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.