A classic of the genre — whatever that genre is. This is at times a late 60s psychedelic mind trip movie, a mid 70s anti-authoritarian paranoia flick, and early 80s gross-out horror film chock full of new computers and video arcade set design. I dunno. . . somehow it speaks to me. Undeniable serious flaw: God awful lead performance by Stephen Lack. The Lack is for lack-of-talent. It is well documented that Cronenberg’s early films were made very quickly with Canadian tax shelter money that had to be spent in a small window of time. My guess is that he simply didn’t have the resources to cast anyone else. But, seriously, my cat is more menacing that this supposed super telekenetic “street person.” I’ve seen the film before and only this time did I ever really pick up that he was supposed to be a homeless crazy at the beginning. The dude looks like Tim Allen! Still, Michael Ironside is terrific as the baddie — dude is one of the greatest actors alive because he can sell ANY line and make it seem plausible. He can say something ridiculous like “now I’m gonna suck your brain dry” and somehow you don’t laugh in his face. The man is a genius. Anyway, rent “Scanners.” It is a hoot — and features some wonderfully ugly architecture!