Videodrome
this was a real trip. videodrome has already been on my watchlist since forever, but i knew i had to take it off asap once i watched tetsuo (one of the best movies ever) and learned that this inspired it, along with eraserhead (one of the other best movies ever). i definitely do see the similarities, the surrealism, the body horror, the fusing into technology and getting weirdly horny with it lol, etc. but also both films are unique. i do like tetsuo better but videodrome was still almost perfect to me. i love the themes of desensitization, technology, and sadomasochism.
in videodrome, those who view the titular broadcast are then subjected to cancerous brain tumors that give the viewer increasingly violent and sexual hallucinations, a punishment for purposely seeking out snuff films. in a way, it feels like a call-out to movie enjoyers like me, who have morbid curiosities that lead them to watch some of the most disturbing things ever shown on a screen (funny games style). Max renn learned that what he was watching on videodrome was real, and still had a desire to see the latest broadcast.
“it’s momentum, i don’t know how to stop!”
this is only my second cronenberg film! and both of what ive watched from him were actual masterpieces. crash (1996) was life-changing and i think this might be even better. there’s something very wrong with me mentally. :/
#LongLiveTheNewFlesh