Brain Damage reissue?

[zombi3]

I just read somewhere that Synapse is redoing the transfer for a new Brain Damage dvd. Does anyone know more about this?

[the.wicked.one]

Damnit. I hope not. I recently ordered their first Brain Damage dvd. Is the transfer any good on the old disk?

[zombi3]

The transfer on the first disc is great, but it's not anamorphic. I'm guessing that might be the reason for a possible reissue. I don't know anything about extras though.

[bruce h]

What, was my word on the other board not good enough?

[zombi3]

Originally posted by bruce h
What, was my word on the other board not good enough?

Oh shit, I didn't know that was you! :eek: (didn't read the sig) Word?

[bruce h]

Well, past accounts of mine on the board were banned due to a past problem with one of the heads, so I had to chose something a little more nondescript. Everything is cool now though.

[ian]

You weren't banned, Bruce, honest. There was a fuck up with your login. If you want 'word' changed back to Bruce Holechek (apologies if I spelled it wrong), just email me. I thought it had been taken care of or that you changed your name on your own.

[Shannafey]

Brain Damage is a damn good transfer! I traded mine to someone on the forum, because I wasn't much into the film, but it looked beautiful.

[betterdan]

I agree for being nonanimorphic this print looked great. Gotta love ole Aylmer.:D

[Andrew]

Love this movie. The DVD was awesome, one of the nicer transfers on an older DVD. Nice commentary too, but I wouldn't call it one of the greatest DVDs ever (*coughCujocough*). ;) :banana:

[THE MOVIE KING]

i'll buy it AGAIN! wish someone would do a Frankenhooker
16x9 enhanced DVD with a new HI-DEF transfer. :cry:

[betterdan]

I second that Movie King:banana:

[THE MOVIE KING]

Originally posted by betterdan
I second that Movie King:banana:

Right On :D

[Andrew]

This is available at Diabolik now, even though it's not supposed to come out until the 22nd. Anyway, has anyone seen it or have it on the way? I love the movie, but don't have the nicest TV (cough cough), so I'm not sure if it'd be worth the extra money. I'm a little more interested in the 5.1 track though.

[Pukenstein]

So it this really an HD-DVD?

[SaviniFan]

I'm happy enough with the first release that I don't feel the need to buy the new one. Gotta be a GREAT movie for me to double dip. This to me is just a good movie.

[Pumpkinhead]

Here are the details from Movietyme.

Waiting for my copy to be sent!

http://www.movietyme.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=15772

[zombi3]

Um...what happened to the commentary?:eek2:

[Pumpkinhead]

Originally posted by zombi3
Um...what happened to the commentary?:eek2:

Its still listed as being on the disc here.

http://www.turnerclassicmovies.com/MovieNews/Index/0,,26166,00.html

Have to wait 'til the disc comes to confirm if its still there!

[Mortis]

"Starring Rick ('Warlock III') Hearst, Gordon ('Thin Red Line') MacDonald, Jennifer Lowry


Directed by Frank Henenlotter

Released by Synapse Films

MOVIE:

You go through life, you get a job, you find a nice girl, then one morning you wake up and brain-hungry parasite has attached itself to you and promises to feed you psychotropic fluids as long as you keep him fed. That's life.

Not for all, no, but it is for Brian. When the phallic parasite known as Aylmer escapes from the old couple that's been keeping him weak with a diet of animal brains, the first place he heads is down the hall to the young and virile Brian. He's given massive hallucinations and made to feel really good thanks to the creature, and everytime Aylmer feeds (on human brains, the best kind apparently), Brian doesn't remember a thing.

When he discovers his underwear caked in blood, however, he begins to question the monsters' appetite, and soon learns that he's out killing innocent (and not-so-innocent) people every night, and he needs to put a stop to it. Doing so, however, is the equivalent of quitting heroin cold turkey, and soon the signing, philosophizing disembodied penis is right back on Brian's neck. But the creatures original owners need their fix, too...

Henenlotter is and always will be best known for the 'Basket Case' trilogy, which is kinda sad because 'Brain Damage' is better than all three of them put together. It does have it cult status, however, and for good reason. While most directors around the time the film was made (1988) were going for titillation and maniacal killers, Henenlotter dreamed up the idea of making a very perverse anti-drug film with copious amounts of gray matter and some less-than subtle sexual innuendoes, and he pulled it off wonderfully.

A cast of virtual unknowns, and ridiculously low budget, and a very small crew is generally something filmmakers avoid like the plauge, but Frank seems to thrive under those conditions. 'Basket Case' was the same way, with an even lower budget, and just look at how many people adore that film today. There's a lot to be said for a filmmaker that can produce something quality, something different, under the least likely circumstances, and I give Henenlotter mucho props for surprising me on this one.

Sure the effects are cheesy (though thank God he decided not to go with stop-motion animation like he did with 'Basket Case'), and the movie does show it's age, but if you look at it in the context of when it came out and the other horror films it was up against, I think you'll agree it was pretty ballsy. Did I mention how dated it looks, though? Brian's brother has a very heinous wardrobe, and his lust for Brain's supremely ugly girlfriend is just bizarre...

Endless issues with the MPAA did the exact thing I'm sure the association didn't want; gave 'Brain Damage' a shitload of press, but for the longest time you couldn't find the movie without some types of massive edits in place. Now, thanks to the fine folks at Synapse Films, it's finally available 100% uncut and unrated for the first time anywhere. You may have seen the movie countless times, I'm sure most of you have a beat-up VHS of it somewhere, but you've never seen it this good.

PICTURE:

Clean. Issue-free, considering the condition of the print (which I can't imagine was too bad since the film played theatrical only a handful of times). It was shot on 35mm so it looks a lot better than most low-budgeters of it's time, and a brand new widescreen transfer/cleanup makes it look even better.



SOUND:

One thing you never really notice in low-budget horror films (or at least I don't) is the score, but since the music is featured as an isolated track on this disc, I paid extra attention to it during the movie, and it sounds GREAT in 5.1 surround. You really wouldn't think a movie like this could benefit from a room-filling presentation, but you'd be very wrong. Excellent job by the Synapse crew on this one, as well.



EXTRAS:

Not too much, really. The commentary and isolated music tracks are the highlights, though I have to admit the animated menu (featuring Alymer in the sink singing the classic 'Elmer's Tune' surrounded by cheesy lights) is a great touch.

On the commentary track, along with Henenlotter, 'Shatter Dead' director Scooter McCrae is on hand, as is Bob Martin, former Fangoria editor and the man the novelized 'Brain Damage' for the masses. A very interesting mix, wouldn't you say? Henenlotter reminds me a lot of Quinten Tarrantino as far as speech patterns go; the man never shuts up. He's very excitable and energetic, and for a good amount of the time it's pretty entertaining, though I have to admit it gets a tad draining after a while.

Still, it's informative and full of cool anecdotes, mainly hearkening back to a New York City (where the film was entirely shot) that no longer exists. Something for you die-hard 'Brain Damage' fans...in Chapter 15 of the DVD, Bob Martin gives out his e-mail address for all those interested in nabbing a copy of the 'BD' novelization, apparently he still has quite a few left over. I know I'd love to check that out...

Scooter McCrae also lends some philosophizing to the liner notes, which might give you a slightly different view of the movie if you think it's subtext is all about the evil of drugs, and the isolated music score is a nice touch. The kinda thing I'd like playing the background when I trip out from the hallucinogens I have frequently injected into my brain.




PACKAGING:

The classic cover, with a bit more emphasis on the "class". I really like the sliver border, it draws your eyes to it quickly and helps it stand out, and that cover art is just great stuff.

I should also note that on December 31st, 2003 this disc is going to be put on permanent moratorium and will NEVER be available again (or so says Synapse) so do not delay in getting this disc if you know what's good for you."

http://www.creature-corner.com/reviews/braindamagedvd.php3

[Pukenstein]

Does anyone believe the 12/31 deadline?

[dwatts]

I don't believe the deadline. Synapse might lose the license, but of course, the film won't disapear forever.

Anyway, this one is not showing up on DDD - why is that?

[Jeffrey Dahmer]

I have no clue if this is true or not, but all I know is that this movie is a shitload of fun and I'll make sure to get a copy of it.

[patmcgahern]

*Important*
What happens if you try and watch a HD DVD on a normal tv?

[betterdan]

It's not really HD. It is mastered from an HD source like many other dvds.