Lilja's Library

by Hans-Ake Lilja

  Another thing that hit me immediately was the actor who plays the student (Greg Loch) was perfect. He looked exactly like I imagined the character. I don’t know if this is a compliment or an insult, but he looks the way I imagine someone who is a bit crazy but still manages to hide it (or doesn’t even know it himself) to look like…

  As I said, I’m not sure if this is a compliment or not, but for the movie it’s extremely good and I hope Greg will forgive me for saying this if he reads this. He also gives the narrating a believability that is crucial to the movie. I’m not sure if it’s his voice we hear as the narrator, but it fits nicely to his looks.

  Lilja’s final words about Strawberry Spring

  Strawberry Spring is a great movie. Even though it’s short it tells King’s story in a great way. It gives the same feeling that the short story does and it has a great lead actor.

  I can only hope that King acknowledges this one and makes sure that the general public gets to see it.

  Why not put it in front of another King movie when it’s released on DVD or video? Wouldn’t that be a great way to get it out to the general public?

  I personally think it’s a loss that more people don’t get to see this one. It deserves a bigger audience! Doveed Linder has done a great job making this movie!

  ****

  Rainy Season

  Posted: December 12, 2002

  So, a new “Dollar Baby” sees the light. This one is called Rainy Season and is based on King’s story with the same name from Nightmares & Dreamscapes. It’s the story about John (Benjamin Rouse) and Lisa (Tawna Hutchinson) Graham, who plan to spend the summer in the small town of Willow. When they arrive in Willow they make a stop at the local grocery story to get what they need. There they meet Laura (Leigh Rose) and Henry (Oto Brezina), who warn them about the “Rainy Season” that will take place during the night.

  John and Lisa think that they are being fooled and ignore the warning. That night they learn they weren’t being fooled. In fact, Laura and Henry were telling the truth. During Rainy Season in Willow, it rains toads?!

  As happens with almost every “Dollar Baby”, the financing on Rainy Season is rather small. This is obvious in the special effects. When the toads are grinning at John and Lisa you easily see that they’re fake. This isn’t a big problem though. When you look at Rainy Season you know that it’s a “Dollar Baby” and you also know that the “Dollar Babies” aren’t big-budget movies. With that in mind you kind of expect things to be low budget.

  So, taking that into the equation, I think that Nick Wauters (the director, writer and executive producer of the movie) has done a terrific job. One thing I really liked was the way the movie went from black and white to color in the beginning when they enter Willow. Very effective!

  How about the actors/actresses, then? Well, I think that they do a good job. I’m not sure if they have done much acting before, but I think they are better than some of the better-known actors/actresses we have seen in big-budget King movies. Oto Brezina as the Count Dracula-sounding Henry is quite funny!

  Lilja’s final words about Rainy Season

  So, all in all, Rainy Season is a nice little movie and a worthy “Dollar Baby”, no question about that. I know I liked it! So, don’t miss this one! If you do, you will regret it!

  ****

  Autopsy Room Four

  Posted: August 21, 2003

  Before I watched Autopsy Room Four I was a bit nervous. Since Autopsy Room Four is my favorite King short story, I was afraid that they would have ruined it by turning it into a short film. I couldn’t have been more wrong though…

  Autopsy Room Four is one of the best “Dollar Babies” I have seen. They manage to transform Howard’s dialogue from the story to the movie in a great way. Since much of what happens is described to the reader by Howard’s thoughts, they had a real challenge on their hands, one that they managed to solve in the best possible way, if you ask me.

  It starts with the credits at the beginning of the film, where we hear Howard reasoning about where he is and what has happened to him. Then throughout the entire film we hear his thoughts, all the way into the end credits. This, in combination with the rest of the movie, really tells the story in a superb way. I must say that it’s really true to King’s novel, something that pleases me tremendously.

  All three male actors do a perfect portrayal of their characters. I really admire Stephen Furst, who plays Howard. He doesn’t have an easy part to play. He has to lie and play dead for almost twenty-two minutes, and he does it very well.

  Stephen M. Zakman has also been true to the fact that there often are connections to King’s other material in the movie adaptations of his work. The actress who plays Dr. Katie Arlen (Torri Higginsson) co-stared in Storm of the Century. Another fun connection (not to King though) is that the character Peter, who is described as “a Baywatch beefhunk, only marginally smarter,” is played by Micheal Bergin, who did actually have a role in…yes, you guessed it, Baywatch. How cool is that?

  So, this is one of the best “Dollar Babies” out there, and even though I haven’t by far seen all of them, I have seen quite a few. The technical aspect of the movie is also satisfying. I’m no filmmaker, but it looks fresh and professional.

  To conclude, this is a “Dollar Baby” you should definitely see if you get the chance! I guess it won’t be easy, but you never know…

  Lilja’s final words about Autopsy Room Four

  I’m happy to see that my favorite King short story has been transformed into a movie in a satisfying way. I was worried before seeing it and extremely pleased after!

  ****

  The Man in the Black Suit

  Posted: February 2, 2004

  The Man in the Black Suit is the latest “Dollar Baby” (at least, that I know of). As you probably know, a “Dollar Baby” is a movie done with the rights to it bought from King for one dollar. The filmmaker is not allowed to commercially show it though, so not many of them reach the general public.

  Nicholas Mariani did a “Dollar Baby” last year, and now I have watched it. It’s a nineteen-minute movie that basically has the same plotline as King’s story. There are some changes made to where and how things happen in the story.

  One thing that is left out is the fact that Gary falls asleep in King’s story, and here he doesn’t. That may not seem like a big deal, but since it’s a must if you’re going to argue that Gary might have dreamt the whole thing I feel it should have been included.

  When you judge a “Dollar Baby” you must remember that it’s a work of love with (often) very little money compared to the big movies based on King’s stories. So, even though you can see that the actors/actresses are amateurs they do a pretty decent job. I like John Viener (who plays the Devil) the best. He gives you that devilish look from time to time…

  We also get some of those classic movie continuity mistakes in the movie. Personally, I think that they are pretty fun, but I know that others hate them, and whether you like them or hate them, remember that they always happen, even in such big productions as The Lord of the Rings.

  At one time we see Gary’s mother dead on the floor with her eyes closed. In the next scene the eyes are open. Not bad for a dead woman. In another scene where Gary is running away from the Devil he loses his hat. Then, when he runs away the next time the hat is on his head until the next clip when it’s gone again.

  Lilja’s final words about The Man in the Black Suit

  So, how should I summarize The Man in the Black Suit? It’s neither the best nor the worst “Dollar Baby” made. Its biggest problem is that you never get the feeling that Gary is scared to death of the Devil like he is in the book. Some of those feelings you get from reading the story are lost because of that. Even so, if you get a chance to see The Man in the Black Suit, take it. It’s a movie well worth viewing!

  ****

  The Road Virus Heads North

  Posted: April 9, 2005

  I just saw the “Doll
ar Baby” The Road Virus Heads North and it’s quite a good adaptation. There are some things that are different from what I imagined when I read the story though. Before I tell you what, please note that I don’t feel that all the differences are bad, OK?

  First, the main character, Richard Kinnel, is a bit older than I imagined. This isn’t worse or better, it’s just different. When reading the story I got the impression he was in his 30s, but here he is in his 50s, I would guess. But like I said, it’s not something that makes that big of a difference. The actor does a good job playing the role and that’s what’s important.

  I also imagined that the painting was painted, but here it’s a photo. I can see why this was done (it must have been easier to use photos than paintings…and cheaper), but I think the effect would have been better if it were a painting. The person in the photos is pretty scary though. It looks like a fellow from the 50s with fangs.

  Another thing is that in the movie everything happens so much faster than in the story. I can understand that it’s because they have a shorter amount of time to tell the story, but a bit longer movie and a slower pace would have benefited the movie. As it is now, the story is told a bit too fast…especially the ending. It’s twenty-one minutes now, but another five minutes would have been very nice.

  Lilja’s final words about The Road Virus Heads North

  The Road Virus Heads North is a good “Dollar Baby”. It follows the feeling of King’s story even though some of the things have been changed. There aren’t any big changes, so I can live with them, and if you get a chance you should definitely see The Road Virus Heads North!

  ****

  La Femme dans la Chamber

  Posted: June 22, 2005

  I have just seen the first French “Dollar Baby” that I know of. It’s a French version of “The Woman in the Room,” with the title La Femme dans la Chamber. The movie is about thirteen minutes long and is a lot better than I thought before I saw it.

  I don’t know why I thought it would not be as good of a movie. It may have been because it wasn’t American-made, and I’m not used to watching French movies either, I guess. But I can admit that I was wrong. La Femme dans la Chamber is a good “Dollar Baby” that is very well done.

  It’s a bit short though, and the story moves along a bit too quickly, but even so, all of the main ingredients are there. You know what is happening to the mother and why her son does what he does. The meaning and the basis of King’s story are definitely there.

  There is one other downside to the movie and that is that it doesn’t have English subtitles…yet. For now there is only a file with the subtitles, but you have to read them on the side while you watch the movie, which is definitely not a good way to watch a movie. I have heard that a version with the subtitles “in” the movie is on its way, so that problem should be solved soon.

  Both actors (mother and son in the movie) do fairly good jobs. I don’t think they’ll get an Oscar for their performance, but here they do just fine. Director Damien Maric has created a nice little movie, and I must say that it’s interesting to see that the “Dollar Baby” phenomenon is spreading outside the U.S., very interesting!

  Lilja’s final words about La Femme dans la Chamber

  I definitely think that you should see La Femme dans la Chamber…when a copy with subtitles is out; it’s just not a good way to watch a movie with the subtitles on the side. Wait until they are in the movie, but then make sure you see it once they are!

  ****

  All That You Love Will Be Carried Away

  Posted: August 17, 2005

  This is the second of three “Dollar Babies” based on King’s story “All That You Love Will Be Carried Away” I have seen. The story is one of those that easily fits the screen, but is not necessarily the same as saying it’s easily adaptable, though. This is a very emotional story that has to be told in the right way or the story will be ruined.

  Scott Albanese, the film’s director, has done a good job keeping the feeling of King’s story there. It’s a little short though at fifteen minutes long and could have easily been about five to ten minutes longer without losing its feel. It would have given it more depth, I think.

  Still, it’s a good movie with a good performance from Kent Vaughan as Alfie. I’m not sure if it’s he who is the narrator as well, but the narrating voice is very good. It fits the mood of the movie very well.

  The problem with these “Dollar Babies” is that they are pretty hard to come by. If you get to see them at all, they will probably be in small format online or at a film festival. Still, they are often worth seeing even if in small format, and this one is certainly no different.

  Lilja’s final words about All That You Love Will Be Carried Away

  If you get a chance to catch this one in a festival or online you should definitely take it. King’s feeling is here, the acting is good and the movie is good. See it if you can.

  ****

  Umney’s Last Case

  Posted: March 11, 2006

  About the same time I heard that Umney’s Last Case was going to be included in TNT’s TV series based on Nightmares & Dreamscapes, I got the “Dollar Baby” version of the same story sent to me.

  These “Dollar Babies” are made on a small budget and should be seen in that light, but even if this version didn’t have the same budget as TNT’s it’s still very good.

  This version of Umney’s Last Case is a nice little movie that runs just about eighteen minutes. It’s very well done and Rodney Altman has done a good job in translating King’s story to the screen. It would have benefited from being a bit longer though. It feels a bit rushed, but still, it’s very good.

  The casting is well done and the actors do what can be expected from them, though I do like Joel Nagle a little more than the rest. He does a good job portraying Clyde Umney and is really believable as a pre-World War I detective who wakes up one day to find that he is about to meet his maker—Samuel Landry, the author of his life.

  As you know, Umney is just a fictional character in Landry’s books about Umney, the private detective. Landry hasn’t had an easy life, has found a way to write himself into his books and once there, he has no intention of leaving....

  Lilja’s final words about Umney’s Last Case

  As I said, it should have been a bit longer, but it’s still a very good version of King’s story. See it if you can!

  ****

  Home Delivery

  Posted: March 14, 2006

  Wow, Home Delivery is one of the coolest “Dollar Babies” I have ever seen (and I have seen quite a few of them). It’s animated in the same style as Disney’s The Incredibles and it looks very good.

  I first saw pictures from this one online and thought to myself, “I have to see this one!” Now that I have I’m stunned. It’s so very well done!

  If I hadn’t known it I would have never guessed that this one is a “Dollar Baby.” It’s so well done it could be a pre-movie to any blockbuster or included as an extra on a DVD.

  The story is told by a narrator and illustrated as if she (the narrator) is reading a book with the story. It’s also as if it were shot with wide camera angles and swooping movements. I’m not sure if I make myself understandable here, but it looks very good and grand.

  Most of you probably already know the story. The story is about how mankind turns into zombies and rules the world. Maddy, the main character, lives on an island where most of its inhabitants (including her husband) have lost their lives to the sea. So, even though the cemetery is pretty empty, the sea is fuller, and one night her husband returns…

  King even has a cameo in it, sort of. He isn’t in it himself, but if you take a look at the president you’ll understand what I mean…

  Lilja’s final words about Home Delivery

  If you can you should really take the chance to see this one. As I have said, it’s one of the coolest and best “Dollar Babies” I have seen. Hopefully it’ll be participating in the third
“Dollar Baby” Festival.

  ****

  Popsy

  Posted: March 26, 2007

  When I get a “Dollar Baby” to review it varies quite a lot as to how it’s packed and presented. Some I get as a file in an email, some I get on a burnt CD or on a videocassette. Sometimes though (and these are the nice ones) I get a “Dollar Baby” that is on a nice-looking DVD disc, which has a nice cover, menus and even trailers. Those, needless to say, are the times it’s extra fun to review a “Dollar Baby....”

  Popsy was sent to me on a disc in a DVD case with a nice cover. The cover was done as an old EC comic and the overall feeling was very promising.

  I popped it in my DVD player and it looked quite professional. It had a trailer for another Brian Haynes movie, a trailer for Popsy and a scene selection menu where the scenes were illustrated by comic versions of the actual scenes. Quite impressive for a “Dollar Baby”.

  But, having seen a lot of “Dollar Babies” I know better than to just fall for a nice cover (if you know what I mean). So, I calmed down and pressed play…

  After seeing the movie, I’m happy to say, I was still impressed. Popsy is a very good-looking “Dollar Baby”. Sure, you can tell that the acting is done by amateurs: good amateurs, but still amateurs. It’s a nice-looking movie though. The weak link in the movie is the kid…he is good in some scenes and not so good in others. It gives an impression that he is OK, but could do better. I’m also a bit skeptical of the biting scene. It looks a bit too fake....