#thedeadzone

School teacher Johnny Smith (Chistopher Walken) had a beautiful fiancée, a rewarding career and a fortunate life ... until one tragic accident changed everything.

After slamming into an 18-wheeler, Johnny is plunged into a five-year coma. When he awakens, he finds his true collision was with destiny – he now has the remarkable gift (or curse) of seeing into the future.

From horror master Stephen King and director David Cronenberg (Scanners, Dead Ringers), this supernatural thriller turns an everyday guy into a reluctant hero ... saving children in danger, helping the police and finding a serial killer. But Johnny's next vision may be his most terrifying yet ...

Based on the awesome novel by Stephen King.

Alright, so usually I rant about movies — you know, the remakes, the superhero factory, whatever. 🎥💥

But this time, I’m goin’ after a movie theater story. 🍿

Look at this newspaper ad — The Dead Zone, Toronto, October ’83. You look down at the bottom — every single theater showing it? Cineplex. 🏢👀

Now that’s normal today, but back then? That was freakin’ revolutionary. ⚖️📜

This was the first time Cineplex even got to bid on a first run movie. Before that, Famous Players and Odeon ran Canada like a two-man mob family. 💼🤝

So the government steps in after the Combines case — ‘Everybody gets to bid now, play nice!’ 🇨🇦🗳️

And boom — Cineplex gets its big shot.

Picture the boardroom. Paramount Canada at the table, Garth Drabinsky from Cineplex, and the Famous Players VP. Grown men, bidding like Garth just discovered fire and the VP’s wondering who gave him matches. 💸😂

Garth: ‘Alright, I’ll bid this much.’

Famous Players: ‘Hey, hold on! We’ve got Dolby Stereo! They don’t! This isn’t fair!’ 🔊😤

Paramount: ‘Sorry, buddy, court said everyone gets a turn now.’ 🤷‍♂️

Then the Dead Zone director himself, David Cronenberg, bursts in, all excited — first Hollywood movie, Canadian pride, big moment. 🎬🇨🇦

‘So, where are we premiering? The Uptown? The Imperial Six? Tell me it’s the University.’

Famous Players guy: ‘Uh… sorry, we got outbid.’ 😬

Cronenberg: ‘Outbid?! What the hell do you mean outbid? I thought you guys and Paramount were like family!’ 🤯

They explain the whole combines situation, and Cronenberg slowly turns to Garth… 😠

‘So where’s it playing?’

Garth: ‘Eaton Centre and Scarborough Town Centre.’ 🏙️🛍️

‘Aren’t those kinda small?’ 🤨

‘Maybe.’ 🤷‍♂️

‘Are they at least Dolby Stereo?’

‘Nope!’ 🚫🔊

And now Cronenberg snaps.

‘Wait, wait, wait — how do you win the bid if your theaters can’t even play the movie properly?!’ 😤

Garth (defensive): ‘Hey, hey, hey — people love our theaters! They’re efficient!’

‘Efficient?! They’re broom closets with screens!’ 🧹📺

‘It’s called innovation!’

‘No, it’s called a fire hazard!’

And then Cronenberg starts putting it together like he’s Johnny Smith having a psychic flash of Garth’s entire agenda (grabbing Garth’s hand): “Wait a second… I’m seeing it now… you built the theaters this bad on purpose, didn’t you?! You wanted the studios to reject you, so you could cry conspiracy, go to court, and make the government open the gates for you!” 😳🔮

(He slams the table.) “The ICE… is gonna BREAK!” ❄️💥

Garth (startled): “Whoa, whoa — take it easy, Dave! We’re just talking seating capacity!”

Cronenberg: ‘You knew this day would come. You built ‘em small so when you finally won a bid, the grosses would look huge. “Record-breaking weekend!” — yeah, ‘cause there’s twelve seats, Garth!’ 😂👏

‘And then you take those fake headlines to the bank, get your loans, build more shoeboxes, and before anyone realizes what happened — boom! You own the entire Canadian exhibition industry!’ 💰🏗️🇨🇦

Garth (nervous smirk): ‘Well… that’s one way to look at it.’ 😏

Cronenberg: ‘So what do I do now? My movie’s not in Dolby, the theaters are tiny... Toronto is my home town - this is embarassing!’

Garth: ‘Why don’t you rent your own theater if you think you’re such an expert on movie exhibition.’ 🤷‍♂️

Cronenberg: ‘Maybe I will!’ 😡

He turns to Paramount. ‘Can I rent my own Dolby theater?’

Paramount: ‘Uh… technically Garth holds the rights, so… you’ll need his permission.’ 😬

Cronenberg sighs. 😤 ‘Unbelievable.’ He looks over at Garth — defeated. The man’s gone from directing Christopher Walken to debating carpet square density. 😩🎬 He sighs. “Fine, Garth. Can I please book my damn movie in a Dolby Stereo theatre? I know someone at the Roxy...”

Garth: (grinning) “Of course! I’m all about supporting Canadian directors.” 😇🇨🇦

And right then — the Paramount rep’s phone rings. 📞

He picks it up, listens, then looks at Garth. “It’s for you.”

Garth: “Who is it?”

Paramount: “The bank. They say they have the money.” 💰🏦

Garth’s eyes light up like he just won the Stanley Cup of bad acoustics. 🏆🔊

“Put ’em through!”

The Famous Players VP just stands there for a second — shoulders sagging.

“Well,” he says quietly, “I guess I’ll go start closing down all my beautiful movie palaces.” 🎭😔

The Paramount guy just nods, shakes his head. “Yeah. Damn shame.” 🤝😞

And the two of them walk out together — old cinema and old Hollywood, heading for extinction. 🚶‍♂️🚶‍♂️💔

Meanwhile, Garth’s on the phone with the bank, pacing like he’s inventing mediocrity in real time.

“Yeah, yeah — we’ll open six more! Tiny screens, plastic seats, no Dolby, no problem! Canadians’ll love it!” 😂📈

Cronenberg’s just staring at him, horrified.

Garth (into phone): “I don’t know what Dolby Stereo is either, but I have this great idea about how to make people pay to watch ads. Captive eyeballs, endless revenue!” 📞💵