Video Store Podcast

Episodi

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  The Best Kids' Adventure Movies You've Never Heard Of 27.07.2026 27min

  Hello, and welcome to my debut episode! My name is Ken, a writer, illustrator & animator from Vancouver — and I’m excited to join the Video Store Podcast staff. If you have kids in your life looking for a great film to watch this summer, or to enjoy as a family with mass quantities of popcorn, listen close! I’ve got some you may have never heard of, but will definitely want to see. ZATHURA: A Space Adventure (2005)If you’ve seen any of the JUMANJI movies, this is the same kind of idea — but in space! Two brothers discover a board game that comes to life and hurls them into the far reaches of the galaxy, where they must battle hungry space aliens, meteors, a killer robot, and other dangers. The only way to get home is to finish the game, if they can survive! Earth to Echo (2014)If you like STRANGER THINGS, you’ll get a kick out of this adventure. It’s like E.T. meets THE GOONIES shot with cel phones, in a found-footage style. A group of friends are getting ready to move out of their neighborhood when they discover a tiny robot in the desert who needs to get home. Perfect for projecting onto a sheet in your backyard under the stars. Riddle of Fire (2024)An amazing indie gem where a band of kids called The Three Immortal Reptiles go on an adventure in the woods to outwit a band of criminals called The Enchanted Blade. Delightfully weird with a dungeon-synth soundtrack, this film feels like a throwback to Disney adventure films of the ‘70s with some GOONIES and LORD OF THE RINGS elements. Disclaimer: some mild profanity and kids cussing. SKETCH (2025)Amber and Jack are two kids grieving the death of their mother, and Amber draws scary monsters to cope with her sadness. When they discover a magic pond in their backyard that heals or brings anything that touches it to life, it’s a recipe for chaos and adventure. This is an amazing film that more families really need to see. A cocktail of giant monsters, chase sequences, battle scenes, and personified metaphors for emotions of fear, sadness and grief, it’s been described as JURASSIC PARK meets INSIDE OUT — but also with a touch of its own unique genius.Thanks for joining us at the Video Store Podcast for some kids’ adventure recommendations! Let me know what you think of them! 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
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  Summer Spookies: Anthology Horror TV Edition! 17.07.2026 29min

  Summer is here and we’re staying indoors instead of sweating it out. We’re keeping it cool in the A/C and with some chilling horror anthology TV to help us get through the long summer days. Here are 4 horror anthology series I’ve picked for our staff picks will this week. Tales from the Darkside (1983)What could’ve been Creepshow: The Series became Tales from the Darkside. Created by Night of the Living Dead director George A. Romero and horror producer Richard P. Rubinstein, Tales from the Darkside is a half-hour horror anthology show filled with practical effects, and crazy good folks in the director’s chair and the writer’s room. I recommend the pilot episode, “Trick or Treat” starring Barnard Hughes, if you want a good flavor for this series. Freddy’s Nightmares (1988)Spun off from the A Nightmare on Elm Street franchise, Freddy’s Nightmares gave many parents nightmares with its dark, disturbing, violent, and scary content being aired in syndication on broadcast TV where just anyone could watch it! Robert Englund reprises his role as Freddy Krueger and opens and closes each episode with some framing narration. The episode I think you should check out to get a taste for the show is “Killer Instinct,” which stars the great Lori Petty. It’s eerie, creepy, and frankly a bit disturbing. If you’re down for a good scare or just a big A Nightmare on Elm Street fan, Freddy’s Nightmares is well worth your time. The Outer Limits (1995)The 1995 The Outer Limits revival is an incredible cavalcade of acclaimed science fiction and horror writers, directors, and actors. Lasting for 152 episodes and seven seasons, The Outer Limits (1995) far outstripped its predecessor, and offers viewers a fascinating and often poignant exploration of human topics through the lens of science fiction horror. There are so many episodes I could point to for great examples from this series, but one of my favorites is the season 4 episode, “Glyphic.” Starring Rachael Leigh Cook, Brad Swaile, written by Naren Shankar, and directed by the late, great Catherine O’Hara, this is a fascinating episode that deals with an unexplainable disease with an out-of-this-world solution. The New Scooby-Doo Movies (1972)Finally, The New Scooby-Doo Movies from 1972 rounds out my selections for the staff picks wall this week. No, it’s not exactly what comes to mind when you think of anthology horror TV, but hear me out, I think it is. It follows in the anthology horror TV format of new guest stars every week, a new monster or ghost to figure out, a bit of mystery to uncover, but it’s wrapped in an animated comedy package. It’s anthology horror that’s fun for everyone, be they adults, kids, or teens. And it also serves as a good chaser if you need something more lighthearted after the first three recommendations. While I literally enjoy every episode of The New Scooby-Doo Movies, I think “The Loch Ness Mess” featuring The Harlem Globetrotters is one of the more interesting, if not strange episodes of the series. Thanks for joining us at the Video Store Podcast for some more summer spookies! If you like these, check out my episode last year for four more Summer Spookies, perfect for this time of year. 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
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  Now Hiring! 06.07.2026

  Hey gang, We’re hiring here at the Video Store! If you’ve got a passion for film, some podcasting experience, and a good quality microphone, the Video Store might just be the place for you. If you’re interested, please drop us a line in our direct chat box. We’re looking forward to hearing from you! 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
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  🇺🇸 America 250! 29.06.2026 17min

  Welcome to the Video Store Podcast.Celebrating America’s 250th Birthday at the Video StoreThe red, white, and blue decorations are up at the Video Store as America celebrates its 250th birthday. Across the country, families are gathering for fireworks, cookouts, and long holiday weekends, and there’s no better way to mark the occasion than with a great movie.For this special Fourth of July episode, I pulled four movies from the shelves that capture different chapters in American history. From the battlefields of the Revolution to the launch pads of the Space Race, from the cockpits of Navy fighter pilots to the occupied Rocky Mountains, these movies explore the values that have long defined the America: freedom, courage, sacrifice, and resilience.The Patriot (2000)To celebrate America’s birthday we should start at the beginning. Roland Emmerich’s The Patriot tells the story of Benjamin Martin, a widowed veteran of the French and Indian War who reluctantly joins the American Revolution after British forces bring the war to his home. Starring Mel Gibson, Heath Ledger, and Jason Isaacs, the film transforms the struggle for independence from a distant historical event into a deeply personal story of sacrifice and revenge.The Patriot released on VHS and DVD in October 2000 and is one of the final blockbuster releases of the VHS era.The Right Stuff (1983)Before America reached the Moon, there were the test pilots and astronauts who risked everything to get us there. The Right Stuff chronicles the early days of the Space Race, beginning with legendary test pilot Chuck Yeager and continuing through the Mercury Seven astronauts as America races to catch up with the Soviet Union.Featuring an outstanding cast the film is about much more than rockets and space capsules. It’s about ambition, competition, courage, and the uniquely American belief that impossible challenges can be overcome through determination and ingenuity. Top Gun (1986)Few films capture American confidence and optimism quite like Top Gun. Tony Scott’s blockbuster follows hotshot Navy pilot Pete “Maverick” Mitchell, played by Tom Cruise, as he attends the elite Naval Fighter Weapons School and learns that true greatness requires more than talent, it requires sacrifice, teamwork, and humility.Top Gun also changed the home video industry forever. When Paramount released the film on VHS in 1987 at the low price of $26.95, it sold nearly three million copies and helped establish the modern home video market.Red Dawn (1984)If the previous films celebrate America’s founding, ambition, and confidence, Red Dawn asks what Americans are willing to sacrifice to defend them. John Milius’s Cold War classic follows a group of Colorado teenagers who flee to the mountains after a Soviet and Cuban invasion and gradually transform themselves into resistance fighters.Like the citizen-soldiers of the American Revolution, the teenagers didn’t fight for glory, but because they believe some things are worth defending. Red Dawn also made history as the first film released with the new PG-13 rating.Wolverines!🇺🇸 Happy 250th Birthday, AmericaThese four movies remind us that America is a story of independence and sacrifice, of exploration and ambition, of courage and perseverance. From the battlefields of the eighteenth century to the frontiers of space, from the skies above the Pacific to the mountains of Colorado, each film captures a different chapter of the American experience.They also remind us that patriotism isn’t just about flags, fireworks, and holiday weekends. It’s about freedom, courage, sacrifice, and the enduring belief that ordinary people can accomplish extraordinary things.From all of us here at the Video Store, have a safe and happy Fourth of July. And remember: be kind, rewind. 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
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  Get Your Group On 15.06.2026 34min

  I love a good ensemble film, one where a bunch of characters some together and pool their collective talens in order to achieve a common goal. In this week’s episode I’ll be recommending a few films in which multiple characters team up and head out!Smokey and the Bandit (1977)Big Enos and his son have a taste for Coors beer, which back in the 1970s was illegal to ship east of the Mississippi. The two are willing to pay big money to anyone who can make the run from Georgia to Texas and back and deliver 400 cases of Coors in less than 28 hours, and the Bandit (Burt Reynolds) and his pal Cletus (Jerry Reed) are just the ones to pull it off. Unfortunately for them, the Bandit picks up a runaway bride named Carrie (Sally Fields) who left Junior, the son of Sheriff Buford T. Justice (Jackie Gleason), at the alter. With a Smokey from Texas hot on their tail, it’s “east bound and down” in a race to deliver the goods before the law ruins their fun.The Great Muppet Caper (1981)When Kermit, Fozzie, and Gonzo blow their first (and last) job as reporters for a newspaper in England, the trio must team up to clear their names and prevent the theft of Lady Holiday’s most expensive posession, the Baseball Diamond. Featuring a slew of cameos and starring Diana Rigg as Lady Holiday and Charles Grodin as her crooken brother, Nicky. Personally, I think this sequel to The Muppet Movie is actually better. Yeah, I said it.Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol (1987)In the fourth Police Academy film, citizens are being recruited to assist our favorite police department through their new outreach program, Citizens On Patrol (C.O.P.) The new recruits are unqualified buffoons… which makes them a lot like the officers already on the force.Cannibal: The Musical (1993)The sky is blue, and all the leave are green… that is, until Alferd Packer returns from a prospecting expedition gone wrong and instead of finding other survivors, search parties find evidence of (gulp) cannibalism. Written by and starring Matt Stone and Trey Parker of South Park fame, Cannibal: The Musical features an interesting plot, catchy musical numbers, and jokes you can really sink your teeth into (no pun intended).I love a good “Hero’s Journey” plot, but films with groups of characters joining up to accomplish a common goal can be even more fun. If two is company and three’s a crowd, ensembles are a whole bunch of fun! 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
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  In Too Deep With Undercover Movies 08.06.2026 23min

  Welcome to another episode of The Video Store Podcast. This week I am recommending four movies about undercover work. That can mean a lot of things in movies. Sometimes it is a young cop trying to prove himself. Sometimes it is a guy returning to a place where everyone already knows him. Sometimes it is a job that starts out dangerous and then gets worse because the people doing it begin to lose track of who they are supposed to be.I have always liked this kind of story because it gives crime movies a built in problem right away. The person at the center has to lie, but the lie only works if part of it feels true. That is where these movies live. None of them treat undercover work as clean or especially clever. It is usually sweaty, stressful, and bad for everyone involved.No Man’s Land (1987)No Man’s Land stars D. B. Sweeney as a young cop who goes undercover to get inside a Porsche theft ring run by Charlie Sheen. It was directed by Peter Werner and written by Dick Wolf, which is a little interesting now because most people probably connect Wolf with Law and Order and television crime stories. Here he is working in a very eighties lane, with stolen sports cars, Los Angeles money, and Charlie Sheen doing the smooth rich kid criminal thing.This is not the deepest movie on the shelf, but it has a good setup and a lot of period texture. The car stuff helps. A crime ring built around stolen Porsches feels very much of its moment, and the movie understands the appeal of that world even while it is showing you the danger underneath it. Sweeney is good as someone who is not quite ready for the assignment, and Sheen is believable as the guy who makes bad choices look attractive.The cast also includes Randy Quaid, M. Emmet Walsh, Lara Harris, and Bill Duke. I always like when Bill Duke shows up in something, and in this week’s lineup he shows up twice, once here as an actor and later as the director of Deep Cover (1992). That was not the reason I picked these four, but it is a nice bit of video store shelf connection.State of Grace (1990)State of Grace stars Sean Penn as Terry Noonan, an undercover cop who returns to Hell’s Kitchen and reconnects with the people he grew up with. The problem is that those people are now tied into the Irish mob, and some of them still see him as one of their own. That makes the undercover part more personal than usual. He is not just pretending to belong. In some ways, he already did.The cast is a big part of the reason to watch this one. Ed Harris is controlled and cold as Frankie Flannery, Gary Oldman is all nerves and damage as Jackie, and Robin Wright gives the movie more emotional weight than it would have had with a thinner version of that role. John Turturro and John C. Reilly are in there too, which gives the movie one of those casts where you keep noticing people before they became more familiar.It was directed by Phil Joanou, written by Dennis McIntyre, shot by Jordan Cronenweth, and scored by Ennio Morricone. That is a lot of strong names attached to a movie that never became as famous as it probably should have. Part of the problem is timing. It came out in 1990, the same year as Goodfellas, and that is a tough shadow for any New York crime movie to stand in. State of Grace is not Goodfellas, and it is not trying to be. Rush (1991)Rush is a heavier version of the undercover story. Jason Patric and Jennifer Jason Leigh play narcotics officers working a drug case in 1970s Texas, and the movie is less interested in the mechanics of the investigation than in what the job does to them. It is about crossing lines, then having trouble finding those lines again.The movie was directed by Lili Fini Zanuck and based on Kim Wozencraft’s novel, which was inspired by her own time as an undercover narcotics officer. Pete Dexter wrote the screenplay, and the cast includes Sam Elliott, Max Perlich, and Gregg Allman. That last bit always makes the movie feel slightly stranger on paper than it plays on screen, because Allman fits into the world of the movie pretty naturally.Rush is not a casual watch. Jason Patric was very good in this period at playing men who seem like they have already made peace with ruining themselves, and Jennifer Jason Leigh makes her character’s slide feel believable without turning it into a big speech. Eric Clapton did the music, and the soundtrack became better known than the movie in some circles because of Tears in Heaven. The film itself is rougher and less sentimental than people might expect from that association.Deep Cover (1992)Deep Cover stars Laurence Fishburne, still credited here as Larry Fishburne, as a police officer recruited by the DEA to go undercover in Los Angeles. Jeff Goldblum plays the lawyer and criminal operator he gets close to, and Goldblum gives the movie a different kind of villain than the usual street level dealer. He is funny, polished, and awful in a way that feels very specific to him.This was directed by Bill Duke, and it is one of the best undercover crime movies of the period. It has the shape of a genre film, but it is also angry about the systems around the drug war. Fishburne is excellent because he never plays the character as a cool movie cop enjoying the danger. He looks like someone being hollowed out by the job, which makes the movie more interesting as it goes along.The title song is also a major part of the movie’s history. Deep Cover was Dr. Dre’s debut solo single and introduced a lot of listeners to Snoop Doggy Dogg. That song has lived on in a big way, but the movie deserves to be remembered right alongside it. It is sharp, stylish, and still feels a little mean around the edges.All four of these movies are about people who are supposed to keep their identities separate, and none of them are very good at it for long. No Man’s Land (1987) gives you the flashy version with stolen cars and rich criminals. State of Grace (1990) makes it about old friends and old wounds. Rush (1991) turns the assignment into something punishing and personal. Deep Cover (1992) takes the undercover story and pushes it into something colder and more political.If I were standing behind the counter this week, these are the four I would point you toward. They are not all doing the same thing, but they belong together on the same rental stack. Undercover movies work best when the job stops being just a job, and each of these gets there in its own way.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
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  VHS Blockbusters That Changed Home Video Forever 01.06.2026 22min

  Welcome to the Video Store Podcast.The balloons are up. The popcorn machine is running full blast. The sno-cone machine is free today.Here at the Video Store Podcast, we’re celebrating 100 episodes!For this special anniversary, we wanted to do something worthy of the occasion. No clip-show flashbacks. No “greatest hits” countdown. Instead, we headed behind the counter and pulled out four of the biggest VHS releases of all time, the movies that didn’t just dominate the box office, but helped define the home video revolution.These were the rentals everyone wanted. The tapes that were always checked out on Friday night. The films that transformed the VCR from a luxury item into the centerpiece of family entertainment.For our 100th episode, we’re revisiting four legendary films that helped build video store culture as we knew it.Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982)Directed by Nicholas Meyer, this sequel took the Star Trek franchise in a sharper, more dramatic direction. Admiral James T. Kirk faces his greatest adversary, Khan Noonien Singh, in a tense and deeply personal battle of strategy, revenge, and sacrifice. With Ricardo Montalbán delivering one of science fiction’s most unforgettable villain performances, The Wrath of Khan remains one of the greatest sequels ever made.Its real legacy, however, may be what happened after theaters.Paramount made a bold gamble and priced The Wrath of Khan at just $39.95. The result shocked the industry. The tape became the highest-selling VHS release to date.That decision helped reshape home media forever and opened the door for the home video collecting boom of the 1980s.Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)Harrison Ford’s Indiana Jones burst onto screens in 1981 with whip-cracking charisma, globe-trotting action, and one of cinema’s most instantly recognizable openings. From the giant rolling boulder to the snake-filled Well of Souls, Raiders delivered nonstop thrills while redefining what modern adventure filmmaking could be.When it arrived on VHS in late 1983, priced at the same consumer-friendly $39.95, Raiders generated massive pre-orders and sold more than a million copies within two years. It became one of the first films to demonstrate that a blockbuster could enjoy a hugely profitable second life in home video.It was the kind of movie families brought home again and again, the perfect repeat-viewing experience that made it a cornerstone of early home libraries.The Karate Kid (1984)The Karate Kid was one of those movies families rented over and over again until every line of dialogue was memorized. Released in 1984, the story of Daniel LaRusso, Mr. Miyagi, and the All-Valley Karate Tournament struck a perfect balance of heart, humor, action, and inspiration.On VHS, The Karate Kid became one of the defining family rentals of the decade.Unlike the spectacle-driven blockbusters on this list, its success proved that emotionally resonant, character-driven stories could thrive in the home video market. It became a staple of Friday night rentals, sleepovers, and repeat family viewings.Batman (1989)The summer of 1989 belonged to Batman.Tim Burton’s Batman wasn’t just a hit movie, it was a full-scale cultural event. Michael Keaton’s brooding Dark Knight, Jack Nicholson’s unforgettable Joker, Danny Elfman’s thunderous score, and Gotham’s gothic atmosphere transformed superhero cinema forever.It was darker, moodier, and more cinematic than anything audiences expected from a comic book adaptation.Then came the VHS release.Warner Bros. priced Batman at an aggressive $24.95, making it one of the most accessible blockbuster home video releases of its era. Stores stacked walls of black-and-gold VHS boxes. Cardboard standees filled lobbies. Television commercials hyped its release like another theatrical event.The theatrical release made Batman a cultural obsession. The VHS release made it part of everyday life.Thank You for 100 EpisodesFrom Star Trek II changing VHS pricing forever, to Raiders proving the power of repeat home viewing… from The Karate Kid becoming a family rental institution to Batman turning home video into a national event, these weren’t just great movies.They were the tapes that defined Friday nights.They built home video libraries, filled video store shelves, and helped create the culture we celebrate every week here at the Video Store Podcast.To everyone who has listened, shared the show, and stopped by the store these past 100 episodes: thank you!Until next time — be kind, rewind.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
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  Trilogies for a 3-Day Weekend 25.05.2026 23min

  Happy Memorial Day weekend! If you’ve got a 3-Day Weekend, we’ve got a trilogy that will fit the bill for you. Make a plate and join us for a great weekend of movie trilogies. Guardians of the GalaxyThis hilarious trilogy in the Marvel Cinematic Universe has something for everyone. Comedy, action, great stunts and effects, and a killer soundtrack for every single film. This film trilogy is a conga line of straight bangers, just like each soundtrack. Guardians of the Galaxy 1, 2, and 3 will split your sides and make you tear up with their found-family motif. It’s truly a film trilogy that everyone can enjoy. The Lord of the RingsPeter Jackson’s multi-award-winning The Lord of the Rings trilogy is an epic cinematic masterpiece. With a cast of Oscar winners, a gorgeous score from Howard Shore, incredible cinematography, and groundbreaking practical and CGI special effects, these films are hard to beat. Plus, they’re about as long as your long weekend, so no need to do anything other than get up to change the disc and get more snacks! We’ve got both the theatrical cuts and extended editions of each film, so pick your preference!John Carpenter’s Apocalypse TrilogyIf you want something a little different in terms of trilogies, how about a trilogy of three separate films that don’t share a story, but instead a theme? That’s exactly what director and composer John Carpenter’s Apocalypse Trilogy is. This trilogy comprises John Carpenter’s The Thing (1982), Prince of Darkness (1987), and In the Mouth of Madness (1995). They’re considered the Apocalypse Trilogy because the protagonists of these films don’t stop the Apocalypse, but are rather meant to bear witness to the world’s end. Flack covers John Carpenter’s The Thing in greater detail in his “Halloween Spirit!” episode, and Pitfall Gary has a great treatment of Prince of Darkness in his “John Carpenter, Master of Horror,” episode. I spend more time focusing on In the Mouth of Madness, which takes much inspiration from the works of H. P. Lovecraft and Stephen King. Check out this trilogy of terror on the John Carpenter shelf in our horror section.Star WarsIt’s hard not to think of trilogies and not have Star Wars come immediately to mind, especially since it’s a trilogy of trilogies within itself! Today, I focused on the original trilogy, as that’s the one that everyone seems to agree on. Star Wars forever changed the game for science fiction films, and really, the entire film landscape. Not just with its special effects, but with its merchandising. Those effects are felt to this day, and for that reason, make it a great way to spend a long weekend. Thanks for joining us here at the Video Store Podcast for your 3-Day weekend. We hope you have a safe and happy Memorial Day weekend.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
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  One Good Heist Deserves Another 19.05.2026 41min

  I love a good heist film. These films always feature a group of criminals coming together to pull off a crime none of them could do on their own. I always enjoy the interaction and banter between the members of the gang, and despite trying to figure out what the group is about to do, like the police chasing them, I’m usually one step behind. There are many classic films including the Oceans 11 franchise, Point Break, and The Italian Job. Here are four of my favorites.First up is Reservoir Dogs (1992), the directorial debut of Quentin Tarantino. In this film, things go terribly wrong after six men known only by aliases like Mr. White and Mr. Pink attempt a jewelry heist. By the end of the film several members of the gang have been killed, an undercover cop has infiltrated the group, and one very unlucky police officer ends up tied to a chair. Reservoir Dogs is not for the faint of heart, but then again neither is a good jewelry heist.House of Games (1987) is a lesser known film that features a group of conmen who cross paths with a psychiatrist, Margaret Ford. Ford is sucked in by the group’s jobs, alternating between being a member and a mark of the group’s cons. When Mike, the leader of the group pushes Margaret too far, the two go head to head in a battle of the minds… and also, bullets. Third up is The Usual Suspects, the groundbreaking film from 1995. After meeting in the clink, five local criminals team up to begin working together. The danger mounts when the group begin working for the mysterious crime lord Keyser Söze, a criminal so underground that no one has ever seen his face. The story unfolds through the eyes of Verbal Kent as he relays the group’s activities to a detective. By the end of the film you’ll discover that Kent may not have been entirely truthful to the police… and by the very end you’ll be hit with a twist that will not only blow your mind but demands you watch the film a second time. Wrapping up this week’s episode is one of my favorite films of all time, 1998’s Ronin. ”Ronin” were samurai who lost their masters and roamed the earth as mercenaries for hire, which defines the criminal masterminds that come together in this film. Four men are hired to obtain a briefcase, despite not knowning what’s in the case, who has it, or who' they’re delivering it to. The stakes continue to rise as one mission leads to another, and things really spin out of control when one member of the gang attempts to make off with the briefcase for his own purposes. Starring Robert De Niro as Sam, the self-appointed leader of the gang. Ronin features a twisty plot, non-stop tension, and jaw-dropping car chases. A must watch.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
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  Fixers on Film 11.05.2026 23min

  On this episode of The Video Store Podcast, I am recommending four movies about the people who get called when somebody has made a mess, crossed the wrong person, or needs a situation to go away quietly. The movies this week are Sweet Smell of Success (1957), Wise Guys (1986), La Femme Nikita (1990), and Pulp Fiction (1994). They all deal with that idea in different ways, from a press agent trying to stay useful, to mob errand boys trying to stay alive, to handlers working inside a government machine, to a man who arrives with a plan when everyone else is panicking.I start with Sweet Smell of Success (1957), which may be the coldest movie on this list. Tony Curtis plays Sidney Falco, a press agent who is always working an angle and always trying to stay useful to Burt Lancaster’s J. J. Hunsecker. Hunsecker has the power, but Falco is the fixer. He is the one moving through restaurants, clubs, offices, and sidewalks trying to make things happen for people who would rather not get their own hands dirty. The film was directed by Alexander Mackendrick, with cinematography by James Wong Howe and music by Elmer Bernstein. It was shot partly on the streets of New York, and it still feels like a movie made out of cigarette smoke, bad favors, and late night anxiety.Then I move to Wise Guys (1986), a Brian De Palma comedy that feels a little odd in his filmography, which is part of what makes it interesting. Danny DeVito and Joe Piscopo play low level mob guys who are useful until they are not. They run errands, take orders, and try to read the room, but the room keeps changing on them. Harvey Keitel, Dan Hedaya, Ray Sharkey, Frank Vincent, and Captain Lou Albano are all in the cast, which gives the movie a nice mix of mob movie faces and broad comedy. It is not De Palma in thriller mode, but you can still see his interest in people trapped inside systems they do not fully control.The third recommendation is La Femme Nikita (1990), Luc Besson’s French action thriller about a young woman pulled into a government program that turns her into an assassin. The fixer here is not only one person. It is the whole structure around her. Tchéky Karyo’s Bob is part handler and part threat, someone who can seem kind while reminding Nikita that her new life is not really hers. Jeanne Moreau also appears as Amande, who helps shape Nikita into someone who can move through polite society while carrying a completely different life underneath. Anne Parillaud won the César Award for Best Actress for the role, and you can see why. She has to play the violence, the fear, and the strange sadness of someone being rebuilt for other people’s purposes.The last movie is Pulp Fiction (1994), where Harvey Keitel’s Winston Wolf may be the cleanest example of this week’s theme. He arrives, assesses the problem, gives instructions, and leaves before the movie can turn him into something bigger. That is part of why the character works so well. He does not need a long backstory. He is there because somebody called the right number. The movie is full of people talking themselves into and out of danger, but Mr. Wolf is different. He does not talk around the problem. He handles it.So this week, the shelf has a bitter New York classic, an oddball mob comedy, a French thriller, and one of the defining crime films of the 1990s. Four very different rentals, all built around people who know what to do when the situation has gone bad.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
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  The 70s Were a Disaster! 04.05.2026 30min

  Welcome to the Video Store Podcast.As the 1960s rolled into the 1970s, something changed in Hollywood. Movies got bigger. Louder. More chaotic. And sometimes… they were a total disaster, in the best way possible.These were practical, physical, dangerous productions, massive sets, real stunts, and ensemble casts packed with stars who weren’t guaranteed to make it to the end.The disaster movie wasn’t born in the ’70s but it peaked there. Airplanes in crisis, cities collapsing, ships overturning, skyscrapers burning. This week, my picks come from the golden age of disaster movies as we look at four of my favorite disaster movies that still hold up, and that showcase exactly why the 1970s did the disaster movies better than anyone else ever has.Airport (1970)Set over one snowbound night at a busy Chicago airport, Airport weaves together multiple storylines, an overworked airport manager, a conflicted pilot, strained relationships, and a desperate man with a dangerous plan. The tension builds gradually, before the larger stakes take hold.What makes Airport work so well is it’s scale. Burt Lancaster, Dean Martin, George Kennedy, Jean Seberg, Helen Hayes, the cast is stacked with faces you may not know by name, but absolutely recognize. The movie treats its ensemble seriously, letting each storyline unfold without feeling forced.It was a massive hit, one of the earliest true “blockbusters,” and set the template the entire decade would follow: big casts, grounded storytelling, and high-stakes tension. Earthquake (1974)Earthquake promised exactly what it delivered: the complete destruction of Los Angeles.Centered in Los Angeles, the film introduces a wide range of characters, before unleashing a catastrophic quake that tears the city apart. Once it hits, the movie becomes pure spectacle: collapsing buildings, massive destruction, and survival stories unfolding in real time.At the center is Charlton Heston, bringing his signature intensity to a man caught between personal turmoil and unfolding disaster. Around him is a deep ensemble cast, including familiar faces like George Kennedy, Lorne Green and Ava Gardner.Earthquake was create as an event, not just it a movie, it was a physical experience. The filmmakers pioneered the shaker mount camera system to simulate realistic movement, and introduced Sensurround, blasting sub-audible bass through giant speakers so powerful they made seats (and sometimes ceiling tiles) vibrate.The stunt work is amazing: real falls, real debris, real crashes. In the midst of all the destruction, the personal stories carry real weight, making the survival (or loss) of characters more emotional than expected. It’s pure disaster chaos.The Poseidon Adventure (1972)Set aboard a luxury ocean liner on New Year’s Eve, the movie quickly turns into a survival story when a rogue wave capsizes the ship. The survivors must navigate an upside-down world, climbing their way through the wreckage in hopes of escape.Led by Gene Hackman as a determined and unconventional preacher, the movie leans heavily into character dynamics. Hackman, Ernest Borgnine, Shelley Winters, Jack Albertson, it’s another stacked cast, but no one is safe simply because they’re famous. Relationships evolve, tensions flare, and every character has a purpose. The writing gives each person a distinct arc, making the journey feel and survival feel important. Add in a powerful score by John Williams, and you get one of the best disaster movies ever made.The Towering Inferno (1974)Set in the world’s tallest skyscraper during its grand opening, The Towering Inferno follows what happens when overlooked safety shortcuts turn into a full-scale catastrophe. The film is powered by two Hollywood titans: Steve McQueen and Paul Newman. Their dynamicm, one a no-nonsense fire chief, the other the building’s architect, gives the film a strong emotional core amid the chaos.The practical effects and stunt work are relentless: real fire, real smoke, real danger. You can feel the heat.It’s also one of the best examples of the genre’s ensemble storytelling—multiple perspectives, intersecting arcs, and constant tension. And once again, John Williams’ score gives you a movie that is epic and intense.These movies hold up today because of the disaster but also the story telling.They take their time. They let you meet the characters, understand their relationships, and invest in their outcomes. So when disaster strikes, it actually matters. And there’s no guarantee of survival, not even for the biggest stars.Long before the term “blockbuster” became standard (thanks to Jaws), these films were already defining what that meant.No matter which of these you choose, you’re guaranteed a movie night that’s anything but a disaster.Until next time — be kind, rewind.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
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  Things to Watch After Stranger Things II 28.04.2026 20min

  We’re having fun with more strange and familiar things this week on the Video Store Podcast, looking at four films that the Duffer Brothers took inspiration from for the second season of Stranger Things. If you missed the first installment of this series, go check out the first part, “Things to Watch After Stranger Things I.”Ghostbusters (1984)We’re keeping it light and breezy to start this week’s show with Ghostbusters (1984). It’s a silly comedy with a healthy dose of spooky fun. Yes, our leading young guys are dressed as Ghostbusters, have their own proton packs, PKE Meters, and ghost traps to bust all the ghosts in the neighborhood. But what makes this an inspiration for Stranger Things season 2 is the haunted feeling our cast has during this season. And of course, Dustin catches a baby demogorgon with his ghost trap. What’s not to like about that? Aliens (1986)Next is the sequel to 1979’s Alien, Aliens, directed by James Cameron. This sci-fi action horror flick gives Stranger Things season 2 inspiration for its newest form of demogorgon, the demodog, as well as flamethrowers aplenty. Eleven is a mini-Sigourney Weaver in aesthetics and tenacity. And can we really trust Doc Owens if he is played by Paul Reiser, aka Burke from Aliens? Guess you’ll just have to watch Aliens and find out. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)Terminator 2: Judgment Day is the second example of a sequel that sticks the landing in today’s show, and truly, that’s why Stranger Things season 2 nods to it. As James Cameron sought to honor the original source material and give it a twist with Aliens, he does the same with Terminator 2: Judgment Day. The film turns expectations upside down, and that’s exactly what Stranger Things season 2 does! And for that reason, it’s worth watching the film to see what jumped to Stranger Things. You’ll be back for more!The Exorcist (1973)The final film I’ve got for you today is often called “The Scariest Movie of All Time,” 1973’s The Exorcist. And with good reason! This film’s final act inspires the Stranger Things season 2 finale’s final act as well. There are also certain parallels that can be drawn between Father Karras’ journey and Hopper’s journey to be a father. This is a really scary film, and it’s not for everyone, but it is a film that’s worth watching at least once. Honorable MentionsGo back and listen to Flack talk about Gremlins in his “I’m Dreaming of a Bloody Christmas” episode. I discussed Stand By Me in my “Film Friendships” show, which was visually referenced in the first two seasons of Stranger Things (and it won’t be the last time either). Flack talks on the Ozploitation genre in his “Ozploitation Cinema” episode, of which Mad Max is the most famous, which is where Max gets her gamer tag in the Dig Dug game. Finally, I would be beyond remiss if I failed to include the most obvious reference---Eleven, dressed as a ghost, begging to go out for Halloween, just like E. T. did in E. T. the Extra-Terrestrial, which I covered in my first installment of this series. There are loads more I could mention, but I’ll spare you that today. Come talk to me after hours if you want the full thesis dissertation. Thanks again for joining us today on the Video Store Podcast. I must say, it’s pretty…b!t₵h1n’ of you to do so!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
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  "High"ly Recommended Films 20.04.2026 27min

  Welcome back to the Video Store Podcast. It is a complete coincidence that today, on 4/20, I am taking a look at some of the best “stoner comedies” of all time. While I personally “just say no,” I like celebrating 4/20 my own way — by revisiting films that are “high”ly recommended. In Up in Smoke (1978), Cheech and Chong’s first film, Pedro (Cheech Marin) picks up a hitchhiking “Man” (Tommy Chong) and the two of them spend the next 90 minutes criss-crossing both southern California and Mexico searching for increasingly strong strains of dope. Pulling material from their multiple gold and platinum comedy albums, Up in Smoke is considered to be the godfather of all stoner comedies. Half Baked (1998), co-written by and starring Dave Chappelle, is considered to be the hand-off between two generations of stoners. In the film, lifelong stoners and best friends Thurgood Jenkins (Chappelle), Scarface, and Brian devise a plan to bail their bestie Kenny out of jail after he is arrested for accidentally murdering a police officer’s horse. Despite being considered a classic of the genre, Chappelle promptly and publicly disowned the film after its release due to changes Universal forcded him to make to the script. Featuring over a dozen comedians and musicians from Steven Wright and Jim Breuer to Snoop Dogg and Willie Nelson, Half Baked remains a full classic. Dazed and Confused (1993) takes place in 1976 on the last day of school in a small Texas town. This Richard Linkletter film follows dozens of students as they prepare to escape the confines of high school and enter adulthood, whether they have a plan in place or not. Similar to movies like American Graffiti and The Breakfast Club, Dazed and Confused is a coming of age story that reminds us regardless of a story’s setting, some high school experiences remain timeless. Dazed and Confused is better than okay; it’s “All right, all right, all right.” In The Big Lebowski (1998) we learn what happens when thugs break into a man’s apartment, dunk his head into the toilet, demand money for unknown reasons, and relieve themselves on his rug — not just any run, but one that “really tied the room together, man.” The recipient of this injustice is “The Dude,” a laid-bac stoner who, with help from his bowling partners and friends Walter and Donny, discover the he — Jeffrey “The Dude” Lebowski — share a name with another, much richer business man. Convinced the “Big” Lebowski was the intended target of this break-in, the Dude is coaxed into confronting the Big Lebowski and demanding compensation for his damaged rug. Written and directed by the Coen Brothers (Raising Arizona, Fargo), before long The Dude (Jeff Bridges), Walter (John Goodman) and Donny (Steve Buscemi) have stumbled into a kidnapping for ransom plot that will leave one person missing a toe, one person dead, and a lot of people confused. A cult-classic where every scene is memorable and every line is quotable. Best watched with a White Russian in hand.The Video Store would like to apologize for the snack bar being completely depleted this week. Someone must have had the munchies. If you’re like me and don’t, uh, “partake,” feel free to celebrate 4/20 with me by revisiting some of the best stoner movies of all 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
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  Incredible Shrinking Movies 13.04.2026 25min

  This week on The Video Store Podcast, I am recommending four movies built around one of the simplest and most reliable science fiction ideas there is, shrinking people down. It is a strong trope because every one of these films understands that once a character gets small, nothing has to be exotic to feel dangerous. A bloodstream can look like deep space. A shopping cart can feel absurd and threatening at the same time. A backyard can turn into a full scale survival story. The fun of these movies is not just the effect itself, it is the way each one finds its own tone inside the same basic setup.Fantastic Voyage starts this set in an old-style studio style. Richard Fleischer directed it, Raquel Welch was still early in her career, and the movie ended up winning Academy Awards for art direction and special effects. Isaac Asimov wrote the novelization, which helped give the film an added layer of science fiction prestige even though the movie was not adapted from one of his earlier books. It is still one of those sixties films where the production design does a lot of the selling. You are watching people turn the inside of a human body into a full cinematic world, and they do it with real confidence.The Incredible Shrinking Woman takes the same basic concept and pushes it toward satire. Lily Tomlin is the main reason to see it, and she is surrounded by exactly the kind of bright, slightly unreal suburban world that makes the jokes work. Jane Wagner wrote it, Joel Schumacher directed it, and the movie has a cast that includes Charles Grodin and Ned Beatty. There is also a nice eighties detail in the score, since Suzanne Ciani handled the music, which gives the film one more thing separating it from the older version of this idea. It is not the most famous title in this group, but it feels very specific to its moment, especially in the way it folds consumer culture and household products into the premise.Innerspace may be the easiest recommendation here because it is so good at being funny, fast, and a little chaotic without losing track of the effects work. Joe Dante directed it, Dennis Quaid and Martin Short make a very good mismatch at the center, and the movie won the Academy Award for visual effects. This is one of those late eighties studio movies where the effects are both impressive and funny. It also has that Dante who has a habit of making a mainstream movie feel just a little off center. You can sense the touch of Industrial Light and Magic in the technical side, but it never turns into a dry demonstration reel.Honey, I Shrunk the Kids is a joy to watch. Joe Johnston made his live action directing debut with it, Rick Moranis is exactly right for the inventor at the center, and Disney turned a backyard into a full adventure landscape. It was a major hit, and for a while it stood as Disney’s highest grossing live action film. Part of what makes it hold up is that so much of it was built around practical effects, oversized sets, models, puppetry, and carefully staged perspective tricks. It also had Tummy Trouble attached in theaters, so for a lot of people there was a Roger Rabbit bonus built into the experience. That is a pretty good rental memory to have.What I like about putting these four recommendations is that they show how flexible a shrinking movie can be. One plays it as a polished sixties science fiction trip. One turns it into satire. One uses it for special effects comedy with a little manic energy. One makes it into a family adventure that a lot of people probably first met on cable or VHS. Same basic hook, very different results. That is usually a good sign you have a real movie trope and not just a gimmick.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
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  Order in the Court! The 90s Legal Showdown 06.04.2026 22min

  Welcome to the Video Store Podcast.The 1990s were a golden age for legal dramas and comedies.we’re stepping into the courtroom with four unforgettable films that deliver everything from shocking twists to laugh-out-loud moments. Whether you’re here for high-stakes drama or sharp-witted comedy, consider this your jury duty… and trust me, you won’t want to skip out on this one. Primal Fear (1996)Primal Fear is the kind of legal thriller that pulls you in immediately and refuses to let go. Richard Gere stars as Martin Vail, a slick Chicago defense attorney who thrives on high‑profile cases and the media attention. When an altar boy is accused of murdering a beloved archbishop, Vail jumps in only to find himself tangled in a case far more complex than he ever expected. The real revelation is Edward Norton in his breakout role as Aaron, the timid young defendant at the center of the storm. Norton brings a layered, unsettling vulnerability to the character. Gere, leans into the arrogance and charm that make Vail both magnetic and infuriating. Primal Fear endure is one of the decade’s most satisfying legal thrillers, and a reminder of how thrilling a courtroom can be when the truth is anything but clear.A Time to Kill (1996)John Grisham adaptations were everywhere in the 90s, but A Time to Kill stands out as it questions justice, morality, and race in the South. Set in Mississippi, the story follows small‑town lawyer Jake Brigance as he defends Carl Lee Hailey, a man whose actions, while undeniably violent, raise difficult questions about justice and retribution. The case ignites racial tensions, draws the attention of the Ku Klux Klan, and pushes Jake into a fight that threatens his career, his safety, and his family.The cast is stacked: Matthew McConaughey in his first major leading role, Samuel L. Jackson delivering one of his best performances, and supporting roles from Sandra Bullock, Donald and Kiefer Sutherland, Kevin Spacey, and more. A Time to Kill doesn’t shy away from uncomfortable truths, instead forcing both the characters and the audience to wrestle with them. The courtroom scenes are gripping, culminating in one of the most memorable closing arguments of the decade.My Cousin Vinny (1992)When two New York college students are mistakenly arrested for murder in rural Alabama, they call in the only lawyer they know: Vinny Gambini, a loud‑mouthed, inexperienced personal‑injury attorney from Brooklyn. Joe Pesci is perfect as Vinny, blending New York swagger, frustration, and surprising competence as he fumbles his way through Southern etiquette and courtroom procedure. But it’s Marisa Tomei who steals the show as Vinny’s Fiancée Mona Lisa. My Cousin Vinny is a perfect blend of comedy and courtroom drama. Behind the laughs is a a smart, well‑constructed legal story. It’s a comedy that still holds up today because the writing is strong, the characters are unforgettable, and the laughs come naturally. It’s a true 90s classic.A Few Good Men (1992)“You can’t handle the truth!” A Few Good Men is a military courtroom drama focusing on the trial of two Marines accused in a death that may be tied to orders from higher up the chain of command. What starts as a seemingly straightforward defense case evolves into a gripping examination of authority, duty, and moral responsibility. The cast is packed with top Hollywood stars: Tom Cruise, Demi Moore, Kevin Bacon, Kiefer Sutherland, Kevin Pollak, and of course Jack Nicholson as the formidable Colonel Jessup. It’s a masterclass in building tension, culminating in some of the most iconic courtroom moments ever put on screen. Decades later, it remains one of the genre’s defining films, and a must‑watch for anyone who loves a good legal showdown.Closing ArgumentsFrom twist‑filled thrillers to laugh‑out‑loud courtroom chaos, these four films show just how powerful courtroom movies can be. The 90s didn’t just deliver great legal dramas, they gave us some of the most rewatchable, quote-worthy, and thought-provoking films of the era. The jury may still be out on which one is the best, but all four are absolutely guilty of being endlessly rewatchable.Until next time — be kind, rewind.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
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  Tallying Titles for Talalay 01.04.2026 22min

  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
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  I Feel Good 25.03.2026 43min

  There are many reasons to watch movies. We watch them to learn, to laugh, to cheer, jeer, and fear. One of the most wonderful things about film is that they allow us to escape reality, if only for a couple of hours. Like many of you I have a long list of “feel good” films I put on when times are bleak and I want to escape. On this episode I am recommending four “feel good” movies maybe you haven’t seen in a while or at all.First up is 1980’s The Private Eyes starring Don Knotts and Tim Conway as investigators from Scotland Yard sent to investigate the murders of Lord and Lady Morley after being contacted by… Lord Morley? It’s a race against time as the mansion’s staff, all of whom are suspects, are being killed faster than they can be interviewed. The Private Eyes was part of the resurgence of “darl house” movies we saw in the 1970s and 1980s that included Murder by Death, Clue, and Haunted Honeymoon. Next is 1981’s Under the Rainbow, a film that did terribly at the box office but found a second life on cable television. When a German spy (who happens to be a little person) and a Japanese spy (disguised as a tourist) make plans to exchange secrets at a hotel, they never could have predicted that the location would be overrun by all the Munchkins from The Wizard of Oz along with an entire busload of Japanese tourists! Chevy Chase once called this film “the worst film ever made” while Carrie Fisher simply said it was “the worst film I ever made.” They can say what they want; this slapstick comedy always puts a smile on my face.In 1989’s Loveryboy, Randy picks up a job delivering pizza while serving extra anchovies and a slice of love to a growing list of female customers. As someone who delivered pizzas in college I can tell you all of us dreamed that someday we wold get a delivery for “extra anchovies.” Loverboy was one of four films Patrick Dempsey starred in during the 1980s and 1990s before going on to become “McDreamy” later on Gray’s Anatomy. Featuring Carrie Fisher, Kirstie Alley, and lots and lots of anchovies.Our final film this week is 1986’s Back to School. When millionaure Thornton Melon (Rodney Dangerfield) discovers his son Jason has lost interest in college, he agrees to enroll himself so that the two of them can become freshmen together. Thornton gets accepted into college after making a large donation, sends his personal secretary to classes for him to take notes, has a staff of employees doing his homework and spends most of his nights partying. Both father and son eventually learn that money can’t buy everything — not pride, respect, or love.What are your favorite “feel good” movies? Let me know in the comments!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
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  Movies with Timely Soundtracks 16.03.2026 21min

  This week I wanted to stick with movies that came out with soundtracks that felt current when the films were released. Not older songs brought in to set a mood, and not a random collection pulled together afterward, but albums that felt tied to the moment the studio was trying to sell.Fast Times at Ridgemont High, from 1982, is a good example. The soundtrack album came out that July, and Jackson Browne’s “Somebody’s Baby” reached number 7 on the Billboard Hot 100, so the movie clearly had a connection to what people were hearing at the time. There was also some push and pull behind the scenes. Amy Heckerling later said some of the music choices reflected producer pressure as much as her own sense of the characters, which only makes the film feel more like a real snapshot of the early 1980s.Purple Rain, from 1984, is an even stronger case, because the movie and soundtrack are almost impossible to separate. The album came out on June 25, 1984. “When Doves Cry” was released in May, and “Let’s Go Crazy” followed in July, so the film reached theaters with Prince already dominating the culture around it. I also like that “When Doves Cry” came out of a specific request from director Albert Magnoli. It was not just a Prince song sitting around waiting to be used. It was part of the movie as it was taking shape.Less Than Zero, works a little differently. People do not usually talk about its soundtrack with the same reverence, but it was still very plugged into late 1987. The Bangles recorded “Hazy Shade of Winter” for the film, and it went to number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, which gave the soundtrack real chart power. The rest of the album also feels very rooted in its time, with Rick Rubin producing and artists like LL Cool J and Public Enemy sharing space with a sharper, louder Simon and Garfunkel cover. It really feels like a late 1987 attempt to pull different parts of current music into one package.Then there is Singles, from 1992, which may be the best example here of a soundtrack capturing a scene while it was still happening. The album came out on June 30, 1992, a few months before the movie opened, and it included Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, and Alice in Chains, along with Paul Westerberg, who also worked on the score. Cameron Crowe later called it more of an anti soundtrack, basically a souvenir of that scene instead of a tidy album built to sum up the movie. That feels right to me. It was not trying to seem current. It actually was current. Even the gap between the album release and the film helped give it that feeling.So that is the set this week. Four movies, four different kinds of soundtrack success, and four reminders that music can tie a film to its moment just as much as clothes, locations, or dialogue can. One caught the early 1980s world of radio and mall record stores. One became a hit album right alongside the movie. One used a major single to help define its identity. One caught a local scene before it had even settled into history. Those are the kinds of rentals I always like talking about, movies that bring back not just the film, but the moment when it first showed up.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
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  Green Movies That Aren't About St. Patrick’s Day 09.03.2026 19min

  Welcome to the Video Store Podcast.It’s March, the snow is slowly melting, and the world is turning green. Everywhere you look, stores are pushing the same movies about leprechauns and four-leaf clovers.I’m here to give you a break from the lucky charms and offer up four different movies for the green spring season.Soylent Green (1973)Set in a crowded, overheated dystopian future, Soylent Green follows New York City detective Robert Thorn as he investigates the murder of a wealthy businessman. By 2022, the world has been pushed to the edge by overpopulation, pollution, and food shortages. Most people survive on processed food rations distributed by the powerful Soylent Corporation: Soylent Yellow, Soylent Red, and their new product, Soylent Green.As the investigation unfolds, Thorn uncovers a conspiracy that reveals the shocking truth behind Soylent Green and reaches the highest levels of the Soylent Corporation.If you like classic 1970s science fiction with a darker edge and big ideas about the future, this one is for you.The Emerald Forest (1985)The Emerald Forest tells the story of a young boy, Tommy, who disappears while his father is working on a massive dam project in the Amazon rainforest. Bill Markham spends the next decade searching for his son, traveling deeper into the jungle and encountering the indigenous tribes who call the forest home.It’s a story of love, loss, and hope set against the lush green backdrop of the Amazon rainforest.If you’re in the mood for an adventure that feels different from the usual Hollywood formula, this one is worth pulling off the shelf.Romancing the Stone (1984)Romancing the Stone is often labeled an “Indiana Jones clone,” even though the script was written two years before Raiders of the Lost Ark.Romance novelist Joan Wilder is suddenly pulled into a real adventure when her sister is kidnapped in Colombia. To save her, Joan must deliver a mysterious treasure map deep into the jungle. What follows is a fast-moving adventure filled with treasure hunters, narrow escapes, and an unlikely partnership with a rugged fortune hunter.Much of the film takes place in the thick green jungles of South America, where the landscape becomes just as important as the story. The lush setting adds a sense of danger and excitement as the characters try to stay one step ahead of the people chasing the same treasure, a priceless emeraldRomancing the Stone is pure 80s adventure fun. If you like action, humor, and a little romance, this is an easy choice for movie night. The Green Mile (1999)The Green Mile takes place inside a prison during the Great Depression and follows a group of guards who oversee death row. The story centers on John Coffey, a kind, imposing inmate who arrives with a mysterious presence and an unexpected gentleness.The “green mile” is the nickname given to the stretch of green linoleum floor that prisoners walk on their way to the execution chamber. Over time, the guards realize the man walking the Green Mile possesses something extraordinary, turning a routine prison job into a powerful story about compassion, redemption, and humanity.Settle in for this epic. It’s a powerful, character-driven story that blends drama, mystery, and a touch of the supernatural.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
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  The Baer Necessities 03.03.2026 17min

  Welcome back to the Video Store Podcast. It’s Women’s History Month, so today, we’re honoring the life of Jane Baer, a trailblazer for women in animation. We lost Jane on February 16, 2026, and though you may not have known her name, you have seen her work. Her work has been so influential that we’ve already talked about a few of her films here on the Video Store Podcast. We’ve selected 4 films for the staff picks wall this week, highlighting her work. The Rescuers (1977)First up is the underrated Disney classic, The Rescuers from 1977. Bianca and Bernard are sent from the Rescue Aid Society to save Penny, an orphan girl held captive by the evil Madam Medusa, who is hunting for the Devil’s Eye, an enormous diamond in a small cave that’s only big enough for a small girl to get into. Can they save her? You’ll have to watch The Rescuers to find out. Pete’s Dragon (1977)Combining live-action with animated sequences, Pete’s Dragon from 1977 made 5-year-old me believe that I could become friends with my favorite cartoon characters. Jane’s work on this film carries over to another film that her own animation company helped produce in 1988, Who Framed Roger Rabbit. The Great Mouse Detective (1986)A vastly underrated and unsung Disney classic from 1986, The Great Mouse Detective is an adaptation of the book series of the same name. Basil of Baker Street must stop the nefarious Professor Rattigan from taking out the Queen and becoming the royal consort of all mousedom. This film is notable for its gorgeous styling and performance from Vincent Price as Professor Rattigan. The Prince and the Pauper (1990)Finally, we look at a lesser-known Disney short, The Prince and the Pauper, based on the Mark Twain story of the same name. This short features Mickey as both the titular Prince and Pauper, and was produced with the aid of Jane’s production company, Baer Animation. For these films, as well as many more, we lift our glasses and bowls of popcorn in honor of Jane Baer’s life and work. Happy Women’s History Month, and thanks for joining us here 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