Rating: 
Summary: An entertaining visual extravaganza...
Review: ... with a rather interesting, engaging plot and a liberal dash of mysticism. I have to wonder about some of the other reviewers who've commented on this film... they seem to me to be about at the level of the ape-creature halfway through the film. That's not even touching on the great unwashed masses who are unable to comprehend a film like this on *any* level, let alone those people with an ability to write an amazon review (or perhaps spell correctly -- and those who cannot crawl forth from underneath the proverbial rock). At what evolutionary level are they? Whether we ever find out or not, this classic film will continue to engage and entertain those have dared questioned the meaning of existence, asked themselves "who am I?" or pondered anything deeper than a McChicken sandwich or beer & a football game.
Rating: 
Summary: Put down the camera, Mr. Russell....
Review: ...and no one will get hurt.How anyone gives Ken Russell the money to make a film is beyond me. I guess stranger things do happen in the world of film beyond Hollywood. Altered States is silly, dumb tat masquerading as metaphysical cinematic art. "Lair of the White Worm" at least had more entertaining camp.
Rating:
Summary: A Classic Film - With A Small Asterik
Review: A film powered by a fascinating subject, Ken Russell's Altered States has a number of redeeming and entertaining qualities that make it stand-out. A classic sci-fi intelligent horror film, Altered States is full of visual symbolism, as well as religious and social overtones. The special effects were ground-breaking, especially the metamorphsis scenes of Hurt's various body parts buckling and swelling like something out of "Alien." The theme of the story is nothing new, good old Love and affection can conquer all and is what the main character is really looking for all along, etc.., Hurt's character, Eddie Jessup, is a research scientist at his local University who believes that memory is passed on through genes. By shutting himself into an isolation tank full of water, naked, in total darkness, under the influence of a psychotic drug he obtained from Mexico, Jessup believes he could unlock the mysteries of man's origin. The grandfather of all experiments, the ultimate scientific goal. Jessup's obsession turned out to be his tragic flaw and led him to his ultimate satori. The acting, especially by Blair Brown, can be a bit on the Hollywood side, with stereotypical characterizations and some cliche'd dialogue. But this film is powered by it's subject matter utimately, and it's directing. This one is shown in various Film Arts classes throughout the country, with good reason. This movie is...for just about anyone.
Rating: 
Summary: Nice DVD Remaster of Award-Winning Sci-Fi w/ Great Cast!
Review: A sci-fi favorite of mine, this Academy Award winning film had fallen into obscurity on the video shelves, but is now back with all its original impact in a sharp, well-colored remaster with a brilliant digital 5.1 rendering of the Oscar-winning soundtrack. Ken Russell directs one of his more accessible films (compared to, say, THE DEVILS) based on the novel by Paddy Chayefsky, who, in a move remeniscent of Stephen King on THE SHINING, had his name taken off this movie because he didn't like the director's interpretation of his subject matter. The film boasts a high-quality cast of young actors from William Hurt in his major film debut to John LaRocquette in the small role of an X-ray technician. Whoever cast this knew whom to select from the period's roster of young talent. Charles Haid, frankly, has never been more impressive as the fast-talking and brilliant skeptic and Bob Balaban is outstanding and self-assured in the role of the supportive friend who forgives Hurt his eccentricities but worries that he may be going crazy. Blair Brown is sexy and appealing and frequently nude as Hurt's just-as-brainy wife anthropologist, and one of the most interesting aspects of this movie is the dialog between these two intellects from the moment they first begin their sizzling sexual liason through their matter-of-fact decision to marry, then divorce, then finally redeem their relationship -- while nearly losing Hurt's character to his high-risk experiments. Among other interesting subplots is Hurt's spiritual ambiguity since his father's fearful death, Hurt's notion that schizophrenia and related conditions may be "altered states" rather than diseases, Blair Brown's pragmatic decision to love Hurt's character, and marry him, despite the fact that he appears not to be wired to love her in return. For the sci-fi fan there is the once-removed-from-reality premise that man may be able to physically alter his reality through changes in consciousness, whether via the isolation tanks Hurt utlizes in his experiments, or through complex hallucinogenic drugs he researches after an experience with an obscure indian tribe in Mexico. The special effects and the special make-up for Hurt's "throwback" missing link are first rate for their time and still look fairly stunning today. One of the things that impresses me about this movie is that the hallucinatory sequences, while wowing us in a post-psychedelic kind of way, also make sense in terms of the protagonist's life and experience; far more than just kaleidoscopes, the content of the montages are grounded in the story, rather than detouring us from it with eye candy. Ken Russell's religious viewpoint plays a part in the choice of imagery here, but the symbols of crucifixion, the beast and the Bible do not seem intrusive or sensational because they fit seamlessly with the Hurt character's internal struggle. For the student of sociology, this movie offers a peek into the "turned on" 60s idea that drug experiences actually led somewhere -- a notion we now know to be tragically false. But at one time there was speculation that some drugs "expanded the mind" and deepened the life experience, either in terms of increasing one's understanding of the meaning of life or in some fashion maturing one's personality. The only reason this movie still works today is because the movie makes clear that in some tribes, there are substances that are traditionally and successfully used in spiritual rituals, and it is one of these that Hurt uses, in combination with sensory deprivation techniques, to try to get in touch with his own "genetic memory", for lack of a better term. Again, this movie has much to recommend it, and the DVD release makes possible an experience in the home viewing much like we enjoyed in the theater on first run. Popularly priced, I snapped it up without hesitation for my collection and was rewarded with a very nice presentation of an old favorite. Not much in the way of extras here, just trailers and some text screens for cast, crew and background, but it's still a value, and you get to see the whole 1:1.85 image.
Rating:
Summary: Very thought-provoking and inventive.
Review: A story of a professor who has been experimenting with sensory deprivation, and experiments on himself while under the influence of hallucinogenic drugs. He regresses into an ape-man, and it shows the effects. This makes you think, and want to try it yourself. The only set-back is the 70's-ish "LSD" visuals like they used in 2001 on Dave's "space trip"...I would reccommend this to anyone who likes to think and is open-minded.
Rating:
Summary: A Terrific Sci-Fi/Thriller.
Review: A young scientist (William Hurt in his First Role) playing wanting to be God. When he finds a Unique Way to Hallucinatory by using Mind Alterting Drugs to Execurstions the Former Life, he had to Sheer Terror to Experience Disturbing Physical Changes in his body that point toward an Evolutionary Regression. This is one of these movies, at times, you can`t help but to be Swept Along... and almost overwhelmed. Directed by Ken Russell (Gothic) had made a Unique film. Strong Performances by Hurt, Blair Brown, Bob Balaban and Charles Haid. Watch Quick for a young:Drew Barrymore, John Larroquette and George Gaynes. This film has Unique Visual Effects, and fine Make-Up Effects. This film recieves Oscar Nomination for Sound Effects and Best Music Score. DVD`s has an strong anamorphic Widescreen (1.78:1) transfer (Pan & Scan also alivable) and an terrific Digitally Remastered Soundtrack in Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound (One of the Best Sounding Dolby Digital Tracks on a DVD). An bizarre, unusual film. Grade:A-.
Rating:
Summary: Watch for the Music
Review: Actually, the premise of this film is extremely dated, maybe confined to those who wish to relive the 60's and 70's...but, there is a fascinating musical score associated with this film. The composer who wrote the film score is John Corigliano--you may know him from a 'AIDS' Symphony that has been widely performed as a gratuity to contemporary music. I cannot recommend that piece, but I do, heartily, recommend this musical score that this film uses to dramatize the altered states of mind that Jessup (our hero) is going through. Some of the visual effects are pretty cheezy by today's standards, the music is far better than most film music being included today. The opening sequence seems to contain the most interesting passages, with a great deal of modern sonorities in evidence. The scene when Jessup takes the Native Mexican mushroom-blood mixture is also an interesting moment in the musical score--it is a very modernized Sacre, with a large percussion barage. Hearing this in the fine sound that DVD provides is truly a sonic experience: it will annoy the hell out of your neighbors.
Rating: 
Summary: Has it's moments ... but will leave you disappointed
Review: Altered States is a movie that I always wanted to see. Could never find it on video rental, so when I saw it at a reduced price on DVD I thought I'd grab it. Afterall, I quite like Ken Russell films. I had read mixed reviews on this film but was prepared to give it a fair go. Firstly, it was made in 1980. Secondly, it's important not to take it too seriously. By 40 minutes into the film, friends looked up and said "this is complete garbage, can we please turn it off". Well, we did. A day or so later I watched the rest, and then some good moments came up. The scene where Hurt becomes an apeman and roams the city is quite enjoyable. After that, the film continues its downward spiral. The ending really lets the movie down too. It is so sudden, it makes you feel [taken advantage of]. If you're a Ken Russell fan though, you'll want this movie in your collection to complete it.
DVD Summary:
The 5.1 soundtrack is the best part of the movie. In fact, it is so fantastic in many scenes that I can't applaud it enough - good use of the subwoofer. Amazing that they spent time remastering this soundtrack when the film itself was rather disappointing.
The picture quality is ok, not alot of grain. Both widescreen and full frame versions are provided on the disc. Overall Comment:
A disappointing film with some moments of impressive special effects for the time (1980).
Rating:
Summary: Break on through, yeah
Review: Altered States of Consciousness is actually a field of study. And though it is not really considered a science(not yet anyway) there is a body of work on the subject and it is taught at universities. I took the course at UCSB in '83 and it is an impossibly murky subject. First though I saw this film and still love it. Ken Russell is not interested in science obviously and though the phrases used like "ancient memories", and "primitive regression", and "genetic regression" sound good the frontiers of consciousness are impossible to chart. The science of psychology remains a hopelessly subjective one. But this film takes some of its concepts and brings them to life, quite literally by having the body undergo physical changes that coincide with different psychic states. Thus altered states as an empirical science is born, at least for the film it is. Psychic experience can not be filmed, but the effects the minds journey has on the body can be. Great concept, makes for a great visual experience. Using a sensory deprivation tank and some Mexican mushrooms William Hurt takes you on a visual journey to the origins of consciousness. And in so doing every system of belief is deconstructed(myth, religion)until there is nothing left but naked man staring at matter. Hurt is searching for ultimate truth but it seems there is no ultimate truth, no source of consciousness, just regression to more primal forms and even further regression to mere matter or energy and this realization is what brings Hurt back from the perilous extremes of his researches and into full contact for the first time with his own temporal life and love. A wild ride. 79 was apparently the year of the Doors. Apocalypse Now used The End to great effect, and this film uses Light My Fire. The song is playing while the academics harmlessly enjoy a little mother nature at the beginning of the film. By films end the doors of perception have been slammed wide open. Almost expected to see William Hurt wearing leather pants at some point but that may have been too obvious. Great film for speculative thinkers and those who enjoy an occasional wild ride in the scifi / horror genre.
Rating: 
Summary: To The Ft. Lauderdale Reviewer
Review: Amanita muscaria generally grows in rainy areas under coniferous trees. It has historically been used by North Americans, European, Siberian peoples,(not those of central and south america who have other forms of psychedelic plants, ie ayahuasca, psilocybin mushroom, saliva divinorum, etc). Even if it were plausible that these were amanita mushrooms, do you think that this type of trip would have been likely....losing consciousness...to the point that you dont remember what happened during the trip? I dont think so...only someone utterly ignorant of the effects of psychedelics would posit such a thing. So, that part is not realistic at all. Neither is the sensory deprivation tank (I have also used these types of tanks). The idea is complete sensory deprivation...Not speaking with someone while engaged in the experience!
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