I contemplated not posting this story at all but it’s worth a mention even if I have nothing new to add to the chorus of voices that have already put in their two cents about it. The remake bandwagon continues to churn along and taken off the chopping block today: Videodrome.

The Cronenberg classic, one of the director’s earlier works, unleashed upon the general public the idea of entertainment and technology as a monster that will consume the consumer and though I don’t think the film or the director received much attention outside of horror circles, the film continued the filmmaker’s fascination with the physical effects of horror on the body while the terms “Long live the new flesh” and “body horror” became synonymous with the director. I didn’t see it until I was well into my teens but years later, the film still held up (and continues to hold up) remarkably well. Just take a look at this classic scene in which Max (James Woods), the cable-tv programmer, has a somewhat erotic and thoroughly disturbing moment with his television.

Obviously, by today’s standards this will look really dated (the big box TV) as will some of the other technology in the film (VCRs anyone?) but to me, that all adds to the creep factor and it doesn’t change the fact the film remains a poignant (maybe more so today than ever before) and effectively disturbing little film. Universal Pictures, who distributed the original, originally passed up the chance to remake the film but have now jumped at the opportunity to create newer flesh and according to Variety, they’re also looking to update the story though not simply with new technology.

Writer Ehren Kruger (whose track record includes The Ring, The Ring 2, The Skeleton Key and Blood and Chocolate) will “infuse it [the remake] with the possibilities of nano-technology and blow it up into a large-scale sci-fi action thriller.” So basically, they’re going to blow it up to appeal to the masses.

It’s a good thing remakes don’t tarnish or change the originals otherwise I’d be throwing a fit. The way it stands, this is simply a reminder that I should really invest in the Criterion edition of the original; it’s probably well worth my money.