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#1
12-29-2003, 01:13 PM
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David Cronenbergs The Brood (1979)
 Title: The Brood (1979) Director: David Cronenberg Cast: Oliver Reed, Samantha Eggar and Art Hindle Review: David Cronenbergs films seem to allways play with the physical and psychological side of human nature. Usually its a decease or an experiment altering the human body to grotesque proportions. More often then not, Cronenberg mixes both of these aspects of human nature wich lends itself for some truly interesting, grotesque and downright disturbing stories and images. In The Brood Cronenberg explores a common theme hed explored before in Shivers and would later explore yet again in Scanners, the results of letting human violence and rage run rampant and out of control. Dr. Ral Haglan (Oliver Reed) has found a way to help pacients deal with their rage and their psychological problems via a method he calls "psychoplasmics" Basically people play out roles and express their anger and issues and essentially manifest them as warts that come out of their skin. The main character in the film Frank Carveth (Art Hindle) has his wife commited to the care of Dr. Ral Haglan (Oliver Reed). The good doctor has taken a special interest in Franks wife Nola (Samantha Eggar). She has a special ability to manifest her anger. Thats all Im saying, to say anything more would be to spoil the film. Ill say this about The Brood, it sure is a step up from Shivers. I mean we all know David Cronenberg for the great filmaker that he is today but, I have to admit I was a tad dissapointed with Shivers because it was obviously Cronenberg learning how to make a movie. Some scenes are horrible in the sense that they are not good. The lighting the acting and almost everything on Shivers sucked the big one. But on The Brood Cronenberg has obviously learned to use the craft of filmaking to his advantage. This film looks slick and professional. It has a very very decent cast (Oliver Reed!) and some fine performances. The Brood impressed me very much. Specially since it takes a completely fictitious story and plays it so seriously. You almost believe that this "psychoplasmics" is a real thing. That their might really be some secluded institute hidden away in the mountains dealing with these sort of people. Basically its just Cronenbergs abitlity to take the fantastic and make it believable. The movie is dead serious. I liked the pacing, wich is very slow, wich really is the norm when it comes to Cronenberg. He focuses a lot on building up his scares, plus his films are allways a tad more on the psychological side wich usually translates to a lot of dialogue and no car explosions or shoot out, so be ready for that. But believe me, you will be pleased you stuck all the way through. The final half of the film is amazing and will most likely blow you away with its bizarre and gross scenes. One scene wich I will not spoil for you will most certainly make you cringe. It even has its traditional "boo scares" and jump scenes. Suspense and mystery abound. Much like in Village of the Damned the terror here comes from the titular child like creatures, who dressed in brightly colored winter clothes go around killing people, so be on the look out for some really cool images of kids looking really evil! They are also similar to the Village of the Damned kids because they have almost completely albino white hair wich to me makes them look really spooky for some reason. At to that, the fact that their faces are look aged and deformed and you got yourselves some decent little villains. As I mentioned earlier Cronenbegs films are allways very psychological. Almost as if he hits those psychology books preatty hard before going of and writing his screenplays. Here he plays with the idea of divorce, child-abuse, and uncontrolled rage. He takes that very real subject matter and gives the old supernatural/science fiction angle and blamo! Creates a very suspensful and creepy film. One of Cronenbergs best. Check it out schmoes! Rating: 5/5 Last edited by spacemonkey; 01-02-2004 at 11:05 AM.. 
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#2
12-29-2003, 09:38 PM
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The Brood, is a Canadian film about Frank Carveth, whose wife Lola, is in an institute recovering from their divorce. Frank, takes cares of their young daughter Candy. And, Lola is able to see her on the weekends. Frank, notices bruises on Candy's back and assumes that Lola, did this to her. Lola's doctor named Dr. Raglan, thinks Lola, is doing quite well in the institute and tells Lola, to manifest her anger and rage. Soon, Lola's parents die and soon a woman who Lola belives is having an affair with Frank. Frank, does not trust Dr. Raglan, and does not think he is doing a good job and all the people that are dying are people that Lola, does not like but he knows that she couldn't have killed them seeing as she is in the institution. Soon, Frank finds out who is killing off these people and then has to find out how to stop it seeing as it is out of control. This is as much as I can say about the plot without spoiling it which some reviews have already done. Winner of The Prize Of The International Critics' Jury Special Mention for director David Cronenberg at The Catalonian Film Festival. The film has good direction by David Cronenberg, good performances from everyone in the film, good original music, good cinematography and good art direction. I'am a big fan of director David Cronenberg, and have loved lots of his films and although not loving all of them I have found something to admire or like in each and every one of them. I would not say I loved The Brood, or say it is one of his best films but there were things I liked about it. It still managed to be entertaining although confusing at times and the story I found interesting with it's unqiue view of expressing one's feelings of rage. Still, I found the story quite weak and didn't like it enough to recommend it. Some have said that this is even David Cronenberg's best early film but I would have to say that his best early film is Rabid (which is his second film), which was very interesting, had a better story, had good direction, good original music and good cinematography. Even though I wasn't all that fond of The Brood, I was still glad that I saw it and there were things I liked and admired about it but I thought the story wasn't that great. Fans of David Cronenberg should also check it out because whether they like it or not they will probably get something out of it like I did but not enough to recommend it to others which in the end I'm not doing either.
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#3
12-30-2003, 12:53 PM
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The Brrod is a classic...
One of Cronenberg's best, IMO. Sure, it has a few problems, and some of the acting is weak, but those mutant kids in the snowsuits, look out! Definitely worth seeing.
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#4
12-31-2003, 04:14 PM
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I agree that Shivers is slipshod. It's mildly entertaining and it has that inexplicable Cronenberg vibe, but there are too many arid characters to keep track of. The Brood is Cronenberg's best pre-Videodrome film.
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#5
01-02-2004, 11:00 AM
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But seeing The Brood back to back with Shivers helped me see how much Cronenberg improved from one film to the other. The Brood is a well made film with an awesome finale. I still need to check out Rabid though. Can anyone give me their opinion of Rabid please? Its the only one of his earliest films wich I havent been able to see. Last edited by spacemonkey; 01-02-2004 at 11:07 AM..
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#6
01-02-2004, 11:14 AM
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Last edited by HorrorIsMyGod; 01-02-2004 at 11:27 AM..
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#7
01-02-2004, 12:46 PM
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I liked Rabid a lot. It's my favourite early Cronenberg film. Very interesting and very unique. I'd recommend it.
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#8
01-02-2004, 01:01 PM
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But whats it about and how does it compare to his other films Blacksnake? Just wondering.
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#9
01-16-2004, 03:34 PM
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The Brood- 10/10
Genre: Horror Year: 1979 Rating: US R/ Can R for Extreme/Bizarre Gore and Disturbing Images. Director: David Cronenberg Cast: Oliver Reed Art Hindle Samanthat Eggar Plot: After Frank notices bruises and cuts on the back of his daughter, he automatically suspects his mentally unstable wife. She is undergoing a new type of therapy that is very manipulative and Frank believes this may be causing the hostile behaviour towards their daughter Candy. My Thoughts: I was hesitant about watching this movie and I don't know why. Something about it disturbed me and I hadn't even seen it. I walked into my local video store and there it was, starring back at me from the shelf with it's evil eyes. Something about it seemed so dark and unforgiving. So I rented it. One thing you all should know about me is this; the more intelligent, strange and gross the better. The Brood has all of these calling cards and managed to disturb, frighten and distort my perception of reality for an hour and a half. David Cronenberg films are, by nature, metaphorical but he manages to make everything in his movies seem so realistic. For a moment I actually pondered the possibility of the situations being plausable. When you watch the film you'll understand what I'm talking about. Most of Cronenberg's films tend to explain much of the mystery by the end and this one is no different. They don't always make perfect sense in a linnear way but they're always explained. For Cronenberg fans this is a must and I love it. Look for the DVD late August. Acting- 8/10 For an independent film the acting is great. Directing- 10/10 Even without much of a budget, Cronenberg manages to make this an atmosperic and very creepy film filled with amazing camera angles. Gore- 8/10 The most disgusting scene is a fetus being removed, believe me it's not pretty. We also get gory gunshot wounds, many brutal and graphic beatings with various objects and a bloody corpse. Not a pretty film and I'm not even including the nasty deformities. Nudity- 0/10 There could have been but I wasn't looking there, you'll understand when you see it. AxeHorror©Copyright Matt
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#10
01-16-2004, 04:09 PM
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Last edited by spacemonkey; 01-20-2004 at 08:50 AM..
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#11
01-16-2004, 06:21 PM
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Man, I still haven't seen a Cronenberg film I didn't like, I own nine of his DVD's and my favorite movie by him so far is Naked Lunch, but the Brood was amazing. I really loved it, Cronenberg is one of my favorite directors of all time and this movie is amazing in it's own fucked up way just like all Cronenberg films.
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#12
01-16-2004, 07:47 PM
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8/10
Another Cronenberg great! I relly didn't think the fetus scene is that gross. But, I liked Shivers a little better. Rabid is a great film also.
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#13
01-20-2004, 08:52 AM
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#14
01-20-2004, 03:27 PM
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Not sure how I missed this thread but this and Videodrome are my two fave Cronenberg movies. This is a brilliant piece of work and once again show the genuis of Cronenberg. My favorite nonscary part, actually pretty god damn funny is
*************************** MAJOR SPOILERS After the teacher has bitten it and Art Hindle (ooh sexy) tries to cover her up with one of the drawings done by the school children, did you notice what was on one of the drawings??? Just funny as shit- the child's drawing has a pumpkin on it and the words "pumpkin seeds" appears broadly as he covers her face. I just thought it was funny as hell, yea she really did get turned into pumpkin seeds (pulp).
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#15
01-26-2004, 02:22 PM
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Yeah I remember that scene Skweem, theres also another funny scene in that same part you mentioned, I found it a bit funny that the kids were able to kill the teacher with kindergarden toys. Those little hammers the used couldnt have weighed much, yet they managed to smash her skull in...?? heh heh...
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#16
01-26-2004, 08:51 PM
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Yea, that is pretty funny. Love her "Salute to Klute" haircut,too.
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#17
01-26-2004, 08:54 PM
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Cronenberg's "The Brood" is a very underrated film!! I think this is Cronenberg's best film (in addition to "Naked Lunch"). This is one of the only movies to truly creep me out as a kid.
And i must admit, the whole quasi-birth scene is as grotesque a scene as one will ever witness on screen. nice one, Cronenberg! This one had it all....intelligent script by Cronenberg, good acting (i'll miss you, Oliver Reed), and nicely paced direction. Art Hindle was excellent here too. I miss you too Art!!! too bad you were confined to made for TV Lifetime movies as of recent. Try going back to horror, bud. Many will anticipate your return. overall, "The Brood" is a classic. a creepy, brooding tale (haha get it) that will stay with you for days afterward.
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#18
02-09-2004, 04:43 AM
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This is a movie i bought without having seen it or heard anything about it, I was blowen away by it and i was mad at myself for not seeing it earlier, I can label it as a must see.
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#19
02-09-2004, 02:57 PM
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#20
02-09-2004, 04:42 PM
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Though I still say that my favorite one is Existense. Its actually quite bizarre, yet not all the way out there. To me that movie was still bizarre and weird enough to be called a Cronenberg flick but was also more focused and more intent on telling a coherent story without living you in the dark completely. The craziest scene has to be the one where they both work on that crazy mutant fish/frog factory! And then they go have lunch to that chinese restaurant! And make a gun out of their lunch. Great crazy stuff.
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#21
02-09-2004, 09:20 PM
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*On a side note* I was born and used to live in Puerto Rico but then about four years ago I moved here! I used to live in "Encantada" ever heard of it? It was a nice neighborhood.
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#22
02-11-2004, 08:15 AM
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As for your sidenote, yeah Encantada was in Trujillo Alto right? (PM me for stuff like that dude)
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#23
08-20-2005, 07:59 PM
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"The Brood" 1979
Directed by: David Cronenberg Written by: David Cronenberg Starring: Oliver Reed, Samantha Eggar, Art Hindle, Cindy Hinds Tagline: The Ultimate Experience Of Inner Terror Rating 7/10 Plot: A young man's wife is institutionalized and is being treated by the new psychiatrist guru in town. Therapy does not seem to be making progress and then his daughter returns from a visit covered in bruises. A series of bizarre murders follows and he must figure out who is behind it all before his wife and daughter are lost. Review: Cronenberg's favorite theme seems to be the psychological becoming the physical/visceral. "Shivers" and "Scanners" follow similar paths with this film being much better than the first but a little less than the second one mentioned. Cronenberg's story is deliberate and riveting. As with the majority of his other films it starts slow with a hook (the death of the mother-in-law) and slowly but surely leads to a climactic showdown that doesn't let the viewer down. Character development isn't very strong as we spend more screen time delving into the mystery of "psychoplasmics" than anything else. The acting is above average. Oliver Reed really steals the show as the psychiatrist with attitude. He vacillates between stern yelling and compassionate ear that really fucks with your mind. Eggar isn't given much until the end but her final scenes were very well done. Hindle isn't anything special but his performance at least isn't a distraction. The subtext of the film is about as subtle as a hammer to the skull but it follows through the film to the end. Cronenberg developed more subtlety as he aged but this was toward the beginning of his career and can be seen as a defining moment. It's hard to comment about the rest of this film without giving much away. Let's just say that the finale is worth the wait.
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#24
08-22-2005, 01:08 PM
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#25
09-07-2007, 06:58 PM
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Cronenberg further impresses me with The Brood. Very cool film which while slow paced has a great plot which had me hooked right up to the ending, good thing i never read any reviews of this. Builds up some nice atmosphere at times, the acting is excellent and there's some nice effects as well, especially the "birthing" scene.
8/10
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#26
09-08-2007, 08:53 PM
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I didnt get to finish this one. I still regret it. I watched it too close to sleeptime and fell asleep like 20-30 mins before it was to end. Had to return it the next day, but I really really liked what I saw. I NEED to know how it turns out!
Spoilers wont do it for me, gotta see the ending.
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#27
09-09-2007, 10:58 PM
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haha... second cronenberg movie I saw, really got me into horror. Ima watch it tonight, LOVE it.
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#28
09-19-2007, 02:00 PM
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#29
09-21-2007, 05:18 PM
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Can't believe i've not seen this. It's the only Cronenberg horror i've not seen. Hangs head in shame and silently vows to rectify the situation withing the next couple of days.
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