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Brilliant Writers of ED WOOD turning the quill loose upon Stephen King's short story, 1408!!!

Published at:  Oct 26, 2005 9:29:50 AM CDT

Hey folks, Harry here with a story that popped up over at Variety that I figured would interest most of you. I know Stephen King adaptations are a dime a dozen, but when you have writers of the sheer quality of Scott Alexander and Larry Karazewski working on that adaptation... well, that's something to top the barn and start crowing about.



I know, I know... you haven't really seen anything from this pair since THE PEOPLE VS LARRY FLYNT and ED WOOD - but I've read their wonderful script for RIPLEY'S BELIEVE IT OR NOT, which takes Ripley and turns him into a globe-trotting adventurer in search for strange believe it or not things. Hope to god that thing gets made. But now these pair are working on Stephen King's 1408. Personally - my favorite Stephen King writing is with his Short Stories. Oh sure, there's nothing quite so lovely as sitting down with 5lbs of pulp and ripping through one of his novels, but there's something absolutely magical about a story that in an economical page count can give you the heebie jeebies. Like, my favorite thing that Edgar Allan Poe wrote was his SHADOW: A PARABLE, just because it's so damn short that it is absolutely stunning that it gives me the creeps that it does. Well, 1408 isn't quite up there with SHADOW: A PARABLE for me, but I'll be damned if reading it under the covers with a flashlight in a darkened room doesn't downright make my neck hairs dance as if upon a hot plate. Just creepy. Having said that, Alexander and Karazewski tend to be slightly comedic writers - that find a satiric riff for their subjects and the story of a paranormal investigator finding a haunted room that just... well, that'd be telling... but this story was flat out fucking scary. Have to say though... I'm dying to read what they do to the script. They're some of the best writers in Hollywood.




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    Readers Talkback

  • Oct 26, 2005 9:35:11 AM CDT

    Hmm

    by randall flagg

    The Dark Man approves.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 26, 2005 9:36:06 AM CDT

    But haven't we, Harry...haven't we seen their work?

    by poacher

    Lest we forget Screwed...Agent Cody Banks and the dissapointment Man on the Moon. But Ed Wood does rule (as does Problem Child), so they're of course going to get a pass.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 26, 2005 9:42:30 AM CDT

    3RD!

    by solartaco3

  • Oct 26, 2005 9:53:17 AM CDT

    yeah

    by nizzuts

    sounds intresting it seems like a bit of a departure for these guys, I hope they don't screw it up.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 26, 2005 9:56:46 AM CDT

    Of course they are - they wrote "Problem Child".

    by salvatoregravano

    How about giving some of the praise for Ed Wood's quality to Tim Burton? (You may remember him - he was the guy who rewrote and directed the film)

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 26, 2005 10:17:43 AM CDT

    Burton...

    by eric79

    ...did NOT rewrite the script, he actually shot basically the first draft with very few changes. His best work, though - excellent filmmaking and acting all around.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 26, 2005 10:27:38 AM CDT

    When the FUCK are we gonna get The Mist and The Long Walk?!?

    by osmosis jones

    Seriously.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 26, 2005 10:37:34 AM CDT

    King's short stories do better in a short format

    by prof.ikamono

    As his novels do better in a long one.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 26, 2005 10:47:50 AM CDT

    Scary movies and nightmares

    by the colonel

    Steven King's endings all SUCK. My girlfriend insists on watching the scary movies I recommend but keeps getting nightmares from them. She LOVED this article: ------------------------- http://www.intrepidmedia.com/column.asp?id=2383

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 26, 2005 10:53:46 AM CDT

    "1408" is a lousy choice for a film...

    by roguewriter

    ... unless it's a short. And even then, no one will ever be able to recreate the unsettling vibe created by King's creative use of the tape recorder, where he slowly unfolds the madness of what the poor unwitting visitor endures in that room from hell. Instead, it'll be a violent, gory hackfest. And no, I don't give a shit what writers are attached -- look at what's "hot" in Hollywood's eyes right now: violent (but PG-13!) slasherfests. Leave King's good stuff alone. And the poster above was right -- they ought to be doing "The Long Walk" and "The Mist" -- THOSE are tales worth adapting!!!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 26, 2005 10:56:20 AM CDT

    By the way, it's STEPHEN King, ya illiterate mooks.

    by roguewriter

    And if he's a hack, I'm a billy-bumbler. There are King novels that will be taught in classrooms 50 years from now, mark my words. He's stumbled many times, but he's written some absolutely classic American horror-fantasy epics ('SALEM'S LOT, THE STAND, PET SEMATARY and the entire DARK TOWER cycle). And don't blame him for the movies -- they aren't all his fault! ;)

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 26, 2005 10:58:23 AM CDT

    I love King but...

    by zino

    ...this short story is simply horrible. And by horrible I mean crap, not gory or scary in any way. King admits himself that he never intended to finish 1408. He wrote the first part and put it in his 'on writing' book to illustrate how he edits his work. At some point he changed his mind and finished it, but I wish he hadn't. The first part was good, but there are no words to describe how shit the rest of it is...just nonsensical. And they're making a movie of it?! These guys have got some serious work to do. And for those who don't know - it's about a haunted hotel room. And the numbers 1408 add up to thirteen. Oooooooooooooh.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 26, 2005 11:01:20 AM CDT

    The Mist

    by guy gaduois

    Frank Darabont owns the rights, yes? How is it that this guy can't get a movie done? Except that maybe the real talent in h-town (the money guys) think he's obsessing with king (green mile, shawshank, etc), but Shawshank, damn that was great. Green mile was good, but Coffee wanted to pray with Paul, not go to a movie for his last wish. That there is hollywood rewriting a perfectly fine scene and masturbating all over itself. Self indulgent, much? The Mist would be really great via Darabont, methinks. But I thought Apt Pupil would have been great and that sucked beans. The animated 'Home Delivery' looks pretty cool.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 26, 2005 11:04:30 AM CDT

    Yeah, I'm with the guys who want the Mist made...

    by zino

    ...think Dawn of the Dead but with lots of cool, varied monsters instead of zombies. And mist instead of no mist.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 26, 2005 11:08:24 AM CDT

    I feel sorry for Darabont.

    by dr_dreadlocks

    In a way, at least. I'm not sorry for the fact that he's a brilliant writer/director who is paid quite a bit by Hollywood to write incredible scripts that will never get made. But he wants to make Fahrenheit 451 and the project is half-mooked by the fact that Michael Moore made Fahrenheit 9/11 and I'm sure someone would mistake Darabont's film for a sequel, or prequel. Then he preps The Mist, and The Fog comes out... So, another prequel I suppose. Sad that everything he seems to want to make gets immediately shot town by title similarities. But if he makes "The Mist" I'll probably start weeping. A horror film with classy A-treatment... Yes, thank you very much.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 26, 2005 11:21:43 AM CDT

    but I've read their wonderful script for RIPLEY'S BELIEV

    by harker-writes

    Er.... isn't that what Ripley was? Doesn't sound like they did much changing to me.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 26, 2005 11:29:32 AM CDT

    Long Walk - yes...

    by det. john kimble

    As long as they don't turn it into another 'Running Man' hack job.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 26, 2005 11:46:18 AM CDT

    Could be a worthy film...

    by childe roland

    ...if they don't let the touch of humor take it over into camp. With rare exceptions (Creepshow, most notably) King's writing doesn't hold up to self deprication very well. And has there been any more information on The Mist since Darabont acquired the rights? That is easily my most eagerly anticipated (and least dreaded) King movie adaptation.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 26, 2005 12:01:15 PM CDT

    Long days, pleasant nights, short film.

    by cyanide christ

    Good story but keep the film under an hour.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 26, 2005 12:17:34 PM CDT

    What has happened with that Marx Bros. project these two were go

    by moviemaniac-7

    Now, given Ed Wood and People Vs. Larry Flynt I'd love to see THAT one happen one day!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 26, 2005 12:21:12 PM CDT

    The Long wWalk

    by mattw

    Does anyone remember what the prize was for the winner of the long walk? I remember it being "whatever you want from the government for the rest of your life" or something vague/lame like that. Either way, I agree, make "Long Walk" and "Mist".

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 26, 2005 12:21:19 PM CDT

    What us 1408 about?

    by mike lovestein

  • Oct 26, 2005 12:23:10 PM CDT

    Excuse me, I mean't What IS "1408" about?

    by mike lovestein

  • Oct 26, 2005 12:25:02 PM CDT

    moniker, King is a hack?

    by durendal

    What books did you read, and what other writers do you like??? Dean Koontz is an example of a hack, albeit a good one. You can see him recycling ideas and characters in damn near every book. King is NOT a hack. The man knows how to create solid, unique, and flawed characters. He knows how to create and tell a good story. The man is a fantastic author. Comparing him to a shit-churner like RL Stine just makes you look stupid. Stine cranks out photocopied bullshit for brainless kids. King creates real stories and novels for adults who can appreciate them.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 26, 2005 12:27:23 PM CDT

    1408 is about...

    by durendal

    ...in short, a haunted hotel room. A guy who is writing a book on haunted places comes through and has to sit through the hotel manager begging him not to go into that room. We get some backstory on what has happened to people in there. The guy eventually goes in, and some seriously creepy shit happens. That's it in a nutshell. Read it. It's in King's "Everything's Eventual" compilation. Great and fucking freaky story, almost on the same level of creepy as some of H. P. Lovecraft's stuff.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 26, 2005 12:36:03 PM CDT

    King IS a good writer....

    by sundancekeed

    when he's inspired to write something decent, like he was with The Colorado Kid, an excellent crime noir novella that Hard Case Crime just published. No horror whatsoever but it still has King's ear for excellent dialogue and even a hint of creepiness, albeit set in the real world. Yeah, King can go off on tangents and put out some truly vile shit, (The Tommyknockers) but he can also write a psychological horror story that can scare the bejesus out of you. (The Shining) I hope that in his "semi-retirement", he stops cranking out product and goes back to labors of love that he takes some time with. Those are the ones that stand up.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 26, 2005 1:02:50 PM CDT

    I couldn't agree with you more about King's short storie

    by trazadone

    King's novels have been increasingly hit or miss. Aside from some of his Dark Tower stuff, I haven't enjoyed any of his books in over a decade. The exception is his short story collections. King writes short horror stories like no other. One of the major problems with his novels is that he tends to have difficulty ending them. His short stories usually pack a good punch. I like that this site focuses on new King happenings.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 26, 2005 1:35:29 PM CDT

    family guy moment

    by the_man_from_rio

    peter runs a man over. upon realizing what he

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 26, 2005 1:43:43 PM CDT

    re: When the FUCK are we gonna get The Mist and The Long Walk?!?

    by removed_user

    YES GODDAMMIT!!!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 26, 2005 1:51:58 PM CDT

    gotta agree with Osmosis Jones

    by beefywhore

    I Love the idea of a Long Walk film...They don't usually do justice to King Novels (except for Frank Darabont) So I'm usually not too excited about turning his books into movies... but hey, as long as they get Frank to direct and don't cast it with a bunch of WB and OC actors, it would be a nice little film to see played out...

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 26, 2005 1:58:01 PM CDT

    re: Actually can we NOT have THE LONG WALK....Because i just kno

    by removed_user

    BLOODY HELL THAT'S TRUE!!! AAAAAAaaaargh.......! Just make the Mist (R).

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 26, 2005 2:27:01 PM CDT

    Not only does 1408 add up to 13

    by barryap

    But because they skip 13 in hotels, the room's actually on the 13th floor!! OOOoooOOooo...

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 26, 2005 2:36:26 PM CDT

    Amongst the best writers in hollywood right now?

    by leiadown&fuckher

    The hacks that gave us Problem Child 1 & 2, Agent Cody Banks, That darn Cat & Screwed you're talking about here? If that's the best that Hollywood has to offer then it's truly a sad state of affairs. Sure, they also did Man On The Moon & People vs Larry Flynt, both of which were damn good, but both were also rumoured to have been heavily polished by Milos Forman himself, and Ed Wood is a masterpiece, but that was also based on a book, so the material was already largely there, all they had to do was adapt it well enough to let Burton and his cast do their magic. Now I'm not saying that they are terrible writers (though you'd have to wonder given some of their stuff), and they have clearly been involved in three very good films, but taking their careers on a whole, I'd hardly rank them amongst the greats of those working today. Not even close. Still, that's just me I guess.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 26, 2005 2:49:17 PM CDT

    Richard Kelly...

    by poacher

    Could do The Long Walk. He might be one of the few who could capture the tone of it. If David Gordon Green ever reels himself in and makes a movie that could stay with the plot, he too could probably do it.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 26, 2005 3:17:23 PM CDT

    yeah, what's up with their MARX BROS biopic??

    by incrediburgible

    is that project dead already? I thought they specialized in "weirdo biopics" - what happened to the momentum from Ed Wood, Larry Flynt and Man In The Moon? fuck Stephen King

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 26, 2005 3:59:47 PM CDT

    Some random KING thoughts....

    by uberman

    1408 was an OK story, not bad, not great but good. The problem I have with King and movies is that he actually really likes the truly shitty ones-even writes the screenplays for the worst of the lot. He digs Mick Garris, who directed a passable 'The Stand' for TV and made a steaming monkey crap pile with 'Riding the Bullet', which I never got past 15 minutes. Yes, he should NEVER be allowed on a movie set, to advise a movie, etc. The best film to date captured the 'Feeling' of the book yet was fairly divergent from the novel. That film is Kubricks 'The Shinning.' Other good adaptations are 'Stand by Me', Shawshank Redemption, 'Misery'. As for King not 'recycling' himself, try reading ANY child character he has and see if they dont have the 'brave, sexually abused' girl; the athletic, heroic boy; the kid who stutters; the smart ass future DJ/Rock Star/etc. I cant even read him anymore and I was a collector for years until Drak Tower #4. That really should be considered an olympic event to finish. Even when I make a stab at comming back to hime, I always see the same character, the same alcoholic/writer/teacher who is beautiful loser guy, the heoic guy, ad nauseum. His best book lately was called 'Bag of Bones' because it represented a successful effort to change his style/narrative. It does not feel like a King novel, but is very fresh. This would make a good film only if in the right hands. I would also love to see 'Pet Semetary' get made, and no, the previous pile of crap does not count. Make 'Pet' in black and white, no sound track. Real graveyard depressing, dark, and hopeless, 'IT' would also be a great movie if it were filmed as two movies, one in Technocolor (childhood) that really worked in those famous monster icons doing incredibly R rated stuff, which you never saw in the originals.
    As for endings, he cannot end a novel without resorting to something incredibly childish happening that almost destroys the rest of the book. Oh, and another very very very good KING is his last with Struab, 'Black House'. An old man in a nursing home faking dementia who is actually a serial child killer? Truly creepy.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 26, 2005 4:35:27 PM CDT

    Harry

    by fiester

    If you like really weird, but well-written, short stories, check out a writer named Brian Evanson. His stuff will freak your mind.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 26, 2005 4:53:30 PM CDT

    swearing!

    by r2477

    WHY do "people" on talkback feel the need to swear, when leaving feedback. Yes I am talking about D

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 26, 2005 4:56:11 PM CDT

    week or weak

    by r2477

    oh no!! sorry i might to print WEAK not WEEK sorry all. anything that these guys do after the GREAT film thta was ed wood will be good!!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 26, 2005 5:41:04 PM CDT

    Does anyone know what Short Story collection 1408 appears in?

    by tompalpatine

  • Oct 26, 2005 5:43:01 PM CDT

    Tom, it's in Everything's Eventual

    by tompalpatine

  • Oct 26, 2005 5:52:52 PM CDT

    Poe's Shadow

    by first

    http://eserver.org/books/poe/shadow.html

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 26, 2005 6:29:23 PM CDT

    good story, but a movie?

    by jack burton

    The short story is scary. Reminded me of Lovecraft when it gets truly freaky, which is from the moment he walks in the room. Doesn't have much of a plot though. It will be interesting to see if the filmmakers can pull this one off since the haunting bits are out there.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Like, I realize there was the TV series "Ripley's Believe It Or Not", I grew up on the dang thing though I have few actual clear memories from it, but the context Harry puts that script in ("it takes Ripley around the globe... etc"), that's not in fact talking about the same character from THE TALENTED MR. RIPLEY (among others), is it?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 26, 2005 6:41:01 PM CDT

    King

    by chf.brodie bruce

    First of all can I say how cool it is to have childe roland and randall flagg in the same talk back. That rocks! Yes some of his endings have sucked (I'm talking to you It and The Stand)but everything leading up to them is great. The endings for The Green Mile and Shawshank Redemption were wonderful and it just so happens I think that they were two of the best movies based on his works. Try reading the Dark Tower series all the way through and then reading both of the endings not coming away with a tear in your eye. He has said before that the point of reading his books is the journey anyway not just the destination. Anyway for those of you who think he's a hack that is your prerogative. Every writer will not appeal to every person. Back on topic 1408 is a creepy read but I don't know what kind of movie it would make and yeah they really should make The Long Walk before they waste their time on 1408.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 26, 2005 7:30:25 PM CDT

    That was Brian who ran over Dean Koontz . . .

    by nice marmot

    And damnit do I still wish they had made a good version of Graveyard Shift. That story creeped me out so bad when I first read it. My Mom had a hissy fit when she caught me reading Night Shift. I said chill out Mom, I'm a junior in college . . . .

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 26, 2005 7:47:39 PM CDT

    What about Rob Reiner?

    by darthnameless

    He made two of the BEST S.K. adaptations (Misery,Stand by Me)?It's hard to argue against the man who brought us Spinal Tap"This Review for Shark Sandwich is...only two words....Shit Sandwich.heh."

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 26, 2005 7:51:21 PM CDT

    The Long Walk is a great read - but I don't think it would m

    by chickychow

    Face it, some stories are just better left up to the imagination. This is one of them. Whats great about it is that its not like you have to imagine some bizarre creatures or alternate universe or anything, just kids walking down a stretch of road (surely there are a few visceral moments, such as the one kid ripping out his own throat/a bunch of others get shot to shreds). And yet, Can't picture it being made into a 90 min flick. I'm down for a Mist movie, but I truly fear all the ways it could be fucked up.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 26, 2005 8:12:34 PM CDT

    Hello? This is DIMENSION FILMS!!!

    by godoffireinhell

    What the fuck does it matter if the screenwriters are talented or have done great work in the past? This will be one of the worst King adaptations ever (no mean feat) simply because it's an in-house production of the worst genre studio in existance.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 26, 2005 8:14:25 PM CDT

    Don't get too excited about this project

    by doc_mccoy

    First of all, it's a very cool short story. The previous draft of the screenplay (by Matthew Greenberg) was very well-written. Unfortunately, it is as several people have mentioned above... not much of a concept or a plot for a movie. The guy goes to a hotel room and lots of crazy supernatural shit happens. Would be a great short film, not necessarily enough to sustain a feature length film. Not to mention they've made a horrible choice of director. You need somebody with an incredibly imaginative visual sense... but instead you hired a guy who's made two very average movies in EVIL and DERAILED.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 26, 2005 8:36:27 PM CDT

    Moniker, I'll agree on Pet Sematary

    by durendal

    It sagged in the middle like a geriatric ex-stripper. So did Cujo. Sometimes King spends too much time getting sidetracked and doesn't get into the real meat of the story for a long time, and maybe I haven't read enough of his books, but it seems that was something in his earlier novels. He has written some really good books. The Stand was an excellent novel, and so was IT, with the exception of a few totally unnecessary scenes. Need I mention The Dark Tower series, which was an incredible epic? And if you haven't read The Long Walk, then read it. He wrote it as Richard Bachman, and it was definitely the best of the Bachman books. Creepy, unrelenting, and gripping.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 26, 2005 9:42:22 PM CDT

    As always, whenever the master of horror is referenced I must sa

    by cutest_of_borg

    HUGH JACKMAN IS ROLAND.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 26, 2005 9:46:52 PM CDT

    Waiting for CELL.

    by evil chicken

    King does Zombies. I can't wait. Until then, 1408 works for me.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 26, 2005 9:48:37 PM CDT

    ...AND cutest_of_borg is right.

    by evil chicken

    Hugh Jackman IS Roland.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 26, 2005 10:10:34 PM CDT

    "Don't cast it with a bunch of WB and OC actors"

    by osmosis jones

    Are you kidding? Who *wouldn't* want to see a movie packed with the likes of Freddie Prinze, Jr., Paul Walker and Tom Welling walking themselves into utter exhaustion and getting shot one after the other? As for The Long Walk not being "visceral" enough for a screen treatment, what? With people tuning in to crap like The Biggest Loser, I could see a truly subversive movie made about our current addiction to "reality" television. It's a movie about teenage kids getting shot and tearing their throats out! It's a prime concept for a great horror/thriller. Get Paul Verhoeven on it, STAT!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 26, 2005 10:22:08 PM CDT

    King Books I'd Rather See

    by fievel

    ....and all MUST be faithful to the book - not literal, but faithful. I'd rather see The Talisman, and its sequel The Black House. I'd rather see Bag Of Bones. I'd rather see The Stand DONE RIGHT. I'd love to see The Dark Tower books come to life, but I think it would be too difficult to do (how do you keep a young kid the same age over 7 books!?). But that's just me.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 26, 2005 10:24:13 PM CDT

    Oh Yeah....

    by fievel

    ...and keep MICK GARRIS away from Stephen King books!!! ALL of his movies look like crappy made-for-tv productions.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 26, 2005 10:26:27 PM CDT

    Jek Porkins is dead!

    by zerocorpse

    The actor that played Jek Porkins in Star Wars IV died today from pancreatic cancer. May the force be with him.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 26, 2005 10:28:59 PM CDT

    The kid's age in Dark Tower...

    by zerocorpse

    Easy answer: witness the Culkins. They just kept having kids so they could have a constant flow of similar-looking child actors to bring in the bucks.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 26, 2005 10:41:07 PM CDT

    "PULL DE STRING! PULL DE STRING!"

    by uncapie

    "Snips and snails...puppy dog's tails..."

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 26, 2005 11:05:25 PM CDT

    "Karloff is not fit enough to smell my SHIT!"

    by osmosis jones

    "Vhat kind of role is Frankenstein, anyvays? Nothink but *makeup* and *grunting*, UUUUUUURRRRGGGHHHH....!"

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 26, 2005 11:14:37 PM CDT

    You know what King book should be made?

    by drworm2002

    The Rage. I read that in High School and I thought it was one of his best...really top notch King

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 27, 2005 12:03:31 AM CDT

    If "The Stand" is to be done right

    by thirteen 13

    It would have to be a weeklong mini-series, and not on regular T.V. but on HBO with an "R" rating. And of course much better casting than that hideous version of The Stand they made for T.V. like 13 years ago. Of course that will never happen.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 27, 2005 1:44:09 AM CDT

    DarthNameless

    by moviemaniac-7

    Does the Shawshank Redemption ring a bell as best King adaptation. And of course... The Running Man!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 27, 2005 2:12:59 AM CDT

    Amen Thirteen 13!!

    by fievel

    That's what I'm talking about! I think HBO would also be best for the Dark Tower if they ever decided to try it (series, animation, etc.). The Talisman (and later The Black House) might work there too as a Band Of Brothers-style mini series. But yeah, a well-financed/well-cast update of The Stand would ROCK on HBO!!!!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 27, 2005 10:23:37 AM CDT

    You can't get better Stand casting than Gary Sinise as Stu R

    by osmosis jones

    Yeah, it'd be cool to see a hard-R version of the story, but finding a better Stu would be dificult.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 27, 2005 11:31:27 AM CDT

    nice marmot, you

    by the_man_from_rio

    it WAS brian who ran over dean kootz...i

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 27, 2005 11:48:14 AM CDT

    heebie jeebies

    by johnnyutah

    Harry wrote, "(T)here's something absolutely magical about a story that in an economical page count can give you the heebie jeebies." I wonder if Harry's familiar with the story, or if Harry's use of the phrase "heebie jeebies" was merely a spooky coincidence. In "1408," our protagonist gives some serious thought to the phrase "heebie jeebies."

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 27, 2005 11:49:36 AM CDT

    short stories

    by dwam0

    You are doing yourself a disservice if you just read the Stephen King books and not his short stories. The horror stories read like the best Twilight Zone episodes - I am not exaggerating -and they probably would have worked best on a anthology TV show instead of full blown movies (Sometimes they Come Back, Maximum Overdrive, etc). But there are other genre's, like science fiction and romance (remember Shawshank and Stand by Me were both from short stories, not novels) that sometimes have twist endings but aren't necessarily horror. And some of the stories give you backstories on Salem's Lot, Shawshank, the Stand and Firestarter. // If you don't understand Kings economy of writing, his way of setting mood, his way of giving reader key descriptions and dialogue, then you won't understand was a good and important writer he is.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 27, 2005 11:54:57 AM CDT

    The IT miniseries sucked. They should do a better one on HBO.

    by durendal

    Seriously, it deviated way too much from the novel and left way too much out. Tim Curry was the only good part. He made a killer Pennywise. Put that one up as a multi-part miniseries on HBO and do it right, dammit!

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  • Oct 27, 2005 12:04:04 PM CDT

    Richard Kelly doing the Long Walk

    by wee willie

    is actually a pretty inspired idea. He would nail the tone for sure. Whoever posted that one is right on the money.

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  • Oct 27, 2005 7:00:08 PM CDT

    Why Not An Everything's Eventual Movie?

    by skoobyx

    Or specifically a movie dramatizing a few King stories ala Creepshow? That would work much better. I really enjoyed the 1408 story but it will NOT I repeat NOT make a ninety minute three act film, there's no way. It would probably cost too much to license more than one story, just the Everything's Eventual Collection must represent about a billion in film options. --Anyway as far as King goes he's very talented but for some reason (maybe because he's so prolific) the quality of his work varies widely. Everything's Eventual had stories that read like high school creative writing assignments and stuff that was genius. The title piece is about another King adolescent with lethal demonic powers. He realizes he can make people sick or kill them just by drawing strange pictures. In one scene he kills a neighbor by drawing a weird chalk symbol on the sidewalk by his house and stands back to admire his handiwork. There's something about the whole mental image that's incredibly creepy and unnerving. There's no explanation for why but its got the werid magic that only a great writer can put into a story. I remeber thinking it would look great in a movie. But a short film not feature people.

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  • Oct 27, 2005 11:17:22 PM CDT

    KING failed with the Dark Tower series

    by frank_serpico

    The first three were classic. The fourth was good but dragged on. The 5th started out great but was destroyed by having him introduce himself into the story and the last two were a complete mess. Flagg and Walter suddenly the same person ?? Flagg getting taken out by a baby spider ?? King whining about how his readers were being unfair by wanting a proper end .. FUCK .. YOU

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