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Essential Reading: 8 Stephen King Novels

Published

8 years ago

September 5, 2016

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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Movies

Trailer for ‘The Exorcism’ Has Russell Crowe Possessed

Published

17 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.

'Civil War' Review: Is It Worth Watching?

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Win a Stay at The Lizzie Borden House From Spirit Halloween

Published

19 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.

'Civil War' Review: Is It Worth Watching?

Movies

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

Published

21 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.