I have to weigh in here with a controversial position:
Cronenberg is overrated! And, specifically, THIS MOVIE is overrated!
I began to realize that Cronenberg isn't actually such a great director (isn't "all that") (ugh) when he started getting artsy in the 90s and made the movie of Naked Lunch, which was pretty bad. Then, later, he made a movie called ExistenZ that was so hopeless I didn't even know where to start (in terms of critiquing it).
More recently there was a terrible movie called A History of Violence starring Mr. Mumbles (Viggo Morgensen) which was pretentious as hell and ineptly made and didn't make any sense to begin with.
I finally realized that Cronenberg isn't that great: His one skill is "gross tendrils," which worked out very well for him in The Fly.The Fly is a total masterpiece, but I think that's because of the performances and because of a great script by Charles Edward Pogue.
Oh, and Videodrome is also pretty bad. The problem is that he makes movies that, when you hear them described by some avid fan, seem like they'd be totally amazing, but the actual execution is always plodding and inept.
I totally agree. I think Videodrome is a mess. I watched again 2 years ago and I was just annoyed by the whole experience. Was the second half of the film a hallucination? I don't know either. It's true that his movies sound so much better than what you actually see on screen. Years ago I wrote a letter to Fangoria Magazine complaining about Dead Ringers (I don't know what my complaint was) and they printed it. I made the mistake of printing my address and I received tons of weird mail. One woman sent me her panties for some reason.
I agree with both of you but JPX I have to say I've been giggling for over half an hour over the panties thing. That's just beyond creepy but hilarious none the less.
[Image] From worstpreviews Universal Pictures will remake the 1983 David Cronenberg-directed thriller "Videodrome," with Ehren Kruger (Arlington Road, The Ring) set to write the script and produce with partner Daniel Bobker.
The original "Videodrome" starred James Woods as the head of Civic TV Channel 83, who makes his station relevant by programming "Videodrome," a series that depicts torture and murder that transfixes viewers.
The new picture will modernize the concept, infuse it with the possibilities of nano-technology and blow it up into a large-scale sci-fi action thriller.
Cronenberg has no role in the film as yet. He is currently working on "The Matarese Circle" as a starring vehicle for Tom Cruise and Denzel Washington
"David Cronenberg's "Videodrome" Being Remade"
5 Comments -
I have to weigh in here with a controversial position:
Cronenberg is overrated! And, specifically, THIS MOVIE is overrated!
I began to realize that Cronenberg isn't actually such a great director (isn't "all that") (ugh) when he started getting artsy in the 90s and made the movie of Naked Lunch, which was pretty bad. Then, later, he made a movie called ExistenZ that was so hopeless I didn't even know where to start (in terms of critiquing it).
More recently there was a terrible movie called A History of Violence starring Mr. Mumbles (Viggo Morgensen) which was pretentious as hell and ineptly made and didn't make any sense to begin with.
I finally realized that Cronenberg isn't that great: His one skill is "gross tendrils," which worked out very well for him in The Fly. The Fly is a total masterpiece, but I think that's because of the performances and because of a great script by Charles Edward Pogue.
Oh, and Videodrome is also pretty bad. The problem is that he makes movies that, when you hear them described by some avid fan, seem like they'd be totally amazing, but the actual execution is always plodding and inept.
Anyone agree?
April 27, 2009 10:09 AM
I totally agree. I think Videodrome is a mess. I watched again 2 years ago and I was just annoyed by the whole experience. Was the second half of the film a hallucination? I don't know either. It's true that his movies sound so much better than what you actually see on screen. Years ago I wrote a letter to Fangoria Magazine complaining about Dead Ringers (I don't know what my complaint was) and they printed it. I made the mistake of printing my address and I received tons of weird mail. One woman sent me her panties for some reason.
April 27, 2009 10:53 AM
I agree with both of you but JPX I have to say I've been giggling for over half an hour over the panties thing. That's just beyond creepy but hilarious none the less.
April 27, 2009 12:35 PM
I wasn't too impressed with Videodrome, exploding heads aside. However, I absolutely love Rabid and The Brood.
April 27, 2009 1:35 PM
Yeah I like Rabid and The Brood as well!
April 28, 2009 4:58 PM