Videodrome

The producer of a third rate Toronto television station (James Woods) meets with his video pirate who has just intercepted a top secret wave out of Pittsburgh containing compulsively watchable snuff material he plans to air on his late night broadcasts. Soon, he realizes these are much more than cathode rays and finds his body undergoing a metamorphosis and himself a sleeper agent in a right wing conspiracy. Videodrome is an intelligent, creepy, and outlandish picture that succeeds, despite its silly premise, thanks to an excellent lead performance from Woods, state of the art, repellent Rick Baker special effects, and the commanding direction and storytelling abilities of David Cronenberg, who is at the top of his game in this relatively early career outing.