sklemow This is classic De Palma--either you get it or you don't (and your ability to get it is likely in linear proportion to your imagination and intelligence). I love the guy on here who said he loved it as a kid but hates it today (today being 2005, when he wrote his review), because it's too SLOW. Can you imagine how ADHD MTV editing has totaled his sensibilities now, 10 years later? I watched a tribute to Pauline Kael which had an expert panel that included James Toback, Brian Kellow, Camille Paglia, et al, and was stupefied when several of these distinguished gasbags trashed her review of this film, which I maintain is spot on. This film is visually stunning, with some hilarious setups (involving hysterical mishaps and human carnage), and I couldn't care LESS about the occasional bum dialogue and the hypnotic pace (slow only if you have no patience to appreciate beauty on film). This picture looks like no other. The screen literally glows, as it were plugged in to the wall. The shots and camera work are brilliant and witty. The performances are great. The ending has no peer. If you appreciate De Palma's work and are capable of seeing a film that utilizes more of your imagination and senses than a Michael Bay film, check it out.

SnoopyStyle It's 1977 Mid East. Ben Childress (John Cassavetes) pretends to be sending Peter Sandza (Kirk Douglas) and his son Robin (Andrew Stevens) to Chicago. Instead he sets up an attack. Peter barely escapes but Robin wrongly assumes that his father was killed by Arab terrorists. Childress is gathering children with psychic abilities to train as US secret agents. In 1978, Chicago teen Gillian Bellaver (Amy Irving) sharpens her mental abilities in the Paragon Institute headed by Dr. McKeever (Charles Durning). Peter is tracking Gillian as a possible way to get his son back with the help of his naive girlfriend Hester (Carrie Snodgress) who works at the institute.The movie follows two tracks. Amy Irving's track reminds me of Carrie for more than one reason. Kirk Douglas' side feels like a spy action thriller. The back and forth between the two sides diminishes some of the tension. Director Brian De Palma keeps the movie going at a good clip but it doesn't necessarily all work.

ma-cortes Suspense, thrills and grisly killings by imitative director Brian De Palma . This scary triller is plenty of mystery , intrigue , suspenseful and creepy scenes . It is a potentially brilliant and ingenious chiller that concerns about a government agent , Peter Sandza , (Kirk Douglas , he was aged around sixty-one years of age , Kirk was cast as the lead because director had felt that his previous picture had suffered at the box-office without a name draw-card) determined to come to his son's (first major cinema movie role of actor Andrew Stevens) rescue , when a sinister official (John Cassavetes) kidnaps him to harbor his extremely powerful psychic abilities . As he is forced to take on a super-powerful government agency called MORG (it stands for the Multiphasic Operations Research Group) which has kidnapped his son with psychokinetic skills . The intrepid father is helped by a good friend called Hester (Carrie Snodgress) . And then things really get worse . Meanwhile , a young girl (Amy Irving who married Spielberg , she attended a biofeedback clinic to learn about different levels of consciousness, as she had a better sense to play) who personally experiencing psychic changes is taken in a strange Institute of supernatural forces . Peter uses desperate attempts to save hid gifted son from being used or destryed . At the end takes place the ultimate revenge story . This stylish chiller contains long-drawn-out tension , flash violent scenes and shock effects with the accent on gas-provoking , but on most occasion without finesse . Adding special characteristics techniques as ominous camera movements and wide screen . This flick was made and released about two years after its source novel of the same name by John Farris was first published in 1976 ; Farris also wrote the screenplay for the film . It is is a contemporary thrilling tale that utilizes the average man against the unknown approach that made Hitchcock 's suspense films so effective . All this said , the mechanics of suspense are worked quite well and may frighten the easily scared quite badly , but De Palma has made a habit of dwelling on their more sordid shoots . Director 'Brian de Palma''s second movie featuring Telekinesis, his first had been Carrie (1976) , as actress Amy Irving appears in both films . In fact , this picture has often been described as a cross between The Omen (1976) and a peculiar follow-up to Carrie (1976) . Very good cast plenty of familiar faces such as John Cassavetes , Charles Durning , Rutanya Alda , Fiona Lewis , Carrie Snodgres and William Finley who played for De Palma , Phantom of paradise . Being the first film for both Daryl Hannah, Laura Innes and look fast James Belushi as an extra , as you can see him in a pair of dark trunks a few steps behind Irving . The film displays a great and haunting musical score by John Williams , previous his fruitful collaboration to Steven Spielberg ; he composed in the style of a Bernard Herrmann score from an Alfred Hitchcock movie . Furthermore , appropriate and colorful cinematography by excellent cameraman Richard H Kline .The picture was brilliantly directed by Brian De Palma , adding special characteristics techniques and special camera movements . The movie was realized during his period when Brian made outwardly odes to Hitchcock , such as ¨Obsession¨ , ¨Sisters¨, ¨Dresssed to Kill¨ and ¨Blow out¨ . Rating : Above average , as it gets some riveting basic ideas and fascinating images. Essential and indispensable watching for Brian De Palma buffs and Kirk Douglas fans .

callanvass (Plot) An agent working for the government will stop at nothing to rescue his son, when an evil official kidnaps him to harness his lethal psychic abilities.This is one of DePalma's early duds. It certainly didn't commence things that way, though. You can't go wrong with Kirk Douglas doing his thing. I was enjoying the interaction between him & his son. It had a really exciting shootout, and I thought I was in for a memorable ride. It's all downhill from there. The pacing is absolutely horrible… I made the mistake of watching this one late at night, and found myself almost dozing off from it. I also didn't like the comedy that I saw. Dennis Franz always plays a great buffoon, but he felt so out of place. I like Kirk Douglas, and Amy Irving. I usually like movies about telekinesis, but this one is too boring for its own good. Final Thoughts: This has a mixed reputation and for good reason. I personally can't see the trashy appeal. It's extremely boring, and I just couldn't get through it. I'm not gonna recommend it3/10