The Daily Beasts
For theme projects (like #Kaijuly, #Mocktoberfest, and #SeasonsBeatings—for example),
a new film/show is profiled every day by a different writer.
The Pumpkin King: THE MIST (2007)
The black and white version of Frank Darabont’s other OTHER Stephen King adaptation adds stark depth and drama to an already excellent film.
The Pumpkin King: THE MANGLER (1995)
Tobe Hooper’s other Stephen King adaptation is a fascinating monstrosity.
The Pumpkin King: THE NIGHT FLIER (1997)
The OTHER vampire film from Stephen King soars on the performance of star Miguel Ferrer.
The Pumpkin King: 1408 (2007)
Unexplained horrors, taut writing, great performances, and more make for a compelling and terrifying film.
The Pumpkin King: DREAMCATCHER (2003)
Stephen King’s meditation on mind palaces, childhood friends, and alien butt worms.
The Pumpkin King: CHRISTINE (1983)
A tale of a broken boy and a broken car fixing each other into horrible monsters.
The Pumpkin King: PET SEMATARY (2019)
Some critical changes to the source material and 1989 adaptation infuse the cautionary tale with greater horror.
THE PUMPKIN KING: THINNER (1996)
How the film’s examination of justice, corruption, and morals make it worth a revisit.
The Pumpkin King: NEEDFUL THINGS (1993)
The power of nostalgia compels bad behavior in this prescient Stephen King adaptation.
The Pumpkin King: GERALD’S GAME (2017)
Looking at the secret final girl at the heart of Mike Flanagan's intense horror film.
The Pumpkin King: DOCTOR SLEEP (2019)
Mike Flanagan’s adaptation is a profound meditation on the power of death and legacy.
The Pumpkin King: MISERY (1990)
MISERY’s antagonist does horrible things, but perhaps we relate to her more than we care to admit.
The Pumpkin King: APT PUPIL (1998)
A look at the monsters living among us and the gruesome bonds they can form with each other.
Fourths Of July: SCARY MOVIE 4 (2006)
A beautiful mess of a barrage of jokes—some of the horror spoof still works, some doesn’t, but it’s all fascinating.
Fourths Of July: THE FIRST PURGE (2018)
The socially conscious horror franchise gets an origin story in this engaging installment.
Fourths Of July: SAW IV (2007)
The fourth entry in the horror franchise reveals the true boogeyman behind Jigsaw’s mask.
Fourths Of July: LONE WOLF AND CUB: BABY CART IN PERIL (1972)
The fourth entry furthers the series’ greatness with its own splash of the bizarre.
Fourths Of July: LIVE FREE OR DIE HARD (2007)
John McClane takes on Cyberterrorism in this odd sequel to the action classic.
Fourths Of July: VEGAS VACATION (1997)
Even when the Griswolds lose at gambling, nothing is truly lost as long as they retained their life lessons.

