Videodrome

Interesting sci-fi horror. The plot reminds me of real government experiments but uses media as the control drug. It questions reality by asking what constitutes as a real experience. Does media shape us more than we realise?
It was fun to watch.

(English below) Come profetizzato dal film stesso, ormai siamo arrivati ad una soglia di assuefazione tale che le immagini proposte da “Videodrome” non riescono più a lasciare il segno se non dal punto di vista artistico. Il messaggio e le atmosfere rimangono comunque parecchio affascinanti. A tratti incoerente e contorto al punto da sembrare fine a se stesso, cosa che non può far altro che aggiungere ulteriore fascino alla pellicola.

Un modo efficace e poco bacchettone di trattare i pericoli dei media in quanto capaci di “riprogrammare” sia gli ideali che il modo di percepire la realtà che ci circonda.

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As predicted by the film itself, we eventually got to the point that the images shown by the “Videodrome” would hardly have any impact on us, if not as captivating set pieces. However, it’s still a poignant commentary on how media can “reprogram” our ideals and mold our perception of reality. At times it gets so convoluted and incoherent that it’s hard to figure out what really happened, but that’s part of the fun.

Still mesmerizing in its unsettling grip of reality, while feeling scary and sexual at the same time.

Are you ready to get overstimulated, open those neural floodgates?!

It's Cronenberg so you expect amazing practical effects mixed with some grotesque body horror and an unhealthy dose of erotics gone wrong, well it certainly delivers on that. ***Videodrome*** is getting more and more relevant by the day with it's commentary on media influence and how it can reprogram our minds and ultimately our body (maybe one day)—"It isn't too naive or too sweet, it's contemporary!" Brilliant score, beautiful cinematography, great pacing and fabulous performance from James Woods. The television screen coming alive is such an iconic moment. Cronenberg has a twisted mind, how can you even think of something like an electrified wall of clay to torture people? Mind-bending ending, I love it!

>*"Whatever appears on the television screen emerges as raw experience for those who watch it. Therefore, television is reality, and reality is less than television."*

"Death to Videodrome! Long live the new flesh!"

David Cronenberg is an unpredictable force that even after watching most of his films, you still don't get use to the usual trademarks. In "Videodrome", he focus on what viewers enjoy the most in entertainment. Sex in romance, violence in horror, and the mystery that drives the plot forward. He sometimes knows us too well, it's scary.

Even after it's over the movie leaves you questioning and having this dark impression on you. Everything is f**ked up and you can't help to look on. TV messes up the mind, but movies can make you maniacs.

No matter how many times I watch it, it doesn't get any less confusing. It's a bit pretentious, but it's got a cool message at its core. I think at least. haha The movie also sports some wild imagery.

Well that was a messed up film of weirdness and I liked it. Good performance from James woods. Some good effects.

My review is not directed at viewers who have yet to watch _Videodrome_ ; it's aimed to give myself an idea of what I thought of this movie so I can decide whether I want to watch it again or not. That being said, this wasn't the first time I've watched the film, but the original time (way back in the mid-80's, probably not long after its release) I watched this and was more intrigued with the special effects and mild body horror than I was with the message this film projected. Watching it now, I watched it to actually ingest the concept of the movie and I can agree with what most others say: its message is far more relevant today, especially with the advent of streaming media and a basically unfiltered, uncensored, unstaunchable torrent of material available to anyone, anywhere, anytime. Do I think that an actual "Videodrome" (arena) exists that creates tumors or alters our brain? No, of course not; but I've no doubt the torrent of media available to the insatiable minds of humanity is having its effect on the collective soul of humanity. For those watching this for the first time (assuming you're still reading my review, even after I said it wasn't directed at you), don't watch this expecting a lot of mind-bending special effects or grotesque gore. It's THERE - in small doses - but that's not what this movie is about, nor what it's directed at. Watch this for the statement it makes, then make up your own mind as to whether you agree or not. _Videodrome_ will either make you want to stop watching (TV, movies, streaming video) or it will whet your appetite for more of what's out there. You decide. Personally, for a movie that was released 30 years ago, I found the special effects still pretty cool - even though somewhat dated - and the gruesomeness was enough to sate my appetite. It was the message of the film that appealed to me the most, however. Would I watch it again? Meh, this was actually my THIRD time (maybe 4th? I don't even know, now) to watch it, and this time I "got it"... If I were to ever watch it again, it would be purely for the sake of nostalgia, certainly not because it's a great movie.

"Have you been hallucinating lately?"
"No. Should I be?"