The early 1980s was a different era in some ways and in some ways it was the same as today . Comparing it to 2012 is like looking at a parallel universe . The Daily Mail and other right wing tabloids would be concerned about the moral health of Great Britain and nothing disgusted the rags more than the advent of the video recorder . Every murder and violent crime committed in the last quarter of the 20th Century was souly caused by people watching video nasties . Interesting to remember that two of the most popular shows on British television in the 1980s were JIM'LL FIX IT and THAT'S LIFE when both Jimmy Savile and Esther Rantzen were great role models to the great British public
VIDEODROME captures the spirit of these times . For many years people would debate if there was even such a thing as a " snuff movie " but with the advent of the internet the urban myth of the snuff movie has been dispelled . Jihadist scum proudly post videos of violent murders of both infidels and heretics alike and if we're talking moral corruption both worthless nobodies and big name celebrities happily download images and videos of children being , raped , abused and mutilated for their own sexual enjoyment
In other words this makes VIDEODROME a rather dated film but one that remains prophetic . It is in effect a film that predates the likes of THE LAWNMOWER MAN , TOTAL RECALL , INCEPTION and all these other mind bending thrillers featuring virtual reality but with a much smaller budget than the films that followed it
Cronenberg makes up for the lack of budget by concentrating on performances and a brooding atmosphere . The criminally underrated James Woods is an actor you'll either love or hate and gives his usual intense over caffinated edgy performance and if he read out his shopping list I'd still find it a compelling experience . He has a great sexual chemistry with Debbie Harry but how difficult is it not to have sexual chemistry with the lead singer of Blondie ?
It says a lot about a film when you have no idea what is going on and can't explain the plot but you're still hypnotised by it . Even more so this is the anti-thesis of the feel good movie . Sado-masochism features as does self mutilation , psychosis and murder and the film ends bleakly with the suicide of the anti-hero . It's this shocking , depressing nihilism that makes VIDEODROME so memorable. The Cronenberg remake of THE FLY might be his most enjoyable film but perhaps VIDEODROME is his best movie
VIDEODROME captures the spirit of these times . For many years people would debate if there was even such a thing as a " snuff movie " but with the advent of the internet the urban myth of the snuff movie has been dispelled . Jihadist scum proudly post videos of violent murders of both infidels and heretics alike and if we're talking moral corruption both worthless nobodies and big name celebrities happily download images and videos of children being , raped , abused and mutilated for their own sexual enjoyment
In other words this makes VIDEODROME a rather dated film but one that remains prophetic . It is in effect a film that predates the likes of THE LAWNMOWER MAN , TOTAL RECALL , INCEPTION and all these other mind bending thrillers featuring virtual reality but with a much smaller budget than the films that followed it
Cronenberg makes up for the lack of budget by concentrating on performances and a brooding atmosphere . The criminally underrated James Woods is an actor you'll either love or hate and gives his usual intense over caffinated edgy performance and if he read out his shopping list I'd still find it a compelling experience . He has a great sexual chemistry with Debbie Harry but how difficult is it not to have sexual chemistry with the lead singer of Blondie ?
It says a lot about a film when you have no idea what is going on and can't explain the plot but you're still hypnotised by it . Even more so this is the anti-thesis of the feel good movie . Sado-masochism features as does self mutilation , psychosis and murder and the film ends bleakly with the suicide of the anti-hero . It's this shocking , depressing nihilism that makes VIDEODROME so memorable. The Cronenberg remake of THE FLY might be his most enjoyable film but perhaps VIDEODROME is his best movie