One of the worst movies I've ever seen

It's fun, it's light, [but] it has a hard time when its tries to get heavy.

Great example of an old-fashioned, pure-at-heart escapist event movie that doesn't pretend to be anything that it's not and has boat loads of fun being its own ludicrous self.

I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

Are you tired of the sameness of Hollywood's over-priced commercialized dross? Check out Mr. Henenlotter's work today. This is a weird film, but in a good way. Elmer is a parasite who will get you high in exchange for brains. The problem was the old people was feeding him animals brain, so Elmer decide to find a new host. The young man was getting so high that he didn't know what Elmer was up to. Elmer didn't care just as he was getting human brains.The film is also a moral warning about the effects of drugs - they make you feel great at first but before long you're addicted to them, you've screwed your life up and you'll do literally anything to get the fluids you're now dependent on. A very black form of comedy with a serious edge to it, and the inner-city locations provide an excellent atmosphere. Very original, with good writing, and neat visuals for such a low budget.Overall rating: 7 out of 10.

One morning a young man (Rick Hearst) wakes to find a small, disgusting creature has attached itself to the base of his brain stem. The creature gives him a euphoric state of happiness but in return demands human victims.After "Basket Case", Frank Henenlotter wanted to do a project called "Insect City", but that fell through due to funding and other issues... so he instead went for a twist on 1950s science fiction. He posited the idea: what if someone had a parasite, but one they actually wanted? This is an interesting concept, and was fleshed out to the idea of an "aylmer", this creature that was passed down from great ruler to great ruler for centuries. The story was so well-written that you feel it must have been at least partially based on some legend. Nope, just Henenlotter's genius.The film is now widely seen as a metaphor for drug addiction, or addiction in general. But interestingly, this seems to be an afterthought. Henenlotter said the idea came to him like this: first, he thought of a creature attached to someone who needs to kill. But then, going with the concept of a "welcome" parasite, he wondered why the host would allow this, so he came up with the drug aspect. So rather than this being a story about the side effects of drugs, it is actually quite the other way around...And, of course, as a selling point we have Henenlotter gore. While this film ranks beneath "Basket Case" and "Frankenhooker" as far as overall quality, it has some of the best gore... with scenes that had to be cut (for both the MPAA and the distributor!) but have since resurfaced. For those who love extreme films, the alley scene can only be enjoyed uncut.As a bonus for horror fans, we even have the voice of Zacherle. Interestingly, Zacherle worked uncredited because he was in SAG and could not be in a non-union film at the risk of getting fined or tossed out of the union. His voice being so recognizable, some saw his lack of credit as an insult, but just the opposite was true: to give him credit would have opened him up to great punishment!The legacy of "Brain Damage" cannot be ignored. Like all other Henenlotter films, it has acquired a cult following. Not as much as "Basket Case", but more so than "Bad Biology". And lead actor Rick Hearst has done well for himself, going from this independent production to becoming the king of daytime television, becoming a regular on no fewer than five soap operas! Quite the change of pace from low budget gore.But most interesting is probably editor James Kwei, whom most people have never heard of. Kewi had been in horror for a while with "Christmas Evil", "Maximum Overdrive" and others. But after this, he increasingly became associated with the films of Martin Scorsese, including "Goodfellas". While he had already been with Scorsese since "After Hours" (1985), it was at this point (1988) where he really switched gears.The Arrow Video Blu-ray is crammed fuller than Mr. Creosote. There is a brand new audio commentary by Frank Henenlotter and several featurettes. We have "Listen to the Light: The Making of Brain Damage", a brand new documentary featuring interviews with actor Rick Herbst, producer Edgar Ievins, editor James Kwei, first assistant director Gregory Lamberson, visual effects supervisor Al Magliochetti and makeup artist Dan Frye. There is "The Effects of Brain Damage" with FX artist Gabe Bartalos, and "A Look Back" with assistant editor Karen Ogle.And still more... "Elmer's Turf: The NYC Locations of Brain Damage", sort of a supplement to the tour Henenlotter gives on the "Basket Case" Blu-ray. The interesting "Tasty Memories: A Brain Damage Obsession" interview with superfan Adam Skinner. A "Brain Damage" Q&A with Henenlotter recorded at the 2016 Offscreen Film Festival. And certainly not least of all, "Bygone Behemoth" (2010), an animated short by Harry Chaskin, featuring a brief appearance by John Zacherle in his final on screen credit.

Only a genius mind like Frank Henenlotter's: The Basket Case Trilogy (1982-1990-1992), Frankenhooker (1990), Bad Biology (2008) can come up with this. I have seen all of his films. There is not a director to touch him in his style of horror. The only problem is why he hasn't made any films during 1993-2007. THAT'S 14 YEARS !!! He has really denied us and let us down for this.If he had needed money for his films, I would have given him from my own piggy bank!!! Please if there is a GOD in this world give me 1000 films of Henenlotter's to watch before I die. I would really appreciate it.This is very, very sad not for him but for horror addicts like me wasting away. The best moments of my life were the horror films I enjoyed as a child during the late middle 80's and 90's. The horror film industry went to SH*T after '95.The directors now are an absolute joke with no imagination whatsoever. It was really good to watch Bad Biology (2008) after 15 years !!!Plot of film: a parasite named Aylmer (of ancient origin - probably deep in Africa) escapes from his elderly captors and finds a new host - a young man called Brian (Rick Hearst). It injects him with a secretion that its body produces via a proboscis pushed through the back of the neck and into the brain, while he was sleeping.He experiences strange hallucinations due to the secretion and cannot explain why. Later he discovers the talking parasite in the bathroom. Aylmer is very friendly towards Brian and they soon become the best of friends.... till Brian discovers the source of Aylmer's food. Don't want to tell you any more - it might spoil it for you, if you haven't seen the film yet.Special effects within the budget are brilliant. This film is of a CULT STATUS so special-effects wise this film is legendary. Gabriel Bartalos is responsible for the excellent creature Aylmer. John Zacherle plays Aylmer's remarkable voice which is superbly done. This guy has gifted voice - no doubt about that!Henenlotter's direction is superb throughout the horrifying climax of the film. The scene at the very end of the film will send you running from your room screaming!!!So Mr. Hennenlotter if you need a protégé or someone to carry on your work your legacy I AM THAT MAN. Email me at Vivekmaru45@yahoo.com. Can't wait to make Brain Damage 2 - Aylmer's BACK!!!Expecting to hear from you sir.

I love filmmaker Frank Henenlotter's work, as with his very low-budgeted productions he can make something out of nothing instilling the right amount of spirit and imagination, which would put a lot filmmakers to shame. From the small amount of films his done; this guy's got the touch… although I haven't got around to his latest production "Bad Biology". Anyhow his second feature "Brain Damage" is up there with his splendid grindhouse debut "Basket Case" (1982). Reverting more to a flipped out, deranged horror comedy (as it might feel as if you're on a crazy LSD trip), the trashy story for "Brain Damage" can be seen as an metaphor for drug addiction and the growing state of the overwhelming affects it not only has on the user, but those around him with tragic results. It's rather heavy-handed and in bad-taste, but the script is smartly witty in portraying it, it's quickly paced and the raw imagery can get all-out nasty (it's feeding time!) and quite unusually psychedelic. Namely that of the glum colour filtering, but more so the polite talking parasite creation Aylmer. The campy make-up FX is crude with some stop-motion animation in use. Just like "Basket Case", authentic location work only enhances the wishy-washy atmosphere and so do the enthusiastic performances with Rick Hearst leading the way. Also there's quite an amusing cameo of Kevin Van Hentenryck reprising his role of Duane Bradley from "Basket Case" in a visual gag on the subway train. Budget restraints don't hold it back, as this weirdly low-brow offering has heart and gruel.