Stephen King is one of my favorite authors of all-time, but taking his stories from page to screen has often resulted in some really bad films. When I see a movie like The Mist last week, it also reminds me how some of his work has made the leap brilliantly. So there is a lot of trash but also a lot of treasure in his body of work. I'm going to give my favorites and what I think are the worst.My 5 Worst Stephen King Adaptions
5. Dreamcatcher - Proof that some things that work in books just can't be pulled off on the screen. Confusing film... with poop weasles.
4. The Lawnmower Man - King actually sued to have his name taken out of the credits. I see why... simply awful film.
3. Maximum Overdrive - King actually tried directing this one himself. He should keep his day job. (It should be noted that I love this film, thanks to AC/DC and the unintentional goofiness)
2. Graveyard Shift - Creepy idea... poor execution. Boring film.
1. Sleepwalkers - An absolutely ridiculous effort to tell a tale of some sort of feline shape-shifters. It's laughable all the way through.
Other top candidates.... Children of the Corn sequels, Thinner, The Tommyknockers, Golden Years
My 11 Favorite Stephen King Adaptions
11. 1408 - The Dolphin Hotel invites you to stay in any of its stunning rooms. Well, except that one room. I'm guessing 1406 and 1410 aren't so hot either.
10. The Stand - Hard to believe someone actually made a good mini-series not called Roots. It's long and does start a bit slow, but you get a payoff. A big payoff.
9. It - C'mon now, don't try to tell me you weren't freaked out by Pennywise the Clown? Even if you didn't see the film, the previews were keeping kids (and adults) awake at night.
8. The Dead Zone - Christopher Walken is excellent in this very smart movie by director David Cronenberg.
7. The Green Mile - I love Tom Hanks and this drama with some supernatural overtones is just great storytelling. Very atmospheric and gritty. My only knock is that it's a bit too long perhaps.
6. Misery - Kathy Bates is absolutely perfect as the super fan of Paul Newman. A very scary movie.
5. The Mist - Loved this film. I'll see how it stacks up in a few years, but right now I think it's one of his best.
4. Carrie - Carrie's prom actually reminds me a lot of my first prom. Well, I mean minus the pig blood and fire and all that stuff. How could this miss though? Directed by Brian DePalma and starring Sissy Spacek, Piper Laurie, Amy Irving and John Travolta?
3. Stand By Me - One of the best coming of age films ever.
2. The Shining - Heeeere's Jack! Man those 2 twins gave me a chill back in the day. My only complaint with this entire movie is the whiney wife. I was cheering for Jack to off her early and often. I still have a fear of mazes in sub-zero temps thanks to this, but who doesn't?
1. The Shawshank Redemption - Not only a great King movie, but probably one of the better movies ever made.
Why 11? I don't know, I just picked 11 alright! Get off my back! Other candidates... Apt Pupil, Salem's Lot, Hearts In Atlantis, Secret Window, Dolores Claiborne
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