USA Network Forums

lvtquilt

Jul 28 2006, 01:08 PM

They had last night (July 27 at 1:00AM ET) the movie on TNT( I'm guessing early 80's) with Christhpoer Walken. It seems to me the the tv show is better. What do you think?

JJsmom

Jul 28 2006, 04:34 PM

I wish I had known that the movie was on. I have not seen the movie and would like to. Someone posted that Amazon is putting out a special edition in September. I will probably buy it just to feed my Dead Zone addiction.

brattytxn

Jul 28 2006, 04:52 PM

I agree that the series is much better. I like AMH's version of JS. But, I went back and watched the movie a second and third time. It grows on me more with each viewing but that is only because of what I know and now look for in the character of JS as compared to the series version.

I think the writers have done a wonderful job including alot of the elements from both the book and the movie.

I just want to add something about "exposition". It's been said that sometimes the eps have too much talk to make the point rather than just letting the story tell itself. Well, after reading a few of Stephen King's novels and some commentary about them, he "exposits" alot to tell back stories and alot of extra information that some readers felt was too much. Personally, I like it because it adds depth to know background material and history. Even when a point is expounded on.

King writes alot about the psychological part of his character which I find fascinating. I have only read a few of his novels, not the horror stuff. I got half way through the "Dark Tower" series and need to pick it up again. I did like "The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon" and "Delores Claiborne".

I also have "Desperation" to read. I missed the movie version of it that had Ron Perlman in it. It was on not long ago. Doesn't King have something else about short stories coming on TV soon?

JJsmom

Jul 28 2006, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Doesn't King have something else about short stories coming on TV soon?

The stories are called "Nightmares and Dreamscapes". Or something like that. They are on Wednesday nights at 9 and 10 pm on TNT. I watched the first week but I am such a chicken I couldn't watch anymore. I don't do suspense very well.

Crazy4Walt

Jul 28 2006, 07:50 PM

Hey, I was thinking about this...

Unfortuantly, I only caught the last 20 minutes of the movie, but from what I saw I really enjoyed it. It was fun seeing how the series actors looked compared to the movie actors. They all looked kind of similiar in a way, except for Little Johnny (I think the little boy was named that). He had brownish hair, but he was still completely adorable!

Spoliers ahead, questions on the movie------

So for those who saw it, was Dr. Sam like a Bruce?

And I always thought Johnny actually shot and killed Stillson. Did he kill Stillson in the episode "Zion," I can't remember. I know Johnny dies in both that episode and the movie.

And Sarah's son, that IS Johnny's son, right? Because he had brown hair. I kind of liked how the series casted JJ as a blond hair boy.

Well, I enjoyed what I saw. I'm hoping to catch more soon.

WatchingDZ

Jul 28 2006, 08:30 PM

Hi,
I saw the Christopher Walken movie of The Dead Zone years ago - its been a favorite of mine. Actually, I started watching the DZ TV series from the first season because I liked that movie and the story- thought it was an interesting idea for a series. AMH's interpretation of John Smith is on-target - in a series format we can see character development and complexity you can't get in a 2-hour movie. I really think the series is excellent- a very well-done adaptation of the original SK story. The TV pilot- the first 2 eps which include Wheel of Fortune- are absolutely wonderful.

I've always thought it would be very cool if Christopher Walken did a guest appearance on the series!

Ruralstar

Jul 28 2006, 08:30 PM

Dr Sam Weizak was equivalent to Dr. Tran in the series. Sam was from the WW2 era so they simply updated to a Vietnamese doctor to make the setting of the series work. Also, Sam never meets his mother. He calls her but decides it's best to leave the past in the past. They do not speak.

John never kills Stillson in the book or the movie. He ruins his career because Stillson hides behind Sarah's son when the bullets start flying. Stillson is shot in "Zion" but I don't think he dies.

In the book and the movie John and Sarah never sleep together. The little boy is her husband's child and she is not married to Sherrif Bannerman but to an up and coming lawyer.

I enjoyed the movie. It looks very dated and Brook Adams makes a lousy Sarah IMO but overall it's a pleasant way to spend about 100 minutes of your time. I bought a copy last winter and have watched it twice.

Ruralstar

Jul 28 2006, 08:31 PM

Agreed about CW doing a guest stint on the show and about AMH's portrayal of John. I have enjoyed each incarnation of The Dead Zone.

Crazy4Walt

Jul 28 2006, 08:45 PM

Hey thanks Ruralstar. I really have to catch the beginning of the movie! Thanks for informing me.

lvtquilt

Jul 28 2006, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Agreed about CW doing a guest stint on the show and about AMH's portrayal of John. I have enjoyed each incarnation of The Dead Zone.

Great idea!!!!!

brattytxn

Jul 28 2006, 10:10 PM

Quote:

So for those who saw it, was Dr. Sam like a Bruce?

Oh definitely! But a wee bit of Rebecca too because of what he said he'd do about Hitler.

I uploaded a 4-5 minute segment of the movie I've got on my hard drive that shows what the JS of the movie is like with Dr. Sam. The whole conversation definitely reminded me of Bruce and Johnny would have had in season 1 or 2 or maybe even 3.

If anyone wants to see it:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=HMxAzZTJ0Qc

brattytxn

Jul 28 2006, 10:11 PM

Quote:

In the book and the movie John and Sarah never sleep together

Yes, they did.

brattytxn

Jul 28 2006, 10:19 PM

Quote:

I enjoyed the movie. It looks very dated and Brook Adams makes a lousy Sarah IMO

I agree with you there! Nicole DeBoer is sooooooo much better.

Isn't Brook Adams dating Tony Shalhoub? I saw a pic of him once with a woman that looked just like Brook Adams!

EDIT: Answers.com says that they are married!. Small world.

Zoned

Jul 29 2006, 09:13 AM

I've seen the movie but really think CW isn't a even a good actor so I couldn't get very into it. Oh wait I take that back, he was GREAT in Sleepy Hollow playing the 'Headless' Horseman. Mind you I have the movie because I have liked the book, and the concept of the story.

davidrobinson

Jul 29 2006, 11:24 AM

I caught this movie on TV, which was a day or two after I finished reading the book. I don't read, really. In fact, that was about the only book I have ever read for pleasure or whatever. But I still liked it, and I thought the movie was inferior to it. The movie goes to fast. Johnny had his first vision five minutes into the movie, while that took half the book. And I didn't like how Johnny doesn't get a vision from Stillson until 10 minutes before the movie ends and goes and tries to kill him like it's nothing. But it was still good, though.

brattytxn

Jul 29 2006, 02:02 PM

Well, the vision of Armageddon and what JS does about Stillson is sort he climax to the story. I've always thought the main focus was what visions do to John and what Fate has handed John.

Our series focuses on John using his gift to help people. Stoppping Armageddon is also a great burden, but I think the show has introduced another way to stop Armageddon as spoken of through "Valley of the Shadow" because that is what the prelude to Armageddon is, "the valley of the shadow of death". It is imminent if the warnings aren't heeded.

Even in the movie in John's vision the diplomacy of the governments were at work.

If anyone wants to see JS's vision (from the movie) of Greg Stillson and Armageddon, I uploaded it. It's about 2.5 minutes. Martin Sheen is soooo good in this scene. I thought it was the highlight of the movie.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1VHSQV0yn8

brattytxn

Jul 29 2006, 03:53 PM

Just added the clip where JS of the movie takes matters into his own hands about Greg Stillson. Warning for spoilers!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=guw4z6Ejo94

Luxorien

Jul 29 2006, 08:27 PM

I think The Dead Zone is an excellent film. I was hesitant to watch it for a while because I tend to forget that Christopher Walken is a very talented actor (he creeps me out, so sometimes all I see is the creepiness) but when I finally sat down to watch it I was impressed. The script manages to catch most of the important moments from the book and it has the right tone and tight sense of unity. The direction was (in my uninformed opinion) very strong and it goes without saying the acting was exceptional as well. Walken's creepiness actually worked for the role because it helps the viewer see how Johnny looks to other people at times. At the same time, Walken's Johnny Smith is undeniably human and sympathetic.

I find it difficult to compare the series with the film, though. Or to compare the book to either of them, for that matter. Different media have different requirements for quality. Barring the kind of disaster that befell Ursula K. Le Guin's Earthsea series when it was televised by the SciFi Channel, movies or series made from books tend to be not better or worse but merely different. Asking which is better is like asking whether ice or water is the preferably form of H2O.

But that's just my opinion. I could be wrong.

sentinelks2

Jul 29 2006, 08:46 PM

I'd have to agree Chrisopher Walken, plays better sympathetic villian who really doesn't want to be a villian but he's not a guy who plays the hero too well.
He's just not believeable. AMH is far better in the role of Johnny Smith.

Xmultiply

Jul 30 2006, 10:02 AM

I'd never seen the movie until recently, but I love it I must say. Bear in mind the book is probably a lot better and the TV series may have been able to explore those parts which the film ran out of time for, but solidify the story?
Just a thought, i've never read the book. I would like to see Christopher Walken make an appearance along the way, but maybe they're waiting for the right excuse/story. Really he should be Johnnys 'Hidden' Nemesis.

brattytxn

Jul 30 2006, 02:02 PM

I saw Walken in the film "The Prophecy" and he was excellent as a fallen angel. He even gave the devil some trouble! LOL!

Ruralstar

Jul 30 2006, 07:25 PM

Yes they slept together but they did not have a baby. I was referring to pre coma sex.

Ruralstar

Jul 30 2006, 07:40 PM

I've read quite a bit of King. IMO The Dead Zone is one of his best works. The horror is subtle and it builds on a very human story. The reluctant everyman who is thrust into extraordinary circumstances is classic. The death of JS at the end has a real sense of tragedy to it. You feel for the character because he is very much the man next door.

JJsmom

Jul 30 2006, 07:43 PM

If you get a chance, read the book! I enjoyed it very much. I haven't seen the movie but hope to.