Review of Videodrome (1983) by Lisa C — 11 Jul 2013

Creepy and eerily prophetic with its gruesome visuals of how TV and technology literally integrates itself into a man's life, Cronenberg's film remains a classic. Max Renn (James Woods) lives in the not too distant future where TV has infiltrated every part of life.

The runner of his own rather "dirty" TV network, he happens upon a hidden signal in a broadcast,a show called Videodrome", displaying unspeakable acts of live torture and death. What he doesn't know is that within this signal, it actually emits a sort of radiation which affects the body and mind.

He begins having lucid hallucinations of his tv actually becoming a living breathing entity, he notices a slit on his stomache, which subsequently opens and he places a gun inside (to be used later). His mind becomes manipulated by those writhe college podia signal and they intend to use him as a pawn in an assassination (remember the gun?).

The makeup effects by Rick Baker still stand the test of time and remain more disturbing than any cgi effects created today. Not everyone will like this movie, but if you like Cronenberg you will love this.

Truly ahead if it's time, much of what is in this 30 year old (!!) film is being seen in a shadowy form today. I've grown to like it the more I see it, and the blu ray looks wonderful, with an excellent commentary and panel interview.