Video Store Podcast

We’re going all the way back to the earliest days of feature film to uncover some forgotten gems.

The Sentimental Bloke (1919)

A silent comedy from 1919, this film is generally considered the greatest Australian silent film, and one of the best Australian movies of all time. Based on the 1915 verse novel The Songs of a Sentimental Bloke by C. J. Dennis, it follows the exploits of Bill, a Woolloomooloo larrikin, known to his mates as ‘The Kid’. After meeting and falling in love with Doreen he vows to abandon his life of fighting, gambling and drinking.

After a stint in jail Bill gives up drinking and hanging out with his mate, Ginger Mick, marries Doreen and becomes a family man. They settle down on Bill’s uncle’s orchard in the country, where he and Doreen raise their baby.

A major critical and commercial success in Australia, the film was also popular in New Zealand and Britain.

The General (1926)

Inspired by a true story from the American Civil War it follows Buster Keaton’s character Johnny who loses face with his girlfriend Annabelle when he is rejected by the Confederate Army. Believing he has not enlisted because he is a coward Annabelle vows she will not speak to him again until he is in uniform.

A year later Annabelle is travelling on The General to visit her wounded father when the train is stolen by Union Army spies with Annabelle still onboard. Johnnie gives chase, first on foot, then by handcar and boneshaker bicycle, before commandeering the locomotive the Texas. In the process he rescues Annabelle, regains control of The General and foils the Union army.

Battleship Potemkin (1925)

Also inspired by a true story, the film covers the 1905 mutiny of the crew of the Russian battleship Potemkin. It covers the poor conditions under which the sailors were expected to work, their subsequent mutiny, the brutal way in which the mutiny was brought down and the support they subsequently received from their fellow servicemen.

It is widely considered one of the greatest films ever made, and is among the favourite films of Orson Welles, Michael Mann and Billy Wilder.

Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans (1927)

The first American film from celebrated German impressionist director F. W. Murnau, the film follows a married farmer who falls for a woman vacationing from the city. While he believes it is impossible for them to be together, she tries to convince him that if he can murder his wife, they can be together.

His conscience wins out, and he and his wife find a way to resurrect their marriage.

Four great films that have as much appeal today as they did when they were first released.

Grab your Geiger counter and join us after closing time as we travel back to the 1950s, when radiation could turn almost anything into a monster, visitors from outer space were rarely friendly, and the Army was always just a phone call away. We’re revisiting four classics from the golden age of science-fiction cinema.

Them! (1954)

Atomic testing in the New Mexico desert has produced a terrifying new menace: giant ants! What begins as a mysterious police investigation escalates into an all-out military operation. It’s one of the finest giant-monster movies of the decade.

It Came from Outer Space (1953)

When a mysterious spacecraft crashes in the Arizona desert, an amateur astronomer discovers that the visitors aren’t quite what they seem. Based on a story by Ray Bradbury, this thoughtful sci-fi classic asks whether the unknown is necessarily something to fear.

The Giant Behemoth (1959)

A prehistoric sea monster, awakened and contaminated by radiation, threatens the British coastline before heading toward London. Featuring effects work by legendary animator Willis O’Brien, this atomic-age creature feature proves that giant monsters aren’t just an American problem.

Earth vs. the Flying Saucers (1956)

Hostile aliens descend upon Earth, and humanity’s only hope lies in science, military firepower, and a little ingenuity. Ray Harryhausen’s spectacular flying saucers steal the show as they unleash destruction on Washington, D.C.

Thanks for coming into the store today. Let me know what you think of my staff picks!

Happy Spooky Month, Kids!

It’s that time of year again, when the leaves are golden, the air is crisp, the cider is fresh, and the vibe of the season is all things chilly, dark and spooky.

I’m proud to present to you some gems of fright and terror to haunt your Halloween festivities. These films are cult classics of obscurity both old and new, so if you’re looking for something to go with your annual favorite slashers or ghost stories, try these on for size…

CARNIVAL OF SOULS (1962)

A low-budget indie gem directed by Herk Harvey, where a woman named Mary (Candace Hilligoss) has her life disturbed by strange ghoulish visions after a car accident. What is real and what is not? It’s anyone’s guess in this cult drive-inn classic from the early ‘60s, which should delight anyone who appreciates the dark ambience of David Lynch, Ingmar Bergman, or surrealistic visions from French New Wave cinema.

TRILOGY OF TERROR (1975)

Made-for-television horror had a golden age in the 1970s, before the age of home video and audiences full of anxiety from the tumultuous ‘60s. Series like The Twilight Zone, Night Gallery and Dark Shadows set the tone for the brooding sense of dread these stories brought to the horror genre — and following in its wake was the scariest thing ever made for television. The final shot of this horror anthology which aired on ABC, Tuesday March 4th 1975, gave nightmares to a whole generation.

PUMPKINHEAD (1988)

The 1980s raised the bar for special effects and monsters in science-fiction, comedy and horror films — and among the best creature features of the decade was Stan Winston’s sleeper hit about a vengeance demon terrorizing a small rural American town. Lance Henriksen stars in his most tragic role as a father avenging the death of his son with unexpected and deadly consequences. A true folk horror fairy tale of darkness for a late October night.

We love PUMPKINHEAD here at the Video Store Podcast, so much that Pitfall Gary talked about last week as well! Check out his episode if you missed it. 🎃

ODDITY (2024)

One of the scariest films of the decade, this folk horror ghost story from Ireland is sure to chill and thrill you for your Halloween haunting spree. It’s a clever who-done-it, spooky psychological thriller and modern indie gem which deserves a larger audience. Strap yourself in for some perfect jump scares, vicious imagery, and ghostly sights and sounds.

“You wanna see something really scary?” audio clips are from TWILIGHT ZONE: THE MOVIE (1983)

Turn off the lights, lock the doors, and watch your back — these films will scare the pants off of you. Happy Halloween!

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Welcome to the Video Store Podcast.

Let’s kick off the Spooky Season!

It’s been a little quiet around the Video Store lately. The lights have been off, the OPEN sign has been dark, and the new releases haven’t moved in about a month.

But the lights are back on, the popcorn machine is running, and the Video Store is officially back in business. And you picked a good time to stop in.

Halloween is getting close, so we’re digging through the horror section for four movies that feel right at home in October. We’ve got a demon in the woods, werewolves stalking the countryside, ghosts invading the suburbs, and vampires hanging out on the boardwalk.

Basically, an average night here at the Video Store.

Pumpkinhead (1988)

If there was ever a movie made for the horror shelf in October, it’s Pumpkinhead. Lance Henriksen stars as a grieving father who turns to an old witch for revenge and summons the demon Pumpkinhead. Naturally, there’s a catch. There is always a catch when the creepy old witch in the swamp helps you summon a demon. Dark woods, an isolated cabin, a graveyard, a demonic ritual and Stan Winston’s fantastic creature effects give the movie the feel of an old campfire story. Somewhere out in those woods is something you really don’t want to meet.

The Howling (1981)

From demons, we move to werewolves. Joe Dante’s The Howling follows television reporter Karen White, played by Dee Wallace, to a secluded retreat called the Colony, where she discovers the residents aren’t exactly there for rest and relaxation. Rob Bottin’s practical transformation effects remain spectacularly gross, and the cabins, campfires, dark woods and things moving between the trees make this a perfect late-night October movie.

Poltergeist (1982)

What’s safer than your own home? Poltergeist showed us we were wrong. Craig T. Nelson and JoBeth Williams play parents whose ordinary suburban home becomes considerably less ordinary after their daughter Carol Anne begins communicating with something through the television. Poltergeist takes familiar things and makes them terrifying. Trees attack, toys move, closets swallow children, and television static becomes something you definitely don’t want to see at two in the morning. For a generation raised with TVs in practically every room, that last one hit especially hard.

The Lost Boys (1987)

Let’s close with one of the best vampire movies ever made, period. The Lost Boys takes vampire mythology and runs it straight into the 1980s. These vampires have mullets, wear leather jackets and ride motorcycles. Joel Schumacher turns Santa Carla into a permanent nighttime carnival of neon lights, music, fog, caves and cemeteries, while Kiefer Sutherland’s David makes being undead look dangerously appealing. It doesn’t take place on Halloween, but few movies feel more at home in October.

Grab the holy water, find some garlic, and sharpen your stakes.

The Video Store Is Open Again!

From the dark woods of Pumpkinhead to the werewolf-infested countryside of The Howling, from the haunted suburbs of Poltergeist to the vampires prowling the Santa Carla boardwalk in The Lost Boys, these are four very different kinds of monsters.

And four good reasons to leave the lights on.

That’s one of the things I love about Halloween movies. They don’t necessarily have to take place on Halloween. Sometimes it’s enough that they capture the feeling. The darkness comes a little earlier. Leaves blow across the sidewalk. There’s a bowl of candy on the counter and a cheap plastic skeleton hanging somewhere nearby.

Thanks for coming back to the Video Store.

Watch out for monsters.

And remember...

Be kind. Rewind.

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It’s a tough time for fans of cinema. You’re welcome to hang out with the video store crew tonight after we lock the doors, grab a soda from the vending machine, and share films featuring one of our favorite actors, the indomitable Tim Curry, who sadly recently passed away.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)

Ken shares his memories of this film, the one that put Tim Curry on the map. His performance as Frank-N-Furter made this movie one of the biggest cult films of all time, drawing legions of fans to dress up, bring props, and interact with the movie during midnight screenings.

Scooby-Doo! and the Witch’s Ghost (1999)

Ashley’s choice comes from the Scooby Doo series, in this direct-to-video mystery featuring Tim Curry as Ben Ravencroft. He’s a horror writer who might strike you as familiar, and he’s descended from an accused witch who was put to death hundreds of years ago. Grab the popcorn and enjoy this one, if you dare…

Clue (1985)

My own pick for discussion is a movie based on a kid’s board game. Maybe you wouldn’t expect much due to its origin, but Clue features an amazing cast, a frenetic pace, and puns and one liners galore. Tim Curry plays the butler, Wadsworth, and his performance is the highlight of the film.

Thanks for coming to the store today, and please feel free to share your own memories of Curry and his top-notch body of work.

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Welcome back to another edition of the Video Store Podcast. I’m back today with some lesser known film and TV appearances from the late, great Dolly Parton, Queen of Country Music, Patron Saint of the Smokies, and “the greatest hick whoever lived,” handpicked by someone who grew up in Dolly’s neck of the woods. Dolly Parton embodies the best qualities of all the best people I grew up around at the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, and she never lost that kind, generous, salt of the earth quality when she made it big. Here are 4 Dolly deep cuts that you might have missed in her career that spanned across 8 decades.

Straight Talk (1992)

Pour one out for the radio gals here. Straight Talk focuses on Shirlee Kenyon, played by Dolly Parton, a small town girl who moves to Chicago for a fresh start. Shirlee by sheer accident is mistaken for a psychologist and ends up behind the mic of a call-in radio show. Turns out she’s a natural, but is pressured to maintain her doctor persona by the radio station. When a reporter gets suspicious, Shirlee’s career threatens to come crashing down around her. Watch Straight Talk to find out what happens! Make sure you watch all the end credits on this one!

Hannah Montana Season 2 Episode 20 “I Will Always Loathe You”

“I Will Always Loathe You” from Hannah Montana is the second of Dolly’s four appearances as Miley Stewart’s godmother in this Disney Channel original series. Fun fact: Dolly Parton is Miley Cyrus’ real-life godmother. This episode is notable because Dolly gets to go head-to-head with comedy genius Vicki Lawrence, who plays Miley’s Mamaw Ruthie. There’s great comedy and great music in this episode of this family-friendly TV series.

Joyful Noise (2012)

Showcasing Dolly’s musical prowess and ability to share the spotlight is her final theatrical film appearance, Joyful Noise. Starring alongside Queen Latifah, KeKe Palmer, Kris Kristofferson, Dexter Darden, Courtney B. Vance, Jesse L. Martin, and Angela Grovey, this film tells the story of two headstrong women, G. G. Sparrow (Dolly Parton) and Vi Rose Hill (Queen Latifah) who are at odds over the direction of their small town church choir. The choir is about to face off against some tough contenders in the upcoming national church choir competition. Can they work out their differences by the time they hit the big stage? You’ll have to watch and find out!

Designing Women Season 4 Episodes 13 & 14 “The First Day of the Last Decade of the Entire Twentieth Century Parts 1 & 2”

This two-parter from Designing Women will make you laugh and cry. Charlene is close to her due date and nervous about motherhood. After having a dream featuring her “Guardian Movie Star” Dolly Parton, Charlene goes into labor. This episode of Designing Women is perhaps one of the series funniest, but also most poignant, especially now that Dolly has left us. Grab some tissues and your bestie for this one.

If you want to hear more about Dolly’s film work, check out my coverage of 9 to 5 and Steel Magnolias in my “Wonder Women” episode. Dolly Parton left some sparkly shoes for us to fill. May we all take a little bit of her kindness, generosity, and good humor with us as we go.

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Welcome to my sophomore episode, all about animation! If all you know about animated features is big studio blockbusters like Toy Story or Into the Spider-Verse, let me expand your mind into some vintage treasures from the fringes of animation history. These films will give you a new appreciation for the art form, and a throwback to the days when everything was drawn and painted by hand. Digital animation today is still driven by artists, and these old-school rarities are part of what paved the way for what animation can do. And it’s not just for kids either!

WIZARDS (1977)

Ralph Bakshi is a legend in the animation world, known for his raunchy, gritty urban dramas like Fritz the Cat and Cool World. This is a fantasy he made one year before his animated adaptation of Lord of the Rings — and it has similar themes & visuals of elves, fairies, orcs, battle sequences, an evil overload and a wise wizard. It’s sloppy, funny, strange, and a psychedelic fever dream.

ALLEGRO NON TROPPO (1976)

This is Italian animator Bruno Bozzetto’s classic parody of Disney’s Fantasia, with all the familiar themes — except the orchestra is all made up of elderly ladies and a gorilla attacks. Six classical music pieces are set to different styles of animation, from the sad & beautiful to zany & bizarre. It’s a glorious romp of satire and naughtiness.

ROCK & RULE (1983)

If rock music is more your jam, it’s a moral imperative to check out this Canadian cult classic. Songs by Debbie Harry, Lou Reed, Cheap Trick, Iggy Pop, and Earth, Wind & Fire pump up the energy in this loud & ludicrous story about an evil rock star searching for the perfect voice to unleash an unearthly demon. Turn up the volume and enjoy a kaleidoscope of crazy animation and special effects!

TWICE UPON A TIME (1983)

While wrapping up his original Star Wars trilogy with Return of the Jedi, George Lucas helped his colleague John Korty (and co-director Charles Swenson) get this film made — but hardly anyone saw it. But time and animation fans have saved it from total obscurity, and it’s an absolute delight. Filmed in a special stop-motion technique called LUMAGE, this is a brilliant mix of color, design, and improv comedy about a band of unlikely heroes who must save the world from an eternity of nightmares.

Hope you enjoy these animated classics!

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Hello! My name is Marc Allie. I’m a teacher, blogger, author, and pretty much the biggest nerd you’ll ever meet. As a longtime Video Store Podcast listener, I am thrilled to be a member of the staff. For our staff picks this week, I’ve got four recommendations from the varied career of Kurt Russell.

Escape from New York (1981)

Escape from New York is the film that cemented Kurt Russell’s transition into a motion picture powerhouse. The film was directed by John Carpenter and was written by Carpenter and Nick Castle. The movie has a low budget, but it became a cult classic over time. Kurt Russell plays Snake Plisskin, a hardened but cool anti-hero that became an action icon.

Used Cars (1980)

Used Cars is a lesser known film. It was directed by Robert Zemeckis, written by Zemeckis and Bob Gale, and produced by Steven Spielberg, so it’s got quite a pedigree behind it. The movie, as you might expect, is about used cars. Two rival used car dealerships sit right across the highway from each other. Rudy Russo, Kurt Russell’s character, works at the less reputable of the two car lots. His performance as a slick used car salesman shows off his comedic chops.

Soldier (1998)

Soldier was directed by Paul W. S. Anderson. Kurt Russell plays the “Soldier” of the title. His name is Todd 3465. That’s right, he doesn’t have a last name, only a number. Todd has been raised from birth to be an emotionless soldier. Todd is the best of the best, but when the “newer model” of soldier comes along, he’s tossed out with the trash and has to make a new life for himself. Russell relies on his physical prowess as well as expressions and body language in this nearly wordless role.

Executive Decision (1996)

The last movie on our recommendations list is Executive Decision, an action thriller directed by Stuart Bird. The film mixes military action, espionage, and suspense to great effect. It’s one of the better “Die Hard on an airplane” movies of the 1990s. Kurt Russell plays an intelligence analyst who is thrust into an impossible situation: board a plane filled with terrorists while it’s already in the air.

Thanks for coming into the store today. Let me know what you think of my staff picks!

Hello, and welcome to my debut episode! My name is Ken, a writer, illustrator & animator from Vancouver — and I’m excited to join the Video Store Podcast staff. If you have kids in your life looking for a great film to watch this summer, or to enjoy as a family with mass quantities of popcorn, listen close! I’ve got some you may have never heard of, but will definitely want to see.

ZATHURA: A Space Adventure (2005)

If you’ve seen any of the JUMANJI movies, this is the same kind of idea — but in space! Two brothers discover a board game that comes to life and hurls them into the far reaches of the galaxy, where they must battle hungry space aliens, meteors, a killer robot, and other dangers. The only way to get home is to finish the game, if they can survive!

Earth to Echo (2014)

If you like STRANGER THINGS, you’ll get a kick out of this adventure. It’s like E.T. meets THE GOONIES shot with cel phones, in a found-footage style. A group of friends are getting ready to move out of their neighborhood when they discover a tiny robot in the desert who needs to get home. Perfect for projecting onto a sheet in your backyard under the stars.

Riddle of Fire (2024)

An amazing indie gem where a band of kids called The Three Immortal Reptiles go on an adventure in the woods to outwit a band of criminals called The Enchanted Blade. Delightfully weird with a dungeon-synth soundtrack, this film feels like a throwback to Disney adventure films of the ‘70s with some GOONIES and LORD OF THE RINGS elements. Disclaimer: some mild profanity and kids cussing.

SKETCH (2025)

Amber and Jack are two kids grieving the death of their mother, and Amber draws scary monsters to cope with her sadness. When they discover a magic pond in their backyard that heals or brings anything that touches it to life, it’s a recipe for chaos and adventure. This is an amazing film that more families really need to see. A cocktail of giant monsters, chase sequences, battle scenes, and personified metaphors for emotions of fear, sadness and grief, it’s been described as JURASSIC PARK meets INSIDE OUT — but also with a touch of its own unique genius.

Thanks for joining us at the Video Store Podcast for some kids’ adventure recommendations! Let me know what you think of them!

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Summer is here and we’re staying indoors instead of sweating it out. We’re keeping it cool in the A/C and with some chilling horror anthology TV to help us get through the long summer days. Here are 4 horror anthology series I’ve picked for our staff picks will this week.

Tales from the Darkside (1983)

What could’ve been Creepshow: The Series became Tales from the Darkside. Created by Night of the Living Dead director George A. Romero and horror producer Richard P. Rubinstein, Tales from the Darkside is a half-hour horror anthology show filled with practical effects, and crazy good folks in the director’s chair and the writer’s room. I recommend the pilot episode, “Trick or Treat” starring Barnard Hughes, if you want a good flavor for this series.

Freddy’s Nightmares (1988)

Spun off from the A Nightmare on Elm Street franchise, Freddy’s Nightmares gave many parents nightmares with its dark, disturbing, violent, and scary content being aired in syndication on broadcast TV where just anyone could watch it! Robert Englund reprises his role as Freddy Krueger and opens and closes each episode with some framing narration. The episode I think you should check out to get a taste for the show is “Killer Instinct,” which stars the great Lori Petty. It’s eerie, creepy, and frankly a bit disturbing. If you’re down for a good scare or just a big A Nightmare on Elm Street fan, Freddy’s Nightmares is well worth your time.

The Outer Limits (1995)

The 1995 The Outer Limits revival is an incredible cavalcade of acclaimed science fiction and horror writers, directors, and actors. Lasting for 152 episodes and seven seasons, The Outer Limits (1995) far outstripped its predecessor, and offers viewers a fascinating and often poignant exploration of human topics through the lens of science fiction horror. There are so many episodes I could point to for great examples from this series, but one of my favorites is the season 4 episode, “Glyphic.” Starring Rachael Leigh Cook, Brad Swaile, written by Naren Shankar, and directed by the late, great Catherine O’Hara, this is a fascinating episode that deals with an unexplainable disease with an out-of-this-world solution.

The New Scooby-Doo Movies (1972)

Finally, The New Scooby-Doo Movies from 1972 rounds out my selections for the staff picks wall this week. No, it’s not exactly what comes to mind when you think of anthology horror TV, but hear me out, I think it is. It follows in the anthology horror TV format of new guest stars every week, a new monster or ghost to figure out, a bit of mystery to uncover, but it’s wrapped in an animated comedy package. It’s anthology horror that’s fun for everyone, be they adults, kids, or teens. And it also serves as a good chaser if you need something more lighthearted after the first three recommendations. While I literally enjoy every episode of The New Scooby-Doo Movies, I think “The Loch Ness Mess” featuring The Harlem Globetrotters is one of the more interesting, if not strange episodes of the series.

Thanks for joining us at the Video Store Podcast for some more summer spookies! If you like these, check out my episode last year for four more Summer Spookies, perfect for this time of year.

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