VHS : The Dead Zone

Rating: - Strange & Wonderful
I saw this unintentionally as I went to the cinema to see the other film of a double feature. This was the most amazing surprise of my life. Unlike other King films, this isn't really horror - no goblins, unless you count the evil Stillson.

Others have written well about this film. I'd just like to say that if you like psychological thrillers with a twist, you'll love this film.

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Rating: - Its called a coma diet-lose weight while you sleep
This movie was thought provoking as well as emotionally provoking. There were two characters that I absolutely hated, and only at the end did I salvage any respect for either of them. The first was the girlfriend of John Smith who got married while he was comatose. I could deal with that part since most people in real life would have probably done likewise under the circumstances, but she came across in a smug, arrogant, rub-it-in sort of way when she comes face to face with John after 5 years in the coma. He wakes up to find he had basically lost everything, including her, but unlike Sarah, who has obviously turned the page, his feelings are unchanged. In an extremely awkward first meeting, her first words to Johnny were "you lost weight" to which he replies "its called a coma diet, lose weight while you sleep" He should have said, "Oh, how nice of you to to point that out Sarah, I feel better already" and then kicked her out of the house. I never liked her after that, and hoped she would go off and get bulldozed by an 18-wheeler herself. The second character was the mentally void jerk "bodyguard" of Stillson, who weighed every bit of 150 pounds soaking wet, and only seemed to pick on disadvantaged people. I was hoping he would meet up with someone his own size and get what he deserved, but I did gain some respect for his character when he blew off Stillson at the end, after the pictures were taken of Stillson's cowardly attempt to protect himself by using the child as a human shield, which destroyed his political career and exposed him publicly for the true clod he really was. All in all, a great story, well thought out and written, with great actor selection to fit the characters involved. Christopher Walken was a natural for the part of John Smith, and turns in his best performance ever. Another Stephen King masterpiece.

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Rating: - Walken & Cronenberg combine to make a perfect Dead Zone
One would think that the combination of Stephen King and director David Cronenberg would create a bloody horror film but the result is far from that. They along with the masterful talent of Christopher Walken and a superb cast which includes Martin Sheen, Tom Skerritt, Colleen Dewhurst,Herbert Lom &Brooke Adams have created an eerie tale of premonition and death, not to mention an unforgettable love story. In many ways, this film and "The Fly" are probably the most accessible of David Cronenberg's filmography. I have tried to watch the TV series based on this great movie but for some reason I cannot see Anthony Michael Hall as Johnny Smith since Walken made this role his own (who can forget his monologue to Adams when he returns from his coma?). A superb film that should be released in Blu-ray like "The Fly"--how about it, Paramount?

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Rating: - I forgot to mention....
This is William E. O'Bryant once again. I wanted to add some other comments about this film, but Amazon only allows one comment per customer. Anyway, this is what I wanted to add:

I also wanted to say that this movie is in essence, about God. It's about Him seeing all, and knowing all. The past, present, and future. It's about Him choosing a man in the right position and then giving him the power of second sight, to not only save the world, but to also help those around him in the process. In the end, this story is about the Love of God, and the hand that He Himself must put in, in order to save humanity from itself. As far as I'm concerned, this film is my favorite out of the 900 odd DVD's that I currently own. My only wish is to go back in time and to be on the crew of this film. I would have loved to help in any way that I could in its creation. Thank you Stephen, for this vision. It is much appreciated.

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Rating: - One of the best movies in the world.
I love everything about this film. The music....the story....the setting and environment....it's just superb. I don't know what it is about this movie, but whenever I watch it I find myself both enraptured, and teary-eyed at the same time. I can only imagine what it would be like to be in the same kind of situation. To lose so much in your life due to a freak accident, but in return gain the power of second sight, and then later after you wake up from your coma, trying to get back the life you lost. This film is absolutely masterful. The moment it came out on DVD, you can bet I was one of the first to buy it. Get it, watch it, and see what I mean.