In this episode of Raised by VHS, Coby and Cam head deep into the Central American jungle with Cam’s staff pick, Predator (1987)—the ultimate 80s mash-up of muscle, mud, and murderous alien tech. They break down Arnold’s all-time Dutch performance, Carl Weathers’ legendary bicep handshake, and why this film still feels like the manliest VHS in the stack. Along the way, they hit the wild production stories (the failed original Predator suit, Jean-Claude Van Damme drama, Stan Winston’s iconic redesign), the surprisingly mixed original reviews, and how that neon-green-blooded creature and its heat vision basically rewired their childhoods. Plus: favorite scenes, Top 5 Arnold movies, and a special Movie Memorabilia Inferno gift reveal before they slap a late-fee rating on this overdue rental.

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Episode Summary — Home Alone (1990)

You asked for another Coby pick, and here it is: the greatest booby-trap Christmas classic of all time. This week on Raised by VHS, we revisit Home Alone, the 1990 holiday juggernaut that turned an 8-year-old kid into a cultural icon and made every kid in America believe they could survive on junk food, VHS tapes, and pure snark.

We walk through the McCallister chaos, the Wet Bandits’ criminal incompetence, and the sheer genius of Kevin McCallister’s suburban war zone. From the attic banishment to “Keep the change, ya filthy animal,” we break down why this movie hit so hard as kids and why it still delivers nearly 35 years later.

We hit all the big moments from Kevin’s freedom montage to the booby-trap gauntlet, the church scene that gives the movie its unexpected heart, and the legendary slapstick that somehow didn’t kill Harry and Marv. We also go deep on the behind-the-scenes magic—John Hughes writing the script in nine days, the real Winnetka house, Daniel Stern taking a REAL tarantula to the face, the John Williams score that almost never happened, and the movie nearly being shut down mid-production.

Plus, we dig into childhood memories, favorite scenes, best characters, and a Top 5 Christmas Movies list. And yes… the Late Fee Rating System decides whether Home Alone stays checked out forever or gets slammed back into the return slot.

Thanks for listening to Raised by VHS – proudly paying late fees since the 80s.

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Dumb and Dumber (1994)

In this episode of Raised by VHS, the crew rewinds one of the most quotable comedies of all time — Dumb and Dumber. Cam’s staff pick brings Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels’ unforgettable duo, Lloyd Christmas and Harry Dunne, back into focus as we relive every ridiculous, endearing, and endlessly quotable moment from the 1994 Farrelly Brothers classic.

We talk about the film’s absurd brilliance—from the fateful limo ride and lost briefcase to the disastrous road trip that somehow leads them to Aspen (“where the beer flows like wine”). Along the way, we revisit the diner scene with Seabass, the atomic pepper prank, the Big Gulp improv, and of course, the legendary bathroom blowout that had audiences crying with laughter.

The episode dives into personal VHS-era memories of seeing the film in theaters (twice), falling asleep to it night after night on VHS, and growing up idolizing Jim Carrey during his unstoppable ’90s run that also included Ace Ventura and The Mask. We also dig into the behind-the-scenes stories—Carrey’s $7 million paycheck that ate half the film’s budget, Jeff Daniels’ unexpected casting, and the haunted Stanley Hotel connection that ties Dumb and Dumber to The Shining.

And yes, there’s even a wild conspiracy theory: what if Jeff Daniels’ “Harry” in Dumb and Dumber is the same Harry from Speed, now brain-damaged after the explosion?

Finally, the guys hand out their Late Fee Ratings, debate whether this one stays permanently checked out or gets returned early, and exchange one more priceless piece of movie memorabilia.

It’s nostalgia, dumb genius, and pure VHS magic — proof that every day with Harry and Lloyd really is a no-brainer.

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Masters of the Universe (1987)

Coby’s pick takes us back to 1987 for Masters of the Universe — Cannon Films’ big swing at turning a Saturday morning cartoon into the next Star Wars. It’s got swords, lasers, body oil, and one of the wildest blends of sci-fi and fantasy ever shoved onto a VHS tape. In Memory Lane, Coby talks about watching his grandma’s taped-off-HBO copy on repeat, rocking his He-Man action figures, and realizing even as a kid that this thing was cheesy… but still kind of awesome.

We break the movie down scene by scene — from Skeletor’s dramatic takeover of Castle Grayskull and Gwildor’s interdimensional hotdog roller of a Cosmic Key, to He-Man and crew crash-landing in small-town California. We hit every bizarre Earth moment, from Courteney Cox’s tragic goodbye at the cemetery to Gwildor’s BBQ-sauce beard, the off-brand bounty hunters, and Principal Strickland showing up with a shotgun. And of course, we relive the glowing-helmet Skeletor finale — complete with the “I HAVE THE POWER!” moment that still gives us chills, even if it looks like it was filmed on a church stage.

In Behind the Scenes, we get into how Cannon bet everything on this movie and nearly bankrupted the studio trying to make their own space epic. We talk about the constant budget cuts, how the story got moved from Eternia to Earth to save money, Dolph Lundgren’s battle with his own accent, and Frank Langella’s love for playing Skeletor — a role he called his favorite ever. Plus, the scrapped sequel that ended up turning into Jean-Claude Van Damme’s Cyborg and how Courteney Cox’s first film gig somehow survived the chaos.

Our Favorite Picks include the bounty hunter lineup, Evil-Lyn’s creepy disguise scene, and Skeletor’s cobra-armrest hover-throne. We also count down our Top 5 props we’d kill to own as kids — from the Power Sword and Cosmic Key to the Air Centurion hoverboard and Evil-Lyn’s staff.

Watch or listen to the full episode to see what Late Fee this intergalactic trainwreck earned — and find out if Masters of the Universe stays checked out forever.

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The Lost Boys (1987)

Cam’s pick takes us back to 1987 for Joel Schumacher’s neon-drenched vampire classic that defined cool horror for an entire generation. In Memory Lane, we talk about discovering The Lost Boys as kids, blasting the soundtrack in our brother’s cars, and dreaming of starting our own Frog Brothers-style vampire hunting club. It’s the kind of movie that gets better every time you watch it — part horror, part hangout film, and pure 80s magic.

We break the movie down scene by scene — from that chilling boardwalk opening and the “Murder Capital of the World” reveal, to the shirtless sax man concert, the Frog Brothers’ comic shop wisdom, and Michael’s slow descent into vampirism. The boardwalk vibes, the fog, and the music of “Cry Little Sister” and “People Are Strange” give this one a feeling that’s equal parts dangerous and nostalgic.

In Behind the Scenes, we dig into how the film started as a “Goonies with vampires” concept before Schumacher aged it up, sexed it up, and gave it fangs. We talk about Jason Patric’s initial refusal to take the role, Kiefer Sutherland breaking his wrist during filming, the use of real Santa Cruz locations, and how The Lost Boys turned an $8.5 million budget into a cult legend.

Our Favorite Picks include the boardwalk concert, that killer motorcycle race under the pier, and Corey Haim’s iconic performance as Sam — the heart and humor of the movie. Plus, a Top 5 list of the most memorable death scenes, a new Frog Brothers–inspired t-shirt drop (“We’re fighters for truth, justice, and the American way”), and a Movie Memorabilia Inferno gift exchange you won’t want to miss.

Watch or listen to the full episode to see what Late Fee this vampire masterpiece earned — and find out if it stays checked out forever.

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Special Features #5

Episode Description

Then they dive into a nostalgic nightmare — the movies that weren’t supposed to be scary but totally were. From the Wheelers in Return to Oz and the Skeksis in The Dark Crystal to Large Marge in Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure and the face-melting finale of Raiders of the Lost Ark, they revisit all the so-called “family” films that accidentally scarred a generation of kids and made us love movies even more.

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Scream (1996) – RBVHS Ep. 4

Coby’s pick takes us back to 1996 for Wes Craven’s self-aware slasher that redefined horror for a new generation. We kick things off in Memory Lane with stories of first seeing it in high school, the chills of that opening phone call, and how the film’s eerie atmosphere still hits decades later. Then we roll through the movie scene by scene — from Drew Barrymore’s shocking cold open and Sidney’s uneasy romance with Billy, to Dewey’s ice cream cop routine, Randy’s sacred “rules,” and the blood-soaked chaos of Stu’s house party.

In Behind the Scenes, we dig into Kevin Williamson’s script that sparked a Hollywood bidding war, the accidental discovery of the Ghostface mask, Wes Craven’s battles with the MPAA, and the brutal 21-night shoot for the film’s relentless finale. We share our Favorite Picks, with Coby backing the unforgettable atmosphere and Cam calling out Matthew Lillard’s improv madness.

Plus: a Top 5 list of movies where the rules matter, a VHS Conspiracy Hotline deep-dive into the “Stu Lives” theory, and a Movie Memorabilia Inferno surprise.

Watch or listen to the full episode to see what Late Fee this 90s horror landmark earned and if it stays checked out forever.

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Cam and Coby kick things off with a laid-back catch-up on everything they’ve been watching lately. Coby’s been bouncing between mobsters and monsters, with Goodfellas, 28 Years Later, Evil Dead 2, Snake Eyes, The Gate, Ghostbusters, and Friday the 13th Part 2, plus a theater trip for One Battle After Another (a solid 4 stars). Cam brings in his own mix of medieval chaos and 80s nostalgia with King Arthur: Legend of the Sword, The Lost Boys, and The ’Burbs.

They look ahead at what’s coming soon to theaters and streaming, tossing around a few picks they’re both excited for while debating which ones are actually worth the trip.

Then in the additional segment, they fire up the VCR for a rewind through the Top 3 worldwide grossing movies from 1990 through 1999 — a decade packed with blockbusters like Jurassic Park, Titanic, Terminator 2: Judgment Day, and The Phantom Menace. From Home Alone and Pretty Woman to Saving Private Ryan and Toy Story 2, it’s a box office time capsule showing how the VHS shelves of the 90s were stacked with pure cinematic gold.

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Raised by VHS — Arachnophobia (1990)

Welcome to Raised by VHS – proudly paying late fees since the 80s. Let’s pop this tape, adjust the tracking and dim the lights – we got a staff-recommended pick for you tonight!

Today’s film is a Cam pick: Arachnophobia.

📄 Episode Description

Spiders, suburbia, and Spielberg-era dread. Frank Marshall’s Arachnophobia mixes horror, comedy, and small-town vibes. We revisit the Venezuela prologue, Jeff Daniels’ fight against his fears, John Goodman’s exterminator swagger, and that unforgettable basement showdown. Plus: our own spider nightmares, a VHS Conspiracy Hotline spin, and a new Top 5 list.

🧱 Episode Breakdown

📼 Film info and box office context

🕷️ Story basics: killer spider invasion meets a doctor with arachnophobia

🧠 Memory Lane: VHS viewing, creepy crawlspace stories, childhood fears

🏡 Highlights: Venezuela opener, small-town tension, Delbert stealing scenes, bathroom spider rain, gooey basement finale

🎬 Behind the Scenes: real spiders, “Spider Olympics,” Big Bob the tarantula, early work from Jamie Hyneman

⭐ Favorites: best character, cozy vibe, standout performances

🎯 Top 5 Segment: Comedy-horror movies

☎️ VHS Conspiracy Hotline: was the infestation supernatural?

💵 Late Fee Ratings: Cam $70 | Coby $69 | Avg $69.50 → Good Shelf

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Special Features #–3 - The top-grossing movies of the 1980s, year by year

Cam kicks things off with the intro before we jump into what we’ve been watching lately. Coby runs through a stacked list including Dream a Little Dream, Die Hard, Romeo & Juliet, Fury, The Usual Suspects, Gleaming the Cube, Rain Man, Robocop, The Ninth Gate, and Warfare. Cam brings in his own mix with Chernobyl and The Terror, sparking plenty of side tangents about VHS gems and forgotten classics.

We also look ahead at upcoming releases on our radar, with Coby eyeing the wild casting of Paul Rudd and Jack Black in Anaconda and Cam weighing in with his own picks.

In our additional segment, we fire up the time machine and break down the top-grossing movies of the 1980s, year by year. From The Empire Strikes Back and Raiders of the Lost Ark to Back to the Future, Top Gun, and Batman, it’s a tour through the box office hits that defined the decade.

Watch or listen to the full episode to hear the full breakdown and see how these 80s giants shaped the VHS era we were raised on.

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