Stephen King's Desperation
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Movie Reviews of Stephen King's Desperation
Movie Review: Movie Worked For Everybody But The Audience
Summary: 2 Stars
So I thought I only saw pieces of the ABC presentation of Desperation. On TV I thought I missed the chapter about the first family, David's family, and how they came to be in the town jail. It turns out I didn't miss anything, that's the way it was filmed. When I heard the film was available on DVD and "R" rated, too, I vowed to rent it and see the movie as it was designed to be seen. Curses, gore, adult scares and, perhaps a booby! One wouldn't expect anything but the most watered down presentation on ABC but the "R" rated version, oh boy!
The DVD, rated "R", was EXACTLY the same presentation word for word and scene for scene with the only difference being the exclusion of commercials. I'm going to say, and prove me wrong, that the "R" rating was slapped on the DVD to intice people to rent it to see the original adult version. What a sneaky rip-off. How can they do that?
Overall, the movie was not great. The ending was completely tacked on and I got a little tired of the sermonizing. The performances were OK, with the exception of Ron Perlman's performance. He was outstanding.
I know Amazon sells this DVD but they also sell the book and the book is much more satisfying. It's hard to believe the same guy that wrote the movie also wrote the book. I'm sure everybody made lots of money on this project but I'd like my money back.
Movie Review: KING DETHRONED?
Summary: 2 Stars
Whether one considers that this novel was actually half of another one called THE REGULATORS isn't that important when it comes to judging this TV adaptation by King himself. All in all, DESPERATION just isn't one of the better adaptations of King's works.
Set in the little town of Desperation, Nevada, the story follows travelers who are abducted by a demon-possessed sheriff. Demon spirits of Chinese workers are released after a mining explosion and nasty Sheriff has wiped out the entire population. The captured run the gamut from a family of four; a married couple; the town's veterinarian; a traveling writer and his assistant; and a cute hitchhiker. The problem with the script and Mick Garris' pedestrian direction is that it just isn't all that frightening or imaginative.
Ron Perlman chews up the scenery but once he's gone, much of the film's energy goes with him. Tom Skerritt, who was in one of the best thrillers of all time (ALIEN), seems bored; Kelly Overton is okay as the hitchhiker; Matt Frewer emotes as the daddy; Steven Weber picks up his paycheck, as does Charles Durning.
There's lots of religious undertones in the movie, which don't seem to come from anywhere and little David's "powers" are hardly that impressive.
I liked the book, but this movie just doesn't do it justice.
Movie Review: Mick? How about Stephen?
Summary: 2 Stars
Yes the movie was a let down. You can't say that we weren't warned. Quite possibly one of the best "King" films was the original Shining, which wasn't fully appreciated until years later, similar to Apocalypse Now. This was also what infuriated Stephen King to have creative control over his adaptations to film. Because of this, you'll notice that the novels we love, with characters and situations that could never possibly be on TV always are. Randall Flagg on TV...please. We don't have Mick Garris to blame for this, first we have ourselves for continually being duped by King to believe his loyal fans will see what they paid for, or at least invested their time in. Fool me once... Anyway, Mick is simply doing whatever his boss, Mr. King tells him to do. Second, we have greed, and specifically King's to blame. What a shame that a talent, not unlike a Dickens for our time, would prostitute his work to make a quick buck, and dupe his loyal readership. As I read review after review, it's obvious his fans are loyal, too bad he can't return the favor. I guess we can be glad he hasn't tried to direct again.Movie Review: Constant, cloying, religious gobbledygook
Summary: 2 Stars
What would otherwise have been a pretty darn creepy movie is ruined almost instantly by the presense of an over-brainwashed, hideously annoying little boy who spends the entire film vomiting forth blase, pathetic, semi-Christian witnessing. There simply is not a scene where he isn't praying, reminding everyone that god is to be served or just generally mewling about his creator.
Whatever your view of religion, be it positive or negative, I can't imagine ANYONE could stomach this endless barrage of sickening idolatry. It's like watching a Beatles or Elvis fan prattle on about their favorite singer.
Ignoring that, the film is still loaded with re-hashed horror and King stereotypes: creepy little girl, check, ex-alchoholic hero writer, check, drunk old know it all townie, check, corrupt person in power, check... the list goes on and on.
It had some good points but I just can't reccommend the thing at all.
Movie Review: disappointing....
Summary: 2 Stars
....here's why: The book itself is excellent- one of King's best books (and I've read many, although not all, of his).
the problem is that this was broadcast on network television. King is a "R" rated writer- so the version you see on television is a "watered-down" version of the book- consequently, what you SEE on screen isn't nearly as scary or horrifying as what you READ in the book.
the actors were great- don't blame them. This would have been better if presented on HBO or Showtime where the director doesn't have to edit out so much material.
** read the book instead **