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PURCHASE THE DVD: Altered States (1980)

William Hurt and Bob Balaban play two Harvard, beatnick scientists who mess around with deep regression into a shared human consciousness that could date back to prehistoric times. Their scientific method? Drop Hurt’s character Dr. Eddie Jessup into sensory deprivation tanks while under the influence of a mysterious drug procured on a Latin American expedition. But when Jessup starts to exhibit signs of physical transformation into something pre-human, things start getting wacky. All the while, self-obsessed Jessup screws up his marriage to astoundingly beautiful and patient Emily Jessup (played by Blair Brown).

An exciting movie filled with outstanding visuals and some wonderful performances from Hurt, Brown, Balaban and a fantastic Charles Haid, Altered States is science fiction at it’s very best: soulful and human. Jessup’s regressiona nd consequent descent into madness can only be stopped by the love of his wife, but is she strong enough to keep him alive? The answer is given during one of the most dazzling cinematic climaxes ever staged. Directed by Ken Russell and written by Paddy Chayefsky from his novel of the same name, do be sure to check this one out.