Brainstorm
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Movie Reviews of Brainstorm
Movie Review: Rating Brainstorm on what it should have been
Summary: 5 Stars
Not too many people have seen Showscan movies. For some reason, they were released in (I think) selected Chucky Cheese's pizza shops.Some friends and I drove 2 hours across Missouri to see Showscan and it was the most realistic picture we had ever seen.
Showscan was a 65mm film presented at 60 frames per second (fps). Studies had shown this to be the frame repetition rate at which the brain would integrate the frames seamlessly and accept it as true motion. Most movies are 24 fps, although each frame is shown multiple times to reduce flicker.
But you can tell that it's not real. US TV, which operates at 60 fields per second approximates the Showscan presentation. The difference between this and normal films is obvious - most people can tell a video source from a film source. They may not know why the video seems to have more presence, but the frame rate is the answer.
Brainstorm was originally produced to use Showscan projectors for the times when people were experiencing "reality" with their headsets. This would have clearly stood out from the rest of the film, and would have seemed much more real.
Perhaps only Doug T. saw the project in the 24/60 fps version. I know I didn't. However, from my experience with Showscan, I can state without reservation that this would have been one hell of a film as originally conceived. The "reality" changes would have more than made up for any other problems with acting or scripting. The "WOW" factor would have overridden all other criticism.
As for the dialog and acting being a little clunky - well, have you ever seen early stereo or 3D movies? They tended to concentrate on exploring the technology instead of the picture. Perhaps Showscan could have evolved to the state that 3D did with Hitchcock's "Dial M for Murder." Or perhaps not.
In any event, this would be an excellent roadshow movie (like the restored version of "Lawrence of Arabia") to show what the movie should have been.
And perhaps on a future DVD we'll have the helmet versions of reality replaced with 60 fields per second video. The difference should be obvious.
Thanks, Doug, for trying to pull this off. If you ever want to invite me to see your master copy with Showscan, I'll be out in California in an instant!
Rick
Movie Review: Fletcher and Wood at the top of their game
Summary: 5 Stars
My god has it been 17 years since this film was released in theatres! I saw it as a kid and was absolutely blown away by it. Louise Fletcher deserved at least an Oscar nomination for best supporting actress...she tears through her limited screentime with a ferocity and vivacity that is rarely seen these days. When she's confronting the government types who want to steal the "mind-recording" machine she and fellow scientist Chris Walken have invented, it is truly a great acting moment. Her barking at boss Cliff Robertson to "don't you goddamn me, sweetheart" and then proceeding to almost have a heart attack in the ladies room is a classic cinema moment. Natalie Wood had not finished filming all her scenes before her tragic death, but its hardly noticeable. She had that most incredible, expressive face and director Trumbel chose to hold on that in many key moments. When Walken plays back his memories of her (Wood and Walken's marriage is crumbling), the joy on her face is so real. The music for the film is also amazing...from the haunting opening score to the joyous music that surrounds Walken and Wood on their journey. Fletcher's heart attack, where she records her own death experience, is truly disturbing, and Walken's attempt to play it back (which almost kills him)is also terrifying. A beautiful, brave film. Fletcher needs more work like this. And of course, Natalie Wood is missed greatly.Movie Review: Futuristic for its time
Summary: 5 Stars
The movie Brainstorm is not only thought provoking it is entertaining. Though filmed in the early 1980s, the plot could be taken from the pages of today's cutting edge science journals. The idea behind the story is that scientists have developed the means of recording or transmiting the world we see, touch, and smell, with all sensory reactions in place. In reality, this is now being seriously considered by scientists. The technical aspects of the film are as believable as any other film of its era, so the viewer will not be bored with the visual quality of the film. The acting is superb with academy-award-winning actor Christopher Walken playing the lead. Strong support is provided by Natalie Wood, who plays the estranged but reconciling spouse of Walken's character. The fact that the plot involves the two main characters trying to gain access to the recorded experience of a scientist as she dies makes this film especially interesting; the producers had to scramble to finish it, for Natalie Wood tragecially drowned before the filming was finished.Movie Review: Brainstorm ~ Douglas Trumbull
Summary: 5 Stars
Brainstorm~ Douglas Trumbull is a movie that tells the story about a team of scientist headed that have created a machine that can record memories. Natalie Wood and Christopher Walken play their roles with vigor and resolve. Walken is amazing in the role as the scientist and Wood plays the role of his wife very well indeed. The technology does look quite ancient but the idea to store memories still has not been achieved. The special effects also look quite cheap and as if they were put on a tight budget. The ethical question raised and the intelligent dialogue and script make up for this. The movie also lacks a good soundtrack and the music in the movie is minimal and that could have been something that they could have put a bit more time and effort on. Apart from this, Brainstorm is a delightfull movie that is still very relevent and has amazing actors in it. Not to be missed.Movie Review: Excellent
Summary: 5 Stars
I saw this movie when it first came out and still love it! I still it watch now and then.
Too bad they did not make a sequel, but then again, good they didn't cause the sequels are usually duds!
I love the idea of the invention, it would be great to be able to see, feel, taste, where it would be impossible to actually experience personally!