MACABRE DAILY'S OCTOBER STAFF PICKS: Book to Film Adaptations

Horror’s Hallowed Month is upon us, and we are at Macabre Daily are as psyched as you are to celebrate a month entirely dedicated to Halloween and Horror! We know a lot of you are watching 31 (maybe more?) films, and often times it can be hard to know what movies to watch, which ones to rewatch, and which ones to recommend to your friends.

Well, the fine staff at Macabre Daily have come together to bring you a theme for each week of October, and our staff recommendations to go with it! Each Monday in October we will debut the theme for the week, and that Friday we will share our recommendations.

This week’s theme is: BOOK TO FILM ADAPTATIONS!

The Legend of Hell House (1973)

Director: John Hough

Based on the novel Hell House  by Richard Matheson

Rich Harris on why it’s his favorite: Based on the psycho-sexual scribblings of celebrated sci-fi and horror writer RICHARD MATHESON’s novel of the (almost) same name, THE LEGEND OF HELL HOUSE is 70% atmosphere, 20% seedy ghost sex, and 10% British stiff-upper-lipedness. It may not stick the landing completely (the climax is utterly silly), but everything up to and including the mighty RODDY MCDOWELL’s once-more-unto-the-breach charge into the jaws of death is a triumph.

Doctor Sleep (2019)

Directed by Mike Flanagan

Based on the novel Doctor Sleep by Stephen King

Lowell Greenblat on why it’s his favorite:In terms of an adaptation, it's the ultimate hat trick. It adapts the book, improves upon it, and reconciles with the author's reactionary tendencies that inspired him in the first place. One of the best final shots of any recent horror film, as well. It's a crime that it didn't make $100 million.

The Thing (1982)

Directed by John Carpenter

Based on the novella Who Goes There by John W. Campbell Jr.

Dana Vargas on why it’s her favorite:Not many people realize this Carpenter classic is based on "Who Goes There?" a science fiction novella by John W. Campbell, Jr. under the pen name Don A. Stuart, which was published August 1938 in Astounding Stories. In 1973, the story was voted by the Science Fiction Writers of America as one of the finest science fiction novellas ever written, and published with the other top vote-getters in The Science Fiction Hall of Fame, Volume Two. Carpenter harnesses the paranoia, dread, and tension of Campbell's tale of Antarctic researchers who discover an alien spacecraft and brings it to another completely visceral level. In Carpenter's more than capable hands, this fairly straightforward science fiction tale becomes a tense shell game, a freezing Agatha Christie-esque tale of survival, suspicion, and the truth of man's morals. With gooey, gory special effects by Ron Bottin, THE THING is transported from solid science fiction adaptation to a certified horror classic. There's no wrong move with this one, and I will die on that subzero hill with a flamethrower in one hand, and a highball glass of J&B in the other.

Interview With the Vampire (1994)

Directed by Neil Jordan

Based on the novel Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice

Christopher Boise on why it’s his favorite:Because it transitioned well on screen from the book and I also love the cast's performances in the movie.

Christine (1983)

Directed by John Carpenter

Based on the novel Christine by Stephen King

Nick Bankhead on why it’s his favorite:Carpenter. King. You get two kings.

The Lord of Illusions (1995)

Directed by Clive Barker

Based on the novella Lord of Illusions  by Clive Barker

Matt Orozco on why it’s his favorite:I had to put a Clive Barker adaptation on here, as he is so good at adapting himself, and because this movie is a forgotten classic. Not only is the film version a better way to experience the story, but it also doesn’t deviate far from the source material much like “Hellraiser/Hellbound Heart”. Gory, mystical, Scott Bakula, AND Famke Janssen…need I say more?!

Hellraiser (1987)

Directed by Clive Barker

Based on the novella The Hellbound Heart by Clive Barker

Sam Santiago on why it’s his favorite:Nothing can compare when an author takes his work and transposes it onto the big screen. Yet with HELLRAISER (1987), author Clive Barker doesn't only do this, he then directs the film and makes sure his tone, style, and overall feel of the source material is then replocated onto the big screen. Few authors get this chance to have final say in how their work is adapted for the screen and Barker's example set the tone for years to come on how it's done properly. The book "The Hellbound Heart" which 'HELLRAISER' is derived from does have subtle differences in style than its film counterpart but overall still makes solving puzzles and what lies inside them, down right foreboding as well as exquisitely intriguing.

Check back on Monday to see what next weeks theme is and send us your favorite Book to Film Adaptations by tagging us @macabredaily (instagram & twitter) and use the Hashtag #MacabreDailyStaffPicks

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