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Holy backlash! Part 1 of my 2 part King post had many a passionate film (and I’m going to assume literature) fan thumbing their nose at me. That’s fine. The interwebs are home to many an opinion and if you aren’t into mine, don’t read a post filled with aforementioned opinions. Super simple, right? But just in case some were confused as to my criteria for this list, let me clarify.

This list is comprised of 10 films based on King stories. So for a movie to qualify for my list, Stephen King must have had a writing credit. For example, The Running Man is loosely based on King’s (as Richard Bachman) novel of the same name. I’ve read the synopsis of the story and I understand it is a loose adaptation, but an adaptation none the less. I have never read the novel and if I had, I may have found myself with a different opinion of the film. Loose as it is, King’s original work is the basis for the film. Perhaps I was unclear in my original post. This isn’t my list of the best King screenplays or the most accurate book to movie adaptations. It’s a list of films that I love; a list that would not exist without the amazing mind of Stephen King.

5. Misery
I love Misery because Kathy Bates is batshit crazy in it. You can pull countless amazing quotes from this film. Most of them somehow incorporating “Mr. Man”. Fun and wacky hi jinks aside, I was always struck by the palpable feelings of desperation and isolation. The minimal cast adds to the intensity and I don’t think I need to mention a certain leg breaking scene.

4. The Shawshank Redemption
When I think King I tend to think of horror or supernatural elements. Shawshank is 1 of 2 films that nearly slipped my mind when composing this list. The expert exploration of human struggle, growth and relationships is magnificent (in both this film and the other one I nearly forgot). Robbins and Freeman are, in my opinion, in top form in this film. They are both at their best and they both inject realism and emotion into this film. So does Frank Darabont…

3. The Mist
Effortless segue from Darabont’s contribution to Shawshank into his life breathing direction of The Mist. This film elicits many emotions from me. I mostly adore it. Thomas Jane is incredible (and sometimes I don’t think he is very incredible). Marcia Gay Harden is awe inspiring. Even Laurie Holden, who I found unwatchable in Silent Hill, held her own. I love the setting, I love the premise and I love people trapped together. And as much as I love the ending, it leaves me feeling very conflicted. It has been the topic of many discussions and near arguments. I could launch into a rant but I don’t want to take away for the fact that this is my #3 and any issue I have with the film’s closing is minor. I give a lot of credit to Darabont. He ended a “Hollywood” film on a sour note and I personally know people who hate the film for that reason. Very ballsy move.

2. Stand By Me
Stand By Me transcends genres. This is the other film I nearly forgot when compiling this list. I have never thought of this as a “King movie”. It has themes that are often reoccurring in his books and adaptations. It’s a coming of age tale involving a group of boys which is something you see again and again (It, Dreamcatcher, to a lesser degree Hearts in Atlantis and Silver Bullet). I find Stand By Me to be the most effective. It may be because it lacks any supernatural element and spends all its time lingering on the boys. Each character is fully developed and transforms into someone you knew or could relate to. The 4 boys at the center of the story were all portrayed by the creme de la creme of child actors; Wil Wheaton, River Phoenix, Jerry O’Connell and Corey Feldman. To this day Wheaton makes my heart palpitate and he was the boy I chose to align myself with in this film. Feldman delivers, what I believe to be, his best performance. O’Connell is the bearer of the films most amazing lines, hands down, no contest, cherry flavored Pez. And if I start on River Phoenix I may never stop and this post will surely end up talking about young Indiana Jones. Long story short, this film is near perfection.

1. The Shining
Anyone who has read this blog before knows of my deep love for this film. In all fairness I am in love with Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining and not Stephen King’s. For I have seen the made for TV adaptation which apparently followed King’s true vision and I loathed it. But that’s just me! I’m just not into Steven Weber’s apparition telling a graduating Doc that he loves him. Just not my thing.

Honorable Mentions:
Dreamcatcher – Sure the ending makes me cringe but up until then it’s a solid film.
The Langoliers – Loved it as a youth but it unfortunately doesn’t hold up.
Storm of the Century – It would have made my list if I hadn’t read the screenplay.
The Dead Zone
Cat’s Eye
Creepshow

So that’s my list. Now I’m going to launch into a few tirades. I think it’s interesting that I have never read the stories that inspired any of my picks. I have read my fair share of King. I just don’t care for their screen adaptations (if there in fact is one). Dolores Claiborne the film doesn’t hold a candle to the book. The same goes for Needful Things. Although I did love the made for TV version of The Langoliers.

Speaking of made for TV King, I am consistently disappointed in it. Rose Red, The Shining, Desperation, It, Salem’s Lot remake etc, all left a disillusioned taste in my mouth. Sure it’s network TV but the cheesiness is out of control. I will say this, it is my belief that made for TV King is great to ease younger viewers into genre offerings. That’s how it happened for me and I turned out OK. These adaptations are a great primer. They are atmospheric and creepy without ever getting too intense. The exact reason why they irritate me is why they’d be great for jumpy youngins.

In closing I will say there are very few King books or films I have experienced and not enjoyed. Aside from 1408… but even a younger me would have been into that movie!