RoboPete's List

[Liz, Moderator]

Yeah, I'd heard that Steven King didn't like it - maybe he didn't get on with Kubrick (not the easiest of personalities, they say)... Apparently a miniseries was made that totally adhered to the book and was endosed/worked on by King, but in the end it just wasn't very good...

Kubrick's Shining is such a brilliant film (my favourite horror movie - it's scary, but there's so much more to it than that). I love the way that most of it happens in broad daylight, much of the time without any music to wind you up, making it (in my opinion), far more unsettling. I've seen it several times, but still find it hard to watch on my own!

It will be interesting to read the book and see the differences...

[Robo]

Peter wrote: "The Shining, the book, is a lot different from the film. The book is much more of a ghost story whereas the film is more focused on 'cabin fever' ... 'put the bat down Wendy'. Both are excellent bu..."

Interesting. I'd been planning to move onto The Dark Tower Series as my next King project but perhaps I'll read some of his earlier works. So much of his stuff just seems to have filtered into popular culture through the film versions and tv references etc. that it would probably be a good idea to go back to the source!

[Robo]

Liz wrote: "...Kubrick's Shining is such a brilliant film..."

I know we're in a book thread but I really agree - the Shining is definitely my favourite horror movie and is probably one of my favourite films fullstop. I think the reason it's so scary (even after repeated viewings) is Kubrick's direction. The long, still, completely silent shots just seem to gnaw at the imagination: you're constantly on-edge and uneasy waiting for something to happen. And then the creepy stuff starts to creep in...

"I beg to differ with you sir, but you are the caretaker. You've always been the caretaker."

[Em]

I hadn't hard that Stephen King didn't like the film of The Shining but it is truely terrifying! I don't have a favourite horror film on account of the fact I hate all of them - (I've said it before, but I am a complete wimp.) I'm scared stiff of the most rubbish ones so the good ones leave me gibbering!

I really like the idea of re-visiting Stephen King though, it's been quite a few years since last I read any. Ooooh and Peter, his books are nothing if not compelling so could be a good one to get back into the reading habit!

[[deleted user]]

You're right Em. With all the talk of The Stand I think I will give that a go. Although it's a real door stop isn't it?

The Shining is a great film. Those twin girls that Danny keeps meeting in the corridors. When I'm staying in a big hotel I hate turning corners cause I half expect to meet them standing there. 'Hello Danny.' :)

But my favourite King film is Misery. Closely followed by Delores Claibourne. Oh wait... Shawshank. Best film ever.

[Em]

Those twin girls -I live with them! Have you ever woken up at 3 am to two identical faces right before you. Heart in throat - I tell you! Shawshank Redemption - I love that.

[Liz, Moderator]

Is 'Shawshank Redemption' one of his? I knew 'The Green Mile' was..... (Love 'Shawshank Redemption', love Tim Robbins - haven't seen him in anything for ages - loved 'The Player' too... I digress...)

Have you seen the original photo, the twins were based on? Just Google 'Diane Arbus twins' (or see below) - it's a great image:
http://artsintherightplace.wordpress....

....Just realised, how geeky I really am!!!!

[Lynne - The Book Squirrel]

Robo, The Dark Tower series was started in the early 80's and took him over 20 odd years to finish. It's a great series and the later books touch on some of his other works too. I couldn't get enough of them and had to be very patient waiting for Stephen to finish them!

[Robo]

Ah! That must have been torture Lynne! There's nothing worse than being on tenterhooks for the next installment of something and having to wait - especially for 20 years

[Lynne - The Book Squirrel]

You could say that! When the 5th one was due to be published I had to re read the other four again!

[[deleted user]]

To Liz... I believe that Shawshank is based on a short story by King "Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption".

[Lynne - The Book Squirrel]

Yes it is, the short story is in the book Different Seasons.

[Dan]

Liz wrote: "Is 'Shawshank Redemption' one of his? I knew 'The Green Mile' was..... (Love 'Shawshank Redemption', love Tim Robbins - haven't seen him in anything for ages - loved 'The Player' too... I digress..."

Oooh. Creepy children. Actually, the boy with the handgrenade in your link is even creepier. The twins are a great image in the film, though, coupled with the tsunami of blood cascading from the lift doors. I did think the film was more 'clinical' than the book - something to do with Kubrik's over all style, I suppose. And Jack Nicholson looks like a nutter even in the first scene. I wouldn't want to be locked up all winter with a guy who has THAT look in his eye!

[Robo]

Well, not only did my house move disrupt my visits to Goodreads it also thoroughly put the kybosh on getting through my fifty books in 2010. When I look back on the past year actually it makes me a bit sad how few books I've actually read. Particularly as reading has always been an important escape for me when things get a bit stressful or difficult. The plain fact that I've simply not had time to read as much as I used to is a bit depressing. Hopefully now that things are beginning to settle down a bit I'll be able to get back on top of tackling this list (as well, of course, as all the new books which I've bought but haven't even looked at yet - my compulsive book purchase addiction hasn't abated any, that's for sure)!