Video Store Podcast

This week on The Video Store Podcast I am recommending four films that sit in an interesting stretch of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s career, when their action persona took a left turn into broad studio comedy. These are all wide release films that played constantly on cable and sat on the front wall of the video store for years. They did well in theaters, but they almost felt built to be rented, watched with other people in the room, and talked about afterward. None of them are obscure, but seeing them together makes the choices clearer and more deliberate.Twins from 1988 was the real pivot point. Ivan Reitman directed, pairing Arnold Schwarzenegger with Danny DeVito, which on paper felt like a gag and ended up working better than expected. It was one of the first times Schwarzenegger played openly against his screen image instead of reinforcing it. The film was also a financial gamble that paid off. Rather than taking a traditional salary, the main players took a share of the profits, which turned into one of the most lucrative deals of the era. It also helped normalize the idea that Schwarzenegger could carry a comedy without winking at the audience the whole time.Kindergarten Cop followed in 1990 and again teamed Schwarzenegger with Reitman. This one leans harder into contrast, placing a very rigid screen presence into a setting that refuses to bend to it. The child actors are doing a lot of the real work here, and the movie wisely lets them. It was shot largely in Oregon (Goonies country!), which gives it a look that stands apart from a lot of studio comedies of the period. Just his second comedy leading role and the formula is obvious, but it still had enough care put into it to feel earned rather than lazy.Junior arrived in 1994 and is probably the strangest entry in this group. It brings back Reitman, DeVito, and adds Emma Thompson, who plays it straight in a way that grounds the movie more than it probably deserves. This was one of the last times Schwarzenegger leaned fully into this specific style of high concept studio comedy. The visual effects were handled with restraint, and the film relies more on performance than spectacle, which makes it feel smaller and more controlled than its premise suggests.Jingle All the Way from 1996 closes things out and feels very much of its moment. Directed by Brian Levant, it leans into consumer anxiety, holiday chaos, and the late nineteen nineties obsession with must-have toys. Sinbad is a big part of why the movie works at all, pushing against Schwarzenegger in a way that keeps the energy up. It was not especially well reviewed at the time, but it has stuck around in a way many similar holiday comedies did not. It also marks the end of this particular run, before audience tastes and Schwarzenegger’s career both shifted again.Taken together, these four movies show a very specific window when studios were comfortable reshaping a major star’s image and audiences went along with it. They were reliable rentals, easy recommendations, and the kind of movies that people discovered out of order on VHS or on cable.Thanks for reading Video Store Podcast! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.videostorepodcast.com

Welcome to the Video Store Podcast.It’s Christmas movie season but not everyone wants peppermint sweetness and cozy small-town charm. Some of us want our holiday movies filled with explosions, heists and a whole lot of chaos.This week on the Video Store Podcast, I’m spotlighting four Christmas movies that trade twinkling lights for trouble. Reindeer Games (2000)Reindeer Games is a crime thriller set days before Christmas. When Rudy Duncan (Ben Affleck) is released from prison his only goal is to get home for Christmas. But when his cell-mate dies, Rudy steps into the man’s shoes to meet his mysterious and beautiful pen pal, Ashley (Charlize Theron).One bad decision later and Rudy is trapped in a violent casino-robbery plot run by Ashley’s unstable “brother,” Gabriel (Gary Sinise). With no options, Rudy is forced deeper into the operation and nothing is what it seems as alliances shift and lies are uncovered. Reindeer Games brings crime, plot twists and holiday mayhem together in one memorable movie.Batman Returns (1992)Tim Burton’s Batman Returns is set against a dark, gothic backdrop of Gotham City during the Christmas season. Batman Returns introduces two iconic villains who become the city’s newest threats. The first is Oswald Cobblepot, The Penguin, a physically deformed man who was abandoned by his wealthy parents and raised in the city’s sewers by penguins. The second is Selina Kyle, Catwoman, pushed to her limit by evil businessman Max Shreck.Michelle Pfeiffer is the definitive Catwoman, seductive, broken and electric in every frame. Danny DeVito’s Penguin is a grotesque and disfigured man, a departure from the comics. Christopher Walken adds a sinister element as the businessman Max Shreck.Tim Burton’s vision partnered with Danny Elfman’s haunting score creates a mesmerizing Christmas classic set in Gotham City.The Long Kiss Goodnight (1996)Samantha Caine (Geena Davis) lives a quiet life as a schoolteacher until a car crash triggers memories of her past life as a deadly government assassin.Samantha hires private detective Mitch Hennessey (Samuel L. Jackson) to help her uncover her past and together they set out to find the truth. Their adventure is full of gunfights, treachery, and some of the best buddy-dynamic chemistry of the ’90s. Davis transforms from warm suburban mom to hard-boiled operative with shocking believability and Jackson delivers one of his funniest, most charismatic roles.Written by Shane Black and directed by Renny Harlin, The Long Kiss Goodnight mixes holiday atmosphere with espionage to create one of the 90’s most underrated action movies.Lethal Weapon (1987)Lethal Weapon redefined the buddy-cop genre and set the standard for all future buddy-cop movies. Set at Christmastime in Los Angeles, the movie pairs veteran detective Roger Murtaugh (Danny Glover) with newcomer Martin Riggs (Mel Gibson). Their investigation into a young woman’s suspicious death spirals into a violent clash with drug traffickers and the psychotic Mr. Joshua (Gary Busey).Lethal Weapon is full of heart, which is what you want in a Christmas movie. Riggs who is spiraling out of control from grief and Murtaugh, a grounded family man, form a bond that is convincing from start to finish. Also written by Shane Black, Hollywood’s king of Christmas action movies and directed by Richard Donner, Lethal Weapon blends holiday themes with explosive action, dark humor, and iconic one-liners. Lethal Weapon is on of my favorite Christmas action movies.If you’re looking for Christmas movies that are filled with action, these four belong at the top of your December movie list.Thanks for visiting the Video Store. Have a great New Year!Thanks for reading Video Store Podcast! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.videostorepodcast.com

Welcome back to the holiday season at the Video Store Podcast. I’m back today with another edition of Rankin/Bass B-Sides. I love Rankin/Bass so much, and they’re part of just about every holiday season for me. Here are four more lesser-known Rankin/Bass B-Sides for you to enjoy this holiday season. And bonus! If you missed it last year, go back and check out my original edition of “Rankin/Bass B-Sides.”Cricket on the Hearth (1967)Starring Danny and Marlo Thomas as father/daughter duo Caleb and Bertha, this is a heartwarming adaptation of a lesser-known Charles Dickens Christmas classic. This special has great tunes, and the titular cricket, Cricket Crocket, is voiced by brilliant character actor Roddy McDowall. This special also features the talents of Ed Ames, Hans Conried, Paul Frees, and singer Abbe Lane. The First Christmas: The Story of the First Christmas Snow (1975)Can a young orphaned shepherd boy find a new home and still keep his sheep? This special is notable for its beautiful animation, songs, and stars the late, great Angela Lansbury as Sister Theresa. Cozy up under a wool blanket and with some wool socks, and join us for this lesser-known Christmas special. The Stingiest Man in Town (1978)Based on the stage musical of the same name, this is an animated adaptation of Charles Dickens’ iconic novela, A Christmas Carol. This animated musical features the talents of Walter Matthau as Scrooge, Tom Bosley as B. A. H. Humbug, our insect narrator, voice acting legend Paul Frees as the ghosts of Christmas Past and Present, among others. The music in this special is top-tier, so be sure to check it out, especially if you love a song and dance number in your holiday specials. Jack Frost (1979)This iconic mythologizing of this winter sprite, Jack Frost, is a fish-out-of-water tale as Jack learns to be human. Can he win the heart of the girl he loves and remain human? This is a special with catchy tunes and loads of fun. You’ll feel a chill in the air, but warmth in your heart. Thanks again for joining us at the Video Store Podcast. From all of us, to all of you, have a safe and happy holiday season. Thanks for reading Video Store Podcast! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.videostorepodcast.com

This week on the Video Store Podcast I am picking four Disney tapes you might have turned to when the big animated titles were already gone at the store. These were the ones that less visited shelf of the Disney section. You might not have planned on renting them, but once you did, they stayed with you. They would sometime sit untouched for weeks, but occasionally a family would rent one and their kids would fall in love with them. That meant they would return to the rent them again in the future. A Dream Called Walt Disney World from 1981 is the first tape on the pile. It is a friendly tour of the resort at a moment when the whole property still felt wide open. You get long looks at early Magic Kingdom walkways and enough hotel footage to remind you of how new everything once was. The narration has that calm voice that Disney liked to use in this era. It is the kind of tape you might put on after a long day just to let the music and visuals calm you down. I used to rewind certain parts just to capture moments again and again, although I guess a lot of us did that.Next is Walt Disney World EPCOT Center A Souvenir Program from 1983. This one always felt a little more polished. It has that nice steady tour feeling. The camera moves through Future World and World Showcase at a relaxed pace and gives you plenty of time to look at the early design work. You get glimpses of shops, shows, and attractions that changed only a few years later. People would keep this one longer than they were supposed to because its pacing calmed their kids down. Although I think the adults also liked it.The third pick is Where the Toys Come From from 1984. It is different from the others, but it showed up in the same section since it wasn’t a “Disney Classic.” Theodore Thomas directed it and his father was one of Disney’s Nine Old Men, which gives it a little history under the surface. It is a small story told. Not a lot of noise, not a lot of movement, just a pleasant mix of travel and simple moments with the toys.The last tape is Disneyland Fun from 1990. While we kept it in the children’s section, that did not stop older viewers from giving it a try. It is part of the Sing Along Songs line and it moves through the park with a sense of energy that fits the late eighties/early nineties. A few numbers were filmed just for this release, which gives it a couple of moments that never showed up anywhere else (Haunted Mansion!). The crowds and costumes look exactly like what you saw if you visited around that time. We played it at Suncoast often and I bought my own copy after seeing it the firs time.These tapes were steady choices when everything else was checked out. They sat there waiting for someone to notice them and they did their job without much fuss. They made a quiet night at home feel a little brighter with Disney Magic.Thanks for reading Video Store Podcast! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.videostorepodcast.com

Welcome to the Video Store Podcast.It’s Turkey Time! The leaves are changing and the air is crisp. As the jack-o-lanterns turn into pumpkin pie I love to sit down and watch Thanksgiving movies. Some people will tell you there’s only one Thanksgiving movie to watch this time of year, I disagree. I’m going to recommend four other Thanksgiving movies that will get you in the holiday spirit and hopefully become a permanent part of your Thanksgiving watch-list.First up we have Son in Law, the 1993 Pauly Shore movie. Becca, a small town Midwestern girl moves to Los Angeles to attend college. She meets Crawl (Shore) an eccentric surfer dude filled with chaotic energy. When Becca brings Crawl home for Thanksgiving the family and town aren’t prepared for teh antics.John Hughes wrote two movies about Thanksgiving, one in 1987 and Dutch in 1991. Dutch is a road trip movie about a blue-collar and his spoiled, soon to be stepson. Along they way they each learn to view the world different and accept each other for who they are. The third movie on out Thanksgiving list is Home for the Holidays, directed by Jodi Foster. Home for the Holidays is a raw, unfiltered look at Thanksgiving through the lenses of a dysfunctional family. The Thanksgiving dinner scene alone is worth the price of the rental. It’s not your normal ‘everyone hug and say I love you’ happy ending. It’s a fantastic movie and highly underrated.The final film on my list is Scent of A Woman from 1992. It’s about the unlikely friendship between a prep school student and a retired Army officer. It stars the great Al Pacino and it is his movie through and through. From start to finish, he gives a master class in acting. In the end it reminds us that no matter what our situation there’s always something and someone to be thankful for. No matter how you spend the holiday, with family, with friends or something else, have safe, enjoyable and relaxing holiday.We’re thankful you stop by The Video Store Podcast, please come again for more great movies to add to your list.Thanks for reading Video Store Podcast! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.videostorepodcast.com

November means Thanksgiving, and for me, that means holiday specials and Thanksgiving-themed TV episodes. One of the most popular shows to hit American television, Friends, had 10 Thanksgiving episodes across its 10-season run. I’ve picked 4 of my favorites for this week’s show. Bonus: if you want to watch the other 6, we’ve got the entire series here at the store. Season 5, Episode 8, “The One With All the Thanksgivings”If you’ve never seen Friends before, I bet you’ve seen some out-of-context images of Monica wearing a fez, sunglasses, and a 20 lb. turkey on her head. This is the episode where you get context for the wearing of a turkey. Don’t let the title fool you—this is not a repackaged clip show. Season 6, Episode 9, “The One Where Ross Got High”Monica and Chandler are bracing for an awkward Thanksgiving. Monica’s parents are coming to dinner, but they don’t know about their relationship, let alone that they’re living together. And to make it worse, they don’t like Chandler. In this episode, we get to the root cause of why the elder Gellers don’t like Chandler, and we also find out several other long-kept secrets. Season 7, Episode 8, “The One Where Chandler Doesn’t Like Dogs”Chandler doesn’t like dogs, but Ross doesn’t like ice cream. We learn some more long-kept secrets in this Thanksgiving episode of the series. And we just can’t name that last state. However, by the end, it might just be a “Moo Point.” “The One Where Chandler Doesn’t Like Dogs” features some of the iconic moments of the series and is well worth a watch. Season 8, Episode 9, “The One With the Rumor”Brad Pitt guest stars in this episode as Monica and Ross’ high school friend, Will, who’s had a glow-up since the last time they saw him. Will is in town for the holiday and is joining them for dinner. However, Rachel made his high school days miserable, and in a classic Rachel move, she doesn’t remember it all. That makes for an awkward Thanksgiving dinner. This episode gives us the concept we all require this time of year—Thanksgiving Pants™. We’re thankful for you at the Video Store Podcast, and we hope you have a safe and happy Thanksgiving with your friends and family. Thanks for reading Video Store Podcast! This post is public so feel free to share it. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.videostorepodcast.com

When I was a kid if you wanted to talk to people about movies, you went to the local mom and pop video rental store… but if you wanted to hang out with other kids your age, you went to the mall. On this week’s episode of the Video Store Podcast, I’m recommending four movies that were filmed and heavily feature malls.First up is Fast Times at Ridgemont High, a film that follows several teenagers as they navigate the halls and malls of southern California. With a star-studded cast, this film opens in a mall, which sets the tone for the entire film.Next up is Dawn of the Dead, George Romero’s 1978 sequel to his original zombie film, Night of the Living Dead. In this film, four characters — two police officers and two news broadcasters — take cover in an abandoned mall… or is it? It’s not long before the mall is crawling with zombies and, eventually, pie-throwing bikers. Known as special effects wizard Tom Savini’s breakthrough film, this one features lots of bullets, brains, and blood. Third is the lesser known Phantom of the Mall: Eric’s Revenge, released in 1989. This lesser-known 80s slasher features a mall-roaming “phantom” who used to live on the land the new mall was built on. It’s not a great movie, but it does feature a young and pre-MTV Pauly Shore which… well, doesn’t make it any better, but does make it interesting. This movie contains lots of interior mall shots and even more bad actors. What’s not to love?Rounding up this episode is one of my favorite films of all time, Chopping Mall. In this 1986 horror classic, a group of teens plan a sleepover inside a furniture store inside their local mall. Unfortunately for them, that same night lightning strikes the building which short circuits the robots and turn them into killbots! If yo always wanted to know what would happen if Johnny 5 went bad — no, like, really bad — this will let you know.Today’s malls are nothing like they were back in the 1980s. If you want to see what they were like in their heyday, check out one of these films. Malls were full of lights, food, shopping… and apparently, lots of murder. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.videostorepodcast.com

This week on The Video Store Podcast I’m talking about a handful of horror movies from the late 1980s that sit in a strange corner of the genre. They’re not the big ones you always hear about, just the kind of titles you’d find tucked on a back shelf of the local video store with a wild cover and not much else to go on.The first is The Kindred from 1987, directed by Jeffrey Obrow and Stephen Carpenter, the same team behind The Dorm That Dripped Blood. Joseph Stefano, who wrote the screenplay for Psycho, helped with the story. What really stands out are the effects, all done with elaborate practical work that’s wet, rubbery, and wonderfully overdone in that 80s way.Then there’s Scared Stiff, also from 1987. Richard Friedman directed it before going on to make Phantom of the Mall. It was shot in Florida, mostly inside a mansion that becomes the centerpiece for all the strange things that happen. It starts off like a haunted house movie, but by the end it drifts into something dreamlike and weird.The third pick is The Outing, sometimes called The Lamp. That double title confused people, but they’re the same film. Tom Daley directed it in Houston, and it’s remembered for its museum setting and a wish-granting genie that causes most of the trouble.Finally there’s The Unnamable from 1988, based on an H. P. Lovecraft story. Jean Paul Ouellette directed it in Massachusetts, and it’s one of those films that helped keep Lovecraft’s name circulating in low-budget horror through the decade. It even got a sequel a few years later.All four have their rough spots, but that’s part of what makes them interesting. They’re full of ambition, full of practical effects, and they capture that scrappy energy of 80s horror. The kind of movies you’d rent just because the box looked too cool or too strange to ignore.Thanks for reading Video Store Podcast! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.videostorepodcast.com

Welcome to the Video Store Podcast.I’m the new guy, you can all me Pitfall Gary. Today is my first time running the store alone. I’ve spent the last couple weeks watching training videos and stuck on the automatic rewind machine. With Halloween right around the corner I have a few movies from the master of Horror himself, John Carpenter. Not the normal Carpenter movies, these are a few of his underrated and often overlooked movies.Carpenter directed and composed the music for all of these movies. He wrote The Fog and Prince of Darkness, the other two are adaptations. These are good movies to watch this Halloween season.The Fog (1980)As the small coastal town of Antonio Bay prepares to celebrate its centennial, a mysterious, glowing fog rolls in, carrying the vengeful ghosts of leprous mariners who were betrayed and killed by the town’s founders a century earlier. The ghosts want their retribution, six lives, one for each of the founders. Now the descendants of the conspirators must fight for survival against the supernatural threat. A great movie starring the fabulous Adrienne BarbeauChristine (1983)Arnie Cunningham, a nerdy high school senior buys a dilapidated 1958 Plymouth Fury and names her Christine. As Arnie restores the car he goes through a personality transformation and becomes obsessed with Christine, which turns out to be a sentient, evil car with a deadly jealous streak. Christine begins to seek vengeance on Arnie’s bullies and anyone else who threatens their bond. Red heads are evil…even when they’re cars!Prince of Darkness (1987)The Brotherhood of Sleep have been guarding pure evil, in the form green swirling liquid for centuries. When the last member of the order dies evil will be unleashed on the world. Professor Birack and his quantum physicist students must unravel the mystery before it possesses them all and is unleashed on the world. A creepy movie with a great role for Alice Cooper.Vampires (1998)In this neo-western, Jack Crow and his Vatican-sponsored team of vampire slayers vow to kill every last vampire. With the help of a vampire prostitute, Jack must find and kill the powerful vampire, Valek before he can complete his transformation and become immune to sunlight. This is a great action packed, gore-filled vampire hunting movie!That’s the list of John Carpenter movies for this week. Each a unique take on the horror genre. I hope you decide to watch them. If you do, let me know what you think.Thanks for stopping by The Video Store Podcast, stop by again for more great movies to add to your list.Thanks for reading Video Store Podcast! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.videostorepodcast.com

Welcome back to the Video Store Podcast and welcome to Spooky Month! We’re halfway to Halloween, and I’ve picked four underrated Halloween specials to help you celebrate the season.Halloween is Grinch Night! (1977)This lesser-known Grinch special adds a bit of spooky, Seussian fun to the Halloween season. Young Euchariah Who gets lost on a trip to the “euphemism” during a wind storm and has an encounter with the Grinch. You shouldn’t go out on a night like this—instead, stay in with Halloween is Grinch Night!Doug Season 4 Episode 4 “Doug’s Halloween Adventure” (1993)This Halloween special is one that I’ve tried to watch every year since the 90s. Doug and Skeeter are spending Halloween at Funky Town, hoping, though not without trepidation, to ride Bloodstone Manor, the new horror ride. However, by the time they make it to the front of the line, the park is closed. Not disuaded, school Roger pushes them to sneak on anyway. Can they escape? Watch “Doug’s Halloween Adventure” and find out. Gargoyles Season 2 Episode 7 “Eye of the Beholder” (1995)This Halloween episode of Gargoyles has been shown as a Halloween special in the years since its original airing. Elisa and Goliath are tracking a werewolf-type creature…or should we say werefox? Can they rescue Fox from the effects of The Eye of Odin necklace? You’ll have to watch and find out. The Halloween Tree (1993)This Emmy-winning Halloween special is adapted from Ray Bradbury’s novel of the same name. The Halloween Tree focuses on the adventures of 5 kids on Halloween night who must learn the value of friendship and the true spirit of the Halloween season. With Leonard Nimoy as Mr. Moundshroud and narration by Ray Bradbury himself, The Halloween Tree is NOT to be missed. Thanks for joining us for another trip to the Video Store Podcast. Have a safe and happy Halloween season! Thanks for reading Video Store Podcast! This post is public so feel free to share it. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.videostorepodcast.com

Hello, friends! Welcome back to the Video Store Podcast. After a short break (you’ll find out why in this episode), the store has reopened just in time for Halloween! On this episode of the podcast I’m recommending four films in which characters accidentally open portals, unleash evil spirits into this world, and spend the majority of the film trying to send it back before… gulp… you know.Evil Dead 2 (1987)Ash Williams is one unlucky fellow as, once again, he finds himself in a remote cabin accidentally opening a portal to Hell after playing recorded passages read from the Necronomicon — aka “the Book of the Dead.” You don’t need to have seen the first film to watch this one. Grab a bucket of popcorn and your chainsaw and check this one out.The Gate (1987)Glen, his best friend Terry, and Glen’s older sister Al accidentally open a gate to Hell in their own backyard and must use what resources they have to put them back. For being PG13, The Gate has some pretty horrifying (and amazing) special effects. This is the film that turned me on to The Killer Dwarves and made me fear geodes. Night of the Demons (1988)A group of teens are invited to attend a Halloween party at an abandoned funeral parlor (rumored to be haunted) and perform a seance. What could possibly go wrong? If you said “nothing” you haven’t been paying attention! One by one most of the teens become possessed, killed, or killed and then possessed. These demons like to mix things up! A great horror flick with a great 80s vibe. Witchboard (1986)If you’ve learned anything from this podcast so far I hope it’s to not go around trying to open portals to other worlds. In Witchboard, Linda begins dabbling with an Ouija Board and if you think that leads to good things, you have learned nothing. It’s up to Linda’s current boyfriend and ex-boyfriend to team up and drive the evil out of her. I won’t tell you if they are successful but I will tell you this film has at least two sequels. Thanks for stopping by our video store. Enjoy the new hot dog roller and cocktail Ms. Pac-Man machine we added by the front door. Grab a few horror films while you’re here and don’t forget to rewind them before you return them. Thanks for coming in! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.videostorepodcast.com

This is just a short little message. We are taking a break after over a year of putting out shows. Time to do some more watching and get our recommendations ready for more episodes. We are also interested in bringing more people into the Video Store, so if you have some podcast experience and can follow along with our format, we would love to hear from you. Send us a message or comment below and we can get a discussion going. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.videostorepodcast.com

On this week’s episode of The Video Store Podcast, I’m recommending four movies. They’re all from the 1980s and 1990s and all have some connection to my home state of New Jersey, even if it’s a loose one. These aren’t big studio classics. They’re weirder, smaller, and have built and kept loyal followings for decades.The Toxic Avenger (1984) Made by Troma Entertainment, this is probably their most well known film. It’s low budget, violent, and absurd. It was shot mostly in New Jersey, including many areas near where I grew up. The studio itself was co-founded by Lloyd Kaufman, who grew up in NYC but often filmed across the Hudson for budget reasons. The Toxic Avenger became Troma’s mascot and eventually got cartoon spin-offs, comics, and a stage musical.The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension (1984)This one is hard to explain in a sentence. Peter Weller plays a neurosurgeon who’s also a rock star and physicist. It’s sci-fi with a cast that includes Jeff Goldblum, Ellen Barkin, and John Lithgow. The film didn’t do well when it came out but has built a steady fanbase over time. While it wasn’t filmed in New Jersey, it is rife with Garden State references.Eddie and the Cruisers (1983) This is a fictional band movie that takes itself seriously. It was shot in various New Jersey shore towns. The soundtrack, especially the song “On the Dark Side,” ended up doing better than the film. Led by Michael Paré plays Eddie, the film has a solid cast, but its the music that helped it build an audience. Most of that happened because it became available pretty quickly on HBOClerks (1994)Kevin Smith’s first film. Shot in black and white for under $30,000. He filmed it at the Quick Stop convenience store in Leonardo, New Jersey, where he worked at the time. This movie launched his career and started what would be known as the View Askewniverse. It’s mostly just two guys talking about things that interest them in intense and funny ways, but it worked. These films offer more than just entertainment. They provide a look back at different moments when movies could be made with local flavor and for these ones, a personal vision. That connection to place and the willingness to work within its constraints created films that continue to matter because they show how stories are shaped by where they come from just as much as who tells them.Thanks for reading Video Store Podcast! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.videostorepodcast.com

Welcome, all True Believers, to another episode of the Video Store Podcast. This week, I’ve got four films showcasing the superhero genre, long before the big superhero boom of the late 90s/early 00s that’s still going strong today. Put on your mask, your spandex, and join me on the couch for a movie marathon that’s, well, super!Batman: The Movie (1966)First up is Batman: The Movie from 1966. A spinoff of the popular TV show, this theatrical film is one for the ages. Still fun and funny, Batman: The Movie is a film that the whole family can sit down and enjoy, whether they’ve seen any of the Adam West/Burt Ward TV series. Make a bowl of popcorn and sit down with your partner in crime-fighting to enjoy Batman: The Movie. Dick Tracy (1990)One of the more underrated films of this era is 1990’s Dick Tracy, directed by and starring Warren Beatty. This is a noir detective story in yellow. Filmed like a living comic book with a score by Danny Elfman, songs by Stephen Sondheim and Madonna, Dick Tracy is a film not to be missed. Put on your yellow trenchcoat, and I’ll join you on the couch for a comic book classic that too few people have seen. I’m on my way! Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990)Order a pizza and settle in for a fun action comedy that’s sure to please everyone. 1990’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles brings the comic by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird to life with puppetry and costuming by Jim Henson’s creature shop, a great soundtrack, and fantastic stunt and action sequences. You’ll love every second of being a turtle with this film. The Phantom (1996)Charming pulpy goodness awaits you when you push play on The Phantom from 1996. Starring Billy Zane, Kristy Swanson, Treat Williams, and Patrick McGoohan, this is another underrated classic of comic book film lore not to be missed. Join the very first superhero to wear spandex and slam evil with The Phantom. Thanks for reading Video Store Podcast! This post is public so feel free to share it. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.videostorepodcast.com

We love our automobiles here in America. We love driving cars and fixing up cars… but not every experience on the open road is a good one. This week I’m recommending four road trip films that turn out to be bad trips. Duel (1971)David Mann is just trying to make his way through a lone desert highway when he begins being tormented by an 18-wheeler for no apparent reason. Despite Mann’s attempts to outrun, outmaneuver, and outsmart his pursuer, he is unable to get away. If Duel sounds a little like Jaws but with cars, that’s no coincidence as Duel was the directorial debut of Steven Spielberg. Non-stop tension from beginning to the exciting climax.Motorama (1991)Ten-year-old Gus hits the road after stealing his parents’ Mustang with hopes of winning Motorama. Collect all eight winning cards for a chance of winning $500 million dollars! Unfortunately for Gus, things aren’t easy in this hellish nightmare wasteland. By the time Gus makes it to the Motorama headquarters he’s lost an eye and his hair has turned gray… and things are about to get worse.Dirty Mary, Crazy Larry (1974)Driver Larry and his mechanic Deke plan to fund their new racing team by robbing a local supermarket and laying low until the heat blows over — an escape plan that falls apart when Larry’s former one-night stand Mary is hiding in the getaway car. The film turns into a long police chase and getting there is half the fun! Starring Peter Fonda and Vic Morrow.Palmer’s Pick-up (1999)Palmer and Pearl, owners of a cargo shipping company, are hired to transport a large crate from California to Florida. The crate must be delivered to the Devil’s Triangle prior to the stroke of midnight on Y2K, else something bad will happen. What the two don’t know is if they do make it on time, something much worse may happen. Starring Robert Carradine, Morton Downey, Jr., a dozen unexpected cameos, and one of the highest death counts in any movie I’ve ever seen. What an ending! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.videostorepodcast.com

This week, I’m pulling four titles off the shelf that all deal with prehistoric humans in some form. They’re all very different films. Some take the subject seriously, others just go for laughs. What they share is a central idea of how humans interact with one another. Whether it's science labs, high schools, or the open world, these movies all find something worthwhile to focus on.Caveman (1981)Directed by Carl Gottlieb (who co-wrote Jaws), this one’s a straight-up comedy. It stars Ringo Starr, Barbara Bach, Dennis Quaid, and Shelley Long, all speaking in a made-up language while running from stop-motion dinosaurs. It's a weird, physical, surprisingly consistent comedy that doesn't rely on much more than expression and timing. Jim Danforth handled the effects work, using the same animation style he brought to other fantasy films of the era.Quest for Fire (1981)Probably the most serious pick this week. Directed by Jean-Jacques Annaud, this is a film with no real spoken language. The cast learned a constructed language by Anthony Burgess and used movement techniques developed by Desmond Morris. Rae Dawn Chong, Ron Perlman, and Everett McGill all commit fully to their roles. It won an Oscar for Best Makeup and doesn’t try to explain much—it just shows a small group of early humans trying to survive. Worth seeing for the detail and the performances alone.Iceman (1984)This one takes place in a cold research facility where a frozen prehistoric man is brought back to life. John Lone plays the Iceman and gives a performance that’s more nuanced than you’d expect from this kind of premise. Timothy Hutton plays the anthropologist trying to connect with him. It’s more intimate and focused than a lot of 1980s sci-fi, with a steady pace and a good sense of space. Encino Man (1992)Directed by Les Mayfield and produced by Hollywood Pictures, this is the comedy version of a caveman showing up in a modern world. Brendan Fraser plays Link, and this was the role that helped launch his career. Pauly Shore plays Stoney who sets the tone for the whole movie. There's also Sean Astin, trying to use Link as a way to get popular. It’s loud, strange, and very early '90s, but it moves fast and gets a lot out of the water park, fast food, and high school scenes. The soundtrack includes Queen, Infectious Grooves, Right Said Fred and a bunch of other songs that place it squarely in 1992.None of these films feel like they’re trying to say the same thing. What they do have in common is how they treat the idea of prehistoric people not as monsters or jokes, but as people. Even in the comedies, there's a sense of curiosity behind the setups. They're fun to watch, sometimes surprisingly thoughtful, and all a little out of step with what people usually mean when they talk about science fiction or historical drama.Thanks for reading Video Store Podcast! This post is public so feel free to share it. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.videostorepodcast.com

Welcome back to another episode of the Video Store Podcast, where we love sharing about the films that mean the most to us. Today, in honor of my fortieth birthday, I’m going to share with you four of the films that have shaped my life in varying ways. I hope you enjoy these films as much as I do, or at minimum, appreciate why I appreciate them. Sleeping Beauty (1959)First up is the 1959 Disney animated classic, Sleeping Beauty. This is perhaps the most gorgeous animated film Disney has ever produced. Nearly a decade to create, it is a genuine testament to the commitment to quality that Disney had at the time. With a leading lady from my hometown of Knoxville, Tennessee, Sleeping Beauty has a certain intangible draw for me and influenced my view of art, animation, and aesthetics, which is why it makes the staff picks wall this week. Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988) A combo of animation, live action, film noir, and comedy, Who Framed Roger Rabbit is a laugh-a-minute satire full of puns, double entendres, and sheer joy. It gave me my sense of humor, an appreciation for satire, and a lifelong desire to be a cartoon character, or at the very least, act like one. It was nominated for 7 Academy Awards and won 4 of them, making it perhaps one of the silliest films to win an Oscar. Star Trek (2009)J. J. Abrams’ 2009 Star Trek reboot literally changed my life and career trajectory. This film breathed life into the Star Trek franchise, and for me, gave me my biggest fandom. I am a better human being because of my love for Star Trek, and it's all because of this film. Live long and prosper, and join me on the couch for the film that began my deep dive into the Star Trek fandom. The Marvels (2023)A Marvel film that puts women at the forefront, is directed by a woman, written by women, where the women are allowed to be women, is exactly what this lifelong nerd girl needed. A film about family, personal responsibility, fandom, and hero worship, Nia DaCosta’s The Marvels is fun and silly, while simultaneously thoughtful and refreshingly different from the majority of the superhero film genre. If you missed this one, give it a look, or at least try to understand why this film matters so much to me and to so many other women and girls. It’s my Barbie. Thanks for joining me for my fortieth birthday celebration today on the Video Store Podcast. Since you were kind enough to hear out four of my favorite and most influential films, I would love to hear about the films that helped shape you, too. Leave me a comment and tell me all about them. Happy my birthday to you, from all of us at the Video Store Podcast. Thanks for reading Video Store Podcast! This post is public so feel free to share it. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.videostorepodcast.com

From the dawn of time, man has been fascinated by the stars and what — or more importantly, who — is out there. Unsurprisingly, from the dawn of filmmaking, Hollywood has been also been fascinated by visiting (and visitors from) other worlds. One of the earliest silent films, A Trip to the Moon, was about shooting astronauts to the moon (using a cannon) and the alien creatures they find. There are countless movies about aliens and here are four I think you should watch.Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)Roy Neary’s life is turned upside-down after having a close encounter with a UFO. After being tormented by visions and a need to know more, Roy meets others experiencing the same thing and travels to Devil’s Tower in Wyoming where Roy, the government, and the aliens all arrive for a monumental concert. Directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Richard Dreyfuss, Teri Garr, and Melinda Dillion, Close Encounters of the Third Kind is one of the greatest films about alien encounters ever made. A must watch, no matter what planet you’re from.Starcrash (1978)Hot on the heels of 1977’s Star Wars came a wave of films “influenced” by George Lucas’s masterpiece. In Starcrash, a smuggler and her alien sidekick go on a mission to rescue a prince from an evil character with a gigantic space weapon that can destroy planets. Sound familiar? Did I mention the alien sidekick uses a lightsaber? Perhaps “influenced” is too light of a word. Starcrash is not the best space opera of all time, but it’s an interesting time capsule from 1978; one of many movies that also took place in a galaxy far, far away. Starcrash features great sets, a goofy plot… and David Hasselhoff. The Last Starfighter (1984)Alex Rogan wants nothing more than to escape his small town and that opportunity presents itself after he beats the world record on an arcade game called The Last Starfighter. The arcade game is actually a recruiting tool, and before long a shifty alien named Centauri arrives to take Alex to space where he will become a Starfighter — for real! Featuring (then) groundbreaking CGI, lots of alien action, and the final theatrical performance of Robert Preston.Naked Space/Spaceship/The Creature Wasn’t Nice (1981)No matter what name you see this movie under, they’re all the same… and none of them are good! This “horror/comedy” that loosely parodies Alien stars Leslie Nielson, Cindy Williams, Gerrit Graham, Patrick Macnee, and (writer/director) Bruce Kimmel. After exploring a newly discovered planet, the crew of the Spaceship Vertigo bring a small organism (goo) on board that quickly grows into a large monster. When Dr. Stark figures out a way to connect the monster’s brain to the ship’s computer, they are able for the first time to hear the monster’s thoughts. And boy, is that monster hungry…Movies about aliens and outer space are always fun summer viewing. Rent one of these films and pop an extra bucket of popcorn, just in case someone from “out there” stops by to join you.Thanks for reading Video Store Podcast! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.videostorepodcast.com

This week on The Video Store Podcast, I’m recommending four films that are all about films and filmmaking in one way or another. Some are about the industry. Some about obsession with its product. All are worth watching.The Stunt Man (1980) – Directed by Richard Rush. This film took nearly a decade to get made. It’s about a fugitive who ends up working as a stuntman on a chaotic film set. Peter O'Toole plays the eccentric director. The film is known for how it blurs the line between what’s real and what’s staged, both for the characters and the viewer. Rush was nominated for Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay. Steve Railsback, who plays the lead, had previously portrayed Charles Manson in Helter Skelter, and that performance had followed him around.Fade to Black (1980) – A psychological thriller directed by Vernon Zimmerman. Not so much about the industry behind-the scenes, but instead about its effect on the other side of the camera. Dennis Christopher plays a movie-obsessed loner who starts acting out scenes from classic films in real life. A lot of people missed this when it came out, but it has a cult following now. It’s set in Los Angeles and uses that setting in a way that feels grimy and off. Mickey Rourke appears in a small early role. Quentin Tarantino has mentioned this film as an influence.The Big Picture (1989) – A comedy directed by Christopher Guest. Kevin Bacon plays a young filmmaker who finds early success, then quickly loses control of his career. Martin Short plays his agent in a way that’s deliberately over-the-top. The script was co-written by Michael McKean and also includes appearances by John Cleese and Teri Hatcher. It’s one of those movies that shows how studio notes and industry pressure can take a decent idea and ruin it.Living in Oblivion (1995) – Directed by Tom DiCillo whose name I butcher, my apologies. This one’s about a small indie film production falling apart. Steve Buscemi plays the director. It’s shot in black and white and color, dividing dream sequences from the rest. Catherine Keener and Dermot Mulroney are also in it. DiCillo based a lot of the script on his own frustrations making his first feature. James Le Gros plays a difficult actor who many assumed was based on Brad Pitt, who had worked with DiCillo before. DiCillo has denied it, but the rumor stuck. Also a great role from a future Game of Thrones star.Each of these films looks at films and filmmaking from a different angle. They’re also all lesser-known films, some not widely seen, but worth your time.Thanks for reading Video Store Podcast! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.videostorepodcast.com

Welcome to Camp Video Store Podcast! While we’re not actually going to camp, we are getting your summer started off the right way with some summer-themed horror movies. We hope you packed your sleeping bag, your flashlight, and a big bowl of popcorn. Here are four films that give us the Summer Spookies. Friday the 13th (1980)The second of the big three slashers, Friday the 13th, gave us Jason and a summer full of terror. It’s an iconic horror film for a reason, and the summer camp setting makes it a fantastic first choice for our short list of summer spookies. Get your bunkmates together for this classic of the horror genre. Bonus: You get to see an early film appearance of Kevin Bacon. Sleepaway Camp (1983)Our next trip to camp is with the 1983 cult favorite, Sleepaway Camp. This film has gained a cult following over the years due to its disturbing and now controversial ending. It’s campy and over-the-top while simultaneously being an effective and disturbing horror film. It begat over three decades of sequels, so it’s an icon of summer horror for a reason. I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997)We’re going forward to the late 90s with our next film—I Know What You Did Last Summer, based on the 1973 novel of the same name by Lois Duncan. With a cast of young “it” stars of the time, I Know What You Did Last Summer sparked two sequels, a 2021 television adaptation, and a legacy sequel heading to theaters in July 2025. Check your mailbox and watch out for folks in rain slickers this summer. Jaws (1975)The big kahuna of summer movies is our last film for the week—Jaws from 1975. Directed by Steven Spielberg and written by Carl Gottlieb and Peter Benchley, and based on Benchley’s book of the same name, Jaws is a film for movie lovers everywhere, even if you don’t like horror. It’s the reason we have the term “blockbuster” and boasts an amazing score and tension you can cut with a knife…or a harpoon. It’s a film that’s still beloved 50 years later and worth watching every summer, or any other time of year. Thanks for spending your summer with us at the Video Store Podcast!Thanks for reading Video Store Podcast! This post is public so feel free to share it. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.videostorepodcast.com