My favorie (and the best adaptation) is Pet Sematary. Fred Gwynne as Jud was perfect casting and the director really seemed to understand what made the book so effectivly scary.
One adaptation I hate (save for the wonderful Overlook Hotel interiors) is Kubrick's The Shining. He either missed, or ignored the real subtext of the book (alcoholism can destroy a family) and Jack Nicholson's hammy "crazy" act that he does from the begining doesn't help. The TV movie does the book much better justice.
If we're going with "novellas" being allowed in this discussion, then this thread is finished after this post. It ends right now with The Shawshank Redemption as being the best. Period.
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Oh God what a horrible list this will be. I almost never think of any of his books as 'good' adaptations, let alone movies. Misery was very good and obviously Shawshank, but the other end of the list is just awful. The Stand & Tommyknockers were terrible movies any way you want to categorize them, adaptations or not. The *VERY* bottom of the list should abolutely be Dreamcatcher .
Out of the TV ones, I liked the Stand since it really didn't leave much out, we can argue about the ending, but it hit on every mark and is my favorite King book. The best movie is Shawshank even though its just a short story, but Green Mile isn't that far off in my book either. I hated Storm of the Century even though it was just a made for TV thing. I agree with Dream Catcher that was garbage and seemed like he was combining Tommy Knockers and Stand Be Me for some unknown reason. I have to say I enjoy most of the movies like Carrie, Christine and Needful things. I actually prefer Needful Things the movie over the book. Most of Kings' movies and TV stuff is pretty good, but when you have about 20 pieces of work out there, you will get some clunkers.
Though I've read plenty of King, I haven't watched many adaptations because I mostly stick to comedy and blockbuster action in my movie watching habits. However, I remember The Mist as being excellent, with the different ending being better than King's original one.
Lloyd: When I met Mary, I got that old fashioned romantic feeling, where I'd do anything to bone her. Harry: That's a special feeling.
Originally posted by samoflangeThough I've read plenty of King, I haven't watched many adaptations because I mostly stick to comedy and blockbuster action in my movie watching habits.
For those of you who like "So bad, they're good" movies, Pet Sematary II is pretty damn awful and cheesy.
I find it sort of funny that the Wikipedia article I linked to counts "The Lawnmower Man" movie as an adaptation of King's work (he sued to have his name taken off of the movie's title because it has nothing to do with his short story of the same name).
I would love to see a film adaptation of The Long Walk come into fruition some day. My favorite King story.
There is a talkie of Night Surf floating out there somewhere which I would also like to see but have failed to track down. I blame it on my lack of internet savvy.
So with that being said...
Best-est:
Stand By Me. Loved it. Lots of great moments.
The Mist. I wouldn't put it in my top ten films or anything, but it was a solid film.
Honorable mention goes to Tim Curry's performance of Pennywise in It, even if the film is lacklustre on the whole.
I've not watched Shawshank Redemption yet but, yes, I know I need to.
Worst-est:The Tommyknockers Boy, was that film a chore to get through.
I've read very little Steven King, and none at all for many years, but I love Stand By Me a lot. I'm not sure how it ranks as an adaptation, though.
I also found The Mist to be surprisingly okay. When (you-know-who) got (you-know-whatted), the whole theatre erupted in cheers. It was the damndest thing.
Off-topic: I moved the thread from One Question to Print because this seemed more like something that people could discuss as opposed to the quick-answer questions that One Question is designed for.
Originally posted by LiseWasn't there an adaptation of the "Night Flier" short story at some point? I mean that can't be good... the story was a stinker to start with.
Originally posted by LiseWasn't there an adaptation of the "Night Flier" short story at some point? I mean that can't be good... the story was a stinker to start with.
Originally posted by Guru ZimNot one mention of the Langoliers?
I will definitely second that, though I haven't seen the Tommyknockers. A friend of mine hated the Stand until he realized there was a second tape to watch.
Strange how his horror work isn't what everybody accolaids in film; Shawshank and Stand By Me.
To this day I can still sit and watch Maximum Overdrive, partly because of the healthy dose of AC/DC.
"Laugh and the world laughs with you. Frown and the world laughs at you." -Me.
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Here's a short list. As always, feel free to add on. COUNTDOWN TO FINAL CRISIS #03: A good Superman/Darkseid fight is ruined by some really bad Superman dialogue.