Capital Celluloid 2017 - Day 93: Mon Apr 3

Brainstorm (Trumbull, 1983): Prince Charles Cinema, 8.45pm


Cigarette Burns Cinema introduction to this 70mm screening:
BRAINSTORM was the plaything of special effects wizard Douglas Trumbull, who wanted to maximise the screen and push cinema to new places, shot on 35mm and 70mm. Trumbull’s second and final feature, after having worked on some of the finest science fiction films of all time, 2001, Silent Running, Blade Runner, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, The Andromeda Strain. Sadly, his masterpiece was overshadowed by the death of its co-star Natlie Wood, rather than the ground breaking over the top special effects he employed.
Brainstorm is the first film Cigarette Burns thought of when the Prince Charles Cinema mentioned 70mm.


Chicago Reader review:
Douglas Trumbull's stab at science fiction for adults (1983) turns out to be an unconscious remake of Roger Corman's classic cheapie X—The Man With the X-Ray Eyes, though refitted with a sappy, spiritual ending. A group of research scientists construct a machine capable of recording and playing back every human sensory stimulus; as in the Corman film, the device becomes a metaphor for the privileged vision of the movies. Though the film finally succumbs to a trite and uncertainly constructed thriller plot (military nasties are trying to turn the project to their own evil ends), Trumbull deserves credit for trying to tie his special-effects extravaganza to some complex character relationships. With Christopher Walken, Natalie Wood, Louise Fletcher, and Cliff Robertson.
Dave Kehr


Here (and above) is the trailer.

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