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Stephen King Film Adaptations; The Worst There Is

Published

7 years ago

August 8, 2017

With the release of Stephen King’s The Dark Tower upon us, hardcore King fans aren’t quite sure if the movie will do the books justice. However, it isn’t the first time a movie based on King’s work has been off the mark as far as the source material is concerned. Several of King’s movies based on his work have missed the mark entirely. Here is a look at some of the movies that failed to live up to reader expectations.

Pet Semetary(1989)

I’m not going to say that this was a bad movie overall. However, when placed next to its source material, the movie just failed to live up to its expectations. The book Pet Sematary was, perhaps, one of King’s best. It’s use of death, pain, and loss elevates this book to mean much more to the reader than some hokey zombie read. The thought that perhaps death wasn’t the worst thing was something that resonated with the reader long after the book was placed down. The movie, however, was a watered down to a hokey zombie flick that involves Church the cat and Gage the son. Now, I know that it’s hard to convey feeling and emotion in a movie the same way that it’s portrayed in the book. Yet in the case of Pet Sematary it was like they didn’t even try. The movie Pet Sematary came across to the reader more as a cheesy coming attraction trailer than it did a movie of substance, fright, and emotion.

Image result for Pet Sematary

The Shining (1980)

What Stephen King book/movie comparison be complete without Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining? This movie was so off the source material that King himself doesn’t like it to this day. It even called need for a mini series that was closer to the material. Despite the many conspiracy theories that surround this movie, and despite Nicholson’s iconic catch phrase and lunatic ranting, the movie just missed the point of the book entirely. The switch of Danny’s imaginary friend going from being invisible in the book to being his finger in the movie just comes off as goofy instead of creepy. In addition, in the movie Jack’s affection for his son just does not come across as well as it does in the movie. There is a also a heavy overtone of addiction in the book that doesn’t carry over into the film. When comparing the content to the source material, Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining just does not come close.

Image result for stanley kubrick's the shining pic

The Lawnmower Man (1992)

Perhaps, the worst adaptation on the list. This adaptation was so bad that Stephen King sued the filmmakers to remove his name from the film, eventually winning $2.5 million. Aside from a single scene, this movie was completely different than the story. However, it will be known as one of the first films to discuss virtual reality. Although the movie as itself is not horrible, it is a poor adaptation of the Stephen King novel. In a unique turn of events, the film is currently being remade for VR.

The Dark Half (1993)

Perhaps one of the most underrated stories of King became a terrible film adaptation in 1993. With so many character changes from page to screen it was difficult to recognize any of the folks you came to know in the book. Directed by the almighty George Romero this film had the potential to be one of King’s defining moments. However, with a plot that didn’t really seem to go anywhere, poor acting, and characters that resembled little of their source material this film came off as clunky, slow, and well…boring.

Cell (2016)

As a book Cell was a fantastic read! it truly captured the reader’s attention and refused to let go. Based off of a very scary concept that perhaps our cell phones aren’t as harmless as they seem, this film just failed to capture anything right from the book. What could have been a blood filled zombie like film dragged on from the moment it started. The other terrible part of this movie from a reader’s perspective is that they changed the ending! I won’t reveal what that ending is for the benefit of those who haven’t seen nor read the book. With an amazing cast (John Cuzak, Samuel Jackson) this film simply did not deliver. As the Lawnmower Man did not follow the King story purposely, this makes this movie perhaps the worst film adaptation on the list!

With this year being the year of King it is interesting to see how many adaptations, reworkings, and various versions of his work are coming to either the big or small screen, and it’s intriguing to see how they will hold up to the books. What do you think of the list? What other adaptations do you feel did not live up to the novel? Leave your comments bellow!

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Movies

Trailer for ‘The Exorcism’ Has Russell Crowe Possessed

Published

15 hours ago

April 25, 2024

Timothy Rawles

The latest exorcism movie is about to drop this summer. It’s aptly titled The Exorcism and it stars Academy Award winner turned B-movie savant Russell Crowe. The trailer dropped today and by the looks of it, we are getting a possession movie that takes place on a movie set.

Just like this year’s recent demon-in-media-space film Late Night With the Devil, The Exorcism happens during a production. Although the former takes place on a live network talk show, the latter is on an active sound stage. Hopefully, it won’t be entirely serious and we’ll get some meta chuckles out of it.

The film will open in theaters on June 7, but since Shudder also acquired it, it probably won’t be long after that until it finds a home on the streaming service.

Crowe plays, “Anthony Miller, a troubled actor who begins to unravel while shooting a supernatural horror film. His estranged daughter, Lee (Ryan Simpkins), wonders if he’s slipping back into his past addictions or if there’s something more sinister at play. The film also stars Sam Worthington, Chloe Bailey, Adam Goldberg and David Hyde Pierce.”

Crowe did see some success in last year’s The Pope’s Exorcist mostly because his character was so over-the-top and infused with such comical hubris it bordered on parody. We will see if that is the route actor-turned-director Joshua John Miller takes with The Exorcism.

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Win a Stay at The Lizzie Borden House From Spirit Halloween

Published

16 hours ago

April 25, 2024

Timothy Rawles

Spirit Halloween has declared that this week marks the start of spooky season and to celebrate they are offering fans a chance to stay at the Lizzie Borden House with so many perks Lizzie herself would approve.

The Lizzie Borden House in Fall River, MA is claimed to be one of the most haunted houses in America. Of course one lucky winner and up to 12 of their friends will find out if the rumors are true if they win the grand prize: A private stay in the notorious house.

“We are delighted to work with Spirit Halloween to roll out the red carpet and offer the public a chance to win a one-of-a-kind experience at the infamous Lizzie Borden House, which also includes additional haunted experiences and merchandise,” said Lance Zaal, President & Founder of US Ghost Adventures.

Fans can enter to win by following Spirit Halloween‘s Instagram and leaving a comment on the contest post from now through April 28.

The prize also includes:

An exclusive guided house tour, including insider insight around the murder, the trial, and commonly reported hauntings

A late-night ghost tour, complete with professional ghost-hunting gear

A private breakfast in the Borden family dining room

A ghost hunting starter kit with two pieces of Ghost Daddy Ghost Hunting Gear and a lesson for two at US Ghost Adventures Ghost Hunting Course

The ultimate Lizzie Borden gift package, featuring an official hatchet, the Lizzie Borden board game, Lily the Haunted Doll, and America’s Most Haunted Volume II

Winner’s choice of a Ghost Tour experience in Salem or a True Crime experience in Boston for two

“Our Halfway to Halloween celebration provides fans an exhilarating taste of what’s to come this fall and empowers them to start planning for their favorite season as early as they please,” said Steven Silverstein, CEO of Spirit Halloween. “We have cultivated an incredible following of enthusiasts who embody the Halloween lifestyle, and we’re thrilled to bring the fun back to life.”

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Spirit Halloween is also preparing for their retail haunted houses. On Thursday, August 1 their flagship store in Egg Harbor Township, NJ. will officially open to start off the season. That event usually draws in hordes of people eager to see what new merch, animatronics, and exclusive IP goods will be trending this year.

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Movies

’28 Years Later’ Trilogy Taking Shape With Serious Star Power

Published

18 hours ago

April 25, 2024

Timothy Rawles

Danny Boyle is revisiting his 28 Days Later universe with three new films. He will direct the first, 28 Years Later, with two more to follow. Deadline is reporting that sources say Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Ralph Fiennes have been cast for the first entry, a sequel to the original. Details are being kept under wraps so we don’t know how or if the first original sequel 28 Weeks Later fits into the project.

**Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Ralph Fiennes**

Boyle will direct the first movie but it’s unclear which role he will take on in the subsequent films. What is known is Candyman (2021) director Nia DaCosta is scheduled to direct the second film in this trilogy and that the third will be filmed immediately afterward. Whether DaCosta will direct both is still unclear.

Alex Garland is writing the scripts. Garland is having a successful time at the box office right now. He wrote and directed the current action/thriller Civil War which was just knocked out of the theatrical top spot by Radio Silence’s Abigail.

There is no word yet on when, or where, 28 Years Later will start production.