In The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe, author C.S. Lewis describes the first encounter between the children and Aslan. He notes that: “People who have not been in Narnia sometimes think that a thing cannot be good and terrible at the same time.”
Of course anyone who’s seen MAXIMUM OVERDRIVE knows something can be good and terrible at the same time!
Here are 10 “good” things in “bad” Stephen King adaptations.
GRAVEYARD SHIFT
Brad Dourif’s Vietnamologue about rats in wartime.
DESPERATION
This actual line from the movie’s dramatic climax (which was not “adapted for the the screen” by a hired gun, but written by Stephen King himself.)
THE TOMMYKNOCKERS
That part where Jimmy Smits decapitates the alien.
CREEPSHOW 2
The mantra-like repetition of “Thanks for the ride, lady” (which has conveniently been edited into one short supercut.)
SLEEPWALKERS
Mädchen Amick’s vacuuming dance.
DREAMCATCHER
Jonesey’s Memory Warehouse includes that iconic staple of any bachelor dwelling: the lone bowling pin! (A popular prop in TV commercials, this item is said to be a signifier for a bong.)
THE STAND
Not only is Shawnee Smith the best-cast actor in THE STAND, she’s the best-cast actor in any King adaptation. Manic Pixie Nightmare Girl.
SILVER BULLET
This modern re-telling of the classic car chase has a psychotic one-eyed werewolf-priest pursues a shy kid in his hot-rod wheelchair-bike.
CAT’S EYE
Alan King steals this segment by lip-synching to “Every Breath You Take” — this was decades before celebrity lip-synching was in vogue.
DOLAN’S CADILLAC
This crime-thriller goes full Road Runner in the third act. Meep-meep!
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Tags: Adam Sandler, Alan King, Aliens, Brad Dourif, Christian Slater, Gary Busey, Jimmy Smits, Lists, Madchen Amick, Shawnee Smith, Stephen King, Tom Skerritt
Fun list, but I feel slightly insulted. Some of these “bad” Stephen King movies are actually good ones! Graveyard Shift, Sleepwalkers, Desperation, Dreamcatcher, Silver Bullet, Creepshow 2, and Cat’s Eye all happen to be favorites of mine!