Most Stephen King-based movies are rubbish.
But some are genuine gems.
No, were not talking about Michael Jackson (too soon?).
Were talking about Stephen King.
Ignoring the dross The Lawnmower Man,Dreamcatcher, etc heres the best of his big screen adaptations.
Instead, buoyed by the always watchable John Cusack, its a gripping and effective ghost story.
Focussing on psychological tension rather than gore, its a genuinely creepy, old-fashioned horror flick.
Somehow, some way it works.
How can they possibly be so foolish?!
Capitalising on every parents worst nightmare,Pet Semataryis one of Kings scariest novels.
The film boasts some genuinely scary scenes, and possibly the most frightening flashback sequence ever.
Stand By Me (1986)
Stand By Meis a cultural touchstone, particularly for guys.
Okay, its a little melodramatic at times, but its an absorbing movie nonetheless.
Its overly long and sentimental, but its an absorbing experience, almost like a dark soap opera.
With repeat screenings on television, its become something of a contemporary classic.
However, some judicious editing wouldnt go amiss.
It also features an often-imitated but rarely bettered ending.
Its not a showy performance, but its all class.
The films most infamous scene is different from the one King penned in the novel.
Its far more gruesome in the book, but the cinematic version is horrific, nonetheless.
I defy you to not at least wince.
Directed by the great Stanley Kubrick,The Shiningis a hypnotic, deeply terrifying experience.
