Bev Vincent explores Gwendy’s Final Task

Bev VincentFebruary 15, 2022February 25, 2022Stephen King News from the Dead ZoneBev Vincent, Gwendy's Button Box, Gwendy's Final Task, Gwendy's Magic Feather, News from the Dead Zone, Nineteen, Reviews, Richard Chizmar, Stephen King, Stephen King News, The StandLeave a comment

“The Tower Is Strong”

There’s a lot going on in Ben Baldwin’s artwork on the cover of the Cemetery Dance edition of Gwendy’s Final Task, coauthored by Stephen King and Richard Chizmar. The dominant figure is the enigmatic Richard Farris, who has burdened Gwendy Peterson with custody of a mysterious and dangerous box of buttons on two previous occasions. In the foreground we see an illustration of a town or a city and what looks to be a rocket or a shooting star.

But what’s that behind Mr. Farris? Could it be…could it possibly be…the Dark Tower? This image generated a lot of discussion and debate when it was first revealed. The Gallery Books cover for the final book in the Gwendy trilogy puts the question to rest—the central image is the Tower and, in the foreground, a field of red roses.

Stephen King: News from the Dead Zone #227

Bev VincentJanuary 31, 2022February 12, 2022Stephen King News from the Dead Zone'Salem's Lot, A Face in the Crowd, Bev Vincent, Christine, Columns, dark tower, Fariy Tale, Firestarter, Gwendy's Button Box, Gwendy's Final Task, Later, Mr. Harrigan's Phone, News from the Dead Zone, Pet Sematary, Red Screen, Richard Chizmar, Stephen King, The Green Mile, Willie the WeirdoLeave a comment

Happy New Year to all my readers. It’s been a while since my last news update, primarily because there hasn’t been a lot going on in the Stephen King Universe. However, I now have some cool things to talk about, so pull up a chair.
Continue Reading

The Cemetery Dance Interview: The Hopes and Miracles of Tyson Blue

Cemetery Dance OnlineDecember 22, 2021December 7, 2021InterviewsHope and Miracles, Interviews, Rick Hipson, Stephen King, The Green Mile, The Shawshank Redemption, Tyson BlueLeave a comment

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Attorney by profession, editor by passion, Tyson Blue’s name may not ring everyone’s bell, but his mark on the legacy of, arguably, two of the best film adaptations in cinematic history is here to stay. With Frank Darabont’s scripts for The Shawshank Redemption and The Green Mile in hand, Tyson Blue put together a commemorative masterpiece that’s built to act as a literary time capsule for these two endearing films.

Sitting down with Tyson, we discussed his journey since he first wrote for the Castle Rock newsletter, an unlikely venture which began his trajectory towards the eventual publication of Hope And Miracles: The Shawshank Redemption and The Green Mile (Two Screenplays By Frank Darabont) decades later. Touching on his first-hand experience working on set of The Green Mile, his connection to Frank Darabont, the massive efforts required to put it all together and everything in between, it’s time to discover why the latest specialty release from Gauntlet Press is worth its considerable weight in hope and miracles and what it means to the legacy of the films it represents. Continue Reading

A Preview of Chapelwaite on Epix by Bev Vincent

Bev VincentAugust 16, 2021August 14, 2021Stephen King News from the Dead Zone'Salem's Lot, Bev Vincent, Chapelwaite, Columns, Glenn Chadbourne, Jerusalem's Lot, News from the Dead Zone, Night Shift, Secretary of Dreams, Stephen King, The StandLeave a comment

Preview: Chapelwaite on Epix

“Blood Calls Blood”

I must confess that when I first heard that Epix was turning Stephen King’s early short story “Jerusalem’s Lot” into a ten-episode TV series, I wasn’t terribly excited. I don’t subscribe to that service, so I planned to give the show a miss. I thought it would turn out to be like the TV series The Mist, which bears little resemblance to the source material beyond the general concept. I’m here to tell you I was wrong, and this show is worth checking out. There is horror a-plenty here if you have plenty of patience for the show’s somewhat measured pace.

Bev Vincent reviews Billy Summers

Bev VincentJuly 30, 2021July 29, 2021Stephen King News from the Dead Zone11/22/63, Bev Vincent, Billy Summers, Cujo, Duma Key, News from, Nineteen, Reviews, Stephen King, Stephen King News, The Colorado Kid, The Dark Tower, The Shining, The StandLeave a comment

“A Garbage Man with a Gun”

The first time Billy Summers killed a man, he was barely twelve. By the time he’s eighteen, he’s a sniper with the Marines in Iraq, where he notches up another two dozen kills. Instead of re-upping, he tries to find work back in the States. One of his former Marine friends asks him to kill someone. Thus begins Billy’s career as an elite hitman. His only condition is that his victims have to be demonstrably bad men. He’s not a sociopath driven to kill — he’s just good with a gun. He can hit targets from an incredible distance and then vanish like Houdini without being identified or caught. Now, at the ripe old age of 44, he’s looking to retire. One last job and he’s done.Continue Reading

A Preview of Lisey’s Story on Apple TV+ by Bev Vincent

Bev VincentJune 3, 2021June 1, 2021Stephen King News from the Dead ZoneBag of Bones, Bev Vincent, Columns, Lisey's Story, News from the Dead Zone, Stephen KingLeave a comment

Preview: Lisey’s Story on Apple TV+

“Grief is a Bool hunt”

Lisey’s Story, the Apple TV+ adaptation of Stephen King’s 2006 novel of the same name, begins its eight-episode run on Friday, June 4. The miniseries features a stellar cast, including Julianne Moore as Lisey Landon, Clive Owen as her husband Scott and Joan Allen and Jennifer Jason Leigh as her sisters Amanda and Darla. Rounding out the cast are Ron Cephas Jones as Professor Dashmiel and Dane DeHaan as Jim Dooley. All eight episodes were scripted by King and directed by Pablo Larraín, who previously helmed the bio-pic Jackie.

King frequently cites Lisey’s Story as his favorite of his novels. His general policy towards adaptations of his books and stories is that he is either “all in” or “all out.” In the latter case, he has cast and script approval but he generally leaves the directors and other producers alone. However, he was heavily involved with every facet of the Lisey’s Story adaptation. In the video included below he says, “I thought if someone was going to screw it up, I used to tell my wife that no one was going to screw it up more than me.”

Review: Later by Stephen King

Cemetery Dance OnlineMarch 10, 2021March 7, 2021ReviewsBlu Gilliand, Hard Case Crime, Later, Reviews, Stephen KingLeave a comment

cover of Later by Stephen King Later by Stephen King
Hard Case Crime (March 2021)
266 pages; $9.62 paperback; $9.99 e-book
Reviewed by Blu Gilliand

This is a horror story.

Yes, it’s a Hard Case Crime release, and yes, it has plenty of the necessary ingredients for a crime story. It has drug dealers and dirty cops and kidnapping and a serial bomber.

So yes, this is a crime story…but mostly it’s a horror story. A damn good one, I’m happy to say.

King of Crime Part III — Featured Review of LATER and what comes…later

Bev VincentMarch 2, 2021March 1, 2021Stephen King News from the Dead Zone'Salem's Lot, Bag of Bones, Bev Vincent, Billy Summers, Charles Ardai, Columns, Firestarter, Hard Case Crime, It, Joyland, Later, News from the Dead Zone, On Writing, Revival, Shawshank Prison, Stephen King, The Colorado Kid, The Outsider, The StandLeave a comment

King of Crime: Part III — Featured Review of LATER and what comes…later

Today is publication day for Hard Case Crime’s third Stephen King novel, Later. Although King is generally thought of as a horror writer, he has written numerous crime short stories, novellas and novels, giving them a unique twist. In Part I of this three-part series, I looked at King’s earliest involvement with crime fiction. In Part II, I explored his more recent writings in the genre, including his previous two books with Hard Case Crime and the Mercedes series. Today, I review Later and look ahead to King’s next crime novel, Billy Summers.

King of Crime Part II — Hard Case Crime and Beyond

Bev VincentFebruary 23, 2021February 28, 2021Stephen King News from the Dead ZoneBev Vincent, Billy Summers, Charles Ardai, Columns, end of watch, Finders Keepers, From A Buick 8, Hard Case Crime, If it Bleeds, Joyland, Later, Mr. Mercedes, News from the Dead Zone, Stephen King, The Colorado Kid, The OutsiderLeave a comment

King of Crime: Part II — Hard Case Crime and Beyond

Next week — on March 2^nd, 2021 to be specific — Hard Case Crime will publish their third Stephen King novel, Later. Although King is generally thought of as a horror writer, he has written numerous crime short stories, novellas and novels, giving them a unique twist. In Part 1 of this three-part series, I looked at King’s earliest involvement with crime fiction. This week, I’ll explore his more recent writings in the genre, including his previous two books with Hard Case Crime and the Mercedes series. Then, on publication day, I’ll review Later and look ahead to King’s next crime novel, Billy Summers.

King of Crime Part I — The Earlier Years

Bev VincentFebruary 16, 2021February 14, 2021Stephen King News from the Dead Zone11/22/63, A Good Marriage, Bag of Bones, Bev Vincent, Billy Summers, Charles Ardai, Columns, Creepshow, Dolan's Cadillac, Full Dark, Hard Case Crime, Joyland, Later, Mr. Mercedes, News from the Dead Zone, No Stars, Richard Bachman, Stephen King, The Colorado Kid, The Dark Half, The Dead Zone, The Doctor's Case, The Fifth Quarter, The Green Mile, Umney's Last CaseLeave a comment

King of Crime: Part I — The Earlier Years

In a couple of weeks—on March 2^nd, 2021, to be specific—Hard Case Crime will publish their third Stephen King novel, Later. Although King is generally thought of as a horror writer, he has written numerous crime short stories, novellas and novels, giving them a unique twist. In Part 1 of a three-part series, I look at King’s earliest involvement with crime fiction[1]. Next week, I’ll explore his more recent writings in the genre, including his previous two books with Hard Case Crime and the Mercedes series. Then, on publication day, I’ll review Later and look ahead to King’s next crime novel, Billy Summers.Continue Reading

Dead Air: The Company of the Mad – The Stand Podcast

Cemetery Dance OnlineJanuary 19, 2021January 18, 2021Dead AirAnthony Breznican, Blu Gilliand, Columns, Dead Air, Interviews, Jason Sechrest, mike flanagan, Stephen King, Tananarive Due, The Company of the Mad, The StandLeave a comment

banner for Cemetery Dance's Dead Air column - neon green background with black writing

logo of The Company of the Mad podcast 2020 was a hell of a year to be reading Stephen King’s 1978 novel, The Stand….never mind devoting an entire podcast to it.

Jason Sechrest thought the same thing — in fact, he was reading it when the COVID-19 pandemic took hold. He took to Twitter with his thoughts about the book, and with a dream about examining it in detail in a podcast, and before he knew it he’d assembled an amazing lineup of co-hosts: director Mike Flanagan, author Tananarive Due, and journalist/author Anthony Breznican. The result is a six-episode podcast that is entertaining, informative, and incredibly timely. (You can WATCH The Company of the Mad: The Stand Podcast at TheStandPodcast.com, or LISTEN on Apple Podcasts here.)

With the final episode set to go live on January 20, Sechrest took a few moments to talk to Cemetery Dance about the origins of the project, and what he and his mad company learned along the way.Continue Reading

Interview: In Conversation with Gauntlet Press Founder Barry Hoffman

Cemetery Dance OnlineDecember 7, 2020December 6, 2020InterviewsBarry Hoffman, Gauntlet Press, Hope and Miracles, Interviews, Rick Hipson, Stephen King, The Green Mile, The Shawshank RedemptionLeave a comment

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photo of Gauntlet Press founder Barry Hoffman — Barry Hoffman (photo by Dara Hoffman-Fox)

Barry Hoffman is a former inner city school teacher who founded Gauntlet Press Magazine, which focused on topics of censorship and controversial subject matters of the day. Barry is currently the founder and editor of Gauntlet Press Publications, a Bram Stoker award-winning independent specialty Press with numerous titles from legendary authors such as Richard Matheson, Ray Bradbury, Stephen King and Jack Ketchum., and is also an author in his own right with several titles to his name including the ongoing acclaimed Eyes series.

I recently sat down with Barry to discuss Gauntlet Press’s most recent title, Hope And Miracles: The Shawshank Redemption and The Green Mile (Two Screenplays By Frank Darabont). This signed limited book is due to release in December and, as of this writing, there is now a waiting list for the platinum edition signed by Morgan Freeman, Tom Hanks, Frank Darabont and Stephen King, among others; the edition also comes with a replica rock pick carved from a tree felled from the very set of The Shawshank Redemption.

Join us as we chat about this latest specialty release, certain to become one of Gauntlet’s crowning achievements. Barry details what it took to put this cinematic celebration together, what it means to have done so, and more. Continue Reading

Interview: Frank Darabont on Hope and Miracles, Redemption, and Walking the Mile

Cemetery Dance OnlineDecember 4, 2020December 3, 2020InterviewsFrank Darabont, Gauntlet Press, Hope and Miracles, Interviews, Rick Hipson, Stephen King, The Green Mile, The Shawshank RedemptionLeave a comment

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From the Academy Award-nominated short film The Woman in the Room, Frank Darabont’s first writer/director effort, to The Blob, The Fly II, The Mist, the first season of The Walking Dead and, of course, The Shawshank Redemption and The Green Mile and several more in between, Darabont has spent over thirty years creating films to capture, scare, and otherwise stir the hearts and minds across multiple generations of film fans across the globe. I got to corner the man himself by way of the phone to discuss Gauntlet Press’s upcoming publication of their newest specialty title: Hope And Miracles: The Shawshank Redemption and The Green Mile (Two Screenplays By Frank Darabont).

Join us we chat about Frank’s contributions to making this book the highly collectable time capsule it’s destined to become. Get comfortable as we delve into the undertaking of this massive project, reminisce about Darabont’s experience during the making of these two iconic films, and the legacy of what this book has to offer for established and budding filmmakers alike.Continue Reading

Review: Hope and Miracles – The Shawshank Redemption and The Green Mile edited by Tyson Blue

Cemetery Dance OnlineDecember 2, 2020December 1, 2020ReviewsFrank Darabont, Gauntlet Press, Hope and Miracles, Reviews, Rick Hipson, Stephen King, The Green Mile, The Shawshank RedemptionLeave a comment

cover of Hope and Miracles featuring images from The Shawshank Redemption and The Green Mile Hope and Miracles: The Shawshank Redemption and The Green Mile (Two Screenplays by Frank Darabont) edited by Tyson Blue
Gauntlet Press (Fall 2020)
Signed and Limited Editions: $199.00 – $4,000.00
Reviewed by Rick Hipson

Preceding the twenty and twenty-fifth anniversaries of The Shawshank Redemption and The Green Mile comes Hope and Miracles, a literary celebration of two of Stephen King’s most iconic cinematic adaptations (Shawshank being the highest ranking film listed on IMDB). The book provides a cornucopia of behind-the-scenes insights, retrospectives, essays and more from writer/director Frank Darabont, Stephen King, RC Matheson and several others, including an exclusive interview from the late, but always great Michael Clark Duncan. Several never before released photos from Darabont’s personal archive are also included. Continue Reading

Stephen King: News from the Dead Zone #221

Bev VincentOctober 9, 2020October 9, 2020Stephen King News from the Dead ZoneBev Vincent, Chapelwaite, Charles Ardai, Columns, Creepshow, dark tower, Firestarter, Frank Darabont, From A Buick 8, Hard Case Crime, If it Bleeds, Jerusalem's Lot, Joyland, Later, Lisey's Story, Mr. Mercedes, News from the Dead Zone, Sleeping Beauties, Stephen King, survivor type, The Colorado Kid, The Eyes of the Dragon, The Green Mile, The Outsider, The Shawshank Redemption, The Shining, The Stand, The TommyknockersLeave a comment

Hard Case Crime (The Colorado Kid, Joyland) will publish Stephen King’s next supernatural crime novel in March 2021. Later will be a paperback original (cover by Paul Mann) and eBook, but there will also be a limited edition hardcover featuring two covers by Gregory Manchess, one for Later itself and one for a fictitious novel within the novel that features prominently in the plot.

In this installment of News from the Dead Zone, I’ll tell you a little more about Later, bring you up to date on recent King appearances, let you know what adaptations you can expect to see soon, which ones are in production, which ones are on the table and which ones have died on the vine. I’ll also give you an early look at Hope and Miracles from Gauntlet Press, which collects the screenplays of The Shawshank Redemption and The Green Mile, along with tons of ancillary material. Pull up a chair!

Preview: Chapelwaite on Epix

“Blood Calls Blood”

Preview: Lisey’s Story on Apple TV+

“Grief is a Bool hunt”

King of Crime: Part III — Featured Review of LATER and what comes…later

King of Crime: Part II — Hard Case Crime and Beyond

King of Crime: Part I — The Earlier Years

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