The Dark Half (1989) - Stephen King - #Book #Review

An image from the movie. 

You know, Stephen King truly is a great author...  He truly is, there is not a lot of the masters of horror out there that can write like Stephen King can, (there are a ton of great written works by true, 'masters' out there... But Stephen King... At least when it comes to horror novels maybe one of the best.)

With that said though, at this point I think it is fairly safe to say that the majority of his works, 'if not all of them,' have been turned in to movies, 'with some of those movies being remade.'

Well the reason that I mention this is the fact that one of the first movies I ever saw of his was a movie that I truly love, but I would later find out was better in book form... A movie starring: Timothy Hutton (Secret Window) That movie being, a The Dark Half (1993)!

The Dark Half... A great movie, an even better book! 

Well this isn't a review for the movie, I will get in to it, but later... Anyway as for the novel, this novel tells the story of a writer, a writer whom for whatever reason only seemed to be able to write well under the name, 'George Stark'.

But when he decides to put George Stark in the grave, something strange starts to happen! You see, murders seem to start happening around him that seem to be straight out of a, 'Geotrge Stark' novel!

Is some one out to get him? Or has some one more insidious, and closer to him been committing these murders is it, well... A Dead Name?

All I can say is that this is a pretty apt description! 

Anyway, the movie was good, but the book was so much more engrossing... I mean besides the gruesome nature of the novel itself, Stephen King weaves you through this suspense filled maze that you just can't help but stay entranced with!

If you haven't read this one yet... Read it... But let it be known, you may not be able to put this one down, no matter how hard you try!
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Misery (1987) - Stephen King - Book Review

If you thought that the movie was terrifying... Forget about it!

Stephen King... I will be honest and say that he is one my favorite authors... His work is so awesome, that I can pretty much say, that with out a doubt that by being introduced to this guy's brilliant written work, and the movies that are based on his work, that these works are pretty much one of the main reasons why I do what I do these days!

I mean the detail that Mr. King puts in to his novels just really makes you feel like the book is coming to life in your hands, and the character development that he put in to all of his stories is just pure genius... No matter if they are good or bad!

And you know what? That is just part of the reason that I have found that I really enjoyed, 'Misery' (1987)!

You really don't want her as your, 'number #1 fan'...

"I'm your number one fan. There's nothing to worry about. You're going to be just fine. I will take good care of you. I'm your number one fan." - Annie Wilkes (A quote from Kathy Bates in the movie, 'Misery' based on the Stephen King novel.)

This book tells the coldly dark story of how during a snow storm in the Colorado mountains and how Paul Sheldon (a famous writer of the, ' Misery' series,) is heading home, when his car over turns... 

After this... Well he is rescued by his, 'Number #1 fan...' 

You see, this woman, is a woman who lives in the mountains, in a sort of remote area... Now at first she seems like a blessed angel... (What with having been a nurse at one time...) 

This, 'Angel-In-The-Snow' maybe a little bit more of a, 'demon'!

Well what Paul Sheldon doesn't know will hurt him... Because this woman, REALLY loves his work... And the longer they are together, the more he discovers about his, 'Angel-In-The-Snow'... And well as the saying goes... 'The greatest trick the devil ever played is convincing man he doesn't exist' (Don't quote me on that exactly... But that is basically how it goes...) 

Now I thought that the performance that Kathy Bates turned in, in the movie was absolutely brilliant... And you know what? It was! She was scary as hell! But the Annie Wilkes in the novel... Forget about it! She has the movie version beat for scares! 

All I can say is that you are going to like this novel... Just try not to read it by a roaring fire on a dark and stormy night... 
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The Gunslinger - The Dark Tower Series (1982) - Stephen King Book Review

Official Score = 1 Devil

I have been a fan of Stephen King's works for literally decades, I read most of his works, and have watched a large cross section of the movies that have been made based on his books, and I have to say that not only do I love almost all of them, but that more then a few of them have been my inspiration in becoming a writer!

There is one book though that he did, that well... I have to say that I was fairly unimpressed with... That novel being, 'The Gunslinger' from the, 'Dark Tower series'...

One of the few fairly unimpressive novels that Stephen King has ever done!

Now don't hate me for saying this, but it is true... I mean I did like the surrealist aspect of the story, and the setting in which Stephen King had the story revolve around... But I found the fact that there is a, 'Cowboy' in some seeming alternate dimension, to be an odd selection, and for me, I have to admit that I was pretty unimpressed with the overall story of the novel...

Now I know there are a lot of people that do seem to be fans of this novel and the series as a whole, and for those that do like the series, you may want to just skip this review, but I can't recommend this book, or the series, but don't let that be an attack on the author!...  Stephen King is a great author... I reckon that you just can't win them all!

Gerald's Game (1992) - Stephen King - Book Review

Official Score = 2 1/2 Devils 

Now this review is for a book that Stephen King did that I thought might be a kind of a fun one that I still feel applies to the basic horror nature of this site, one that I have always thought was a little odd that it never got the play that it really truly deserved!

That book being, 'Gerald's Game' (1992)!

Now you might not have heard about this book... So let me say this, this book tells the story of how a rough sex game turns really wrong, when Gerald and Jesse Burlingame head off to a cabin for the weekend for an off the books romantic weekend... But when they are about to have sex, Gerald handcuffs her to the bed and forces himself on to her...

When she fights him off though, she ends up killing him... And being locked to the bed and no one expecting either of them... She may have sent Gerald to hell... But Jesse will also end up in her own personal hell being cuffed to the bed!

An interesting one to say the least...

In the end, this book is a very engaging thriller, and well, I can honestly say that this one may not be the best one he has done... It is a truly fun book... I have always been a little surprised that this book didn't get as much play as his other works has gotten, but with Gerald's Game being turned in to a movie... Finally... It does look like it will get it's time in the spot light!

Five Must Have Horror Book Gifts For The Fan In Your Life For Christmas2014

That's right folks, with Christmas fast approaching, I thought that it might be helpful to give you guys a few little suggestions as words of advice when going Christmas shopping this Holiday season for the Horror fan in your life.

So with out further adieu:

5. Twilight, by: Stephenie Meyer:

A best selling Vampire romance novel series that was turned in to an extremely successful horror movie franchise.

Trust me when I say that recommending this novel for anything is not a particularly easy one, but the truth is, is I am sure you have heard of the movie... Well the movie is based on the book, and is one that would be a good gift for a fan of either, or is some one who is in to these types of horror novels.

4. It, by: Stephen King:

Don't let the terrifying clown on the book cover fool you... This book is a lot scarier then the clown is making it out to be!

To be honest with you guys, this novel certainly is not the best of Stephen King's body of works, but if you are looking for something for that Stephen King fan in your life for Christmas, and he or she has not read this one... Then this would be a good one to add to the ole shopping list!

3. The Strange Case Of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde, by: Robert Louis Stevenson:

One for the Victorian era Horror fan!

Now this one... This one, I am going to say this, this is a fantastic book, but unless your horror fan is in to older novels, then this may not be the one for him...

2. Desperation, by: Stephen King:

Here is a Stephen King book you can really sink your teeth in to!

The reason that I am mentioning both of these... And I am sure that if you get the Stephen King fan in your life a book this year that you are going to get them Desperation... The truth is, is I doubt you will be disappointed, but both books are one's I think the Stephen King fan in your life are going to like!

1. Psycho, by: Robert Bloch

A must for a horror fan!

This book... The movie is epic, the third book is amazing, this book... I haven't read yet... An error I assure you, but despite this fact, I can say that with confidence, the horror fan in your life is going to love this book!

I hope that this list helps when you are making your Christmas purchases this year!

Needful Things (1991) - Stephen King - Book Review

Official Score = 2 1/2 Devils

Alright, so so far I have done a lot of work on reviewing Stephen King's amazing body of horror/science fiction novels that are out there right now... There is one novel that he did that was of particular interest... Now this novel was not the best of the series, but... Well you could say that in a lot of respects that it is a culmination of at least a few of the novels that he did that took place in, 'Castle Rock' in Maine...

That novel of course being: Needful Things (1991)!

Maybe not the best novel, but a must for fans!

You see this novel (which was said to be the last Castle Rock story,) tells the story of how a small store owner makes his way in to town to set up shop... The idea is that this store owner is going to be selling objects that people desire most... And the way that the people of this small town are going to be able to get these interesting objects that they most desire, is to do a few little odd jobs for the owner!

But what the town doesn't realize, is that these favors will ultimately turn out to be something worse then any of them could ever expect... And in the end, each one of these townsfolk are going to end up finding out the true price of, 'making a deal with the devil'!

A scene with Max von Sydow and Shane Meier in the movie: Needful Things... This movie is based on the book!

In the end, this story may not have been the best that he wrote (you could say that it is like a Saturday afternoon movie... Not bad, but you can certainly see why it would be a Saturday Afternoon movie!) One of the things though that this book does have going for it is the fact that... Well let's be honest... This novel is certainly going to be one that fans should read to get closure on the town of Castle Rock!

Desperation (1996) - Stephen King - Book Review

Official Score = 3 1/2 Devils

Being a huge fan of Stephen King novels, I discovered a few years ago that I was starting to run out of novels that he had done that I hadn't yet read yet... Well to say the least I was not particularly thrilled by this concept and started looking all over the place for a new novel to keep me interested, and I did so when I found the novel: 'Desperation' (1996)!

Now I am going to say that I was really glad when I found this novel... I mean at the point that I had started reading this novel, I was hard pressed to find a novel that I couldn't put down, and this was definitely that, but besides that, this amazing novel, which would later be turned in to a  TV/Movie with Ron Perlman (Hellboy), was so good, that it is one one of those novels that you could very easily read late at night and I imagine that it would spook the hell out of you!

Now what makes it so great? Well the story of course!

Ron Perlman as the, 'Big Bad' in the TV/Movie: 'Desperation'!

You see, this story, which told of how a bunch of people, who while driving through a desolate area of the Nevada desert, are pulled over and taken to the small mining town of, 'Desperation'... Now at first they are taken there for many legitimate reasons by a Deputy...  But once they are there, they discover there is more then meets the eye in this small town, and that the Sheriff's deputy is the one behind it!

This book may not be the best of Mr. King's, but it is certainly darn close to it... Check it out, you might like it!

The Shinning (1977) - Stephen King - Book Review

[caption id="attachment_415" align="alignright" width="350"] Official Score = 4 Devils[/caption]

You know one of the things that I like about Stephen King and his novels, is that in an of itself, each individual novel has it's own separate and distinct story line separate from the other, but in the end, his novels are set up in such a way as to permit individual story lines to connect together, and when he does so, it makes that story that much better!

With that said, there is a novel that I can't wait to read that recently came out by the master of the macabre that is actually the sequel to one of his earlier novels... This novel is called, 'Doctor Sleep', and the original being, 'The Shinning' (1977)!

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="160"] A truly classic novel that rocks![/caption]

Now this book truly rocks! It is one one of those novels that from just about the beginning to the end, your on the edge of your seat, and as Stephen King guides the reader deeper in to the story, you end up getting more and more on the edge of your seat, and as you follow Jack Torrance, and his descent in to madness... Well let's just put it this way... You aren't going to want to read this novel late at night!

As for the story it's this, the story tells of how the Torrance family takes over the, 'Overlook Hotel'  as the caretaker for the off season... Now this Hotel has a supernatural secret about previous caretakers, and when Jack Torrance finds out about it, his slow descent in to madness, will be something that he and his family will never forget!

As a side note that I think you might find interesting if you haven't actually seen it yet, is that in 1980 Stanley Kubrick (Full Metal Jacket) & Jack Nicholson (Little Shop Of Horrors) along with Shelley Duvall (Annie Hall) & Scatman Crothers (Transformers: The Return Of Optimus Prime) would go on to make the first and still most famous big screen adaption of the movie!

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="150"] Jack Nicholson as, 'Jack Torrance' in, 'The Shinning' (1980)![/caption]

 

In the end guys, this book is freaking awesome, I mean the movie was good... The book was better, and if you give it a chance, I think you might really like it... I know I did!

It (1986) - Stephen King - Book Review

[caption id="attachment_330" align="alignright" width="220"] Official Score = 2 1/2 Devils[/caption]

You know when I was younger my Dad and I used to share a lot of the same type of interests in the types of movies that we watched, the type of music that we listened to, and the types of books that we both like to read... Well I hate to say it, but as time went on, his interests began to change in movies and books (Music is still pretty much the same though.)

Well when I was a teenager and was getting deeply involved in reading one of the things that he ended up doing was he gave me his entire works of Stephen King that he had in book form, and being a fan of the movies that were based on his novels, I immediately dived in to it, and I have to admit that I was really impressed with them! I mean they are some times scary, some times not, but frequently keep you on the edge of your seat and interested!

And the book, 'It' (1986) is no different!

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="214"] A fun time![/caption]

Published by Viking Press, this tale told the story of a group of friends who when as kids in their small town they end up encountering a dangerous force that is not just out to get them, but is out to try and make a game of it!

And in the end, they may not have had to deal with it as kids, but they will have to deal with this entity as adults, and re-connect for one final battle!

In the end, this book was an amazing ride, and is definitely scary at moments, but at other moments is not, but in the end, the build up and the suspense kept me on the edge of my seat, and my face glued to my book until the bitter end!

So give it a try, I think that you might find out that you really like it!

Cell (2006) - Stephen King - Book Review

[caption id="attachment_557" align="alignright" width="307"] Official Score = 3 1/2 Devils[/caption]

You know one of the types of supernatural monsters movies that I have found that I really like is Zombie movies, the reason being is that most of the time these movies start off from when the protagonists of the movies are still apart of their old lives and how they not only become embroiled in the chaos and pandemonium of  the fall of civilization, but also the lives that they lead immediately afterward!

A great example of this is the movie, Dawn Of The Dead (1978)... In this movie George A. Romero (A Night Of The Living Dead) has crafted a beautiful and terrifying saga of people from different walks of life with only have the most illusory connection to each other during the end of the world, and how after they get together, they form a survivalist bond that is almost like a family!

The reason that I mention this is because there is a novel (one of my personal favorites), that Stephen King did a few years back that has a similar concept called, 'Cell' (20o6)!

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="213"] A truly fun read![/caption]

Starting off from the begging of the end of the world, this book tells the story of how at some point an electronic signal is being mostly sent through your, 'Cell Phone', and that signal turns you in to a  rampaging psychotic Zombie... After the fall though it tells of how a group of survivors will have to survive in a post apocalyptic nightmare... And find out the truth about what the signal in, 'Cell Phones' is really all about!

This may not be his best work, but the truth is, is I have found that this novel is not that far off! What I mean is the way that Stephen King has crafted this story, he has done such a good job that in the end, you feel almost like you are watching a Zombie movie in your mind!

In the end, this book is,'AWESOME!' And if you get a chance, check it out, it is a fun one!

Cujo (1981) - Stephen King - Book Review

[caption id="attachment_325" align="alignright" width="263"] Official Score = 3 Devils[/caption]

You know, when I first got in to horror movies I heard all about how great, 'Cujo' was... But I didn't end up actually seeing it until not long after I had read the book... And you know what? I am glad that I did...

Don't get me wrong, I  didn't hate the movie, I found it to be a rather solid big screen adaption of Stephen King's work! The reasons are as follows:

Well first off the basic story line is basically the same between the movie and the book... But in truth, the story from the book, I found it to be more brutal, more real... And in all truth, it made me want to root for the mother and her son that much more! Second off... Well the truth is, is that the actors did an amazing job with the movie... The problem was, was they just didn't strike me as being the right look for the characters!

Now before I go on... I should tell you a little bit about the story...

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="219"] A fun story, from a great novel![/caption]

Cujo tells the story of a woman and her young son who are heading up to an out of the way farm to have their car fixed... What they don't realize is that with her husband out of town, and with a rabid dog having killed everyone at the farm... This mother and her son are going to have to get real smart if they are going to get away from the gigantic rabid dog that has their scent... And all of this while her car is broken down in the parking area of the farm!

In the end the last thing that I did want to say about this book that I thought was bar none great... But was only indirectly associated with this book, is the fact that Stephen King will end up adeptly using this story to add to future work as well!

In the end, the movie was quite good... The book was better, and if you give this a try, you might find the same thing as well!

Carrie (1974) - Stephen King - Book Review

[caption id="attachment_325" align="alignright" width="263"] Official Score = 3 Devils[/caption]

Before I got in to the written works of Stephen King, I started off watching the movies that were based on the books that he has written... One of my favorite movies that was made based on his novels is the mini-series movie, The Stand (1994)!

This movie has what I would say is some of the greatest actors of the 80s and early 90s in it it, including: Rob Lowe (St. Elmo's Fire), Gary Sinise (Apollo 13th) & Molly Ringwald (The Breakfast Club), and that is to name a few... Included in the fact that this movie had a great cast, it also had an amazingly fun story that showed civilization as it collapsed, and the final battle between good vs. evil, and how the survivors would have control of the Earth!

The reason that I mention this is the fact that there is another movie that was based on Stephen King's first novel, that I ended up really liking as well, that movie being, Carrie (1976)!

This movie not only had an amazing cast, but it also  had an awesomely fun story that told of how Carrie White (Played by: Sissy Spacek in the movie)... A high school girl that is an out cast by everyone in her school, and the rest of the town... Due to her crazy religious zealot of a mother (played by: Piper Laurie in the movie)... All of the kids in the town and pick on her, and generally speaking... her life is absolutely horrible!

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="450"] Carrie White with one of the few people in the world that seems to like her![/caption]

What everyone doesn't know is that Carrie White has certain special powers... But they will... Oh boy will they!

You see one of her fellow students feels bad for a prank that all of her friends played on Carrie, and decides to give her a night that she will never forget when she gets her boyfriend to take Carrie to the prom... Well there is another student that wants to get even with Carrie... And in the end the student body and the rest of the town will never forget the name, 'Carrie White' forever!

In the end, the book tells the same story... But takes a fascinating look at a committee that has been brought together by the government to investigate what happened, and to talk to the survivors of the night Carrie went to the prom!

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="182"] This was one of Stephen King's first novels![/caption]

In the end, this novel is an interesting fun one that works well taking place both in the present and in the past... And if you read it, I think you might find that you really like it as well!

Young Adult Horror Novels... Why They Are Fun For Adults As Well

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="604"] A great example of a fun young adult, 'horror' novel![/caption]

Young adult novels, rather they be the, 'Sweet Valley High' novels, some of the 'Star Trek' novels, or even the, 'Goosebumps' series of novels... These novels generally are written with the idea of teenagers in mind, (i,e... Leaving out a lot of the adult themes that come with novels from such authors as, 'Anne Rice' & 'Stephen King'...)

Well I am here to say that these young adult novels... Despite the fact that they generally tend not to have the size-able portions of adult themes that authors put in to their more adult novels... There are definitely a decent sized portion of young adult, 'Science Fiction' novels, and young adult, 'Horror' novels that are definitely fun!

Now don't get me wrong, Like any category, there are some good and there are some bad... And in the case of young adult novels, you will have to discover for yourself which ones you are either going to like or dislike... But there are some truly fun ones out there!

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="260"] A fun example of a young adult, 'Science Fiction' novel![/caption]

A great example of a novelized series that I found to be an awful lot of fun is the, 'Buffy The Vampire Slayer' novels... There are a couple reasons for this:

A: Despite the fact that these novels were generally written with the idea of teenagers in mind, most of the stories that I have read thus far from this series of novels, has kept to the core values of what made, 'Buffy The Vampire Slayer' a truly amazing TV series, including: genuinely cruel big bad guys, that the authors oft times go in to fun detail as Buffy and the Scooby Gang have to fight off the monsters.

B: They also have the relatively easy to kill vampire.

C: Last but not least they go in to the legitimate drama and tackle as many of the issues that they can, that people the age of Buffy and her team would normally face...

And Buffy is just one example of some of the great horror novels for young adults that are out there!

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="118"] Christopher Pike... A great author who has produced some awesome, 'young adult' horror novels![/caption]

A great example of young adult Science Fiction novels happens to be the, 'Star Wars' & 'Star Trek' series!

A couple of examples of this are:

A: In both series, the author generally does good by these 2 series by maintaining the basic overall stories of these series, really quite nicely!

B: Reading these novels and going through as we continue on with the saga of these characters in my opinion is like imagining an episode of, 'Star Trek' or a new, 'Star Wars' movie in your head as you are reading one or the other!

C: The adventures that the characters have in their respective series, are both entertaining, and remain true to the forms upon which they were originally made, (Being the various TV series of, 'Star Trek' and the various movies of, 'Star Wars'.)

So the next time you are in the book store or looking for something to read on your, 'e-Reader', don't skip past the, 'young adult books' you might find one that will keep you both entertained, and maybe even at the edge of your seat as you read through it!

Christine (1983) - Stephen King - Book Review

[caption id="attachment_325" align="alignright" width="263"] Official Score = 3 Devils[/caption]

When I was in my last year of High School I got sent to a boarding School in New Mexico... and well lets be honest, it's New Mexico... Don't get me wrong, there is nothing particularly wrong with the state... But when you go from the fast paced world of being a kid in Los Angeles California, to being stuck at a ranch out in the middle of nowhere in New Mexico, there just honestly is not much to do!

Well when I was there, I worked hard to keep myself occupied... I had some friends, I listened to a lot of heavy metal while looking at the stars at night, (Something that you really couldn't do in LA, due to the fact that there really isn't any stars that are visible at night anymore.)

One of the things that I started doing was reading... And trust me when I say that I read, 'ALOT'... If I had to guess, I probably read close to 30 novels in the 3 months that I was there.

Now to some, that may sound dull, but I actually really enjoyed it, there is one novel in particular that I found that I really got hooked on during the last few days that I was at the boarding school, and that was Stephen King's, 'Christine'!

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="197"] A truly awesome novel![/caption]

This novel (which would later be turned in to a movie ), told the story of how a nerd by the name of, 'Arnie Cunningham' wanted a status symbol to call his own and got it in the old clunker, 'Plymouth Fury' that he would fix up... And end up getting more then just the car!

You see, after the car is fixed up, a mysterious series of deaths begin to plauge Arnie and the small town upon which he is from... And as the body count begins to rise, Arnie will discover that not only does Arnie love his new car, but his new car loves him back!

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="400"] A scene from the 1983 movie, 'Christine' featuring: Arnie Cunningham (Keith Gordon) inside, 'Christine'...[/caption]

In the end, what I liked most about this story is how all this nerd really wanted to do was step out from the shadow of his best friend, 'Dennis', and be recognized for being more then just some one to be picked on, and for girls to laugh at... But in so doing, ends up heading down the path toward destruction!

This novel is worth it, and if you get a chance, I hope you find the same thing as well!

Four Past Midnight (1990) - Stephen King - Book Review

[caption id="attachment_325" align="alignright" width="263"] Official Score = 3 Devils[/caption]

When I was younger, an author that my Dad seemed to enjoy was the author, 'Stephen King'... And so when I was a kid, we used to some times enjoy the movies that were based on his novels... And as I began to be interested in Stephen King's novels, he gave me his Stephen King novels.

Well one of the novels that he gave me was the novel, 'Four Past Midnight'... This novels was actually a collection of novellas that I found to be a total blast... As a matter of fact, not only have I seen the movie adaptions that have been made based on these novels, but I actually own them!

Now as for the novels themselves... They are freaking amazing! I mean the first one that I thought that I would mention here of the novellas is the story: The Langoliers:

[caption id="attachment_2206" align="aligncenter" width="150"] The Langoliers... A great first novella in this epic book of short stories![/caption]

Stephen King weaves an amazing tale of a group who while on a flight to the East Coast go to sleep, when they wake up, they come to discover that short of those who had fallen asleep, that everyone else on the plane has vanished... Well when they finally decide to start investigating what has happened, they end up landing only to discover that not only is there no one on the ground, but that there is something wrong with the world... i,e... 'The Beer is flat, but becomes carbonated on the Plane', along with other bizarre occurrences... But there is something more...

You see, a blind girl who has some psychic ability, ends up letting the remaining humans on the planet know that there is something coming after them... It's not there... But it will be soon...

So the survivors will end up having to figure out what is going on, and how to escape the coming threat, before their guests arrive!
Now this movie ended up being turned in to a truly awesome TV/Miniseries back in 1995... (Not quite as good as the novella, but still good.)

The next one that I wanted to talk about is the Novella, 'Secret Window Secret Garden'.

[caption id="attachment_2207" align="aligncenter" width="150"] Another awesome novella in, 'Four Past Midnight'![/caption]

Now this story I have to admit was a personal favorite of this book (and the movie, which stars: Johnny Depp (A Nightmare On Elm Street), I found to be so good, that it is one of a few examples of the written word being adapted to the big screen that was so good that it was almost as good as the story for which it was based off of!

But anyway, this novella tells the story of a famous writer whom after he discovers his wife cheating on him, ends up having a mental break down... Months after this experience, his mental break down will turn in to something a lot worse when he starts fantasizing about his wife and her new boyfriend becoming permanent residents of the, 'Secret Garden.'

This next one, 'The Library Policeman'...

[caption id="attachment_2208" align="aligncenter" width="180"] A much more... 'meh'... addition to this awesome series![/caption]

I have this addition to the series was pretty unremarkable, but told the story of a malevolent entity that feeds on fear and is the embodiment of an evil woman who had died in the 1960s. This entity ends up going after Sam Peebles, a man who had some problems at a library years earlier...

In the end... You can't always have winners... for me I found this one to be pretty bland, and not have the same flare and awesomeness that has made a lot of King's novels real amazing!

This next one, 'The Sun Dog'...

[caption id="attachment_2209" align="aligncenter" width="150"] This one had some very strong potential![/caption]

Now this novella was fun... I think this one should have been expanded upon and turned in to a novel, but the truth is, is it wasn't a bad one and worth it... You see this novella told the story of a boy who gets a sort of paranormal, 'camera' in which the only picture that it takes of, is a sort of, 'Monster Dog'... And as weird stuff begins, it looks like there might be something a little more to this camera then meets the eye... And this kid is going to have to figure it out, before the Monster in the picture becomes real!

In the end, this series of Novellas is well worth a read, it took me a few days to read this novel... And I will be honest and say that I am glad that I did!

Short Stories And Their Importance to Movie Adapations

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Shawshank Redemption... A great movie that was based on the short story, 'Rita Hayworth & The Shawshank Redemption' by: Stephen King![/caption]

One thing I am sure that you have noticed is that there are some truly great big screen adaptions of novels, and there are some truly depolorable big screen adaptions of novels... But no matter if they are good, or if they are bad, they are never as good as the original novel!

My thoughts on this is that it is almost impossible to properly squeeze a 500 -1,000 page story in to a 1 hr 30 min movie... As a matter of fact I think this maybe the reason why, 'The Stand' ended up being about a 3 hour mini-series, (for those of you who don't know, 'The Stand' was a large novel that was written by: Stephen King.)

So the question becomes... Well, if a movie is never as good as the novel that it is based off of, then what could be done to make a truly great movie based on a story in a book? Well there are various ways... But I think universally that you would get dramatically closer with movies that are based on short stories...

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="300"] A great novel on this very topic![/caption]

The reason that I say this is that short stories generally tend to have a significantly less amount of information to try and figure out how to turn in to a movie from the original written story.

A great example of this is, Secret Window (2004)... This movie which stars, Johnny Depp (A Nightmare On Elm Street) tells the story of a writer who after discovering that his wife is cheating on him, ends up having a nervous breakdown... And months after the incident... It is still occurring...

That movie is freaking awesome! I mean I really enjoyed that film, and I would say that it is pretty close to being on par with the original Stephen King short story, 'Secret Window Secret Garden'... A short story from a book of short stories basically called, 'Four Past Midnight'.
In then end, I don't know if I have convinced you guys yet, but if I haven't then give it a try... I think that you will find an interesting turn of events with this one!

Some Awesome Horror Writers And A Novel They Wrote For Halloween 2013

Horror movies are always a staple of the Halloween tradition for those who have finally gotten to the age where trick or treating has lost the merriment that it had when you were a kid... But I thought what with having done a top 5 movie list last year for some great horror movies, I thought that I would take a different turn and take the tradition back to it's roots and do a list of some great classics to read by the fire this year!

So here is my list of the, 'Some Amazing Horror Writers And A Novel They Wrote For Halloween 2013'.

Number 5: Various Writers. Star Trek: Invasion Series...

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="315"] A fun read for the trekkie in your life this Halloween![/caption]

The truth is, is I found this entire series of novels to be extremely engrossing and a hell of a lot of fun... I like how the story involves and takes place over the 4 main generations of star trek (at that time, 'Enterprise' hadn't been released yet). and involved all of them directly! The are not particularly scary... (although I imagine in the right setting, and with the right person they can be...)

Now the only problem I imagine with this series is the fact that unless you are a Star Trek fan, or are expecting a chiller, this probably is not it, but they are a hell of a lot of fun, and are definitely worth reading if you are a trek fan and happen to be home this Halloween!

Number 4: Robert Louis Stevenson for, 'The Strange Case Of Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde (1886),

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="435"] Robert Louis Stevenson - Author.[/caption]

This book... This book was truly something for me... As a matter of fact I think this maybe the story that helped re-ignite my love of the horror genre... I mean this story is the truly classic tale of a kindly scientist who takes his potion and transforms in to a monster!

The truth is, is this tale was told in different variations a lot in the 19th century, but I have to admit that this one was particularly awesome and a classic story that lives on forever. The problem with this novel is the fact that it is also very old and if your not in to that, then you might find this one to be dated and pointless.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="264"] A great novel for the classics fan in all of us![/caption]

The next one that I am mentioning here is one that is a little unorthodox, but it does have it's merit  believe it or not is actually a surprisingly fun novel, which involves Buffy The Vampire Slayer, both in the TV show and the original movie... But in written form, and I personally think that if you are home this Halloween evening, and you are a, 'Buffy' fan, then this is a must...

So with out further adieu, and coming in at number 3 we have: Christopher Golden for, 'Sins Of The Father' (1999).

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="180"] A true classic for the Buffy fan this Halloween![/caption]

This one is a fun tale that tells of how Buffy's old flame ends up popping back in to the Slayer's life for one more mission when a rock Demon ends up going after the Slayer, and while a major group of Vampires is chasing down Giles!

And at number 2 we have: Stephen King for, 'Christine' (1983).

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="350"] Stephen King - Author[/caption]

Now I will admit that I am a little biased when it comes to Stephen King novels... I mean his books are just an amazing fun time, and since I figure y'all already know how much of a fan I am of his work that I would put this novel in a number 1... (This time I thought that I would give the torch to another amazing works of fiction, and give this one the number 2 spot...)

In all fairness though, Christine, a novel which tells the story of a possessed '58 Plymouth Fury ends up in the hands of a high school kid, and after that, his whole out look begins to change, and it will be up to those friends the car hasn't already killed to save the kid, before the car and the kid become to inseparable!

In truth, maybe not in this category will this book be giving the one the number #1 spot, but it does deserve it! I mean this book is so good, that when I was in Boarding School I ended up reading about half of it in 2 days, and when I was sent home to live with my family again, I went straight out and bought it, and finished the other half within 24 hours!

In the end, this is another truly awesome novel that would be fun to read if you happen to be home alone for this Halloween!

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="197"] A truly awesome novel... Something great for this Halloween![/caption]

Anne Rice for, 'Interview With The Vampire' (1976).

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="297"] Anne Rice - Author[/caption]

If you haven't read this novel, then let me say that for a horror fan, this book will start you on a series that truly kicks ass!  The style in which Anne Rice introduces her characters, and paints a picture of their lives before they were turned, and after, is nothing short of absolutely one of the better times I had reading!

And Interview With The Vampire, a novel which tells the story of a tortured Vampire who decides to spill the beans to a writer about his personal history is a truly emotional ride, that I think you might both love and hate... And trust me when I say that I rarely find myself getting emotional about books, but this one is just truly awesome!

In the end, if you haven't read this book yet, and happen to be home this Halloween, then check this one out, you might end up really liking it!

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="305"] Interview With The Vampire... A great read this Halloween![/caption]

Well Fright fans, that's all I got for the time being, but I hope you enjoyed this list, and if you do happen to be home alone this Halloween, then I hope this list helps!