This week on The Video Store Podcast, we're diving into some adventurous waters with four pirate films you might not have rented yet, but are worth a look. These films span decades, showing how Hollywood has captured the allure of swashbuckling adventures over time. Whether you're a fan of classic Hollywood, musicals, or big-budget ‘90s action, I’ve picked a lineup that I think captures the spirit of the genre in different ways. Here’s what’s on this episode: Captain Blood (1935) If you’re...

Welcome to the first episode of November for the Video Store Podcast! For this week’s show, I’ve picked four films that are the definition of a cozy sweater or favorite blanket. These are comfort films for the fall season that are easy to watch and fun for just about everyone. First up is the always fun film from 1987, The Princess Bride, directed by Rob Reiner and written by William Goldman. Full of action, adventure, humor, and romance, there’s truly something for everyone in The Princess...

Hi! Welcome back to the Video Store Podcast. I’m not going to lie, I’m on thin ice with management. I thought I was doing our customers a favor by swapping out all our copies of Jurassic Park with Velocipastor, and dubbing my own commentary track on all our copies of Titanic. In an attempt to get back in good graces with the manager, I humbly offer up these family friendly animated Halloween specials for your viewing pleasure. (I also happen to really like all of these specials.) First up is...

Welcome back to The Video Store Podcast, where every week I recommend four films for you to rent from the video store this week. Today, we’re diving into the world of classic horror anthologies. These are films that tell several stories within one, often with a framing device that ties everything together. If you’re a fan of short, chilling tales, this episode is for you. First up is Dead of Night from 1945. This British film is one of the earliest horror anthologies and remains highly...

Welcome back to another episode of the Video Store Podcast, where we’re in full Halloween mode! We’re taking a walk down memory lane this week in the comforting archives of Disney. Well, perhaps comforting isn’t the right word for these films. There was an era of Disney where they seemed to relish making more edgy and spooky films. These films are perfect for dipping your toe in the water of the horror genre, or if you’re looking for something off-the-beaten-path for your Halloween viewing....

Leaves are falling, the nights are getting longer, and the abandoned Chuck E. Cheese on the other side of our parking lot has temporarily become a Spirit Halloween store. It’s officially Halloween season, and this week I have four horror films to recommend that I watch every year to get me into the Halloween spirit. First on my list is Young Frankenstein, Mel Brooks’ classic Frankenstein sequel/parody released in 1974. Not all of Brooks’ films have aged well, but Young Frankenstein still...

In this episode of The Video Store Podcast, I am recommending into a mix popular and lesser-known Joe Pesci comedies from the '90s. If you're in the mood for a good laugh, these are films you might want to rent. The Super (1991): This film stars Joe Pesci as Louie Kritski, a slumlord who gets sentenced to live in one of his own run-down buildings until he fixes it up. Pesci’s performance brings humor to a story about class and redemption. This movie might not be as well-known as others from...

Welcome back to another episode of the Video Store Podcast! As baseball season is winding down, we’ve selected four more baseball films to help you get through the post-season, especially if your team isn’t looking quite as good as they were at the start. Batting first is 1988’s Bull Durham, written and directed by Ron Shelton. This film is a wonderful snapshot of minor league ball in the late 80s and reminds the audience that it’s not just about the game. It’s about figuring out who you are...

Welcome to another episode of The Video Store Podcast. Are you ready for some recommendations? This week, I am focusing on films that are perfect for anyone looking for some Dungeons & Dragons inspiration. I have got four fantastic picks: "Hawk the Slayer" (1980), "Dragonslayer" (1981), "The Sword and the Sorcerer" (1982), and "The Dungeonmaster" (1984). First up is "Hawk the Slayer." This 1980 fantasy film directed by Terry Marcel is a great watch for those who enjoy classic sword and...

Are you like me and just a little too young to have experienced firsthand some of the retro pop culture you’ve grown to love? Then I’ve got five films to help take you back to the 70s and 80s, that weren’t made during that time. These films are like me—not quite retro. First, we have It (2017) and It Chapter Two (2019), which deliver a one-two punch of horror and nostalgia. This film adaptation of Stephen King’s It moves the setting up to the late 1980s and mid-2010s, modernizing the...

I was thinking a lot about thrillers that I watched as a kid and how many of them stayed with me longer than more kid-friendly genres. It is probably because I found them confusing and it forced my kid-brain to work twice as hard trying to figure them out. On this week’s episode, I wanted to look at some of these thrillers from the 70s and 80s that stuck with me after seeing them on cable TV. They were so evocative that years later I would purposefully seek them out to fill in the...

Welcome back to a new school year and another episode of the The Video Store Podcast. Hope you’ve gathered your school supplies and movie rentals for back-to-school time. First up is a horror film that will remind you that no matter how tough your school might be, it could always be worse. It’s 1977’s Suspiria directed by Dario Argento. This classic film is the first in his Three Mothers trilogy. It’s one of those films that shows just how scary going to school can be. There’s horror,...

Welcome back to another episode of The Video Store Podcast. This week, I have some new recommendations, featuring a selection of neo-noir classics from the '70s and early '80s. These films capture the essence of the genre with their complex characters, intricate plots, and moody atmospheres. I grew up as a fan of original noir films that I would see on TV late shows and weekend film fests. So as I got older, my enjoyment of these made a lot of sense. First up is The Long Goodbye (1973),...

Welcome back to another episode of The Video Store Podcast, the podcast that really knows how to rock! 🤘 This week, we are rocking with four films featuring fictional bands. First up is the 1984 mockumentary, This is Spinal Tap. Directed by Rob Reiner, this rock mockumentary follows Spinal Tap, one of “England’s Loudest Bands” through their rise and fall. Make some popcorn and laugh along with one of the funniest films ever inducted into the Library of Congress. Next is That Thing You Do!...

Welcome to another episode of The Video Store Podcast, where we dive into some classic films you might want to add to your watchlist. This week, I dug deep into my darkest fears and selected four classic movies from the 1980s that, in one way or another, either scared or scarred me for life. My Bodyguard (1980) All Clifford Peache had to do was surrender his lunch money to school bully Moody just like everybody else to avoid being constantly tormented. Instead he refused and comes with a plan...

Welcome back to another episode of The Video Store Podcast, where we dive into some classic films you might want to add to your watchlist. This week, I am focusing on two sports, one dance and a coming-of-age story with a side of sports from the late '70s and '80s. I've picked out four films that capture the character with determination, who try to succeed despite the against them. Breaking Away (1979) This charming film follows a group of friends in Bloomington, Indiana, who are trying to...

Summer is here and it’s a great time to avoid the heat with a Monster Miniseries Marathon in the cool of the A/C with the King of Horror, Stephen King. Stephen King’s works have been adapted for many formats, but the miniseries seems to be one of the most preferred. We’ve selected four Stephen King miniseries to help you beat the heat with horror’s chill. First is one of the lesser-known Stephen King miniseries, The Langoliers (1995). This redeye flight from hell has a great ensemble cast...

Today, I am recommending a fantastic lineup of films that not only shaped the '80s, but also left a lasting impact on the sci-fi and tech genres. If you enjoy movies that feature computers, you are in for a real treat. Let’s kick things off with “Electric Dreams” from 1984. This quirky gem explores what happens when a personal computer starts to compete with its owner for the affection of his neighboring cellist. The film is known for its catchy soundtrack, featuring artists like Giorgio...

Welcome to another episode of The Video Store Podcast. Today, I am recommending a selection of films that will hopefully not only entertain, but offer a look at the blending and clashing of 1980s American and Japanese cultures. Whether you're a cinephile or just looking for something interesting, these picks will surely add some flavor to your movie night. First up, we have "Gung Ho" from 1986. Directed by Ron Howard, this comedy explores the clash of work cultures when a Japanese company...

Welcome True Believers, to another episode of The Video Store Podcast. Today, we are looking back at the wealth of Marvel films that preceded the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Whether you’re a Marvel Maniac or new to Marvel, we’ve got a great list of films sure to help you get your Marvel fix. First up, we look at the first of several backdoor TV pilots, Dr. Strange (1978). This film gives us an origin story for Dr. Steven Strange, the new Sorcerer Supreme, pitting him against the evil Morgan...

Welcome back to The Video Store Podcast, where we dust off the shelves of cinematic history to bring you some of the most engaging flicks you might have missed or perhaps want to revisit. Today, we're diving into a selection of films where action, suspense, and unforgettable characters light up the screen in ways only the '80s could manage, with a slight spillover into '89. So, grab your popcorn and let's get into it. First up, we have 'Shoot to Kill' from 1988. This one's a thrilling mix of...

Welcome back to another episode of The Video Store Podcast! Today, we’re taking a swing at a lineup of classic baseball movies that capture the spirit of the game and the stories that warm the hearts of its fans. Whether you’re a fan of the game or just love a good underdog story, these films are sure to hit a home run. First up, we have The Bad News Bears (1976), a true classic that combines humor and heart in equal measure. This film tells the story of a ragtag group of misfit Little...

Welcome back to another episode of The Video Store Podcast, your go-to spot for film recommendations. Today we're jetting off to Australia to uncover some wild and wonderful cult classics from Down Under. I hoped you packed some snacks, because you are in for a wild ride through Ozploitation cinema! First up on our list is Patrick (1978). This chilling thriller dives into the bizarre story of Patrick, a comatose hospital patient who possesses telekinetic powers. Directed by Richard Franklin,...

Welcome back to another episode of The Video Store Podcast, where we dust off the shelves of our beloved cinematic archives to recommend our favorite films. This week, we're diving into the realm of 80s science fiction, a time when storytelling met groundbreaking (and sometimes questionable) special effects. So, grab your popcorn, because we have a lineup that's sure to teleport you back to a golden age of sci-fi. First on our list is "The Philadelphia Experiment" (1984). This film takes us...