Opening this week
nationwide is the newest adaption of Stephen King’s Carrie, this time staring Chloe Grace Moretz, Julianne Moore, Judy
Greer, and a full cast of CW guest stars and regular cast members. The most
interesting part of the Carrie remake
is director Kimberly Peirce (Boys Don’t
Cry, Stop Loss, The L Word) a talented director who always has a clear and
unique visual style and approach to story. On top of Peirce being a very
talented director, it’ll be great to see a female take on a very personal story
of female adolescence. Carrie is not
so much a remake of the 1976’s original horror classic directed by Brian De
Palma Film and staring Sissy Spacek, Piper Laurie, Amy Irving, and John
Travolta, but more a new adaptation of the original novel by Stephen King.
In terms of film
adaptations, Stephen King is one of the most prolific writers of all time, like
he is in every other way. At this point he may be second only a too little
fellow named Shakespeare (this “fact” has no actual basis in fact except that
it sounds truth-y in my head). Why does it sound truth-y? Because for a 25 year
span you couldn’t turn around without a new King adaptation coming into theatres
or the small screen. Growing up in 80s and 90s, an era of full of highly
successful horror films, King was one of the lords of the genre, with hit films
such as Cujo (1983), Children of the Corn (1984), Pet Sematary (1989), Christine (1983); as well as several hit
TV series and mini-series including It (1990),
The Dead Zone (film 1983, TV series
2002) and The Stand (1994). But above
and beyond the horror genre, King has made his mark with less obvious (and
scary) adaptations, including Stand By Me
(1986), The Green Mile (1999) and
The Shawshank Redemption (1994), all
based on King novellas and all distinctly non-horror films. But we will get to
some of those more later.
We’re smack dab in the
middle of Halloween season, and a new Stephen King romp is on its way to
theaters, so we present the Nerd 5 Top 5 Stephen King Film Adaptations.
5.
The Mist (2007) The Mist is
not a perfect film, but man, is it an enjoyable watch. When a freak storm,
featuring a large and random mist, engulfs a small town a group of survivors hole
up in a grocery to try and survive what’s waiting for them in the mist. This
film provides a great part for lead actor Thomas Jane as well as great
supporting parts to Marcia Gay Harden and Toby Jones, but the entire ensemble
brings it. Writer/Director Frank Darabont (most recently known for The Walking Dead) weaves a sense of
foreboding and dread throughout the entire fabric of the film. The Mist is underrated and worth a look
if you haven’t seen it. But what makes The
Mist one of the five best King adaptations? In this case it’s the
difference between the film and the source material. Darabont makes a choice at
the end of the film that differs from what King wrote and is the PERFECT end to
this story. It’s haunting, gripping, and gut wrenching all at the same time.
Darabount had to make many sacrifices to get his ending to the film, including
a much smaller budget than he was originally promised. King himself has
admitted that the ending to the film is better than his ending, and for King to
say anything that humble is truly shocking.
4.
Misery (1990) Have you seen Misery? A question that was passed
around my high school friends first as a legit question because the film blew
our minds, then as a joke because we asked it all the time, and finally as a
joke threat because of the amazing performance of Kathy Bates as Annie Wilkes. Misery tells the story a famous novelist,
Paul Sheldon (James Caan), and what happens when he’s “saved” from a car crash
by an obsessed fan. It was ahead of its time in some ways, especially in terms of
its examination of fans and celebrities. Its themes, visuals, and performances
stand up today, 23 years after its release. Misery
was released at the height of Rob Reiner’s career and stands as one his most
critically successful films of all time. It gave Bates an Oscar and gave any
celebrity a brutal portrayal of what happens when good fans go CRAZY. So I ask
again, have YOU seen Misery? 
3.
The Shining (1980) It’s been a long
journey for The Shining and me. When
I first saw this film I was in high school and railed hard against most
“classic” horror films. I hated them the instant they started and could not be
won over. Well, fast forward to present day and The Shining has done exactly that, it won me over. Is it my
favorite film? Nope. Does it have elements, actors, and performances that I
can’t stand? Yup. Is The Shining a
masterpiece of film and one of the most important and influential films of all
time? Absolutely. While I can’t stand Danny Lloyd (that kid bugs me), most find
him cute, but Shelley Duvall and Jack Nicholson are gold in this film, as well
as director Stanley Kubrick’s shot construction, visual style, pacing, storytelling,
and foreshadowing… I could go on and on about all the things Kubrick does right
with The Shining. This film has even
spawned a new documentary called Room 237
which is based on a bunch of conspiracy theories surrounding Kubrick’s messages
in the film. The Shining is the best pure
horror film based upon King’s works, and considering that most of his films
lean toward that genre means it really stands out as great. King hates this
version of the film and even wrote and directed a made-for-TV version in 1997
staring Stephen Webber and Rebecca De Morney. That version is a more straightforward
adaptation of the book, and is flat and terrible. Stick to what your good at,
sir. Writing books not making films (Don’t get us started on King’s only
self-directed feature film, Maximum
Overdrive…). 
2.
The Green Mile (1999) Breathtaking,
heart-crushing, and moving, Darabont (for the second time) proves why he is the
master of King adaptations. The Green
Mile features amazing performances from its entire cast including Tom
Hanks, David Morse, Doug Hutchison, Berry Pepper, and James Cromwell. They’re all
great, but three supporting performers steal this show. Michael Jeter as the
simple Cajun prisoner we fall in love with because of his caring for and
training the mouse “Mr. Jingles,” Sam Rockwell as the violent prisoner who
enters the jail and serves as a great foil for our third performer, the academy
award nominated Michael Clarke Duncan. Duncan plays John Coffey, who is a giant
of a man, but as kind and caring as possible and possibly wrongfully accused
murder and rape. The relationship between Coffey and head guard Paul Edgecomb
(Hanks) is the center of the film and Coffey is the absolute heart and soul.
Darabount is a master of showing the story rather than telling it, giving you the
information you need when you need it and taking his time to give you a unquie,
and very un-Stephen King like film, though a very true (almost unwavering)
adaptation of the fabulous serial novel. The
Green Mile is a beautiful film and only Darabont himself can top it with
his first feature…
1.
The Shawshank Redemption (1994) A
landmark film no matter how you look at it. Darabont’s The Shawshank Redemption is the top film on our list (and most
others) and by far the best film based on a King work. Based upon the short
story Rita Hayworth and Shawshank
Redemption, it tells the story of two prisoners bonding over many years of
incarceration and eventually finding redemption through their acts of decency
and rebellion. For a long time The
Shawshank Redemption held the number one spot on IMBD’s best films of all
time, and still remains in the top 3. It is one of the best loved and most
critically acclaimed films of all time, in spite of its lackluster box office
success. It made $28 million in theaters, which was barely enough to cover the
films budget. But like most critical darlings, its long life has been in part
because of its seven Oscar nominations including Best Picture, Actor for Morgan
Freeman, Adapted Screenplay, Editing, Cinematography, Sound, and Thomas Newman’s
Original Score. Although it didn’t win a single award, this film stands up as
Darabont’s masterpiece and a moving tribute to humanity’s light and darkness,
dignity and integrity in a place lacking hope or freedom. And of course, The Shawshank Redemption was where
America and the world fell in love with the idea of Morgan Freeman narrating
their lives.
Some honorable mention
films/television shows we won’t go into, but are worth a watch: Hearts in Atlantis, Carrie (the original), Stand by Me, Apt Pupil, Bag
of Bones, and Under the Dome.
Happy Halloween everyone! Enjoy Carrie (responsibly...).
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