Tag Archives: john

Oct 14 2012

‘The Dead Zone’ 1983 Review – AMC Fearfest


Story: I was really surprised by this one. The poster looks kind of stupid and the trailer is very misleading. The trailer makes it seem like if you touch this man’s hand, then you’re going to die. But no, in fact, you could be saved from dying. Also, not only does he just see into the future, he can see in the past too. Whoever they chose to market this did not do a good job, but it doesn’t matter since the movie is good.

Now I did not know that Stephen King had so many movies and tv series after his books. Heck, I didn’t even know ‘The Shining’ was based off of a Stephen King book. Well, ‘The Dead Zone’ proves to be one of the best of the wave of Stephen King film adaptions of the early 80s.

With an interesting story and a great performance from Christopher Walken who is scary and friendly at the same time, this film would not have been the same without him. Martin Sheen plays a maniac who is running for president and after touching Walken’s hand in the film, Walken sees that he will become president and he will choose to bomb other countries when a diplomatic solution was offered right in front of him. Martin Sheen’s career and campaign for president was over after putting a baby in front of him as a shield from bullets you thought? You were wrong! (*wink wink* to West Wing fans).

Verdict: A chilling story from the mind of Stephen King on film with a great performance from the limping Chrstopher Walken who knows how to play a scary and caring man at the same time, ‘The Dead Zone’ proves to be one of the better Stephen King book adaptions.