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10. Altered States (1980)

Directed by: Ken Russell

Is it a horror film? Many of Ken Russell’s films could be argued as such, but there’s enough in Altered States that makes it less horror and more science fiction/psychological thriller. Based on the novel by Paddy Chayefsky, Altered States introduced the world to William Hurt (and also featured the film debut of Drew Barrymore). Edward Jessup (Hurt) is studying schizophrenia, but branches out into sensory deprivation experimentation with a floating tank. Eventually, he travels to Mexico to visit a tribe that provides him with an extract which he begins to take before his trips into the flotation tank, resulting in bizarre imagery and eventual physical devolution, once to a primitive man and to a near primordial blob. Side effects start to occur, causing Edward to suffer from episodes of partial regression even without the hallucinogenic drug. Russell’s direction shifts...

Photo: Abkco Movie: El Topo Release Year: 1970 Studio: MGM Director: Alejandro Jodorowsky Starring: Alejandro Jodorowsky as El Topo, Brontis Jodorowsky as young son of El Topo, Mara Lorenzio as Mara, David Silva as The Colonel, Bertha Lomeli as Gypsy, Mother of Master #2, Juan Jose Gurrola as Master #2, Victor Fosado as Master #3, Agustin Isunza as Master #4, Jacqueline Luis as Small woman and Robert John as elder son of El Topo Cinematographer: Rafael Corkidi (The Holy Mountain) Photo: Abkco Photo: Abkco Photo: Abkco Photo: Abkco This is one of my favorite shots in the entire film.Photo: Abkco Photo: Abkco I'd never seen any of Jodorowsky's films before El Topo, but the clear influence his films have had on a number of filmmakers from Nicolas Winding Refn to David Lynch are visible, but one I hadn't heard many discuss was Tarsem Singh (The Fall). Singh's The Fall seems like it's almost a...