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Manipulations

Original title: The Brain
  • 1988
  • R
  • 1h 34m
IMDb RATING
5.2/10
3.9K
YOUR RATING
Manipulations (1988)
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Body HorrorHorrorSci-Fi

A psychologist with an increasingly popular TV show brainwashes his audiences using a giant living brain. A mischievous high school student is sent to the psychologist's institute, and becom... Read allA psychologist with an increasingly popular TV show brainwashes his audiences using a giant living brain. A mischievous high school student is sent to the psychologist's institute, and becomes determined to expose him.A psychologist with an increasingly popular TV show brainwashes his audiences using a giant living brain. A mischievous high school student is sent to the psychologist's institute, and becomes determined to expose him.

  • Director
    • Ed Hunt
  • Writer
    • Barry Pearson
  • Stars
    • Tom Bresnahan
    • Cynthia Preston
    • David Gale
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    5.2/10
    3.9K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Ed Hunt
    • Writer
      • Barry Pearson
    • Stars
      • Tom Bresnahan
      • Cynthia Preston
      • David Gale
    • 52User reviews
    • 46Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Videos1

    The Brain
    Clip 1:59
    The Brain

    Photos89

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    Top cast21

    Edit
    Tom Bresnahan
    Tom Bresnahan
    • Jim Majelewski
    • (as Tom Breznahan)
    Cynthia Preston
    Cynthia Preston
    • Janet
    • (as Cyndy Preston)
    David Gale
    David Gale
    • Dr. Anthony Blakely
    George Buza
    George Buza
    • Verna
    Christine Kossak
    Christine Kossak
    • Vivian
    • (as Christine Kossack)
    Bret Pearson
    • Willie
    Bernice Quiggan
    • Mrs. Driscol
    Susannah Hoffmann
    Susannah Hoffmann
    • Becky
    Justine Campbell
    • Doreen
    Robert King
    • Mr. Sweeting
    Kenneth McGregor
    • Mr. Woods
    • (as Ken McGregor)
    Vinetta Strombergs
    • Ms. Chisolm
    Richard Gira
    • Mr. Majelewski
    Wendy Springate
    • Mrs. Majelewski
    Harry Booker
    • Officer Marks
    Peter Read
    • Security Guard
    Steve Mousseau
    • The Weird Man
    Garry Bron
    • Police Detective
    • Director
      • Ed Hunt
    • Writer
      • Barry Pearson
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews52

    5.23.9K
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    Featured reviews

    8CMRKeyboadist

    So Bad, So Good

    I can't even count how many times I have watched this movie throughout the years. I consider myself lucky to even own a copy of this movie. This is easily one of my all time favorite bad films. If you're expecting something decent just walk away because The Brain is not for you. This is simply for the true lovers of bad cinema.

    The late David Gale has a show on TV that is a therapeutic type of show. Many people in this town watch the show and rather enjoy it. What they don't know is the show is being masterminded by a giant brain from outer space and it's sending brainwashing signals threw the TV. Only one teenage boy is able to fight away these signals and decides to take matters into his own hands after the brain brainwashes everyone in town making them think that the boy is murdering people.

    I can't say that the acting is anything great but David Gale is always a pleasure on screen, even if the script given to him sucks. Some of the special effects are good but most of them are just silly. The brain itself is actually pretty cool looking if you can put aside how ridiculous it looks. The brain does have an interesting transformation scene from just being a regular looking brain to what looks like a giant rotting monkey head.

    I have to say I really liked this movie even if most of my friends can't get through the first 30 minutes of it. But then again, I can sit through just about any garbage cinema you give me and find something enjoyable about it. 8/10 stars
    7kosmasp

    A no brainer?

    I can only assume I am the first one to make that pun ... not! But that aside, you have to have some love for B-Horror movies to like this. It is slimy and gross to say the least. The effects are quite decent considering the budget and when it was made.

    There are flaws and holes in the story and characters will act strangely to say the least. But that is what you get with movies like these. Also the cool (and fun) practical effects this has. An 80s movies through and through ...
    5gavin6942

    Not a Bad Little Film

    Dr. Blake (David Gale) runs a TV show called "Independent Thinkers", which is sort of a Scientology-like self-help/religion program. But he is not making his audience think any more independently; with the help of an alien organism he calls the Brain, he is using brainwashing and mind control.

    It is always wonderful to see David Gale, who had far too few movie roles and we shall miss him. His role here is not one that requires a large amount of screen time, but he is a crucial part of the story.

    There are some cool monster effects here. Monster arms, jaws, a brain... definitely better than average and I hope the effects crew has gone on to do something notable.
    sebpopcorn

    Caution: sodium in use

    The Brain is the story of an evil alien brain that tries to take control of the world through a threadbare looking self-help show. When it fails to take control of a rebellious teenager it sets him up as a murderer which as it turns out is pretty easy. If you shout "he killed them" to the cops they will believe you, even if you are holding an axe and there is a headless cop at your feet.

    The effects for this movie range between shoddy and outright hilarious. The brain itself is obviously the comedy highlight but also memorable is the explosion where two very obvious fireworks can be seen. The story itself isn't that bad and there is some good acting, the thing is though you'll just be laughing at the effects too much to notice much else. I'm not saying it's well written though, the ending is spelt out in mile high letters within 20 minutes which is a bit of a shame.

    People are always saying that bad movies are "so bad they're good" but this is one film that's genuinely deserving of that accolade. I really enjoyed it, if you feel like some cheap laughs and a watchable story you'll find them with this movie.
    8barrylynch

    Great schlock! A for effort!

    The Brain reprises familiar cliches well known to B-movie audiences. All we need to say is an alien brain uses TV, along with self-serving humans (of course), to try to control a small town, then, hopefully the world. It's up to two teenagers, a high school delinquent and his girlfriend to stop the Brain. The effects are cheesy!, the acting is laughable!, the production quality is abhorrent!, the plot unbelievable!, but yet the whole of the movie comes off as rather endearing tongue-and-cheek stuff. Kind of a gem in a backhanded sort of way!

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Ed Hunt asked Cynthia Preston if she'd be nude during the scene where she's laying in the floor after having sex, but she refused. She would agree to go naked in later films and TV shows though.
    • Goofs
      The dialogue implies that the story takes place in the US, but the road signs are obviously Canadian.
    • Quotes

      Dr. Anthony Blakely: [watching The Brain eat a nurse] That's food for thought!

    • Crazy credits
      WARNING: The washroom scene is a dramatic representation. Combining sodium and water may cause serious injury. Do not attempt it!!!
    • Connections
      Featured in Svengoolie: The Brain (1995)

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    FAQ

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 4, 1988 (Canada)
    • Country of origin
      • Canada
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • La mente
    • Filming locations
      • Xerox Research Centre of Canada - 2660 Speakman Drive, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada(Psychological Research Institute)
    • Production companies
      • Brightstar Films
      • International Video Entertainment (IVE)
      • Shapiro-Glickenhaus Entertainment
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 34 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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