Needful Things

Starring:Max von Sydow, Ed Harris, Bonnie Bedelia, Amanda Plummer, J.T. Walsh, Ray McKinnon, Duncan Fraser (II), Valri Bromfield, Shane Meier, William Morgan Sheppard, Don S. Davis, Campbell Lane, Eric Schneider (II), Frank C. Turner, Gillian Barber, Deborah Wakeham, Tamsin Kelsey, Lochlyn Munro, Bill Croft, Dee Jay Jackson
Director: Fraser Clarke Heston
Studio: MGM (Video & DVD)
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com

Stephen King adaptations are strictly hit-or-miss propositions, and this supernatural thriller from 1993 is definitely a "miss," based on one of King's lesser novels and starring Max von Sydow as the evil proprietor of a small-town antique shop named "Needful Things." That's the place where anyone can go to find the one thing they cherish the most (the town's aging jock finds his old, high-school letterman's jacket there, for example), but of course there's a price for such priceless keepsakes. Yep, that's right ... von Sydow is Satan, and his customers pay for "needful things" with their souls. The sheriff (Ed Harris) catches onto this hellish predicament, and, well ... let's just say things go downhill from there, with von Sydow delivering sardonic wisecracks as he wreaks devilish havoc on the town. Lots of stuff gets blown to bits, by which time this movie has long since worn out its welcome. Harris and von Sydow do their best to liven up the dreary scenario (directed by Charlton Heston's son, Fraser), but this is strictly for die-hard King fans, and even then the recommendation is marginal. --Jeff Shannon

Description

Welcome to Castle Rock, Maine, a lovely place to live if you don't mind selling your soul! Oscar® nominees* Ed Harris (A Beautiful Mind) and Max Von Sydow (Minority Report) head an exceptional castincluding Bonnie Bedelia (Die Hard) and Amanda Plummer (Pulp Fiction)in this supernatural thriller that's dark, haunting and a hell of a good scare (LosAngeles Magazine)! Sheriff Alan Pangborn (Harris) has a devil of a problem: Suddenly all the residents of his sleepy little town are dying'to kill each other. But at least business is still booming, especially at a new antique store. The store's owner (Von Sydow) has something for everyone, and his prices are always reasonable: just one small favor oh, and, of course, eternal damnation! *Harris: Actor, The Hours (2002); Actor, Pollock (2000); Supporting Actor, The Truman Show (1998); Supporting Actor, Apollo 13 (1995). Von Sydow: Actor, Pelle the Conqueror (1988).

Customer Reviews:

Read the book........2007-05-01

What a bad mess of crap. Skip this film and read the book or watch a Stephen King adaptation worth seeing like "The Shining."

Loved the book, Hated the movie........2007-03-12

Just didn't like the movie. Do yourself a favor and read the book.

0.5 STARS: Just BORING...plain and simple........2005-04-17

Stephen King's "Needful Things" seems promising from the outside looking in...oh, but how looks can be so deceiving when it comes to horror movies. Okay, you can't get much more evil than having a movie with the Devil himself as a villain. Also, you got great actors and actresses in this movie as well. So, what went wrong? Well, the essential problem with "Needful Things" is that it is simply boring to watch. Yes, Ed Harris, Max Von Sydow and Bonnie Bedelia are great actors but that won't save a boring script.

"Needful Things" is about Satan moving into a small town and setting up a store called Needful Things in which he has a little bit of everything that people want, but he exacts a price from his customers and it is not money. Satan requires little evil deeds from his customers that will ultimately tear this town apart. So, in essence, you have people selling their souls to the Devil because of their greed. The plot sounds pretty good from an outsider's point of view. The problem is that the plot just doesn't work very well. What you end up having in "Needful Things" is a bunch of weak subplots with people in disputes with one another and man plotting mischief against his neighbor, all of which makes the Devil quite happy.

When one dies, that person has essentially sold his soul to Satan and the Devil literally adds up another soul to write in his book of Hell and damnation. But, the subplots really don't work because it just isn't interesting enough to keep a sophisticated horror movie viewer attention. In most cases, I have found that long movies or mini series work quite well, but not in this movie..."Needful Things" is waaaaayyyy too long and that also brings this movie down. I admit that I found these disputes between smalltown people and the mischief done by these people to suit the Devil's ends quite boring and just downright lame. Also, the movie doesn't do a very good job of presenting the Devil to the audience...he seems pretty benign for the kind of Devil I imagine. I would certainly find Damien in "The Omen" to be much more sinister and scary than the Devil in "Needful Things".

Also, one does not sympathize with the characters in this movie, not even the little boy...it just seems that the whole town is a bunch of losers in which they are not just selfish but also stupid. In short, I just don't think "Needful Things" works very well as a movie and the script is largely ineffective and boring, much too mundane to make a good horror movie. I would give this movie more than just 0.5 stars based on effort, but I can't justify that because the movie is too damn boring and frankly the movie is terrible.

GREAT book, GOOD movie........2005-04-17

stephen kings movie needful things is NOT 100% true to the novel but it would be impossible to be with all them details, but with what material from the book that they choose to work with they did a fine job, this is a very good film with an ending thats definatly better then the cheesey ending of the great novel. i own this dvd and sometimes just throw it on to watch the last 10 minutes with ed harris yelling and screaming to the people of castle rock that the destruction of the town is the devils bidding aka leland gaunt. this is my second favorite king movie. my first is storm of the century.

Most people just don't get it...........2005-04-10

I think a lot of people are just too much of a die hard King fan to appreciate this film for what it is. It is a dark comedy strongly based in some degrees on Kings novel but loosely in others. It has taken all the best aspects and built on them an amazing structure of dark comedy.
The film by far does not go into the depth of the intricate web that Leland Gaunt has spun around the town with his tricks but you definitely get the idea and many of the actors certainly do a wonderful job at portraying the after effects. The scene with the two women fighting from room to room while 'Ave Maria' gently plays in the background has to be one of the most brilliant and unforgettable scenes in a movie i have ever seen.
That and other very well done parts of this movie, a wonderful score by Patrick Doyle and not to mention Max von Sydow's brilliant portrayal of the devil make this one of the few movies I like to watch at least once a year!
Even if you are not a Stephen King fan (or maybe only if you aren't) you should greatly enjoy this film.

Stephen King DVD Collector Set (Misery / The Dark Half / Needful Things / Carrie)

Average customer rating:

Three of these movies rock and one sucks.
Mixed bag of classics and also rans
Good value, light on features
Great Stephen King movies
King best movies

Stephen King DVD Collector Set (Misery / The Dark Half / Needful Things / Carrie)
Starring: Stephen King Collectors Set
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Horror | Genres | DVD | Video

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Stephen King Horror DVD Collection (Cujo/Golden Years/The Langoliers/The Stand/Thinner)
The Stephen King Collection (Pet Sematary Special Collector's Edition / The Dead Zone Special Collector's Edition / Graveyard Shift / Silver Bullet)
Stephen King Collector's Set (The Tommyknockers / Storm of the Century / Rose Red / The Dead Zone)
Stephen King's It
Stephen King 3 Pack

ASIN: B00009OWI3
Release Date: 2003-08-26

Amazon.com

Misery
Based on the chilling bestseller by Stephen King, Misery was brought to the screen by director Rob Reiner as one of the most effective thrillers of the 1990s. From a brilliant adaptation by screenwriter William Goldman, Reiner turned King's cautionary tale of fame and idolatry into a mainstream masterpiece of escalating suspense, translating King's own experience with obsessive fans into a frightening tale of entrapment and psychotic behavior. Kathy Bates deservedly won an Academy Award for her performance as Annie Wilkes, an unbalanced devotee of romance novels written by Paul Sheldon (James Caan), whose books provide Annie with a much-needed escape from her pathetic life and her secret, violent past. After Annie rescues the injured Sheldon from a car accident, she seizes the opportunity to nurse her favorite writer back to health, but her tender loving care soon turns to terrorism as she demands that Sheldon write his latest novel according to her wish-fulfillment fantasies. From this point forward, Misery percolates to a boil as equal parts mystery, thriller, and cleverly dark comedy, with the helpless author pitched in deadly warfare against his number one fan. While Bates carefully modulates her role from doting kindness to sympathetic loneliness and finally to horrifying ferocity, Caan is equally superb as the celebrated author who must literally write for his life. It's essentially a two-actor film, but Richard Farnsworth and Lauren Bacall are excellent in supporting roles as they investigate the writer's mysterious disappearance. Frightening, funny, and totally irresistible, Misery was such a hit that some of Bates's dialogue entered the popular lexicon (particularly her nagging reference to Caan as "Mister Man"), and its nail-biting thrills remain timelessly intense. --Jeff Shannon

The Dark Half
Although it lacks the creepy subtleties of Stephen King's celebrated novel, George Romero's underrated adaptation of The Dark Half ranks among the best films based on King's fiction, with Romero taking care to honor King's central theme while serving up some gruesome gore in the film's much-criticized finale. Inspired by King's own admission that he wrote several novels under the pseudonym Richard Bachman, The Dark Half explores the duality of a writer's impulse, ranging from literary respectability to the viscerally cathartic thrills of exploitative pulp fiction. Author and teacher Thad Beaumont (Timothy Hutton) finds himself torn between those extremes when he "kills" his profitable, pseudonymous alter ego George Stark (the bestselling "dark half" to Thad's light), who then assumes an evil, autonomous form (again played by Hutton) to lethally defend his role in Thad's creative endeavors. Forced to wrestle with this evil manifestation of his own unformed twin, Thad must fight to protect his wife (Amy Madigan), their twin babies, and his own survival as an artist. Romero skillfully develops the twin/duality theme to explore the writer's dilemma, and Hutton is outstanding in his dual roles, playing Stark (in subtly fiendish makeup) as a redneck rebel with a knack for slashing throats. Julie Harris adds class in a supporting role, and horror fans will relish Romero's climactic showdown, in which swarms of sparrows seal Stark's fate. It favors a pulp sensibility with clunky exposition to explain Stark's existence, but The Dark Half is a laudable effort from everyone involved. --Jeff Shannon

Needful Things
Stephen King adaptations are strictly hit-or-miss propositions, and this supernatural thriller from 1993 is definitely a "miss," based on one of King's lesser novels and starring Max von Sydow as the evil proprietor of a small-town antique shop named "Needful Things." That's the place where anyone can go to find the one thing they cherish the most (the town's aging jock finds his old, high-school letterman's jacket there, for example), but of course there's a price for such priceless keepsakes. Yep, that's right ... von Sydow is Satan, and his customers pay for "needful things" with their souls. The sheriff (Ed Harris) catches onto this hellish predicament, and, well ... let's just say things go downhill from there, with von Sydow delivering sardonic wisecracks as he wreaks devilish havoc on the town. Lots of stuff gets blown to bits, by which time this movie has long since worn out its welcome. Harris and von Sydow do their best to liven up the dreary scenario (directed by Charlton Heston's son, Fraser), but this is strictly for die-hard King fans, and even then the recommendation is marginal. --Jeff Shannon

Carrie
This terrifying adaptation of Stephen King's bestselling horror novel was directed by shock maestro Brian De Palma for maximum, no-holds-barred effect. Sissy Spacek stars as Carrie White, the beleaguered daughter of a religious kook (Piper Laurie) and a social outcast tormented by her cruel, insensitive classmates. When her rage turns into telekinetic powers, however, school's out in every sense of the word. De Palma's horrific climax in a school gym lingers forever in the memory, though the film is also built upon Spacek's remarkable performance and Piper Laurie's outlandishly creepy one. John Travolta has a small part as a thug, De Palma's future wife, Nancy Allen, is his girlfriend, and Amy Irving makes her screen debut as one of the girls giving Carrie a hard time. --Tom Keogh

Description

Disc 1: CARRIE SPECIAL EDITION Disc 2: NEEDFUL THINGS Disc 3: THE DARK HALF Disc 4: MISERY

Customer Reviews:

Three of these movies rock and one sucks........2007-03-26

An good set for the most part. Three of these movies are excellent and those films (Carrie, Misery, and The Dark Half) do justice to their books. Tha last one, however (Needful Things) is just a butchered mess. Just buy this for the three good films and junk the bad one.

Mixed bag of classics and also rans.......2005-12-31

While this set doesn't include all the best films made from King's novels, at least two of these are absolute classics. "Misery" is available here as a full and widescreen presentation. The image quality is decent here but it could look a whole lot better. There aren't any notable special features which is too bad--in the UK and Europe this has been released as a "Special Edition" with commentary by Director Rob Reiner and Writer William Goldman.

"Carrie" is the "Special Edition" released a couple of years back. The anamorphic widescreen presentation looks extremely good. This edition features "Acting Carrie" a very good documentary with Stars Sissy Spacek, Amy Irving and others. We also get "Visualizing Carrie" a documentary featuring Brian DePalma discussing his approach to the film. "Carrie: The Musical" a featurette on the disasterous Broadway version. Finally there's background on Stephen King and his novel as well as an animated photo gallery with behind-the-scenes photos. There's no commentary track from DePalma or any of the stars.

"The Dark Half" had much promise but George Romero's film of King's novel doesn't quite live up to its potential. Still, the film has its moments unfortunately this full screen presentation of the film doesn't do it justice. There's no extra features to speak of and the transfer is so-so and the film really would benefit from a widescreen presentation and commentary track by Romero.

"Needful Things" always felt over-the-top to me. It has a fine screenplay by W. D. Richter ("Invasion of the Body Snatchers" and "Stealth") but Fraser Heston's direction seems intent on proving his chops as a director at the expense of the story. The transfer is pretty good here as well. A couple of terrific performances highlight the movie including the late J.T. Walsh, Max Von Sydow, Ed Harris. Despite the potential here "Needful Things" just misses the mark despite an excellent cast and production design.

So I'd give five stars to "Carrie" and "Misery"; two stars for "The Dark Half" and "Needful Things". It's a pity that this set just repackages previous releases and doesn't have another disc of extras. This is a economic way to get all four films if you must have them but, really, only two of these films are essential.

Good value, light on features.......2005-08-10

This collection is pretty good, but there really were no special features. Good value if you are a Stephen King fan and are just in it for the films themselves.

Great Stephen King movies.......2005-06-29

Movies derived from Stephen King's novels range from excellent (THE SHINING) to excremental films like Dreamcatcher. This DVD Collector Set has 4 of the greatest adaptations of Stephen King's impressive novels. MISERY (1990) is a top-notch thriller and one of the best that has ever been made. Psychological thrillers are the best of the genre thanks to an Oscar-winning performance from Kathy Bates as the obsessed fan. Set in the deserted part of America, moody and lethargic Stephen King delivers great human suffering, vanished and broken on the borders of true hell, ran by obsessed woman. James Caan is Paul Sheldon, an author who kills off his popular literary character Misery. Problem is, Annie Wilkes (Bates) reads his heroin-offing book, and goes a little crazy... The ankle-breaking scene is excruciating, and the final brutal fight between Caan and Bates is vicious. Like the excellent SECRET WINDOW, an obsessed fan getting a little too fanatical with the author's stories is a re-occurring theme. Everything in the film is absolutely great: acting, script, directing and a chilly musical score from Mark Shaiman.

THE DARK HALF (1993) is a movie with an implausible plot, but is executed very well. In fact, it's done so well that you end up forgetting how implausible it is. So if you postpone your disbelief a little, chances are you'll like it. Horror master George A. Romero handles the suspense very professionally, but above all, Timothy Hutton's acting is the stand out of the film. His portrayal of Southern madman (ghost) George Stark is intense and will make you thinks of straight razors in a whole new light. Not a horror classic, but original and it does get a few scares out of you. The Stephen King book was better, but the film does a surprisingly good job of adapting it. NEEDFUL THINGS (1993) is a fascinating story of a mysterious old man (Max von Sydow) who opens a novelty shop in a sleepy little Maine town. He has something that everyone wants, but wants something in return from everyone. Simple currency has little allure for this devilish merchant. He feeds off hate and carnage, and uses the simple townsfolk to carry out his desires. CARRIE is possibly the best King adaptation, and one of the most faithful. The problem with some movies derived from his novels, is that some inept directors norse up the source material by changing too much. But thankfully Brian DePalma gets this just right. Sissy Spacek turns in a great performance and John Travolta started his acting career in 1976 in his first movie. Put together with MISERY and DARK HALF, this is a very impressive collection of King movies and a must-have for horror buffs.

King best movies.......2003-07-15

These are some of the best movies that are based from Stephen King novels. Carrie is a movie that any Stephen King fan must own. To have it on a box set with Misery is best. Dalf Half is also pretty good. For most who haven't seen it is about thee other half of the writter and how it can take control when it feels threaten. Needful things is a movie that goes beyond horror and teaches people a lesson. These are a few of Stephen King best movies. Which fans must own to have a true King's Collection.

Average customer rating:

Read the book.
Loved the book, Hated the movie.
0.5 STARS: Just BORING...plain and simple.
GREAT book, GOOD movie.
Most people just don't get it....

Needful Things
Starring: Max von Sydow , Ed Harris , Bonnie Bedelia , Amanda Plummer , and J.T. Walsh
Director: Fraser Clarke Heston
Manufacturer: Polygram Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Similar Items:

The Tommyknockers
Stephen King's Storm of the Century
Thinner
The Night Flier
Stephen King's: Sometimes They Come Back

ASIN: 6305181330
Release Date: 1998-12-22

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

Read the book........2007-05-01

What a bad mess of crap. Skip this film and read the book or watch a Stephen King adaptation worth seeing like "The Shining."

Loved the book, Hated the movie........2007-03-12

Just didn't like the movie. Do yourself a favor and read the book.

0.5 STARS: Just BORING...plain and simple........2005-04-17

GREAT book, GOOD movie........2005-04-17

Most people just don't get it...........2005-04-10

Average customer rating:

Read the book.
Loved the book, Hated the movie.
0.5 STARS: Just BORING...plain and simple.
GREAT book, GOOD movie.
Most people just don't get it....

Needful Things [Region 2]
Starring: Max von Sydow , Ed Harris , Bonnie Bedelia , Amanda Plummer , and J.T. Walsh
Director: Fraser Clarke Heston
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Thrillers | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video