Brainstorm

Starring:Christopher Walken, Natalie Wood, Louise Fletcher, Cliff Robertson, Jordan Christopher, Donald Hotton, Alan Fudge, Joe Dorsey, Bill Morey, Jason Lively, Darrell Larson, Lou Walker, Stacey Kuhne-Adams, John Hugh, Ira David Wood III, Keith Colbert, Jerry Bennett, Mary Fran Lyman, Jack Harmon, Nina Axelrod
Director: Douglas Trumbull
Studio: Warner Home Video
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com

Brainstorm is a fascinating but frustrating film, simply because it dabbles in greatness but fails to develop the fullest implications of its provocative ideas. It's a visually dazzling film with outstanding special effects; directed by veteran effects creator Douglas Trumbull, of 2001 fame; but too caught up in marvels of hardware and software at the expense of its characters, who remain interesting but dramatically two-dimensional. The story involves the development of a headset recorder that can replay one person's experiences--even their emotional states--into the mind of another. The device obviously invites corporate or military exploitation, and Cliff Robertson plays a ruthless executive determined to tap into its lucrative potential. But when a scientist (Louise Fletcher) records her own death experience with the device, along with incriminating evidence, the technology's inventor (Christopher Walken) must unlock the mysteries of his colleague's suspicious demise and the very nature of death itself. Punctuated by remarkable sequences from the perspective of those who use the mind-expanding headset, Brainstorm dares to reach for ambitious themes and innovative movie experiences, and that alone makes it eminently worthwhile. But with a conclusion that too literally interprets the afterlife experience with conventional angelic imagery, and a disappointingly thin role for Natalie Wood (who died while the film was still in production), the film strives for profundity and settles instead for an inspirational light show. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

DVD quality is horrible.......2007-04-21

Brainstorm is a great movie, but I wouldn't know that from the viewing I just had. The quality of this DVD is absolutely terrible. We spent the entire movie adjusting for extremes in brightness and contrast and still could not view some segments of the movie at all--the screen was completely black in some parts. You'd be better off buying or renting a VHS copy.

Brainstorm is NOT anamorphic.......2007-03-26

I loved the concept of the movie, but on a flat HD screen it doesn't fill the screen. Could we have a special edition in anamorphic widescreen?

Futuristic for its time.......2007-01-30

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.

MAJOR problems with plotting / characterization........2006-07-11

Douglas Trumbull had a very good idea and a clever way to maximize his uber-expensive FX shots with the mousetrap that is Brainstorm. Unfortunately, the film is anything but brainy and doesn't follow any compelling storyline. In fact, it turns into a new-agey 1980s lovefest by the end.

Basically the first third of the film does a fairly competent job of portraying the drama of a corporate lab that has just reached a tremendous technological breakthrough. Notice how I do not say scientific -- for there is woefully little of that in this film. The second third dances around some metaphysical issues related to tapping into the brain but none of these episodes goes anywhere or tackles the issue philisophically. It evinces a mock-luddite cautionary stance instead.

But where things really go bad is when the film decides to turn into a thriller in the last third -- with of course (as always) the United States military as the evil villain. Christopher Walken's motivations become increasingly muddled and the entire film just falls apart in front of your eyes. As usual with Trumbull, the optical effects are jaw-dropping fabulous, for the 2-3 minutes they are on screen. Just keep the guy away from a typewriter.

Widescreen Film on a 4:3 Disc.......2005-11-30

At theaters when the sequences with the Brainstorm-apparatus unfold throughout the movie, the ordinary widescreen image streched to full Cinemascope widescreen (originated in 65mm) and stereo sound. The Laserdisc recaptured this experience. This DVD has the ordinary picture in widescreen and LETTERBOXING the special scenes so these are even SMALLER instead of wider. Also there is a 4:3 version where all scenes are 4:3. This film would deserve a special edition supervised by Mr. Trumbull.

The Inventors' Guide to Making Your Brainstorm Bankable

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The Inventors' Guide to Making Your Brainstorm Bankable
Starring: Inventors Guide to Making Your Brainstorm Bankable
Manufacturer: Wellspring Media
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Kingpin Productions's Brainstorm (Snowboarding)

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Brainstorms a brewin
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ASIN: B00005U8QK
Release Date: 2002-01-29

Customer Reviews:

Brainstorms a brewin.......2003-10-13

this is an excellent film, as for the guy who rated it down because the jack@ss couldnt figure this was snowboarding, maybe be a little more observant. good footage, excellent array of riders.

Kingpin productions- Brainstorm.......2003-10-09

this is a awesome video its got everything from huge urban rails to backcountry booter and lucas hufman pulls the sickest back side rodeo seven of a huge booter this is a awesome movie i highly recomend it

This is NOT Brainstorm with Christopher Walken.......2003-04-13

No actor's name, no details listed whatsoever, so I now own a Snowboarding movie - sure hope it's good! (forced to pick a Star Rating which DNA here)

Not the movie with Christopher Walkin.......2002-10-09

This is a snowboard sports/adventure movie.

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3.5........The Sweet & Sour Review

Brainstorm, Vol. 3
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SHOW and MADK Present... Brainstorm 2: Emcee Battle of the Year

ASIN: B0006A9IHK
Release Date: 2004-12-07

Description

56 emcees face off for the title of Brainstorm 3. Defending champion Presence seeks to repeat against former foes such as Geologic and Surge Spittable along with up-and-comer Bad Luk. Rhode Island's Frankie Riptide and a lethal California contingent of NoCanDo, MC Orukusaki, Bo-Rat and Franco also have something to say about who gets served. Ultimately, only a judging panel that includes Canibus, Jake One and J-Live holds the power to Brainstorm. Performers include J-Live, Massive Monkees, Lifesavas, One Man Army and more.

Customer Reviews:

3.5........The Sweet & Sour Review.......2005-09-04

Well before i comment about the battle part itself.......The quality, sound, and picture were easily 5 stars!.........IMPECCABLE musical backgrounds & intros....Loaded with beautiful DJ scratches more potent than a venemous sting!....Lots of cool extras too on this dvd ( amazing trailers, live preformances by "Lifesavas","J-Live",,,Massive Monkees' breaking segment with "Rakim's- Know the Ledge" playing in the background!!)...As far as that,,this is easily 5 stars....Pure hip-hop at its rawest form displayed on the DVD's production effort!!!....The pre-lims at Chop Suey were damn good........Now.....The participants in the BrainStorm 3 battle is what gives this DVD a 3.5...Maybe the likes of Franco, (BS-3 winner) Bo-Rat, Surge Spittable, Orukusaki, etc..are considered "ill" by the Nor Cal and Seattle fans, BUT don't bring that sh&% here to Nyc,Jers,Boston, or Detroit!! You guys will frown in horror hearing some of the WORST punchlines i ever heard b4......Bad Luk's "you're wacker than a weed wacker" punchline scared me when the crowd was actually screaming loud over it.....The judges and the crowd are much to blame as far as how many talented emcees got robbed of advancing in the rounds ( See Illmaculate, Presence, NoCanDo, Hasaan, Frankie Riptide )...Basically those names i just mentioned are the highlights of the event...Personally, Presence should of gotten the win over Geologic(OMG this Asian kid is HORRIBLE :S).. But lately (even in Scribble Jam),,,the crowd prefers cheesy jokes and corny punchlines over ACTUAL flow talent....Honestly, i wanted to see F. Riptide verbally duke it out with Presence in the finals...Well all in all, this dvd aint the greatest nor the worst...Though i do hope the younger generation will come out with stronger and tighter emcees than what we got here...I dunno about all them internet cats saying that Nor-Cal has a talented battle roster lol :S...All these "Okwerdz, Mac-Lethals & XIs" need to stick to skateboarding and playing Tony Hawk on playstation.(no sort of mic presence WHATSOEVER in their skater apparel, and they want the minorities to buy their stuff too? lmao)..Like Murs said about them on "Served 3"...They might get alot of local love, but their style won't get them worldwide appeal...Amen to that! Bring back Craig G, Juice, and Immortal Technique!!..These doods are feared ANYWHERE in America with their slaying talent..hehe..Nuff said..

SHOW and MADK Present... Brainstorm 2: Emcee Battle of the Year

Average customer rating:

THIS is how it should be done!

SHOW and MADK Present... Brainstorm 2: Emcee Battle of the Year
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Brainstorm, Vol. 3

ASIN: B000092Q7F
Release Date: 2003-04-15

Description

This 90 minute DVD documentary, produced by The SHOW and MADK is the premier emcee battle with top-notch competition and organization. 64 contestants dueled in a head-to-head single-elimination free-style tournament that also included Biship I of Oldominion, world-class producer Vitamin D and Geologic of isangmahal.

Customer Reviews:

THIS is how it should be done!.......2005-09-10

Wow...before the goofy suburban skaters and backpacker battlers got shine (hence Okwerdz,Bo-Rat)...before, when you needed your own unique sound and not just delivering gay joke punchlines (hence Jin,Ron Noodles,Pimp Yo Mama)....There was this thing called battle emceeing,,,,which was something sacred that allowed an emcee to showcase his originality and rhyme pattern to the masses....without confiding solely on spitting homoesexual/apparel jokes about the opponent....And this is what you get here in Brainstorm 2!! I was kinda down with the expectations of this DVD when i had seen some goofy internet kid on the Scribble Jam forum saying BS 2 was horrendous compared to BS 3.....But it's apparent the kid is most likely a newbie to the whole battle vibe and thinks all battles should be conducted in the 8mile fashion. (jokes,jokes, and more jokes)...This isn't Def Comedy Jam (hence Hostyle, Swann).. NO NO NO, what you get here is young bucks at their prime ripping each others' throats to advance rounds!........Where do i even start?...Uh huh, the contestants all actually look and are dressed Hip-Hop...(Sage,Mac Lethal,Ant can shove their dorky lil fan base up their wazoo,,,,you come to a Hip Hop event you come correct or don't come at all! Keep your Tony Hawk apparel in the skater park!..You can easily get rushed here battling in a pair of 88 Avias and 10 yr old tight-fit denims)...Hell yeah Presence was serving cats like the Terminator with a detonator inside their [...]!...Icon the Mic King (the same dood who punched out Copywrite in SJ 10) aswell did a impeccable job with his rapid-fire cadence and his excellent form of interacting with the crowd as he slayed the Clucks!(Great movement on his behalf and agility!) The matches were WAY better set up than BrainStorm 3..Even the subpar contestants were HUNGRY as all hell with their verbal assaults ( though the only flaw of this DVD, is 90% of the kids rhyming on here obviously spit writtens )...I can't complain though.......Brainstorm 2 provides quality..BS 3 contains a more advanced soundscape and presentation...Buy both..but this one is my pick of which of the 2 is better..Sorta brings a tear to my eye...One day i hope they judge battles on rhyme-scheme,witt,appearance, and punchlines again like they did here & in the golden age of battling,,,,,Bring back Juice and Craig G!!! hehe.......Cop this...Nuff said..

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