Shawn RyanWay behind the loop I know, but this past weekend I finished watching Netflix's "Stranger Things," the best film adaptation of a Stephen King novel that Stephen King never wrote.
Twin brothers Matt and Ross Duffer, who produced, directed and wrote the eight-part miniseries, have mentioned King in interviews. But even if they hadn't, his inspiration runs throughout: Real kids in peril, whether it's a supernatural monster or school bullies; an evil government entity; a setting that feels true-to-life; essentially clueless parents, except for a couple who finally understand what's going on; tons of action in the last third.
Film adaptations of King books run hot and cold. Some are very good, others middling and some just reek. It's hard to capture King's ability to create lifelike, flawed characters who find themselves in horrific circumstances. He also writes children very well, having an instinctual understanding of what they think and how they act. And he writes scary stuff really well.
Some movies have managed to capture his style and talent; many haven't.
- "The Green Mile." You don't get nominated for a Best Picture Oscar if you aren't very good. This one nails it.
- "Pet Semetary." Blah. Nothing happens until the last 15 minutes. Not worth slogging through the first 90.
- "The Shining." Director Stanley Kubrick didn't want to make a supernatural movie, he wanted psychological. His choice robs the film of true horror. King disliked it so much he wrote the teleplay for a three-part TV miniseries in 1997, that followed the book more closely.
- "Misery." Kathy Bates won an Oscar as Best Actress for her role as No. 1 fan Annie Wilkes. Deservedly.
- "Children of the Corn." Oh. My. God. Words cannot describe its terribleness.
- "The Running Man." Simple, stupid Arnold Schwarzenegger action fun. But it has an interesting subtext about government control through mindless and violent entertainment. And who doesn't smile at Richard Dawkins' smarminess?
- "The Mist." Pretty routine, government-released monsters who are outside but want to get inside to eat you. But the ending may be the most depressing and horrible thing you've ever seen.
- "The Shawshank Redemption." Also nominated for Best Picture and, even without supernatural horror, it's a stellar film.
- "Maximum Overdrive." Directed by King himself. He's a much, much better writer. Unintentionally hilarious.
- "It." The TV miniseries could've been much better since it was based on one of King's best books. Tim Curry was a great Pennywise, though. The trailer for the new theatrical take, "It: The Loser's Club," is chilling. Out in September, it's the first of two parts.
Contact Shawn Ryan at sryan@timesfreepress.com.