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The best and worst of Stephen King-inspired films
American horror writer Stephen King turns 69 today. Hindustan Times editor-in-chief Bobby Ghosh picks the five best and worst films that were based on King’s books
American horror writer Stephen King turns 69 today. Hindustan Times editor-in-chief Bobby Ghosh picks the five best and worst films that were based on King’s books. But be warned: one of Hollywood’s favourite dramas is low on the list.
THE FIVE BEST MOVIES
The Shining: A terrific, slow-burning thriller that builds to a frightening last third. And anyway, I would pay to watch Jack Nicholson watching paint dry.
Carrie: The 1976 version, not the reboot. Sissy Spacek was brilliant as the put-upon school kid who gets a terrible revenge. Brain de Palma’s taut handling is a textbook for horror-film makers.
Children of Corn: Not the best movie of all time, I’ll admit. It was clunky in parts. But those creepy, creepy kids made it work.Those eyes...brrrr.
Misery: Kathy Bates may never again be as great as she was here, playing the mild-mannered fan who turns freak. Poor James Caan never gets the credit he deserves.
Christine: The production values don’t really hold up, but it was a movie of its time. Nearly cured me of my love for classic cars. Nearly. And John Carpenter is the godfather (or should that be Holy Ghost) of the horror genre.
THE FIVE WORST MOVIES
The Green Mile: The longest snoozefest I’ve ever had the misfortune of watching. There are times you think Tom Hanks is about to fall asleep mid-scene.
Shawshank Redemption: Ok, it is routinely rated as one of the greatest movies ever made. I found it sappy, and overlong. What can I say.... I have a heart of stone.
Stand by me: To many growing-up-in-America cliches. The farther King gets from horror, the weaker he gets.
Apt Pupil: I didn’t know it was possible for an Ian Mckellan movie to suck. Now I do. Bryan Singer is best when he sticks to high-octane action flicks.
Hearts in Atlantis: Another great actor doing some shoddy jobwork. Anthony Hopkins is even worse here than in ‘Meet Joe Black,’ and that’s saying something.
