The VHS Strikes Back

This week’s VHS Strikes Back pick comes courtesy of our Patreon supporter Tony Farina, who’s chosen the cult classic Death Race 2000 from 1975. Produced by the legendary Roger Corman, the film was made on a shoestring budget of around $300,000 and shot in just a few weeks — a hallmark of Corman’s efficient, low-cost production style. Director Paul Bartel brought a tongue-in-cheek, satirical flair to the project, blending dark comed...

This next movie pick comes from VHS Strikes Back Patreon Matt Bates, and he’s chosen a gritty, bloody, and proudly British cult favourite: Dog Soldiers (2002). Directed by Neil Marshall in his feature debut, this film has become a fan-favourite among horror and action enthusiasts alike, thanks to its blend of pitch-black humour, practical effects, and relentless werewolf mayhem. It’s a howling good time—and an ambitious low-budget ...

This week’s stitch-up comes courtesy of Dave, who’s chosen Universal Soldier II: Brothers in Arms from 1998. A made-for-TV sequel to the 1992 cult hit Universal Soldier, this entry was produced by Trimark Pictures and aired as part of a two-part Canadian-American miniseries.

Rather than bringing back Jean-Claude Van Damme and Dolph Lundgren, the production recast the lead roles with Matt Battaglia and Andrew Jackson, respectively. F...

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 Do...

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...

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...

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...

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... ...

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 Fant...

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 sugges...

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 b...

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://lette...

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 premis...

Young Dave, armed with a love for Star Wars and a soft spot for everyone's favourite scruffy-looking nerf herder, thought he was in for another dose of Han Solo heroics when switching on Blade runner. What he got instead was something a little moodier, a lot rainier, and less exciting than Songs of Praise.

The production of Blade Runner (1982) was as tumultuous and moody as the rain-soaked, neon-lit world it depicted. Directed by Ri...

After a slow start in the year of the Stichup ,Chris has gone full throttle by picking Maximum Overdrive — Stephen King's chaotic leap into the director’s chair!

Maximum Overdrive marks Stephen King’s one and only time in the director’s chair — and it shows. What was meant to be a thrilling blend of horror and action instead turned into a loud, chaotic mess that careened off the rails almost as quickly as the film’s killer machines....

This week we’re diving into a cult classic — Escape from the Planet of the Apes — and it’s all thanks to our great Patreon supporter, Leigh! Leigh’s not just a top supporter; he also runs a fantastic YouTube channel called Movie Vent where he shares his love for all things cinema with Ventriloquist dummy, Ned. Check it out at youtube.com/@ventmovies.

Escape from the Planet of the Apes (1971) marked a clever shift in the Planet of th...

Kicking things off with a blast of ‘80s nostalgia, we’re taking on the 1986 BMX cult classic RAD, chosen by our newest Patreon supporter, Nick Bray! Packed with insane bike tricks and a Daniel LaRusso from Wish! Huge thanks to Nick for picking this one, time to dust off the old bike and practice some bunny hops.

RAD was born out of the mid-1980s BMX biking craze, with Hollywood eager to capture the spirit of the sport just as skateb...

New Patreon supporter Greig has reached back into the 1970's for his first pick and it from the year of the gang movie, 1979's The Wanderers!

The production of The Wanderers (1979), directed by Philip Kaufman and co-written with his wife Rose Kaufman, was an adaptation of Richard Price’s debut novel. Set in the Bronx of 1963, the film aimed to authentically portray the era's street gang culture. Filming took place on location in var...

There can be only one! Well, unless there's a bunch of money up for grabs in making a sequel! Or that was the plan at last. Dave's next entry for the year of the stitch-up is the 1991 sequel to the cult classic, Highlander II: The Quickening.

The production of Highlander II: The Quickening is often cited as a masterclass in cinematic chaos. Shot primarily in Argentina, the film was plagued by financial problems from the outset. The ...