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Thursday, October 31, 2013

Top 10 Stephen King Film Adaptations

Well, I set out to make a horror list in celebration of All Hallows’ Eve, but instead I’ve made a list that’s half horror, half exceptional drama. Stephen King is one of the most film-adapted authors ever, and though many of those films don’t fit the genre King is best known for, they remain iconic all the same.

10. Silver Bullet (1985)


Of all the trashy horror films adapted from King’s work (of which there are many) Silver Bullet has got to be my favorite.  Corey Haim, wheel chaired hero; Gary Busey, drunk badass; Everett McGill, creepy fucker; hell, there’s even Lawrence Tierney as an ornery bar owner. And with a bottle rocket in the eye to top it all off, Silver Bullet is one of the best worst King adaptations ever realized.

9. Dolores Claiborne (1995)

Dolores Claiborne is an effective, often terrifying domestic thriller. Occasionally, director Taylor Hackford needlessly over stylizes the material, but when he sits back and lets the actors do their jobs, the film becomes a family tale of utter dread. Once you see this film, you’ll never look at David Strathairn the same.

8. The Green Mile (1999)

As King fans know, when the author steps away from horror, he often delivers work of great sentimental authority. Work that Frank Darabont has dedicated much of his career to bringing to life. One could argue that The Green Mile is a little too sentimental for its own good, but it certainly has its moments of quiet power. Makes me miss Michael Clarke Duncan.

7. The Mist (2007)

I absolutely love The Mist. Upon its release, I thought it was the finest King adaptation in quite some time. Sleek, bloody, and insanely bold. But I kept hearing about this black and white director’s cut. A few years ago, I read an interview with the film’s star, Thomas Jane, and he said the only version should be the B&W version. After watching it, I couldn’t agree more with him. The lush monochrome gives the film a perfectly off-kilter, nostalgic vibe. Seek it out.

6. Apt Pupil (1998)

Bryan Singer’s follow-up to The Usual Suspects is a small film about a curious kid who discovers that his reclusive neighbor is not who he says he is. Apt Pupil is a horrifying tale of obsession and the confusion of adolescent angst. This film still might contain my favorite Ian McKellen performance.

5. Stand by Me (1986)

What’s not to love about Stand by Me? It’s a timeless classic about coming-of-age that I can revisit time and time again. What’s funny about the film is that, when I was younger, its quiet epilogue meant nothing to me. Now, Richard Dreyfuss typing the kicker to his story brings tears to my eyes. I love when age changes a movie for us.

4. Misery (1990)

Kathy Bates winning Best Actress for her startling work as Annie Wilkes is still one of my favorite Oscars ever. Rarely is such mortifying work awarded so appropriately. Oh, and James Caan… damn fine here too.

3. The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

It’s so funny that a 94-page novella from the early ‘80s is largely responsible for one of the most revered American films of recent memory. That’s the power of The Shawshank Redemption, that ceaselessly rewatchable, impossibly hopeful film that I will always love to look at.

2. Carrie (1976)

It’s inarguable: the first ever Stephen King film adaptation remains one of the best. Brian De Palma’s Carrie is as fine a film about teenage perplexity as I’ve ever seen, as well as a spot-on social examination of fanatical religion in our culture. And it’s also one of the freakiest films ever made. Best not to leave that part out.

1. The Shining (1980)

I am endlessly amused by the fact that King’s least favorite film adaptation of his own work remains the finest film to ever be crafted from one of his stories. Since the release of this Stanley Kubrick masterpiece, King has dedicated a great deal of time to explaining the many reasons why he hates it. Sure, the film differs from the book drastically, and sure, the film may not have been the vision King had imagined, but buddy, let this one go already. Step back and marvel at the profound complexity of one of the best horror films ever made.

41 comments:

  1. Ooo good list! I've only seen the top 5, but I do love them all. Shawshank is in my top 10 films of all time, but I think as a prototypical "Stephen King" film, The Shining would top my list too.

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    1. Thanks! The Shining is the best. And it really gets better with age, which certainly speaks highly for everyone involved. Shame King never appreciated it.

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  2. Glad you included Dolores Claiborne! I saw it when I was a young lad and I have to say, it disturbed the hell out of me. I haven't seen it in quite some time, but I know that when I do, there's going to be plenty of terrifying memories just shooting back into my brain. The rest of this list is great too, man! Nice job!

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    1. Thanks Dan! Dolores Claiborne is definitely a disturbing ass movie. I saw that one when I was young too and, well, I didn't expect it to go there, you know?

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  3. The Shining I think is the best King film adaptation ever. To me, it's one of the great horror films ever. I would put Carrie in 2nd w/ The Dead Zone in third, Shawshank in 4th, and Stand By Me in 5th. I also like Dolores Clairbone. Underrated film. Why has Jennifer Jason Leigh continued to be overlooked in accolades?

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    1. Your final sentence is a question among questions. I think she is a remarkable actress who has never been given the right amount of credit. I love her work.

      The Dead Zone was number 11 for me. Walken is great in that.

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  4. Nice list! I've only seen your top 5 and The Green Mile, but my top 5 would be in the same order. I need to catch up on his adaptations. I haven't even seen It.

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    1. Thanks man! "It" is straight bonkers. And far too long. But to be fair, it aired on TV over two nights. It almost made the 10th spot on this list. One of the so bad it's good things.

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  5. I'm so glad you took it upon yourself to make the list....don't think I would have been able to do the numbering. All so good, but Jack has to be in the top spot! Happy Halloween!

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    1. Thanks Dawn! Really glad you liked the list. Old Jack will ALWAYS take the top spot on a list like this. Happy Halloween to you!

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  6. Nice list - I don't entirely agree with the order, but that's mostly due to my own personal preference for the horror genre (I'd have The Mist higher and have included It, even though I'm fully aware of that films substantial limitations).

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    1. Thanks man. I used to really like The Mist. But having watched the B&W version, I now LOVE it. Such a nice spin to put on a flick.

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  7. This reminds me that I need to re-visit Misery. I don't think I've seen it since the 90's, and I can barely remember it. That picture of Michael Clarke Duncan makes me sad. I miss him too.

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    1. Misery is soooo fuckin' freaky. Good christ. That pic of Duncan makes me really nostalgic. Gone too soon.

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  8. "ceaselessly rewatchable," - YES! I remember watching Shawshank for the first time years ago and watching it the second time just a day later! That's how much I loved it, that how watchable it is.. it's just.. In my mind, it deserves to be the #1 in Top 250 because I feel like it is a very universally lovable movie. Not everybody's movie tastes collide and go together but I feel like Shawshank is for everybody. I mean, I hope it does and it seems like it does.. I hope.

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    1. Oh I agree, that's one that most everyone can agree on. A really solid film that works on a number of levels. There is never a bad time to revisit that one.

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  9. Misery is one of my favourite books, I want to see the film - but like with The Shining, I'm a chickenshit about this. I'm so easily scared. I need a huge pink fluffy bunny to get me through these films. Lovely list though, I'll surely be catching the ones I haven't seen from here - I love King's work and I think it's excellent for film adaptions.

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    1. Ha, you're too funny. Both films are definitely freaky, but Misery (as I'm sure you've guessed) has a sadistic side to it that is so personal, it's horrifying. Still, great movie though. Good luck!

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  10. Wow! I didn't realize how many iconic films came from Stephen King's novels. I'm one of few that think The Shining is extremely overrated though. I did jump with glee to see Dolores Claiborne and Misery on the list though! I do love the film Christine, the evil car that kills people... BUT NOBODY'S DRIVING IT! duh duh duh! Such a classic :) Wish it were on the list.

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    1. Christine almost occupied the campy spot on this list, but Silver Bullet had to take the cake. Still, I should make a campy Stephen King list.

      That's my way of saying I LOVE Christine. Movie is bitchin'.

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  11. Awesome list! So glad to see Dolores Claiborne here, it's such an underrated movie and for me Bates was just as great there as she was in Misery. You are totally right about David Strathairn - at first I didn't even recognized him in the movie, since I only saw him as classy, well spoken guys in films prior to this one.

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    1. Thanks! Bates is tually is damn good in Dolores, but I think Hackford's at-times crazy direction hindered that movie from gaining a wider audience. Strathairn is SUCH a creep in that movie.

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  12. Interesting. I'd have Stand By Me ahead of Shawshank but I'm glad you included Silver Bullet which was a good if trashy variation on the werewolf myth. I also like the TV movie version of It if only for Tim Curry's personification of Pennywise.

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    1. Tough call there, I really love both films. Stand By Me is so true, you know? It really gets better with age. I love IT as well. Curry is such a creep.

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    2. ...just re-watched It this weekend. Tim Curry really makes that film come together. I'm looking forward to seeing the remake/re-imagining they keep talking about (I think the IMDB page says "announced" but not sure of production or release dates) yet I think it'll be hard to make Pennywise work without Curry. That said, there is definitely scope to improve some elements of the film, particularly, the special-effects (and with today's CGI, as much as I prefer in-camera effects, I'm thinking they can bring even more out of King's book than they did 20-odd years ago with the TV movie). My biggest gripe with the film (and the book) is the ending - once It is "revealed", the monster loses much of its impact (but this is worse in the movie than the novel which just about gets away with it).

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    3. Oh shit, I didn't know a remake was in talks. That's interesting. I'm with you on the ending, it does lose its impact after that reveal. Haven't read the book though. I should check it out sometime.

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  13. I have 4 hardcopies of Stephen King dvd's at home, you only included 3 :-(. Shawshank, The Mist BW and The Shining.

    The one you didn't get was one of my childhood favorites, the Langoliers. Saw that movie when I was 11 or 12 and I'm still being mesmerized by it. The special effects were awful, the acting horrendous, but the fact that "time travel" was depicted from a unique perspective that actually could be plausible is what fascinates me about this movie.

    Just love originality in movies that make me remember them :-).

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    1. Oh wow, I've never see The Langoliers. You've definitely motivated me to check it out ASAP, so thanks!

      Originality in film is so essential. I LOVE "new" films.

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  14. I've only seen 6 of the 10 (missing #6,7,9 & 10). Based on the rest, I would probably put Stand by Me a little closer to the top, and swap Carrie with Shawshank Redemption. I couldn't agree more with your top spot, The Shining is truly a masterpiece unlike any other in this list.
    Great stuff!

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    1. Stand By Me really is a classic one, isn't it? That film gets better with age, and I absolutely adore it.

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  15. I agree with the others: great list! I was pleasantly surprised to see Apt Pupil included as it is not a Stephen King adaptation that is mentioned as often as others. By the way, I have given you a Sunshine Award http://iblamemovies.blogspot.ca/2013/11/an-award.html Keep up the great postings, Alex :)

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    1. Aww thanks so much Brigitte, that's really kind of you! Really glad you dig the post :)

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  16. In my opinion Apt Pupil isn't so good, and yes, The Shining is masterful, but I don't like Kubrick's films. Romero's Creepshow is good film; Cujo (like It) started a fear of dogs(clowns); I like 1408, not very great; The Running Man is the best trashy action flick; Carpenter's Christine is very thrilling; The Dead Zone is a completely decent, pseudo sci-fi/horror flick; for It, I don't have enough word; The Mist is great, but not the end; Carrie is well acted, well directed and well written, but not the best De Palma film; Stand By Me/Misery are the most thrilling reiner's movies; The Green Mile is the best film of 1999. The Shawshank Redemption is the best movie about a escape from a prison, one of my favorite movies, the best performances from Tim Robbins & Morgan Freeman and the most rewatchable movie ever.

    I want to see how a director can make Doctor Sleep (sequel of The Shining), is practic impossible to make a The Shining sequel without Kubrick.

    *.Creepshow *.Silver Bullet *.Cujo *.1408 *.The Running Man 10.Christine 9.The Dead Zone 8.It 7.The Mist 6.Carrie 5.Stand By Me 4.Misery 3.The Green Mile 2.The Shining 1.The Shawshank Redemption

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    1. Thanks so much for this comment. Love your rankings, and holy shit, I didn't even know a sequel to The Shining existed. I wonder if anyone will be brave enough to try and adapt it for the screen. Time will tell!

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  17. Great choices, I rewatched Stand By Me again the other day and it is a film that just gets better with age. I reviewed it on my blog if you're interested.

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    1. My god, I just love that movie. Will definitely give your review a read in a bit.

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    2. Thanks, hope you enjoy reading my review

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    3. Thanks for the recent comments on my blog man.

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    4. Yeah buddy, no problem. Really liked your Sneakers review.

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  18. Right now, I might not agree so much with your list, and especially with your nr. 10. I never saw Silver Bullet but it doesn't sound like a good film as The Dead Zone. That film is enjoyable and evolves smoothly with each passing act.

    I never saw Dolores Claiborne or The Green Mile or Apt Pupil or Stand by Me or Misery or Carrie, but I might be interested.

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    1. Silver Bullet is so damn silly, but it's silly on purpose. Total kitsch.

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