The Stand remake

Just wacthed the latest episode (number 4) and while the time hopping is still really frustrating I am really starting to like their casting direction!

Especially Nadine, Glenn, Harold and Flagg :)

No spoilers required - but take a good look at the advert for Hemmingford Home in the latest episode :)
 
This is one of my favourite Stephen King books and I was saving this till all a the episodes have aired now I fear its not going to be very good. The ABC mini series from 1994 in which King has (as usual) a part in it which is much more than a cameo I really liked.

After reading the IMDB reviews I`m not sure as they really pan it. I will still watch it though.

From IMDB

Ben Affleck was selected to direct. He described it as "'Lord of the Rings' set in America", as he envisioned it to be a trilogy. Affleck dropped out due to other commitments and was replaced by 'David Yates' and Steve Kloves, who were replaced by Scott Cooper. Cooper ended up dropping out of the project over "creative differences", which were believed to be that Cooper wanted an R rating while the studio wanted PG-13. Paul Greengrass was also considered to direct the film at one point.
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Ben Afflect seemed to have the right idea and direction from it but sounds like too many cooks spoilt the broth. Its gone from a slow burner where there are all these different journeys along the way that culminate in the gatherings to something sound like Lost with all its flashbacks, flash forwards and flash sideways.

Oh dear.
 
I am up to date with this and have been enjoying it so far though it has lost its way a bit, it is worth a look though and certainly doesn't deserve the poor ratings it's received which got me thinking, one of the stars is Amber Heard or whoever she is, Johnny Depp's partner who apparently was a **** to him so maybe that has something to do with the bad reviews? :D
 
varkanoid said:
This is one of my favourite Stephen King books and I was saving this till all a the episodes have aired now I fear its not going to be very good. The ABC mini series from 1994 in which King has (as usual) a part in it which is much more than a cameo I really liked.

After reading the IMDB reviews I`m not sure as they really pan it. I will still watch it though.

From IMDB



Ben Afflect seemed to have the right idea and direction from it but sounds like too many cooks spoilt the broth. Its gone from a slow burner where there are all these different journeys along the way that culminate in the gatherings to something sound like Lost with all its flashbacks, flash forwards and flash sideways.

Oh dear.
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Josh Boone seemed like a good choice with Stephen Kings and his son Owen involved with the script, but it does feel a little safe, too much like it needs to be suitable for CBS broadcast at some point.
Scott Cooper on HBO with an R rating would definately sound much better.

Theres a couple of episodes left in the US ... i think its upto 4? in the UK on Starzplay ( extra subscription neeeded ) hidden away on Amazon Prime.

Super-Spy said:
I am watching it and although enjoying the star, I am a little worried it is now starting to lose its way :(
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Maximum Triceratops said:
I am up to date with this and have been enjoying it so far though it has lost its way a bit, it is worth a look though and certainly doesn't deserve the poor ratings it's received which got me thinking, one of the stars is Amber Heard or whoever she is, Johnny Depp's partner who apparently was a **** to him so maybe that has something to do with the bad reviews? :D
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Yes i reckon its ok, its a bit meh, its certainly not terrible and theres some great actors giving decent performances , but all in all, a bit disapointing.
Its somehow seemed to go way too fast and yet seem to grind at the same time.
 
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Just watched episode 5 and its really disappointing. Its like a distilled watered down version so far there has hardly been any story of the journey to Boulder. The actor playing Nadine is awful and on auto pilot with her lines. Harold is not bad but not evil enough for me. Flagg is terrible. The Spies storyline is more casual and very quickly dealt with. Dayna's storyline was over in a flash. Lloyd is so lightweight at least in the 1994 version he was really evil. Its almost like they didnt have enough money so cut out major sections of the book. Understandable but with The Stand if you dont have the money to do it justice dont bother. Its like filming The Lord of The Rings and only doing part 3 with part 1 and 2 filmed with short flashbacks, or flash sideways.

Also looks like they could only afford one set for Las Vegas as its only centred around one hotel and not even one of the more glamorous expensive ones. If I was Flagg I would be in Caesars Palace for instance. One shot shows him looking across to Caesers Palace out the window which would make him be in something like Flamingo Las Vegas 3* £30 a night hotel !

I will continue watching but its really dissapointing for me. Just bought the remastered Bluray 1994 version so I`m looking forward to looking at that again to remind me of how both series compare.

Plus I spotted Stephen Kings "cameo" already if you can call it that at least in 1994 version he was actually a proper cast member !
 
You can get Starz for discounted rates all the time. I'd had two 99p months and then in December they offered 3 months for 99p/month - which is what I'm currently on.
That'll take me to the end of the Stand, I'll then cancel and only re-join if there is something else I want to watch.
People should be chopping & changing these days. I've been getting a one month Disney subscription once a whole series of something I want to watch is available - alas, for many the default option seems to be "I'll just steal it".
 
Just finished this and I will downgrade my initial thoughts as it gets a bit crap in the final episodes, it did have promise at the start but as already said, it does not do the book any justice at all. Having said that it was still worth a watch if you are at a loose end. 6/10.
 
Maximum Triceratops said:
Just finished this and I will downgrade my initial thoughts as it gets a bit crap in the final episodes, it did have promise at the start but as already said, it does not do the book any justice at all. Having said that it was still worth a watch if you are at a loose end. 6/10.
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You can never do a book justice as they can never cover off the thoughts which are a huge part of The Stand Especially.
 
varkanoid said:
Just watched episode 5 and... Harold is not bad but not evil enough for me..
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heh, just goes to show how different people's perspectives can be.

I always saw Harold as a tragic, pathetic figure. He started off a loser, got corrupted by his own bitterness and realised at the end just how badly he'd behaved and how he'd been used, but too late. He's probably my favourite Stephen King character.

If you haven't read the book, it's excellent. Well, except the end...
 
I've read the unabridged version which is said to be the better version and longer but I think the Harold in 1994 TV version is better. The bit where he is making the bomb is pure class. The characters in 1994 version are better fleshed out I think its because the 2021 one is just rushed. Also compare the Nadine "sleep with me scene" with Larry in both versions the 1994 version is much better handled (although not quite as the book) in the 2021 version if I was Larry and she acted like that I`d think straight away this woman isnt right she is upto something I need to tell the others instead of just a throw away comment you get later.
 
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