r/Ijustwatched • u/TowerCharge89 • 3d ago
IJW: The Dead Zone (1983)
So I had heard about the 1983 horror movie The Dead Zone partly because it is based off a Stephen King book and I’ve read some of his books. Going into the movie, I only knew the plot which sounded interesting.
I think this is a very good movie. I think Christopher walking is amazing in it, but I also thought it was thrilling at times and then had a good score. What is presented in the movie though is divisive for me
What I mean by that really liked the first two acts, but I thought once you introduce Martin Sheen in the movie, the movie takes a downturn. I thought the last actor of this movie was weak, and I didn’t care much for the story.
Overall, I was looking forward to this movie and for the most part it delivered, but the ending was disappointing
Rating-4/5
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u/Abdul_Exhaust 3d ago
It's a brilliant film. Martin portrayed a very Donald type of politician, quite scary actually.
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u/No-Win-2741 3d ago
The parallels are frightening. And if you've read the book, they become even more frightening. I've often wondered if King had a crystal ball when he wrote that book.
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u/Last-Kaleidoscope871 3d ago
I still hold that if Donald Trump had held up a baby as a shield his supporters would have cheered him on for how brave and clever he was. His popularity would have increased. The media would have praised him for his quick thinking.
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u/No-Win-2741 3d ago
You should really read the book. You get much more nuance about the characters and their intentions.
While the film should definitely be able to stand on its own two feet, as a Stephen King aficionado I have found that it is incredibly difficult for any filmmaker to capture all of the nuances of Kings extremely well written characters in 2 hours or less. Even the miniseries are unable to fully flesh out the characters.
There is so much that we are not told about Greg stillson in the movie but in the book he is a very well fleshed out character and you're able to see how his character Arc plays into the whole plot of the movie.
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u/Ok-Championship2931 3d ago
Walken was definetly the better actor but I thought Sheen (President Stillson) carried it off as the cowardly psycopathic US President................hmmm just read my last 4 words and my mind took me to an image of somebody other than President Stillson.
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u/5o7bot 3d ago
The Dead Zone (1983) R
In his mind, he has the power to see the future. In his hands, he has the power to change it.
Johnny Smith is a schoolteacher with his whole life ahead of him but, after leaving his fiancee's home one night, is involved in a car crash which leaves him in a coma for 5 years. When he wakes, he discovers he has an ability to see into the past, present and future life of anyone with whom he comes into physical contact.
Thriller | Horror | Science Fiction
Director: David Cronenberg
Actors: Christopher Walken, Brooke Adams, Tom Skerritt, Herbert Lom, Anthony Zerbe
Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ 70% with 1,924 votes
Runtime: 103 min
TMDB
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u/OminOus_PancakeS 3d ago
Watching it again, I was struck by how expertly an atmosphere of quiet, intangible dread is developed from the start.
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u/OatmealSchmoatmeal 3d ago
The atmosphere is amazing in this movie. This is a film I watch on a rainy day on the couch. This and the Fly are Cronenberg’s most re-watchable films.
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u/Whatnowgoddammit 3d ago
I was 18 when this came out and saw it at the theater. I had started reading King at maybe 12 or 13 and had read everything he'd done I'm sure. I even had a copy of Danse Macabre. I enjoyed the movie, but I've probably only watched it once or twice since
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u/Vault-Dweller1987 3d ago
I watched it for the first time last year. Didn’t think much of it. Good acting and atmosphere but just felt a bit flat. I would like to read the book though
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u/Barbafella 3d ago
It’s an amazing film with Walken at his best, the Michael Kamen’s score is an icy beauty, I don’t watch it as often aside from like because the ending makes me tear up every time.
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u/I_am_not_baldy 2d ago edited 2d ago
Horror movies don't scare me. Jumpscares startle me, but that's it.
I tend to start this movie while I'm in bed, trying to get to sleep. I don't know why; I don't really plan it.
The opening credits creep me out. It's the music, the images, and maybe because I'm watching the movie with the lights out.
I think it's time for me to watch it again. It's funny because I was thinking about this movie during the weekend, and then here is your post.
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u/AdvancedBlacksmith66 2d ago
Now watch SNL sketch Ed Glosser: Trivial Psychic.
Christopher Walken parodies this movie and it’s hilarious.
Here’s a link to
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u/PhuckingDuped 3d ago
The ICE...is gonna BREAK!!!! (Slams cane on table).