What an odd article.
It’s not a review or a story about anything related to the movie, it just… lays out the plot from beginning to end.
What is the point of publishing that?
What an odd article.
It’s not a review or a story about anything related to the movie, it just… lays out the plot from beginning to end.
What is the point of publishing that?
No idea what’s the intention behind that. It certainly feels like it’s a hit job on the film; even if the film probably doesn’t need a hit job to begin with.
Starting to think that maybe Stephen King and M. Night should work together on a film. King comes up with great stories but can’t stick the landing whereas M. Night is really known mostly for his endings (and his lackluster output in the past decade-plus). Between the two of them, they could probably come up with something interesting.
I am aware that the criticism about King’s endings has gained traction for a couple of years now. But quite frankly, I can’t think of one which I thought was not well developed.
Of course, some people expect different things and when their expectations aren’t met they accuse the writer.
Under the Dome immediately comes to mind.
Side question - I have not read any of King’s work from the last 10 or so years. Any suggestions from that timeframe?
I’ve had a copy of Billy Summers since release date I might start if nobody has a better suggestion…
I’m not entirely up-to-date with King myself. From the last decade I can recommend Mr Mercedes, The Institute and The Outsider.
The other two Bill Hodges novels didn’t quite agree with me.
Then Doctor Sleep was an interesting idea; how do the ‘heroes’ fare after the books have ended? Doctor Sleep is quite interesting - but takes far too long in the first half. The second however…excellent.
As for the endings of King’s books, the only one that I really recommend to skip - like King does himself - is that of The Dark Tower. Stop reading when the master says.
The ending of The Dome I don’t remember as bad. The solution to The Dome however is definitely underwhelming.
It has a particular ending, true. But that’s at once coda and comment: The survivors visit their childhood - and Derry - only in half-remembered dreams. They feel the longing for those carefree days (because they cannot remember the horrors any more), but it’s a nebulous desire, forgotten by the time they open their eyes. Which is okay, they still dream of the magic of childhood but are adults. It took me decades before I arrived at that reading myself.
It’s just beyond the 10 year mark, but 11/22/63 is a brilliant novel that I think stands with the very best of King’s work. It’s one of my favorite novels that I’ve read as well. It’s long, but it’s a page turner.
Outside of that, Doctor Sleep is probably the best out of what he’s done. Mr. Mercedes was pretty good as well. I’m currently reading The Institute and that one’s been a tough read. Definitely one that I think will be completely incapable of being adapted into any kind of series or film, since that seems to be the endpoint for a lot of King’s work here lately it seems.
The Institute goes where Firestarter went before. And it taps into the killing-by-psi theme that is also a facet of the Dark Tower (Everything’s Eventual). I think it adds another layer by showing the machinations of such an organisation, even the self justification of the people behind it all. Didn’t find it a tough read myself.
In the last two decades King enjoyed writing in the crime genre, and while that is not my particular cup of tea, his main strength - crafting believable and sympathetic characters who have to endure terrible situations - also shines in them.
My favorite novels of later King are „11/22/63“, asking the question „What would you do if you could change history?“, „Joyland“, a wonderful summer story about becoming an adult, „The Outsider“, dealing with incomprehensible changes people have to make sense of, and „Holly“, a tight thriller about how cruel people can become when they lose all morality.
As for his short story collections, his latest „You like it darker“ is one of his very best.
I understand that the meta fictional bend will frustrate a huge part of the audience, but what „ka“ means has always been indicated from the start, and it makes total sense, I believe.
I think it’s in line with the overall theme of ka(rma) as a wheel turning. But I prefer the ending that doesn’t take us into the Tower itself. Like the Crimson King, it’s only an allegory, the hub of all the possible worlds in all the possible iterations. Ending the saga with its doors closing on Roland would have been the more intriguing option.
But I’m happy as is, although I think the whole thing would have profited from 10 years less development between the parts.
I just realised, The Dark Tower’s publication was now already 20 years ago…
Thanks, guys!
It reads well enough, but the whole child torture angle makes it quite difficult to swallow.
Oh, and…
Well, I wish them luck with that. I would not be the least bit surprised if they increased the age of the main child characters, even though the article does reference the main character’s age correctly, to make it a bit more palatable to an audience. Guaranteed the opening section in the Front Half will be watered down considerably.
Very sorry to hear it. Here’s hoping if ‘on the mend’ isn’t in the cards he may at least have some quality time in his retirement.
Hard to believe his last film was the year Casino Royale came out
It´s not surprising, him being such a heavy and relentless smoker. But it´s still one more sign that our heroes of yesterday are reaching the point of no return. And with the industry changing again, not for the better, he won’t be able to get financing for more projects. And directing remotely did not work out for John Carpenter either.