VIA VHS Podcast

VIA VHS Podcast

By VIA VHSTV & FilmFilm History
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VIA VHS Podcast episodes

  • Transformers: The Movie (1986) – Who The Hell Kills Optimus Prime? | Rewind Review

    “AUTOBOTS ROLL-OUT”


    In this episode of VIA VHS, we rewind Transformers: The Movie (1986) — the animated film that shocked a generation by killing Optimus Prime and redefining what a “kids movie” could be.


    Was it just a toy commercial… or something way more ambitious?

    We break down the Tale of the Tape, the box office context, the unforgettable 80s rock soundtrack, and why this movie still hits decades later. From corporate risk to emotional impact, this is one of the boldest swings in animation history.

    If you grew up in the VHS era, this is a rental you never forgot.



    1 hr 23 min
  • The Running Man - Rewind Review

    The Running Man is a staple of 1980s sci-fi, blending action, satire, and dystopian social commentary.

    If you’re searching for:

    “The Running Man review,” “Running Man explained,” “Arnold Schwarzenegger 80s movies,” “best dystopian movies,” “VHS era action films,” or “retro movie podcasts,” — this episode has you covered.


    We dig into:

    • 1987 sci-fi action tropes

    • The over-the-top gladiator TV show premise

    • Richard Dawson’s performance

    • Memorable “Stalkers” (Captain Freedom, Subzero, Buzzsaw)

    • How the film predicted modern reality TV

    • Its cult-classic status and 80s cheese factor


    🎬 About VIA VHS


    The VIA VHS Podcast is dedicated to the movies that defined the analog era — from cult classics to forgotten gems.

    Each week, we revisit a different title from the 80s, 90s, or early 2000s, blending film analysis, nostalgia, humor, and pure love for the VHS rental days.


    If you love retro cinema, film podcasts, nostalgia content, and 80s/90s pop culture, hit Subscribe and join the community.



    💾 Join the VIA VHS Video Club (Exclusive Content!)


    Become a Video Club Member on Patreon and unlock:

    • Analog Legends Nostalgia Specials

    • Retro SlamMasters (Wrestling Show)

    • Bonus episodes + behind-the-scenes content

    • Your own retro video store membership card

    1 hr 11 min
  • Iron Eagle - Rewind Review
    In this episode of Rewind Review we revisit the 1986 the cheesy yet endearing action film Iron Eagle. In memory of Louis Gossett Jr we look back at one of his peak VHS era flicks in this conventionally terrible and simultaneously charming Reagan era American propaganda film
    1 hr 4 min
  • X-Men - Rewind Review

    Some would say this is the film that for better or worse ushered in the Superhero movie era at the start of the new Millennium . Sure there were Comic based Superhero movies that came before this, but something about the success of X-Men signaled to studios that anything was possible. Not only were the audiences primed and ready for more films like X-Men, but the technology was available to make these movies as creative and imaginative as their Comic Book depictions.


    We look back at one of the most influential comic book movies ever made as we discuss the legacy of X-Men (2000)

    1 hr 38 min
  • Hooper - Rewind Review

    Burt Reynolds stars as Hooper, an aging stuntman facing the reality that his lifestyle may not be suitable for a man of his age. Instead of scaling back Hooper decided to up the ante and take his stunts to the next level, especially in light of a young bright new star on the stunt circuit threatening his greatness.


    Wes and Spencer discuss weather or not Hooper is actually Burt’s best movie.

    55 min
  • Young Sherlock Holmes - Rewind Review

    In this episode of VIA VHS Rewind Review we are looking back at the 1986 family film Young Sherlock Holmes.
    Not only is this film a pretty solid family flick with surprisingly good practical effects, but this film is historically significant for a couple of reasons.
    First, a lot of movie nerds will know that Young Sherlock Holmes features the first CGI created character in a feature length film. The early history of Pixar during it's days in the partnership with George Lucas and Steve Jobs is a major moment for the history of cinema. CGI would be everywhere soon, for better or worse.
    Secondly and what we found most compelling, is the eerie similarities Young Sherlock Holmes shares with the Harry Potter franchise, even going as far as the director of two early Harry Potter films Chris Columbus being a writer for Young Sherlock. The similarities are uncanny and we discuss the possibility of this film being one of the inspirations for the Harry Potter books and later the film franchise.

    1 hr 14 min
  • Contact - Rewind Review
    We live in a time where there are actual hearings on Capitol Hill about disclosing to the public information regarding the Government hiding proof of UFO's and the possible existence of Extraterrestrial Alien biologics on Earth....and nobody gives a shit.
    Things play out a little differently in the 1997 film Contact which is the subject of this week's Rewind Review. This is one of Wes's favorite films of the 90s, and we discuss how this movie blew his mind as a teenager. In addition to our retrospective on Contact we delve into the recent Government hearings on UAPs and possible Alien Biologics and why nobody seems to care or the conspiracies have completely reversed.
    1 hr 21 min
  • Stroker Ace - Rewind Review

    In this episode of VIA VHS Rewind Review, we look back at the 1983 Burt Reynolds Comedy/Nascar film, Stroker Ace.
    It’s the later years of the Burt Reynolds era and his star power is starting to wane. Instead of taking the role of Garrett Breedlove in Terms of Endearment (a role that won Jack Nicholson an Academy Award) Burt decided to opt against evolving his career and instead agreed to another formulaic Hal Needham car movie.
    This was not a smart idea as Stroker Ace was poorly received by critics and by the box office, opening at 8th place against the likes of films like WarGames, Trading Places and Return of the Jedi. A far cry from Smokey and the Bandit who was only out grossed in 1977 by the original Star Wars.
    But is Stroker Ace a film that was just outdated and not fairly viewed by fans and critics. Would it have been a bigger hit if released at the height of Burt Reynolds fame? Wes and Spencer give their thoughts on a film that’s so American that Burt Reynolds and Dale Earnhardt share the screen.
    Find more VIA VHS content here: https://linktr.ee/viavhs
    Also, find Spencer’s Old Man Orange podcast as well as his comic Pizza Boyz here: https://linktr.ee/oldmanorange

    53 min
  • Young Indiana Jones Chronicles Retrospective: Episode IX - Italy, 1918/ Africa, 1916/ Ireland, 1916

    In our first of three chapters, Indy competes with a mysterious contender to woo a young Italian beauty named Guiletta while taking advice from friend Ernest Hemingway.
    Then on the African plains in November of 1916, Indiana Jones and pal Remy get lost in their attempt to join their unit in Africa. As they trek back to Lake Victoria, Indy and Remy inadvertently join the 25th Royal Fusiliers, a unit of grumpy, aging men. Indy's knowledge of Trains and fluent German make him very useful as the unit battles The Phantom Train of Doom, in this feature length adventure.
    Finally in Ireland, 1916. Indiana Jones and Remy arrive back to Europe after their adventures in Mexico. Raising funds while waiting tables, Indy gets caught in another love affair around the time of the Easter Rising

    1 hr 20 min

About VIA VHS Podcast

From the publisher's feed

The VIA VHS Podcast is your virtual video store. Imagine being transported back in time to a video store in the 80s or 90s and getting swept up in conversations with two crazy, movie obsessed guys…