The Dead Zone

Christopher Walken is in his weary, paranoia-stricken best in the awesome film adaptation of Stephen King's best-seller, THE DEAD ZONE. Walken plays Johnny Smith, a once-mild mannered teacher who receives a mixed blessing of predicting the future after a nasty car accident. Soon enough Smith becomes a center of attention as he predicts murders, accidents, and the like. The "gift" takes an even sharper turn as Smith realizes that a candidate for the presidential election (Martin Sheen, shades of THE WEST WING here?) has his sights set on nuclear domination. Walken is mesmirizing as Johnny, as the man tries in vain to cope with his power. And former PINK PANTHER actor Herbert Lom also shines as Johnny's shrink.

THE DEAD ZONE (1983) ***1/2 Christopher Walken, Brooke Adams, Tom Skerritt, Herbert Lom, Colleen Dewhurst, Martin Sheen. David Cronenberg directed this exceptional adaptation of Stephen King's successful chilling novel about sad-eyed school teacher Johnny Smith (eerily personified by the always wonderful Walken) who after hurtled into a coma from a car accident, resurrects to find himself with clairvoyant powers by the simple touch with another human being. Effectively creepy at times and nice use of snow engulfed Maine as its setting. One of Walken's uncanniest performances and one of his own personal faves (which he lampooned later to much hilarity on a 'Saturday Night Live' skit ).

It seems that movies starring Christopher Walken just can't go wrong! David Cronenberg's adaptation of Stephen King's "The Dead Zone" features him in one of his most interesting roles as literature teacher Johnny Smith, who becomes psychic after surviving a car wreck. He uses his newfound power to help people avoid danger, but soon faces a moral dilemma when it looks like political candidate Greg Stilson (Martin Sheen) may become the next Hitler. This is one of those movies that has shades of everyone involved in it. Walken's eerie presence, Sheen's (apparent) "aw shucks" demeanor, plus the horrific feeling of Cronenberg and King. You're sure to love it. Also starring are Brooke Adams as Johnny's ex hubby, and Herbert Lom as a doctor (you may expect him to launch into an anti-Clouseau diatribe, but his role here is as far removed from Commissioner Dreyfus as possible). Very well done.