Controversial SK Opinions/Confessions

[CriticAndProud]

I've seen threads like this on a few other forum-type thingies, where people will express their unpopular or divisive opinions about whatever the subject of the forum is, in this case, Sai King.

For example, I prefer the Shining movie, to the Shining book. Not saying it's better, but I do find it more to my tastes (we'll see if I change my mind when I finish this read through).

(I fully expect to get banned for saying that. )

Let's see 'em folks.

 

[summer_sky]

I confess to not having read everything SK has written
I also confess that even though I am past my hero worshiping phase of life, I would relish the opportunity to sit on the porch with Mr. King, watching the afternoon turn to dusk, drinking a glass of milk while discussing the dark sides of Batman and Robin.

 

[AchtungBaby]

I don't think Shawshank -- book or movie -- is *as* good as everyone makes it out to be.

 

[summer_sky]

I don't think Shawshank -- book or movie -- is *as* good as everyone makes it out to be.

*GASP*

 

[Moderator]

I've seen threads like this on a few other forum-type thingies, where people will express their unpopular or divisive opinions about whatever the subject of the forum is, in this case, Sai King.

For example, I prefer the Shining movie, to the Shining book. Not saying it's better, but I do find it more to my tastes (we'll see if I change my mind when I finish this read through).

(I fully expect to get banned for saying that. )

Let's see 'em folks.

Even Steve does not expect all his fans to like all his work all the time so there's no reason for banning you because you express that here. You might get some push-back from others who disagree with you but bottom line is it's your opinion about your preferences and that's always subjective just as their disagreement with you is for them. We can agree to disagree. The only thing I would like to see is more explanation about what it is you didn't like rather than a blanket "(insert title of work) sucks!" It may suck for whoever is saying that but for others it's a favorite because there was something that resonated for them. See what I mean?

 

[stacy270]

There are times when I know my opinion is best kept to myself.This thread is one of those times.Of course I might change my mind and come back later dragging wood for the pyre. I'M KIDDING! That wood would be better used for books.

 

[skimom2]

I thought Under The Dome was bloated and uninteresting. I barely finished it, and remember almost nothing about it. However, my son loves it and has read it at least three times. Different strokes

 

[fljoe0]

I don't think I really dislike anything I've read from SK. There are a few stories I'm lukewarm about but I think I've enjoyed it all. Even when SK goes into an area that may not interest me, he is still such a great story teller that I always end up liking the story to some degree.

So as far as going against the grain, I will say that I love The Shining movie (not more than the book, though). I love Kubrick movies and the visual aspect of them. I've probably said this many times here before, but there are many Kubrick movies I could watch without the sound and still love them. The Shining is one of those (although you need the sound for the great big wheel rolling on the carpet scenes). What I don't like is that Kubrick insulted SK. I'm not sure why that was necessary but it seems that they both took a couple of shots at each other over this movie. Love it or hate it, I think The Shining is the most talked about SK book and movie.

 

[EAST COASTER]

The only thing I've read of SK's that I really didn't enjoy was Insomnia, I really had to force myself to finish that one. Usually I sail through them. Also I didn't really see the point of TWTTKH, it was okay as a story I suppose but it seemed to finish suddenly.
I'm with fljoe0 too, I loved the film and the book of The Shining.

 

[Senor_Biggles]

I don't think I really dislike anything I've read from SK. There are a few stories I'm lukewarm about but I think I've enjoyed it all. Even when SK goes into an area that may not interest me, he is still such a great story teller that I always end up liking the story to some degree.

So as far as going against the grain, I will say that I love The Shining movie (not more than the book, though). I love Kubrick movies and the visual aspect of them. I've probably said this many times here before, but there are many Kubrick movies I could watch without the sound and still love them. The Shining is one of those (although you need the sound for the great big wheel rolling on the carpet scenes). What I don't like is that Kubrick insulted SK. I'm not sure why that was necessary but it seems that they both took a couple of shots at each other over this movie. Love it or hate it, I think The Shining is the most talked about SK book and movie.

That's interesting. I know Stephen King has been very vocal in his criticism of the movie on more than one occasion, but I did not realise that Kubrick had taken a shot at him as well. What exactly did Kubrick do or say?

 

[CriticAndProud]

Even Steve does not expect all his fans to like all his work all the time so there's no reason for banning you because you express that here. You might get some push-back from others who disagree with you but bottom line is it's your opinion about your preferences and that's always subjective just as their disagreement with you is for them. We can agree to disagree. The only thing I would like to see is more explanation about what it is you didn't like rather than a blanket "(insert title of work) sucks!" It may suck for whoever is saying that but for others it's a favorite because there was something that resonated for them. See what I mean?

Oh no, I most certainly don't think the Shining book sucks, far from it ! It's just that in the context of this story, I think I prefer Kubrick's cold, detached way of telling the story.

 

[fljoe0]

That's interesting. I know Stephen King has been very vocal in his criticism of the movie on more than one occasion, but I did not realise that Kubrick had taken a shot at him as well. What exactly did Kubrick do or say?

This is from a thread that NotNadine has.

10 Crazy Things Stanley Kubrick Did To Film 'The Shining' - Listverse

I had never heard the "weak writing" comment before I had seen this article. I had never heard about SK having a screenplay that Kubrick wouldn't look at either.

 

[Moderator]

Oh no, I most certainly don't think the Shining book sucks, far from it ! It's just that in the context of this story, I think I prefer Kubrick's cold, detached way of telling the story.

I should have said "they" instead of "you" as I did mean it more generally but am glad to hear you didn't think it sucked. You may have already heard this but the cold, detached way of telling the story was the major reason why Stephen did not like the Kubrick version as that's not how he saw his characters. There again, it's all subjective.

 

[kingricefan]

Well, I've said it before that I did not like The Tommyknockers. There's a good story in there somewhere but it's not the one that King gave us readers. I just could not connect to either of the main characters. They were not sympathetic in the least bit- more like they were pathetic. I know King has admitted to being at the heighth of his drug addiction when he wrote this one and, to me, it shows (he still did a better job than I could have!). I think King tried to write a 'literary' novel (ala John Fowles or John Irving) here and it just didn't work.

 

[jchanic]

Well, I've said it before that I did not like The Tommyknockers. There's a good story in there somewhere but it's not the one that King gave us readers. I just could not connect to either of the main characters. They were not sympathetic in the least bit- more like they were pathetic. I know King has admitted to being at the heighth of his drug addiction when he wrote this one and, to me, it shows (he still did a better job than I could have!). I think King tried to write a 'literary' novel (ala John Fowles or John Irving) here and it just didn't work.

I think The Tommyknockers could have used a good editor.

John

 

[kingricefan]

I think The Tommyknockers could have used a good editor.

John

Ayuh! That one and Insomnia is another that really could have benefitted from another editorial look-at.

 

[jchanic]

Ayuh! That one and Insomnia is another that really could have benefitted from another editorial look-at.

True. I enjoyed Insomnia, but, as you said, it could have used a good editor to make it even better.

John

 

[Kurben]

The two major i did not enjoy were Tommyknockers and Insomnia. To me both read as if they have story somewhere in there both the teller never really found his way out of the woods. I don't mind Shining the movie but it is not the great horrorflick everyone says. It is good nomore. Everything with the brand Kubrick does not shine, far from it. And as adaption of Kings book it does a real bad job. As a horror movie it is , as said, good. Then i have problems with the Black House, Never really spoke to me in a way that the Talisman did. But i always finished a Kingbook.

 

[muskrat]

He's written a buncha books I don't care for. He's written a bunch I love. They can't all be winners, man. Not when you're putting out two, three books a year. Sometimes I wish he'd slow down, take his time on something really killer. A book like Doctor Sleep...ugh, I hate to say it, but that one shoulda cooked a bit longer.

But it's all right maw...I'm only reading...

 

[mal]

I don't like the fact that my local library doesn't have all of his books.