The Black Phone based on Joe Hill story appears to be moving forward:

[Martin]

Had a weird thing just happen with the AMC membership. I had reserved a seat for The Black Phone this Friday for the 4:40 showing. I received an email that the ticket reservation has been cancelled at my request. I assumed I had accidently cancelled when looking at things on the App. Turns out they no longer have a 4:40 show scheduled. So basically, they cancelled my order and told me that I had cancelled it. Made a new reservation for Thursday at 5:00. Hopefully that one does not get cancelled.

[Ben Staad]

Let us know how the movie is. I don't recall reading this story and hadn't seen any advertisements so no idea what this is about.

Had a weird thing just happen with the AMC membership. I had reserved a seat for The Black Phone this Friday for the 4:40 showing. I received an email that the ticket reservation has been cancelled at my request. I assumed I had accidently cancelled when looking at things on the App. Turns out they no longer have a 4:40 show scheduled. So basically, they cancelled my order and told me that I had cancelled it. Made a new reservation for Thursday at 5:00. Hopefully that one does not get cancelled.

[Martin]

Let us know how the movie is. I don't recall reading this story and hadn't seen any advertisements so no idea what this is about.

The movie is very good. The original story is in 20th Century Ghosts and is only about a 20-minute read. To expand it into a nearly 2-hour movie they kept the original story intact but added to it. The basic story is about a man abducting middle school kids and his sixth victim. They expand the story in multiple ways, but the primary thing is they make the boys kid sister a primary character. The kids are fantastic in their roles and the sister nearly steals the show. If you have not read 20th Century Ghosts I can't recommend it enough. It contains some of the best Horror short stories you can find!

[JJ123]

I have a feeling I will like the film. However...I have to be honest and say I just finished reading the short story (an ebook borrowed from the library) and wasn't impressed by it. It seems like there should be more, as if it should be a novella; unless I had a bad digital file that is missing pages, this is really a short story. I actually thought this was a novella at first, come to think of it, when I first saw the trailer...maybe I assumed it was a novella. I can almost imagine how this was expanded.

To further be honest - and I am not being down here on the story or author, just expressing an opinion that came to mind - I'm not sure what attracted Jason Blum and the other filmmakers to the story. There really wasn't much there on which to grasp. In one sense, it's a cool enough tale...but in another, it seems like a sketch of a sketch. It didn't necessarily have to be fifty/hundred pages...but maybe more concepts, ideas in it? Perhaps Blum et al. saw a nice premise that was tabula-rasa-like and flexible for them to add what needed to be added, and to not be constrained with a larger plot already set in the minds of readers...plus, it could not hurt to have Hill's name on the project.

Like I say, I probably will enjoy the film, but I will wait. And again, not trying to be critical of Hill...as a hobbyist writer, I can say he is a master and I will never get as close; I just do it for fun, and I respect his talent. Thanks for the report of how the movie was and the theatrical experience. And hey...maybe you should write out a story about a showtime being cancelled mysteriously and rescheduled at a later time...a time when you are the only person in the theater, and strange things begin to happen...pitch that one to Blum!

[Ben Staad]

Thanks for the reply. Likely shouldn't admit this as 20th Century Ghosts is one of my favorite books. That being said I still don't recall this story. Go figure. Apparently this story didn't stick with me. I guess it's time for a re-read but I clearly remember a number of the stories.

The movie is very good. The original story is in 20th Century Ghosts and is only about a 20-minute read. To expand it into a nearly 2-hour movie they kept the original story intact but added to it. The basic story is about a man abducting middle school kids and his sixth victim. They expand the story in multiple ways, but the primary thing is they make the boys kid sister a primary character. The kids are fantastic in their roles and the sister nearly steals the show. If you have not read 20th Century Ghosts I can't recommend it enough. It contains some of the best Horror short stories you can find!

[Martin]

I have a feeling I will like the film. However...I have to be honest and say I just finished reading the short story (an ebook borrowed from the library) and wasn't impressed by it. It seems like there should be more, as if it should be a novella; unless I had a bad digital file that is missing pages, this is really a short story. I actually thought this was a novella at first, come to think of it, when I first saw the trailer...maybe I assumed it was a novella. I can almost imagine how this was expanded.

To further be honest - and I am not being down here on the story or author, just expressing an opinion that came to mind - I'm not sure what attracted Jason Blum and the other filmmakers to the story. There really wasn't much there on which to grasp. In one sense, it's a cool enough tale...but in another, it seems like a sketch of a sketch. It didn't necessarily have to be fifty/hundred pages...but maybe more concepts, ideas in it? Perhaps Blum et al. saw a nice premise that was tabula-rasa-like and flexible for them to add what needed to be added, and to not be constrained with a larger plot already set in the minds of readers...plus, it could not hurt to have Hill's name on the project.

Like I say, I probably will enjoy the film, but I will wait. And again, not trying to be critical of Hill...as a hobbyist writer, I can say he is a master and I will never get as close; I just do it for fun, and I respect his talent. Thanks for the report of how the movie was and the theatrical experience. And hey...maybe you should write out a story about a showtime being cancelled mysteriously and rescheduled at a later time...a time when you are the only person in the theater, and strange things begin to happen...pitch that one to Blum!

The Black Phone is about a 20-page story. It tells a very limited tale due to that with many details simply left out. I understand your issues with the story. I happen to like stories that do not tell the whole story and leave you wondering. That said the story does have a start, middle and end but with many details left out. Most of the expansion of the story done for the movie fits the story really well and made for a very satisfying experience. Trying to make a visual representation of the story as it is told in the book would leave viewers unsatisfied. The makers of the movie did a really good job.

[Martin]

Thanks for the reply. Likely shouldn't admit this as 20th Century Ghosts is one of my favorite books. That being said I still don't recall this story. Go figure. Apparently this story didn't stick with me. I guess it's time for a re-read but I clearly remember a number of the stories.

As I mentioned in my previous post I like The Black Phone but can understand why it would be forgettable to many readers. The movie does a great job of providing a more fleshed out tale.

[sholloman81]

I have a feeling I will like the film. However...I have to be honest and say I just finished reading the short story (an ebook borrowed from the library) and wasn't impressed by it. It seems like there should be more, as if it should be a novella; unless I had a bad digital file that is missing pages, this is really a short story. I actually thought this was a novella at first, come to think of it, when I first saw the trailer...maybe I assumed it was a novella. I can almost imagine how this was expanded.

To further be honest - and I am not being down here on the story or author, just expressing an opinion that came to mind - I'm not sure what attracted Jason Blum and the other filmmakers to the story. There really wasn't much there on which to grasp. In one sense, it's a cool enough tale...but in another, it seems like a sketch of a sketch. It didn't necessarily have to be fifty/hundred pages...but maybe more concepts, ideas in it? Perhaps Blum et al. saw a nice premise that was tabula-rasa-like and flexible for them to add what needed to be added, and to not be constrained with a larger plot already set in the minds of readers...plus, it could not hurt to have Hill's name on the project.

Like I say, I probably will enjoy the film, but I will wait. And again, not trying to be critical of Hill...as a hobbyist writer, I can say he is a master and I will never get as close; I just do it for fun, and I respect his talent. Thanks for the report of how the movie was and the theatrical experience. And hey...maybe you should write out a story about a showtime being cancelled mysteriously and rescheduled at a later time...a time when you are the only person in the theater, and strange things begin to happen...pitch that one to Blum!

If I had to guess as to what attracted Blum, it would be the chance to work with Joe Hill. I also think this particular story works well if you are on a budget as a filmmaker as there are no real (expensive) special effects needed, only a few set-pieces in terms of locations, and it also wouldn't need a huge cast as it only has a few primary characters, all of which would keep costs down. My guess is that this will end up being a pretty profitable film, especially when they end up double-dipping with the streamers.

[Martin]

If I had to guess as to what attracted Blum, it would be the chance to work with Joe Hill. I also think this particular story works well if you are on a budget as a filmmaker as there are no real (expensive) special effects needed, only a few set-pieces in terms of locations, and it also wouldn't need a huge cast as it only has a few primary characters, all of which would keep costs down. My guess is that this will end up being a pretty profitable film, especially when they end up double-dipping with the streamers.

I had not thought about it but your comment on budget makes sense, The story has only a few locations and no special effects. I am also someone that prefers horror movies to be pretty stripped down and this fits that bill perfectly. Just people in horrific situations dealing with life.

[Brian861]

I had not thought about it but your comment on budget makes sense, The story has only a few locations and no special effects. I am also someone that prefers horror movies to be pretty stripped down and this fits that bill perfectly. Just people in horrific situations dealing with life.

My wife and I saw it on Tuesday and both thought it was great. She hasn't read any Hill so went in completely blind outside of the trailer. She's not into all the gore of horror so she's a fan of the stripped down as well. This film was right up her alley for that.

[Sock Monkey]

My wife and I saw it on Tuesday and both thought it was great. She hasn't read any Hill so went in completely blind outside of the trailer. She's not into all the gore of horror so she's a fan of the stripped down as well. This film was right up her alley for that.

I’m glad to hear this. I really like the director, Scott Derrickson, and I’m a big fan of Ethan Hawke. Looking forward to catching this when it comes out on Blu-ray. I’m still avoiding theaters for the most point; rude audiences pushed me away years ago; I’m there to watch a movie. Unfortunately, horror movies can also have the WORST audiences. Not always, some are great. But when you get people who decided that heckling the movie is their idea of a good time…

[Brian861]

I’m glad to hear this. I really like the director, Scott Derrickson, and I’m a big fan of Ethan Hawke. Looking forward to catching this when it comes out on Blu-ray. I’m still avoiding theaters for the most point; rude audiences pushed me away years ago; I’m there to watch a movie. Unfortunately, horror movies can also have the WORST audiences. Not always, some are great. But when you get people who decided that heckling the movie is their idea of a good time…

That's sad it has come to that in your neck of the woods. I haven't experienced it here fortunately. But we usually go late morning or early afternoon to avoid the crowds. I told my wife we are officially old. We go on half price Tuesdays while the rest of the world is at work .

[dannyboy121070]

This just hit Peacock, if you haven't seen it yet.