Stephen King
Thread Rating:
My favorite has got to be The Stand. Best movie based on a King book, The Shawshank Redemption.
Quote: WizardBest movie based on a King book, The Shawshank Redemption.
What about "Stand By Me"?
Quote: WizardBest movie based on a King book, The Shawshank Redemption.
Great movie. All around first rate. Tied with "The Only Movie Based on A Stephen King Book I've Ever Seen"
Quote: Wizardbut I've read about half his books, mostly the older ones. .
Have you read any of the Dark Tower series? They were his special projects and I think they represent his best work. If you read The Gunslinger, you'll be hooked. Christine is awesome, Insomnia is disturbing, even Rose Madder and Desperation are well worth reading. King has a way of sucking you into what looks like a normal scenario that could be going on down the street, and then things go very badly. He had an accident in the 90's and got hit by a truck when he was walking his dog and his writing has never been the same since.
Quote: EvenBobHave you read any of the Dark Tower series?
Yes. I thought the Gunslinger was about average compared to his other books. I got about half way through the second one, but the bookmark fell out, got busy with other things, and never finished it.
Worst Stephen King book -- The Talisman
The Different Season quad (Hope Springs Eternal, Summer of Corruption, Fall from Innocence and a Winter's Tale) and the Bachmann books are brilliant as well. Apt Pupil is (aka Summer of Corruption) is particularly nasty and horrifying, while Stand By Me (aka The Body, aka Fall from Innocence) and Shawshank Redemption (aka Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption, aka Hope Springs Eternal) are fantastically written tales, that sucked me in and I can still remember the clear images in my head.
The film of the Apt Pupil was crap, by the way.
Quote: WizardYes. I thought the Gunslinger was about average compared to his other books.
Think about another try, the first 4 are very good. They're
not like his other books, he gets into character development
and good against evil.
Quote: thecesspitThe film of the Apt Pupil was crap, by the way.
Film adaptations of King stories never seem to have a middle ground--they're either amazingly good (Shawshank, Misery, The Shining) or amazingly awful (Maximum Overdrive, The Langoliers). The only exception I have seen is the John Cusack movie 1408 from a few years ago--that one was pretty good, but no classic.
Quote: thecesspitIT and the Stand are staggering works.
I read 'It' twice and said never again, that book really gives me the creeps.
Hits home at too many childhood fears. Apt Pupil was too much, as was Geralds
Game, didn't like it. Green Mile, Shawshank, good stories and good movies.
Christine the book is a treat, its more macabre than the movie. I'm afraid to
admit I never read Carrie because I hated the movie. I didn't read Firestarter
for the same reason. Oh well, give me something to look forward to.
Quote: OneAngryDwarfor amazingly awful (Maximum Overdrive, The Langoliers)
The Langoliers was not great cinema, but it did catch the
spirit of the story. I felt the same dread that I felt reading
the book, but the rest was pretty average.
Quote: Wizard
Worst Stephen King book -- The Talisman
Its tied with The Tommyknockers. Even SK says he regrets that one. Needful Things was a good book, terrible movie.
I thought The Stand was a fantastic novel. I read the original when new, and the re-editing with added material in mid-90's and wish the TV movie could've been better. Jamey Sheridan's Flagg came off a bit comical rather than frightening (maybe Stephen Lang would've been better?), and the whole climax in downtown Las Vegas at the Plaza was amateurish and TV-ish. I thought Molly Ringwald and Bill Fagerbakke as Tom Cullen were poor choices in casting. Even so, I taped it back when it first aired ('95?) and watched it a few times since. Better than nothing.
Quote: EvenBobI read 'It' twice and said never again, that book really gives me the creeps.
Hits home at too many childhood fears. Apt Pupil was too much, as was Geralds
Game, didn't like it. Green Mile, Shawshank, good stories and good movies.
Christine the book is a treat, its more macabre than the movie. I'm afraid to
admit I never read Carrie because I hated the movie. I didn't read Firestarter
for the same reason. Oh well, give me something to look forward to.
Carrie is a far far better book than movie... the movie was pretty crappy.
Quote: zippyboy
I thought The Stand was a fantastic novel. I read the original when new, and the re-editing with added material in mid-90's and wish the TV movie could've been better. Jamey Sheridan's Flagg came off a bit comical rather than frightening
I thought Rutger Hauer would have made a real evil Flagg. I was disappointed they left out the cowboy kid who raced around in his souped up car and was Trashy's 'boyfriend' until Flagg's wolves trapped him in his car. He was colorful and would have translated well to the screen.
Quote: zippyboy... and the whole climax in downtown Las Vegas at the Plaza was amateurish and TV-ish.
One thing I hold against SK is many of his books have the same kind of biblical good vs. evil over the top ending. It, The Stand, and Needful Things come to mind. I'd rather he kept it more down to earth, with a touch of the supernatural, as in The Shining, Firestarter (is that one word or two?), or Carrie.
Christine, Firestarter, Thinner, Running Man, Cujo, Carrie....hell, they all were better books than movies. Didn't read Langoliers or It. The Stand was waaaaaay better as a book.
Quote: zippyboyDidn't read Langoliers or It.
Go on Amazon and buy a used copy of IT, you won't regret it.
Quote: WizardOne thing I hold against SK is many of his books have the same kind of biblical good vs. evil over the top ending./q]
Randall Flagg was in 9 King books. In Desperation the hero was a kid who had direct contact with God. Still a good read, though."It's not called gambling if the math is on your side."
Quote: zippyboyCarrie....hell, they all were better books than movies.
I thought the movie was a classic, and better than the book.
Quote: s2dbakerI will, on occasion, use the head shot of Sissy Spacek covered in pig's blood as my avatar. Always a winner!
That an illustrated example why this site doesn't support avatars.
Trivia time: Where is the hog farm seen in the movie?
Quote: WizardThat an illustrated example why this site doesn't support avatars.
Trivia time: Where is the hog farm seen in the movie?
I don't know!
Quote: s2dbaker
Do you want fries with that?
"Hearts in Atlantis" opened my eyes, and I spent a good long time after that chewing through anything I could find of his (minus the Bachman). The imagery he conveys and the emotions he can create with words is astounding. Even subjects I don't really care for, vampires in "Needful Things", for example, I found compelling. I was hooked. It literally changed my life; instead of going out partying and chasing girls with other 20yr olds, instead of druggin' down at the railroad bridge, instead of street racing on the back roads, you'd find me cross-legged on the couch, joint in hand, absorbed whatever SK book I happened to find that month. It pretty much sparked the more responsible, intellectual side of me and ended the hormone driven, seat-of-the-pants adolescence that was causing so much trouble.
Reading so much, you undoubtedly find reference to his other books, most notably The Dark Tower. I don't even have words to express my journey to finding it, other than it was much like the book itself. Almost like I was meant to read it, but not until I was supposed to. It is undoubtedly, without comparison, the best thing I have ever laid eyes to. I feel it's this time periods "Lord of the Rings", just a sublime example of an epic writing masterpiece. I've read it 3 or 4 times, and have the "book on tape" that we've been listening to at work, and every time I read it it's as good as the first. I like it so much that I am absolutely terrified that Howard is making a movie out of it. LotR is the only book to movie transition I felt was successful, but even though I felt the trilogy was fantastic and did a great job of "being the book", it wasn't perfect (how could you omit Tom Bombadil?) If Howard screws up The Dark Tower, there's not a vessel in this universe that could contain my annoyance.
(As an aside, my favourite book-movie translation is High Fidelity. Despite moving the location, some of the music and a few on the characters got merged, it still is the same story as the book. But they did change the most poignant scene in the book in the movie, so they don't get 100%, but that scene might have not as echo'd as much with John Cusack as it did with me, so fair enough).
Quote: WizardI thought the movie was a classic, and better than the book.
I don't like Sissy SpacedOut and didn't even make it to the end.
Quote: EvenBobI don't like Sissy SpacedOut and didn't even make it to the end.
I watched Carrie as a dollar movie in the college theater. It's closest thing I've seen to everyone jumping out of their seat at the ending scene.
Nowadays, it's probably tame compared to the stuff they try to scare and shock you with.
Quote: Face
Reading so much, you undoubtedly find reference to his other books, most notably The Dark Tower. I don't even have words to express my journey to finding it, other than it was much like the book itself. Almost like I was meant to read it, but not until I was supposed to. It is undoubtedly, without comparison, the best thing I have ever laid eyes to. I feel it's this time periods "Lord of the Rings", just a sublime example of an epic writing masterpiece. I've read it 3 or 4 times, and have the "book on tape" that we've been listening to at work, and every time I read it it's as good as the first. I like it so much that I am absolutely terrified that Howard is making a movie out of it.
I agree, its King's best work. It took him 12 years to write Gunslinger, and it shows. He had so much to say and he wanted to say it just right. He also wrote most of it before he was heavily addicted to cocaine in the late 70's thru the late 80's. Some of his best stuff was written in the 80's, but the quality was in the early books. Don't worry, Howard has stepped down from the project, they couldn't get the funding. Hearing a kid on the screen say "Go then, there are other worlds than these" would have sounded silly anyway, at least we were spared that.
Quote: thecesspitI don't mind what they left out of Lord of the Rings, as they were trying to tell the journey of the Ring as best as possible, while Tolkein was trying to tell a history of Middle Earth by way of the journey. I've found films that stay totally faithful to the book lose something... it's more important to create the same feeling and sense of the story in a different medium, rather than the copy it exactly.
Good arguement, cess, I never looked at it that way. Still, Bombadil was an encounter, and one that could have killed the journey right there. Although not as vital as some of the others, I was still miffed I never got to see him. It was still a top notch film, I just wish he was included.
Quote: EvenBobI agree, its King's best work. It took him 12 years to write Gunslinger, and it shows. He had so much to say and he wanted to say it just right. He also wrote most of it before he was heavily addicted to cocaine in the late 70's thru the late 80's. Some of his best stuff was written in the 80's, but the quality was in the early books. Don't worry, Howard has stepped down from the project, they couldn't get the funding.
Bah! Now he's not doing it? Consarn it, I was so excited when I heard it was happening. Granted I feared a let down, but as is well known, you miss 100% of the shots you don't take. Now I have to find a Sheemie to show me what could have been. Damn you, Howard and your lack of funding!!! /shakes fist
Quote: PeteMI think SK once said that he was the literary equivilant of a Big Mac and fries. They sell lots of them, don't they? Screw Bloom. Anyway, here's my list, purely subjective, of course. Best all round yarns: Stand and Christine. Scariest: Salem's Lot( That one will keep you away from the window on a bleak October night). Novella: Apt Pupil. Short story: Quitters Inc. Obviously Shawshank Redemption is the best Movie Adaptation and SK's best Non-Supernatural story.
Short story - The Jaunt? Was that the name? About time travel but you had to be asleep otherwise you experienced eternity? The boy who held his breath to avoid the sleep gas and then faked being asleep, coming out white haired and ghosted ("It's forever in there!").....read it 10 years ago and the mental image of that scene is still burned into my brain. That man has a gift.
Quote: teddysDickens was a popular writer in his time, too.
Dickens was da man in his day. His books were released in segments in tabloid like newspapers and you had to subscribe to them. Thats why they were so long and convoluted, the more segments, the more he got paid.
Quote: FaceShort story - The Jaunt? Was that the name? About time travel but you had to be asleep otherwise you experienced eternity? ...
Yes, it was. If forced, I would say SK's best works are his short stories, and The Jaunt is an illustrated example. Somebody else mentioned Quitters Inc., that was was also among his best.
Quote: WizardYes, it was. If forced, I would say SK's best works are his short stories
This is true for many authors. Hemingway is at his best in
his short stories. He said a novel is just a long short story.
He felt the stories were harder to write because of the shorter
length. 95% of my memories of him are from stories like
Cat in the Rain and Big Two Hearted River and A Clean Well
Lighted Place.
Quote: PeteMI think SK once said that he was the literary equivilant of a Big Mac and fries. They sell lots of them, don't they? Screw Bloom. Anyway, here's my list, purely subjective, of course. Best all round yarns: Stand and Christine. Scariest: Salem's Lot( That one will keep you away from the window on a bleak October night). Novella: Apt Pupil. Short story: Quitters Inc. Obviously Shawshank Redemption is the best Movie Adaptation and SK's best Non-Supernatural story.
Dan Brown is Big Mac and Fries.
Stephen King is more like a Keg Steakhouse (or other high street steak house chain)... decent food, found everywhere, doesn't pretend to be fancy but does a throughly good job at what it does, and you can have some great memorable experiences from them on those times everything just falls in to place.
Not sure where I'd put JK Rowling. Chuck-e-cheese seems a bit demeaning...
Quote: EvenBobThis is true for many authors. Hemingway is at his best in
his short stories. He said a novel is just a long short story.
He felt the stories were harder to write because of the shorter
length. 95% of my memories of him are from stories like
Cat in the Rain and Big Two Hearted River and A Clean Well
Lighted Place.
The short story has be derided by critics, but the sharpness of writing and the ability to say as much as you need to, but no more has honed many writers. I was reading recently (maybe in response to something you posted a while back about Hemingway??) about some writers bemoaning the lack of outlets for short stories, as the printed press withers.
I love good anthologies of short fiction.
Quote: thecesspit
Not sure where I'd put JK Rowling. Chuck-e-cheese seems a bit demeaning...
I tried reading a couple of the Potter books
and gave up. I hate when authors make up
words on every page. I couldn't get into it,
not my thing. I've seen all the movies and I
couldn't tell you what they were about, they
were that forgettable.
Quote: thecesspit
I love good anthologies of short fiction.
King got his start in the fantasy and science fiction
pulps. So did most of the SF writers. Hemingway
made his name with In Our Time, a book of short
stories.
Quote: EvenBobI tried reading a couple of the Potter books
and gave up. I hate when authors make up
words on every page. I couldn't get into it,
not my thing. I've seen all the movies and I
couldn't tell you what they were about, they
were that forgettable.
Ha! I doubt the Potter books were even meant for someone your age! Of COURSE you couldn't get into it! Kudos for giving it a chance, but don't feel bad. Geez. A nine-year-old doesn't read the Wall Street Journal either.
Quote: EvenBobHow come nobody mentions Insomnia. I really enjoyed that one.
You know, I tried it. SK said of all his stories, Insomnia tied the most into The Dark Tower. Being such a fanboi of TDT, I read Insomnia immediately after and was somewhat disappointed. To be fair, I think I was looking/hoping it was sort of TDT prequel, which it wasn't and I was therefore let down. Perhaps I should go back and give it a fair chance.
Quote: WizardYes, it was. If forced, I would say SK's best works are his short stories, and The Jaunt is an illustrated example. Somebody else mentioned Quitters Inc., that was was also among his best.
Agreed. His short stories seems to condense his wonderful style into superconcentrate. No fluff, no bother, just wham! here it is, like a quick tryst in a public place versus a long drawn out date night. Good stuff.
No one mentioned The Dark Half. Another stellar book that just places you in the story. The imagery is so descriptive, so intense, I've felt I've actually been to a number of the locations described. Perhaps it's the similarities of his area of Maine and my area of WNY, but there have been times I've driven past somewhere and had that feeling of recognition, a little tickle that something had happened here, and when I try to remember, I realize it was just a ghost memory of the book. The Dark Half does this for me more than any of his others.
