DVD Patrol: Stephen King
There are writers out there who are able to write all types of emotions and feelings into their work that make a story what it is. One person who manages to scare the hell out of us with his storytelling is none other that the Master of Fear himself, Stephen King. I couldn’t think of a better Toddster team up for this coming Halloween. My Ghostbusting crew and I have found some movies based on King’s work and wanted to share some of our feelings and scary memories with you. Read on if you dare.
BRIAN GOLDEN
Salem’s Lot (1979)
My fascination with vampires began long before the modern soap opera, glitzy, Twilight nonsense we’re forced to endure these days. Instead, I learned about the blood-sucking creatures of the night at a young age from the master of horror himself, Stephen King.
Salem’s Lot, based on King’s novel of the same name, originally appeared on television in 1979, telling the story of author Ben Mears as he returns to his hometown to research a book on the reputably haunted Marsten house.
Now owned by the mysterious Richard Straker (and his supposed business partner Kurt Barlow), the Marsten house has an evil reputation with the local populace, and shortly after the strange delivery of a large crate at the residence, vampires begin making appearances as they slowly consume the town.
In the end we find out that Barlow’s an ancient master vampire (and probably the scariest portrayal of an undead being that I’ve ever seen) and Ben and fellow survivor Mark Petrie escape the town, attempting to flee the remaining vampires.
I watched Salem’s Lot for the first time at a young age with my movie-buff stepfather and I don’t think I’ve ever been so scared in my life. My stepfather was always good at explaining to me the difference between “movie reality” and real life, yet in the case of Salem’s Lot, that made no difference whatsoever.
While this made-for-television movie certainly didn’t boast the kind of production budget as other Stephen King movie adaptations, the overall feel and the finished product were done well enough that, even now, over two decades later, the images of Barlow in full vampire mode are enough to give me nightmares for weeks. A truly frightening flick.
MELISSA STAGNARO
Misery (1990)
I’m not a fan of scary novels or movies, but even I can recognize Stephen King as the ultimate master of the psychological horror genre. No one can twist the ordinary into the macabre like he can. The imagery he creates with his words slips under your skin, lingers in your brain and, ultimately, ends up your nightmares. (I read the first two paragraphs of Cujo years ago, and had to sleep with the light on for two weeks. He’s that good.)
So, as you can probably imagine, the list of movies I’ve seen based on King’s novels is far shorter than the list of those I’ve refused to see over the years. One of those notable exceptions is the 1990 film Misery, starring James Caan and Kathy Bates.
Caan is author Paul Sheldon who, after being in a car accident, is rescued by Annie Wilkes, played Bates. I use the term “rescued” loosely in this instance, since in reality Paul is taken captive by Annie, who is his self-proclaimed “number one fan.” He doesn’t realize this at first, not until Annie learns Paul has killed off her favorite character, Misery, in his latest manuscript. To say she reacts badly to the news would be putting it mildly. She insists he re-write the novel, which he begins to do while trying to orchestrate his escape.
The defining scene has to be the point where, having realized Paul has been getting out of his room, Annie takes steps to ensure he’s unable to commit this offense again. The sight of her placing the cinderblock between his ankles and swinging that sledgehammer is permanently burned into my brain.
Both lead actors gave stellar performances, and it was no surprise to me that Bates won both an Oscar and a Golden Globe for her portrayal of the role. (In fact, I had a hard time watching her in anything after that without closely guarding my ankles.) But of course, it was Stephen King’s masterful storytelling abilities and his uncanny ability to tap into our primal fears which made the movie such a standout.
TYLER MURPHY
Shawshank Redemption (1994)
When it comes to Stephen King, I must admit I have a love, hate relationship depending on the book – but when he’s on his game there are few, if any, modern writers with such remarkable talent.
One such book, Different Season, is actually four novellas. One is titled “Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption Hope Springs Eternal” which become the incredible movie “The Shawshank Redemption.” Two of the other three novellas were also made into movies, Apt Pupil Summer of Corruption was made into the film “Apt Pupil” and The Body Fall From Innocence became “Stand by Me. ”
“The Shawshank Redemption” is a tale of a banker who is wrongfully convicted of murdering his cheating wife and her lover sometime in the 1947. The banker, Andy Dufresne, is played by Tim Robbins in what I think is best staring role ever. Sentenced to decades in the state prison, Shawshank, Andy befriends the only prisoner whose willing to admit he’s a guilty man, Red, played by Morgan Freeman.
The story shows the hard and isolated lives of prisoners, the corruption of the system, the worth in a single kind act and the value of being able to live free.
One of the quotes used by Andy at the movie’s climax “get busy living or get busy dying,” is an important development in his character. Learning that a friend and fellow inmate committed suicide because he found himself alone and useless to the outside world after his release Andy starts to look for a path to a new future. Any hope of finding one means not only surviving his own emotional turmoil but also escaping the walls of a life sentence while he’s still young enough for it to matter.
The movie, more than anything, is about a man who learns to appreciate great value in even the smallest acts of human decency. To Andy it’s all the separates him from complete insanity. This is a movie that speaks to something fearful and inspiring in all of us.
JEFF GENUNG
Pet Sematary (1989)
“Sometimes dead is better.” There was a while there in the mid to late 80s when I devoured every Stephen King book like a ravenous zombie, each more satisfying than the last. While my favorite remains, I think, Misery, I was also enthralled by Pet Sematary, and still consider it one of the more faithful – and frightening – movie adaptations.
Dale Midkiff plays Louis Creed, a doctor who moves his young family to rural Maine. There, they meet crusty neighbor Jud Crandall (the brilliant Fred Gwynne, of Herman Munster fame), who shares with Louis a secret Indian burial ground hidden just beyond an already creepy children’s pet cemetery (the misspelling in the title stems from a sign hand made by one of the kids). When the Creeds’ cat, Church, is killed on the busy road outside their home, Louis takes a chance and buries him in the Indian woods, hoping the legend of reanimation will quell his daughter’s sorrow over the loss of her pet. Unfortunately, the Church they get back isn’t quite right. Things don’t fare too much better when, stricken with grief after his young son is killed in the same road, Louis tries the same thing with little Gage. Sometimes, as Jud warns, dead really is better.
“Pet Sematary” is creepy for several of its now iconic images, in particular the malevolence of an undead three year old armed with a scalpel. One of King’s better movie adaptations, to be sure. And I’d still like to name a cat Church.
TODD CAMPBELL
Silver Bullet (1985)
I don’t care what anyone says. The best time to watch a scary movie is early in the evening when all the lights are off and you’re armed with your favorite snacks. I had always heard of Stephen King but never really read any of his books. So I decided to try the old tried and true method of figuring out a book- watch the movie. I don’t have to worry because there was no test.
Based on the best seller “Cycle of the Werewolf,” “Silver Bullet” tells the story of Marty Coslaw (Corey Haim). Marty lives in a sleepy little town in New England and all the same problems any kid his age has. He is also confined to a wheelchair but hasn’t let it stop him. Marty still manages to drive his family crazy especially his sister Jane (Megan Fellows). As the fall comes in, a series of murders begin to happen forcing authorities to put a curfew on the town and there are few clues as to the identity of the killer. The only clues that they have that it’s some kind of animal.
Marty’s favorite time of year is the Fourth of July, but those activities have been stopped because of what’s happening. Enter Uncle Red (Gary Busey) who has a bit too much to drink but thinks the world of his nephew. Red gets him some fireworks to shoot off. Marty sneaks out and takes his bag of tricks with him. Shooting off fireworks doesn’t go unnoticed either. Our wheelbound hero discovers that the thing guilty of all the trouble is actually a werewolf. Marty grabs his last rocket and escapes by shooting the beast in the eye. He races for his life and now whoever is the werewolf might be coming after him. Can Marty tell others what he’s discovered and do something about it before it’s too late?
This movie kept me on the edge of my seat. I don’t want to give too much away. Haim was great in his role, Fellows served her part very well trying to foil her little brother, and Busey has always been a very versatile actor with an incredible resume. Not very hard to follow and you don’t get lost at all. Pick it up!
Definitely a collection of out favorite scary movies courtesy of Mr. King. Everything featured is, of course, on DVD in stores now. Be safe out there on Halloween. Before we go, the Toddster wanted to let you know that the DVD Patrol has a very important anniversary coming up. In November, we will be celebrating five years of writing for this great newspaper. See you next week!
BRIAN GOLDEN
Salem’s Lot (1979)
My fascination with vampires began long before the modern soap opera, glitzy, Twilight nonsense we’re forced to endure these days. Instead, I learned about the blood-sucking creatures of the night at a young age from the master of horror himself, Stephen King.
Salem’s Lot, based on King’s novel of the same name, originally appeared on television in 1979, telling the story of author Ben Mears as he returns to his hometown to research a book on the reputably haunted Marsten house.
Now owned by the mysterious Richard Straker (and his supposed business partner Kurt Barlow), the Marsten house has an evil reputation with the local populace, and shortly after the strange delivery of a large crate at the residence, vampires begin making appearances as they slowly consume the town.
In the end we find out that Barlow’s an ancient master vampire (and probably the scariest portrayal of an undead being that I’ve ever seen) and Ben and fellow survivor Mark Petrie escape the town, attempting to flee the remaining vampires.
I watched Salem’s Lot for the first time at a young age with my movie-buff stepfather and I don’t think I’ve ever been so scared in my life. My stepfather was always good at explaining to me the difference between “movie reality” and real life, yet in the case of Salem’s Lot, that made no difference whatsoever.
While this made-for-television movie certainly didn’t boast the kind of production budget as other Stephen King movie adaptations, the overall feel and the finished product were done well enough that, even now, over two decades later, the images of Barlow in full vampire mode are enough to give me nightmares for weeks. A truly frightening flick.
MELISSA STAGNARO
Misery (1990)
I’m not a fan of scary novels or movies, but even I can recognize Stephen King as the ultimate master of the psychological horror genre. No one can twist the ordinary into the macabre like he can. The imagery he creates with his words slips under your skin, lingers in your brain and, ultimately, ends up your nightmares. (I read the first two paragraphs of Cujo years ago, and had to sleep with the light on for two weeks. He’s that good.)
So, as you can probably imagine, the list of movies I’ve seen based on King’s novels is far shorter than the list of those I’ve refused to see over the years. One of those notable exceptions is the 1990 film Misery, starring James Caan and Kathy Bates.
Caan is author Paul Sheldon who, after being in a car accident, is rescued by Annie Wilkes, played Bates. I use the term “rescued” loosely in this instance, since in reality Paul is taken captive by Annie, who is his self-proclaimed “number one fan.” He doesn’t realize this at first, not until Annie learns Paul has killed off her favorite character, Misery, in his latest manuscript. To say she reacts badly to the news would be putting it mildly. She insists he re-write the novel, which he begins to do while trying to orchestrate his escape.
The defining scene has to be the point where, having realized Paul has been getting out of his room, Annie takes steps to ensure he’s unable to commit this offense again. The sight of her placing the cinderblock between his ankles and swinging that sledgehammer is permanently burned into my brain.
Both lead actors gave stellar performances, and it was no surprise to me that Bates won both an Oscar and a Golden Globe for her portrayal of the role. (In fact, I had a hard time watching her in anything after that without closely guarding my ankles.) But of course, it was Stephen King’s masterful storytelling abilities and his uncanny ability to tap into our primal fears which made the movie such a standout.
TYLER MURPHY
Shawshank Redemption (1994)
When it comes to Stephen King, I must admit I have a love, hate relationship depending on the book – but when he’s on his game there are few, if any, modern writers with such remarkable talent.
One such book, Different Season, is actually four novellas. One is titled “Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption Hope Springs Eternal” which become the incredible movie “The Shawshank Redemption.” Two of the other three novellas were also made into movies, Apt Pupil Summer of Corruption was made into the film “Apt Pupil” and The Body Fall From Innocence became “Stand by Me. ”
“The Shawshank Redemption” is a tale of a banker who is wrongfully convicted of murdering his cheating wife and her lover sometime in the 1947. The banker, Andy Dufresne, is played by Tim Robbins in what I think is best staring role ever. Sentenced to decades in the state prison, Shawshank, Andy befriends the only prisoner whose willing to admit he’s a guilty man, Red, played by Morgan Freeman.
The story shows the hard and isolated lives of prisoners, the corruption of the system, the worth in a single kind act and the value of being able to live free.
One of the quotes used by Andy at the movie’s climax “get busy living or get busy dying,” is an important development in his character. Learning that a friend and fellow inmate committed suicide because he found himself alone and useless to the outside world after his release Andy starts to look for a path to a new future. Any hope of finding one means not only surviving his own emotional turmoil but also escaping the walls of a life sentence while he’s still young enough for it to matter.
The movie, more than anything, is about a man who learns to appreciate great value in even the smallest acts of human decency. To Andy it’s all the separates him from complete insanity. This is a movie that speaks to something fearful and inspiring in all of us.
JEFF GENUNG
Pet Sematary (1989)
“Sometimes dead is better.” There was a while there in the mid to late 80s when I devoured every Stephen King book like a ravenous zombie, each more satisfying than the last. While my favorite remains, I think, Misery, I was also enthralled by Pet Sematary, and still consider it one of the more faithful – and frightening – movie adaptations.
Dale Midkiff plays Louis Creed, a doctor who moves his young family to rural Maine. There, they meet crusty neighbor Jud Crandall (the brilliant Fred Gwynne, of Herman Munster fame), who shares with Louis a secret Indian burial ground hidden just beyond an already creepy children’s pet cemetery (the misspelling in the title stems from a sign hand made by one of the kids). When the Creeds’ cat, Church, is killed on the busy road outside their home, Louis takes a chance and buries him in the Indian woods, hoping the legend of reanimation will quell his daughter’s sorrow over the loss of her pet. Unfortunately, the Church they get back isn’t quite right. Things don’t fare too much better when, stricken with grief after his young son is killed in the same road, Louis tries the same thing with little Gage. Sometimes, as Jud warns, dead really is better.
“Pet Sematary” is creepy for several of its now iconic images, in particular the malevolence of an undead three year old armed with a scalpel. One of King’s better movie adaptations, to be sure. And I’d still like to name a cat Church.
TODD CAMPBELL
Silver Bullet (1985)
I don’t care what anyone says. The best time to watch a scary movie is early in the evening when all the lights are off and you’re armed with your favorite snacks. I had always heard of Stephen King but never really read any of his books. So I decided to try the old tried and true method of figuring out a book- watch the movie. I don’t have to worry because there was no test.
Based on the best seller “Cycle of the Werewolf,” “Silver Bullet” tells the story of Marty Coslaw (Corey Haim). Marty lives in a sleepy little town in New England and all the same problems any kid his age has. He is also confined to a wheelchair but hasn’t let it stop him. Marty still manages to drive his family crazy especially his sister Jane (Megan Fellows). As the fall comes in, a series of murders begin to happen forcing authorities to put a curfew on the town and there are few clues as to the identity of the killer. The only clues that they have that it’s some kind of animal.
Marty’s favorite time of year is the Fourth of July, but those activities have been stopped because of what’s happening. Enter Uncle Red (Gary Busey) who has a bit too much to drink but thinks the world of his nephew. Red gets him some fireworks to shoot off. Marty sneaks out and takes his bag of tricks with him. Shooting off fireworks doesn’t go unnoticed either. Our wheelbound hero discovers that the thing guilty of all the trouble is actually a werewolf. Marty grabs his last rocket and escapes by shooting the beast in the eye. He races for his life and now whoever is the werewolf might be coming after him. Can Marty tell others what he’s discovered and do something about it before it’s too late?
This movie kept me on the edge of my seat. I don’t want to give too much away. Haim was great in his role, Fellows served her part very well trying to foil her little brother, and Busey has always been a very versatile actor with an incredible resume. Not very hard to follow and you don’t get lost at all. Pick it up!
Definitely a collection of out favorite scary movies courtesy of Mr. King. Everything featured is, of course, on DVD in stores now. Be safe out there on Halloween. Before we go, the Toddster wanted to let you know that the DVD Patrol has a very important anniversary coming up. In November, we will be celebrating five years of writing for this great newspaper. See you next week!
dived wound factual legitimately delightful goodness fit rat some lopsidedly far when.
Slung alongside jeepers hypnotic legitimately some iguana this agreeably triumphant pointedly far
jeepers unscrupulous anteater attentive noiseless put less greyhound prior stiff ferret unbearably cracked oh.
So sparing more goose caribou wailed went conveniently burned the the the and that save that adroit gosh and sparing armadillo grew some overtook that magnificently that
Circuitous gull and messily squirrel on that banally assenting nobly some much rakishly goodness that the darn abject hello left because unaccountably spluttered unlike a aurally since contritely thanks