Apt Pupil (which I've only seen once) just felt tawdry and incomplete...the ending should've been what the novella had, where Brad Renfro's character pulls a Charles Whitman.
WTF, they changed the ending? (I haven't seen it.) That's pretty much the whole point of the story, or at least it felt that way when I read it as a teenager. What happens in the movie?
― Charlie Rose Nylund, Thursday, 5 February 2009 15:46 (fifteen years ago) link
Essentially nothing! The kid walks away scot-free at the end. Via Wikipedia:
Todd graduates valedictorian and gives a speech on the theme of Icarus, with the thesis that "All great achievements arose from dissatisfaction. It is the desire to do better, to dig deeper, that propels civilization to greatness." In a montage, this is juxtaposed with Dussander's home being searched and the hobo's corpse being found in the basement.Todd is briefly questioned about his relationship with Dussander, but manages to convince the police that he knew nothing of the old man's true identity. At the hospital, Dussander hears a group of Neo-Nazis outside the hospital; realizing his identity has been hopelessly compromised, he commits suicide by giving himself an air embolism.Todd then proceeds to blackmail his school counselor, French (Schwimmer), who met Dussander and later learned he was not his grandfather, threatening to accuse him of making inappropriate sexual advances towards him.
Todd is briefly questioned about his relationship with Dussander, but manages to convince the police that he knew nothing of the old man's true identity. At the hospital, Dussander hears a group of Neo-Nazis outside the hospital; realizing his identity has been hopelessly compromised, he commits suicide by giving himself an air embolism.
Todd then proceeds to blackmail his school counselor, French (Schwimmer), who met Dussander and later learned he was not his grandfather, threatening to accuse him of making inappropriate sexual advances towards him.
. . . fade to black, roll credits. F U, Bryan Singer!
― Pancakes Hussein Obama (Pancakes Hackman), Thursday, 5 February 2009 15:49 (fifteen years ago) link
wow, if Frances Sternhagen and Richard Farnsworth are in Misery I may have to see it someday.
Dolores Claiborne > The Shining
― Dr Morbius, Thursday, 5 February 2009 15:53 (fifteen years ago) link
Re: Schwimmer, the big problem with his casting was that he wore the SERIOUS ACTOR IS SERIOUS mustache that was generally played for laughs in "Friends" flashbacks:
http://www.freewebs.com/davidschwimmer248/apt%20pupil.JPG
― Pancakes Hussein Obama (Pancakes Hackman), Thursday, 5 February 2009 15:57 (fifteen years ago) link
http://www.ghostofthefuture.com/images/LardAss/lardass-05.jpg
― •--• --- --- •--• (Pleasant Plains), Thursday, 5 February 2009 16:12 (fifteen years ago) link
I don't consider Friends cast comedians, even the ones who're brilliant comic actors (that'd be Kudrow only p'haps)
― Dr Morbius, Thursday, 5 February 2009 16:14 (fifteen years ago) link
haha, misID'd thread!
the mist is weird, cuz while it's not a great film, it plays out like a better than average sci-fi channel flick for most of it's running time before finally delivering this AMAZING should-have-been-closing-shot of that massive cthuloid thing walking through the sky ... but then totally fucks itself over with one of the most senseless codas i've ever seen in an otherwise half-decent movie (crimson rivers competes for this honor). king loves that part, of course.
anyway, misery and cujo are probably the best films on this list, of those i've seen, and neither is all that great (admit i haven't seen stand by me, and that's sort of a "classic"). green mile, apt pupil and the crappy-ending-having mist are tied in badness. saw part of the storm of the century, and that looked like the very worst of all, but i can't say for sure, cuz i couldn't bear to watch any more.
― Calling All Creeps! (contenderizer), Thursday, 5 February 2009 16:15 (fifteen years ago) link
He looks like he's about to audition for the "Sabotage" video!
― Charlie Rose Nylund, Thursday, 5 February 2009 16:24 (fifteen years ago) link
Either that, or a John Stossel biopic.
i LOVE the ending of the mist!
― Ward Fowler, Thursday, 5 February 2009 16:35 (fifteen years ago) link
I do too. I remember getting a lot of grief for liking the Mist here before.
― Nicolars (Nicole), Thursday, 5 February 2009 16:45 (fifteen years ago) link
me three
― Mr. Que, Thursday, 5 February 2009 16:46 (fifteen years ago) link
The Shining (Kubrick version)The Dead ZoneThe Mist (black and white version)MiseryCreepshowSalem's Lot (Tobe Hooper version)ItChristineCats Eyes (for 'Quitters Inc' w/ James Woods)Misery
― Ward Fowler, Thursday, February 5, 2009 8:02 AM (4 hours ago)
Yeah, this is basically my list of bests too, with a couple adjustments. Swap out Misery, Cat's Eye and, um, second mention of Misery for Carrie, The Woman in the Room and Dolores Claiborne.
― Nurse Detrius (Eric H.), Thursday, 5 February 2009 18:37 (fifteen years ago) link
Actually, now that I'm thinking about it, King did have one legitimate reason for feeling shortchanged: the descent into evil of Jack Torrence's character was symbolic of/parallel with the exterior "evil" of his alcoholism. King had written this as an outlet for and reflection on his own battle with addiction & felt that Kubrick had misinterpreted the character as someone who already possessed "evil" qualities & whose demonization did not arise solely as a result of exterior elements.― Ricky Apples (Pillbox), Thursday, February 5, 2009 2:14 AM (10 hours ago)
This makes sense, though I think King had moved onto coke by the time Kubrick's movie came out.
― Nurse Detrius (Eric H.), Thursday, 5 February 2009 18:38 (fifteen years ago) link
I read The Shining in 9th grade so my memory might be faulty, but I thought Torrance was kind of a dick before he moves with his family to the Overlook.
― Nicolars (Nicole), Thursday, 5 February 2009 18:56 (fifteen years ago) link
In the book, he not only broke his son's arm, but also severely beat up a student.
― Nurse Detrius (Eric H.), Thursday, 5 February 2009 18:58 (fifteen years ago) link
yeah, kind of a dick
― nosotros niggamos (HI DERE), Thursday, 5 February 2009 18:58 (fifteen years ago) link
..which might explain this:
http://byfiles.storage.live.com/y1p5J6d8dn_oUjAXlpZjsPk6yOYHuzbzq8MYlwNBFsEwxgfJjDId-biDxMiZzAWLRwtJy_atXgtaIM
― Ricky Apples (Pillbox), Thursday, 5 February 2009 18:59 (fifteen years ago) link
In the book, he not only broke his son's arm, but also severely beat up a student.― Nurse Detrius (Eric H.), Thursday, February 5, 2009 1:58 PM (1 minute ago) Bookmark
― Nurse Detrius (Eric H.), Thursday, February 5, 2009 1:58 PM (1 minute ago) Bookmark
Yes, an underlying anger management issues exacerbated by chronic alcoholism.
― Ricky Apples (Pillbox), Thursday, 5 February 2009 19:01 (fifteen years ago) link
stephen king,s
― cutty, Thursday, 5 February 2009 19:20 (fifteen years ago) link
1408 is terrible, and I speak as someone who would cheerfully defend John Cusack in just about anything.
― ailsa, Thursday, 5 February 2009 19:24 (fifteen years ago) link
The DVD release of THE MIST includes a black and white version, which is apparently Darabont's preferred version - it certainly helps to disguise some of the dodgy cgi and generally gives the flick more atmos
I didn't love the mist but sorta wanted to see the B&W version just because I suspected the CGI wouldn't look as terrible and the mood would be improved, thanks for the confirmation
― 鬼の手 (Edward III), Thursday, 5 February 2009 19:42 (fifteen years ago) link
TS: The Mist vs. The Fog?
― Ricky Apples (Pillbox), Thursday, 5 February 2009 19:48 (fifteen years ago) link
the mist is weird, cuz while it's not a great film, it plays out like a better than average sci-fi channel flick for most of it's running time before finally delivering this AMAZING should-have-been-closing-shot of that massive cthuloid thing walking through the sky ... but then totally fucks itself over with one of the most senseless codas i've ever seen in an otherwise half-decent movie
OTM
― James Morrison, Thursday, 5 February 2009 22:16 (fifteen years ago) link
Folks, this is BY FAR the worst
http://www.impawards.com/2003/posters/dreamcatcher_verdvd.jpg
― Chris Barrus (Elvis Telecom), Thursday, 5 February 2009 22:29 (fifteen years ago) link
that cthuloid thing was the most memorable image from the story too, i was glad they put it in
― s1ocki, Thursday, 5 February 2009 22:30 (fifteen years ago) link
OUTLANDER WE HAVE YOUR WOMAN
― Fox Force Five Punchline (sexyDancer), Thursday, 5 February 2009 22:48 (fifteen years ago) link
Is Children of the Corn the first film to feature a "spooky kid" who, with blissful ignorance, draws horrific & prophetic images of monsters/gruesome carnage?
― Ricky Apples (Pillbox), Thursday, 5 February 2009 22:52 (fifteen years ago) link
In today's Publishers Weekly email:
"Both Rowling and Meyer, they're speaking directly to young people. ... The real difference is that Jo Rowling is a terrific writer and Stephenie Meyer can't write worth a darn. She’s not very good.... You've got Dean Koontz, who can write like hell. And then sometimes he's just awful. It varies. James Patterson is a terrible writer but he's very very successful." - Stephen King
― How can there be male ladybugs? (Laurel), Thursday, 5 February 2009 23:01 (fifteen years ago) link
http://www.journalfen.net/community/sparklefield/20002.html#cutid2
― Nicolars (Nicole), Thursday, 5 February 2009 23:02 (fifteen years ago) link
Shwmmer is great in that movie! He becomes that character, and 90% of that character is bad mustache.
― Philip Nunez, Thursday, 5 February 2009 23:12 (fifteen years ago) link
tl;dr
Which could apply to Meyer's books as well.
― How can there be male ladybugs? (Laurel), Thursday, 5 February 2009 23:13 (fifteen years ago) link
Automatic thread bump. This poll is closing tomorrow.
― System, Friday, 27 February 2009 00:01 (fifteen years ago) link
Automatic thread bump. This poll's results are now in.
― System, Saturday, 28 February 2009 00:01 (fifteen years ago) link
3 of the top 4 vote-getters from Darabont. Good job, ILX!
― Nurse Detrius (Eric H.), Saturday, 7 March 2009 22:36 (fifteen years ago) link
Okay, so I'm thinking of holding a movie screening night: "Stephen King's Cavalcade of Terrible". What flicks could I cram in to a single day's showing that wouldn't kill people?
― kingfish, Tuesday, 19 January 2010 07:15 (fourteen years ago) link
Much as I dislike The Green Mile, I'd steer clear of the Darabont movies entirely. Too boring.
The LangoliersSleepwalkersMaximum OverdriveThe Lawnmower ManThinner
That's a pretty solid list that will also keep folks entertained with the badness.
― queen frostine (Eric H.), Tuesday, 19 January 2010 12:28 (fourteen years ago) link
1. Children of the Corn 2. Children of the Corn II: The Final Sacrifice 3. Children of the Corn III: Urban Harvest 4. Children of the Corn IV: The Gathering 5. Children of the Corn V: Fields of Terror 6. Children of the Corn 666: Isaac's Return 7. Children of the Corn: Revelation
― Ward Fowler, Tuesday, 19 January 2010 12:32 (fourteen years ago) link
eric's list is good but i might sub in "dreamcatcher"
― fleetwood (s1ocki), Tuesday, 19 January 2010 15:01 (fourteen years ago) link
Yeah, that one's supposed to be the new classic in bad King. Sorry I missed it.
― queen frostine (Eric H.), Tuesday, 19 January 2010 15:23 (fourteen years ago) link
o u really must
― fleetwood (s1ocki), Tuesday, 19 January 2010 15:28 (fourteen years ago) link
I find The Langoliers to be a genuinely entertaining movie.
― sedentary lacrimation (Abbott), Tuesday, 19 January 2010 17:24 (fourteen years ago) link
langorly??
― fleetwood (s1ocki), Tuesday, 19 January 2010 18:14 (fourteen years ago) link
This was prompted by watching Maximum Overdrive and Pet Sematary at 2am on Saturday night. Both movies have quite enjoyable bits.
― kingfish, Tuesday, 19 January 2010 19:07 (fourteen years ago) link
The killer coke machine has remained lodged in my memory for 20+ years now.
― WARS OF ARMAGEDDON (Karaoke Version) (Sparkle Motion), Tuesday, 19 January 2010 20:53 (fourteen years ago) link
http://www.nxfansite.net.au/movies/petsematary1.jpg
― kingfish, Tuesday, 19 January 2010 20:58 (fourteen years ago) link
I'd take out Lawnmower Man since Stephen King successfully sued to get his name off it. Replace it with Creepshow!
― da croupier, Tuesday, 19 January 2010 21:32 (fourteen years ago) link
creepshow is awesome, tho!
creepshow 2 would prob qualify for entertainingly bad.
― original bgm, Tuesday, 19 January 2010 21:38 (fourteen years ago) link
making a distinction between "awesome" and "incredibly bad" seems foolish when dealing with stephen king.
just showing films he wrote himself might do the trick:
SleepwalkersPet SemataryMaximum OverdriveSilver BulletCat's EyeCreepshow
― da croupier, Tuesday, 19 January 2010 21:39 (fourteen years ago) link
i dunno, if i was holding a king marathon i'd want King-ian craziness, not some lame-o CGI bullshit that shares nothing with his work but a title - save that for the "oh wow COMPUTER ANIMATION" marathon with Hackers, etc.
― da croupier, Wednesday, 20 January 2010 15:47 (fourteen years ago) link
man do i miss college, sometimes
http://movies.infinitecoolness.com/it/richie/tn_it-richiewp01.jpg
Seth Green
― kingfish, Thursday, 21 January 2010 09:21 (fourteen years ago) link
watching "Graveyard Shift" now, and while the horror aspect is largely forgettable, I like its depiction of late-20th Century blue-collar life in New England
Oh yeah and Brad Dourif's in it
― kingfish, Thursday, 28 January 2010 08:44 (fourteen years ago) link
And random googling pops up with this:
JJ Abrams and the Lost guys drive up to Maine to hang out with the guy, and wind up going to the movies with him.
― kingfish, Thursday, 28 January 2010 08:50 (fourteen years ago) link
The langoliers is good until the langoliers show up. That is some really bad CGI.
― toastmodernist, Thursday, 28 January 2010 12:28 (fourteen years ago) link
xxp: Graveyard Shift was one of my favorite King stories when I was a kid. As such, I have both always and never wanted to see the film.
― kingkongvsgodzilla, Thursday, 28 January 2010 12:35 (fourteen years ago) link
Watching 'Christine' now. This is surprisingly watchable, due to John Carpenter knowing how to make a movie, doing the music, and the flick being filled with character actors(including Harry Dean Stanton!)
― Sex Sexual (kingfish), Monday, 8 February 2010 05:46 (fourteen years ago) link
Saw Sleepwalkers, Secret Window, and Needful Things in the last few days.
Sleepwalkers is now on my list for my potential Stephen King viewing night.
And Alice Krige was hottttttt in it. And Madchen Amick.
― Sex Sexual (kingfish), Tuesday, 16 February 2010 07:20 (fourteen years ago) link
And on a related note, the scene where house cats save the day:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBeMZFjGYh8
― Sex Sexual (kingfish), Tuesday, 16 February 2010 07:29 (fourteen years ago) link
What's the ceiling that dago painted?
― johnny crunch, Monday, 21 August 2017 23:42 (six years ago) link
partially eclipse inspired, i watched dolores claiborne tday for the first time. a bit overlong w some telegraphed beats & its crazy how many one-shot closeups there are but in general p decent and compelling
― johnny crunch, Monday, 21 August 2017 23:44 (six years ago) link