MovieChat Forums > Videodrome (1983) Discussion > Not Obsolete Due to Internet Technology

Not Obsolete Due to Internet Technology

posted 10 years ago by Isau
10 replies | jump to latest

Based on some reviews I've read I think there are some misunderstandings about this movie. Specifically, a few viewers seem to feel it is "obsolete" because of internet technology.

While, yes, the video cassettes in this movie are from another era, computers existed in the 1980s. There were "killer computer" movies all over the place. Videodrome is not one of them. Intentionally.

Specifically, what seems to be a sticking point for some viewers is the Brian O'blivion character having all those video cassettes. But what I think modern viewers, especially young ones, don't understand is that even in 1981 this was intended to be a "magical-real" plot element. They could have had O'Blivion be a computer character. But they deliberately chose not to, in order to emphasize the weirdness.

Videodrome is ultimately a movie about video *content,* not the technology used to deliver it. While I understand the tech may look retro and that may turn some viewers off, the actual message is still as relevant now as it was then.

[–] kaskait 10 years ago

Videodrome is ultimately a movie about video *content,* not the technology used to deliver it.

BINGO! You got it. You know what Videodrome is.

But what we don't know...is who controls it.

[–] PreachCaleb 10 years ago

Not just the content, but how that content is used and affects viewers.

Can't stop the signal.

[–] Ziglet_mir 8 years ago

Videodrome is ultimately a movie about video *content,* not the technology used to deliver it.

Yes.

Not just the content, but how that content is used and affects viewers.

And also yes.
This movie is far from obsolete. The use of the VHS is definitely a trait that adds to the wackiness of it all and it actually adds very well to the sensual aspect of the whole thing (i.e. inserting the tapes into body). The use of the body slit and the action of consuming the tapes is a profound metaphor for how we digest film and its content. A mental and physical obsession indeed.

This film provokes a lot of questions for sure.

How's Annie? How's Annie? Hahaha, How's Annie? 

[–] americanadian25 10 years ago

Exactly! Even though the technology itself is from another era, the movie holds up incredibly well.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YahBz7EGzY

[–] Nethlem 10 years ago

I think it's actually rather timeless, not only does it apply also to Internet Technology, but it could just as well apply to a time 500 years ago. Back when Gutenberg invented his printing press, he basically invented the first mass media.

Even back then people had their fears and prejudices about this new "book" thing spreading so quickly. Down to Churches and Rulers trying to enforce control over content trough censorship, after having lost the monopoly on the written word.

[–] Nelfarion 10 years ago

Heck, Don Quixote (the first actual "novel") was about the same thing - "Don" was actually just an old farmer, who had read too many books about knights errant (long gone by Cervantes' - and Quixote's - time) and eventually started acting and living like one of these characters. So swept up was he in his fantasy, that he managed to drag a simple neighbour of his along on his misguided adventures.

In other words, Cervantes' story blames BOOKS for getting into peoples' heads and driving them to do crazy things.

Just like radio, movies, TV, roleplaying games and video games eventually would be.

Not only is this a very long song, so to speak, it's a gorram _round_!

[–] info-4857 10 years ago

This movie is far more profound now than it ever was.
If you equate videodrome to the internet it was so utterly prophetic with Brian O'Blivion's line; 'Soon we will all have special names.'

[–] mikehillxd 10 years ago

That's very much true.

https://twitter.com/mikehillxd

[–] sage2112 9 years ago

Yep. sage2112 is not my given name.

[–] PreachCaleb 9 years ago

it was so utterly prophetic with Brian O'Blivion's line; 'Soon we will all have special names.'

When I first watched this movie in 2005 (give or take), I had double check the year it came out to make sure it was from the 80s. I was blown away by how, as you said, prophetic it turned out to be.

Can't stop the signal.