Stephen King Endorses '1408'
Filed under: Horror, Thrillers, The Weinstein Co.
Stephen King sure isn't shy about trashing some of the flicks that have been made from his stories. It's been pretty well-documented that he wasn't a big fan of Kubrick's rather liberal adaptation of The Shining ... so obviously the author is a pretty tough guy to please. So it must come as a relief to director Mikael Hafstrom to learn that The Horror King really dug his adaptation of 1408.The haunted hotel thriller (which stars John Cusack and Samuel L. Jackson, a cool duo if ever there was one) hits theaters later this month, but Mr. Hafstrom informed Bloody-Disgusting.com that Stephen King really likes the movie: "King was very pleased with the film, I'm happy to say. When you are adapting an author, especially one who has been around like he has, it's very important that he approves. Even though the film contains more story, we are true to heart and soul of the short story." The author also doled out some specific praise for Cusack's performance.
Someone could write a really amusing book about the films made from the books and short stories of Stephen King. On one end of the scale you'd have The Shawshank Redemption, The Dead Zone and Carrie, but on the other end ... yikes. Stuff like The Mangler, Maximum Overdrive (which King directed himself!) and The Lawnmower Man. (Plus, what the hell was up with Dreamcatcher??) And out of respect for the author, I won't even get in to all the Children of the Corn sequels.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
6-09-2007 @ 6:12PM
Neoxkc said...
I have recently become a big fan of Stephen King's novels. I have yet to read Dreamcatcher the book, but I saw the movie, and I honestly don't get all of the negative stuff thrown out about this movie.
Is there something in the book that is way better than the movie or something?
Please somebody explain.
(On a side note, I have not seen Dreamcatcher since it came out, so my viewpoint could possibly not be valid.)
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6-09-2007 @ 8:05PM
Ray said...
"Lawnmower Man" wasn't actually based on the King story. IIRC, he sued to have his name disassociated from the project, since it was at one point called "Stephen King's Lawnmower Man".
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6-09-2007 @ 8:28PM
Marc said...
Given that King hated "The Shining" possibly the best movie based on his work, doesn't say much for the adaptations he DOES like. The last one I remember him really digging was 'Maximum Overdrive', after all. Still, 1408 looks fairly interesting on its own merits.
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6-09-2007 @ 10:24PM
thelocket said...
I have read almost all of Stephen Kings novels (some twice) and I can tell you that, while Dreamcatcher isn't horrible, the book is infinitely better. All of Stephen King's novels are better than the movie. He has an incredible ability to give insight into characters that are difficult to bring across onto film. You get more background on Duddits and the gang which makes you care more when they die. Hope this helps
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6-12-2007 @ 12:48AM
skerns said...
I completely disagree, "The Shining" is in no way the best screen adaptation of King's material. The Kubrick film went far afield from the original story (which scared the bejeezus out of me when I read it years ago!). Kubrick made a Kubrick movie out of King material, and the twain didn't meet there any more than they did in any other Kubrick film from a novel (anybody read "Red Alert" by Peter George and Peter Bryant? Dr. Strangelove bears little to no resemblance to the source material).
The best adaptation is, in my opinion, "The Green Mile". there is little to no difference in what is on screen, to the printerd words. Yes, there are omissions, but nothing of substance.
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7-03-2007 @ 12:41PM
Patches said...
I just KNOW I've watched this movie years and years ago. Does anyone know if this is a remake of a previous movie? Anyone I've asked has told me it has never been a movie before. I don't think I'm walking in my sleep but ... anyone?
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7-07-2007 @ 2:39PM
felrob said...
Hi Patches,
I too believe I have seen this movie before. As I was watching this movie with my friends I began telling them exactly what was about to happen and how it would end even. I was right all the way to the end. I told them I saw this movie before. They said it wasn't possible. I know I'm not dreaming either. The only difference with this movie and the other is that the man survives but I believe he was crazy afterwards. And the lady that we kept seeing in the beginning of the movie had a little more significance in the movie.
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