

Christine with Scott Wampler & Eric Vespe
Sep 19, 2021
Scott Wampler and Eric Vespe, film critics specializing in Stephen King adaptations, dive into John Carpenter's 'Christine.' They debate whether a murderous vintage car or Barbra Streisand's bizarre basement mall is more chilling. The conversation unpacks the cultural impact of King’s work, whimsical motifs in his storytelling, and contrasts the film's adaptation with its source material. They humorously explore the film's blend of nostalgia and horror while peeling back layers of cinematic craftsmanship and its lasting legacy.
02:10:11
Carpenter's Unique Stephen King Adaptation
- John Carpenter is the only major horror director of the 70s-90s who adapted Stephen King only once.
- Carpenter's status and timing influenced his approach to King's material.
Carpenter's Work-For-Hire Excellence
- Carpenter took Christine as a job to prove he could still make a dependable movie after The Thing.
- Despite lack of passion, Carpenter made Christine better than expected, showing respect for the craft.
Pure Evil Car Concept
- Carpenter's Christine portrays the car as purely evil from the assembly line.
- This eliminates the backstory complexity in the King novel, focusing on the car's existential malevolence.
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Intro
00:00 • 2min
Celebrating Character Actors
01:44 • 3min
The Impact of Stephen King on Horror Cinema
05:07 • 9min
Public Perception and Personal Pain: The Story Behind a Writer's Accident
14:02 • 2min
Whimsical Motifs in King's Works
15:40 • 8min
Adapting 'Christine': A Clash of Perspectives
23:11 • 10min
The Complexities of Adapting Stephen King's Works
32:50 • 4min
Exploring 'Christine' and Other King Adaptations
36:28 • 12min
Odd Transformations in Cinema
48:11 • 11min
Adapting Christine: Car vs. Character
58:43 • 6min
Adapting King's Vision
01:05:05 • 8min
The Enigmatic Transformation of Christine
01:12:57 • 10min
The Legacy of Christine: Cars, Culture, and Cinematic Nostalgia
01:22:27 • 12min
Christine: A Study of Cinematic Evil
01:34:05 • 6min
Exploring the Dirty Harry Film Series
01:40:35 • 2min
The Cultural Legacy of 'Scarface' and Film Evolution
01:42:20 • 6min
Streisand's Surreal Shopping Mall
01:48:45 • 12min
Queer Perspectives on 'Christine'
02:00:27 • 3min

Revival
Stephen King
Stephen King's 'Revival' is a horror novel that explores themes of faith, science, and the consequences of tampering with the supernatural.
The story follows Jamie Morton's lifelong relationship with Charles Jacobs, a preacher with a dark secret.
Jacobs's experiments with electricity and the supernatural lead to terrifying consequences for Jamie and those around him.
The novel delves into the complexities of faith and the dangers of seeking power beyond human understanding.
The novel's exploration of the human condition and the search for meaning in the face of the unknown creates a haunting and thought-provoking narrative.

Mr. Mercedes
Stephen King
Stephen King's 'Mr.
Mercedes' is a crime thriller that introduces Bill Hodges, a retired detective haunted by an unsolved case.
When the killer, Brady Hartsfield, resurfaces, Hodges is drawn back into the investigation, determined to bring him to justice.
The novel explores themes of justice, revenge, and the lasting impact of trauma.
The cat-and-mouse game between Hodges and Hartsfield creates a suspenseful and gripping narrative.
The novel's exploration of the psychological complexities of both the detective and the killer adds depth and intrigue to the story.

Firestarter
Stephen King
Stephen King's 'Firestarter' is a horror novel that follows Charlie McGee, a young girl with pyrokinetic abilities.
Charlie's powers are a result of her parents' participation in a government experiment.
The novel explores themes of government control, parental responsibility, and the dangers of unchecked power.
The suspenseful narrative and Charlie's struggle to control her abilities create a thrilling and terrifying reading experience.
The novel's exploration of the ethical implications of scientific experimentation and the consequences of manipulating human potential remains relevant.

The Tommyknockers
Stephen King
Stephen King's 'The Tommyknockers' is a science fiction horror novel that explores themes of alien invasion and the loss of individuality.
The story follows a group of people in a small town who discover a mysterious object that alters their minds and bodies.
The object, an alien artifact, unleashes a wave of paranoia and violence.
The novel delves into the psychological effects of alien influence and the disintegration of community.
The novel's exploration of the dangers of unchecked power and the fragility of human identity creates a disturbing and thought-provoking narrative.

Dreamcatcher
Stephen King
Stephen King's 'Dreamcatcher' is a science fiction horror novel that explores themes of friendship, loyalty, and the fight against an alien invasion.
The story follows a group of lifelong friends who encounter an alien threat in a remote area.
Their bond is tested as they face unimaginable horrors and make difficult choices to protect humanity.
The novel delves into the complexities of friendship and the lengths people will go to for those they care about.
The novel's blend of science fiction, horror, and emotional depth creates a unique and compelling reading experience.
The Mangler
The Mangler
A Novella
Stephen King
Stephen King's 'The Mangler' is a horror novella about an industrial laundry machine that possesses a malevolent entity.
The machine, known as the Mangler, kills anyone who gets too close to it.
The novella explores themes of industrial accidents, workplace safety, and the dangers of unchecked technology.
The suspenseful narrative and the machine's gruesome methods create a terrifying and unforgettable reading experience.
The novella's exploration of the dark side of industrialization and the potential for machines to become agents of destruction remains relevant.
Maximum Overdrive
Maximum Overdrive
A Novella
Stephen King
Stephen King's 'Maximum Overdrive' is a horror novella about machines that come to life and wreak havoc on humanity.
The story follows a group of people trapped in a truck stop as various machines, from vending machines to trucks, turn against them.
The novella explores themes of technology gone awry and the potential dangers of unchecked technological advancement.
The novella's fast-paced action and suspenseful atmosphere create a thrilling and terrifying reading experience.
The novella's depiction of machines as agents of chaos and destruction remains relevant in today's technologically advanced world.

Lisey's Story
Stephen King
The story follows Lisey Landon, two years after the death of her husband, Scott Landon, a successful novelist.
As Lisey cleans out Scott's study, she is confronted by academics seeking his unpublished works and a deranged fan who threatens her.
Through flashbacks and her own memories, Lisey uncovers the secrets of Scott's life, including his ability to traverse a supernatural realm called Boo'ya Moon.
This realm, filled with both beauty and danger, was a source of inspiration for Scott's writing but also tied to his family's dark history of mental illness.
Lisey must use her own connection to Boo'ya Moon to protect herself and her sister, who is struggling with mental health issues, and to come to terms with her husband's legacy and her own grief.

Pet Sematary
Stephen King
Pet Sematary, written by Stephen King, is a horror novel that delves into the darker aspects of human nature, exploring themes of grief, loss, and the consequences of tampering with the natural order of life and death.
The story follows Dr. Louis Creed, who moves his family from Chicago to Ludlow, Maine, where he takes a job as the director of the University of Maine's campus health service.
After their cat, Church, is killed by a truck, Louis's elderly neighbor, Jud Crandall, introduces him to an ancient Indian burial ground behind the 'pet sematary' where local children bury their pets.
Despite warnings, Louis buries Church there, and the cat returns to life but is fundamentally different.
The novel takes a darker turn when Louis's young son Gage is killed by a truck, and Louis considers using the burial ground to bring him back, despite the dire consequences that have been hinted at through the story of Timmy Baterman.
The book is a profound exploration of the human fear of death and the devastating repercussions of attempting to defy it.

The Dead Zone
Stephen King
The Dead Zone follows Johnny Smith, who after a car accident, falls into a coma lasting nearly five years.
Upon waking, Johnny discovers he has developed the ability to see into the past and future through touch.
He struggles with the burden of his new power, especially when he envisions a disastrous future involving a ruthless politician, Greg Stillson.
Johnny must navigate his new reality, help solve a serial killer case, and ultimately try to prevent a nuclear war.
The novel explores themes of missed opportunity, belief, and the sacrifices one must make to alter the course of events.

SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION
MARK KERMODE

Cujo
Stephen King
In 'Cujo,' Stephen King tells the story of a Saint Bernard named Cujo, who is the beloved family pet of the Cambers in Castle Rock, Maine.
Cujo's life takes a tragic turn when he is bitten by a rabid bat while chasing a rabbit into a cave.
As the rabies takes hold, Cujo transforms from a friendly and loyal dog into a monstrous killer.
The novel follows the terrifying events that unfold as Cujo attacks Donna Trenton and her young son Tad, who are trapped in their car at the Cambers' property.
The story explores themes of terror, family crisis, and the devastating consequences of a simple yet deadly mistake.
King's vivid portrayal of the characters and the setting creates a gripping narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats.

The Shining
Stephen King
In 'The Shining,' Stephen King tells the story of the Torrance family—Jack, Wendy, and their young son Danny—who move into the isolated Overlook Hotel in the Colorado Rockies.
Jack, a recovering alcoholic and aspiring writer, takes the job as the hotel's winter caretaker to overcome his personal demons and reconnect with his family.
However, the hotel, with its dark and violent history, exerts a malevolent influence on Jack, exploiting his weaknesses and threatening his family.
Danny, who possesses psychic abilities known as 'the shining,' is particularly vulnerable to the hotel's supernatural forces.
As the winter isolates them, the family faces terrifying events that culminate in a tragic confrontation with the hotel's evil presence.

Carrie
Stephen King
Set in Chamberlain, Maine, 'Carrie' by Stephen King tells the story of Carietta 'Carrie' White, a 16-year-old girl who is ridiculed and bullied by her peers and abused by her ultra-religious mother, Margaret.
Carrie discovers she has telekinetic powers after a humiliating incident in the school locker room where she gets her first period.
The story unfolds through multiple narratives, including newspaper reports, court transcripts, and personal memoirs, detailing Carrie's transformation from a shy and isolated girl to a force of vengeance.
After being humiliated at the school prom, Carrie unleashes her powers, causing widespread destruction and death in the town.
The novel explores themes of ostracism, bullying, and the psychological trauma experienced by its characters.

Christine
Stephen King
Set in the fictional Pittsburgh suburb of Libertyville, Pennsylvania in 1978, the story revolves around Arnie Cunningham, a nerdy teenager who buys a dilapidated 1958 Plymouth Fury named Christine.
As Arnie restores the car, he becomes increasingly obsessed with it, and Christine begins to exert a supernatural influence over him.
The car, possessed by the vengeful spirit of its previous owner, Roland D. LeBay, systematically consumes every aspect of Arnie's life, leading to a series of terrifying and deadly events.
Arnie's friends, Dennis Guilder and Leigh Cabot, must uncover the truth behind Christine's malevolent powers and stop her before it's too late.

Misery
Stephen King
In 'Misery', bestselling novelist Paul Sheldon is rescued from a car accident by Annie Wilkes, his self-proclaimed number one fan.
However, Annie's obsession turns violent when she discovers that Paul has killed off her favorite character, Misery Chastain, in his latest book.
Annie keeps Paul captive in her isolated house, forcing him to write a new novel, 'Misery’s Return', to bring the character back to life.
The novel explores themes of captivity, writer's block, and the dark side of fandom, as Paul struggles to survive Annie's brutal and unpredictable behavior.
It’s the Blank Check / Kingcast crossover event you’ve all been waiting for! Scott Wampler and Eric Vespe join us to discuss John Carpenter’s “Christine” - the first Stephen King adaptation we’ve covered. What is more terrifying - a sexy vintage car that kills people? Or Barbra Streisand’s basement mall? A difficult question, we know.
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