The early ‘80s were notable in the sci-fi/thriller/horror filmmaking as brain and mental energy became the focus of several sci-fi productions by reputable filmmakers. So when David Cronenberg attracted attention with Scanners (1981) and Videodrome (1983), Douglas Trumbull produced and directed Brainstorm (1983) – a movie that shuffles across genres quite distinctly before sliding down a slope to nowhere. If you were left wondering what the heck happened with Brainstorm, you are not alone.

For its setting and pace through its first half, Brainstorm proceeds rather slowly. The research team of Michael Brace (Christopher Walken), Lillian Reynolds (Louise Fletcher), Karen Brace (Natalie Wood), and Alex Terson (Cliff Robertson) is seen pursuing their goal of recording human sensory p...

Please subscribe to keep reading.