READER'S ROCK LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE VOL 2 ISSUE 4 NOVEMBER 2014 Vol. 1 Issue 4 October 2013 | Page 30

Watch it or

When books translate
to the Big (or small)
Screen & When they don’t....
By VIOLET PATTERSON

When books translate to the big (or small)
screen and when they don't…
I've had several good questions in my inbox
lately (i.e. what do you think of Charlie Hunnan
in 50 Shades?) but I'm opting to answer
something a bit more seasonal this month.
There are loads of movies and TV shows based
on spooky/creepy/eerie books and I can't
think of any better time to discuss them or
rather some of them. So, here it is, my top five
best for the big screen and some for the small
screen.
The Shining
"All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy."
Does it get much better than Stephen King's
creepfest brought to life by a stunning
performance by Jack Nicholson? A shrill
Shelley Duvall and young Danny Lloyd added
just enough weirdness to land this movie in the
classics. The concept of the story is not
particularly scary and I didn't consider the
book a horror when I read it but seeing the
ghosts appear on screen in such gruesome
scenes coupled with Jack Nicholson's
downward spiral, it is difficult to ignore the
chill creeping down my spine every time I
watch it. I would be remiss if I didn't mention
that 1997 travesty that was a poor attempt to

remake The Shining into a TV miniseries
starring Stephen Weber and Rebecca De
Mornay. It was sadly lacking between the
limitations of the small screen and the lack of a
male lead as awe-inspiring as Jack Nicholson.
No offense, Stephen but after Wings you could
hardly blame me.
Dracula
There have been several adaptations of Dracula
but my personal favorite is the 1992 version
with the divine Gary Oldman in the title role.
With Winona Ryder as a stunningly meek Mina,
Keanu Reeves as Harker and of course,
Anthony Hopkins breathing life into Van
Helsing. I've heard a lot of people complain
about this version but I thoroughly enjoyed it
and with the exception of Bela Lugosi, I
challenge anybody to find a better Dracula than
Gary Oldman. I've read the book – a few times
actually – and while I still do not fear the
vampire, I appreciate the tale and the father of
all blood sucking fiends.
This is a place to note that I have seen previews
for the new show set to premiere on NBC with
the dashing Jonathan Rhys Meyers as Dracula
and I am excited. It looks to put a new spin on
the old legend and with a dash of intrigue and
an edgier vibe.