It's about that time for Jack-O-Lanterns, pumpkin spice latte's and scary movies, and since we are officially in spooky season, I thought I would get into the horror holiday spirit and compile a list of my top ten classic films (and honorable mentions) adapted from best selling Stephen King novels.
The reason I decided to come up with this list, is because I had just watched the straight to Max remake of Salem's Lot. As for that film, I thought they could have beefed up the Ben Meers role more, since Lewis Pullman is technically playing the lead.
In fact, I feel in regards to character development it definitely felt like a lot was cut from the film. The actor that played Mark I thought did a phenomenal job. Alfre Woodard was definitely hamming it up as the doctor. I also loved some of the camera tricks and transitions the director incorporated in the film. While the lead vampire was clearly inspired by Nosferatu, I did think the makeup looked a bit like a Spirit Halloween mask.
Speaking of vampires, I would have liked for the town to have slowly discovered what was happening, as for some scenes made their discovery of vampirism and their weaknesses (crosses, revoking invitations) known too quickly.
When it comes to certain Stephen King adaptations, I think some work better as a two hour movie (like Silver Bullet, Shawshank Redemption and Sleepwalkers), but in regards to Salem's Lot, I think it would have benefited the audience much more if it were given the Andy Muscietti treatment and cut into two chapters like his It films.
Otherwise, I didn't think Salem's Lot was bad. However, it wasn't good enough for repeat viewings either.
To be fair it isn't easy to adapt Stephen King's books for the big and small scree, because his writing is not only descriptive, but because there's also some inner dialogue that's going on with the characters he creates.
So I want to give kudos to the directors and screenwriters who have been able to crack the Stephen King code, and figure out a way to bring his twisted tales to life.
The Shining - Even though Stanley Kubrick's version of The Shining isn't a favorite of King's (because it deviates from what's on the page), you can't deny that the director's moody, atmospheric art piece take on King's novel that still has a hold on audiences 44 years later.
Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson) becomes winter caretaker at the isolated Overlook Hotel in Colorado, hoping to cure his writer's block. He settles in along with his wife, Wendy (Shelley Duvall), and his son, Danny (Danny Lloyd), who is plagued by psychic premonitions. As Jack's writing goes nowhere and Danny's visions become more disturbing, Jack discovers the hotel's dark secrets and begins to unravel into a homicidal maniac hell-bent on terrorizing his family.
Doctor Sleep - It's rare that a sequel is as good, or surpasses the original in regards to quality entertainment, but Doctor Sleep is one of those rare birds that deserves all the accolates. Not only for it's superb acting from Ewan McGregor, Kyliegh Curran and Rebecca Ferguson, but because the film sticks with you long after the credits roll.
I loved that we got a sequel that dove into Danny Torrence as an adult, and how the trauma of his childhood affected him decades later. The film deals with his alcoholism (a curse he clearly developed from his father), and how the disease affects his ability to shine, a power he has often shied away from.
The scene that always gets under my skin is when the True Knot starts sucking the shine from Bradley Trevor's (played by Jacob Tremblay's) body. Definitely one of director Mike Flanagan's best films.
Carrie - "They're all gonna laugh at you!" A phrase you won't be able to get out of your head, and a bonafide classic horror film that resonates with so many queer people. A shy teenage girl with telekinetic powers who takes out her bullies at her school prom? Who couldn't relate?
Carrie is a true definition of a badass, and while the book is far more descriptive in regards to the damage Carrie does to the town, I yearn for the day when I can get the true experience of capturing the essence of a Stephen King novel on the big screen.
Stephen King's It: Chapter 1 - This may be an unpopular opinion, but even though I grew up with the Tim Curry TV miniseries from the 90s, I actually prefer Andy Muschietti's two-part cinematic version than the watered-down miniseries. This is not to take away from Curry's phenomenal performance of Pennywise. I just prefer the darker, twisted version with Bill Skarsgård's sadistic Pennywise.
It's also well-acted and fiendishly frightening with an emotionally affecting story at its core, It amplifies the horror in Stephen King's classic story without losing touch with its heart.
Christine - Never come between a man and his car. What I love about this film, directed by one of my favorite directors John Carpenter is thathe tells the story between a boy and his car. Even though we shouldn't be rooting for a killer car, I definitely enjoyed Christine taking revenge on the bullies that picked on Arnie Cunningham and at one point destroyed Christine until she magically put herself back together again.
Christine is such an inspiration to many a filmmaker that David Gordon Green even used the film as inspiration for the relationship between Corey Cunningham and Michael Myers in Halloween Ends.
The Mist - This is one of my all-time favorite Stephen adaptations, because director Frank Darabont adapts the same premise of his adaptation of The Walking Dead series (he also directed another film based on a Stephen King novel - The Green Mile), which is, it's not the monsters in the mist you should be scared of - sometimes, the people you are surrounded by when scared can be just as worse.
The ending of the film always gets me, and I'm actually glad they decided to go with the dark ending rather than some Hollywood happy ending, or Stephen's original ending in the novella.
Misery - Elevated by standout performances from James Caan and Kathy Bates (who won an Oscar for her role), this taut and frightening film is one of the best Stephen King adaptations to date.
Synopsis: After a serious car crash, novelist Paul Sheldon (James Caan) is rescued by former nurse Annie Wilkes (Kathy Bates), who claims to be his biggest fan. Annie brings him to her remote cabin to recover, where her obsession takes a dark turn when she discovers Sheldon is killing off her favorite character from his novels. As Sheldon devises plans for escape, Annie grows increasingly controlling, even violent, as she forces the author to shape his writing to suit her twisted fantasies.
Pet Sematary - Doctor Louis Creed (Dale Midkiff) moves his family to Maine, where he meets a friendly local named Jud Crandall (Fred Gwynne). After the Creeds' cat is accidentally killed, Crandall advises Louis to bury it in the ground near the old pet cemetery. The cat returns to life, its personality changed for the worse. When Louis' son, Gage (Miko Hughes), dies tragically, Louis decides to bury the boy's body in the same ground despite the warnings of Crandall and Louis' visions of a deceased patient.
Cujo - What I love about Cujo is the simplicity of it's premise. A mother and son are trapped in a car while a rabid St Bernard tries to attack them. Cujo (pronounced Cu-ho) may not be a favorite among critics (it has a 59% score on the Tomatometer), but who cares. While the film may not be perfect, I love the performances from Dee Wallace and Danny Pintauro.
Children of the Corn - As physician Burt Stanton (Peter Horton) and his girlfriend, Vicky (Linda Hamilton), drive across the Midwest to his new job, their trip comes to a sudden halt when they encounter the body of a murdered boy in the road. In trying to contact the authorities, Burt and Vicky wander into a small town populated only by children, followers of sinister young preacher Isaac Chroner (John Franklin). Soon the couple is fleeing the youthful fanatics, who want to sacrifice them to their demonic deity.
Honorable Mentions
Silver Bullet - As a werewolf fan, Silver Bullet is one of my favorite films. What I also love about the film is not only the practical effects, but because it's a kids tale surrounding a handicapped kid and his sister, who he doesn't have the best relationship with taking on a werewolf that kills members of the town during a full moon.
I also love how the film disregards the rule that kids are off limits in horror films, and speaking of kids, Corey Haim does a phenomenal job in the role. The film is sweet, scary, funny, and entertaining. While the film may feel the film is comes off a bit dated and schlocky due to the films 80s-isms, that what I find so charming about the movie.
The Dead Zone - The Dead Zone combines taut direction from David Cronenberg and and a rich performance from Christopher Walken to create one of the strongest Stephen King adaptations.
Synopsis: When Johnny Smith (Christopher Walken) awakens from a coma caused by a car accident, he finds that years have passed, and he now has psychic abilities. Heartbroken that his girlfriend (Brooke Adams) has moved on with her life, Johnny also must contend with his unsettling powers, which allow him to see a person's future with a mere touch. After shaking the hand of aspiring politician Greg Stillson (Martin Sheen), Johnny sees the danger presented by the candidate's rise and resolves to kill him.
Firestarter - As youths, Andy McGee (David Keith) and his future wife, Vicky (Heather Locklear), participated in secret experiments, allowing themselves to be subjected to mysterious medical tests. Years later, the couple's daughter, Charlie (Drew Barrymore), begins to exhibit the ability of setting fires solely with her mind. This volatile talent known as pyrokinesis makes the youngster extremely dangerous and soon she becomes a target for the enigmatic agency known as "The Shop."
While the movie take a while to get going, I have to give it to Barrymore and Keith for giving their all to the script. The final act, of course is the best part of the film, and I refuse to acknowledge the awful Blumhouse remake with Zac Efron. So while the orignal Firestarter isn't the best, it is an entertaining, watchable film.
Stand By Me - There's a loony up in tocus! While it's not a horror film, per se, another one of my favorite Stephen King films that I revisit quite often is Stand By Me. Growing up as a child of the 80s, I've always loved movies where we see young boys go on quests, and end up having some sort of life discovery.
Synopsis: After learning that a stranger has been accidentally killed near their rural homes, four Oregon boys decide to go see the body. On the way, Gordie Lachance (Wil Wheaton), Vern Tessio (Jerry O'Connell), Chris Chambers (River Phoenix) and Teddy Duchamp (Corey Feldman) encounter a mean junk man and a marsh full of leeches, as they also learn more about one another and their very different home lives. Just a lark at first, the boys' adventure evolves into a defining event in their lives.
We also can't forget about the superb performances from Wil Wheaton, Corey Feldman, Jerry O' Connell and the late River Phoenix.
Sleepwalkers - Stephen King's Sleepwalkers is one bonkers film. I wish I could have included it as part of my top 10 selections, but unfortunately we have to settle for an honorable mention. Brian Krause is great as one of the supernatural creatures smitten by Mädchen Amick's virgin Tanya, and Alice Krige chews up the scenery in her role as Mary Brady, Charle's incestuous mother. We also can't leave out the two biggest stars of the film - Enya's Boadacea and Clovis the cat.
Synopsis: When newcomers Charles (Krause) and his mother, Mary (Krige), settle into town, the local residents do not suspect that they're shape-shifters looking to feed on the town's virgin girls. Charles quickly befriends innocent and chaste Tanya (Madchen Amick) when he begins attending high school, hoping to take her life force in order to feed his mother. When Tanya agrees to a first date with Charles, she may learn his true intentions the hard way.
I don't know if it was intentional or not, but it has to be the funniest bad movie I have ever seen. Everything in this movie is 100% percent wrong, and I'm not sure if studio interference affected the movie, but overall you can definitely tell there was a lot of passion put into the film, and it's a fun watch.
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