Videodrome

Videodrome is more than just a horror flick. It's a film about the power of the media and what they transmit to us. It's also got loads of gooey special effects and Deborah Harry half naked!

The movie is about soft-core TV channel owner Max Renn (James Woods) and his desire to get something a bit more controversial and exciting on his channel to please himself and his viewers. His colleague Harlan (Peter Dvorsky) brings his attention to a video tape called 'Videodrome'. It appears to be a snuff movie and Max becomes intrigued.

While on a TV talk show he meets up with radio personality Nicki Brand (Deborah Harry) and they go home together. Nicki needs something to get her in the mood for some 'romance' and Max show her 'Videodrome'. Nicki is at once shocked and excited and expresses her interest in participating in a future taping. Max doesn't know where the tape comes from or who makes it but he warns Nicki not to get involved.

Max becomes obsessed with 'Videodrome' and asks his director friend to find out about it. She already knows and warns Max to forget about it. Max's thirst for information leads him to a hostel run by Dr. Brian O'Blivion and her daughter Bianaca (Sonja Smits). Her father is already dead but he has left a vast library of tapes detailing his experiences with 'Videodrome'. Max finds out that half his life is already hallucination caused by 'Videodrome'.

Soon he finds a hole in his chest, well it's more of an opening really. And in it he puts the video tape. 'Videodrome' is now in control. He soon finds out that 'Videodrome' controls and destroys all that watch it. Max is caught in a battle between those that created 'Videodrome' and those that want to use it for their own evil ends. Max's body is becoming the only weapon to destroy them.

The movie features some great and really disgusting special effects. It's not for the weak stomached. It's one that you'll never forget and will get you thinking before turning on the TV again! It's one of Cronenberg's most socially relevant films and one that has inspired many movies since. It's quite similar to the recent Japanese 'Ring' movies. It's a definite classic within it's genre and possibly beyond.