The Dead Zone - David Cronenberg

Seen for the first time in January 2013.

Putting Christopher Walken as the lead role in "The Dead Zone" is some crazy yet brilliant casting. I don't know if it's perfect casting but it's definitely inspired. Walken is so off-putting and it works well with the creepy and ominous atmosphere this film has going for it, but I can't help but wonder how it would play with a different actor.

But this is of no import. "The Dead Zone" is probably the very best adaption of a Stephen King novel bar none, which when faithful tend to err on the side of the boring for long stretches. And which when non-faithful there exists no easily applicable generalization. But suffice it to say Cronenberg delivers a strong movie here. I am not generally fan, but this is a great effort.

The ending in particular is brilliant. First of all, Michael Douglas's final actions are hilarious.And then the overblown pathos of Christopher Walken's final moments is almost camp. But it works. Grade A-.