The Tape Store

The Tape Store

By The Tape Store PodcastSociety & Culture
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The Tape Store episodes

  • The Tape Store #52 - Sleepy Hollow (1999)
    This week at The Tape Store, Jeff Darden guest hosts as we take a darker turn with Tim Burton's 1999 film Sleepy Hollow, a re-imagining of the classic 1820 short story by Washington Irving.  Not only do we talk shop about this Halloween 90s classic, but we also make comparisons and contrasts to Irving's story.  In this beautifully crafted film, we talk about Burton's horrifying take on the story that borders on overkill, his use of color, and the lack thereof.  We analyze Johnny Depp's much more heroic portrayal of Ichabod Crane as a New York Police constable, and compare him with the haphazard and at times, off-putting schoolmaster written by Irving.  We also praise the dual roles of the Headless Horseman, played by Christopher Walken and Ray Park.  And as always, throughout the conversation we throw other random topics in such as Burton's Planet of the Apes film, and our brief take on Van Helsing (Hugh Jackman).
    1 hr 13 min
  • The Tape Store Presents - The Storyteller's Chair: The Tale of Laughing in the Dark (Inspired by Are You Afraid of the Dark?)
    Inspired by the Cinar / Nickelodeon TV show "Are You Afraid of the Dark?", The Tape Store Podcast presents "The Storyteller's Chair".  In a re-imagined audio drama format, we present the stories from The Midnight Society how they might have sounded as they were told around the campfire.  In this episode, we tell Betty Ann's "The Tale of Laughing in the Dark" (Season 1 Episode 2), a story about a cocky young boy named Josh and the horrors that unfold when he crosses paths with the villainous ghost of an old clown, Zeebo.  Narrated by Brooke Manolis.  Original music composed / performed by Brooke Manolis (Are You Afraid of the Dark? Theme composed by Jeff Zahn and Jeff Fisher - variation of the Are You Afraid of the Dark? Theme performed by Brooke Manolis).
    35 min
  • The Tape Store #50 - Halloweentown

    The second week of High Spooky Month at The Tape Store is all about the 1998 Disney Original Movie "Halloweentown".  With an excellent cast led by Debbie Reynolds and Judith Hoag, this one was an instant classic.  We talk about the film's focus on the family element, and the importance of not running from who you're meant to be.  There's also the funny stuff, like the melodramatic Calabar, the neighborhood-punk-coolest-kid-in-town Luke, and more.

    1 hr
  • The Tape Store #49 - Ernest Scared Stupid

    We usher in "High Spooky Month" (October) here at The Tape Store with Ernest Scared Stupid.  As we go through this 90s Halloween classic, we talk about the unique appeal of our favorite lovable simpleton--Ernest P. Worrell (Jim Varney), the crazy Lady Hackmore (Eartha Kitt), the hilarious Bobby Tulip (Bill Byrge), and the freaky and incredibly gross villain of the film--Trantor, the evil magic troll.  Other topics include childhood stories of being scared of Trantor, Super Soaker water guns, and a random tale about Harry Potter merchandise.

    52 min
  • The Tape Store #48 - The Black Cauldron (1985)

    This week we go to the wonderful world of Disney to talk about an unsung masterpiece from 1985, The Black Cauldron.  In taking a closer look at this truly underappreciated fantasy classic, we talk about its ensemble of unique characters, the story's dark themes, the terrifying Horned King (John Hurt), and the story's message about courage and true heroism.  We also talk about Taran's hero's journey and the incredibly stark parallels we saw in this film to Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings films.

    1 hr
  • The Tape Store #47 - The X-Files: Squeeze (S1 E3)

    We honestly couldn't wait to get back to The X-Files to cover Season 1's third episode, "Squeeze" (air date: 9/24/93), which follows Mulder and Scully as they investigate a string of bizarre murders in Baltimore.  Not only known for being the first "Monster of the Week" episode of the series, it also features one of the scariest and most fascinating villains in the X-Files universe, the ravenous mutant predator Eugene Victor Tooms (Doug Hutchinson).  As we go through this truly creepy chapter in the X-Files saga, we delve deeper into the bond between Mulder and Scully.  We talk about the power of Scully's personal convictions that transcend even her trust in Mulder, but also make her his most powerful ally.  There's also Agent Tom Colton (Donal Logue), the ambitious agent who (vainly) attempts to rival the unassuming brilliance of Fox Mulder.  If that's not enough, we couldn't help but notice references and nods to other scary tales / paranormal legends: Edgar Allan Poe, Dracula, and It.

    59 min
  • The Tape Store #46 - The Witches (1990)

    We continue "Spooky Month" at The Tape Store with the brilliant Jim Henson-produced film The Witches (1990).  We have a blast talking about this film that's filled with so many memorable moments and rich characters.  Join us as we discuss the adventures of one of our favorite film heroines, the witch hunter Helga (Mai Zetterling) and her grandson Luke (Jasen Fisher), along with other excellent players like the hilarious Herbert Jenkins (Bill Paterson), the irritable Mr. Stringer (Rowan Atkinson), the mysterious Ms. Irvine (Jane Horrocks), and of course, the iconic performance of Anjelica Huston as The Grand High Witch.  We also spend some time comparing the endings of the film with the book (written by Roald Dahl) and sharing the powerful messages we found throughout the film.

    1 hr 15 min
  • The Tape Store #45 - "Are You Afraid of the Dark?" with Brett Wilson & J.D. Gravatte

    This week on The Tape Store we are joined by artist Brett Wilson and our good friend J.D. Gravatte to talk about the legendary 90s show "Are You Afraid of the Dark?".  We spend some time discussing our respective first encounters with the show, what it has meant to us as both kids and adults, and what sets it apart as such a unique and memorable moment in kids TV history.

    All of this builds up to the REAL reason we gathered this week, which is to hear some INCREDIBLY exciting news from Brett and J.D. that Dark fans will be beyond PSYCHED about.  You will want to tune in for this one guys.

    Art on this graphic courtesy of Brett Wilson (Instagram:  @brettwilsonart)

    1 hr 2 min
  • The Tape Store #44 - Back to Bayside: The Fight (S4 E1)
    Before there was The Avengers:  Civil War, there was Saved By The Bell:  Civil War.  AKA Season 4's first episode, "The Fight" (September 12th, 1992), where Zack and Slater beat the crap out of each other over a girl during the first week of their Senior year.  It was a dark time for the halls of Bayside High School.  No, seriously.  If you're a fan of Saved By The Bell, this is a tough episode to watch.  It's not so lighthearted. We compare the characters of Zack and Slater and analyze their common object of desire, Joanna Peterson (guest star Shana Furlow), the girl that launched two fists (Zack and Slater's straight rights).  We cover the subplot of Lisa unwittingly asking out the tall, dashing, handsome freshman, Darren.  Of course, we don't forget to include the haphazard but helpful wisdom and presence of Mr. Belding.  It's chaos.  It's crazy.  It's Saved By The Bell: Civil War.
    55 min
  • The Tape Store - Episode #43 - Return to Labyrinth

    This week is an exciting one at The Tape Store as we return to talk more about one of our favorite films, Labyrinth (1986).  Along with guest host Jeff Darden, we explore the story from a different angle, through the lens of the film's young protagonist Sarah (Jennifer Connelly).  By doing so, we present two very different perspectives on the film's story:  Was Jareth (David Bowie) and the magical world of the Labyrinth literally real, or was the whole thing all in young Sarah's mind?  The evidence for both is compelling, and results in an interesting conversation.

    1 hr

About The Tape Store

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Made in the 80s. Played in the 90s. A family-friendly podcast hosted by two 80s/90s kids that discusses the magic of the two glorious decades that produced some of the best entertainment and popular…