Showing posts with label children of the corn. Show all posts
Showing posts with label children of the corn. Show all posts
Classic Movies That Still Make You Jump
 |
| Picture credit: pigswithcrayons.com |
Athea Mitchell writes about one of my favorites, Pet Sematary,
What do you get when you combine Cujo and The Omen? You guessed it — Stephen King’s Pet Sematary, which is misspelled, for those who are wondering, to imitate the mistakes of a child. It’s very much the type of horror movie that has you shouting at the characters, “Don’t do that!” as they proceed to make every possible wrong move. Don’t play with the powers of life and death, don’t bring your cat back from the dead, don’t bring your son back, and don’t get stabbed with that scalpel. The list goes on.
Ultimately, feeling that helpless — combined with the corruption of everyone’s childhood memories of dead cats, dogs, birds, and turtles — leads viewers to a pretty fantastic horror experience. The Creeds move into a new house with a dangerous expressway going right by it. You’re already frustrated, right? Don’t let your pet so close to the road! Cue strange neighbor who shows Mr. Creed where to bury the family cat so that extra Fancy Feast doesn’t go to waste. Eventually, the power of this odd little cemetery gets out of hand, and the resurrected cat — who is of course evil — is just the start.So what movies still pack a punch? Mitchell suggests these:
1. Children of the Corn, 1984
2. Rosemary's Baby, 1968
3. The Omen, 1976
4. The Exorcist, 1973
5. Pet Sematary, 1989
6. What Ever Happened To Baby Jane, 1962
The full article is HERE.
AINT IT COOL Releases A Pile Of Retro Reviews
As usual with Aint It Cool News -- this is just pure fun. Ambush Bug (Mark L. Miller) has decided to celebrate Joyland and Under The Dome TV series with a series of "glances back at some of the best and not so best works of Stephe King!"
Retro-review: THE DEAD ZONE (1983)
Retro-review: CHILDREN OF THE CORN (1984)
Retro-review: MISERY (1990)
Retro-review: SLEEPWALKERS (1992)
Short Cuts Short Film Review: SURVIVOR TYPE (2012)
Book review: JOYLAND (2013)
UNDER THE DOME Episodes 1-2 (2013)
And finally…MUCH MORE SHINING!
CHILDREN OF THE CORN is a movie that would be great for a “Mystery Science Theater 300”-style riffing session, from its awkward opening (overlaid with a voice-over narration supplied by Job—clearly added after test screenings, since Job’s narration only pops up once more early on in the film to helpfully describe details that the filmmakers obviously felt would confuse the audience) to the mind-blowingly awful special effects of the film’s climax.
the overall mystery is intriguing and at this point, the dome could be anything from aliens to top secret government tech. Here’s hoping that the solution resolves itself better than LOST did (and isn’t as prolonged as that series ended up being), but as far as openers are concerned, it’s promising enough to have me interested.
Ebert On King
The famous movie reviewer Roger Ebert died Thursday. I first became acquainted with him when I was a kid and he offered movie commentary with Gene Siskel on Siskel and Ebert. I would watch them on Sunday afternoon between morning church and evening church. Strangely, the review I remember is Back to the Beach -- which both of them liked. Seems Disney was really hesitant to let them review the film, thinking it would get bad publicity right from the start. But it got two thumbs up.
In his review of Dreamcatcher, Ebert revealed that he is also a King reader, saying, "The movie is based on a novel by Stephen King, unread by me, apparently much altered for the screen version, especially in the appalling closing sequences. I have just finished the audiobook of King's From a Buick 8 , was a fan of his Hearts in Atlantis , and like the way his heart tugs him away from horror ingredients and into the human element in his stories."
In his review of Secret Window, Ebert offered this about King's book On Writing, "A lot of people were outraged that he was honored at the National Book Awards, as if a popular writer could not be taken seriously. But after finding that his book On Writing had more useful and observant things to say about the craft than any book since Strunk and White's The Elements of Style, I have gotten over my own snobbery."
Here are some of his reviews of Stephen King movies:
CARRIE (rogerebert.suntimes.com)
The scariest horror stories -- the ones by M.R. James, Edgar Allan Poe, and Oliver Onions -- are like this. They develop their horrors out of the people they observe. That happens here, too. Does it ever.THE DEAD ZONE (rogerebert.suntimes.com)
No other King novel has been better filmed (certainly not the recent, dreadful "Cujo"), and Cronenberg, who knows how to handle terror, now also knows how to create three-dimensional, fascinating characters. (writing circa 1983)MISERY (rogerebert.suntimes.com)
The material in "Misery" is so much Stephen King's own that it's a little surprising that a director like Rob Reiner would have been interested in making the film. . . .What he does with "Misery" is essentially simply respectful - he "brings the story to the screen," as the saying goes.THE MIST (rogerebert.suntimes.com)
THE GREEN MILE (rogerebert.suntimes.com)
By the end, when he is asked to forgive them for sending him to the electric chair, the story has so well prepared us that the key scenes play like drama, not metaphor, and that is not an easy thing to achieve.And I think this is a very important quote, since he links King to Dickens. This is something I've been doing for a while. (Stephen King A Mordern Charles Dickens)
Stephen King, sometimes dismissed as merely a best-seller, has in his best novels some of the power of Dickens, who created worlds that enveloped us and populated them with colorful, peculiar, sharply seen characters. King in his strongest work is a storyteller likely to survive as Dickens has, despite the sniffs of the litcrit establishment.SILVER BULLET (rogerebert.suntimes.com) I like the opening line:
Stephen King's "Silver Bullet" is either the worst movie ever made from a Stephen King story, or the funniest. It is either simply bad, or it is an inspired parody of his whole formula, in which quiet American towns are invaded by unspeakable horrors. It's a close call, but I think the movie is intentionally funny.DREAMCATCHER (rogerebert.suntimes.com)
"Dreamcatcher" begins as the intriguing story of friends who share a telepathic gift, and ends as a monster movie of stunning awfulness. What went wrong? How could director Lawrence Kasdan and writer William Goldman be responsible for a film that goes so awesomely wrong?SECRET WINDOW (rogerebert.suntimes.com)
CAT'S EYE (rogerebert.suntimes.com)
The crazy unreality of the situation has a "Twilight Zone" sort of appeal, and indeed "Cat's Eye" is a superior Twilight-style anthology of three stories that are held together by the adventures of the cat. It's a small, scrappy tabby that survives not only electric shock (actually only special effects, so don't call the ASPCA), but also city traffic, falls from high buildings, one-way tickets to the pound, and a duel to the death with a gremlin who lives behind a little girl's bedroom wall.APT PUPIL (rogerebert.suntimes.com)
HEARTS IN ATLANTIS (rogerebert.suntimes.com)
Rarely does a movie make you feel so warm and so uneasy at the same time, as Stephen King's story evokes the mystery of adolescence, when everything seems to be happening for the very first time.NEEDFUL THINGS (rogerebert.suntimes.com)
"Needful Things" is yet another one of those films based on a Stephen King story that inspires you to wonder why his stories don't make better films. (INDEED!)THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION (rogerebert.suntimes.com)
The word "redemption" is in the title for a reason. The movie is based on a story, Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption, by Stephen King, which is quite unlike most of King's work. The horror here is not of the supernatural kind, but of the sort that flows from the realization than 10, 20, 30 years of a man's life have unreeled in the same unchanging daily prison routine.BAG OF BONES (www.suntimes.com/entertainment)
‘Stephen King’s Bag of Bones” is a bag of something, and it ain’t bones. Based on King’s 1998 thriller (which I trust is better than the two-part miniseries starting Sunday on A&E), “Bag of Bones” boils down to a hokey horror story that relies on cheap tricks — nightmares! sudden bursts of loud music! animal in the attic! — to deliver most of its chills. Worse yet, some of the characters are so cartoonish, they’re more “Scooby-Doo” than Cujo. (OUCH!!!)CHILDREN OF THE CORN (rogerebert.suntimes.com) -- this one is great!
By the end of “Children of the Corn,” the only thing moving behind the rows is the audience, fleeing to the exits. (well said, sir)
Lee Overviews Children Of The Corn
Wow, I really enjoyed Joseph Lee's article at 411 Mania, which offered a breakdown on the Children of the Corn series. What's really helpful -- really, really helpful -- is that he didn't like the series. Ahhh, what sweet relief! But he tries hard to find what he does like about the films.
Did you know there are nine (9) entries to the Children of the Corn franchise? Nine times someone put up money to keep these stories going. I wouldn't be offended, but we only need seven (7) entries to the Dark Tower series, and no one can dig deep enough in their pockets to find the moola to make that happen. I know, I know, DT is a bigger project and stuff like that.
More on the mark, Lee asks, "How come The Night Flier wasn't the one to get a ton of sequels?" Now there's a wise man!
About the original Children Of The Corn movie, Lee says that there is something "lost in translation" between written word and movie screen. Indeed! He cites bad acting and a "lazy" ending. (Lee explains what a "lazy" ending is, but you'll have to check out his article, I'm not giving it away.)
Lee takes us on a journey through the various films that popped their heads up after it, as if this was the Friday the 13th franchise. One of my favorite observations is Lee's simple note that Children of the Corn II's title, "The Final Sacrifice" was a lie. Indeed!
What would make this entire series special -- really special -- is if it were handed over to Mystery Science Theater 3000. That would make it a joy.
Here are his insightful notes on Children of the Corn 666
I don't believe the last three films had any effort at all, including the remake. It's hard to find anything memorable or enjoyable in any of them, and it's going to be even harder to write short summaries of the three films. But I'll try. This one already is off to a bad start when you realize that it's set in Omaha, Nebraska, but the apartment complex is said to take place where the original film happened. Problem #1: The original film is set in Gaitlin. This film mentions that fact but never really establishes a connection between the two.
Problem #2: This is definitely the worst of the series. I mean, hands down it is the worst acted, the worst direct and the worst written of all the films. There is just nothing to like about it at all. I've tried to sit through it and while I did finish, I can't tell you a thing that happened. It's uninspired, dull, and an obvious cash-in on a franchise name that wasn't that successful to begin with. The original film was only a minor hit, remember?
The full article is HERE. You have to scroll down a bit to find it.
DVD File: review of Children Of The Corn
 |
| 92 Minutes / 1984 / Rated R / Release Date: September 6, 2011 |
I really enjoyed DVD File's review of Children of the Corn. Why? Because it is heart felt! There is not attempt here to trash the film; nor is this review trying to convince us it was really a pearl in the rough and we all just missed the glory. There is an honest assessment of what works, what doesn't -- and why we kinda like it anyway.
Children of the Corn is not a favorite of mine. But wait. . . give it a chance, DVD File argues. The movie might have a few things going for it. Here's a list of pro's I spotted int he review:
- It remains one of the most faithful in terms of capturing the creepy essence of King’s original work. "When I finally saw the film version, it was amazing how much it resembled my own ideas of the characters and settings." He says later, "the film is well cast and does an admirable job of staying true to the essence of King’s original short story — albeit not a wholly faithful adaptation."
- It contains themes that would reappear throughout King's work. "Children of the Corn is one of the first stories to explore recurring ideas and themes that the author would continue to harvest: cult-like religious obsession, the havoc wrought from a mob mentality, and the disturbing idea of children murdering their own parents."
- The film does have it's scary moments. "There’s still some genuine shocks and unnerving bits — like that initial shot of Isaac glaring at his “children” from outside a diner window as they begin systematically murdering all the adults inside — that are just as chilling as anything Hitchcock or Polanski devised."
So what doesn't work? We can all say it together: Special effects!
Children of the Corn: GENESIS
Good news. . . Lilja's Library has all kinds of cool updates. I won't spoil the really cool stuff -- which has to do with Wind Through The Keyhole (so go check it out!)
Not so good news, one of them is that Children of the Corn "Genesis" is being released on DVD and blue-ray. Trust me, I'm stealing no one's thunder reprinting this! Lilja writes, "Children of the Corn – Genesis is being released on DVD and blu-ray in the US on August 30. The film was released in a drive-in earlier this year, with the latest Hellraiser movie but after that it’s been quiet about it but not its about to be released...if anyone is interested in seeing it."
If anyone is interested in seeing it -- indeed.
I'll save the usual rant about this series of movies. But I am still dumbfounded that King's name appears on it! Who's watching these movies?
http://www.liljas-library.com/
(Link) DVD Verdict Review: Children of The Corn 666
DVD Verdict Review has taken on the case of Children of the Corn 666. The verdict is not good. No surprise here. I must agree with the review, I also have never been a fan of the children of the corn series of movies. I frankly, don't get it. I mean, not problem understanding the thin stupid plot -- I just don't understand how more movies keep getting made!
DVD Verdict says: "Well, now. I didn't think things could get worse. How very, very wrong I was."
There are some interesting thoughts on Stephen King:
"For those wondering what either of these movies have to do with Stephen King's original "Children of the Corn" story, the answer is almost nothing. Except for the idea of kids living in cornrows, these movies have little in common with King's short story. In fact, it's a bit of a surprise the author didn't fight to have his name removed from the credits of each of these films ala the Lawnmower Man films. Both Children of the Corn V: Fields of Terror and Children of the Corn IV: Isaac's Return are exceptionally bad movies. Unfortunately, they don't fall under the 'so bad they're good' category; these are bottom of the barrel cheapies that will be long forgotten to the folds of time."After declaring the films boaring, the review closes with this verdict: "Both of these straight-to-video horror movies are found guilty of being shameless cash-ins."
http://www.dvdverdict.com/reviews/childrencorn2pkbluray.php
Corny Sequels
There's another Children of the Corn movie being made. That should come as no surprise. I guess they'll be making Children of the Corn movies long after we've colonized Mars and mastered deep water oil drilling.
.
Directed by Joel Soisson, this latest edition is titled "The Dweller" and stars Barbara Nedeljakova, Billy Drago, Kelen Coleman and Tim Rock. (If it was Christ Rock. . .) Here's the catchy synopsis: "On a trip to California, a family's car overheats leaving them stranded in the home of a creepy couple and their kid." Original! But, wasn't that the general theme of the last 82 Children of the Corns? I mean, can't a plane crash or something? Why does the car always break down?
.
What's happening with the IT remake, and UTD, and that Pet Semetery remake, and Cell and movies I might actually get excited about. Apparently everyone in Hollywood has to try making at least one Children of the Corn movie. It's a right of passage. Will they ever, ever, ever stop making these? Hey, why doesn't someone go make a few Richard Laymon films, or remake those Ed Wood classics. How about: Plan 10 From Outer Space.
.
Know what I would pay for? I would put down good money for a DVD set of Children of The Corn Mystery Science Theater 3000.
.
I might be alone on this, but I can pretty much say that I'm done watching Children of the Corn movies. I don't care to see:
Children of the Corn in space;
Chldren of the Corn go to college;
Children of the Corn take Manhattan;
Chldren of the Corn Christmas special;
Children of the Corn meet the woflman;
Chldren of the Corn Home Alone
Children of the Corn remastered second camera man's edition with commentary and lost scenes.
.
LINKS:
Here's the character breakdown: http://www.dreadcentral.com/news/39262/synopsis-and-character-breakdown-children-corn-the-dweller
Full cast revealed: http://www.moviehole.net/201026424-full-children-of-the-corn-cast-revealed
Worst Stephen King Movies
Movies and books -- we all know that movies don't usually live up to the book. I mean, think of all those terrible Bible movies (guys in bath robes -- I'll never forget Orson Wells trying to play King Saul). The Bible isn't the only book that doesn't usually translate well to screen -- Stephen King movies are often a "miss" as much as they're a "hit."
.Sure, there is the occasional wonder movie -- The Mist, The Green Mile, Carrie -- but just as often we are offered up a Children of The Corn.
.Sean Cunningham at Esquire.com has an interesting post titled: The 10 Least Horrifying Horror Movies Ever. Surprisingly, only one S.K. adaptation made the list: Thinner. Cunningham writes, "Stephen King adaptations can't all be The Shining. Writing under his Richard Bachman pseudonym, King penned a novel about a fat-ass scumbag lawyer who just can't keep a diet. Then he runs over an old Gypsy woman. At this point the man has some good luck (he dodges proper justice in a court of law) and some bad (the Gypsy's father — who's one hundred or so and, like most Gypsies, has magic powers — puts a curse on him). Rapid weight loss and not terribly convincing special effects ensue, plus Joe Mantegna's a mobster." http://www.esquire.com/the-side/feature/top-ten-horror-movies-list-102809
.
.
If I may humbly offer the worst of list from the cannon of Stephen King movies. I will do this without commentary. And by the way, I liked ALL these books, so this says nothing at all about Mr. King's writing. This is about how Hollywood struggles to tell a good story. And, I offer these without much real concern for their order -- except #1.
.10. Sleepwalkers
.9. The Langoliers.
.8. Needful Things
.7. Thinner
.6. Graveyard shift
.5. Salem's Lot, new.
.4. Creepshows.
.3. The Runningman
.2. The Lawnmowerman
.1. Children of the Corn. (all of them)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
