Video Store Podcast

Welcome, all True Believers, to another episode of the Video Store Podcast. This week, I’ve got four films showcasing the superhero genre, long before the big superhero boom of the late 90s/early 00s that’s still going strong today. Put on your mask, your spandex, and join me on the couch for a movie marathon that’s, well, super!

Batman: The Movie (1966)

First up is Batman: The Movie from 1966. A spinoff of the popular TV show, this theatrical film is one for the ages. Still fun and funny, Batman: The Movie is a film t...

We love our automobiles here in America. We love driving cars and fixing up cars… but not every experience on the open road is a good one. This week I’m recommending four road trip films that turn out to be bad trips.

Duel (1971)

David Mann is just trying to make his way through a lone desert highway when he begins being tormented by an 18-wheeler for no apparent reason. Despite Mann’s attempts to outrun, outmaneuver, and outsmart his pursuer, he is unable to get away. If Duel sounds a little like Jaws but with c...

This week, I’m pulling four titles off the shelf that all deal with prehistoric humans in some form. They’re all very different films. Some take the subject seriously, others just go for laughs. What they share is a central idea of how humans interact with one another. Whether it's science labs, high schools, or the open world, these movies all find something worthwhile to focus on.

Caveman (1981)

Directed by Carl Gottlieb (who co-wrote Jaws), this one’s a straight-up comedy. It stars Ringo Starr, Barbara Bach, Dennis Quaid, and Shelley Long, all speaking in a m...

Welcome back to another episode of the Video Store Podcast, where we love sharing about the films that mean the most to us. Today, in honor of my fortieth birthday, I’m going to share with you four of the films that have shaped my life in varying ways. I hope you enjoy these films as much as I do, or at minimum, appreciate why I appreciate them.

Sleeping Beauty (1959)

First up is the 1959 Disney animated classic, Sleeping Beauty. This is perhaps the most gorgeous animated film Disney has ever produced. Nearly a de...

From the dawn of time, man has been fascinated by the stars and what — or more importantly, who — is out there. Unsurprisingly, from the dawn of filmmaking, Hollywood has been also been fascinated by visiting (and visitors from) other worlds. One of the earliest silent films, A Trip to the Moon, was about shooting astronauts to the moon (using a cannon) and the alien creatures they find. There are countless movies about aliens and here are four I think you should watch.

Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)

Roy Neary’s life is turned...

This week on The Video Store Podcast, I’m recommending four films that are all about films and filmmaking in one way or another. Some are about the industry. Some about obsession with its product. All are worth watching.

The Stunt Man (1980) – Directed by Richard Rush. This film took nearly a decade to get made. It’s about a fugitive who ends up working as a stuntman on a chaotic film set. Peter O'Toole plays the eccentric director. The film is known for how it blurs the line between what’s real and what’s staged, both for the ch...

Welcome to Camp Video Store Podcast! While we’re not actually going to camp, we are getting your summer started off the right way with some summer-themed horror movies. We hope you packed your sleeping bag, your flashlight, and a big bowl of popcorn. Here are four films that give us the Summer Spookies.

Friday the 13th (1980)

The second of the big three slashers, Friday the 13th, gave us Jason and a summer full of terror. It’s an iconic horror film for a reason, and the summer camp setting makes it a fantastic first choi...

Shortly after graduating high school, Ed Gale — who stood 3’4” tall — left Michigan with $40 in his pocket and went to Hollywood. Gale said his goal was never to become a leading man, but to make a living as a working actor… and that he did, appearing in more than 200 television shows, commercials, and films. Upon arriving in Hollywood the first role he was offered was none other than Howard the Duck — a role he was originally told he was “too tall for.” Gale continued to work up until his passing in May of 2025.

On this episode I’m recommending...

This week I’m recommending four crime films from the 1970s and early 80s. Each one centers on a planned job, bank heists, robberies, break-ins, and none of them go smoothly. The tone across these films is lean, serious, and focused on the people involved more than the action. There’s a lot of attention to detail, and they hold up well.

Charley Varrick (1973)

Directed by Don Siegel. Walter Matthau plays a bank robber who ends up in the crosshairs of something bigger than expected. Matthau had just done more comedic work at the time, so t...

Welcome back to another edition of the Video Store Podcast! We’re celebrating Memorial Day weekend with four films that might not have made your typical holiday weekend watchlist.

Captain America (1990)

You may have heard of Reb Brown, Chris Evans, Anthony Mackie, and Carl Lumbly, but you may have missed Matt Salinger. This overlooked Captain America film isn’t highly rated, and yet boasts 2 Oscar nominees, an Emmy nominee, and Captain Jellico from Star Trek: The Next Generation. It’s an oddity of early Marvel films, but one worth watching at least once.

M...

I grew up on Route 66 and have road trips in my veins. I’ve driven all over this great country, visited every single state and seen thousands of interesting things. Nothing inspires me more than a good road trip film — if you’re the same way, check out one of this week’s recommendations. All of the my picks on this week’s list are pretty well known, which makes them so much fun to revisit. If you haven’t seen one or all of them in a few years, what better time to revisit them?

Pee-wee’s...

This week on the podcast, I’m recommending four sports movies from the 1970s. These aren’t the usual titles you hear brought up. Some are a bit strange, some are just overlooked. All of them are worth checking out.

Slap Shot (1977)

Directed by George Roy Hill, who also did The Sting and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Paul Newman plays the player-coach of a struggling minor league hockey team. The film is known for its rough humor and violence on the ice. It was written by Nancy Dowd, based on her brother’s experi...

Make a date with the Video Store Podcast this Prom season. We’ve selected four of our favorite films to enjoy on prom night, either with a date or your friend group. And I bet your friends aren’t made of plastic either.

Prom Night (1980)

Even if you had a bad prom night, I guarantee your prom night didn’t go quite as bad as it did for the folks in Prom Night from 1980. What would otherwise be an uneventful 1980s slasher is brought to life as a pulsing disco-veneered horror flick. Starring Leslie...

Welcome back, custmers! I recently took a vacation from the video store to go on a cruise with my wife. I’ve had cruises on the brain ever since, so what better time to recommend some of my favorite films that take place on ships!

OVERBOARD (1987)

Handyman and single-father Dean Proffitt sees an opportunity to get even with a pompous heiress named Joanna after an accident leaves her with amnesia. Dean takes advantage of the woman’s lack of memory and convinces her that she is his wife and the mother of his four...

This week on The Video Store Podcast, I’m recommending four offbeat cop films that have stuck with me over the years. These films can be funny, gritty, offbeat, and sometimes kind of chaotic in the best way possible. So what movies am I recommending?

Running Scared (1986) – Billy Crystal and Gregory Hines as two wisecracking Chicago detectives. This one’s got a great mix of comedy and action, and it leans into that mid-80s buddy cop energy without taking itself too seriously. Michael McDonald’s “Sweet Freedom” is on the soundtrack, which feels like a time capsule in i...

Welcome back to the Video Store Podcast and a happy belated Record Store Day to you! Since you hang out at the Video Store, you are obviously a fan of physical media, and I hope that includes vinyl records. I’ve selected four films this week that look at films featuring records and record stores.

High Fidelity (2000)

First up is High Fidelity featuring John Cusack, Iben Hjejle, Todd Luiso, Jack Black, Lisa Bonet, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Joan Cusack, and Tim Robbins. Reeling from a big break-up with Laura (Iben Hjejle), Rob Gordon (John Cusack), recounts to th...

Welcome back to the Video Store Podcast! Our little store recently celebrated two separate milestones! Not only does March mark the one year anniversary of our fun little podcast, but this just so happens to be the 50th episode of the show, which means I (Rob "Flack" O'Hara), Ashley Thomas, and The Retroist have officially recommended 200 films for your viewing enjoyment. U hope you returned them all on time.

For this week’s show I had planned to do something that coincided with our show’s anniversary… and right as I was walking the store’s aisles...

Welcome back to another edition of the Video Store Podcast. In honor of Women’s History Month, I’ve selected four films featuring what I like to call “Wonder Women.” These are women who are brave, kind, strong, and all-around wonderful. This isn’t meant to be an exhaustive list—simply four films that resonate with me personally as a woman, and you should watch, whether you’re a woman or not.

Fried Green Tomatoes (1991)

First up is the 1991 Oscar-nominated film, Fried Green Tomatoes. The film stars Mary Stuart Masterson, Mary-Louise Parker, Kathy Bates, and Jessica Tandy...

This week, I’m recommending four movies that have some connection to Ireland, whether through folklore, setting, or just a certain Irish sensibility. There’s a mix of fantasy, horror, family-friendly adventure, and romantic drama, so no matter what you’re in the mood for, you might find something here to check out.

The Secret of Roan Inish (1994) – A quiet, beautifully filmed story about a girl uncovering her family’s past on a small Irish island. Directed by John Sayles, it weaves folklore into everyday life in a way that feels completely natural. The cinematography captures the beauty of...

Welcome to another episode of the Video Store Podcast. Inspired by a wild kung-fu brawl that recently took place in the street in front of the video store, I decided to recommend four kung-fu style films. None of these will win many points for their creative plots, but all of them are fun to watch with popcorn and friends. An alcoholic beverage or two might not hurt, either.

Big Trouble in Little China (1986)

Big Trouble in Little China is probably the most mainstream movie on this week’s episode. As a teenager this wa...

Welcome to this week’s episode of The Video Store Podcast . This week, I’m focusing on animated movies that lean into darker themes and mature storytelling. These aren’t your typical Saturday morning cartoons or Disney films. They’re imaginative, ambitious, and not afraid to explore the more complicated corners of life.

Let’s dive into the four films I’m recommending this week.

1. Watership Down (1978)

This adaptation of Richard Adams’ novel is often remembered for its striking animation and unflinching depiction of survival. On the surface, it’s a story about rabbits searchin...

Welcome back to another episode of the Video Store Podcast! Valentine’s Day may have come and gone, but we’re still feeling the love at the Video Store. I’ve selected four films this week that love love so much that even the romance denier in your life will melt like so many boxes of chocolate in the noonday sun.

Miss Congeniality (2000)

Put on your dress and strap on your gun, it’s time for Miss Congeniality. Sandra Bullock stars as FBI Agent Gracie Hart, who must go undercover at the Miss United States Beauty P...

Welcome back to the Video Store! Valentine’s Day is almost upon us and if you’re here looking for movie selections instead of out buying flowers or making dinner reservations, then sir or madam, I salute you.

For this week’s episode of the show I’ve picked four movies that feature unconventional relationships. After browsing the stores aisles looking for this week’s film recommendations, I ended up rewatching all four of these movies (a couple of which I hadn’t seen in decades) and for the most part they have all aged well.

Welcome back to The Video Store Podcast. This week, I’ve curated a lineup of films that capture different aspects of Los Angeles: its humor, its struggles, its danger, and its intrigue. Whether you’re a longtime fan of these movies or discovering them for the first time, I think they’re worth your time. Here’s what we’re watching this week:

L.A. Story (1991)

Steve Martin stars in and wrote this quirky romantic comedy that doubles as a love letter to Los Angeles. It’s full of surreal humor, like talking freeway signs, and it pokes...

Welcome back to another edition of the Video Store Podcast. This week, get your BFFs together for a movie marathon focusing on Film Friendships. I’ve selected four films for the staff picks wall, highlighting my favorite best buds and friendships forged in fire. I also answer the age-old question, “Can men and women really be friends?” Let’s dig in.

Stand by Me (1986)

First up is Rob Reiner’s 1986 coming-of-age classic, Stand by Me. Starring Wil Wheaton, River Phoenix, Corey Feldman, Jerry O’Connell, and Keifer Sutherland, Stand by Me is a classic focusing on the frien...

Greetings, customers. Last week, the world lost one of our boldest creators, the one and only David Lynch. On this episode of the Video Store Podcast, I recommend four of David Lynch’s “most Lynchian” films. In the episode I explain why I didn’t pick anything related to Twin Peaks or some of Lynch’s more mainstream films, including The Elephant Man and Dine.

In this episode you’ll hear me use the phrase “these films are not for everybody” which I want to emphasize does not imply any sort of film snobbery or elitism. As I sa...

Welcome to another episode of The Video Store Podcast, where each week we pull some movies off the shelf and recommend a few you might want to watch. This week’s theme is sports comedies, specifically some great ones from the '80s that still hold up. If you’re in the mood for underdogs, quirky characters, and a lot of laughs, these films should hit the spot.

The Best of Times (1986)

This one often flies under the radar, but it shouldn’t. Starring Robin Williams and Kurt Russell, it’s a heartfelt comedy about reliving...

Happy New Year! Shoot off the fireworks, toot the noisemakers, and make yourself a nice plate of black-eyed peas, collard greens, and cornbread. Do you have any resolutions this year? A word or mantra for the year? No? Well, you’re in luck. We’re here to help with that by way of four movie recommendations.

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986)

First up is the 1986 John Hughes comedy classic, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. The real righteous dudes in the audience will know why this film has a great movie mantra, but if you don’t, you’re...

Happy New Year! While I know not everyone makes new year resolutions, at the end of every year I personally like to reflect on the previous year and, more importantly, correct course and find ways to succeed in the future. On this week’s episode I have picked four movies in which regular people just like you and me are presented with unique opportunities and are able to seize the day. If the characters in these films can find success, so can you!

First up is UHF (1989), starring Weird Al Yankovic. In UHF, George Newman (Ya...

Welcome back to The Video Store Podcast, where each week I recommend four films I think you should check out. This week, I’ve picked a mix of holiday movies that range from heartwarming to hilariously chaotic. Whether you’re looking for some nostalgia, laughs, or a little Christmas chaos, these films have something to offer. First up is…

One Magic Christmas (1985)

This film has a quiet charm that’s perfect for the holiday season. Starring Mary Steenburgen, it tells a story of family, second chances, and finding the true spirit of Christmas. What’s interestin...

Merry Christmas from all of us here at the Video Store Podcast! I’ve picked out a few lesser-known Christmas specials from Rankin/Bass for this week’s show.

The first is The Leprechaun’s Christmas Gold from 1981. Originally conceived as a St. Patrick’s Day special, this story was reimagined as a Christmas special for ABC. Join sailor Dinty Doyle as he works to guard the Leprechaun’s gold from the evil banshee, Mag the Hag.

Next is 1974’s ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas, starring George Gobel, Joel Grey, and Tammy Grimes. Clockmaker Joshua Trundle has ma...

Season’s Greetings!

After this episode of the Video Store Podcast some of you may be wondering about my sanity. (I know my mother does.) Listen, I love Christmas films — I really do! I grew up on all those Rankin-Bass specials and classic Christmas movies… but after watching a dozen Hallmark specials in a row, don’t you wish that at least once a fight would break out and someone would carve more than the turkey? No? Oh, dear. Maybe my mother was right. On this episode I share four horror-themed Christmas classics.

First up...

Welcome to The Video Store Podcast. Each week, I recommend four films you might want to check out, whether you're looking for something to rent or just want to expand your movie knowledge. This week, I’m diving into a themes that are timeless and relatable: rebellion, youth, and the struggles of growing up. The four films I’m highlighting are Over the Edge (1979), Times Square (1980), River’s Edge (1986), and Pump Up the Volume (1990).

Over the Edge (1979)

This cult classic explores suburban boredom and teenage rebellion. It was loosely inspired by a real-life incident in Califo...

Welcome back to a Thanksgiving Edition of the Video Store Podcast! We’ve selected a veritable cornucopia of Thanksgiving-themed specials and films for you to watch this week, so make a plate and join us for a feast of fun and festive Thanksgiving recommendations.

First up is Garfield’s Thanksgiving from 1989. This delightful special puts Garfield on a diet, sees Jon and Liz on their first date, and will give you a belly full of laughter. It also brings back a fan-favorite character from the Garfield and Friends animated series and other Garfield specials—Grandma, voiced by the la...

Welcome back to the Video Store Podcast! Next week is Thanksgiving, a holiday many of us celebrate by spending time with our families… whether we want to or not. Can you believe my family banned me from bringing the mashed potatoes just because of the time I piled them up into the shape of a mountain and screamed “THIS MEANS SOMETHING” while serving them? My family has no sense of humor. Or appreciation for Close Encounters of the Third Kind.

On this week’s episode I decided to share a few family films… not necessarily films made for famili...

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 curious about Errol Flynn’s big break, Captain Blood is the...

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 Bride. Cozy up with the whole family for th...

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 the time...

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 influential. It features five stories, all connected by a group of s...

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. We’ve selected four of these Spooky Disney films for the staff pick...