Movie: The Dead Zone(1983)

'Young' Christopher Walken and Martin Sheen start in the supernatural thriller based on a novel by ... you've guessed it Stephen King. The loacle of this movie is a small New Hampshire town.
Rajiv's view: Big stretch for King, as most of his stories are set in Maine.
Smith(Walken) comes out of a comma to realise he must start over. The woman(Debra Hill

) he loved is married to another. Smith and the audience soon realize that he has changed more
than one would expect. He has magical gift. By touching person's hand, he can predict their future. Is this really a gift or a curse?
Most people brand him a heretic. A law officer enlists his help to solve a murder.(Did you think or say 'NBC's Medium'). No, watch this one instead. It's better.
However, taking on this challenge as one would expect leads to some dangerous consequences and Smith moved to another town. There he comes to meet with an unethical Politician with Presidential aspirations(Sheen)
Rajiv's view: Big stretch for him !
The supernatural aspect of the movie serves only a medium (no pun intended) to the ulimate revelation which comes at the end of the movie.
Rajiv's verdict: Recommended.

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Movie: Dolores Claiborne (1995)

This movie, 'loosely' based on the book by Stephen King stars Oscar Kathy Bates and Jennifer Jason Lee. Bates won an Oscar for her performance in Misery, another flick based on the work of Stephen King.
This movie, thoughunderstandably nowhere close to the book, is a powerful must see.

Dolores Claiborne(Bates)used to be the caretaker of Vera, a rich woman. Kathy's husband died under mysterious circumstances years before, on the day of a dramatic Solar Eclipse.

Then there is her daughter(Lee), a tormented soul who is trying to cope with her feelings, unaware of events past that lay burried in her sub-concience.
Great performanced from Bates, Lee and David Strathairn who plays Dolores' abusive husband make this movie watchable.

Kathy's Dolores Claiborne is a polished, dignified elderly person, unlike her ugly, foul mouthed alter-ego from King's Book.Unlike the mother of three she is in King's book she is the mother of an only child, Selena.

Christopher Plummer also delivers a good performance as a private detective, a character I cannot remember in the book.(He probably had a negligible role.
My favorite line in the movie, also a favorite of President Bush is
'Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.'
President Bush has a different rendition of this one.

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Audiobook: Dolores Claiborne

Stephen King
(1995)
6 cassettes
If you are short on time, or even if you have lots of it, this book is a 'must listen'.
Frances Sternhagen delivers an unbelivable performance in this book as a foulmouthed obnoxious hag dolores claiborne.You must listen to this one even if you've seen the movie, as it is far superior to the latter and diametrically different.

Dolores Claiborne, a mother of three, with the mouth of a truck driver, uncouth and ugly stands accused of murdering Vera Donovan a rich widow in Maine. (Maine is the locale for several of King's books). Dolores was the caretaker of Vera, an elderly lady of the brink of senility.

The book begins as Dolores begins to narrate her tale of woe, sacrifice and even triumph. Her husband Joe died under mysterious circumstances on a day with a dramatic Solar Ecplipse.

As Frances Sternhagen performs Dolores, we are taken more and more into her complex mind and actually start relating to her and finally liking her. Dolores is the diamond in the rough. Prepare yourself for a masterful conclusion which only King can produce.

Indeed Stephen King could be the greatest writer of our century. His best works, in my opinion are the ones that don't have the supernatural element. There is so much food for thought in this book, one of his very best.How he narrates the tale from Mrs. Claiborne's perspective and with her diction is beyond my comprehension. Stephen Kings' narrative and Frances Sternhagen's enactment and unforgettable Dolores Claiborne make this audibook an instant classic.
Listen to this one AND see the movie.
Click on the image below to buy the book from Barnes and Noble.


Dolores Claiborne

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Movie: Secret Window (2004)

This is a psychological thriller in the truest sense of the word. It is an adaptation from a book by the king of horror, Stephen King. It stars Johnny Depp, one of the most versatile actors ever. Director David Koepp must be given a lot of credit for transcribing this one from book to screen. John Turturro makes a brief but high impact appearance.
The Plot:
A reclusive writer (Depp) who lives in a small town is finishing off divorce formalities with his wife. A mysterious stranger(Turturro) appears at his doorstep accusing the writer of stealing his work. The stranger even produces a manuscript that is identical to the manuscript created by the writer.
A chilling tale, outstanding stars and a great director: What else can one expect as the result of all these ingredients? Don’t miss this one if you like to be scared,shocked and surprized.

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