Tag: stephen king

Doctor Sleep Review

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“A sequel/adaptation that shines”

Stanley Kubrik’s The Shining when released back in the 80s became a critical pan into a cult classic film. Skip to 2019 and we now have a sequel to that film, The Shining Book, and adapts Stephen King’s sequel novel. That’s a lot and it manages to honor and balance it all very well.

Doctor Sleep is the sequel to The Shining that follows Danny Torrance struggling with alcoholism and remains traumatized by the sinister events that occurred at the Overlook Hotel when he was a child. His hope for a peaceful existence soon becomes shattered when he meets Abra, a teen who shares his extrasensory gift of the “shine.” Together, they form an unlikely alliance to battle the True Knot, a cult whose members try to feed off the shine of innocents to become immortal.

I’ve never seen Kubrick’s film but I’m well aware of the many famous scenes and moments from the film and the story in general. My grandfather, who I saw it with when it released, enjoyed the film more than The Shining mainly due to, despite the length, the pacing kept things going and it wasn’t confusing. I enjoyed it and Ewan McGregor shines (no pun intended) in the film. Fun fact: The Director, who is behind The Haunting of Hillhouse, had to tackle the film by adapting Doctor Sleep novel, acknowledging elements within the Shining novel that wasn’t in the film, and making the film connected to Kubrick’s who deviated a lot from the source material. The film is more than just a horror and I thought that was really cool staying away from jump-scares and making the terror come from the suspense that builds. There are definitely parts of this film that was very disturbing and I loved it.

If I was the director (who was also the writer and the editor) the only thing I would really change is the length. The film itself is almost 2hours and 40mins long which is longer than The Shining and I felt a few scenes could’ve been shortened slightly.

Doctor Sleep is a horror film that I would consider being a worthy sequel to a cult classic and just a great horror movie in general. Despite the length, it doesn’t hinder the plot and keeps things moving along. There are themes that are hard at play such as alcoholism and facing your past and it holds throughout.

9/10

IT Chapter Two Review

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“A faithful adaptation that brings more suspense than horror but still lives up the first movie”

When the first movie ended by saying “IT: Chapter One” I remember the audience going crazy and we all were like oh sh*t what the next one going to be like. I never read a Stephen King novel in my life (too long for me in all honesty) but I was aware of it all from the original miniseries. Overall, this film does live up in my opinion but brings more suspense than horror compared to Chapter One.

IT: Chapter Two is pretty much the second half of Stephen King’s novel where Pennywise returns 27 years after being defeated the first time in Chapter One to terrorize the town of Derry, Maine, once again. Now adults, the Loser’s Club have long gone their separate ways, but when people start disappearing, Mike Hanlon calls the others home for one final stand. Damaged by scars from the past, the united Losers must conquer their deepest fears to destroy the shape-shifting entity who is now more powerful than ever.

I was excited to see this film when it was first announced and I gotta say even when the cast announcement happened I was glad who they casted as the Adult Losers. Andy (the director) admitted he got all his first choices and he did a phenomenal job because each actor was the right choice. They even looked like the younger versions and that worked out great. Many people who went to see this movie was looking for the scares and peeing their pants but this time around I didn’t feel that as much. The horror element was there and I felt a small chill down my spine with certain moments such as Beverly and Mrs.Kersh/Old Witch or the Fortune Cookie. However, most of the scary elements was more suspenseful and to my friends who have seen thought it was funny. It’s a very aware criticism but I felt shouldn’t diminish the opinion of the movie overall. IT: Chapter Two is about searching for what’s forgotten and the Adult Losers finding the missing part of themselves. It’s when Pennywise shows up are when we are treated to the horror. One of my favorite scenes from the film is the funhouse and Bill trying to save the kid in the maze. That scene I enjoyed because of how taunting and the atmosphere of the funhouse really plays to the feeling of being trapped while Pennywise is inside with you. I can go on praising Bill Skarsgard for his performance as Pennywise but we all know how great he is.

If I was Director, I guess one thing I would change, for the sake of those who criticized it, would be the scares. I feel the aspect, again, is there but could be amplified. What made Chapter One so scary was the fact Pennywise was there a lot and preyed on not what the Loser feared but what the audience would fear watching. Chapter Two there were scary parts that were either audience expected, were funny, or were let down. For me, I believe Chapter Two had the scares more subtle and focused on the story at hand. I’m not sure if Pennywise was around a lot in the Adult time but I did feel a bit of lack seeing Pennywise prey on victims compared to the first movie which also made Chapter One feel more scarier than two.

Chapter Two is a great movie overall with an amazing cast, faithful to the source material, and finishes the story of Pennywise and The Losers Club 27 years (in story) started in Chapter One. It wasn’t as scary as the first but it makes sense since the Losers are now adults not much can scare them compared to being a kid. I get why people would feel the movie is too long but when you think about how long the book is it makes sense. Leave something out and it’s like a film removing a pivotal scene just keep a certain runtime: it makes the whole plot confusing. It’s a story of catching up with the Losers 27 years later…I wonder if 27 years from now we’ll get another iteration (hope not).

8/10