I can’t remember another time where our movie’s ratings were so in the spotlight, at least in the internet community. Sure, it used to be a big deal when something got slapped with an NC-17 – but now it’s cause for discussion and concern what EVERY movie is going to be rated – specifically action and horror films. Of course, we here at AITH make it our business to keep you in the loop regarding such things, as we know that a rating sometimes is an indicator of what a particular film’s style and substance is going to be. I don’t care if it makes us seem juvenile, as a recent article in some rag suggested when I seemed worried AVP2 would get a PG-13 rating (how’s this for juvenile: Eat it, buddy!), we likes our horror movies to be down and dirty. And when we get that rare exception of one rated PG-13 that’s genuinely effective (THE RING), we’re punished with 80 more PG-13 flicks that have absolutely no balls or backbone whatsoever…
All this to say that our buddy Frank Darabont, maestro behind THE MIST, feels our concern, and has sent out a message to eager fans that his adaptation of Stephen King’s tale of hellish creatures attacking a supermarket will be nothing short of an R.
Here’s Darabont laying down the law at Aintitcool (regarding a recent story hinting that THE MIST would be PG-13): As you know, these test screenings are organized by independent companies who do that sort of thing…so this ain’t Dimension’s fault…but apparently (if I’m understanding the first reviewer correctly) they posted something outside the theater saying “Movie not yet rated, but likely PG-13.” Or words to that effect.
I don’t where they got that idea (maybe it’s their standard shot-in-the-dark practice at test screenings), but PG-13 was NEVER a possibility for this film. Dimension went into this knowing I was going to make an R movie, and that’s exactly what it is. We got our rating from the MPAA just a few days ago, and I can assure everybody it’s a big fat R. And there’s no way I’m trimming a frame of this movie to make it less of an R for the release.
Yeah boooyyeeee! If you know the short story, you know that gooey bloodshed is in order, so the mere thought of this flick not giving us the goods in that regard is practically unthinkable. Rest assured, Darabont (who knows gooey bloodshed – see THE BLOB) is in tune with his fanbase and won’t let us down.
Alexa Davalos is definitely rated SWEET!