Cool News
Universal To Remake VIDEODROME Because They Enjoy Burning Money!
Beaks here...
For the fucking love of Brian O'Blivion.
David Cronenberg's VIDEODROME was released theatrically on February 4, 1983. It was outgrossed in the U.S. by Peter Greenaway's THE DRAUGHTSMAN'S CONTRACT. The film has since acquired a cult following, but it remains virtually unknown by mainstream moviegoers. When I wear my "Civic TV" t-shirt in public, hardcore cinephiles don't always catch the reference. VIDEODROME is many things: brilliant, prescient, one of Cronenberg's best films. It is not a brand.
But Universal, the studio that thought it would be a fine idea to make a prequel to one of the biggest bombs of 1982 (John Carpenter's THE THING), is once again going to the flop well because they're petrified by original ideas. And they've hired an unproven commercial director (which worked so well for them on THE 47 RONIN) and a guy who once accidentally wrote an above-average screenplay to update it.
According to Deadline's Michael Fleming, Ehren Kruger (who will write the film) and producer Daniel Bobker plan to "modernize" Cronenberg's film by addressing nano-technology. They also want to turn it into a "large-scale sci-fi action thriller". Um, Universal? Have you looked at the box office for the TOTAL RECALL remake? That was actually a hit in its original incarnation.
Look, I think anything is open to reinterpretation provided you've got a great, relevant idea, but I seriously doubt that the paycheck-cashing hack who last dazzled us with TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON has much to say about... anything really. And Universal is going to sink somewhere north of $60 million into this film because Ron Meyer is evidently giddy to run a once-proud studio into the ground. This is a waste of money. Stop it. You just bled out on BATTLESHIP and made a killing on TED. Learn from your mistakes.
The director of this proposed remake, Adam Berg, does appear to be talented. Take a look at this commercial. Give this guy a worthwhile project.
Readers Talkback
comments powered by Disqus-
+ Expand All
-
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
-
Aug. 22, 2012, 3:39 p.m. CST
Brian Oblivion is also the name of one of the members of the hipster jerkoff band Cults
by Chris
I have yet to see Videodrome so shame on me for thinking of that horrible band when I first saw this article.... seriously, shame
-
...considering that every other person you see has disappeared into their iphone. Smartphones are the new flesh. Granted I doubt this remake will get that deep into the concept but still there's something to this idea.
-
If they want to just blow some money, why not do something good with it like give it to charity. A Videodrome remake will cost 10x more than the original, and be 10x worse.
-
Man more and more people are running out of original ideas! And filmmakers who have one are not getting their chance to make their films. Sucks.
-
It's the only logical explanation.
-
15 years ago.
-
I generally would've expected a title like this: Universal To Remake VIDEODROME!!!!!!!! followed by gushing enthusiasm of how cool it would be if this and that and this and that, but you've surprised me Mr. Beaks. Where the fuck is originality these days? Why don't they just feed some homeless or something.
-
Like Nanodrome or i-drome?
-
His articles read well, they're not riddled with errors, and he actually something interesting to say and a point of view on what he's talking about . If this article were written by any other AICN writer it would go something like this - "Universal are trying remake VIDEODRAME. Havent actually seen it but I hear its good and Cronberg is a genius. I'm all for remakes if they're done right. Im holding out hope for this one. What say you?"
-
Probably starring half of the imbeciles from Twilight and half of the fuckheads from Hunger Games. Featuring a soundtrack by Death Cab or whatever the poreless young retards are listening to these days.
-
Yeah they're mocking it now, but when the Videodrome remake PR machine gets into full swing, you know like with Battleship we'll get like 5 stories a day about this saying give it a chance.
-
Aug. 22, 2012, 3:52 p.m. CST
I love everything I've actullly seen by Cronenberg . . .
by Nice Marmot
. . . but by the time I finally saw this I was let down. It was built up to be 800 times more fucked up than it really was. Still a fantastic flick though . . .
-
And I say he owes it all to attending the Harvard on the Hocking.
-
Make it pg-13 with lots of shakey cam!
-
Aug. 22, 2012, 3:56 p.m. CST
I wouldn't have minded an update in the same universe as Videodrome. But this just reeks of shit.
by kindofabigdeal
I know it's the hipster film geek who hates all remakes but Hollywood is making it too easy to become one. I know there is something to be said of all our technology rapidly changing our everyday lives. But it also has to live up to the idea that what we see is corrupting us. I liked the original idea of a hidden signal that beams directly to your brain causing a tumor that makes your hollucinate. Who needs nantechnology when you have wifi beams, cell phone signals, cable tv, HAARP for godsake. I agree that the people making this have no idea what Videodrome was all about and will fail just as well. Too bad, this could have used an update/continuation of what the original was all about. Death to Universal, long live the new flesh.
-
hopefully there will be something subliminal in this that will actually fuck up anyone that watches it
-
Aug. 22, 2012, 4:06 p.m. CST
I think it's a great idea-- just like Straw Dogs, it needed to happen.
by chifforobe
Yaack! Glaaack! Sorry, I just spit stomach acid all over the keyboard. My body is reacting violently against something, I'm not sure what.
-
2 twits enter. 1 twit leaves.
-
how big was the check. that's all i wanna know.
-
I imagine that Universal just went to a yard sale that David Cronenberg, Paul Veerhoven and John Carpenter were having and bought a cardboard box filled the rights to their old movies for $5. On the bright side, this pattern of failure indicates that the stream of remakes over the last 5-10 years is becoming less profitable to maintain and soon they'll be forced into making original films again (for a while, at least).
-
...if they want to update it. Clearly Video is a thing of the past. So why not call it something else, and make an original film about nano technology?
-
Cool vid, but what was it?
-
because after all, we don't have to see the piece of shit when it's released But I have to say that Beaks picked the absolute PERFECT still from this movie to put at the top of article. Kudos to you, sir
-
And you'll see it available on Netflix instant in fall 2016 and say "Oh yeah, I remember hearing about that. I guess they actually made it. Hm." and then you click on 'MSNBC Investigates: John Gotti - The Manson Connection' hosted by Jane Pauley instead.
-
Just to be sure it's boring.
-
Aug. 22, 2012, 4:20 p.m. CST
I fart in this projects general direction. After Total Recall, what are they thinking?
by SergeantStedenko
This film has even less mainstream appeal than total Recall.
-
Wow strong language...make sure you don't get sued for something like that. It seems absurd but I seem to remember someone was sued for calling an actor a "has been" so anything seems to be fair game. Anyway good article though and you point out a lot of very real truths. I doubt the folks at Universal love you, but if you truly write for the readers of this site, you shouldn't care and doesn't look you do. I have newfound respect for Beaks after this one.
-
Long live the new flesh.
-
...as long as the original Cronenberg film gets a deluxe theatrical rerelease, as Rialto did for Verehoeven's original Total Recall (it played this past week at New York's Film Forum). If it's good enough for the Criterion Collection, it's good enough for the art-house circuit.
-
uh...no, no it's not.
-
Mmm- DVD, digital! Videodrome features video cassettes! Hardly cutting edge.
-
Just saying...
-
As long as it's a hard 'R' and Katy Perry plays the Debbie Harry role..............
-
make it all about animated gifs with something subliminal causing the tumor this time and set it in the same universe just modern day.
-
There's just no reason for this shit
-
Aug. 22, 2012, 4:34 p.m. CST
So, Cronenberg is next, huh? He probably won't like this news. Although, he did direct a remake (THE FLY) himself.
by Mr. Pricklepants
-
GOOD FUCKING LORD THESE SACK-LESS STUDIO HACKS ARE GETTING WORSE AND WORSE
-
Aug. 22, 2012, 4:37 p.m. CST
You know what frightens me? I could actually see Michael Fassbender in the James Woods role...
by openthepodbaydoorshal
but otherwise this idea is doomed to fail. Let's take one of the most original directors of the past 40 years and dumb down and distill one of his most original works and make it for mass consumption.
-
Aug. 22, 2012, 4:41 p.m. CST
Death to the Videodrome remake! Long live the old flesh!
by Christian Sylvain
Seriously, nothing that they come up with in a remake could surpass Debby Harry's tits in the original. NOTHING!!!
-
Aug. 22, 2012, 4:48 p.m. CST
So, since this will no doubt be 'younger and hipper,' does that mean...
by Bill C.
...we'll get to see, say, Daniel Radcliffe shoving a DVD into his chest vagina? Or Scarlett Johansson screwing whomever's brains out while a snuff video plays on a 60-inch flatscreen...no, wait, that's actually kind of a good idea...
-
Yet they continue to push 80's remakes. What the fuck is wrong with the studio's right now? Also you can't even call it Videodrome right? What the fuck is going on with these idiots? I feel like Soviet era Russians would do a better job running some of these studio's these days.
-
Aug. 22, 2012, 4:56 p.m. CST
in Soviet Russia, video tape insert YOU into yonic chest cavity!
by Monnie Knapp
-
This is one of the best articles this site has posted in some time. It needs more just like this. Hazah, Beaks!!!
-
AND FUCK STUPID REMAKES! NO ONE WANTS THEM! NO ONE!!! People like my sister willfully don't like black and white movies and enjoy watching the Kardashians, I shit you not. Remakes keep happening because stupid assholes hate anything that is older than they are. Fuck these people. Fuck Hollywood, Fuck the moon, fuck corn on the cob, fuck squirrels. Fuck me, fuck you, fuck everything!
-
A brilliant movie but cult at best. I fear cigars, rare wine and cocaine are behind this fiasco waiting to happen. Ad directors sometimes pay off but modern sensibilities have put paid to that.
-
You wanted porn in higher definition!? We were wrong... we were so wrong.
-
Aug. 22, 2012, 5:06 p.m. CST
a guy who once accidentally wrote an above-average screenplay
by Collin Armstrong
I'd argue that Kruger has done solid work on multiple occasions: Arlington Road The Ring (a remake, btw) The Skeleton Key His script for Invertigo is terrific, whether it's produced or not. I'm not condoning this - it seems silly and a waste of resources to tie what is probably an entirely different idea to the VIDEODROME "name" - but I think more credit is due to Kruger. Yes, he's done some shit work, but few who are working regularly in Hollywood haven't, and he's also been behind a handful of really engaging scripts.
-
And this is totally deserving.
-
Aug. 22, 2012, 5:12 p.m. CST
How much hipster lingo will Ehren Kruger squeeze into this?
by John Kenny
I'm hailing the new flesh, honest to blog!
-
Based on your train of logic, you are saying "fuck my sister" as well. I'd ask how she looks but if she loves the Kardasian reality TV show nonsense then would be tough to put up with than unless it was a quickie.
-
For the love of God, could we put an end to this remake madness??
-
Aug. 22, 2012, 5:19 p.m. CST
Screw nanotechnology, involve the internet. People actually DO get off to their screens now
by Adelai Niska
They should get Cronenberg to remake his own movie for modern times.
-
Aug. 22, 2012, 5:27 p.m. CST
I've never seen it...but I agree that a remake/reboot is pointless.
by jellypop
The real film fan can be satisfied with what they already have...this is just another reckless exercise for us to snipe at. What a waste of time. Something like Trading Places will be next at this rate.
-
Aug. 22, 2012, 5:29 p.m. CST
Ok look guys it only makes sense to do remakes to shit people know. Brands that sell to large groups. You are so completely lost that even I with all my powers..
by UltraTron
-
Aug. 22, 2012, 5:30 p.m. CST
How about a fresh take on modern society from Cronenberg. I bet he has something to say.
by kindofabigdeal
Besides "I hate Batman". But like someone pointed out before, I think the man's earned a right to his opinion.
-
Aug. 22, 2012, 5:31 p.m. CST
I hope this time it's PG13 so they maximise on the audience figures
by D o o d
and the movie loses all it's dark cult charm! Please Universal, ask if Brett Ratner is available!
-
Aug. 22, 2012, 5:34 p.m. CST
NO, NO, NO. VIDEODROME was about unlimited access to anything courtesy of cable television, the camera replacing the human eye, recorded experience replacing the real thing, etc.
by justmyluck
A remake may have worked 15 years ago when web cams emerged!
-
There's your remake, right there.
-
Aug. 22, 2012, 5:42 p.m. CST
Fuck it I'm going to start sniffing gas now. Maybe by the time it comes out I'll be as brainless as hollywood
by UltraTron
-
Only the technologies will change. Video can be analog, digital, whatever. It's not the same as videotape.
-
My original comment WAS about video tape. That's cos it IN THE MOVIE!
-
Aug. 22, 2012, 5:47 p.m. CST
Citizen Kane instead of William Randolph Hurst it's George Lucas
by Raptor Jesus
The Sci-fi crowd would fucking love it. The story of an ambitous, talented young film maker who made history, used other peoples talents and became the thing he despised. This would write itself.
-
Aug. 22, 2012, 5:57 p.m. CST
That Debbie Harry pic is in sharp contrast to the Kat Dennings one
by bah
That's the article I just came from, so the lack of cleavage was like a vacuum.
-
right? jellypop, i envy you p.s. drugs...lots of drugs
-
Aug. 22, 2012, 6 p.m. CST
@rashomon: I'm with you... nanotech isn't embedded in our culture. Something with social media makes far greater sense.
by ChakaMudd
-
This film should never be remade. It's far too unique, idiosyncratic and definitively of its time as far as subject matter goes. A film about nano-tech simply isn't Videodrome. Oh, and to the comedians in this thread praising AICN's resident poseur Beaks for being a 'great writer'. ...you are being sarcastic...er, aren't you? *chuckle*
-
nice choice...5 knuckle shuffle in 3. 2. 1. ahhhhhhhh
-
hey... that was funny! thank you sir!
-
Aug. 22, 2012, 6:16 p.m. CST
This is a terrible idea, but just to shoot down the "everything Hollywood sucks!" argument
by Sam Lloyd
Paul Thomas Anderson, Mark/Jay Duplass, Joss Whedon, Richard Linklater, Steven Soderbergh, Chris Nolan, Ben Affleck, Martin McDonagh, Ang Lee, Peter Jackson, Kathryn Bigelow, Quentin Tarantino, Judd Apatow, David Fincher, Darren Aronofsky, and several others that I'm sure I forgot are prominent Hollywood-affiliated directors who consistently pump out quality films. Yes, more often than not, you get shitty big-budget fare like Total Recall (2012 version), Expendables, etc, but to claim that Hollywood is dead is just wrong.
-
I think it broke my fragile little mind.
-
think of the placement $$$. i have a fever. and the only cure is more kindle!
-
i want to buy bullet tooth clown masks and tear some shit up now! As impressive as that is, it's an impressive technical exercise and in no way AT ALL demonstrates ANY storytelling ability- it's all one damn shot with vfx guys cleverly stitching it all together. WHY do they keep going for commercial guys when its only one now and then that proves they can do it? There are many other very talented filmmakers out there that would love a try and ruining an unnecessary remake or prequel or however they are dressing up their fuckwit ideas. Seriously- they guys that make these decisions all tend to be people you wouldn't send for coffee for fear they come back with a test tube of the ebola virus!
-
Aug. 22, 2012, 6:31 p.m. CST
Darthshellers - no, your original comment was that they need to change the title
by WWBD
And they do not. Because video still exists just as it has for about 120 years.
-
Aug. 22, 2012, 6:33 p.m. CST
Turd_is_floating - Beaks is fucking James Joyce compared to the rest of this sorry lot
by WWBD
-
Aug. 22, 2012, 6:35 p.m. CST
Liked the Philips Carousel commercial, but definitely *directed* by the ad agency and VFX house(s).
by justmyluck
-
Fuck it who wants to nuke hollywood and start from fresh anyone?
-
.......Videodrome is very much a movie of its time, and even if it is dated enough to snigger at now, it is still a movie to appreciate for what it is, and for what it was at the time. Effectively, its like Total Recall, if you will. So now we are going to be exposed to a script and thus story, that feels the need to remove any kind of intrigue and mystique the original had, and replace the imaginative (if certainly dated) FX with some forgettable CGI tack? Oh, and don't forget - stick in some extra plotline, because the resultant script/story doesn't quite gel really does it? Universal have really lost the plot, haven't they? They buried the prequel to the Thing (which wasn't as bad as expected) after throwing too little cash at it, and then sneaking it away like some embarrassing follow-through on a fart in a meeting at work - and now, they repeat the same bloody mistake again!! Could some law be invented, that prohibits classic movies from being remade for at least fifty (50) years - so by the time it does arrive, and if it is crap, I'm not around for it?!!
-
Aug. 22, 2012, 6:47 p.m. CST
dirtydingusmcgee: you just shocked me man. So you're saying your sister watches that?! I didn't know humans actually ingested that shit it's
by UltraTron
like a complete vacuum when it's on in a room you walk through. I see poor Bruce Jenner in there doing the officer and gentleman(I got no place else to go!!) and just wish someone would have the decency to take a bottle to his head.
-
Aug. 22, 2012, 6:49 p.m. CST
Fuck this shit. Set it in the 80s with a huge production. Direct sequel a day
by UltraTron
-
Aug. 22, 2012, 6:50 p.m. CST
Spend a billion dollars on it. That's the only way to save your studio.
by UltraTron
-
golf clap.
-
from that angle just sayin
-
on my cock ohhhhhhh still not as gay as creppythinman! or twilight
-
I...I'm picking up shortwave audio of torture...a show about torture...
-
Other guy: I...I'm picking up shortwave audio of torture...a show about torture... Max: From Germany? Oher guy: No, Max...from Midtown. I think it's coming from one of the studios in Rockefeller Center...
-
For a movie that was so ahead of it's time, it feels oddly dated now. Weird. With nano-tech so close right now, an update can be very sobering. I say bring it.
-
Aug. 22, 2012, 7:18 p.m. CST
It used to be you re-made films to make them edgier...now they're PG-ized.
by blackmantis
Cronenberg re-made the FLY to turn it into something they never could have done in the 50's. I highly doubt they will make a film as hardcore as the original Videodrome. They'll turn it into some toothless piece of crap.
-
Aug. 22, 2012, 7:25 p.m. CST
Check out his link. They remade The matrix and T2. I've never seen anything as BAD as this before. Nothing. I'm kinda embarrassed to even look at myself in the mirror. FOR SHAME.
by Darth_Kong
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yBnl_krN_U
-
Aug. 22, 2012, 7:36 p.m. CST
Actually this is EXACTLY the kind of movie that should be remade
by joegiant
It used to be the formula for a remake was for a movie that didn't really set the world on fire in original release but did have some acclaim as a cult hit, or great concept so-so execution. Often a remake is called for when filmmaking techniques will add something new (KING KONG) or technologies of the day allow for a new spin on the story. Total Recall made ZERO sense as a remake because the "new" audience they're looking for probably already saw the original -- there's nothing new there. no reason for the updating other than some 40 years executive trying to relive his college youth. The only thing I don't like about the Videodrome remake is getting a commercial director...only 1 of those turned into a great film director - FINCHER
-
The "PG's" remaking movies but making sure teens who could care less about the movie see it. It's why Total Recall failed. It is why Robocop will fail. It is why this will fail... Just stop it.
-
I think I may pull a gun from the vagina of my chest and shoot myself...but i'm enjoying that debbie harry pic too much.
-
VIDEODROME is great, but it has themes that certainly would work in today's media obsessed world. However this would only work as a small film. SMALL. The quote unquote talent and buzz words you threw out there are a terrible mix of Hollywood cluelessness and totally wrong for this. I'd prefer it be left in a dingy video store for an unassuming youngster (obviously not knowing where the fuck he is) to discover its weirdness.
-
Aug. 22, 2012, 8:23 p.m. CST
Is THAT what videodrome was about justmyluck?
by baldalienprobeinhighheels
I thought it was about marsupial humans with conceal carry permits using their skin pouches to store weapons in. Oh, and extremely horny fetishistic female psychiatrists who dig guys with VCR's.
-
And use really cheesy Canadian actors and sets again (I cringe every time at that optometrists convention with the dancers).
-
The "cult" around Videodrome was unassuming 11-year-olds making their way through the local video store's horror section. Throwing it in expecting some video themed slasher fare, and having their minds scrambled. It was my (and pretty much all of my friends) first exposure to it, and that was sort of the beauty.
-
Videodrome is a fooking classic, fook a remake up its own ass! this is just pure bullshit, im now seriously sick of bollocking bullshit remakes! Whats next a remake of Back to the Future? Jaws? The Godfather? Who ever this idea is should be fooking gang raped, and gang raped well hard!!!
-
Aug. 22, 2012, 8:45 p.m. CST
Videodrome is already here. It's always been here. And now it is destroying its masters. Now it replicates itself as something vapid and innocuous - ALL HAIL THE NEW FLESH!!!
by ChaunceyGardiner
-
Either get Nolan to direct and Lukas Haas to star or don't fucking make it.
-
That opening scene. Which was inspired by Heat and Point Break.
-
is apparently endless remakes and sequels. The original Film was all about how much of an asshole Moses Znaimer is. Like America can get that reference...
-
Aug. 22, 2012, 10:11 p.m. CST
dougmckenzie, yeah we in America only know Marshall McLuhan
by mr.underwater
From the great Canadian film Annie Hall...
-
Aug. 22, 2012, 10:13 p.m. CST
Videodrome is the nightmare you have after doing shrooms and falling asleep watching Network
by WWBD
-
Aug. 22, 2012, 10:30 p.m. CST
So yeh the prequel sucked, but your point is a FAIL of logic beaks
by quantize
-
Aug. 22, 2012, 11:17 p.m. CST
Battleship was shitty and underperformed, but they didn't lose money on it.
by MCVamp
-
Aug. 22, 2012, 11:26 p.m. CST
how long, how fucking long before Collin Ferrel is Dirty Harry???
by Balkin Flabgurter
when the merry go round ever fucking stop!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?
-
i blame it on the fucking reboots!
-
you would love to see warriors the 2014 wouldnt you? hope you enjoy red dawn korean calamity.
-
Maybe they can make a movie about dipshit studio executives with money to burn who are subliminally programmed to grow balls and spend money on coming up with original ideas for movies so as to stop raping old film properties for the sole purpose of not having originally ideas! FUCK. THIS. SHIT
-
Aug. 23, 2012, 12:30 a.m. CST
I see red and bad grammar occurs. Fuck you Universal!
by riddleman1674
*original ideas. I'm so pissed off, I cant even spell haha
-
In the new film, HAL has constructed a biotoxin of some sort that he will unleash upon the Earth to put a stop to human evolution, and... Oh wait. That was PROMETHEUS. Never mind.
-
...was and is a kick ass film...who gives a rat's ass whether it was successful in it's original run?
-
that show that James Woods was reviewing with a view to buy in Videodrome. it looked excellent, a full length film of that would be a winner.
-
Aug. 23, 2012, 1:47 a.m. CST
its really weird how hollywood execs r so obsessed with this 80s remake brand name cash grab thing.
by chainsaw autotune
no wonder im going to the theater less and less.
-
Aug. 23, 2012, 1:52 a.m. CST
@riddleman1674- were all pissed..we-are-all-pissed.
by Balkin Flabgurter
-
Aug. 23, 2012, 2:19 a.m. CST
beaks, you shouldnt use terms like flob and bomb with the thing and videodrome
by walt
the thing was released at the wrong time and faced critics that didnt get it videodrome was what it was...a mindfuck that was ahead of its time watch both...you will never forget them tell me one thing that is memorable about transformers
-
Time you stepped up to the podium Dave - they're fucking with you. In the meantime you might consider remaking, "Cosmopolis" into a better movie. Hollywood seem to be caught in an ugly time loop.
-
You know it is True All those big 80s and 90s films were driven by cocaine. This new shit, it has to be bath salts, how else could someone greenlight Battleship and this other wierd shit. SERIOUSLY we need a MOTHERFUCKING INTERVENTION in LALA land. Some weird fuckery is afoot.
-
Aug. 23, 2012, 5:27 a.m. CST
Jaws, Animal House, Back To The Future...just a matter of time
by ryderdvs
-
Aug. 23, 2012, 6:07 a.m. CST
Saw Videodrome at the drive-in after dropping 2 hits of acid
by johndalf greymane
Im imagining mid-level movie execs rifling through old properties, looking for a project that might justify their existence... look busy! As I recall, Videodrome was light on explanation of wtf was going on (but that could have been the acid). Nanotech and a remake just seem so stupid its difficult to respond with comments scathing enough...
-
a lot of them are kids. Seriously. Most of them were barely born when these films came out so their perception is based on some vague memory. Also, a lot of them are idiots who have no understanding of anything film related. They are business people. You can tell if you ever seen one wander by accident onto a film set. You've never seen someone look so out of place.
-
Or do we just say "No" to drug movies?
-
Aug. 23, 2012, 8:26 a.m. CST
You`ll be able to shove your dick into the screen of a mobile and get a digital suck job.
by higgledyhiggles
-
Aug. 23, 2012, 8:39 a.m. CST
I've never gotten the love for this one
by dancetothebeatofthelivingdead
I looooove Cronenberg, especially early Cronenberg, especially this exact era early Cronenberg, but I just never got the love for Videodrome. I think it may be because for some reason I missed it upon its' initial release, (probably cuz I was like 8 years old or so,) and I put off watching it for what started out years and became decades. I finaly watched it for the first time about a year or two ago and not only did it fail to blow me away like I fully expected and wanted it to, but I found it to be really really bad. In my opinion. Perhaps it's because I saw it so late in the game; even the movies biggest fans have to admit it sooooooooooooooooooooooo dated. It's ten times more dated than the average dated movie from that era. While I could have found this endearing, instead it was just another added demerit for what I thought to be a really bad movie. Bad on numeorus levels. Terrible acting by good actors. Horrible pacing by a great writer. Really judt piss poor directing on every level by one of my favorite directors, and cheesy as all hell. Again I wanted to love it and maybe someday I'll return to it but I would rate it on the very bottom of the Cronenberg pile. Now, I'm fully prepared for the onslaught of verbal abuse, but I'm not gonna lie and say I "got it" just to follow the herd
-
remake = investor security = death of development, audience interest and the REAL film industry
-
You guys would be all about it.
-
Aug. 23, 2012, 9:47 a.m. CST
I agree. We are all in thrall to videodrome. It has never been more relevant. Get Chronenberg on this. Without his heavy involvement it's vino
by UltraTron
-
Aug. 23, 2012, 9:51 a.m. CST
dancetothebeat - I think what ages the film is the shock value. What was shocking back in '83 can be seen on your average episode of American Horror Story.
by openthepodbaydoorshal
The S & M, the "snuff" channel (snuff films are very '70s/'80s), the eroticizing of objects, ... I still prefer Dead Ringers as his best work from the '80s, followed by The Fly, then Dead Zone, THEN Videodrome. But that is still a great line up.
-
I have no problem with relevance, I think it is very relevant. Hell, it's probably MORE relevant now than it was when it originally premiered. It's everything else I have problems with, the production values, the acting, etc. I agree with you on Dead Ringers, not just his best of the era, but probably his best period. However, of all his films, I think Dead Ringers is the least attributal (is that a word, lol?), to Croneberg's touch out of all his films. Again, don't get me wrong, it is a Cronenberg movie, it's FOR SURE a Cronenberg movie, ha ha, but the reason that film is so much better than all of the other Cronenberg films of that era is Jeremy Irons using the scenery as his own personal smorgasborg. Goddamn he was great in that movie!!!!!!!!!! Now, The Fly, despite having Goldblum and Davis turnig in carrer-best performances is so fucking great BECAUSE of Cronenberg just throwing caution out the window and doing his thing all out without a second's hesitation, then you throw in the Dead Zone, one of King's bes books, one of Walken's most Walken-esque performances, along with Cronenberg really and truly finding his most palatable and mass appealing voice of his career, and you get a fucking great movie stew. Now all that mid-80's Cronenberg goodness and then Videodrome, I just don't think ti compares. However, I saw all three of those movies dozens of times IN THE 80'S, so there ya go.
-
Hell, I don't know. Able to be attributed to, how's that? Even in a room alone, I;m hiding my face in shame. Jesus, it must SUCK to be Harry
-
Aug. 23, 2012, 11:38 a.m. CST
dancetothebeat - I think its been said before, but if you're gonna reboot Cronenberg, why not Scanners? I'm sure we could find ANY actor better than Stephen Lack. And it's a plot theme thats easy to update.
by openthepodbaydoorshal
Cast for the Patrick McGoohan doctor role? Ian McKellen. But finding a replacement for Michael Ironside will be tough. Hell, he established a 30+ year career from that role.
-
3D evil silver ball with a fork coming at ya!
-
Aug. 23, 2012, 12:08 p.m. CST
Thing/Fly/Body Snatchers improved effects, upped the gore and horror
by Domi'sInnerChild
But now they remake 70s/80s/90s horror, and make them PG13 with CGI effects (that generally look worse than practical). I imagine they'd LIKE to remake 40's/50's/60's movies, but the name recongnition is nearly gone. King Kong being a recent example of a viable one and even that failed.
-
Change the title to Fidodrome. <p> More coke!
-
and one of the greatest statements about our primitive media and its influence. first you watch violence, then you experience violence then you ARE violent. cronenbergs masterpiece.
-
You know this is a winning idea.
-
I had to read through all of these goddamn useless whingy bullshit posts and still got no answer on wtf that commercial was about. Google is my fucking friend. If you thought that the commercial looked like "Swordfish" or "TDK" you should check the following link because its SUPPOSED TO LOOK THAT WAY: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carousel_%28advertisement%29 Goddamn trigger-happy nerds. You all got away from the beatings you were supposed to have as pimply faced pukes in jr. high school
-
Perfect!
-
Aug. 23, 2012, 3:35 p.m. CST
...television is reality, and reality is less than television...
by animatronicmojo
In the near future, all movies that are seen by more than 1 million people will automatically be re-made. This will be done entirely by computers without any human involvement whatsoever.
-
Dear studios, the film you are looking to remake (or make a sequel to) is the Brood, not Videodrome. Same guy, different movie. Thanks.
-
Aug. 23, 2012, 8:15 p.m. CST
remake? I smell flop... Total Recall, Dark Shadows, the Thing etc.. okay let's call this the retread trend..
by darthSaul666
You know if you were going to make a movie about nanotech you'd think you'd make or adapt Blood Music or take inspiration from there... But Videodrome?
-
Aug. 23, 2012, 10:01 p.m. CST
Roger Ebert had the best idea if a studio was intent on remaking any movie.
by DanielnocharismaCraig
If I remember correctly, he was explaining as to why instead of remaking classic movies in the vain attempt to recreating the aura and magic of the original; that instead they should focus of movies that were mediocre or poor. In other words, find out why box office disasters or Troma type films never worked orignially, and try and improve them by a remake. Howard The Duck anyone?
-
Great set up that - quite honestly - doesn't pay off completely. I SUPPORT THIS REMAKE! DMFC REBORN!
-
Aug. 23, 2012, 11:31 p.m. CST
higgledyhiggles: there was an old National Lampoon short story that went there...
by Bill C.
...albeit with an old rotary telephone. Here's a thought: I'm guessing that "large-scale sci-fi action thriller" probably means that if this film actually makes it out of development hell it'll be PG-13 or thereabouts, right? There goes the chest vagina, but what could conceivably survive the concept being numbed-down?
-
giant battleship on wheels<p>screeching metal<p>billion dollar budget<p>that's just for SFX<p>lay in a rock track<p>doofus with supermodel girlfriend<p>more coke<p>hail the new flesh<p>it's all crap<p>only appear on TV if on TV<p>hail the new flesh<p>more coke<p>don't watch that signal<p>new flesh tumors<p>hail the new flesh movie like tumor in brain new flesh hail kill zombie army videodrome signal in brain flesh TV TV TV TV kill kill kill new flesh brain tumor kill kill kill videodrome torture satellite signal new flesh
-
Cost 209m. Took in 302m. It sounds like a win for Universal to me. I didn't see that god awful flick but plenty of europeans did.
-
If they're crap, then you still have the original. The original is not diminished by it. Sequels, however, can ruin a legacy. The Matrix and the original Pirates of the Caribbean are both not quite as brilliant because silly sequels ruined the mystique of the originals. You could argue about Prometheus, but I actually love it, and dont really think of it as a proper part of the Alien universe. Its something else. But I know the haters feel that way. Go forth and remake. And every once in a blue moon, we will get something that matchs or even betters the original. But Eberts idea of remaking flops is a far better idea. There must be loads of good ideas that were poorly executed. Have a crack at some of them as well.
Top Talkbacks
- Harry dives into STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS' spoilers to reveal the truth behind the blockbuster we're seeing! -- 268 total posts 143 posts
-
HERCULES ON THE RADIO!!
Learn What Ain’t It Cool’s TV Critic Thinks About STAR TREK: INTO DARKNESS, Next Week’s HANNIBAL, MAD MEN, GAME OF THRONES, The New Fall Shows And More!! Listen And Call In LIVE Saturday 8pm PT/11pm ET!! -- 220 total posts 105 posts - Nordling Reviews STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS! Spoilers Abound! You Are Warned! -- 997 total posts 72 posts
- Hey! Fat Face! Here's The New Teaser To ANCHORMAN: THE LEGEND CONTINUES! -- 202 total posts 61 posts
- UPDATE The Friday Docback Calls 'The Name of the Doctor'!! DOCTOR WHO's S7 Finale Arrives This Weekend!! Now With Glen's Ultra-Brief, SPOILER FREE MiniReview!! -- 318 total posts 60 posts
-
‘Darkness Will Devour Them All!!’
Sunday Brings Antepenultimate GAME OF THRONES For HBO!! -- 48 total posts 48 posts - Here's A Behind-The-Scenes Look At MAN OF STEEL With New Footage! Also... Is Supergirl In The Prequel Comic? -- 116 total posts 39 posts
-
Ben Affleck Tonight Hosts
SNL’s 38th Season Finale!! -- 50 total posts 17 posts - 1st Trailer for Jean Pierre Jeunet's THE YOUNG AND PRODIGIOUS SPIVET!!! Joy Follows... -- 32 total posts 16 posts
- New PACIFIC RIM Trailer Takes A Battleship Upside The Head Of Every Other Summer Movie Trailer! -- 281 total posts 13 posts