Christianne - I think we’re all in agreement that Wagner isn’t a very good writer, but at least his ideas sparked a great screenplay and a terrific film.

And I’m totally with you in regard to critics and viewers who think Cronenberg has somehow “softened” up. That’s just ridiculous. I really need to see Eastern Promises again but that film, along with History, easily contain some of Cronenberg’s best moments. Unlike many other directors who seem to loose something as they grow older, Cronenberg just continues to become a more interesting filmmaker. I’m eager to see what he does next.

I’m always amused at the people who claim that this film (and Eastern Promises, too) are departures for Cronenberg; to my mind it seems like this is exactly like his early horror movies. I think it’s a weird kind of remake of Scanners, actually, with the younger brother confronting an older brother who wants to kill him, and with the victor coming out of the conflict with two elements of his persona–the meek and the agressive–fused together. Come to think of it, that’s the plot of Dead Ringers, too. So it’s pretty hard core Cronenberg.

It’s my favorite Cronenberg of this decade, too.

I do think the comic is worth a look though. I have mixed feelings about Wagner’s writing in general, but I do love Vincent Locke’s artwork and I think he’s actually an under-appreciated comic book artist. Speaking of Locke, I wish someone would adapt the zombie tale he did with Stuart Kerr (Deadworld) into a film. I’ve heard rumors for years that a Deadworld movie was in the works but nothing has come of it yet. With the current interest in comic book tales, zombies and horror in general I suspect it would have a large audience.

Great screencaps!