Films/DVD Asylum

Interesting that no one has mentioned Altered States.

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This Post Has Been Edited by the Author

In Reply to: RE: Doncha love lists? The Thinking Person's Top Ten Sci-Fi Movies posted by Harmonia on January 08, 2009 at 23:47:26

I saw it not long ago and it's worn much better than it might have IMO.

This was William Hurt's film debut, and he takes the role and runs with it. I know this controversial film will be over the top for some inmates, especially those who are allergic to Ken Russell, but for me it's no more excessive than Aliens, and frankly, I find it a heckuva lot more searcing and entertaining. Whatever else you say about it, Altered States *is* thoughtful, it does ask the "big questions", and makes it all personal. The material was a good match for Russell, who was relatively restrained. (If only Russell had reined in Blair Brown's perfromance a bit.) The scientist John Lilly, on whose life and work the novel and film were based, liked the final product. So do I.

It was quite startling for its time - made 1979, released 1980. Won a bunch of awards. not musch discussed nowdays. Victim of the declining interest in hallucinogenics or backlash against Russell?

Follow Ups:

Loved it as well - Road Warrior 19:52:30 01/11/09 (0)
I loved that film. - sjb 17:53:15 01/11/09 (0)