Progetto Mindstorm

I've seen this movie, and it's not to be confused with David Cronenberg's movie : Scanners (1981); although both movies utilizes the same premise - i.e. mind power... it is a standard B action flick with lots of explosion dumb script, and bad CGI (which you can pinpoint right from the opening scene). I give it a 1 out of 5 stars.

This film is confusing at first, but it later becomes clear who is who, and what the aim of the characters is. Judge Reinhold, whom I admit I hadn't really noticed before, is obviously the well known name here, and although he actually doesn't get much screen time, he makes a big impact. The characters are sympathetic, and really, there are no 'bad guys'. There is, however, plenty of suspense. I found myself really cheering for the main characters - all they do, some of it pretty gruesome, is for good reason.

The setting is beautiful, and unusual, and the ending appropriate to the established concerns of the principals.

Definitely not a high budget movie, but filmed on location, Eastern Europe, and conveys a sense of place with a few beautiful churches and monasteries. Judge Reinhold carries this movie with understated authority and maturity that is miles away from his old comic persona. No comic scenes. Good character development of an appropriately cynical agent, but scenes without him are flat.

Plot pretty simple, but great to have a low impact action movie for once, without all those chase scenes, computerized monsters, and frenetic characters. Interesting Eastern European music seems to fit the movie. Much like a made for TV movie short of production funds. Not for everyone, but Judge Reinhold fans will like this role.

I enjoyed seeing Judge Reinhold in this role (I have not seen him for sometime), and this film was not a complete loser, but it did feature a weak plot, and was somewhat amateurish in execution. Let's put it this way. This would rate "good" as a student film. Oh, this picture was shot "on location" in Bulgaria and featured some fine scenery and exteriors. Incidentally, there are some major motion pictures, such as "Raising Arizona," (which really stunk, in my humble opinion!) I would rate lower than this picture.

The computer generated aircraft effects were a bit cheesy, but better than some I have seen.

Well, it was a dark gloomy November night. I was sitting in my sofa thinking what shall I do. The clock's pendulum just made hands align on 1am. I reclined back, wondering whether by watching this movie, I become excitedly thrilled with action or my heart would throb with fear of the unknown powers of human mind.

None of these expectations fulfilled. First 20 minutes of the movie I spend figuring out whether it is screenwright's, director's, actors' or componist's fault. I guess it was a bit - sorry - a LOT of all. The screenplay - I can't talk about a story as there ain't a hint of story to this movie - is horribly shallow, purposefully missing all good hooks that could send a shiver down your spine. Even such a straightforward moment as a mortal duel between two best friends passes without the viewer barely noticing anything happened. Actors were - well, matching the screenplay's standards. They walked, talked, breathed to not to suffocate, but that was it. One could expect more at least from J. Reinhold. Regarding the guy behind the camera - I hesitate to call that one a Director of Photography - he could shoot nice sunsets or party pictures. Not a movie. Too many static shots, too many mistakes in picture composition. And the music - I am sorry. There was none. Just some two beats sampled off some stoned DJ's houseparty, pretending to accompany the movie.

I managed to watch this tragical attempt, but I'm still considering claiming a health damage insurance. Sleeping, I'd make better use of the time.