Visual Stylist DePalma Unleashes another Psychological Thriller. Again, the Homages to Hitchcock's "Psycho" (1960) are presented Playfully with nods to Michael Powell's "Peeping Tom" (1960) and just because He Can, there are Parallels to His Previous Work.Departing from what made Him a Famous (or infamous) Director in the 1970's, with Films like "Carrie" (1976) and others, for more Conventional Mainstream Movies, "The Untouchable" (1987), the always Interesting DePalma feels like He is having Fun with "Cain" but the Film's Complicated and Deep Subject Matters are Many but Not Manageable in a 90 Minute Genre Picture.Combining John Lithgow's Multi-Personality Role in a Multi-Character Performance with DePalma's Over-the Top Flourishes that are always Fun to Watch, the Movie is a Beautiful Display of Clinical Considerations and B-Movie Madness.The Film Divides Devotees of the Director and Confirms for His Haters that DePalma is forever Surrounded by Controversy and Highly Opinionated Pontificates. The Newly Released "Director's" Cut was put together Not by the Director (but blessed), and is a Different Attempt at Cohesion. The Plot, for some Discerning Folks, was Confusing and Awkward.DePalma's Lurid Take on Edgy Entertainment with Abnormal Psychology is Not the Stuff of PhD's and High-Brow Dissertations, it is the Stuff of a Master Manipulator making B-Movie Fun for the Trailer-Park and Frat-Boy Film Lovers. They don't give a Hoot if it makes Sense, just that it is a Good Time Thrill and for most of the Director's Good Work, that is a Given.

this is a good Saturday night feature to view! make some popcorn and get ready for a weird but fun ride. famous actors are in it which surprised me because it is a cheesy film but entertaining .not gory like today's offerings. it held my attention to the very end. give it a try and you just might enjoy it!

One of the most jolting and disturbing horror thrillers ever made, "Raising Cain" centers around the character(s) played by John Lithgow, as a man outwardly known as Carter but in whom lie submerged a number of other personalities, including the malevolent title character Cain. Carter, as it turns out in the first few minutes of the film, was the original personality but was split off into new side personalities as a result of the deliberate infliction of trauma by his father for the purpose of researching multiple personalities (one of the most disturbing incarnations of the 'mad scientist' idea ever seen on film). The re-emergence (or raising) of Cain and the subsequent abduction of the child of Carter and his wife Jenny (well played by the underrated Lolita Davidovich) sets off one of the scariest movies in history, with riveting suspense and visual shocks that are literally jolting, like few movies have ever achieved. Extremely recommended for horror, suspense and mystery fans.

If you're in the mood for a slightly challenging horror film with some over-the-top characterization from John Lithgow, and some incredible camera work typical of a Brian DePalma film, and you don't mind some lapses in logic or unresolved narrative strands drifting off into dark garages, this is a diverting psychological thriller, with Lithgow essaying at least four different characters, and lots of suspense built around who someone is going to kidnap or mutilate next.Raising Cain involved my brain for an hour or so, and by the next morning my brain had erased the film and wanted something more substantial--and there are plenty of DePalma films that fit the bill. Carrie, Dressed To Kill or Blow Out, if you want plenty of suspense, or The Untouchables, Carlito's Way or Scarface if you want a substantial tale crammed with solid characters and an epic plot.