Stephen King's The Night Flier

When it comes to films based on his books, Stephen King is no John Grisham. This is a particularly loathsome adaptation of a short story that appeared in King's collection, Nightmares and Dreamscapes. Miguel Ferrer, he of the Jack Webbian monotone, stars as Richard Dees, a tabloid reporter who is eventually drawn into checking out reports of a phantom pilot who lands in remote rural airports and drains the blood of the locals. Julie Entwisle shares billing as the ambitious new reporter who solicits Dees's advice. "Never believe what you publish and never publish what you believe," he barks. In fact, Ferrer barks most of his lines when he isn't glowering contemptuously. But you'd glower contemptuously, too, if you had to bark dialogue such as, "If you want a friend, get a dog." Lured by his moniker in the title, King's die-hard fans will probably want to board, but I recommend you skip this hellish flight. (K. Lee Benson)