| Powdered Water | 02-12-08 03:17 PM |
Stephen King Books to Film Semi-Appreciation Thread
|
Is there an author that has had more of his work put onto the silver screen or the small screen for that matter? I've been reading his books since I was about 11 years old and I've been watching his books that have been translated in one form or another into film almost as long. I say semi-appreciate simply because a rather large number of his books have been butchered in one way or another on their way to the screen. I won't bore you with all of them, I'll mostly try to stick with films that I've read the books to as well. Fair enough? I'm also not really interested in listing my "fave" Stephen King movies. I just wanted to talk a bit about his body of work, so if there's already an appreciation thread I apologize, I couldn't find it.
I'll start at the beginning, and probably not surprisingly is some of the best stuff starting with Carrie (1976), still to this day one of the relatively closest adaptations of his work to the big screen, and a truly horrifying look into not just peer-pressure but just how nasty teens can be to each other and then their inevitable comeuppance. Next there is what I'm sure many would potentially call one of the better Horror/Suspense films ever made, I would anyway. Of course I'm talking about The Shining (1980) interestingly enough this is one film that Stephen King has said is not a good adaptation of his book and overall wasn't very pleased with Kubrick's vision. But over the years has softened that stance somewhat, mostly I believe because of the cult following the movie has achieved. As he has in general for most of his books to film even saying: "It's apples to oranges; both delicious, but very different". Creepshow (1982) marks the first time we see King in a small starring role, playing the lonely Jordy Verril and giving us the wonderful saying: "Meteor sh*t!" Also his son Joe King makes an appearance in the film as well.
Now on to a few that I can take or leave alone; mostly leave alone. Admittedly I'm a child of the 80's but that doesn't mean that these weren't good, it just means to me that I loved the books a lot more. First up Cujo (1983) to be followed by, Christine (1983), Children of the Corn (1984), Firestarter (1984) Cat's Eye (1985) and Silver Bullet (1985). All of which I enjoyed immensely when reading but with the exception of Children of the Corn; could not bring myself to watch them again.
|
1986 brought us what he said was up to that point his favorite adaptation; Stand By Me. A good book and in my ever so humble opinion an even better movie. Wonderful performances all around from a cast of rather young men, Corey Feldman, Jerry O'Connell, Wil Wheaton and River Phoenix (R.I.P.) Next year brought another film which had virtually nothing in common with the original text except the name of the book titled The Running Man (1987). Primarily a vehicle for Arnold at the time and I must admit I do have a bit of a soft spot for this particular piece of silliness. Sue me.
In the 90's some will say things got better or much worse, I'm a bit of both. We see a lot more work in television for King but we also get some pretty decent films as well. Starting with Misery (1990), not only is this a great book but Kathy Bates Oscar winning portrayal of Annie Wilkes perhaps will go down in history as the female version of Norman Bates. And one that will be talked over for decades to come. "You dirty bird..." In 1992 King actually sued to have his name removed from the credits of The Lawnmower Man, and rightly so if one were to ask me. It has virtually nothing to do with the novella by the same name except the title. New Line who had the rights to his story decided to combine his title and the movie which was originally to be called Cyber God, I imagine they were simply trying to make more cash by slapping King's name on there. I have to admit that I still pop this one in now and then (Sci-Fi geek and all...) and I don't think its that terrible of a film it just doesn't have anything to do with his novella. The Shawshank Redemption (1994) is another novella to film that yet again takes several liberties with the actual story and yet apparently this one really works for a lot of people. I enjoy it for what it is, but there's certainly better "prison" movies out there if that's you're cup of tea. The Green Mile (1999) to me is not only a better adaptation of King's work but also a better film than The Shawshank Redemption, but that's just me, what do I know. I intentionally leave out most of his stuff adapted for television during the 90's simply because 1. This a movie forum and you can look it all up on Google if you're so inclined. And 2. A lot of it just isn't worth mentioning, sorry if I offend you.
Hearts in Atlantis (2001) is another very loose adaptation from a King book by the same name and yet the title of the novella that spawned the film is actually Low Men in Yellow Coats, so I guess they just liked that title better, who knows. Anyway I'm fairly certain I'm one of only 3 people that actually like the film, due mostly to Sir Anthony Hopkins. I could watch him in most anything. Dreamcatcher (2003) is pretty much a B-grade horror film with some name actors in it, so of course I rather liked it for what it was even though they found it necessary to completely change the ending. I have yet to see 1408 or The Mist but I will and I'm even a little excited about The Mist, that's Frank Darabont directing again so it may at least follow the story pretty well. There's a few others in production now as I write this that may also turn out pretty decent. Time will tell. Tobe Hooper is said to be at the helm of From a Buick 8, so that could be interesting and also Eli Roth is said to be at the helm of Cell. So we'll see.
Anyway, I realize I've left out quite a few, so feel free to chime in with your favorites or less than favorites if you must.
