Quoted from Murphy I probably shouldn't say anything about something I am still working on but my current project is an adaptation of The Running Man, originally a Richard Bachman book.

Very interesting, Murphy. I'm looking forward to reading that. I remember the book being much much better than the Arnie flick, much along the lines of one of Stephen King's other books "The Long Walk".

Keep us updated.

Quoted from stevie I've always thought 'The Island' was influenced by this book, has a simliar feel to it.

I get what you mean, I sometimes wonder whether this is the real reason why nobody has ever got round to trying another adaptation of this great book. It is already been adapted "unofficially" so many times it is impossible to do now. I can think of many films in which I can see influences from The Running Man, from The Fugitive (which I know will raise eyebrows because itself was a remake) to Children of Men and even Enemy of the State.

It is probably easy to see these influences when you are a fan of the book I guess, it is likely that the writers of these movies have never read The Running Man at all.

Anyway, when all is said and done, I fully agree with many of the people on this thread. King is a wonderful writer and it is a damn shame he has wasted so many years on shite horror novels. His non horror books are some of the best ever written and it is testament to that fact that they have produced so many great films.


Chris, cheers, that was an amazing quote about Arnie. I need to read it again tomorrow with a clearer head. From what little I have read on that book then Mark Browning is not skirting around the edges here, seems to be a fairly serious look at the films  of Stephen King. I ordered it today so will have a read when it arrives.

Cheers.

Quoted from sniper Very interesting, Murphy. I'm looking forward to reading that. I remember the book being much much better than the Arnie flick, much along the lines of one of Stephen King's other books "The Long Walk". Keep us updated.

Bollocks. Wish I had not opened my mouth, pressure!! haha

Cheers Rob ( is Sniper dead now then?)

I am trying anyway and hope to see it here someday soon.

Quoted from Murphy Cheers Rob ( is Sniper dead now then?)

For the time being - I may still snipe a bit though  

Generally I think most of the movies adapted from his books have been rather poor (The Running Man to name just one). However, there have been some really good ones there as well, Misery, Shawshank, Green Mile, Hearts of Atlantis, Apt Pupil and...

Quoted from Niles_Crane "The Mist", for me, is possibly the best adapt of one of his horror stories, and apparently King rates it highly.

Totally agree. Both the movie and the novella got under my skin - in an umcomfortable way - and stuck there.

Frank Darabont should imo. get a first refusal right to any future Stephen King adaption. I can't wait to see what he does with "The Long Walk" once he decides to make it.

I seem to remember reading somewhere that "It" was being remade - again for TV, but can't remember details now.

"Desperation" is also supposed to be in the works.

I still remember "Salem's Lot" on TV when I was a kid - not great, but it had it's moments. I am surprised that it has not been attempted again.

So it's actually been made?

That one passed me by completely!

King, for all his writing talents, is probably best advised to leave films well alone. Anyone remember "Maximum Overdrive"!

Quoted from Niles_Crane Anyone remember "Maximum Overdrive"!

Mixed feelings about that one, utterly crap film but excellent soundtrack...

Maximum Overdrive was King's first and last attempt at directing. Of the soundtrack Browning said "a self indulgent soundtrack plays wall-to-wall AC/DC, whether the images and context merit it or not"

Quoted from Niles_Crane I seem to remember reading somewhere that "It" was being remade - again for TV, but can't remember details now. "Desperation" is also supposed to be in the works. I still remember "Salem's Lot" on TV when I was a kid - not great, but it had it's moments. I am surprised that it has not been attempted again.

Yeah, 'It' is being remade, which initially i was ok with - the 1990 one deferred to much to people who hadn't read the book and gave the Pennywise appearance all the substance.
But reading about it on IMDB, fans are spewing cos they plan to have the early kids scenes set in the 80'S(!?) and then when they are adults in the modern era!

This will totally destroy any of the magic of the book's 50's setting - i learned a hell of a lot about 1950's America from 'It'.
I also learned a lot about American geography from reading 'The Stand'.

Quoted from Niles_Crane So it's actually been made? That one passed me by completely! King, for all his writing talents, is probably best advised to leave films well alone. Anyone remember "Maximum Overdrive"!

Yeah, Ron Perlman plays the evil cop.

I've read It, Christine, and Dreamcatcher.

Tried reading Insomnia but can never get interested enough to keep on keepin' on.

I was reading Desperation at one point, but for some reason I stopped half way through and never got back to it.

I wanna get Gerald's Game.  Anyone fill me in on what that's about?

And any recommendations for when I go up to the book store this weekend?

Well, I rather liked "Cell", but this doesn't appear to be a general feeling!

I really like the film of "The Dead Zone", and the tv series spin off (well, the first two  seasons, anyway!), but have never been able to read the book - I've tried three times and never got past the start.

Quoted from slabstaa And any recommendations for when I go up to the book store this weekend?

I liked Hearts in Atlantis and Bag of Bones. You might also want to try some of the shorts collections.

Thanks.  I hear Bag of Bones is very sad?

I am 300 pages in to SK's newie, 'Under The Dome'. It's a 1000 page book, and so far, it is his best work for years!
I've been reading his stuff for 25 years now, and most of his books from the last decade have been average to me. it seemed that his best was way past him.

But this book is vintage King. His best work is when he puts normal people suddenly into a freaky situation, whether with horror or some sci-fi aspect.

I won't give away to much of what I've read, just the basic premise:
Chester's Mill is your average American small town in Maine (SK's fave setting). One October morning, the town is plunged into, first, puzzled alarm that quickly moves inot chaos, when a mysterious invisible barrier - the Dome - descends around the town, completely cutting if off from the outside world. The power goes off but some cell phones still work.
The first 15 pages are pure gold - cars smash into the dome, killing a few people( a log truck explosion would be awesome in a film) birds are cut half by the barrier, etc.
The army turn up on the outside trying to figure out who's responsible. The townsfolk have to face the logistics of gas running out for their generators not to mention food.
The personal grievances surface between people, which adds to the rising tension.

Anyway, i don't wanna give away too much - but then I haven't read that much yet either.
suffice to say, if you were a king fan long ago, but have been disillusioned by his recent stuff, PLEASE READ THIS BOOK! You will forgive him!   cheers