“Christine” Puts A Spell On You!
It’s Halloween season, and that means a chance to watch scary movies – or read some of the greatest scary novels from the visionary Author Stephen King!
“Christine” is the great thriller about a killer car – and as with most of King’s best work, it became a great 80’s film, thanks to the great Horror Director John Carpenter!
From “Halloween” to “The Thing” and “Escape From New York”, Director John Carpenter has made iconic films that are as exciting today as when they were originally released.
In 1983, Carpenter took Stephen King’s then-new horror novel “Christine” and turned it into one of his most enduring films.
The Director has admitted that after the failure of his 1982 classic “The Thing”, he needed to take a project that could reestablish him…so why not take a brand new Stephen King novel and create a world of a “killer car?”
Keith Gordon stars as a nerd who is being bullied at school…but when he buys a car that has an evil personality, he comes under its spell and vengeance begins.
Check out the trailer:
The film has a “Stand By Me” feel to it: King also wrote that novel, which Director Rob Reiner made into a classic “coming of age” film…which is what “Christine” is as well – with a horror element that takes it to the next level!
Keith Gordon stars as a nerdy who is bullied at school, with only one good friend, who is with him with he see a battered and beat up “Christine” and buys it! But, he soon begins to change as “Christine” takes over…
Two soundtracks were released for the film, one showcasing the music written and composed by John Carpenter and Alan Howarth, the other a collection of great songs from that era.
When we open the film in the car assembly line, what song is playing as “Christine” is revealed? “Bad To The Bone.”
Later in the film, as Gordon’s girlfriend – played by Alexandra Paul – is trapped in the car choking, the radio plays “We Belong Together”.
The second soundtrack is Carpenter and Howarth’s original score, with synthesizers, electronics and moog organ heard throughout. It’s subtle and atmospheric, setting a tone of dread…an echo of Carpenter’s iconic “Halloween” score is there as well.
Scenes like Christine’s fiery attack on Gordon’s bullies is worth the price of a rental alone!
“Christine” is a great “coming of age” horror film, and Carpenter infuses it with just the right amount of horror and thrills…
This Carpenter film is worth being analyzed – as all of his films do, because he is such an inventive Director…and a fellow film fanatic shared this reunion pic of the cast and Director from a few years back:
Even though Carpenter took the job for the money, he made it a timeless Stephen King adaptation…and speaking of those, her is another Stephen King adaptation…some say the best horror film of all time:
Director Stanley Kubrick may have changed some things in “The Shining” that Stephen King didn’t like, but what a film!
Here is a look at the movie, with the trailer and tons of great trivia about it as well – just click on my story here:
King wrote a sequel years later, and the film version was released a few years ago.
It’s really good, but even better is the Director’s Cut of “Doctor Sleep” that was put on HBO a year later:
The extra half hour added gives the film much more depth or character…it’s a beautiful film worth watching in the longer, three hour version…here’s a link to my preview which has the film’s trailer:
Of course, “IT Chapter 2” was a recent Stephen King adaptation – not quite as good as “IT” before it, but scary and entertaining nonetheless – and it reminded me that I also took at look at seven of the greatest films that came from Stephen King books…
You can click here to see my entire list, including “Carrie”, “Misery” and “The Shawshank Redemption” – and leave a comment and let me know what I missed!
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Let me know what you think of “Christine” – leave a comment!
Categories: 70's Cinema, Art, Books / Media, Cult Movies, Film Fight Club, Great Films, Halloween, Horror films, Movies, Pop Culture, Revenge Movies, Talent/Celebrities
johnrieber 
I have actually seen this movie, John. It is not one of my favourite King’s but it wasn’t a bad one.
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Agree with you Robbie but strangely it has a huge cult following!
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This is one of the few scary films I’ve ever seen. I go to the movies for drama and laughter, but not to be scared. Keith Gordon’s character was a bit disturbing, especially when he started drinking.
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this was sooooo creepy and it still sticks with me after seeing is so long ago. my fav stephen king books brought to the big screen are carrie and the shining, i will never get over the fear i had watching both
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I have not seen this movie. I need to! Thanks, John.
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