Cronenburg attempting a little mainstream with this Stephen King yarn and really pulling it off.
Comment
09/25/07
The Dead Zone (1983)
89
%
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:36
Fresh:32
Rotten:4
Average Rating:7.6/10
Consensus: The Dead Zone combines taut direction from David Cronenberg and and a rich performance from Christopher Walken to create arguably the best Stephen King adaptation.
Runtime: 1 hr 44 mins
Genre: Horror/Suspense
Synopsis: David Cronenberg's first foray into mainstream filmmaking is also one of his most satisfying pictures. Adapted from a Stephen King novel, it stars Christopher Walken as Johnny, a man who has been... [More]
Starring: Christopher Walken, Brooke Adams, Tom Skerritt, Martin Sheen
Director: David Cronenberg
Reviews for The Dead Zone
Top CriticThis is a welcome straightforward adaptation/improvement of King's original, minus Cronenberg's visceral flourishes.
09/25/07
Top CriticCronenberg pulls it off, but you can't help feeling it's a movie in search of a TV series.
01/26/06
Top CriticCronenberg tells the story with measured strokes and a sure emotional touch as well as nifty blasts of horror.
09/28/06
On the surface, THE DEAD ZONE looks like a very good film...
01/01/00
Glancing at the film quickly, it would seem that Cronenberg’s eschewed his standard thematic material in this film—but that’s not the case.
02/13/01
Isn't about anything really save the crushing disappointment of ambition and the unbearable lightness of being.
03/09/03
The Dead Zone does what only a good supernatural thriller can do: It makes us forget it is supernatural.
10/23/04
Top CriticDon't let the fact that visible breath and frosty misery take priority over exploding heads and fetus-licking snow you.
10/23/06
By no means a bad film, just a disappointingly bland and superficial one.
09/25/07
The Dead Zone is not a story that is particularly suited to Cronenberg's fascination with, and adeptness at portraying, body horror...
01/21/04
Mr. Cronenberg's direction is vivid and effective; his pacing is a little unemphatic at times, but the film's individual scenes are very well staged.
05/20/03
Top CriticDavid Cronenberg's direction -- his first mainstream job, after Videodrome -- is apt and creepy, though the story never really goes as far as it could have. Still, it's a creepy little mystery, especially for a King flick.
02/27/01
...near perfect...
10/09/02
Despite the reputation of both Stephen King and director Cronenberg (Videodrome, Scanners) there is very little blood and gore in this film.
01/01/00
A gripping thriller done with intelligence. One of the better film adaptations of Stephen King's work.
10/09/05
Spurred on by Christopher Walken's sincerely moving and warm portrayal.
12/03/03
An accomplished psychological thriller.
10/07/08
Top CriticIn The Dead Zone, Cronenberg’s visual sense isn’t as evident, but his smart choices in letting Stephen King’s compelling story unfold without excessive distractions more than makes up for it.
07/25/01
A thing of dark, twisted, ironic beauty.
11/15/06
Latest News for The Dead Zone
May 17, 2005:
Trailer Bulletin: "A History of Violence"
Thanks to the official Cannes Film Festival website for posting the all-new trailer for David Cronenberg's "A History of Violence." The New Line Cinema release, which... More...
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