Many of the week's top shows are featured in our new On The Couch weekly podcast, which looks at what we've watched and all that's best in the coming seven days.
Dr. Lillian Reynolds (Louise Fletcher) and Michael Brace (Christopher Walken) are research scientists who are working on the same experimentations to which they have recently had a major breakthrough with a device that can actually interface with the human brain.
This system can record and play back actual experiences of real people. Once the capability of tapping into "higher brain functions" is added in, people will be able to literally jump into anyone's mind and play back recordings of a subject's memories, emotions and sensations, at the time of the recording.
However the applications for the project quickly spiral out of control. While Michael uses the system for beneficial results by being able to become close again to his estranged wife, Karen (Natalie Wood) who also works on the project. However others start abusing it for intense sexual experiences and other logical but morally questionable purposes.
The possibilities seem endless, but sinister forces are also interested in the device as the government realise just how vast the military potential of the technology can have. This results in the government wanting Michael and Lillian off the project.
Soon it becomes apparent that the military want the project for more than guided missile devices as the laboratory starts producing mind torture recordings and other psychosis inducing material.
Yet when a researcher dies and tapes the experience of his own death, Michael becomes convinced that he must playback this tape to honou the researchers memory and become enlightened by the experience.
Soon another researcher dies during the playback so the tape is locked away and Michael has to fight against his former colleagues and the government lackeys that now run his lab in order to play back and confront the "scariest thing any of us will ever face" - death itself.
This film pays tribute to the actress, Natalie Wood who died tragically during the film's production.
Film
Many of the week's top shows are featured in our new On The Couch weekly podcast, which looks at what we've watched and all that's best in the coming seven days.
(1983) 
(4 Star)
Add a comment