Is this a good idea?

  • This message board permanently closed on June 30th, 2020 at 4PM EDT and is no longer accepting new members.

80sFan

Just one more chapter...
Jul 14, 2015
2,997
16,167
Pennsylvania
I'd love to see this one...if done properly. The story scares the crap out of me.
This is the only Stephen King book of mine that I wouldn't lend to my daughter when she asked. I think she eventually borrowed it from her school library, though.
 

GNTLGNT

The idiot is IN
Jun 15, 2007
87,651
358,754
62
Cambridge, Ohio
cccbedc5b71f3ed05e28974b6d277bde.jpg
 

Nomik

Carry on
Jun 19, 2016
3,973
22,555
47
Derry, NH
:eek:
Not sure what you mean by "is this a good idea?" Making the movie itself? Trying to stick to the story the way it was written? Making it a Netflix production? All of the above?
Yes, all of the above. The article mentions a couple of cinematic challenges:
the majority of the book takes place in one room with two skyclad characters engaged in rumpy bumpy.
Herein lies the cinematic disconnect: It really was not about the handcuffs, or the sex. It is a story about coming to terms with the past, the complexities of familial relationships, and the process of understanding the symbolic nature of self identity. The story connects with the reader on a deeply personal level.
Gerald's Game is a cognitive journey shared through the collective minds of the characters, the constant readers, and the author.
Stephen King is the most skilled writer in the history of already canonized American writers. His books will redefine the literary cannon (PLEASE GOD NOT ANYTIME SOON!!) The legacy of SK screen adaptations is a powerful part of his entire body of work.
This particular gem is meant to be read, not watched: a guarded secret only unlocked by the discriminating reader who chooses to turn the pages.
Yes:dbl::peaceful:
 

carrie's younger brother

Well-Known Member
Mar 8, 2012
5,428
25,651
NJ
Thanks for responding. While I think it can be done somewhat effectively in the hands of the right director and appeal to a certain audience, personally I won't see it. I stopped watching movie & TV adaptations a while ago (with the exception of Under the Dome which was a fiasco and my punishment for breaking my own rule). Gerald's Game is a personal favorite and features my most feared SK villain, The Space Cowboy. He lives on those pages and in my mind alone.
 

doowopgirl

very avid fan
Aug 7, 2009
6,946
25,119
65
dublin ireland
There have been a lot of poorly done SK film adaptations, so I can understand reluctance to see an adaptation of a favorite story. However, there have also been some recently well done ones. It all depends on how they are handled. Geralds Game is genuinely creepy story and a lot of the action tales place in our heroines head. So, it could be very effective. If it goes on lets hope it doesn't get over done.
 

recitador

Speed Reader
Sep 3, 2016
1,750
8,264
41
most movies aren't good at exploring inner thoughts effectively. it's why book adaptations tend to suffer. it's also the reason exposition is used so heavily. so a book that largely exists on the inner thoughts of one character, and considering the record of king adaptations, this news isn't exciting at all
 

carrie's younger brother

Well-Known Member
Mar 8, 2012
5,428
25,651
NJ
I know this wasn't directed at me, but I thought 11/22/63 was pretty good.
(Sorry to butt in).
Not at all!
I had read a few of the posts here when that was airing and how people were pretty much happy with it, but I wonder: was it "pretty good" just because so many other recent SK adaptations have sucked (I'm looking directly at you UTD; oh how you have scarred me!), or was it "pretty good" on its own merit?
 

doowopgirl

very avid fan
Aug 7, 2009
6,946
25,119
65
dublin ireland
I'd be interested to know which recent adaptations you found well done, as I've avoided all of them. Thanks.
11/22/63 was outstanding. There were some changed from the book, they worked well on TV and didn't change the vibe and more importantly, the ending. Big Driver was also extremely well done.
 

80sFan

Just one more chapter...
Jul 14, 2015
2,997
16,167
Pennsylvania
Not at all!
I had read a few of the posts here when that was airing and how people were pretty much happy with it, but I wonder: was it "pretty good" just because so many other recent SK adaptations have sucked (I'm looking directly at you UTD; oh how you have scarred me!), or was it "pretty good" on its own merit?


11/22/63 was outstanding. There were some changed from the book, they worked well on TV and didn't change the vibe and more importantly, the ending.

I agree with doowop girl that 11/22/63 was well done, even with the changes (there was a character who had a much bigger part in the series than in the book and even though he hot under my skin, I understand why they needed to tweak the story for that).
CYB, you have a point also that maybe our expectations were so low (mine were pretty much rock bottom after UTD, I hated that one too) and that could be another reason so many of us appreciated 11/22/63.
 

Nomik

Carry on
Jun 19, 2016
3,973
22,555
47
Derry, NH
I managed to create a Hulu account with the incorrect email address, they called that pulling a me. Long story short, I can't comment on 11/22/63 aside from the first episode. I liked It.
I have to disagree with the utmost respect to the majority; Under the Dome was great until it stopped! I read the book twice and I had no problem with the adaptation. It couldn't possibly follow the book with the same breadth and depth (as recidator aptly explained regarding the nature of SK adaptations).
I apologize for making this brief and contradictory, I'm between tasks and enjoy watching the thread develop!
 

carrie's younger brother

Well-Known Member
Mar 8, 2012
5,428
25,651
NJ
11/22/63 was outstanding. There were some changed from the book, they worked well on TV and didn't change the vibe and more importantly, the ending. Big Driver was also extremely well done.
Thanks for responding. I'll have to check out Big Driver.
As for 11/22/63, I'll have to pass. I just don't have the attention span any longer for serial installments. I've tried but no matter how good, I lose interest and patience. I'll take your word for it that it was well done though and file that bit of information away for a time when I may be more interested. Thanks.
 

Rrty

Well-Known Member
Jun 4, 2007
1,394
4,588
Many might not want to hear this -- and I haven't read much about this project yet, so perhaps this is the direction already being offered, although probably not -- but I think the best way to adapt this is to keep the premise, but change just about everything else. I read the book a long while ago, and it certainly is a great story, but what I remember of it -- the abuse angle, the Space Cowboy, etc. -- probably won't work on screen. Instead, perhaps she should be discovered by a group of individuals on the run from the law after a short time period in which she is menaced by things from nature -- the dog, maybe a queen hornet building a nest, that sort of thing. Maybe she could be discovered by teenagers who wonder what they should do. In both cases, threatening to leave her there if she doesn't give them access to money would come up. Eventually, she could escape somehow and then hunt the group down in the woods, leaving one in her predicament. Maybe even the husband brings her there with the express purpose of trapping her. Who knows, but those are my thoughts at the moment.