It's usually not coming from a point of negative criticism or disappointment.Despite what some of the questions might imply.I don't go into the theater thinking "oh, this is going to be awful". My thoughts just start wandering through the what ifs.(and sooner or later they are bound to step in something)
Recently , I watched a movie that has always been a desert island disc favorite since the very first time I saw it on late night 80's HBO: "Night of the Comet". Written and directed by Thom Eberhardt.Starring Kelli Maroney,Catherine Mary Stewart,and Robert Beltran.
I LOVE this movie.
After the first time I saw it, I made a copy off of the cable and proceeded to watch it almost once a night for the next two weeks.And as if that wasn't enough,I eventually made a cassette tape of the whole movie to listen to in the car on long drives. Mostly to enjoy the music as the soundtrack was near impossible to acquire.Still never found one.
I've always had a fascination with stories that involve the almost complete disappearance of the human race.And the solitude that comes with such a story.I think it began with Twilight Zone's " Time Enough at Last" and my personal connection with all the time in the world to read suddenly at ones feet.*SHATTER* ( my stack of waiting to be read books threatens to be as tall as me sometimes)
So, the other night ,I was in the mood for some visual comfort food. After a rough day, I often turn to some favorite music or film to relax. And on that evening I turned to the "Night"
What would happen to these characters AFTER the credits roll:Would they find other survivors? They could use the radio station to reach out for others.Well,for a long as the power continued to work.Eventually electricity would go south without someone operating the system.And what are the odds of someone well versed in power supply having survived?
Would there still be the threat of the partially exposed? Or would they have all turned to dust by now? Perhaps where the "survivor" lived in the United States factored into their exposure deterioration rate. Say for example, those in the mid-west experienced the edge of the comet and not a direct hit.What if weather conditions impact the effect? The effect would still be the same but the pace at which it played out was even slower.
What if there was a sequel?
If so, that story would most likely revolve around the ladies efforts to survive in this new world.Interesting at least in how they start rebuilding and sustaining their lives now that the local grocer won't be restocking the shelves for the next
thousand or so years.Modern sensibilities in a pioneers life.But where is the drama? Do the survivors go all Mad Max and there is a fight for control of water and fuel?and flesh?
Then I thought of a inevitable straight forward remake.And thought better of it.
Remakes too often miss the point.A bigger budget doesn't always translate into a better version.Too often the re-maker forgets why we the audience fell in love with the original movies in question in the first place. And that's the characters.
My heart instantly fell in love with the two leading ladies and the characters they played. I WANTED them to survive and I wanted to go along for the ride to see what happens next.
So that lead me to contemplating the idea about a remix of sorts that would involve the original actresses playing similar,but new characters experiencing the comet for the first time. This time as adults.
In the original story they survived the comet as teenagers.Teenagers who went from step-monster troubles to real monster problems.All their high school worries gone in a puff of red smoke.But now they would be adults whose world of responsibilities would be suddenly turned to dust.The life they built up(and were still being billed for) around them was now no more.
Would there be more grief? Since they spent more time in this life's shoes(there would be more things loss to mourn). Close friends,family.That season finale of their favorite show that now won't ever happen.
What would they do to cope? Would they relive the fun things they did when they were teenagers?Go dancing at that club? Are they over the limit on their credit cards? Who cares....cause they don't need them ! THE STORES ARE OPEN !!
In this version, Reggie is married to a verbally abusive husband.Ex-military,PTSD. No children. She wants kids,but doesn't want to bring a child into the situation.Or maybe she can't conceive. One of the many reasons for which this overly stressed out man in her life gets verbally abusive.Out of work. Finances are terrible. About to lose house.Medical bills. Lots of arguments,door slamming,and kitchen sink tears.On the night of the comet ,he hits her for the first time. But she fights back.In his anger, He locks her in old steel storage trunk in the garage.
While locked in the trunk she tries to use her phone to call for help.Calls the police.
As she waits to be rescued and the effects of the comet take hold,Reggie scrolls through her social media.Looking at pages and photos of friends and family.Observing that their social feeds all stop at a certain time.Final happy thoughts,well wishes,and "anyone else itching?" before the comet ....nothing more...and more nothing page after page.
She tries to call her sister Sam.
This Samantha,is a truck driver. On the road on the night of the comet. Transporting horses?Before the comet arrives, the animal in question starts to give birth.(there must be some serious reason why the animal would be moved in such a state,maybe a wild fire has destroyed the stables) So Sam and her driving partner, or vet,find themselves inside the steel truck on the side of the road when the comet hits. Its raining hard on the night where she is stopped.
The next day, Sam ,realizing that something serious has happened to the world, drives her truck to Reg's place.Hoping upon hope that her sister is still alive. Just before she arrives,Reggie has finally managed to escape the trunk.While cautiously walking through her house,she is attacked by her husband.He is dressed in full military gear and has been partially exposed.They fight.....she kicks his ass.And just as Reggie stands before her fallen husband and is about to deliver the final smack down...... in walks Sam...
Sam:"Problem at the Brady's?"
Reggie delivers the final blow to her former husbands head which explodes in a burst of red dust.
The Sisters hug.The two try and get the other up to speed on what they have seen,or thinks has happened.Sam tells Reggie of things she heard on her trucks radio(CB and otherwise) and searches for the same messages on the radio in the kitchen.Maybe the think tank group broadcasts on the radio. Messages on how to contact them. Warnings of their discoveries about the partially exposed.Repeated over and over.
While Sam's cranking the dial, Reggie goes to her phone,tries to call someone.Anyone.No answer.Just voice mail messages from friends now gone.
Starts looking at social media.Looking for anyone else she knows alive.
Searches for keywords/ #hashtags.Nothing
She searches Comet groups to see if anyone has posted anything.
Leaves a post of her own.
The Sisters talk of what they should do next. What this means for the both of them.Dialogue gets a bit emotional,mixed with laughter and fear.
Then Sam's phone chimes.
A post from a child. Or Perhaps a teenager? In a nearby town.
(A fake post from the think tank group looking for survivors? or a hungry comet zombie still smarter than auto-correct?)
They make plans to go to "her".
As they drive in Sam's truck they hear someone on the radio say something similar to Sam's classic " Teenage Comet Zombies" that sends them in the direction of the local radio station.The person on the radio playing DJ plays a upbeat song from the sisters youth. And despite themselves,and the situation at hand, they find themselves singing along.
Laughing.They share a mutual memory associated with that song.They talk of what will they do now that they are free from the adult responsibilities? Get that dress they always wanted?New Car?Cars?Have that slice of cheesecake? But it doesn't take long for a somber mood to return and thoughts of how desperate things have actually become:"Do you think it's just here?or everywhere?" It becomes quiet as they stare out the windows at empty street after street and abandoned cars....while the upbeat song continues to play.
Then,Sam suddenly pulls the truck to a screeching halt. She turns to her sister and tells her "Listen.We've spent most of our life doing things and living for others.And for what?Broken hearts and bad backs? What's the one thing you would do today that you have always put off till tomorrow?"
Reggie doesn't hesitate to answer , she gives her sister a wicked smile and says "......." ( what would you do? insert fantasy here)..........(?cut to Reggie in an arcade playing Tempest !heheh )
While off on their adventure,the Sisters meet other survivors.
They determine they need to get out of the city. A LOT of people have died while electronic devices where left on. With no one to turn them off, accidents will happen. Our group can see fires in the distance where houses,businesses are already burning up. And the fire is spreading. Whole city blocks are ablaze.
And then there is still the threat of the partially exposed. There are more this time. And the exposure and effect is worse within city limits. The pollution of the city air created a toxic wall from the comet.Maybe created just enough of a veil to slow the process on those who were partially protected and under cover when it passed.
The sky above the city is a deeper red haze than towards the outskirts of town. Millions of people were turned to red dust within the city limits and are now thick in the air.Blowing in the wind. Being breathed in by our survivors.Will this make them sick? Cause one of the sisters to turn?Her rash IS acting up again
.....And that's about as far as I got before sleep won me over.
.
If there ever is a book written about the making of the original movie , it should be called "The Tale of the Comet "
