramount for these kinds of stories to work.
Offsite Linkby Anonymous | reply 37 | August 25, 2025 5:05 AM
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I really like this movie.
by Anonymous | reply 2 | August 24, 2025 5:58 PM
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Ah, yes—my slight detour from the trowma exploration of Laurie Strode. I am still grateful for it, however, as it—like all my films—is part of the tapestry of an artist's career. In a strange way, even "The Fog" was a stepping stone that led me to the Dolby Theatre on March 12, 2023, where I became an Oscar winner.
by Anonymous | reply 3 | August 24, 2025 5:59 PM
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I snorted at R3. Thank you.
by Anonymous | reply 4 | August 24, 2025 6:05 PM
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I remember Roger Ebert raging at the time about how much he hated the way the ghosts were done in this film.
by Anonymous | reply 5 | August 24, 2025 6:10 PM
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R5 Roger Ebert also hated Hocus Pocus and that’s a childhood favorite of mine. I even enjoy it as an adult.
by Anonymous | reply 7 | August 24, 2025 6:22 PM
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Can I have a stomach pounder and a coke?
by Anonymous | reply 8 | August 24, 2025 6:23 PM
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Adrienne should’ve gotten an Oscar nom for her performance.
by Anonymous | reply 9 | August 24, 2025 6:28 PM
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For atmosphere alone, it is a 10/10, though I've never felt the entire thing gels on a narrative level. It is beautifully shot though and its atmospheric nature elevates it significantly. Another film I feel similarly about is "Lady in White" (1988)—absolutely intoxicating fall atmosphere from start to finish. A perfect Halloween movie, though the screenplay never really comes together for me.
by Anonymous | reply 10 | August 24, 2025 6:32 PM
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One of my all-time favorite movies. The atmosphere that Carpenter created is unparalleled, especially for an inexpensive horror film. The way that Stevie Wayne looks out over the endless sea late at night gets me every time.
I've always wanted to visit the Point Reyes Lighthouse used in the movie.
by Anonymous | reply 11 | August 24, 2025 6:44 PM
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Her BREASTS should have too, R9. Best supporting! Atop the lighthouse, they’re their own beacons!
by Anonymous | reply 12 | August 24, 2025 6:54 PM
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Am hearing a lot about Fall being around the corner here. Summer must have been a bitch for some of you East Coasters. Summer just started in Northern CA and will last through mid-November. Here come the fires, too.
Haven't seen this movie. Thanks for the tip, OP.
by Anonymous | reply 13 | August 24, 2025 6:54 PM
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It's 107° today. I won't be grabbing my cardigan until January.
by Anonymous | reply 14 | August 24, 2025 7:01 PM
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I crave Fall during the dog days of Summer and I crave Summer during the coldest days of Winter. I’m weird.
by Anonymous | reply 15 | August 24, 2025 8:20 PM
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I also start watching autumn/Halloween films in late August every year, even if it's still scorching hot. Around this time of year, it's always on my mind that fall is around the corner and I find watching those types of films comforting. I fucking loathe the summer months.
by Anonymous | reply 16 | August 24, 2025 8:24 PM
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Hal Holbrook said he did this film just for fun and had a a ball filming it.
by Anonymous | reply 17 | August 24, 2025 8:28 PM
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One thing this film and other horror films of this era have going for it is the late 70s/80s film stock that gives everything a hazy dream-like state. That’s why modern horror films fail visually.
by Anonymous | reply 18 | August 24, 2025 8:34 PM
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I agree, OP. I’m eager and ready for the Halloween season. I despise summer. The back of my neck is covered in bug bites from working in my yard in some hot miserable weather.
But today there has been a shift, with a coolness is in the air. It has me thinking of my favorite season of autumn.
The Fog is excellent. I watch it too for the beautiful Adrienne Barbeau.
I should add that the original Halloween (1978) is my very favorite, and it still terrifies me after all these years. Its simplicity makes it seem very real.
by Anonymous | reply 19 | August 24, 2025 9:07 PM
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Trailer.
I wish this would get a theatrical rerelease.
Offsite Linkby Anonymous | reply 20 | August 24, 2025 9:20 PM
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This thread has made me want to go pick up the 4K Blu-Ray set.
by Anonymous | reply 22 | August 24, 2025 9:23 PM
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[Quote] I've always wanted to visit the Point Reyes Lighthouse used in the movie.
Do it R11! Easy day trip from San Francisco. The light house is lovely and Point Reyes National Seashore is beautiful. Look for Elephant Seals while you are there!
by Anonymous | reply 23 | August 25, 2025 1:58 AM
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Always loved it. Nobody could climb a slanted roof and fend off a slimy ghoul while she was wearing designer jeans and wooden high heels, like l’Adrienne. 🎃 🪝
by Anonymous | reply 25 | August 25, 2025 2:18 AM
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I just absolutely adore the soundtrack. Those analog 80s synths!
Offsite Linkby Anonymous | reply 26 | August 25, 2025 2:22 AM
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This film stars Academy Award Winner Jamie Lee Curtis!
by Anonymous | reply 27 | August 25, 2025 2:42 AM
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R27 And her spectacular tits. Don’t forgot that. They recently broke the internet.
by Anonymous | reply 28 | August 25, 2025 2:50 AM
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I remember LOVING this movie but never wanted to rewatch it as an adult in case it didn't hold up. maybe I will now!
Summer has been a true son of a whore up here. I heard flocks of geese flying south already this week so I am guessing winter this year will be the whores mother.
by Anonymous | reply 29 | August 25, 2025 2:54 AM
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R29 I first saw this movie when I was a teenager and loved it. I also didn’t want to rewatch as an adult as I thought I might be bored to tears since I had already seen it. Well, I was wrong as I thoroughly enjoyed it and there were so many scenes and characters I had forgotten. It was even better than I remembered. I originally saw it on cable TV and wonder if a bunch was cut out due to commercials.
by Anonymous | reply 30 | August 25, 2025 3:13 AM
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OP, it's set in Northern California...not New England.
"Antonio Bay"
by Anonymous | reply 31 | August 25, 2025 3:16 AM
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Better than Pumkin Spice Lattes.
by Anonymous | reply 32 | August 25, 2025 3:19 AM
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I watched this today and I liked it, but what Roger Ebert said was true, it needed a better villain.
I would have liked to have seen a little more of what was going on with the town, but it worked.
by Anonymous | reply 33 | August 25, 2025 3:28 AM
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The Thing is my favorite John Carpenter movie, just barely ahead of Halloween, but this is close behind. The performances are pretty engaging all around, and, as pointed out, the atmosphere really sells the ghost story. I end up watching this at least once a year.
Even though it's not a Carpenter film, I always associate The Warriors with his aesthetic. It's another film that holds up pretty well for its era.
by Anonymous | reply 34 | August 25, 2025 3:30 AM
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Nancy Loomis really showed her range in this. So different than Annie in Halloween. Or Linda in Halloween III.
by Anonymous | reply 35 | August 25, 2025 3:50 AM
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I'm a die hard Kubrick fan and The Shining is my go to horror film. Yes, a winter movie but let's not split hairs. It's superlative anytime.
by Anonymous | reply 36 | August 25, 2025 3:54 AM
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Janet Leigh was very effective in this. She steals every scene she’s in.
by Anonymous | reply 37 | August 25, 2025 5:05 AM
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