The Net (1995)

Genre

Action | Thriller

Director

Irwin Winkler

Country

USA

Cast

Sandra Bullock, Jeremy Northam, Dennis Miller, Diane Baker, Wendy Gazelle, Ken Howard, Ray McKinnon, Robert Gossett, Wren T. Brown

Storyline

Computer programmer Angela Bennett (Sandra Bullock) stumbles upon a conspiracy, putting her life and the lives of those around her in great danger.

Opinion

I certainly wasn't expecting a classic when I put this film on last night. Well, at least I was not disappointed, because "The Net" is a mediocre Internet crime thriller.

The film is paced rather well, and the storyline - Hitchcock would have loved it - is quite promising, but then lack of development happens, and the film turns pretty much into Sandra Bullock being chased around by some nasty but clever people who have erased her identity. The climax comes way too late, and when it comes the musical choice isn't helping much the suspense, that somehow manages to be quite good considering the predictability of the story.

Computer technology has evolved tremendously since 1995, so obviously the film seems dated after all these years - I doubt nowadays kids even know what a floppy disk is -, but it certainly is not behind when talking about the film's topic. Needless to say identity theft is a real threat to everyone today as well. Actually, it is more of a threat today than it was in 1995, and it would be even easier to steal someone's identity considering all the information about ourselves we share everyday online.

The all conspiracy thing behind it is kind of science fiction, even though it's plenty of people believing in conspiracies. So who am I to judge?

Technically speaking, the film is a disaster. Director Irwin Winkler delights us with techniques we might see on MTV, and the scenes with potentially gripping moments are too slow. The editing is bad and, like I've mentioned before, the music is badly picked.

But Sandra Bullock is starring. This is a good thing for me because I'm a huge fan of her, and she is the reason why I watched the film in the first place. But she actually gives a pretty good performance as Angela Bennett, and she manages to bring some realness to the character. Also I read that she isn't as annoying as usual to people who don't like her.

Still, go for it if you love Sandy. Otherwise just don't. The game wouldn't worth the candle.

Videodrome (1983)

Genre

Horror | Sci-Fi

Director

David Cronenberg

Country

Canada

Cast

James Woods, Deborah Harry, Sonja Smits, Peter Dvorsky, Lynne Gorman, Leslie Carlson, Jack Creley, Reiner Schwarz, David Tsubouchi

Storyline

Sleazy lowlife cable TV operation Max Renn (James Woods) discovers a snuff broadcast called "Videodrome". Fascinated by the sick and twisted program, Renn searches to discover where the show is coming from and who is behind it. His investigation turns up some strange and terrifying information.

Opinion

1980s. The cinematic audience has already watched with enthusiasm the classics of science fiction - "2001: A Space Odyssey", "Alien", and "Star Wars" -, all different yet similar films. Somebody had to come up with something different, something revolutionary; that's when David Cronenberg stepped in and the shocked the audience with "Videodrome", a disturbing, bizarre, twisted and mind-bending film.

The plot is confusing, contradictory and quite absurd, the film lacks any good dialogue and character development, the storytelling doesn't fully engage and the metaphors contained in the film sometimes distract from the actual film, yet this is a great film.

The reason of that must be sought in its philosophy. "Videodrome" is not about mind-controlling cable shows - that would be the most stupid idea ever, right? -, but about our unhealthy relationship with media.

The world of media, from which we are dominated today even more than we were in 1983, is like a cancer devouring us from the outside; it increasingly erodes our relationship with reality and forces us to live, experience human relationships virtually. This television takes hold of our minds, and it deprives us of the opportunity and ability to be in control of ourselves.

Quite prophetic, isn't it? Anyway, this reflection - quite banal nowadays - is shown by the Canadian director through sick and filthy images, a good use of gory special effects, and moments of beautiful photography, thanks to which "Videodrome" remains imprinted in the viewer's mind.

James Woods gives an intense performance as the cable TV pornographer who stumbles upon Videodrome. He is totally convincing, but the lack of character development keeps you from feeling him. Deborah Harry is excellent as Woods sadomasochist girlfriend, and she has a great (sexual) chemistry with Woods.

"Television is reality, and reality is less than television." - Brian O'Blivion