ALTERED STATES

1980 **** 103 mins.

Let me just begin by saying that this is one crazy movie. I guess that's why I love it!

To explain the story, I'm going to quote the VHS cover pictured above. "Altered States is the mysterious, terrifying, incredible tale of Dr. Eddie Jessup, a research scientist who believes that other states of consciousness are as real as the everyday reality we all experience. First using sensory deprivation equipment, then adding powerful hallucinogenic drugs, he begins to explore these altered states . . . and endures experiences that make madness seem like a blessing."

This is a fun, if not strange, film to sit through, and if it doesn't put a "what the hell?" look on your face . . . then you must be a David Lynch fan! Either way, this is an intriguing film about the hidden parts of the mind that can be a bit hard to understand at times (due to all of the scientific jargon), and after 90 minutes of great bewilderment, the ending seems to be a bit unsatisfactory. Don't let that stop you, though, from experiencing Altered States. Also, look for Drew Barrymore as one of Jessup's daughters, in her feature film debut.
Rated R for language, violence/gore, nudity, and sexual content.

• Original theatrical aspect ratio: 1.85:1
• Original theatrical release date: December 25, 1980
• Screenplay was written by the original author of the book, but then ordered his name taken off.

• ACADEMY AWARDS NOMINATIONS: Best Music, Original Score (John Corigliano) and Best Sound (Arthur Piantadosi, Les Fresholtz, Michael Minkler, and Willie D. Burton)
• ACADEMY OF SCIENCE FICTION, FANTASY & HORROR FILMS AWARD: Best Make-Up Dick Smith (Tied with Dick Smith for Scanners)
• ACADEMY OF SCIENCE FICTION, FANTASY & HORROR FILMS AWARDS NOMINATIONS: Best Director (Ken Russell), Best Science Fiction Film, and Best Writing (Sidney Aaron)
• GOLDEN GLOBE AWARDS NOMINATION: New Star of the Year in a Motion Picture - Male (William Hurt)

• The film presented in full frame
• Hi-Fi Dolby Stereo
• Closed Captioned for the hearing impaired