Description

Based on the characters and story from the best-selling book by Stephen King, The Dead Zone is unique psychological thriller that combines a rich mix of action, the paranormal and a continuing quest for justice. Johnny Smith’s life is interrupted by a near fatal car crash that leaves him in a deep comma for six years. When he regains consciousness he discovers that he now possesses amazing psychic powers - powers that allow him to see into the life of anyone he touches. ... Read more

Reviews (23)

Compelling, Riveting...Yes!
I had, recently, seen brief bits of the DEAD ZONE television show and I had garnered an observation that the production, acting, special effects, and script were of a superior kind...and my main purpose/motivation for renting the DVD television premiere.

What I viewed was everything I expected and much more. The storyline/script is smartly written, with each scene vital and drawing the viewer in (i.e. you or me). The exploration of this man's coma/accident-induced powers...the untapped realm of the brain known as the "dead zone"...is explored with great imagination and emotional impact.

There was one scene that placed me in awe of the production values of this film. It involves the dead zone guy's Vietnamese doctor who, through his patient's powers, discovers that his mother is alive, not dead as the doctor had thought. In the reunion scene...a scene that will make you reach for the tissues, I have not seen in a long time a film that displayed such raw and genuine emotion (with special mention going to the actors in this scene). Just thinking about that scene makes me savor film and the power/art of film-making at its best. The exhileration of the reunion, with no dialogue whatsoever, was truly astounding. Once you see that scene, you'll know what I'm talking about (get the tissues in advance)...

I, too, cannot wait for the rest of the season to come out on DVD. And though I rented this movie, I plan to also buy it shortly.

I believe the reason this film was so effective as a pilot for the rest of the show is the directoral prowess of Michael Pillar whose ability in film production is most evident in the latter years of STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION. Whether or not you like that latter television series, those shows, especially the 5th-7th seasons, were critically praised. Pillar's influence in the DEAD ZONE is visibly apparent. I do not know whether the rest of the series has held to the same production values, however, I have viewed several episodes that were quality-made.

This film deserves a 4.5 rating...

Great TV pilot on a DVD packed with extras for the fans
This TV series pilot movie (actually first 2 episodes of the series) is based on the Stephen King novel of the same name. It is an excellent adaptation of the novel for an on-going TV series. Anthony Michael Hall shines in the role of Johnny Smith and brings a real sense of sympathy to the role. It's hard to believe you are watching a grown up "Rusty Griswold" from the "Vacation" movies.

I was happily surprised when I watched this movie and at the end it successfully makes you want more - and as a hook for a TV series its up there with pilots like that of "The Invisible Man (2000)".

This disc also has a host of extras such as commentary by the cast over the feature. They come out with a lot of interesting remarks on how long it took to film, cast changes and story changes and network interference in the plot and character outlines. There is also a look behind the scenes in a mini-documentary, TV ad spots etc.

If you enjoyed the series, or simply have heard good things about it, pick up this DVD for a superior adaptation of a Stephen King book. A very addictive primer for a great TV show.

Dead Zone Fans Beware
Warning -- If you are looking for the unaired original Dead Zone pilot episode that was offered for a short time as a bonus to those who purchased the First Season Set, do not buy this DVD.

Although this is a great DVD, it is the same first episode that is included in the First Season Set.

I purchased the first season set after the deadline for taking advantage of the offer for the bonus DVD. I really wanted to see the original unaired pilot episode and I mistakenly thought that this was it. To my dismay found that it was the 2 hour series premier that I already had on the First Season Set.
I guess this one will find its way to a friend or end up in the used bin at the video store.

If you are unfamiliar with The Dead Zone and don't want to lay out the bucks for the complete First Season Set, this DVD is an outstanding intro to the series. However, if you love the series, go for the gusto and get the set. I'm on my second viewing of the set and can't wait for the release of the Second Season Set.

Very good for a TV show
The pilot is included with the first-season DVD, so now I have two of them. The production is very good, as are the special effects, especially the scenes in Vietnam where debris is frozen in mid-air while the lead character walks through the dustry street.

The story is tight, and the writing is good. I'd like to have seen Rev. Purdy's character better explained, but I think that will make itself known in the first season, which I'm now watching.

Overall, it's a really good story and makes you think about the possibilities.

I'm glad it's a cable show, because the cable shows these days seem to do a better job at developing characters and offering something fresh and unique. That is: They aren't afraid to take chances.

I think we've all had enough reality on television that "The Dead Zone" is a welcome chance to walk on the other side.

Stephen King's novel is turned into a pretty good TV series
"The Dead Zone" is one of my favorite Stephen King novels and I have taught it a couple of times in class because of the way in which the series of events persuade Johnny Smith to do what he does at the end. It is also one of the best Stephen King books to recommend to people who do not like Stephen King books (i.e., monsters and scary things). The 1983 movie version of "The Dead Zone" was one of my least favorite Stephen King movies, mainly because I thought the casting of Christopher Walken as Johnny was a mistake; Johnny has to be more of an ordinary guy in extraordinary circumstances, and nobody can ever mistake Walken for ordinary. Anyhow, the idea of turning "The Dead Zone" into a television series instantly appealed to me, because the premise of the character and the episodic nature of the novel, both lent themselves to such an adaptation.

The premise is fairly simple. Johnny Smith (Anthony Michael Hall) is a high school teacher who has some minor psychic abilities as a result of a childhood accident. One night, after a fun date with his fiancé, Sarah (Nicole de Boer), Johnny is in a car accident. He wakes up six years later to find his perfect life is gone and that now, when he touches someone, he gets intense psychic images that serve as warnings of back things happening. With great power comes great responsibility and Johnny tries to use his gift to help.

There are some problems with this movie that serves as the pilot for "The Dead Zone" television series, but creators Michael and Shawn Piller come up with several significant changes from the novel that serve as a solid foundation for the first season and beyond. This television pilot is actually the first two episodes thrown together (for distribution as a movie if the series was not sold), with the first hour devoted to establishing Johnny's new situation and the second to the serial killer story from the novel. The main problem is that there are several instances where things get a bit rushed: Johnny wakes up in the hospital and Dr. Tran (Rick Tae) IMMEDIATELY tells him that he has been in a coma for six years. Dr. Tran wants to wait to tell Johnny that his mother died and his fiancé got married during those six years, but the whole six years of your life gone in an instance he hits this guy with right away. Similarly, in terms of everything that Sarah has to tell him he picks up on in flash when he touches her and even the wall that exists between Johnny and Sarah's husband Walt Bannerman (Chris Bruno) does not last long in the second hour of the show. Also, if you want to have fun nitpicking, Johnny would have known about O.J. Fortunately, while the serial killer plot gets resolved in the second hour, as dictated by the USA network, the series did go on to take its time with Greg Stillson.

What outweighs these problems are some of the changes the brothers Piller made in the elements of the novel. First, on their fun date Johnny and Sarah produced a child, which gives the characters an unavoidable link and another aspect to the new love triangle. Second, related to that, is the idea to back Sarah's husband Sheriff Bannerman (this raises a question: will Johnny warn Walt about Cujo?), which adds another layer of complexity to the love triangle because Walt the husband and Bannerman the sheriff have different relationships with Johnny under different circumstances. Third, Johnny's parents are now out of the picture and in their place is the Reverend Gene Purdy (David Ogden Stiers), the beneficiary of Vera Smith's money and a powerful figure with a continuing interest in Johnny, an interest that exists on multiple levels and cannot really be pinned down. Fourth, Johnny Smith now has a sidekick, Bruce Lewis (John L. Adams), his physical therapist, and the first true believer. This allows the writers to give Johnny someone to talk to instead of finding ways to get Johnny to think out loud all of the time.

Fifth, picking up from the theatrical version, when Johnny has his visions we see him there, in the setting. An extension of this, taken from the novel, is that Johnny unconsciously mimics the person he is seeing, talking their language. This works very well with the subplot involving Dr. Tran, who is the updated version of Dr. Weizak (a nice move, both in terms of the updating and in terms of the new resolution to the question of Tran's mother). This also provides the director to come up with some stunning set pieces as everyone freezes and Johnny walks through the moment paying attention to the details (it looks like he is walking through a Matrix-like CGI shot, but it is simply done for the most part). But there are some equally impressive effects created during Johnny's visions by cutting back and forth between now and then, or by doing reverse shots from two different locations. Consequently, "The Dead Zone" has a visual style that makes for some nice examples of creativity in filming a television show.

The second hour does a nice job of establishing the rules of the game here in terms of how Johnny gets flashes of the future, but that it is a future that can be changed: you taken one moment out of the string of life and everything changes. This becomes a very workable premise for a television series, with the story of a real life superhero, on to which we throw all the interpersonal angst of Johnny's relationships. It would have been nice to have seen what this show would have done if they had been allowed to take their time with these initial story threads, but being rushed by the network seems a small price to pay if it means getting the series on the air. As a TV pilot this 2002 version of "The Dead Zone" is not perfect, but it does a very good job of establishing a solid foundation for a pretty good television series.

Final Note: If you pick up the first season of "The Dead Zone" on DVD you get the TV pilot as the first two episodes, but you do not get the commentary (which is split in half) that appears on this particular DVD. ... Read more

Reviews (13)

One of the Greatest Stalker Movies of all Time.
This movie seems to be a bit underrated, when in fact, the movie itself as well as the actors are very good. Just for the simple fact that it has alot of great, well-known actors starring in it and a decent story-line to follow, it should be rated in a classic-style category. This movie, to me, is one of the best horror flicks of all time. Very scary, indeed!! Definitely gets 4 stars!!!

Of course Tom Hanks, (the cute jogger in the woods) steals the show. The only thing is, the poor girl (Elizabeth Kemp)didn't get a chance to go out on a date with him, especially after she got up the nerve to get his attention during a jog in the woods. Instead, she agreed to stay at her friends house until her friend arrived home from taking her sister to a slumber party.

The chilling and suspenceful ending will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Best of the Halloween imitators and Tom Hanks's first film!!
He Knows You're Alone is the best of the Halloween imitators and is Tom Hanks's first film. It was originally released in 1980, during a time when there were new horror films being released nearly every week. The film concerns a psychotic, jilted bridegroom who stalks and kills brides-to-be, their bridesmaids and anyone else connected with their weddings. It was obviously a low-budget effort, but benefits from tight direction, a good script and a likeable heroine, Caitlin O'Heaney as Amy and a good supporting cast, including Tom Hanks, in a minor role, making his film debut. Director Armand Mastroianni is a cousin of the actor Marcello Mastroianni. The most memorable thing about the film is the previously mentioned psychotic killer. He doesn't speak a word thoughout the film, but his presence is always conveyed in the most chilling and suspenseful ways. There are some truly terrifying moments. There are also some very clever film-within-a-film scenes. This is one DVD release that I will definitely be acquiring ASAP and I can heartily recommend it to anyone else.

Great 80's Horror Fave
I'll admit this movie obviously rode on the coat tails of Halloween plot wise,etc.
However, if you are a horror fanatic this will deliver the goods & have you hugging your knees on the sofa late at night.
There are plenty of jolts in this one.
I am sure Tom Hanks keeps this one buried with his Bosom Buddies Bra's. Ha-ha
I hope this one will start a trend of some more treasured 80's horror flicks finally seeing the light of day on DVD.

I hate spoilers in these reviews, so i will just say that "in a nutshell" the premise revolves around brides to be being stalked by a homicidal nutjob. I guarantee the opening & closing scenes will get your pulse going.

Have fun!!

Not bad Halloween Clone
This film was released by MGM in 1980 as an attempt to capsize the success of John Carpenter's Halloween and it didn't do to bad during it's release because this film does have some good shocks. Armand Masterolini (Perfect Target, Cameron's Closet) is in his directing debuet here, and it centers around a killer who stalks brides. He picks out one named Amy Jensen and starts killing her friends, when she thinks she is being stalked, she gets help from her funny ex boyfriend and a cop who's wife was killed by the stalker three years before. He Knows You're Alone isn't bad at all, it's got an all star cast including Don Scardino and Tom Rolfing (both from Days of Our Lives), Caitleen O'Heaney (Tale of the Gold Monkey), James Rebhorn (Independance Day), and early role for Tom Hanks (Forrest Gump, Saving Private Ryan), Paul Gleason (Breakfast Club), Russell Todd (Friday the 13th Part 2, Chopping Mall), Lewis Arlt (TV's Law and Order) and Dana Barron (National Lampoon's Vacation). Just to point out a trivia scene, the beginning of this film is reference to a similar scene at the beginning of Scream 2.

One of the Best Movies
I saw this movie a couple years ago with my friend and we loved it. We didn't think it was that scary actually. It is probably one of the funniest. I mean the only time she locks her door is when he is in her house. And then she runs into a door and falls and it's filled with laughs. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Robin cooks invasion
I was in favor of this well thought out book. I have all of Robin Cooks books and this story is one of my favorites. I felt it keeps you in suspence to find out who was infected by the virus and who was not. Most love stories always end with a happy ending and well cant give it away but I would recommend the book and I also enjoyed the movie.

Dumb and Dumber
Robin Cook's Invasion was such a bad book that I had to see if the mini-series would make any improvements. It did not.

The miniseries almost immediately diverged from the book. Apparently to ease the budget, NBC used small black rocks instead of the small silver-dollar-sized disks that resembled small flying saucers. In the book, the disks were the only spacecraft. Shortly after landing the rock was seen to vaporize a snake. The disks had no such capability, although they could collapse into micro-sized black holes. The billionaire software mogul was not power and money hungry. And what was this business about RH negative blood? That certainly wasn't in the book. In the book, people who caught the flu and had some sort of genetic deficiency (like diabetes) died from the exposure. This was the virus's way of improving the human genetic stock. Infected people actively sought out the uninfected and infected them.

The series did manage to eliminate the architectural errors in the novel by not setting the Foundation in a mansion. No, instead the infected bought a military base. Not only did it seem strange that a private citizen would be buying a military base, but the general conducting the tour and spouting the benefits to its purchaser, suddenly claims that it is a military base and cannot be sold to a private citizen. But, the sale goes through with the help of a little virus.

The second part of Robin Cook's Invasion was even worse than the first. Not only were the few good parts of the book eliminated, but a complete break from the plot was enacted.

The foundation and its gateway continued to be assembled. Apparently to make a gateway you need a couple of old hangers and some large plastic water bottles (like the Department of Streets uses for watering median strips) which are then hung from the ceiling. And what is this gateway for if the aliens are arriving by ship? How should I know, there were no ships in the book. This gateway is also very fragile. Apparently just removing your hand from the controls will cause it and the arriving ship to explode. Very advanced!

As for the characters, different people died or were infected. Cassie was locked in an isolation ward as soon as she arrived at the secret installation (at her own request). In the book, that is. In the series she just hung out with everyone as she became more alien. Beau did not give up looking for Cassie in the desert. Instead they found the base and proceeded to slowly gain entry. Meanwhile the uninfected discovered, not an antibody (and certainly not microscopic BEMs), but that the virus breaks out of the body when the body is attacked by another viral infection. And guess what? They were working in a bio-war lab with hundreds of tailor-made plagues. They managed to find one to suit their needs in the catalog, a super cold that no one had an immunity to and was highly communicable. This was released an eventually cured the population. Far more believable than dropping a vial, having everyone cough twice and then be cured.

The ending of the movie was changed even further with the destruction of the gateway. In the book one of the heroes drives an all terrain vehicle through the mansion and rams the gateway apparatus. Very effective. In the movie Beau takes his hand off of a pad and everything blows up. Uh-huh!

If you have nothing better to do you might want to watch this. But reading the book would be better. Not much, but better. Better yet, reread Tolkien, watch Star Wars or even old episodes of Land of the Giants. ... Read more

Description

When a high tech computer virus turns deadly, Specialist Samantha Craig (Janine Turner) teams up with Dr. Nick Baldwin (Antonio Sabato Jr.) to investigate. Together they must solve the mystery as to who or what force is behind this... It's a race against time to uncover the lethal pathogen and stop their plot to destroy the world! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Poised somewhere between a serial-killer horror film and an old-fashioned murder mystery, Armand Mastroianni's smartly plotted The Killing Hour doesn't quite reach its potential but offers an entertaining ride to the climax. A handcuff killer is running around New York and the NYPD's best hope lies in a psychic artist who sketches death scenes from the eyes of the killer. Norman Parker is a genial New York cop and part-time standup comic who falls in love with artist Elizabeth Kemp, while muckraking talk-show host Perry King exploits her for ratings at the expense of her safety: the killer is out there and he's still hunting. The opening murder scenes are vivid and accomplished, economically realized with style and suggestion, and similar scenes sprinkled throughout punctuate an otherwise flatly directed drama. The film is invigorated by NYC location shooting, an inventive screenplay, quirky, character-rich performances by the always reliable Joe Morton, Jon Polito, and Kenneth McMillan in small roles, and an engaging, understated lead by Parker.

The DVD also features entertaining audio commentary by Mastroianni and fellow director William Lustig--who reminisce about the old days as exploitation auteurs making pictures on the streets of New York--as well as deleted scenes that illuminate the hard choices directors make, sacrificing detail for pace and rhythm. The picture's title is explained in those cut moments.--Sean Axmaker ... Read more

Description

A father who experiments with his son’s psychokinetic powers is unaware that these experiments release a demon from hell, which lives in his son’s closet, preparing to take over the young boy’s soul. Starring: Tab Hunter (Return to Treasure Island, The Burning Hills), Cotter Smith (X-2, K-9), Mel Harris (Golden Globe® Nominee, TV’s, "thirtysomething"). ... Read more

Reviews (6)

BORING, TACKY
Watching this movie is about as much fun as having your wisdom teeth pulled. Boring and tacky even by horror standards, the only fun comes from seeing the psychic kids' future wicked stepfather being eaten by the monster that lives in his closet, hence the title. I've seen far worse, but those worse movies were more "enjoyable" than this. The following morning you probably won't remember having seen it. If only the monster had eaten this movie's negative, then we would all be spared.

Horrid
I once saw this movie seven years ago and really liked it. Hey, I was young and naive. I recently rented this movie to see it again. I was once again robbed of my money. Cameron's Closet is 90 minutes of pure boredom. The acting is horrible, the monster is laughable, the writing is unbelieveable, I could just go on and on about how terrible this movie is. Cameron is a young boy who has telekinetic powers. He then brings a demon to life through a statue his dad gave him. Then people begin to die. A detective and a psychiatrist begin to investigate. I can't begin to comprend why I liked this movie the first time I saw it. This is just one big laughfest from the start to the end.

Creepy chiller
Young Cameron possesses some crafty telekinetic powers and inadvertantly unleashes a nasty Mayan demon...A great horror film done in a sitcomish/tvmovieoftheweekish style with a healthy heaping of late 80s style will be sure to please horror fans, and Scott Curtis enthusiasts. Never really scary, but somewhat eerie. Good sound sequences. Interesing images. Cameron is cinematic copecetic.

a 11 year old reviewer
This movie scared the hell outta me! When the monster roared that was a little spooky. When i saw it chaseing the guy in the end that monster ran so freakin fast it scared me soo hard cuz it was getting closer to him. the gory parts where neat. but the monster made me get a little scared after watching this! kid ages7+8+10+11 will maybe get frighten by this film. so this movie will be good for kids that want a good scare and some gore. but grown-ups might think its chessy as hell. if your still young get this! or if your older DONT WASTE YOUR MONEY! buy it for the kiddes.

DULL!
The movie sounded promising: a script written by the man behind the Howling, and effects from the creator of Alien, E.T. and King Kong. But, dissapointingly, the effects were the only positive aspect of the movie, although these still weren't overly adventurous. As for the screenplay, I can imagine that the novel on which it was based as having an intriguing, indepth plot. However, the movies script doesn't quite capture the intelligence of this and instead just appears silly. There is some good editing, which helps to keep the movie flowing, especially in the films closing sequences. Unfortunately this is not enough to make up for the movies obvious failings.

A horror film that wants to be taken seriously must also have an atmospheric music score to help build suspense whereas, The sound track to Cameron's Closet is laughable and very tedious.

If I am to compare the film to others then I guess it lies somewhere between (and far below) Poltergiest, the Exorcist and Carrie. ... Read more