The next movie pick comes courtesy of Chris, who’s known for his love of high-energy, action-packed flicks. Following on from his previous picks, Chris has chosen Universal Soldier (1992)—a film that perfectly captures that early ’90s blend of sci-fi and adrenaline-fueled spectacle.

Universal Soldier is a 1992 science fiction action film directed by Roland Emmerich in his Hollywood debut. The movie stars Jean-Claude Van Damme and Dolph Lundgren, two iconic action stars of the early 1990s. Produced on a mid-range budget, the film combined practical effects with emerging visual techniques, helping to establish Emmerich’s reputation for large-scale action spectacles.

Filmed primarily in California, Universal Soldier features intense fight choreography and explosive set pieces that defined ‘90s action cinema. Despite mixed critical reviews at release, the film became a cult favorite and launched a successful franchise with multiple sequels. Its production marked an important milestone for both the director and its lead actors, highlighting the era’s appetite for high-energy, science fiction-inspired action movies.

If you enjoy the show we have a Patreon, so become a supporter.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.patreon.com/thevhsstrikesback⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

NordVPN: ⁠https://go.nordvpn.net/aff_c?offer_id=15&aff_id=86289&url_id=902⁠ 

NordPass: ⁠https://go.nordpass.io/aff_c?offer_id=488&aff_id=86289&url_id=9356⁠ 

Trailer Guy Plot Summary

Two unstoppable forces. One relentless mission. In a world where science pushes the limits of man and machine, only the toughest survive. Brace yourself for explosive action, high-octane thrills, and a battle that blurs the line between human and weapon. Get ready—because this summer, the war for control just got personal.

Fun Facts

• Universal Soldier marked the Hollywood directing debut of Roland Emmerich, who previously worked on German films before breaking into the U.S. market.

• Released by TriStar Pictures, Universal Soldier received mixed reviews upon release but grew into a cult favorite among action fans.

• The production had a budget of approximately $22–23 million, blending intense practical stunts with early computer-generated effects.

• Principal photography was filmed mostly in Southern California, utilizing desert landscapes and urban settings to create its futuristic military vibe.

• Jean-Claude Van Damme performed many of his own stunts

• The film’s popularity led to a franchise with multiple sequels and made-for-TV spin-offs, maintaining the sci-fi action legacy.

• Roland Emmerich later directed other blockbuster hits such as Independence Day (1996), Godzilla (1998), The Patriot (2000), The Day After Tomorrow (2004), and 10,000 BC (2008).

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This week’s pick is courtesy of Patreon supporter John Hammond—an undisputed master of chaos, who previously cursed us with the likes of For Your Height Only, Bloody Muscle Body Builder in Hell, and Devil Fetus. Now, he's reached deep into the arthouse-horror void and pulled out Santa Sangre (1989), a film beloved by critics, film students, and probably no one with a functioning sleep schedule. While some might call it a surrealist masterpiece, others might say it’s the kind of movie that would clear a room at a house party.

Directed by Alejandro Jodorowsky—yes, the same man behind El Topo and other “What did I just watch?” experiences—Santa Sangre was his return to cinema after a ten-year break. Co-produced by Claudio Argento, it was shot in Mexico City with a mix of circus performers, real-life street characters, and Jodorowsky’s own sons. The film draws from real-life crime, religious trauma, and about five pounds of metaphor, creating a hallucinatory, blood-soaked experience that critics loved. Allegedly. With elaborate practical effects, dreamlike sequences, and enough symbolism to choke a film studies syllabus, it’s a cult darling that dares you to understand it—or even enjoy it.

If you enjoy the show we have a Patreon, so become a supporter.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.patreon.com/thevhsstrikesback⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Trailer Guy Plot Summary

He was a child of the circus... broken, silent, and bound to a mother whose grip reached beyond the grave. In a world of twisted faith, shattered minds, and blood-soaked revenge, one man’s descent into madness becomes a symphony of horror and illusion. From visionary director Alejandro Jodorowsky comes Santa Sangre—a surreal, nightmarish journey through trauma, obsession, and the haunting legacy of a past that refuses to die. When the curtain rises, there’s no escape from the spectacle.

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This week's nostalgic dive comes courtesy of Patreon supporter Lucky Looloo Green—who’s not only a proud VHS Strikes Back backer, but also a top-tier supporter of our CD Reality TV Cast! Her pick? The gloriously goofy, genre-clashing Buffy the Vampire Slayer from 1992. Before the brooding drama and Scooby Gang of the TV series, there was Kristy Swanson in neon spandex, staking vamps between cheer routines and shopping trips. It’s a wildly uneven ride, and Lucky Looloo knew exactly what kind of glorious chaos she was serving up.

Written by Joss Whedon as a darker, more subversive take on the horror genre, the production of Buffy quickly veered away from his vision. Director Fran Rubel Kuzui leaned into campy comedy and teen movie tropes, creating a tonally uneven but undeniably memorable cult film. Whedon eventually walked off set due to creative differences, which later inspired him to relaunch the concept as a TV series that stuck much closer to his original script. Still, the movie had its charms: a young Kristy Swanson in the title role, Donald Sutherland and Rutger Hauer vamping it up, and an early appearance by Luke Perry that helped draw teen audiences. It's a quirky artifact of its time, and Lucky Looloo Green clearly knew exactly what kind of nostalgic madness she was unleashing.

If you enjoy the show we have a Patreon, so become a supporter.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.patreon.com/thevhsstrikesback⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Trailer Guy Plot Summary

She was just your average valley girl—cheer captain by day, mall rat by night. But when destiny calls, Buffy Summers discovers she’s the one thing standing between the world and a vampire apocalypse. Trained by a mysterious Watcher and armed with killer one-liners and a pointy wooden stake, she’ll have to ditch the pom-poms and face off against an ancient bloodsucker with big plans. Get ready for high kicks, high stakes, and high school horror like you’ve never seen before... because this time, the Slayer wears lip gloss.

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This week’s pick comes courtesy of longtime VHS Strikes Back Patreon supporter Herb, who’s chosen the delightfully oddball Aussie gem Malcolm from 1986. It’s a film that proves even the quietest, most socially awkward tram enthusiast can have a life of crime tucked beneath his cardigans. With its quirky charm, deadpan humor, and a DIY spirit that would make MacGyver jealous, Malcolm is a criminal caper unlike any other—and it’s all thanks to Herb's impeccable taste for the weird and wonderful.

Directed by Nadia Tass and written by Tass and her husband David Parker, Malcolm was made on a modest budget but with no shortage of creative flair. Shot in Melbourne and using the city’s trams as both setting and plot device, the film’s charm stems from its inventive low-fi gadgetry and the offbeat chemistry between its leads. The character of Malcolm was inspired by real-life eccentric inventors, and much of the film’s contraptions were built practically—no special effects, just good old-fashioned Aussie ingenuity. The movie was a critical darling in Australia, earning multiple AFI awards and cementing its place as a cult classic for fans of heartfelt oddities.

If you enjoy the show we have a Patreon, so become a supporter.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.patreon.com/thevhsstrikesback⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Trailer Guy Plot Summary

Meet Malcolm—a painfully shy, tram-loving genius with a knack for building bizarre contraptions and no clue how to talk to people. But when he takes in a pair of dodgy housemates with a taste for petty crime, Malcolm’s quiet life gets a serious jolt of adrenaline. With his mechanical wizardry and their criminal know-how, the trio cook up the most unconventional heists Melbourne has ever seen. Get ready for exploding milk carts, remote-controlled getaway cars, and one socially awkward hero who proves that crime really can be engineered!

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Strap in and set phasers to “tense banter” — this week’s pick comes from Dave, who’s boldly going where Chris would frankly rather not: Star Trek: First Contact (1996). As a lifelong Trekkie, Dave’s diving into one of the most action-packed, fan-favourite entries in the franchise, while Chris braces for a full-on warp-speed assault of technobabble and space diplomacy. It’s the Next Generation’s big-screen showdown with the Borg... and maybe with Chris’s patience too.

Directed by Jonathan Frakes (aka Commander Riker himself), First Contact was the second film to feature the Star Trek: The Next Generation crew and the first where they fully took command of the franchise without the original cast. The production aimed to shake up the usual Star Trek formula, adding darker tones, more cinematic action, and a time-travel plot that brought the crew face-to-face with humanity’s pivotal moment: first contact with alien life. With a larger budget than previous TNG films, the team delivered stunning effects, new sets like the sleek Enterprise-E, and intense Borg prosthetics that pushed the limits of the makeup department. The film was a hit with both fans and critics, and even skeptics had to admit: resistance was... well, maybe not entirely futile.

If you enjoy the show we have a Patreon, so become a supporter.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.patreon.com/thevhsstrikesback⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Trailer Guy Plot Summary

The Borg are back—and this time, it’s personal. When Earth’s future is under siege by the galaxy’s most relentless enemy, Captain Jean-Luc Picard must defy orders and lead the crew of the Enterprise-E into the past to stop them. With humanity’s first contact with alien life hanging in the balance, and the Borg threatening to rewrite history, the stakes have never been higher. Explosions, assimilation, and a lot of dramatic stares through viewports—Star Trek: First Contact is warp-speed action with a side of philosophical time-travel. Resistance… is futile.

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The second episode of our Halloween weekend is Tony Farina and Chris Phelps discussing James O'Barr's 1989 Caliber Press masterpiece comic, The Crow. Crossover episode with Indie Comics Spotlight on Comics In Motion.

If you want to talk with Tony about comics or to suggest any future shows, please connect with him on Twitter @Tricycleboombox. You can read his reviews of multiple Independent and DC comics at DC Comics News or at Fantastic Universes. You can find him online and send him an email at https://www.arfarina.com/.

Buckle up, because this episode’s pick comes straight from co-host Chris, who’s chosen to take us on a nostalgic joyride with The Gumball Rally (1976). With a fondness for high-octane chaos and old-school ensemble comedies, Chris dives into the rubber-burning madness of this pre-Cannonball Run classic, where the only rule is there are no rules—unless you're talking about car stunts, in which case, safety was more of a polite suggestion.

Directed by Charles Bail, a veteran stuntman turned filmmaker, The Gumball Rally was a gleeful celebration of America's obsession with speed. Shot across multiple states, the production was a logistical juggling act, choreographing real stunt driving and capturing high-speed chases without the benefit of today’s CGI trickery. The filmmakers leaned heavily on professional stunt drivers to deliver the film’s most memorable moments, including a now-iconic scene involving a Cobra and a motorcycle cop.

If you enjoy the show we have a Patreon, so become a supporter.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.patreon.com/thevhsstrikesback⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Trailer Guy Plot Summary

High-octane chaos erupts as a secret, no-rules coast-to-coast race kicks off from New York to Los Angeles, drawing together a ragtag crew of speed freaks, daredevils, and eccentrics, all revving up for glory. With vintage Ferraris, growling Cobras, and a whole lot of reckless enthusiasm, The Gumball Rally slams the accelerator on competition and carnage—all with the law hot on their tails and no one willing to hit the brakes.

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This week’s throwback VHS gem comes courtesy of long-time Patreon supporter Gareth—who clearly knows his way around a good roundhouse kick. Gareth has chosen China O’Brien 2 (1990), the Cynthia Rothrock martial arts sequel that kicks just as hard as the first. With small-town justice, explosive action, and some delightfully dated hairdos, this one’s a real time capsule of straight to video action cinema.

China O'Brien 2 was filmed back-to-back with the original film in 1988, though it wasn’t released until 1990. Like its predecessor, it was produced by Golden Harvest, the Hong Kong studio famous for bringing Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan to global audiences. The movie was once again helmed by Robert Clouse, best known for directing Enter the Dragon, and featured the same lead trio, Cynthia Rothrock, Richard Norton, and Keith Cooke, reprising their roles. This continuity gave the sequel a consistent tone and feel, even if it lacked the novelty of the first installment.

Rothrock, already a martial arts icon by this point, was one of the few female action stars headlining films in the video rental boom era. Though the sequel received minimal theatrical attention, it found its true home on VHS shelves around the world. It built a cult following among action fans who appreciated the straightforward storytelling, bone-crunching fights, and Rothrock’s no-nonsense screen presence. While not revolutionary, China O’Brien 2 holds a special place as a symbol of the era's scrappy, low-budget action enthusiasm.

If you enjoy the show we have a Patreon, so become a supporter.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.patreon.com/thevhsstrikesback⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Trailer Guy Plot Summary

In a town where justice wears a sheriff's badge and fights with her fists, China O'Brien thought the worst was behind her. But when an old enemy breaks out of prison and comes gunning for revenge, she’ll need more than martial arts to keep the peace. With allies by her side and danger around every dusty corner, she’ll deliver justice, one flying kick at a time. This summer… vengeance has a new opponent… China O’Brien 2.

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We're going off the beaten track for this one! This latest pick by JAC is quite a unique one in that it's a fan made film, Raiders of the Lost Ark: The Adaptation. Technically shown for the first time in 1989 and an additional scene added in 2014, this is the movie that was the inspiration for the documentary, Raiders!: The Story of the Greatest Fan Film Ever Made.

Checkout JAC's LetterBoxd review here: https://letterboxd.com/iamjacsmusings/

And also JAC's podcast, Back to the Filmography, where he's currently going through every Matthew McConaughey movie.

Interested listeners may watch the fan film itself, and see these moments as described at: theraiderskids.com/store

Raiders of the Lost Ark: The Adaptation was a homemade labor of love created by three Mississippi teenagers—Chris Strompolos, Eric Zala, and Jayson Lamb—who began the project in 1982 after being inspired by Steven Spielberg’s Raiders of the Lost Ark. With no formal filmmaking experience, a home video camera, and a copy of the film recorded from television, they set out to recreate every scene of the movie shot-for-shot. Over seven summers, they painstakingly built sets, created costumes, and performed their own stunts—sometimes dangerously so, including setting themselves on fire and nearly flooding a basement during a boat scene. Their dedication extended to using pets in place of monkeys, rigging homemade special effects, and convincing friends and family to play supporting roles.

The project was completed in 1989 when the boys graduated high school, though one scene—the airplane explosion—remained unfilmed due to budget and technical limitations. For years, the film remained mostly unseen until a VHS copy reached filmmaker Eli Roth, who showed it at the Butt-Numb-A-Thon festival in 2002. The resulting buzz led to broader recognition, admiration from Hollywood figures like Spielberg and Quentin Tarantino. In 2014, the original trio reunited to finally film the missing airplane scene, completing their youthful vision more than 30 years later. Their story is now celebrated as a testament to creativity, passion, and the enduring magic of cinema.

If you enjoy the show we have a Patreon, so become a supporter.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.patreon.com/thevhsstrikesback⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Trailer Guy Plot Summary

In a world where most kids were content just watching their favorite movies, three Mississippi teens dared to remake one—shot-for-shot. Raiders of the Lost Ark: The Adaptation is the unbelievable true story of Chris, Eric, and Jayson, who, armed with a home video camera, pure determination, and a slightly unhinged sense of adventure, set out to recreate Spielberg’s classic over seven summers. No budget, no stunt doubles, no clue—but what they lacked in resources, they made up for in heart. From fiery explosions in backyards to homemade boulders rolling through basements, their journey became the stuff of legend. This summer, witness the ultimate fan film that took over a decade to be discovered, and over 30 years to finish. They didn’t just watch the adventure. They lived it.

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We're diving headfirst into high-flying mayhem with Con Air, a chaotic symphony of explosions, one-liners, and mid-air madness—handpicked by our awesome Patreon supporter Susan from the Geek Girl Soup podcast!

Con Air (1997) was born out of the mid-90s action movie boom, with producer Jerry Bruckheimer riding high from previous hits like The Rock and Crimson Tide. Wanting to blend testosterone-fueled chaos with a high-concept premise, Bruckheimer and the team crafted a story about a maximum-security prisoner transport gone wildly off the rails. The script, written by Scott Rosenberg, was inspired in part by a real federal program, but the film quickly ditched realism in favor of bombast and explosions. Simon West, a former music video director making his feature debut, was brought on to direct, bringing a flashy style that matched Bruckheimer's over-the-top vision.

The production faced major challenges, especially with the practical effects and large set pieces involving planes, crashes, and convicts with very short fuses. Shot primarily in Utah and Nevada, including sequences at the infamous "Boneyard" in the Mojave Desert, the film used a combination of real aircraft, full-scale models, and miniature effects. Despite the logistical headaches, Con Air brought together a ludicrously stacked cast including Nicolas Cage, John Malkovich, Steve Buscemi, and Ving Rhames. Cage famously trained with DEA agents and adopted a Southern accent for his role — choices that added to the movie’s now-iconic (and deeply memeable) legacy. 

If you enjoy the show we have a Patreon, so become a supporter.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.patreon.com/thevhsstrikesback⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Trailer Guy Plot Summary

In a world where justice is served on wings of chaos, Con Air follows newly paroled Army Ranger Cameron Poe, who just wants to get home to his wife and daughter—but finds himself trapped on a high-security prisoner transport flight hijacked by some of the most dangerous criminals in America. With time running out and a plane full of maniacs soaring toward disaster, Poe must fight from the inside to stop the carnage, clear his name, and maybe deliver a heartfelt bunny rabbit along the way. Buckle up—this flight's going down in action-packed, slow-mo glory.

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