248 - Videodrome

[captainofbeef]

Disc 1
- New high-definition digital transfer of the unrated version, with restored image and sound and enhanced for widescreen televisions
- Two audio commentaries: David Cronenberg and director of photography Mark Irwin, and actors James Woods and Deborah Harry
- Camera (2000), a short film starring Videodrome’s Les Carlson, written and directed by Cronenberg
- English subtitles for the deaf and hearing impaired
- Optimal image quality: RSDL dual-layer

Disc 2
- Forging the New Flesh, a new half-hour documentary featurette by filmmaker Michael Lennick about the creation of Videodrome’s video and prosthetic makeup effects
- Effects Men, a new audio interview with special makeup effects creator Baker and video effects supervisor Lennick
- Bootleg Video: the complete footage of Samurai Dreams and seven minutes of transmissions from “Videodrome,” presented in their original, unedited form with filmmaker commentary
- Fear on Film, a 26-minute roundtable discussion from 1982 between filmmakers Cronenberg, John Carpenter, John Landis, and Mick Garris
- Original theatrical trailers and promotional featurette
- Stills galleries featuring hundreds of rare behind-the-scenes production photos, special effects makeup tests, and publicity photos
- PLUS: a 40-page booklet featuring an essay by film critic Carrie Rickey, excerpts from an unpublished book on Videodrome by film critic and publisher Tim Lucas, and a new essay by novelist and culture critic Gary Indiana

[blackmoses]

This film is AMAZING!!!!! Cronenberg's best so far but I didnt see The Fly yet...

[captainofbeef]

The Fly is great as is everything Cronenberg does. You must let me borrow this!

[criterionmaster]

For some reason Cronenberg films don’t seem to blow me away. I can obviously see that his films are well made and some of the most original films coming out today. I watch them but take nothing away from them. There are exceptions of course and it’s not that I don’t enjoy watching them, it’s just when they are done I am just “eh.” Well this film had almost the same effect. I liked this much more than Naked Lunch though.

The story is an awesome one. It is so original and so cool to watch. It’s about a TV operator who, after discovering a torture porno show, Videodrome, his life takes a crazy turn. This could have easily turned into one of those new horror films like that stupid one where people die over the internet (forget the name) or Fear dot com but Cronenberg puts unique style into the film that those films are missing.

The effects are amazing. The vagina on James Woods stomach is insane but very cool looking (lol). I normally enjoy the effects in all Cronenberg films, especially The Fly and this was no exception.

Woods is so perfect in the lead role it hurts. The rest of the cast is good as well.

This wasn’t really my cup of tea, but I did enjoy it and can easily recommend it especially for people who enjoyed Cronenberg’s other films.



PLUS:

Camera

Cronenberg short film that can be found on the Criterion DVD for Videodrome. This did nothing for me but I get the message about aging. I would never watch it again but the lead performance was good.

[captainofbeef]

Man, I the more I think about this movie the more I love it. I could see someone not liking it, but its seems as if Dan's opinion on it has changed since he saw it last. He now hates it, even though he said he enjoyed it before. Why?

[criterionmaster]

No, I still give the film a 6, just like I did back then. Like I said, I take nothing away from it and remember very little from it. Well made, but this happens with me and all/most Cronenberg I have seen. It is better than most I have seen from him though. You have to admit his style is very off-putting, I didn't even think you would like this film that much.

[captainofbeef]

His style puts off most, but I love it. Its violent and odd, yet perfect.