Film Review: Videodrome, Written and Directed by David Cronenberg

Review by Thumper: Thump score from 1 to 5: Thump of 4

“Videodrome” is a cult-classic from 1983. “Viedeodrome is written and directed by David Cronenberg. This film stars James Woods and Deborah Harry from “Blondie.” It is one of his most original and provocative films, fusing social commentary with shocking sex, torture and violence, and psychological hallucinations. At times, the viewer is left wondering how “Videodrome” was ever produced and distributed. How did they get this past the censure board? For its time, it has groundbreaking special effects, and makeup by Academy Award winner, Rick Baker. “Videodrome” is one of the most influential horror and mind-bending science fiction films of the 1980s.

When Max Renn, played by James Woods, goes looking for edgy new shows for his sleazy cable TV station, he stumbles across the pirate broadcast of a violent torture show named “Videodrome.” As Max Renn struggles to unearth the origins of the program, he embarks on a hallucinatory journey into a shadowy underworld communicating to him through an analog-philia of right-wing conspiracies, sadomasochistic sex games, republican senators, and bodily transformation and mutilation.

The irony of the film is that it was top of the line in technology. However, the technology they use in the film for video is the old VHS tape systems coupled with an analog communications system. The distortion or fuzz on the television screen means hallucinations are being transcribed into the mind of the person viewing the screen. One of the highlights of the movie is when James Woods inserts a VHS tape into an insertion in his stomach, and the old VHS tape takes control of his mind. Like fine wines, this film has improved over the last few decades.

From an historical perspective, it is an interesting film to view in relationship to archaic analog and VHS technology. Although “Videodrome” lacks the most modern technological advancement, the viewer is left wondering how David Cronenberg ever thought of such a twisted scenario. The film in 1983 and now pushes the envelope regarding social taboos. In 1983, the populace was into sex, cocaine, pot, speed, Macintosh computers and rock-n-roll. The film scored fourth as “Bravo TV's” “30 Even Scarier Movie Moments.” Also, it was selected as one of the “23 Weirdest Films” of all time. This is a must keep for the film industries historical archives.

Review by Thumper: Thump score from 1 to 5: Thump of 4