“Videodrome” (1983) – Who or what is Videodrome? For starters, it’s a television show broadcast out of Malaysia that depicts torture, human being on human being.
Surely, the torment isn’t real. Right?
Well, Max Renn’s (James Woods), the head of a TV station that specializes in eccentric programming, is curious about the said program.
However, he stumbles onto a path of treachery and sleaze, and that’s just the beginning.
Writer/director David Cronenberg’s body-horror-meets-technology flick traverses into mind-boggling spaces, as the events like a character inserting a videotape into another’s torso becomes conventional fodder over 87 twisted minutes.
“Videodrome” needs at least a couple of viewings to get a handle on the plot points, the basics, both large and small. Sadly, moviegoers did not take that opportunity in 1983, as the movie only grossed $2.1 million at the U.S. box office.
However, Cronenberg’s film found new life on video shelves, as this strange TV story became a cult hit on the small screen. Of course, it did!
Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon: 2
James Woods stars in “Videodrome” (1983)
James Woods stars in “Casino” (1995) with Robert De Niro
Robert De Niro stars in “Sleepers” (1996) with Kevin Bacon
Directed and Written by: David Cronenberg
Starring: James Woods, Debbie Harry, Sonja Smits, and Peter Dvorsky
Runtime: 87 minutes
Rated: R
Image credits: Universal Pictures
