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Stephen King 2017 Roundup

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2017 has been the year of Stephen King.  With several of his stories becoming films, co-authoring two novels, and two stories becoming television series, it may have been difficult keeping up to date with everything King has accomplished.  As we approach the end of 2017 we take time to look back on the year that King has had, and look forward to see what 2018 has in store for his fans.

 

May

Gwendy’s Button Box

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King didn’t start releasing anything this past year until May with the release of Gwendy’s Button Box, a short novella he co-authored with Richard Chizmar.  Gwendy’s Button Box took us back to Castle Rock and shows us the story of Gwendy who is given a box one fateful day by a man in a dark suit.  Thanks to the box, Gwendy experiences many wonderful things in her life until she decides to push the one button in the box that she shouldn’t have.  The box is a fast read at 175 pages and for fans it’s a true joy to return back to Castle Rock, a town us King fans know all too well.

June

The Mist (TV Adaption)

 

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Perhaps the weakest spot of 2017 for King was the abysmal mess that was the television  series The Mist, based off of King’s novella found in Skeleton Crew and then released as a Darabont film in 2007.  Unfortunately the television show simply could not hold up.  With extremely low ratings and mixed reviews Spike cancelled the show after only one season.

July

The Dark Tower (film)

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The Dark Tower film was perhaps one of the toughest moments in 2017 for King die hard fans.  The creators of the film took The Dark Tower from the book series that includes 8 full novels, some very large, and turned it into an hour and a half film.  To make matters worse, the film was only loosely based on its source material.  The film grossed $111 million worldwide but only conjured up a measly 15% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

August

Mr. Mercedes

 

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After two King letdowns, Mr. Mercedes blasted out of the gates as one of the most faithful adaptations to King’s works.  It was a fun, exciting series that unfortunately had limited viewership as the series was broadcast on DirecTV’s Applause Network.  The series follows retired detective Bill Hodges and mass murderer Brady Hartsfield.  Brady Hartsfield, aka Mr. Mercedes, drove a Mercedes through a job fair line in 2009 killing 16 innocent lives.  Now, years later, Brady turns his focus on Bill Hodges, the now retired detective that was in charge of the case, to torment him and play games that have deadly consequences.

September

This was the biggest month for King this year.  In one month alone King released a novel he co-authored with his son, two Netflix original movies, and the much anticipated remake film IT.

It (September 8)

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IT was a groundbreaking film that became the largest selling horror film in history. It’s tough to get accurate numbers at this point, but the last financial statistic showed that IT had made a fitting $666 million dollars.  The original film starred Tim Curry as Pennywise the Clown, and in 2017 the role was portrayed by Skarsgard.  Although it was a different take on the story, a more sadistic clown and taking place in the eighties instead of the fifties, the roots of the main concept for the story was still there.  This was definitely the high point of the year as King took the crown of penning the best selling horror movie in history.

 

1922 (September 23)

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A straight to Netflix film 1922 was a dark and sadistic film about a father and son that murder their wife/mother because she decides to sell the land they own and move.  The tale gets darker and more twisted from there as the father and son do everything within their power to cover up their hideous atrocity.  With a solid 88% approval on Rotten Tomatoes and a stellar cast led by Thomas Jane, this film based on King’s novella in Full Dark, No Stars was an awesome addition to King’s 2017 releases.

Gerald’s Game September 29

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Stephen King’s BDSM tale Gerald’s Game was given the small screen adaptation on September 29th.  What on paper didn’t seem like a tale that would be adaptable at all, became one of the most remarkable King films in recent years.  Based on a 1992 book, this film had incredible acting, a fast paced script, and stayed close to the source material.  The movie was met with a 90% approval rating by Rotten Tomatoes.  Carla Gugino shined as a remarkable character that totally descends into madness after her husband dies after a bondage experience goes wrong and leaves her handcuffed to a bed in the middle of nowhere.

Sleeping Beauties (September 26)

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Rounding up 2017 is the first book co-authored by Stephen and his son Owen, and is a remarkable social commentary on women’s rights.  The tale centers on a world where women begin falling asleep and not waking up, but instead they are being covered in cocoons.  If the cocooned women are disturbed in this state they become spectacularly violent.  The book is long at 702 pages, but one that is worthy of the King name.

Looking Ahead:

2017 was a remarkable year for Stephen King, a man that has been in the game now for 43 years and appears not to be slowing down anytime soon.  Looking toward 2018 and beyond there are several projects that King is involved in that will further cement the master of horror as the King of media.  Mr. Mercedes season 2 will make its way to the small screen, King’s written work will have a new novel added to it by the name of The Outsider (possibly an addition to the Mr. Mercedes series), and part 2 of the blockbuster film IT will be coming in 2019.  It is an amazing time to be a Stephen King fan!

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‘Strange Darling’ Featuring Kyle Gallner and Willa Fitzgerald Lands Nationwide Release [Watch Clip]

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Strange Darling Kyle Gallner

‘Strange Darling,’ a standout film featuring Kyle Gallner, who is nominated for an iHorror award for his performance in ‘The Passenger,’ and Willa Fitzgerald, has been acquired for a wide theatrical release in the United States by Magenta Light Studios, a new enterprise from veteran producer Bob Yari. This announcement, brought to us by Variety, follows the film’s successful premiere at Fantastic Fest in 2023, where it was universally praised for its creative storytelling and compelling performances, achieving a perfect score of 100% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes from 14 reviews.

Strange Darling – Movie Clip

Directed by JT Mollner, ‘Strange Darling‘ is a thrilling narrative of a spontaneous hookup that takes an unexpected and terrifying turn. The film is notable for its innovative narrative structure and the exceptional acting of its leads. Mollner, known for his 2016 Sundance entry “Outlaws and Angels,” has once again employed 35mm for this project, cementing his reputation as a filmmaker with a distinct visual and narrative style. He is currently involved in adapting Stephen King’s novel “The Long Walk” in collaboration with director Francis Lawrence.

Bob Yari expressed his enthusiasm for the film’s upcoming release, scheduled for August 23rd, highlighting the unique qualities that make ‘Strange Darling’ a significant addition to the horror genre. “We are thrilled to be bringing nationwide theatrical audiences this unique and exceptional film with terrific performances by Willa Fitzgerald and Kyle Gallner. This second feature from talented writer-director JT Mollner is destined to become a cult classic that defies conventional storytelling,” Yari told Variety.

Variety’s review of the film from Fantastic Fest lauds Mollner’s approach, saying, “Mollner shows himself to be more forward-thinking than most of his genre peers. He’s clearly a student of the game, one who studied his forebears’ lessons with adroitness to better prepare himself to put his own mark on them.” This praise underlines Mollner’s deliberate and thoughtful engagement with the genre, promising audiences a film that is both reflective and innovative.

Strange Darling

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Sydney Sweeney’s ‘Barbarella’ Revival Forges Ahead

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Sydney Sweeney Barbarella

Sydney Sweeney has confirmed the ongoing progress of the much-anticipated reboot of Barbarella. The project, which sees Sweeney not only starring but also executive producing, aims to breathe new life into the iconic character that first captured audiences’ imaginations in the 1960s. However, amid speculation, Sweeney remains tight-lipped about the possible involvement of celebrated director Edgar Wright in the project.

During her appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Sweeney shared her enthusiasm for the project and the character of Barbarella, stating, “It is. I mean, Barbarella is just such a fun character to explore. She really just embraces her femininity and her sexuality, and I love that. She uses sex as a weapon and I think it’s such an interesting way into a sci-fi world. I’ve always wanted to do sci-fi. So we’ll see what happens.“

Sydney Sweeney confirms her Barbarella reboot is still in the works

Barbarella, originally a creation of Jean-Claude Forest for V Magazine in 1962, was transformed into a cinematic icon by Jane Fonda under the direction of Roger Vardim in 1968. Despite a sequel, Barbarella Goes Down, never seeing the light of day, the character has remained a symbol of sci-fi allure and adventurous spirit.

Over the decades, several high-profile names including Rose McGowan, Halle Berry, and Kate Beckinsale were floated as potential leads for a reboot, with directors Robert Rodriguez and Robert Luketic, and writers Neal Purvis and Robert Wade previously attached to revive the franchise. Unfortunately, none of these iterations made it past the conceptual stage.

Barbarella

The film’s progress took a promising turn approximately eighteen months ago when Sony Pictures announced its decision to cast Sydney Sweeney in the titular role, a move that Sweeney herself has suggested was facilitated by her involvement in Madame Web, also under Sony’s banner. This strategic decision was aimed at fostering a beneficial relationship with the studio, specifically with the Barbarella reboot in mind.

When probed about Edgar Wright’s potential directorial role, Sweeney adeptly sidestepped, merely noting that Wright has become an acquaintance. This has left fans and industry watchers speculating about the extent of his involvement, if any, in the project.

Barbarella is known for its adventurous tales of a young woman traversing the galaxy, engaging in escapades that often incorporate elements of sexuality—a theme Sweeney seems eager to explore. Her commitment to reimagining Barbarella for a new generation, while staying true to the character’s original essence, sounds like the making of a great reboot.

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‘The First Omen’ Almost Received an NC-17 Rating

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the first omen trailer

Set for an April 5 theater release, ‘The First Omen’ carries an R-rating, a classification that was almost not achieved. Arkasha Stevenson, in her inaugural feature film directorial role, faced a formidable challenge in securing this rating for the prequel to the esteemed franchise. It seems the filmmakers had to contend with the ratings board to prevent the film from being saddled with an NC-17 rating. In a revealing conversation with Fangoria, Stevenson described the ordeal as ‘a long battle’, one not waged over traditional concerns such as gore. Instead, the crux of the controversy centered around the depiction of the female anatomy.

Stevenson’s vision for “The First Omen” delves deep into the theme of dehumanization, particularly through the lens of forced birthing. “The horror in that situation is how dehumanized that woman is”, Stevenson explains, emphasizing the significance of presenting the female body in a non-sexualized light to address themes of forced reproduction authentically. This commitment to realism nearly landed the film an NC-17 rating, sparking a prolonged negotiation with the MPA. “This has been my life for a year and a half, fighting for the shot. It’s the theme of our film. It’s the female body being violated from the inside outwards”, she states, highlighting the importance of the scene to the film’s core message.

The First Omen Movie Poster – by Creepy Duck Design

Producers David Goyer and Keith Levine supported Stevenson’s battle, encountering what they perceived as a double standard in the ratings process. Levine reveals, “We had to go back and forth with the ratings board five times. Weirdly, avoiding the NC-17 made it more intense”, pointing out how the struggle with the ratings board inadvertently intensified the final product. Goyer adds, “There is more permissiveness when dealing with male protagonists, particularly in body horror”, suggesting a gender bias in how body horror is evaluated.

The film’s bold approach to challenging viewers’ perceptions extends beyond the ratings controversy. Co-writer Tim Smith notes the intention to subvert expectations traditionally associated with The Omen franchise, aiming to surprise audiences with a fresh narrative focus. “One of the big things we were excited to do was to kind of pull the rug out from under people’s expectations”, Smith says, underscoring the creative team’s desire to explore new thematic ground.

Nell Tiger Free, known for her role in “Servant”, leads the cast of “The First Omen”, set for release by 20th Century Studios on April 5. The movie follows a young American woman dispatched to Rome for church service, where she stumbles upon a sinister force that shakes her faith to its core and reveals a chilling plot aimed at summoning evil incarnate.

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