This week on The VHS Club, we’re suiting up for a slam-dunk trip back to the 90s with Space Jam (1996).

This wild crossover brought basketball legend Michael Jordan together with the Looney Tunes for a movie that felt less like a film and more like a cultural event. Mixing live action, animation, sports hype, and an absolutely iconic soundtrack, Space Jam became a VHS-era staple that lived in bedrooms, basements, and sleepovers everywhere.

Join us as we:
🏀 Revisit the Jordan-to-Toon transformation and cartoon chaos
👾 Talk the Monstars, stolen talent, and over-the-top villain energy
🎬 Break down the live-action/animation blend that blew our minds
🎶 Celebrate a soundtrack that defined 90s cool
📼 Discuss why Space Jam still holds a special place for a generation

It’s loud, ridiculous, endlessly quotable, and powered entirely by nostalgia — the kind of movie that instantly transports you back to baggy shorts, arcade carpets, and worn-out tapes.

So lace up your sneakers, cue up the VHS, and get ready to ball… because it’s game time.

SOURCES:

15 Slam-Dunk Facts About Space Jam
https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/70922/15-slam-dunk-facts-about-space-jam

10 Things You Didn’t Know About the Original Space Jam
https://www.cbr.com/space-jam-original-trivia-facts/

Space Jam Trivia
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0117705/trivia/?item=tr0742158

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📼 See the movie list (and add your own!): https://movielist.thevhsclubpod.com

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This week on The VHS Club, it’s time for a crossover episode as Katie & Nat team up with John, Mark, and Producer Pete from If These Balls Could Talk to talk 90s movies and sports — which means it’s finally time for The Sandlot (1993).

This coming-of-age classic follows Scotty Smalls and his new neighborhood crew as they bond over backyard baseball, take on the legendary Beast, and create the kind of summer memories that last forever. Packed with quotable lines, sun-soaked vibes, and pure kid logic, The Sandlot is nostalgia in movie form.

Join us as we:
⚾ Revisit the characters, friendships, and sandlot legends
😂 Quote the one-liners that never left our brains
🐕 Talk the Beast, the myths, and the backyard lore
🎬 Dig into why this movie still hits so hard decades later
📼 Celebrate peak summer-movie energy and 90s vibes

It’s warm, funny, endlessly rewatchable, and full of heart — the kind of movie that instantly transports you back to scraped knees, long days, and baseball until the sun went down.

So grab your Cracker Jacks, dust off the VHS, and get ready to relive the magic of one unforgettable summer.

In this episode, we’re joined by:

John, Mark, and Producer Pete from If These Balls Could Talk — a podcast bringing sports, pop culture, and technology together with all the confidence you’d expect from New York and Massachusetts sports fans. Catch them live Thursdays at 9:30 and again on Sundays, and find previews and episodes across social media @iftheseballspod or at
https://www.iftheseballscouldtalkpod.com/home

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🎬 Learn more & connect with us: https://www.thevhsclubpod.com

📼 See the movie list (and add your own!): https://movielist.thevhsclubpod.com

🕹️ Play Freeze Frame, our movie-guessing game: https://game.thevhsclubpod.com

This week on The VHS Club, we’re embracing spooky season with a movie that may not be technically scary… but absolutely haunted our childhoods: Ernest Scared Stupid (1991).

Part comedy, part Halloween comfort watch, this Ernest adventure somehow managed to feel genuinely creepy when we were kids — especially thanks to that troll design. It’s goofy, weirdly unsettling, and packed with peak early-’90s spooky energy that still works if you’re in the right mood (and wearing your jammie jams).

Join us as we:
👻 Revisit the moments that completely freaked us out as kids
🎃 Talk Ernest’s unique brand of comedy and chaos
🧌 Break down the surprisingly scary troll design
😂 Laugh at what holds up — and what absolutely doesn’t
📼 Defend this movie as a legit spooky-season VHS staple

It’s silly, cozy, and oddly effective — the kind of movie you’d watch at night with a blanket, popcorn, and just enough fear to keep the lights on.

So grab your snacks, get comfortable, and join us for a spooky-season rewatch that proves Ernest might be funnier than scary… but still got us good.

SOURCES:

The Importance of Being Ernest: Ernest Scared Stupid (1991)
https://nathanrabin.substack.com/p/the-importance-of-being-ernest-ernest

Ernest Scared Stupid Facts — Know What I Mean, Vern?
https://thechive.com/entertainment/movies/ernest-scared-stupid-facts-know-what-i-mean-vern-17-photos-gifs/

Ernest Scared Stupid (1991): 26 Facts You Didn’t Know
https://thediceberollen.wordpress.com/2023/02/07/ernest-scared-stupid-1991-26-facts-you-didnt-know/

💌 Sign up for our email newsletter: https://www.thevhsclubpod.com/email

🎬 Learn more & connect with us: https://www.thevhsclubpod.com

📼 See the movie list (and add your own!): https://movielist.thevhsclubpod.com

🕹️ Play Freeze Frame, our movie-guessing game: https://game.thevhsclubpod.com

This week on The VHS Club, it’s time to feed the plants as we revisit the quirky musical horror-comedy classic Little Shop of Horrors (1986).

Directed by Frank Oz, this cult favorite follows Seymour, a meek flower shop worker who stumbles upon a strange and unusual plant that brings him fame, fortune… and a whole lot of trouble. Packed with dark humor, unforgettable songs, and one of the most iconic practical effects creatures of the decade, Little Shop of Horrors is equal parts creepy, catchy, and charming.

Join us as we:
🌱 Break down Audrey II and the movie’s incredible practical effects
🎶 Celebrate the soundtrack that lives rent-free in our heads
🎭 Talk performances that balance camp, comedy, and heart
🩸 Dig into the film’s darker themes beneath the musical numbers
📼 Discuss why this movie remains a VHS-era staple

It’s weird, theatrical, and endlessly rewatchable — the kind of movie that made musical horror feel fun, funny, and just a little bit dangerous.

So grab your popcorn, cue up the tape, and remember: whatever you do… don’t feed the plants.

SOURCES:

Big, Green Mindblowers From Outer Space: Little Shop of Horrors (1986)
https://www.pajiba.com/seriously_random_lists/facts-about-little-shop-of-horrors-1986.php

11 Bloodthirsty Facts About Little Shop of Horrors
https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/68624/11-bloodthirsty-facts-about-little-shop-horrors

10 Behind-the-Scenes Facts About the Making of Little Shop of Horrors
https://screenrant.com/little-shop-horrors-unknown-facts/

Little Shop, Big History
https://fords.org/little-shop-big-history/

💌 Sign up for our email newsletter: https://www.thevhsclubpod.com/email

🎬 Learn more & connect with us: https://www.thevhsclubpod.com

📼 See the movie list (and add your own!): https://movielist.thevhsclubpod.com

🕹️ Play Freeze Frame, our movie-guessing game: https://game.thevhsclubpod.com

This week on The VHS Club, spooky season continues as we dive into the ultimate 90s thriller: The Silence of the Lambs (1991).

Equal parts psychological horror, crime procedural, and character study, this Oscar-winning classic is as unsettling as it is brilliant. From Jodie Foster’s quietly powerful Clarice Starling to Anthony Hopkins’ unforgettable Hannibal Lecter, the film burrowed into pop culture — and our collective nightmares — in a way few movies ever have.

Join us as we:
🧠 Break down what makes this movie so relentlessly effective
🎭 Talk performances that redefined the genre
🔦 Revisit the scenes that still make our skin crawl
🧵 Dig into the film’s complicated cultural legacy
📼 Discuss why this remains a must-watch spooky-season classic

It’s tense, disturbing, and impossible to shake — the kind of movie that feels like a whispered sleepover conversation that goes on long after the lights are out.

So grab your popcorn, your night-vision goggles, and maybe a nice Chianti (just kidding… probably), and join us for a late-night rewatch that still gets under your skin.

SOURCES:

Why The Silence of the Lambs Is So Much More Than a Horror Movie
https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a40941799/silence-of-the-lambs-influence/

Why Is The Silence of the Lambs So Good?
https://nofilmschool.com/why-is-silence-of-the-lambs-so-good

Understanding The Silence of the Lambs’ Complicated Cultural Legacy
https://www.vox.com/culture/22281548/silence-of-the-lambs-cultural-impact-legacy-feminist-transphobia

18 Facts About The Silence of the Lambs on Its 30th Anniversary
https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/61604/18-facts-about-silence-lambs

💌 Sign up for our email newsletter: https://www.thevhsclubpod.com/email

🎬 Learn more & connect with us: https://www.thevhsclubpod.com

📼 See the movie list (and add your own!): https://movielist.thevhsclubpod.com

🕹️ Play Freeze Frame, our movie-guessing game: https://game.thevhsclubpod.com

This week on The VHS Club, we may never sleep again — because spooky season officially kicks off with A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984).

Wes Craven’s genre-defining slasher introduced the world to Freddy Krueger, a villain who didn’t just chase you down dark alleys… he came for you in your dreams. Blending surreal horror, inventive kills, and a creeping sense of inevitability, Nightmare redefined what scary movies could do — and made bedtime a whole lot more stressful.

Join us as we:
🔪 Revisit the first appearance of the one and only Freddy Krueger
😱 Talk dream logic, practical effects, and unforgettable scares
🛌 Break down why this movie still messes with our heads
🎬 Explore how it launched one of horror’s most iconic franchises
📼 Discuss why this is a perfect gateway (or nightmare) spooky-season watch

It’s creepy, imaginative, and deeply unsettling — the kind of horror movie that lingers long after the credits roll and makes you rethink falling asleep with the lights off.

So grab your popcorn, stay awake if you can, and join us for a spooky-season kickoff that still cuts deep.

💌 Sign up for our email newsletter: ⁠https://www.thevhsclubpod.com/email⁠
🎬 Learn more & connect with us: ⁠https://www.thevhsclubpod.com⁠
📼 See the movie list (and add your own!): ⁠https://bit.ly/vhsclubmovielist⁠

This week on The VHS Club, we’re heading to Arrakis with Brian and John from Cinema Psychos to tackle the gloriously strange, endlessly debated sci-fi epic Dune (1984).

You may know Dune from the recent adaptations, but this is the original — David Lynch’s ambitious, baffling, visually unforgettable take on Frank Herbert’s 1955 novel. Packed with whispered inner monologues, baroque production design, and vibes that are aggressively “only in the 80s,” this movie is a true VHS-era endurance test and cult favorite.

Join us as we:
🪱 Revisit Lynch’s bold (and very weird) vision of Herbert’s universe
🎬 Talk production design, effects, and peak 80s sci-fi aesthetics
🧠 Break down the lore, politics, and confusion
📼 Discuss how this version compares to modern Dune adaptations
😂 Embrace what works, what doesn’t, and why people still argue about it

It’s dense, messy, fascinating, and completely singular — the kind of movie you didn’t just watch on VHS, you survived.

So dust off your VCR, pour yourself some spice, and join us for a deep dive into one of the strangest blockbusters of the decade.

In this episode, we’re joined by:

Brian Cottington — podcaster, educator, and independent filmmaker with over 20 years of experience. Brian is the show producer and co-host of The Cinema Psychos Show, a long-running movie review/comedy podcast known for its irreverent but informed takes. He’s also the video designer and editor at Libsyn and an adjunct instructor at Chatham University, where he helped build the school’s first podcasting course.

John Wooliscroft — independent filmmaker, videographer, documentarian, and comedy writer/performer. John’s short films and documentary feature Electrical Disturbance have screened at multiple festivals. He also runs the YouTube channel J DUB’S VIDEO NASTIES!, and is known for his strong opinions, sharp humor, and dislike of Terminator 3.

Learn more about Cinema Psychos at
https://cinemapsychosshow.com
and listen wherever you get your podcasts.

🎥 Bonus:
See Katie on the Howard the Duck episode of Cinema Psychos:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45SbcVOODTE&t=56s

SOURCES:
Dune Trivia
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0087182/trivia/

The Making of Dune (Behind-the-Scenes Featurette)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iy9-abZIg3s

Sean Young Films the Making of Dune with David Lynch (1983)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFTS5-cIHgQ

Dune (1984): 10 Behind-the-Scenes Facts About David Lynch’s Adaptation
https://screenrant.com/dune-1984-david-lynch-movie-facts-trivia/

💌 Sign up for our email newsletter: ⁠https://www.thevhsclubpod.com/email⁠
🎬 Learn more & connect with us: ⁠https://www.thevhsclubpod.com⁠
📼 See the movie list (and add your own!): ⁠https://bit.ly/vhsclubmovielist⁠

This week on The VHS Club, we’re doing something a little different — instead of reviewing a movie, we’re rewinding all the way back to talk about the history of VHS and the VCR.

Before streaming queues and digital libraries, there was the clunky plastic cassette that changed how we watched movies forever. From its rise in the late ’70s to total domination through the ’80s and ’90s — and its eventual fade in the DVD era — VHS didn’t just deliver movies, it reshaped home entertainment and pop culture.

Join us as we:
📼 Break down how VHS came to be and why it won
🏠 Talk video rental stores, recording TV, and home movie nights
💥 Explore what fueled VHS’s massive popularity
💿 Discuss how DVDs eventually took over
🧠 Reflect on why VHS still holds such a powerful nostalgic grip

It’s nerdy, nostalgic, and deeply on-brand — the kind of episode that explains why this podcast exists in the first place.

So dust off your VCR, flip the tracking knob, and settle in for a history lesson that feels like home.

In this episode, we’re joined by:

Josh — one of our favorite Tater Tots and a proud owner of an incredible VHS collection.

Check out Josh’s blog at:
https://joshsgeekcave.blogspot.com

SOURCES:

History of VHS
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VHS#:~:text=The%20VHS%20(Video%20Home%20System,1970s%2C%201980s%2C%20and%201990s.

5 Fun VHS Facts That Will Blow Your Mind
https://legacybox.com/blogs/analog/5-fun-vhs-facts-will-blow-mind

10 Fun Facts About VHS
https://southtree.com/blogs/artifact/10-fun-facts-about-the-vhs-that-will-blow-your-mind

Fun Facts About VHS Tapes & VCRs
https://spencertified.com/blogs/vintage-electronics-articles/fun-facts-about-vhs-tapes-and-vcrs

💌 Sign up for our email newsletter: https://www.thevhsclubpod.com/email

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📼 See the movie list (and add your own!): https://movielist.thevhsclubpod.com

🕹️ Play Freeze Frame, our movie-guessing game: https://game.thevhsclubpod.com

This week on The VHS Club, we’re finally warping into Star Trek movie territory as we revisit one of the most beloved entries in the franchise: Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982).

Often hailed as the high point of the original Star Trek film run, Wrath of Khan trades slow sci-fi spectacle for character-driven drama, naval-style combat, and deeply personal stakes. With Ricardo Montalbán’s iconic turn as Khan and William Shatner at his most reflective as Captain Kirk, the movie delivers action, tragedy, and one of the most quoted rivalries in sci-fi history.

Join us as we:
🖖 Break down why Wrath of Khan still hits so hard
🚀 Talk space battles, tension, and submarine-style strategy
😈 Celebrate Khan as an all-time great sci-fi villain
🎬 Dig into themes of aging, sacrifice, and legacy
📼 Discuss why this movie converted generations into Trek fans

It’s dramatic, intense, and surprisingly emotional — the kind of sequel that didn’t just save a franchise, but defined it.

So cue up the VHS, raise shields, and prepare for a Star Trek classic that proves revenge is a dish best served… among the stars.

In this episode, we’re joined by:

Mick from The Scene Snobs — former film industry producer and longtime podcaster/content creator with over 12 years of experience. As the founder of The Scene Snobs, Mick has built a welcoming, thoughtful community covering movies, television, pop culture, sports, and geekdom at large.

Learn more about The Scene Snobs at
https://thescenesnobs.com/

Bonus appearances:
See Katie & Nat on The Scene Snobs:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uR7lbH9nOLY

Watch Warp Fact or Fiction:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7ObLXnhe_s8uP234aGOcRhs025z6_Tly

SOURCES:

Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan Trivia
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0084726/trivia/

10 Facts You Didn’t Know About The Wrath of Khan
https://screenrant.com/star-trek-wrath-khan-unknown-facts/

9 Facts You Might Not Know About The Wrath of Khan
https://redshirtsalwaysdie.com/2021/06/04/9-facts-you-might-not-know-about-the-wrath-of-khan/

20 Things You Didn’t Know About Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982)
https://whatculture.com/film/20-things-you-didnt-know-about-star-trek-ii-the-wrath-of-khan-1982

💌 Sign up for our email newsletter: https://www.thevhsclubpod.com/email

🎬 Learn more & connect with us: https://www.thevhsclubpod.com

📼 See the movie list (and add your own!): https://movielist.thevhsclubpod.com

🕹️ Play Freeze Frame, our movie-guessing game: https://game.thevhsclubpod.com

This week on The VHS Club, Katie & Nat are joined by Jeff Dwoskin from the Classic Conversations and Crossing the Streams podcasts to talk about his favorite 80s sci-fi event: V (1983).

This iconic television miniseries introduced us to the “Visitors” — seemingly friendly extraterrestrials who arrive with promises of peace… and a very reptilian secret. Equal parts political allegory, sci-fi spectacle, and made-for-TV intensity, V became a must-watch cultural moment and a staple of VHS recording culture.

Join us as we:
🦎 Revisit the Visitors and their not-so-friendly agenda
📺 Talk event television, miniseries hype, and 80s sci-fi vibes
🧠 Dig into the show’s themes, symbolism, and social commentary
🎬 Break down what made V so unforgettable at the time
📼 Discuss why it still holds a cult-classic grip today

It’s pulpy, dramatic, and unapologetically 80s — the kind of sci-fi you watched live, taped on VHS, and talked about the next day like it was a real-world event.

So buckle up, keep an eye on those Visitors, and get ready for a fun, nostalgia-fueled deep dive into one of the wildest sci-fi miniseries of the decade.

In this episode, we’re joined by:

Jeff Dwoskin — comedian, podcaster, and host of Classic Conversations, where he interviews pop culture influencers, TV stars, film actors, comedians, and musicians about their journeys and creative lives. The show blends insight, humor, and heart in every episode.

Listen to Classic Conversations:
http://classic-conversations.com

Watch Jeff’s interview with V creator Kenneth Johnson:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_LMdd1LMQ6o

See Katie & Nat on Crossing the Streams:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3X41jCoqUs&list=PLOvCSFIKehi93uG5TObBL4XIT-Hq6RZpw&index=1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pF_LtL04FN8&list=PLOvCSFIKehi93uG5TObBL4XIT-Hq6RZpw&index=10

💌 Sign up for our email newsletter: https://www.thevhsclubpod.com/email

🎬 Learn more & connect with us: https://www.thevhsclubpod.com

📼 See the movie list (and add your own!): https://movielist.thevhsclubpod.com

🕹️ Play Freeze Frame, our movie-guessing game: https://game.thevhsclubpod.com