Between the ages of 12-18, I basically lived at my local Video Library, on Friday nights I'd rent a pile of 5 horror films, and marathon them on either Friday and Saturday nights with friends.   Most of these films have hit Blu-ray or DVD at some point, but some have been hold outs in either format.  A recent one that just made it to Blu that was a popular one was the Evil Dead knock off Demon Wind, which just saw a Blu through Vinegar Syndrome, another title I've wanted a quality release of Ed Hunt's cinematic micro classic the Brain.

        Independent Thinking is a local TV hit in the greater "metropolitan" area.  The host Dr. Blake (David Gale, Re-Animator) is attempting to bring the show to a nationwide audience.  Of course, most show producers want their show to obtain the widest audience possible, however Blake has another reason for this, he runs the Psychological Research Institute (PRI), and in one of the hidden corridors of the facility is a huge Brain, which projects its image and thoughts through the TV to take control of the minds of Independent Thinking Viewers. It also feeds off of their bodies and brain waves making the Brain larger, more powerful, and more dangerous.

    Into this scenario comes "genius" high school student Jim. Jim is of the trouble making high schooler variety, and apparently gets into trouble due to the lack of challenge. As we meet Jim he is taking a packet of pure sodium and drops it into the toilet in the boys room. While many films fake how explosives would work in real life, this is apparently a real thing, and the film warns not to do this at home in the end credits. After the explosion blows up the water pipes around the bathroom, including getting one his teachers soaked in the water fountain, Jim is sent to PRI to get to the root of his troublesome nature. While there he is experimented on causing a link between the Brain and him. When Jim leaves/escapes a series of Brain related murders happen, and Jim is targeted as the culprit behind them turning the whole town against him as an on the run murderer.

    I have not seen the Brain in over 20 years, and was wondering if it would help up against my nostalgic expectations for the film. Fortunately, this film is still a blast. It opens with a scene where a teenage girl murders her Mother after seemingly being attacked by the Brain before killing herself, and keeps up the hits from there. Also, this is a huge FX film from the giant man eating brain, to the various scenes of tentacle attacks, and other death scenes. The film while not Fulci-gory hits the sweet spot for 80's horror. The performances are not top-tier, but they work for the material, and Ed Hunt directs the film in a workman-like manner, but makes sure the film is paced well and never boring. Hunt would also direct the Canuxploitation classics Bloody Birthday and Alien Warriors.

    Scream Factory presents the Brain in a solid 1:85:1 1080p AVC encoded transfer taken from the last surviving film elements. I will wager to guess this isn't not a negative or interpositive due to the description as film elements, so likely a print source, and it certainly looks like a restoration from a print. Still the last time I saw this film was on VHS, and the film here looks better than ever before.  The Brain has solid film like textures, a naturally occurring grain field that looks solid, decent detail, and colors. Audio is handled by a DTS-HD MA audio track in English that sounds quite solid and without issue.  Extras include a commentary by director Ed Hunt, plus a separate commentary with composer Paul Zaza. There are also 3 separate interviews with the cast and crew, and a Love Letter to the Brain featurette.

      The Brain has taken forever to get a quality physical release, and it is here now. Scream has done excellent work bringing the Brain to Blu-ray with the best possible restoration, and a solid extras slate. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.