Dread Central ~ View topic

Joined: 20 Jun 2006 Posts: 2683 Location: Savannah, Georgia

So what's everyone remember about this 1980s incarnation of the series? I think I only saw a handful of these. I'm starting to rent the series from Netflix now and I've read up on the pedigree, both in front of and behind the camera. Most things I've read have said that this version of The Twilight Zone was very good and light years better than UPN's 2002 version.

So, if you please, dig deep into the darkest recesses of your mind and give me your two cents on this 1980s CBS/syndicated version of the anthology series.
_________________
"I hate all sports as rabidly as a person who likes sports hates common sense." - H. L. Mencken

I remember giving it about a month and being so disappointed that I vowed only to watch reruns of the original. Thus, I never bothered when they brought it back again, for the UPN. TALES FROM THE DARKSIDE, THE HITCHHIKER, and RAY BRADBURY THEATER did it better at the time.

Joined: 21 Jun 2006 Posts: 3019 Location: Hollywood

The New TZ was pretty damned great, boasting scripts by Harlan Ellison, Richard Matheson and the like, not to mention some exceptional direction by folks like Wes Craven and William Friedkin. I revisited it recently and was pleasantly surprised at how well it's aged.

In particular, Friedkin's adapation of Robert McCammon's "Nightcrawlers" is still stunning, evocative stuff. Then there's "Shatterday," Ellison's story of Peter J. Novins (a very early turn from Bruce Willis) who is shocked when he makes a phone call to his house one day and find the phone on the other end answered by...himself. Not to mention "Wordplay," in which an office worker must adjust as everyday words take on different meanings, or "Her Pilgrim Soul," an absolutely pitch perfect romantic ghost story.

Indeed, there's nary a bad episode in the first season (there was a complete writing staff turnoverin the second season, and not for the better). The writing standards were just as high as the production values. The show holds up well today, and was a perfect compliment to the original series. Serling would have been proud.

And sorry, pondo, but I've gotta disagree and say that the NEW TZ kicked the living HELL out of TALES FROM THE DARKSIDE and RAY BRADBURY THEATER, both of which produced only a tiny handful of watchable episodes, and mostly consisted of stories that ranged from mediocre to downright embarassing.

As for THE HITCHHKER, it was and is Grade-Z drivel with atrociously contrived scripts and substandard acting, only notable for the amount of naked flesh on display. An absolutely abysmal softcore porn show that doesn't deserve to be mentioned in the same breath as THE NEW TWILIGHT ZONE.
_________________
"According to witnesses, testimony and evidence...this massacre was the work of ninjas!"

I just received the first disc tonight. I netflixed it. So far I like em. There are alot of actors and actresses that I recognized ( I just don't know their names) so far.
_________________
Threw you the obvious. And you flew with it on your back. A name in your recollection. Down among a million, say: Difficult enough to feel a little bit. Disappointed, passed over.

Joined: 21 Jun 2006 Posts: 3019 Location: Hollywood

Well, the first one you saw in the first episode is a bit player who goes by the name of Bruce Willis. Razz

_________________
"According to witnesses, testimony and evidence...this massacre was the work of ninjas!"

Joined: 20 Jun 2006 Posts: 2683 Location: Savannah, Georgia

Joined: 21 Jun 2006 Posts: 3019 Location: Hollywood

Joined: 21 Jun 2006 Posts: 3019 Location: Hollywood

There are many excellent episodes in the first season. Some of my faves are:
"Shatterday," "A Little Peace and Quiet," "The Last Defender of Camelot," "Her Pilgrim Soul," "Paladin of the Lost Hour," and most especially "Nightcrawlers," which is one of the last truly awesome projects William Friedkin ever did.
_________________
"According to witnesses, testimony and evidence...this massacre was the work of ninjas!"

So far out of that list I saw "Shatterday," "A Little Peace and Quiet," and "Nightcrawlers. I liked em. I also thought that The Children's Zoo was cute and "Little Lost Boy" was interesting. Oh and "Healer" that one I really liked too. "Wish Bank" & "Wordplay" were funny.
_________________
Threw you the obvious. And you flew with it on your back. A name in your recollection. Down among a million, say: Difficult enough to feel a little bit. Disappointed, passed over.

The two that stand out for me (other than the amazing "Nightcrawlers") are two that I can't remember the titles of, but blew me away as a kid:

- One was when people were aliens (bug headed) and tore off their masks to reveal themselves.

- The second - and this is the one that really stands out and amazed me as a youngster - was when a kid realizes that the old man next door was a vampire. He saw the guy lift his car up, and befriended him.

But at the end the kid was with his family, and his father coughed or sneezed and there was blood coming out of his nose. And the people in the neighborhood began to turn into (offscreen) monsters, who broke into the vampire's house and killed him before returning to normal.

That one freaked me out and amazed me.

If anyone could tell me the name of that episode, I'd sure appreciate it. I'm dying to see it again!
_________________
Damn!

Sweet! Thank you!
_________________
Damn!

Recent Headlines

Recent Reviews