Stephen King Cast

This week, we find out if "dead is better" when I review the Pet Sematary movie! 

In this week's review of the Stephen Kingcast, I take a look at Stephen King's examination on death and its impact on the living, Pet Sematary. 

In this week's review of the Stephen Kingcast,the man who brought you Michael Myers takes King's baby out for a spin.  Does he bring it back in one piece?  That's right.  It's time for John Carpenter's Christine!

In this week's episode of the Stephen Kingcast, I examine King's first time behind the wheel of an evil car.  In later years, he'll revisit the atrocities of what cars can do with entries such as From a Buick 8, Mr. Mercedes.  And in 1999, King experienced first hand the dangers of what cars can do to a person as he meets the real life version of the evil car. But is Christine more than just a book about an evil car? Could it actually be a profound examination on the death of childhood friendships, growing up and a parent's fear of letting go? It couldn't possibly be his first great love story, could it?  Find out this week in the Stephen Kingcast!

Join me this week for my review of Rob Reiner's 1986 smash hit, Stand By Me.  For many of us, it's remembered as a childhood classic, the ultimate coming of age tale.  Does it hold up?  Find out this week in the Stephen Kingcast!

In this week's episode, I continue my examination of Stephen King's Different Seasons, focusing on one of Stephen King's most enduring and beloved stories, The Body.  As we all know, this story goes on to inspire the classic Rob Reiner film, Stand By Me, which I will address next week. Does this story hold up to your memory?  Find out this week on The Stephen Kingcast!

In this week's review, I examine Bryan Singer's post-The Usual Suspects/pre-X-Men project, the adaptation of Stephen King's short story, Apt Pupil.  If you've reviewed last week's episode, then you know I thought it was a tense, deeply disturbing examination of hate and control.  In it, Stephen King created his most horrendous villain to date with the character, Todd Bowden.  Is Bryan Singer able to match Stephen King? Is Brad Renfro able to embody the awful characteristics of King's twisted creation?Is Ian McKellen . . . ?  Yes, Ian McKellen is awesome.  Stick around and listen to my thoughts on Bryan Singer's Apt Pupil!  

In this holiday bonus edition of the Stephen Kingcast, I turn my attention to Joe Hill's Christmas-themed thrill ride, NOS4A2.  Because nothing brings out the holiday spirit like possessed cars, vampiric predators, surreal dreamscapes, ruined childhoods and plastic explosives.  How does NOS4A2 stack up against his father's works?  More importantly, how does it stack up to his own? Find out this week on the Stephen Kingcast! And as always, write in at stephenkingcast@yahoo.com.  

In this week's review, I continue our six-week journey through Stephen King's novella collection: Different Seasons, with the story: "Apt Pupil."   Despite the lack of supernatural elements, I argue that this is Stephen King's most horrific story at this point of publication.  Join me as I take a deep dive into the squalid mind of Todd Bowden as he discovers that evil takes many shapes, and often times resembles the man who looks back at you from your mirror.  Make sure you stick around next week when I review Bryan Singer's adaptation starring Brad Renfro and Magneto himself, Sir Ian McKellan. 

This week's edition examine's Frank Darabont's classic film, The Shawshank Redemption. Since it's release, it has become a beloved movie for the audience, and it is often used as a counterargument for anyone who dismisses King as "just a horror author."  Be honest:  you've probably seen this movie a dozen times at this point. You know it.  You can quote it.  But does that mean it's as good as you remember?  Find out this week on the Stephen Kingcast!

In this week's review, I begin a six-week journey through Stephen King's novella collection: Different Seasons, beginning with the first story: "Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption."  Widely considered one of Stephen King's best stories, it laid the groundwork for the classic film and is used as an example of how Stephen King is so much more than just a "horror" writer.  Make sure to come back next week as I examine Frank Darabont's beloved film adaptation.   

In this week's episode, I continue my analysis of Stephen King's first entry into the world The Dark Tower, The Gunslinger. Last week, in Part One, I tried to remain as spoiler-free as possible.  This week, however, I place The Gunslinger into the context of the greater series and examine how well it holds up against the later novels, so this episode is chock-full of spoilers.  Warning: Because of spoilers, if you have not finished The Dark Tower series, you should skip this week's episode! Join our ka-tet as we make our way across the desert, into the mountains in our quest to reach The Dark Tower.  Will we reach it? Let's find out together! 

"The man in black fled across the desert, and the gunslinger followed."  With those words, a 19 year-old Stephen King embarked upon a decades-spanning journey that included 7 books, numerous tie-ins and a near death experience.  That's right, Constant Reader.  This week, I launch into The Gunslinger.  Please note that this week is only part one of a two part episode.  This week, I review The Gunslinger, trying to remain as spoiler-free about anything that comes afterward.  Next week, I place The Gunslinger into the context of the greater series and examine how well it holds up against the later novels.  This is one that I couldn't wait to review, and as of right now, this is my favorite episode I've recorded so far! Join our ka-tet as we make our way across the desert, into the mountains in our quest to reach The Dark Tower.  Will we reach it? Let's find out together! Thanks to Bright Giant for use of their song, "Jake and the Gunslinger."  

On Tuesday, November 11, 2014, Stephen King released his electric newest novel, Revival! Check out this week's review to hear my thoughts!

In this week's review of the Stephen Kingcast, we launch into a review of the adaptation of Cujo!  Is it as brutally depressing as the novel?  Find out!