14. Firestarter (1984)
Andy and Vicky met during college during which they were taking part in medical experiments. They were given LOT6 - an hallucinogen and Vicky acquired the ability to read minds. Andy was gifted with the ability to get in people's heads and get them to do whatever he tells them to do. This results in colossal nosebleeds for Andy. Andy and Vicky go on to marry and they have a child called Charlie who can start fires at will and tell the near future. Andy comes home one day to find Vicky murdered. The government agency Department of Scientific Intelligence (known as The Shop) has been watching them and they want to get their hands on Charlie. Andy and Charlie go on the run. To save themselves Andy writes to big newspapers - but this reveals their whereabouts to The Shop who send one eyed agent John after them. Once caught, father and daughter are brought to The Shop where they are subject to examination. Andy's powers are wearing out, but Charlie's are increasing and she demands to see Andy. Andy stops taking his drugs and his powers increase again. They arrange an escape from the facility using their powers but tragedy intervenes when break out time comes around.. An eight year old Drew Barrymore puts in an impressive performance as the young Charlie - able to combust things with her mind. It is not a bad little film with good strong performances from the likes of Martin Sheen and George C Scott but it tries very hard to fit an entire Stephen King book into a two hour movie - including plot developments and characterisation. This is not altogether successful, but it keeps the film working at a zippy pace and if it is not anything else, the film is entertaining. Sure it is not a masterpiece, but neither is the book upon which it is based (although the cover of the book terrified me as a child and it took a long time before I had the cojones to read it). Another rather minor entry into the Stephen King canon.