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Essential Reading: 8 Stephen King Novels

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Everyone knows who Stephen King is at this point. And if you don’t, you should probably get acquainted with him immediately. Which is what I’m here for. You may have seen a film based on one of his books, but if you’ve never read any Stephen King novels, here is a list of 8 to choose from. Many of these are considered his greatest or most iconic – some are also on here just because I think they’re the best. Because I have good taste. You do believe me, don’t you?

“Reading makes me cuh-razy!”

Cujo (1981)

Cujo is almost exactly like Marley and Me, except the dog in this book is evil and wants to kill people. So, it’s actually nothing at all like Marley and Me, but come on. I was trying to make a joke. Didn’t work, did it? King plays on a very common fear in this early novel of his: the fear of dogs. Especially hungry, scary big dogs.

Carrie (1974)

This is one of the most important Stephen King novels for the sole fact that it was his first and his first big breakthrough. Carrie was a success from the start. Unlike many other of his works, the books is comparatively small. In fact, after reading some of this later stuff, you may consider this more of a short story! If you’re interested in getting acquainted with his novels but aren’t ready to read a book that’s over a thousand pages yet, this is a suitable alternative. Bloody. Sad. Scary.

Pet Sematary (1983)

Another book that plays on a common fear – this time, as King puts it, it’s the fear of “what if?” In the introduction to the novel, Stephen King describes a time in which his two-year old son was running straight for the road while a truck sped by. Thankfully, he caught his child. But what if he didn’t? The thought was so disturbing to the author that he almost thought he had gone too far and that he shouldn’t publish the book. Thankfully, he did publish it, and it continues to scare the living Hell out of readers to this day.

The Stand (1978)

King originally envisioned this gigantic story of his to be his version of The Lord of the Rings but in a modern setting…so that should tell you something about the length of it. It’s a post-apocalyptic story where 99.4% of the human population is wiped out by a strain of influenza, and that alone is terrifying.

The Gunslinger (1982)

The entire Dark Tower series is highly recommended, so by all means, read them all. Start with the first one, though. The Gunslinger introduces you to the series’ main protagonist, Roland Deschain. A film adaption is finally coming, so read this before it’s out!

It (1986)

Pennywise is best known as looking like Tim Curry’s portrayal of a scary clown, but in the book, that’s more of a rare occurrence. The character of It here is a shapeshifting demon capable of taking on the shape of your deepest, darkest fears. So, technically, if you’re afraid of Pickles, there is a good chance that he could appear as a pimply green thing. That does actually sound kind of scary, to be honest.

The Shining (1977)

Isolation. Insanity. Snow. While King was already an up and coming author, with the release of The Shining in 1977, King was propelled straight to the top. Based on King’s own experience and struggles with alcohol, the book centers around the Torrence family. Jack, the father, is a writer and an alcoholic who accepts a job of taking care of the Overlook Hotel in Colorado during the off-season. The hotel is big. Really big. Once there, it is discovered that his son Danny possess what is known as “The Shining” – a psychic ability. And then there’s his wife, Wendy, who in the film version is more or less just stuck in the middle of everything to scream and cry. Due to this, King has been outspoken about his distaste for the film. Regardless, both the film and novel are considered some of the best in their league. Read it.

‘Salem’s Lot (1975)

King at his creepiest. Hands down. The author himself considers it his favorite as well – or at least, this is what he said in 1983. In it, a writer from Maine (sounds familiar) returns to the small town in which he grew up in, Jerusalem’s Lot, only to find that there are vampires running amok. There’s something terrifying about a sleepy town being taken over by the undead. And I should know; my neighbor is Nosferatu.

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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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