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Top Ten Best Stephen King AdaptationsJun 14 '01 (Updated Mar 01 '02) Write an essay on this topic.The Bottom Line Great movies based on the works of an under recognized FICTION and HORROR writer. A little different kind of horror list. Only SK could have penned nearly fifty novels and collections and have been honored with nearly the same number of film adaptations. I've seen them all. The good, the bad, and the ridiculously ugly. So hold onto your seats, we're about to tread into very scary waters... 10.) The Stand: This is the only miniseries based on a SK book that made the list. There's a reason for that. Despite their entertianment value, these TV epics are usually less than great. In fact, this one based on a nearly 1100 page novel that revolves around a disease dubbed "Captain Trips" or the "Superflu" depending on who you talk to. It stars Gary Sinise, Molly Ringwald, Ruby Dee, Jamey Sheridan, and Rob Lowe as a group of survivors...both good and bad. The movie is the fight between two polars. Great, but cumbersome in places, take a look at this one if you're a real fan. 9.) The Dark Half: This is a generally unrecognized SK apaptation, but it makes my top ten list because it is REALLY well made by vetern horrormeister George Romero. It stars Timothy Hutton in the dual role of Thad Beaumont and George Stark. What makes this movie thought provoking is the fact that it looks at the good and bad in all of us. The special effects (the sparrows, for example) are spooky and low key. You won't be disappointed if you see this one on tape or on TV (it IS occassionally shown). 8.) Apt Pupil: This is one of the most psychologically frightening of all of SK's stories. Directed by the notably creative Bryan Singer, it involves a young, very intelligent teen named Todd Bowden. Mr. Bowden (played by Brad Renfro) becomes infatuated with Nazi Germany and tracks down ex-Nazi king pin Kurt Dussander (Ian McKellen) to find out more about Nazi-ism. The story follows that Todd becomes intertwined with the myth and with that we learn just how people were sucked into being Nazis. Very interesting, exceptionally disturbing. 7.) The Shining: Stanley Kubrick was the auteur of this film that is based on SK's book of the same name. Some critics charge that too much was changed, but Kubrick did an awesome job directing Jack Nicholson as Jack Torrance in this film about the haunted Overlook Hotel in Colorado. But, the Hotel is hauted by a number of things including actual spirits and personal demons. My favorite parts of the film DON'T include Shelley Duvall...she's disturbing in and of herself. In fact, I love the sounds and the orange colors that are featured throughout the movie. Watch it if you haven't. 6.) Carrie: The first adaptation of King's FIRST (and shortest) novel. Carrie White is a telekinetic teen that also happens to have an overbearing, abusive mother. Her peers mock her and wreak havoc on her already stunted life. Sissy Spacek stars in the title role while John Travolta, Amy Irving, and Piper Laurie make great appearances as those that surround poor Carrie. This movie is directed by popular horror guru Brian De Palma. 5.) Dolores Claiborne: On of SK's less frightening novels, this book translates well to screen. Starring King ingenue Kathy Bates as the abused, rough around the edges title character, the audience is pulled along her difficult life on her tail. We see her tough daughter (Jennifer Jason Leigh), her best friend and employer, and the police detective that is out to get her. This is a great movie with dark camerawork...appropriate for Maine. 4.) Misery: Wow. This one will freak the crap out of you if you're not careful. Again starring Kathy Bates, but this time she's insane woman Annie Wilkes...Paul Sheldon's (James Caan) biggest fan. Sheldon is in a car accident in the snowy mountains and Wilkes saves his life only to destroy it her own way slowly but surely. It's a clausterphobic movie by Rob Reiner that also happens to be Oscar winning. 3.) The Green Mile: Tom Hanks is soft hearted prison guard Paul Edgecomb. He minds the inmates on death row on "The Green Mile." This is a magical, not really scary, movie about hope and about life directed by SK fan Frank Darabont. The death scenes in the electric chair are sad...your hears hurts for poor Delecroix. Only Darabont and SK could make you love an inmate in that way. But cheers and a thumbs up go to Michael Clarke Duncan as John Coffey, the gifted inmate whom is wrongly imprisoned. A gem of a movie on all levels. 2.) Stand By Me: This 1986 movie stars a number of young actors in this coming of age film by Rob Reiner based on "The Body" from "Different Seasons." It's a bittersweet story about a group of friends who set out on a journey to find the body of a boy that was killed by a train. On the way to finding their treasure, they manage to learn alot about themselves and one another. Starring in this lauded film are: River Phoenix (RIP), Corey Feldman, a fat Jerry O'Connell, Wil Wheaton (yup, Star Trek TNG), and a less than cordial Kiefer Sutherland. A great movie, and definitely not horror. 1.) Shawshank Redemption: Directed by Frank Darabont, this is the best SK adaptation to date. It's another prison movie, but this one is set in Shawshank...a place fully of good and bad. Starring Tim Robbins as Andy Dufresne (a wrongly convicted inmate), this is a movie about hope and strategy. I won't give away the ending to humor any of you out there who haven't seen this Oscar Winner yet, but it's WONDERFUL. Also starring is the talented Morgan Freeman as fellow inmate Red. A must see and a must own.  |
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by lindaohio
by carstairs38
by Stephen_Murray
