Overrated and overhyped

One of my all time favorites.

The thing I enjoyed most about the film is the fact that it doesn't shy away from being a super-sized-cliche;

It's a good bad... and worth a popcorn matinée. While it's easy to lament what could have been...

"Mind Killer" is one of those crazy & cheesy late 80's horror movies that I vividly remember renting at the video store solely because the VHS cover looked so appealingly nasty! The cover image of this particular gem I always remembered because it boosted an illustration of a heavily mutated human brain with one evil eye and a set of sharp teeth. By now, nearly twenty years later, movies such as this one are not much more than forgotten guilty pleasures of the video store generation. They really don't make 'em like this anymore, but the nowadays generation of horror fans probably sees that as a blessing, because they honestly wouldn't be interested in a horror flick about a psychic killer-nerd, complete with tacky make-up effects and an insufferable pop-music soundtrack. I swear; if "Mind Killer" had been any more eighties, my haircut would have spontaneously taken the shape of a Duran Duran or Flock of Seagulls video clip! The story introduces library clerk Warren, a social outcast who feels severely frustrated because he can't find a girlfriend in spite of his video course material and the continuous advice of his hunky roommate Brad. When Warren discovers a manuscript about the art of mind controlling, his luck seems to be turning. He abuses the newly gained psychic powers for all sorts of silly pranks and even manages to conquer the will of his muse and co- worker Sally. But Warren becomes dangerously obsessed with expanding his mind powers and his brain gradually mutates into a self-operating monster. Okay, it's probably due to childhood memories, but I really like "Mind Killer". Admittedly the first hour resembles more of a romantic soap opera and the wannabe comical interludes are pretty pathetic, but the cheese 'n charm factor is truly irresistible. The crazy plot is never boring and actually becomes more suspenseful along the way. Joe McDonald, the guy playing Warren yet never starred in anything else, is a reasonably creepy guy with a perverted stare and throbbing eyes. The last ten to fifteen minutes are outrageously campy, with virulently attacking brains and tremendous overacting. There's also a supportive character that doesn't cease to howl like a coyote wolf, for some reason, and a bit of gratuitous nudity when Warren picks up a girl in a bar who's about twice his size and looks like an even manlier version of Brigitte Nielsen. Recommended, but only if you were born between 1970 and 1982 and spent your teenage years scrutinizing video stores for hidden horror treasures.

Warren is a socially inept and very shy young librarian who is highly susceptible to self-help manuals.While pouring over one such book he discovers that by expanding his mind he can control his environment and the actions of other people.Disturbed by his changing personality his co-worker Larry and his room mate Brad attempt to help but instead become the objects of his wrath.Eventually Warren loses control.His overtaxed brain turns into a monster and bursts from his skull.The horribly mutant brain-creature takes on a life of it's own."Mind Killer" is an enjoyable horror trash with terrible acting and extremely bad creature effects.The central character of introverted Warren is an interesting touch.This movie is cheaply made and has that real cheap feel to it,but I have seen worse and more boring horror films.5 out of 10.

I was excited when I found a VHS copy of this recently as the cover art is quite cool. But as usual with 80's horror flicks, a cool cover is usually to disguise a crap film. Mind Killer is no exception, but is even more boring than some of the worst 80's horror flicks! The opening looks interesting but after this it all gets dull and tedious. I nearly fell asleep, so I turned it off and watched the ending the next day. There's a little bit of cheesy action at the end, where the brain breaks free from the mans body. However it's far too late to save this mess. It reminded me of the ending to Slime City actually. The acting is bad and the whole film has a cheap feel, but not in a good way. Avoid this unless you like cool VHS covers.

I really like bad movies. In fact, I'd prefer a bad movie over what most consider a "good" movie any day. However, in the case of "Mind Killer", there really aren't any elements to make this a bad movie in a good way. Nope. It just really sucks--in a bad way. Mind Killer, aka The Brain Creatures, concerns a young man who just can't seem to get any pudding from the ladies, whether it be at work, in the local pub, or anywhere else. It seems that his main frustrations involve his life-long dry spell. Seriously, if I had to think of one reason to watch this movie, it would have to be to see how much of a turd a man can become. The lead actor in this movie, Joe McDonald (I think), is total sack. And I have a feeling it isn't his acting skills that portray such sackdom. He's been in one other movie titled "Why I Hate Italians".Anyway, he really falls for this woman at his job (he's a library clerk). The thing is, she's pretty ugly. No, make that really ugly. But, she is supposed to be hot, so suspend your disbelief. Oh yeah, also suspend your desbelief when our hero finds an ancient book in the basement of the library and learns mind powers. Soon after, he's making candy bars fly out of vending machines! Wow! He also gets the girl he wants, and although she can't help herself, she knows something is up. Eventually, he wigs out and turns into some creature, which is nothing more than a mask that the studio bought from the "expensive" selection at the mask hut in the mall during Halloween season. I think he dies. Normally I wouldn't spoil an ending like that, but there is no way anyone is ever going to read this or actually find this movie. The movie itself looks like a home video a high-school kid made for a project, since the best special effect in the whole film is the candy bar thing I mentioned above. I have this movie on tape somewhere. I taped it on accident many years ago. I guess some day I'll look for it so I can throw it at someone.