6.4 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
In 1976, Brian de Palma directs Carrie, the first novel by Stephen King. Since, more than 50 directors adapted the master of horror's books, in more than 80 films and series, making him now, the most adapted author still alive in the world.
Starring: James Caan, Amy Irving, Mike Flanagan, Jeffrey DeMunn, Frank DarabontDocumentary | 100% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.00:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 (48kHz, 24-bit)
English: Dolby Digital 2.0 (448 kbps)
English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 3.5 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Since the release of “Carrie” in 1976, adaptations of Stephen King novels and short stories have become almost a regular event. Such tales of horror and heartbreak have become catnip to filmmakers, especially those raised on the author’s work in print form, finally receiving a chance to do something with King’s vast imagination. “King on Screen” is a documentary about the writer and his experiences with filmed entertainment, and while he doesn’t appear in interview form, King’s presence is felt throughout the endeavor, which seeks to identify just what about his writing often results in cinematic magic. Director Daphne Baiwir doesn’t provide a comprehensive examination of the subject, but she chooses her topics wisely, delivering an interesting ride back into King Country, sitting down with many of the men responsible for translating these pages into occasionally terrific movies.
The AVC encoded image (2.00:1 aspect ratio) presentation handles several visual moods for "King on Screen," with the opening recreation offering saturated colors, emphasizing deep greens and reds. Interview footage is also slightly exaggerated, but skin tones stay mostly natural. Film footage is pulled from a variety of sources, and quality varies, but the disc supports the production's efforts to maintain a uniform look to the documentary. Detail is satisfactory, with a fresher sense of skin particulars on the cast and interviewees, exploring elements of age and fibrous clothing. Delineation is acceptable. Compression issues are periodic, with banding detected.
The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix offers a straightforward understanding of interview segments, which offer authoritative voices, occasionally reaching the limits of technology used on the documentary. Introduction activity offers a bit more immersion, with some channel effects and atmospherics. Scoring delivers clear musical support.
As the picture was in production during the COVID-19 pandemic, Baiwir naturally closes with an overview of the two versions of "The Stand," identifying King's gift of prescient writing and his ability to accurately capture the hysteria of society as it falls apart, also on view in "The Mist." "King on Screen" gets a little panicked in the final 30 minutes, trying to reach a number of topics before a return to King Town commences for Baiwir, touching on the author's relationship with George Romero via "Creepshow" and its follow-up, and there's a little info provided by director Mike Flanagan on his approach to making "The Shining" sequel, "Doctor Sleep," riding the line between Kubrick and the novel. It's all very interesting and the stories shared are enjoyable, but an overall arc is missing from "King on Screen," which plays like various video essays stitched together. Baiwir's access to creative players is impressive, and King fans are sure to find plenty of enjoyment revisiting a few of these titles. The feature isn't strictly committed to a cinematic assessment, going off on a few tangents, but the atmosphere of the documentary is right and the love shared for Stephen King's imagination is infectious.
2012
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1972
1981
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1966
House of Pain Edition
2014
1970
2017
2020
Gringo
1985
2019
Slipcover in Original Pressing
2021
2017
1981
2019