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Brain Dead

Brain Dead

List Price: $9.98
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Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A twisted tale in the tradition of 'Twilight Zone'
Review: Charles Beaumont wrote for the original "The Twilight Zone" TV series, and this is more than worthy for people with similar expectations. Starring Bill Pullman as scientist Rex Martin. Martin studies brains for a living, but soon finds himself in a bizarre and twisted excursion in his own brain. Is he working for the Eunice Corporation, or is the Eunice corporation working on him? The story is hard to explain, and the twists are non-stop. I had an e-mail conversation with the director, Adam Simon, who reported that Roger Corman called this film his 'art film'. Similar to the ideas of 'Vanilla Sky', a 'Clockwork Orange', 'Lost Highway' and 'Brazil', this film will not disappoint those looking for a wild ride through the ether of thought.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A twisted tale in the tradition of 'Twilight Zone'
Review: Charles Beaumont wrote for the original "The Twilight Zone" TV series, and this is more than worthy for people with similar expectations. Starring Bill Pullman as scientist Rex Martin. Martin studies brains for a living, but soon finds himself in a bizarre and twisted excursion in his own brain. Is he working for the Eunice Corporation, or is the Eunice corporation working on him? The story is hard to explain, and the twists are non-stop. I had an e-mail conversation with the director, Adam Simon, who reported that Roger Corman called this film his 'art film'. Similar to the ideas of 'Vanilla Sky', a 'Clockwork Orange', 'Lost Highway' and 'Brazil', this film will not disappoint those looking for a wild ride through the ether of thought.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: A nifty, rarely-seen little gem
Review: Director Adam Simon once made a fascinating documentary about director Sam Fuller, and BRAIN DEAD can be read as his homage to Fuller's SHOCK CORRIDOR, since much of the plot has to do with who is and isn't insane, and what is and isn't reality.

Bill Pullman and Bill Paxton -- admit it, you've always gotten them confused -- co-star in this low-budget gem that was barely released to theaters, but now gets a decent DVD release. The sound and picture are just fine -- alas, producer Roger Corman takes his trademark cheapness even to DVD: there are no commentaries, no extra features save some bios and a few trailers, and there's not even a booklet inside the case!

In any event, this is a smart and suspenseful little movie, and one you'll enjoy trying to piece together long after it's over.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: BRAIN DEAD & Lost Highway
Review: I have never seen a reference to Brain Dead as having been one of the motivating precursors to the famous film, Lost Highway, but the similaities are very pronounced; from the subject matter of alternating or multiple realities, to the time loops, to even the same actor, Bill Pullman (although thanks to his fine acting range, it is like watching two completely different charactors).

If you haven't seen Lost Highway yet, viewing Brain Dead beforehand should help you appreciate both films that much more. Yes, the scenes in the low-budget Brain Dead have far less atmosphere and props than Lost Highway, BUT then the cleverness of the plot does not seem so "deliberately wrought" with every viewing step of the way, as it can in Lost Highway.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Oh, this is a hell of a scary movie...
Review: I have watched this movie once, and i will with plesaure se it again! It just tearing me apart in the chear..! Every time...

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: watch it!
Review: This has been a favorite of mine for years. It stars Bill Pullman and Bud Cort. I can not even go into deatail explaining this because it is a very hard to explain movie.

It's roughly about a scientist who studied brains for a living and soon becomes the brain that is being studied. Without knowing this the movie goes into super-twist mode. It is definitely a movie that will take a few watches to fully understand. A must see.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Four and Half Stars
Review: This little know cult film is truly brilliant. It plays like a feature length Twilight Zone episode, continually putting the viewer on edge wondering what is happening. I deduct a half a star because of the adecuate direction which brings down an otherwise perfect film.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Bring Back Brain Dead
Review: This movie is incredible! Pullman and Cort give outstanding, albeit confusing, performances. In addition, you will recognize some other fine actors like the ubiquitous George Kennedy and a young Bill Paxton. The plot is twisted upon itself so many times it will make your head spin with vain attempts at comprehension. But don't worry- it all makes sense (sort of) in the end. If you can find this movie, grab it with both hands and RUN home to your VCR. You won't be disappointed.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Oh, this is a hell of a scary movie...
Review: This movie makes the point that everyone's experience of "reality" is based upon the functioning of the brain. Mess with the brain, and reality changes. Perception of reality can easily be altered through brain injury, electric stimulation, drugs, etc.

For the length of the movie, we experience life through the eyes of a scientist played by Bill Pullman, who may be the victim of insanity, a brain injury, the manipulations of a supernatural figure or an evil corporation, etc. (you cannot be sure which until the end of the movie), and who may or may not have killed his family. Reality is constantly changing for him and no matter how real things may appear to be, it may all turn out to be an illusion at any second. Despite how disorienting this may be, the plot is very coherent and has a sense of continuity to it, and you feel as if the characters are moving towards a goal or some sort of resolution, unlike with many surreal films.

Written by Charles Beaumont, one of the most frequent scripters for the Twilight Zone, this movie is like an extended episode of the show (which often dealt with characters suddenly finding themselves fallen out of normal life and into a disorienting situation). Unfortunately, as interesting as the ride is, the ending (which is merely o.k.) left me feeling cheated. If it were a half-hour show, this would be more bearable, but you expect more after sitting through a feature-length movie.

It is a well-made, well-acted film worth watching at least once, maybe twice, but knowing the ending spoils it.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Fun Ride, Bad Ending
Review: This movie makes the point that everyone's experience of "reality" is based upon the functioning of the brain. Mess with the brain, and reality changes. Perception of reality can easily be altered through brain injury, electric stimulation, drugs, etc.

For the length of the movie, we experience life through the eyes of a scientist played by Bill Pullman, who may be the victim of insanity, a brain injury, the manipulations of a supernatural figure or an evil corporation, etc. (you cannot be sure which until the end of the movie), and who may or may not have killed his family. Reality is constantly changing for him and no matter how real things may appear to be, it may all turn out to be an illusion at any second. Despite how disorienting this may be, the plot is very coherent and has a sense of continuity to it, and you feel as if the characters are moving towards a goal or some sort of resolution, unlike with many surreal films.

Written by Charles Beaumont, one of the most frequent scripters for the Twilight Zone, this movie is like an extended episode of the show (which often dealt with characters suddenly finding themselves fallen out of normal life and into a disorienting situation). Unfortunately, as interesting as the ride is, the ending (which is merely o.k.) left me feeling cheated. If it were a half-hour show, this would be more bearable, but you expect more after sitting through a feature-length movie.

It is a well-made, well-acted film worth watching at least once, maybe twice, but knowing the ending spoils it.


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