Videodrome - Renegade Cut 

One thing I appreciate about the film is that it looks at the effect of technology on us in a critical light but is not anti-technology

A great movie that is basically about the nature of reality and the effects of mass media

Excellent analysis of VIDEDROME, dude. It's one of the best I've ever seen/read. I don't think you ever mentioned whether you liked the film or not, but it's certainly a favorite of mine. You should have a go at DEAD RINGERS, which is quite possibly Cronenberg's best film. I worry that Cronenberg may now be retired from filmmaking. If true, it's a sad day for cinema. Anyway, your efforts in putting this together are much appreciated.

I'm so glad you did this movie. Videodrome is one of my 10 favorite films. I love the plot structure of the film, how Max Renn pokes his head where he shouldn't, and is instantly sucked into a dark world he didn't even know existed. I always have loved the film, but I was always confused by the film's message, which seemed to be about how media can cause violence. I found it confusing because Cronenberg has always been vocal about film censorship, but I heard in the Criterion commentary that he apparently was playing devil's advocate in this film.

To paraphrase, "It only affects you as much as you let it, but, it also holds the capacity to bring something out already inside of you," Fascinating! So it's a bit like a more passive hypnosis?

Very interesting. But I think the ending works well with the idea that his merging with technology made him a tool; an assassin, to be used and discarded...in a disposable world.

An interesting perspective on analyzing this film. In my opinion, the whole plot after where Max put on the so-called "analysis device" on his head was all within Max's own head, guided by the machine's pre-programmed settings. The ultimate objective was to test the effectiveness of brainwashing ordinary people into submissive assassins and conduct covert black ops. Spectacular Optics would most likely be a front for the CIA MK-ULTRA Project due to its motto "Keeping an eye around the world". In the end, Max's complete submission to both "sides" of brainwashing and his ultimate suicide had proven the brainwash signal to be completely success.

A major theme in the movie is that television has been weaponized to fit political motives. Remember that Spectacular Optical is a weapons component contractor for NATO. And Harlan's comment that it works on just about any one. Great analysis, sadly the movie was a bit too smart for most of the audience. The Matrix used several of the same concepts but really dumbed them down .

I remember reading Oblivion was based on Marshall McLuhan

I just watched this today, didn’t know if I liked it or hated it. I think I like the ideas behind this movie much more than the movie itself.

I took a metaphysics class about a year ago, and we covered this topic. It's cool to see it applied at a pop cultural level. Thanks for the analysis!

The fact that observation can manipulate and affect outcomes on the quantum level, it makes one wonder if the Idealists might have at least a piece of the puzzle.

Leon, this is one of the best videos you have ever done - a perfect mix of an interesting film and your excellent insight. Very glad to be supporting your work on Patreon. Keep up the good work.

Yes!!!! I'm so excited to hear your take on this favorite of mine!

Excellent work once again. I really enjoy the way you apply your dedication and your background as an educator to really dive in and explore the themes. And you deserve some recognition for all the research that you do - After all, the hard work exists whether someone observes that you did or not.

Creepiest thing is when Max is watching Oblivion's tape and him droning on and then the small pause, and then "Max" spoken from Oblivion and the TV set.

This is a surprisingly good analysis. I was initially thinking more in terms of perspectivism, but your thoughts on idealism and how it is represented were insightful. A mention of Kant and the "thing-in-itself" could help conceptualize the relation between observer and that which is being observed, but you presented the basic ideas well. You just got yourself a new subscriber, my friend. Great work!

One of the many things I admire about Cronenberg is how precise and meticulous he is as a director. Almost all of his films are only 90 or 100 minutes long. If you get up to pee, you're probably going to miss some important information.

New flesh, who dis?

My favorite video you have done so far. Wish trying to find more on this topic.

My criterion bluray of this film is so freaking awesome. I watch and listen to the commentary about once every 2 months....so good!:) BTW, great video.

Long live the new flesh. Thanks RC. Always thoughtful and entertaining. Keep on comrades:)

I've been waiting for this.

thank you for the resume i just watched this movie and got so many questions, but in general you answered them all thanks

Great movie, and, as usual, great analysis.

Altered states, scanners, and videodrome. The videodrome universe.

i wasn’t a big fan of this film but this video definitely makes me want to see it again

Awsome a Renegade Cut of my second favorite movie!

Absolutely amazing video there were multiple points where I felt a very interesting philosophical understand that hit me like a truck I can’t wait to go watch this movie now

I still haven't seen the film but a lot of the stuff in this video reminded me of serial experiments lain.

Interesting analysis, although I am surprised that you did not make the direct connection of Brian O'Blivion to Marshall Mcluhan, as Videodrome is a summation of his philosophies through the lens of a horror film.

I love your analysis of this film, a truly horrifying work that was forty years ahead of its time. Thank you!

I remember watching this is a kid. Although I didn’t understand it, I was spooked when Masha warned Max “ It (Videodrome) has something that you don’t: it has a philosophy”

have to do a presentation on this thank you so much for clearing it up for me

I’ve shown this to my friends and they either got bored or fell asleep. I’m able to watch this weekly or yearly. I mentioned a rewatch and they laugh and go really?

I enjoyed this analysis. Thank you.

Wonderful! Thanks!

Underrated ! James Woods was really great in this and Cronenberg’s Directing is magnificent also in this!

good analysis, underrated channel

Great video man! I love this movie.

I watched this at about 13 years old on the tv reeaaly late one night, didn't understand the film at all.

Awesome review.

Great vid!👍

thank you for explaining!!

"It teaches us half truths about culture's not our own" You mean Japan isn't filled with cat girls and giant flying robots? my waifuu nooooo

I streamed this movie in virtual reality for Halloween. Although a lot of people didn't understand it, it was very meta. As you are literally encapsulating your face with a screen as you watch this movie.

such a great film

I'd be a patron if I wasn't 13 years old

Interesting! Could you explain the difference between Idealism and Phenomenolgy then? Because they seem to deride from the same train of thought (and both are against Cartesian philosophy).

A masterpiece of film

Just Subscribed !

Nothing exists unless observed. God observes all. Who observes God? Humans?

I watched “Videodrome” again about a year or two ago, having seen it long before that and not remembering much about it. What I remember of the end was that Max sort of walked off into the sunset. I don’t remember him killing himself. Did I see a version with an alternate ending or something?

Literally just watched this film about 30 mins ago , great video'

That was how I interpreted the ending too.

These themes are more relevant than ever

Wow! Cool video xD

Well that movie was prophetic

I hope people really listen to this. Fucking deep thank you for the video

This is actually a good movie.

This is the only time I've seen someone fully deconstruct Cronenberg's "Videodrome" in a way that I agree with. The author even properly labels Berkeley as a "metaphysical idealist", even though Berkeley is one of the most famous epistemological empiricists. These two things are non-contradictory in the solipsistic Berkelian philosophical system, even if they are plainly contradictory given a more coherent metaphysical and epistemological system.

I recently rewatched Videodrome. Still one of my all time faves. Unfortunately it's a technology period piece. I hate to say it but IMO Videodrome could be rebooted for the social media era and be really scary if done right.

Deep

Wonderful video, as always. Really been hoping you'd cover this film for a while. One thing you brought up about the film has always confused me though. Why exactly do Barry and Harlan think that North American society's growing interest in sex and violence will make them weaker compared to the rest of the world?

I saw this movie on HBO 1983 when pay per view TV was uncensored. There was a nipple piercing scene. It was the sofa scene where Niki said to Max "Want to try a few things..?" Very next scene Max needle pierced her nipple through and through on closeup with a drop of blood and all. There was no "sex" involved but the inference was unquestionably obvious. The whole movie was provocative, but that scene was on the pinnacle edge. I have seen the film many times since and have never seen that scene again. When I saw your review I hoped I would have my answer. Maybe you could help me find the answer? I'm wondering if there is a directors cut somewhere of the original. I wish I could have the opportunity to see it again UNCENSORED.

Long live the new flesh 💀💀

If no one is there to see me steal then am I a thief.

although ive seen the movie, u gotta put spoiler alerts for people who want to watch the movie

I'm still confused🤣🤣

I found it surprising that you didn't mention Baudrillard and Stuart Hall's ideas about Hyperreality and Social Agents structuring our reality. Great video otherwise, Berkeley's idealism hadn't come to mind upon initial viewing.

Max shoots himself at the end then wakes up at the start.

A film about the deep web....way ahead of it's time!

Don't think I've ever heard of this film before. From the sounds of it, it's a more high-brow Evil Ed. Or perhaps, the other way around, when considering the release dates.

Not gonna lie, I'm pretty fond of this movie.

I just presently formed this theory. ‘Videodrome’ inspired or influenced ‘Tetsuo: the Iron Man’, a 1988 Japanese film.

Interestingly, this does seem like a "matrix" program.

this seems whole lot like something mcluhan might say.

I'm not much of a fan of Cronnenburg's work beyond a couple of his films but because of this video essay I'll check out Videodrome.

Influence of media in society

These are the things of dreams dreams are beings of bliss 💗 love ❤️ pain ❣️ snd fright 🦇 the only difference its that in a dream so we think its a dream we can change a outcome sometimes i think while we are awake we are actually dreaming then while we are sleep we are actually awake then thiers percent of me that thinks its all a show and being lead like a lab mouse 🐭 is a simulator by whats the goal who snd what needs our dreams snd evy dont most of us keep our dreams even the nightmares why is easier to remember a butterfly 🦋 thfn remembering you could fly 🕊️ in a dream but what happens when we forget there are butterflies do we stop dreaming they are real how much of time and space can we change control and believe in a Dream!

I absolutely loved this movie. Very progressive themes for the time. It's time for a mind blowing remake.

I hope this means Cronnenburg month

Long live the new flesh... 🔫

Sounds like 2020 !

If media influences our perception of reality...is it important to ask who owns the media that is so influential....?

Movie was PURE ASS. so was Existenz. Don't @ me