"The Brood" (1979)

Oh, psychologists-- from the ink blot test to "re-birthing" techniques, what will they think of next?  Well, while I happen to follow cognitive-behaviorism, in The Brood an unconventional psychologist named Dr. Raglan takes this idea to the next level.  When the husband of one of his patients begins to suspect something strange a-brewin' (oh, like murderous children that emerge from his wife's psyche), he sets out to investigate what exactly is occurring.  Since this film is directed by the infamous David Cronenberg, I'll let you all guess what happens next.....

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You can rent The Brood from Netflix or you can pick up a copy from Amazon.  Regardless, make sure to watch the following trailer:



P.S. This film has received great reviews from film critics over the years.  However, director Cronenberg had to censure several scenes, especially one where the main character gives birth to an inner-child and then licks it clean.  Is it just me or is that actually not a bad thing?

"Videodrome" (1983)

I won't lie, y'all-- Videodrome is one creepy, weird film.  Directed by David Cronenberg (the same man responsible for Shivers and Crash), it tells the story of a television network's CEO, who is constantly searching for better material.  Although he's got lots of gratuitous violence and sexuality on his programming, he wants more shock value.  After discovering a remote show seemingly from Malayasia called Videodrome, he decides to air it-- with terrible consequences.  Basically a snuff film, Videodrome captures the attention of the masses, and James Wood starts to hallucinate.

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You can watch Videodrome instantly on Netflix for free, or you can buy it from Amazon for dirt cheap. Before you dedicate 1 1/2 hours to this, check out the following trailer:



P.S. Andy Warhol was apparently a huge fan of this flick.  He called Videodrome "A Clockwork Orange of the 1980's," likely due to its underlying message of violence in society.

"Shivers" (1975)

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Directed by David Cronenberg, Shivers, also known as They Came from Within, is a terrific film on many levels.  At the core, it is a grimy horror flick complete with naked women, parasitic worms, and gruesome orgies.  However, it also represents a deeper message-- the spread of HIV, which didn't occur until years after its release!  The story takes place in a suburban apartment building where a strain of parasitic worms are released into the pool of residents.  The worm isn't spread by air or blood, but instead by sex-- which it then commands its new hosts to do repeatedly.  Overall, it is an excellent scare, but it also is a social commentary on the consequences of free sex.  Is David Cronenberg a Republican, or just a crazed fan of creepy bathtub scenes?  You decide.

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Buy Shivers at Amazon, or rent it from Netflix.  Before you decide, check out this old-school trailer from They Came from Within....



P.S. Did you know that Shivers was made in just 15 days?  Pretty impressive, especially considering today's standards.....