Man with the Screaming Brain

source: Man with the Screaming Brain

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I saw this film at a screening last night in Portland. In general, I would only recommend this film to people who are hardcore Bruce fans. It contains some humorous moments, and the final scene in which Bruce is cradling his dying robot wife almost makes up for the more boring stretches in the film. Considering that the film was made on such a low budget, I think that they did a relatively good job, but it just isn't a very proficient film in terms of the craft that went into it - but again, this is basically a consequence of working off an extremely small budget. The most interesting part of the screening was Bruce's opening Q&A with the audience, in which he revealed a future project of his. Apparently, he will be making a film in conjunction with Dark Horse comics in which he plays himself. The premise is that there is a town that is being terrorized by some monster and somebody suggests that they bring in "the Evil Dead guy" to help out. But since Bruce Campbell the actor doesn't really have any monster fighting abilities, his arrival only results in more people dying as a result, and things just end up getting much, much worse. I think the idea is brilliant and it will be interesting to see how it is executed. But getting back to The Man With The Screaming Brain, my suggestion is to not go in with your expectations too high. It's a disposable made-for-TV movie that has a few good Bruce Campbell moments. It isn't going to convert anybody over to Bruce, but if you're already converted, then it's worth a watch.

I just watched this movie on TV, because I was in the mood for a cheesy sci-fi flick. You know, the kind of movie that you can't help but laugh at. Thankfully, my expectations were met and then some. The Man with the Screaming Brain was one of the most stereotypical, poorly acted, badly written, and terribly directed pieces of crap I've ever seen. Did Bruce Campbell think that this was actually good? I mean seriously... Who would have spent their time on such an awful film? It wasn't creative, it was devoid of wit, it lacked any shred of originality, and it certainly wasn't clever in any way shape or form. When I was watching this movie, I couldn't help but think about the money that was wasted on this filth. That money could have gone towards something meaningful or beneficial towards the rest of the human race. Instead, Bruce Campbell has made us all stupider for having made this film.

As a Bruce Campbell fan for nearly two decades, I was thrilled to have an opportunity to see his latest film on the big screen with the man himself in attendance. Unfortunately, "Man with the Screaming Brain" was itself a disappointment. Set in Bulgaria--where the Sci-Fi Channel makes its Saturday night original films--"Man with the Screaming Brain" is a curious mix of '50s B-movie horror, body-switching comedy, violent revenge flick, and overdone slapstick with a touch of romantic reconciliation. If that doesn't make sense, well, neither does "Man with the Screaming Brain." Campbell plays a pharmaceutical company CEO who visits Bulgaria with his estranged wife in an inexplicable attempt to invest in the former Communist country's half-finished subway system. The two fall in with a former KGB agent turned cab driver, and all three ultimately meet their demise at the hands of a vengeful gypsy woman. A local scientist (Stacy Keach) and his goofy assistant (Ted Raimi), who have developed a technique to allow tissue transplants without the possibility of rejection, steal the bodies and place a portion of the cab driver's brain into Campbell's damaged skull. Also, they put his wife's brain into a robotic body they just happen to have at hand. Campbell escapes, and with a hastily-restitched skull and the voice of the cab driver--whose transplanted brain tissue controls the left side of his body--echoing in his head, sets off to find and kill the gypsy. (His robot wife does the same.) But first, there's an attempt to emulate Steve Martin/Lily Tomlin's "All of Me" when Campbell's two personalities battle for dominance over a restaurant dinner. Just as he was playing his own evil hand in "Evil Dead II," Campbell is adept at making his body appear to be inhabited by more than one mind. At times, "Screaming" comes closest to another Steve Martin film, "The Man with Two Brains," as it also takes a silly approach to '50s sci-fi clichés. However, it tries too hard for too little result, and that goes double for Ted Raimi's semi-comprehensible Bulgarian oaf, who gets entirely too much screen time. (Nothing against Raimi, it's just that he's better in smaller doses.) In the end, it's neither outrageous (or funny) enough to satisfy as a spoof, nor is it serious enough to enjoy as a B-movie pastiche. I was glad that Campbell had already left the screening by the time it ground to a halt, as I feared having to say, "Gee, Bruce, that was really...something." Perhaps the best praise I can give it as a film is that at least the images stuck to the emulsion. And it was twice as good as "Alien Apocalypse."

I went to a screening of this movie where Bruce Campbell did a Q&A before revealing this film. After trashing A-List movies such as Batman Begins and War of the Worlds...Bruce exclaimed that there is no creativity in the realm of Hollywood Budget films. With that said, I expected an extremely well made and plotted out film. Boy, was I disappointed. I am a film student and I'm open to any kind of movie as I love them all...but watching The Man With A Screaming Brain left me in shock. I have no other way to describe it other than F-ing terrible. The events the title leads you to believe to take place don't happen until an hour into the film! The lack of exposition and a hook was staggering! I only wish Bruce had come back for some Q&A after the movie was over. Perhaps he didn't because he knew and couldn't face the audience.....

Disappointing. That would be one way to put this film. Not that it's terrible or anything, but… well, ahhh hell. Just read on This film stars the legendary Bruce Campbell—legendary for his classic underground, cult, and, *ahem* "B-movies." Well, hell, I love the guy. A lot of people do. His films are entertaining, he's entertaining. So why wouldn't a film starring the guy, written by him, and directed by him be good? It turns out there's a lot of reasons, but here's the quickie story: Capitalist American businessman (Bruce Campbell, of course) travels to former "Red" Socialist Bulgaria on business. Well, crap happens and suddenly he's dead. When next he's alive, well holy hell, he has half another man's brain in his cranium. A communist man's brain! Well, following this, some craziness ensues and Bruce and his "dead" wife, and his half-Commie brain hunt for the gypsy woman that done killed 'em all. Sounds pretty good so far Here's the breakdown: The Good: --The acting, for the most part, is much better than I would have expected—especially from Stacy Keach and Ted Raimi. --Bruce Campbell beating himself up—always entertaining. --Bizarre story—always good. --Some really good humor. --Wacky throw-back to bad 50's Science Fiction films with adequate cheesiness. Didn't Hurt It, Didn't Help: --The special effects are kind of poor, but entertaining nonetheless. --Over-all somewhat lackluster writing. --Decent action. The Bad: --Some pretty tedious parts, unfortunately. --Poor atmosphere. I personally wish Bruce had enlisted Don Coscarelli to Direct. --Capitalist brain melded with a Socialist brain? Seems like there should've been some more depth in those two extremes fighting each other. Pity. The Ugly: --Bruce is a great actor, and a funny and entertaining guy—and really cool. Know what he really isn't? A director. --Again, for those like me—Bruce Campbell fans—this film is kind of a disappointment. Here's why: It was a long time coming, it was written, directed, and starring Bruce Campbell. And after the brilliant Bubba Ho-Tep (helmed by Phantasm's Don Coscarelli), the Evil Dead Trilogy, and many of Bruce's other successes—well, for fans, there's a lot of hype in preparing for this one. Also, the idea that it was kind of Bruce's "pet-project" and one he'd been planning and working on for years gave this film some added heft when it comes to "getting one's hopes up." Memorable Scene: --When Bruce is first running around and battling the idea of having two brains. This is not a bad film, but it's not exactly great. And after the hype going into it, and after seeing how talented Bruce Campbell really is (Bubba Ho-Tep), this film just feels rather weak. Acting: 8/10 Story: 8/10 Atmosphere: 4/10 Cinematography: 6/10 Character Development: 6/10 Special Effects/Make-up: 5/10 Nudity/Sexuality: 0/10 Violence/Gore: 7/10 (not much of either, but decent quality for it) Dialogue: 7/10 Music: 6/10 Direction: 6/10 Cheesiness: 5/10 Crappiness: 1/10 Overall: 6/10 This one is for general Science Fiction fans and Bruce Campbell fans. But don't get your hopes up too high. Like, watch it if you forgot a lot of his previous work, or haven't seen it at all. Not bad, not great, and don't get your hopes too high. (Also, it should be noted that I'm being awfully generous in this review...) www.ResidentHazard.com

I just saw this movie last night at a midnight sneak preview screening (I work for an independent theatre chain in Colorado - it's one of the perks)...I'm sorry, but this is one of THE WORST movies I've ever seen! I know that there are some Bruce Campbell fanatics out there who (like Star Wars die-hards) will string you up from the nearest tree if you DARE speak any ill of their beloved cinematic icon...nevertheless, Campbell-teers, this particular work from The Chin is a celluloid black hole. Before you make any assumptions that I'm some hoity-toity film buff who only watches "real" movies like "Ladies in Lavender" and "Sideways", think again - I'm a huge fan of B-movies, and Bruce Campbell in particular. His trademark character Ash is one of my favorites, and his portrayal of the aging Elvis in Bubba Ho-Tep was phenomenal. But hey, B-movies still have the potential to be reeeeally, reeeeally bad (and not in that "good" campy way we all love)...and that's what watching this particular one was like for me and my fellow co-workers. With the exception of that one tracking shot where Bruce runs through the square and scares the kids, there were no laughs to be had. Overall, we found the story to be mind-numbingly stoopid, the pacing mollasses-like, and the so-called humor dumber than a bag of hammers. (I'm sorry, but Ted Raimi's "Pavel" character was not comic relief...he was just plain retarded!) Believe me, we all went into this really wanting to like it, but left feeling incredibly disappointed and robbed of two hours. If you absolutely loved this movie, plan to see it multiple times, want to marry and have kids with it, etc., that's fantastic - we all like what we like, so you get no judgement from me. But don't go questioning the sense of humor or fan loyalty of those who aren't having multiple orgasms over Campbell's latest cinematic coupe. This flick was a steaming turd sandwich in my humble opinion...and as a true Campbell fan, I'm allowed to say that!

Granted, there wasn't actually a screaming brain. We (myself, the wife, a good friend, and my sister in law) just saw this in a local showing in conjunction with a book signing of his new book, "Make Love The Bruce Campbell Way." And, keeping in mind I'm rather a big fan of the esteemed Mr. Campbell, and have been for years, I must, unfortunately, only give it a 6 of 10 score. And that partially due to Mr. Campbell's apologies in advance. The movie was a happy melange of slapstick and ideas happily lifted from a variety of other old horror films. Given that I was tipped by the title that this wouldn't probably be on this year's Oscar list, I didn't go in expecting too much. I was right. What I saw was an amusing little film (and I did find many of the jokes funny, by the way) which was a pleasant way to waste a couple of hours, along with a confirmation of long held ideas about Bulgarian motor sports which have plagued me for years. In addition, it does give an interesting view of Mr. Campbell's own world view. Don't walk into the movie expecting much and you won't be disappointed. Expect a masterpiece and you will be. (Now to avenge myself on Mr. Campbell for introducing my wife to an excitingly ethnic and film geek approved way to criticize my driving.)