Christine (Special Edition)

Rating:
Summary: One Of Carpeneter's (And King's) Best
Review: A lot of people say that John Carpenter lost it shortly after making the horror classic, Halloween. I say, huh? No way. Halloween came out in '78, The Fog in '80, The Thing in '82, and this wonderful adaptation of the equally inspired Stephen King book came out in '83. Ok, so The Fog is never going to receive the kind of acclaim that Halloween has, but let's not overlook the others. I still think The Thing is one of his best movies, and superior to the original in many ways. I remember loving Christine when I first read it, despite a somewhat slow beginning, so I was excited to see how it would translate to the big screen. I was not disappointed.

Carpenter took a plot that could have easily slid into hokum (a car that comes to life and forms an all-too dangerous bond with its owner) and successfully created an underrated gem of a horror movie. Acting, music (by Carpenter as usual), effects, great twist ending - it all works wonderfully.

Add to the mix some very memorable sequences and creative use of some classic rock songs (they'll never quite sound the same again) and you've got a welcome addition to any horror-fan's collection.

If you're open-minded enough to accept the plot, you're in for a real treat. Carpenter may be best known for Halloween, but to me he'll be known as the guy who took what might've been the hardest Stephen King story to adapt, and created a masterpiece.

Rating:
Summary: One sweet ride!
Review: Arnie Cunningham's high school career is not going well. His parents are overbearing, his classmates are bullies, his best friend has become a jock, and he has no love life whatsoever. Things soon change however, when Arnie meets the car of his dreams, Christine. The 1958 Plymouth Fury sits in a yard, decaying, as Arnie and Dennis drive by one day. Despite its horrid appearance, Arnie falls instantly in love with the wreck. He buys it off a loony old man, against Dennis's advice, and right away takes it home to meet his parents. They are disgusted by the very idea of Arnie owning ANY car, let alone a wreck, so Arnie is forced to rent a space in a local car garage.
In seemingly no time, Arnie has restored Christine to her original appearance! Arnie's appearance is taking on a change however. He is becoming more and more like a 50's greaser, and less and less of a nice guy, and Arnie doesn't let ANYONE talk bad about Christine. Arnie's bad attitude and deadly car with a mind of its own, soon cause him to lose his new girlfriend, the most sought after girl in school, almost as soon as he gets her. His best friend Dennis, though confined to a hospital room most of the time due to a football accident, is starting to notice the negative change in Arnie also. Soon Dennis and Arnie's girlfriend Leigh team-up to take on the car, but it'll be no easy task. Christine is determined to keep her love with Arnie intact, and no one gets between Christine and her man.
Christine is a great horror classic, despite differences from the book. I'm starting to think I should recommend people stop reading books, since it only seems to give them a bad attitude towards movies if they are even the slightest bit different. You have to take a film completely on its own merit. This is a great film, with fun and exciting scenes. Oh, I doubt it'll give you nightmares or anything, I mean, c'mon, it's a car, though you may develop an even stronger fear of choking. Christine may not be terrifying, but it's tons of fun! From the intense moments when Arnie goes up against his overly controlling parents, to the school jocks pursuit of the high school sweetheart, to the scenes when Christine runs down the school bullies. The entire film is extremely entertaining and well done, and I especially love the way Christine communicates through old 50's rock songs. Perhaps the only thing I DIDN'T like in the movie was Leigh's line at the end, "We didn't do so hot." Ha. It doesn't seem that big a deal now, but listen for it during the end of the movie...it just kinda ruins everything. Ha ha. But regardless, Christine is a must own DVD.

Rating:
Summary: Great movie, DVD lacks extras, hopefully special edition DVD
Review: Christine is a horror-thriller which adapted from the bestselling novel by horror writer Stephen King. Although I haven't read the novel, the movie itself is pretty descent. Arnie Cunningham is a unpopular kid in school who gets bullied and taunted. But he does have a good friend Dennis, a popular jock in school who always sticks up for him, and descent parents. One day Arnie finds an old Plymouth Fury for sale and purchased it despite the pleas of his best friend that the car is ...not worth the sale price. Soon after buying the car, Arnie spends most of his time fixing her up and less and less time with his friends and family. Arnie even managed to get a girlfriend (the movie never explained how he got her but maybe the novel has) As the movie progresses, we see that Christine (the car) is more than just an old automobile, it kills anyone who tries to get in her way and it changed Arnie into a maniac who only cares about his car. Although the plot may sound stupid of a car killing people, but I think the movie is very descent with descent acting and interesting characters. Horror fans should give the movie a rent. The DVD itself is pretty good with good picture and sound qualities. As for the extras, however, is a bare bones disc. The only extra there is cast & crew info. I really hope that Columbia Pictures will in the future release a Special Edition of the movie with commentary by Carpenter and Stephen King, Trailers, Making of the movie, and more. I recommend this movie to horror and Stephen King fans.

Rating:
Summary: Still Worth The 5 Stars.
Review: I actually read the book first which made me expect more out of the movie, oh well. The movie, however, is still worth the 5 stars I've given it because John Carpenter directed the movie and it turned out excellent, the special effects are awesome, AND that the story itself is by Stephen King. Now anybody who has read the book knows what the movie is basically about, but for those who haven't ventured this way, let me elaborate. The key characters are Christine herself (keep in mind she's a car), Arnie Cunningham, who falls in love with Christine, and Dennis Guilder, who is a friend of Arnie but an enemy of Christine. Arnie falls in love with Christine and buys her from George LeBay (Roland LeBay in the book, George is the brother), who is an eccentric old man. Arnie fixes her up to almost brand new, but all the other characters (Dennis, Arnie's parents, Leah Cabot) have this disturbing sense that Christine is more than what she appears to be. Turns out they're right when Christine slowly changes Arnie's personality from nerd to suave psycho. There's more to tell, but I don't want to give the movie away! The special effects where Christine rebuilds herself after each bashing is astounding! I'm still trying to figure out HOW did they do that. After seeing this you might think about the car you have. There is a lot of explicit language so this wouldn't be for those who are under age. An excellent car movie, but don't read the book first!

Rating:
Summary: CHRISTINE...Carpenter's best since 'Halloween'
Review: i have seen a lot of horror films based on stephen king novels, for example 'sometimes they come back' 'sleepwalkers' and 'it' and after watching each film only one word came to mind...awful. but Christine is a definite exception(also with the exception of 'the shinning'). john carpenter('halloween'and 'the fog')brings this stephen king novel to life with excellent direction. its scary, funny, disturbing and just fun to watch. this isnt a horror movie about some killer walking around stabbing teenagers, its about a car named christine, a car that not only has looks that could kill but actually does kill. Young Arnie Cunningham(kieth Gordon) discovers the car and becomes slowly possessed by it. the relationship between arnie and christine is truly one worth watching, unlike the boring appearances of john stockwell and alexandra paul(baywatch). if you like horror movies, if you like stephen king, if you like john carpenter, if you just have a brain, you will enjoy this film. its horror at its best.

Rating:
Summary: Horrible- if you read the book
Review: This movie was the biggest disappointment of any Stephen Kings books. If anyone read the book they would know about the deep characters built, and the story line. Instead the worthless John Carpenter skipped the real story of Christine, didn't even have the Lebay alive at the beginning and just his brother- please. This is like a movie version if you bought Cliff notes. I was never more disappointed in a SK book to movie in my life.

Rating:
Summary: One of Carpenter's Best Films.
Review: When a Red & White 1958 Plymont Fury was bulit with unique standard equipement, Born on an Automobile assembly line in Detroit. Somehow that Car has an Evil, Indestructible Vengeance that will destory anyone in her way. When a bright 17 year-old Arnie Cunningham (Keith Gordon) buys that car, 20 years later and then suddently, he becomes cosumed with passion for her Sleek, Rounded, Chrome-Laden body. Naming his car-Christine, when Arnie see though the car and being fascinated by it. Arnie's best friend (John Stockwell) tries to help him, including Arnie's girlfriend (Alexandra Paul) and his Parents (Christine Belford & Robert Darnell) but Arnie gives his complete and unquestioned devotion and desire to Christine.

Directed by John Carpenter (Starman, Big Trouble in Little China, They Live) made a strong, terrific scary film without bring gory. It's a triumph of Suspense and Atmosphere. This is a Exceptional moment in Carpenter's Career, this has an forceful performance by Gordon. It's also well acted, well directed and also well produced. This was a Hit at the Box Office and also has an great soundtrack. Based on a novel by Stephen King (The Shining, Maximum Overdrive, The Stand) and this has an fine Screenplay by Bill Phillips. Carpenter also did the score for this film. This has good supporting performances by Robert Prosky, Harry Dean Stanton & Robert Blossom. Gordon & Stockwell are now Film Directors. Gordon is best known for directing:A Midnight Clear and Waking the Dead. Stockwell is best know for directing:Crazy/Beautiful and Blue Crush. Watch for a young:Kelly Preston. Panavision. Grade:A-.