Jonathan Roberts 'Electric Dreams' isn't the sort of film I'd usually watch, but I was drawn to it for a few reasons. The first was Lenny von Dohlen - I'd only known him as Harold from 'Twin Peaks', and thought he was a peculiar choice for a lead role. The second was Virginia Madsen; I'm not too familiar with much of her work, but I watched 'Candyman' a few months ago and thought she was a brilliant actress. Neither of these two performers disappoint in 'Electric Dreams'. The writing is a little hit-and-miss, especially when the computer begins to acquire a personality. It isn't as detrimental as it could have been, though, due to the film's lightheartedness. This was director Steve Barron's first feature project and the only film he directed in the '80s - he spent most of the decade directing music videos for the likes of Bryan Adams, A-ha and even Michael Jackson. The director's background will make a lot of sense when you watch 'Electric Dreams' -- if you're expecting something quite cerebral like Spike Jonze's 'Her', you'll be disappointed.

George Since even the slightest info on a movie might undermine the experience of the first time (trailers tend to do this sadly) i flagged this comment as spoiler. There is no danger of ruining the movie if you read my review, but if you haven't seen it yet, some small and very little details i refer to, might make your experience not as good as watching something you have no idea about.The 80s have a lot of different movies to brag about, as a decade. This movie, Electric Dreams, is one of the greatest of them, for many reasons.First of all, the characters. There is the girl next door, there is the protagonist,who is a simple guy (that everyone can say that is a better man than he is), nice looking idiot, and a unique character who is born step by step. A computer Artificial Intelligence. If you don't mind a little...crappy scenario on how AI was created (its fun and funny after all and that's the point, its somehow a comedy), you will love the movie.Secondly there is the setting. Characters have good background to support the movie, It gives nice morals on love and friendship, touches you deeply and any computer geek like me will just love it.Finally there is another thing that makes this movie different than the other 80s movies. During 80s lots of movies follow the feel-good philosophy with a somehow happy end. The feel good philosophy though, makes those American movies so cheesy that they defy description, from the beginning to the end. This does not apply here and that's a good thing. This feel good feeling takes place in the end and its cheesy of course, a VERY GOOD decision that leaves you with the good feelings after... nah, i said enough...

Buzi Fighter I've seen it during 80's and I remember how people wandered about computers having emotions and feelings. Let me tell you something, this movie is a piece of art right there. I literary could smell the eighties aroma, and the feel of a new computer being bought. The whole movie is so simple and charming. Even to the point of re-evaluating today's lack of emotions and ideas in people, all due to the time spend on a computer, never puzzling one self about mysteries and stories that could come up with it. Remember Terminator? Well, this movie is benign in comparison but the idea of an emotion feeling machine, and at the same time a living AI life form helping you around house is still pretty alive today. Acting is also a very refreshing wave from the past.

minnyca One by one recently I have been digging up all the movies from the 80s & 90s that I remember liking.Recently I procured a copy of Electric Dreams, remembering how much I liked the music in this movie.Watching it, I quickly realized this movie is one of the best performances and characters from the 80s that Virginia Madsen was in. Her character is interesting and at times comical. As is most of her 80s films she is absolutely stunning in this film - my favorite scene is The Duel - the actress & character really look like they are having such a fun time dueling with the Computer ... and what is it with this actress and men in towels? Funny scene though as is the one in Creator ... The scenes at Alcatraz are good also. Then as now she has to be one of Hollywood's best actresses - it is her voice and her eyes, the expressions in her eyes, that I find most interesting about her. Her voice as well - she is so good at projecting her voice, soft at times, strong willed and defiant at other times.Lenny Von Dohlen also gives a good performance as the perfect Computer "geek" and quite pleasant to the eye as well. He is perfect as the geeky Miles, the architect with the Earthquake brick. The scene at the live concert with his battle with the pager - very funny - he looks so mortified and embarrassed though Madsen's character is definitely intrigued.Max Caulfield with a bit part in this as well as the shallow Bill.Bud Cort turns in a good performance also as the very spoiled and juvenile voice of Edgar, the newly created Artificial Lifeform. Edgar is very spoiled but turns out some wonderful musical compositions first the Duel, then Love Is Love a love song written and performed by the sultry, soft vocals of Boy George & Culture Club and of course Madeline's Theme. I love that piece of music. And Together in Electric Dreams performed by Philip Oakley - it is really the music that really shines in this movie. Bud Cort also as the juvenile Edgar - spoiled brat at times, comical at times but in the end has some hard life value lessons to be learned. That love is give and not take.Is this movie for everyone? Probably not and since this is not in Wide release or widely available on DVD it may hurt its exposure a little bit even now - they are releasing so many movies now to DVD, why not this one? Definitely worth finding if you like movies of this sort - for it to make sense - no but just a movie with good fun and how a computer can take over a person's life. Do they go wrong to the extent as this one does? No hopefully not but they can be equally as frustrating. And they do seem to have personalities - work perfectly at one time and act stupid another.I found this film entertaining and enjoyable and if you like 80s music this one is for you.