Mindkiller

A creature-feature in which the creature has one minute of screen time out of about ninety. The audio mix is so terrible that what people are saying is often completely unintelligible due to loud music or ambient noise. It's as though the movie is purposely attempting to annoy the viewer with noises. Howling coyotes and TV static conspire to drive the viewer insane along with the film's antagonist. I hope whoever worked the sound on this movie stubs a toe for his terrible work on this project.

The only reason I give Mind Killer two stars instead of one is because I honestly can imagine a worse movie.

If you come across this on Tubi or wherever, SKIP.

Warren is a socially inept and very shy young librarian who is highly susceptible to self-help manuals.While pouring over one such book he discovers that by expanding his mind he can control his environment and the actions of other people.Disturbed by his changing personality his co-worker Larry and his room mate Brad attempt to help but instead become the objects of his wrath.Eventually Warren loses control.His overtaxed brain turns into a monster and bursts from his skull.The horribly mutant brain-creature takes on a life of it's own."Mind Killer" is an enjoyable horror trash with terrible acting and extremely bad creature effects.The central character of introverted Warren is an interesting touch.This movie is cheaply made and has that real cheap feel to it,but I have seen worse and more boring horror films.5 out of 10.

Library archivist Warren (Joe McDonald) discovers the notes of a mad scientist and starts putting his mind bending work to use. Naturally, the milquetoast guy is immediately no longer taking smack from his boss and talking up the object of his affection. These mind techniques are great! Too bad about the hair loss and oozing sores that come as a result of using them. Shot in Denver, CO., this might be best know for a few gooey creations by Vincent Guastini and Ted Bohus (masters of that field circa 1987). That is only in the last 15 minutes though and nothing else much is going on here. The most interesting thing is co-star Wade Kelly (as nerd Larry) looking like the spittin' image of Jerry Lewis. The sad news? I've watched this film twice (once in 1990 and again this year). And, yes, I realize I've watched a 90 minute film called MIND KILLER twice and that point has dawned on me.

My review was written in November 1987 after watching the film on Prism video cassette.

"Mind Killer", previously titled "Brain Creature", is a modest made-for-video horror feature from Denver filmmakers.

Joe McDonald is featured as Warren, a nerd working in the library's basement archives, who unsuccessfully hangs out with fellow nerd (and trivia expert) Larry (Christopher Wade) in singles bars where the girls won't give either of them a tumble.

When Warren finds a book by Vivac Chandra on total mind control, he is suddenly full of energy and confidence, causing women to be entranced by him. Film ventures into sci-fi territory as Warren and later Larry develop psychokinetic powers. Warren uses his new mental abilities to try and force pretty librarian Sandy (Shirley Ross) to obey his will, but several yucky makeup effects later, Larry uses a machine to subdue Warren, who has mutated into a brain monster.

Film's cheapo production values are very restricting, with the brain monster looking like a leftover from the minor horror pic "The Deadly Spawn". Vincent Guastini's makeup effects bring back the boring bladders-under-the-skin and dripping goo motifs of countless horror films. Acting is adequate, on the level of regional theater.

"Mind Killer" is one of those crazy & cheesy late 80's horror movies that I vividly remember renting at the video store solely because the VHS cover looked so appealingly nasty! The cover image of this particular gem I always remembered because it boosted an illustration of a heavily mutated human brain with one evil eye and a set of sharp teeth. By now, nearly twenty years later, movies such as this one are not much more than forgotten guilty pleasures of the video store generation. They really don't make 'em like this anymore, but the nowadays generation of horror fans probably sees that as a blessing, because they honestly wouldn't be interested in a horror flick about a psychic killer-nerd, complete with tacky make-up effects and an insufferable pop-music soundtrack. I swear; if "Mind Killer" had been any more eighties, my haircut would have spontaneously taken the shape of a Duran Duran or Flock of Seagulls video clip! The story introduces library clerk Warren, a social outcast who feels severely frustrated because he can't find a girlfriend in spite of his video course material and the continuous advice of his hunky roommate Brad. When Warren discovers a manuscript about the art of mind controlling, his luck seems to be turning. He abuses the newly gained psychic powers for all sorts of silly pranks and even manages to conquer the will of his muse and co- worker Sally. But Warren becomes dangerously obsessed with expanding his mind powers and his brain gradually mutates into a self-operating monster.

Okay, it's probably due to childhood memories, but I really like "Mind Killer". Admittedly the first hour resembles more of a romantic soap opera and the wannabe comical interludes are pretty pathetic, but the cheese 'n charm factor is truly irresistible. The crazy plot is never boring and actually becomes more suspenseful along the way. Joe McDonald, the guy playing Warren yet never starred in anything else, is a reasonably creepy guy with a perverted stare and throbbing eyes. The last ten to fifteen minutes are outrageously campy, with virulently attacking brains and tremendous overacting. There's also a supportive character that doesn't cease to howl like a coyote wolf, for some reason, and a bit of gratuitous nudity when Warren picks up a girl in a bar who's about twice his size and looks like an even manlier version of Brigitte Nielsen. Recommended, but only if you were born between 1970 and 1982 and spent your teenage years scrutinizing video stores for hidden horror treasures.