Video CULTure artwork

Video CULTure

97 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 2 years ago - ★★★★ - 8 ratings

A walk through the video rental store aisles of yesteryear as Ryan and Matthew revisit some our favorite movies from the past.

TV & Film Society & Culture
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Episodes

Season 3 Retrospective

January 05, 2022 13:14 - 56 minutes - 51.6 MB

We've reached the end of 2021 (finally) and the end of our third season! Can you believe it? We are celebrating like always by looking back at all the films we've officially covered on the show this past year and their lasting impact on us. Listen in as we discuss our third year as we look forward to a fourth!

Holiday Stoner Trilogy Cappers (A VERY HAROLD AND KUMAR CHRISTMAS & FRIDAY AFTER NEXT)

December 21, 2021 16:10 - 1 hour - 59.2 MB

Happy holidays! If there is one tradition we love it’s Christmas movies around the holidays. Sometimes though, it’s nice to watch something that is a little less than traditional Christmas fare… And we definitely have that here with these two stoner comedy “part 3” films that just happen to take place during Christmas! Haven’t seen the other films in the series? Who cares! Jokes are jokes! So, let’s light up (a nice Yule log fire), kick back, and dream of a “green” Christmas together!

Chevy Chase, Man of Action? (FOUL PLAY & SPIES LIKE US)

November 02, 2021 14:16 - 1 hour - 181 MB

He's Chevy Chase, and we're not. We mostly know him as "Clark W. Griswold" from the Vacation series and as the king of awkward, sarcastic humor. An early SNL cast favorite, there is no one that does banter like Chevy. Join in as Matt and Ryan discuss two of Chevy's films - one popular at the time ...but not so much today, and the other a 1980's comedy classic.

Ghostbusters… no, not *those* guys (THE FRIGHTENERS & BEETLEJUICE)

October 19, 2021 14:16 - 2 hours - 114 MB

Halloween is just around the corner and we thought now is the perfect time to talk about some unconventional ghost stories! We are discussing two horror-comedies that have people trying to battle spirits… who kind of stink at it! We are joined again for this episode by Video CULTure’s own Patrick Bartlett.

John Carpenter’s Escape (ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK & ESCAPE FROM L.A.)

October 05, 2021 19:26 - 1 hour - 92.1 MB

We have made it to episode 70! And just like we do every ten episodes we are talking about a movie and its sequel. This time we are talking about John Carpenter’s iconic protagonist, played by the legendary Kurt Russell, Snake Plissken! To help us with that we are joined by Video CULTure’s staff writer (and Carpenter superfan) Patrick Bartlett.

Steve Martin (ROXANNE & BOWFINGER)

September 21, 2021 14:43 - 1 hour - 62.2 MB

Steve Martin. We love him. You love him. So, let’s talk about two of his starring roles that really illustrate why we think he’s the greatest.

Thieves (THIEF OF HEARTS & Michael Mann’s THIEF)

September 07, 2021 14:23 - 1 hour - 90.7 MB

In this episode, we are talking about two movies that have a weird central element, lonely thieves, but that couldn’t be more different. Well, except for the fact that they both also have great soundtracks. One’s a timeless classic, the other is all but forgotten… and we go deep on just why that is.

Sam The Man! (CHANGING LANES & THE LONG KISS GOODNIGHT)

August 24, 2021 14:59 - 1 hour - 83.8 MB

We are finally talking all about the legendary Samuel L. Jackson on the show. We are focusing our discussion about one of the coolest actors in the game by talking about one of his classic performances and one that is too often slept on by audiences. This is one you don’t want to miss!

Blue-collar Emilio Estevez (MEN AT WORK & REPO MAN)

August 10, 2021 16:59 - 1 hour - 74.8 MB

It’s another “T.V. Party” here at the show as we talk about the 80s punk rock/sci-fi/blue-collar classic REPO MAN and the 90s cable mainstay comedy MEN AT WORK both starring the under appreciated Emilio Estevez!

Ancient Warriors in Modern Times (SPARTAN & RONIN)

July 27, 2021 12:04 - 1 hour - 83.9 MB

In this episode, we talk about two action films with more on their minds than just gunfire and car chases! Don’t get us wrong, that stuff is involved but these two films, the classic Robert DeNiro-starring RONIN and the criminally under-seen SPARTAN (starring Val Kilmer), have a lot more going on than just that and we are going to break it all down for you! So set your (redacted) to receive and listen in!

Rewind Episode – “Surveillance” (SNEAKERS & THE CONVERSATION)

July 13, 2021 14:19 - 1 hour - 86.7 MB

The show is on a brief hiatus. So, during this time we are replaying favorite episodes from our archives with brand-new introductions about why these episodes were chosen. New episodes will be returning soon! *Original Synopsis: More than just our audience is listening in on this episode as we talk about films featuring surveillance teams! That’s right, the phones are tapped and the mics are hot as we talk about, the classic Francis Ford Coppola paranoid thriller, THE CONVERSATION! We then l...

Rewind Episode – “Comedy in Radio & TV” (UHF & AIRHEADS)

June 29, 2021 14:27 - 1 hour - 68.2 MB

The show is on a brief hiatus. So, during this time we are replaying favorite episodes from our archives with brand-new introductions about why these episodes were chosen. New episodes will be returning soon! *Original Synopsis: We’re taking over the airwaves on this episode as Ryan & Matt take a look at the classic ‘UHF’ (starring Weird Al!) and the 90’s rocker ‘Airheads’! Listen in as the guys heap praise on Al & talk about their love for 90s rock. Also, in this episode, we learn a little...

Summer Vacation with John Candy (SUMMER RENTAL & THE GREAT OUTDOORS)

June 15, 2021 14:32 - 1 hour - 69.4 MB

Well, the summer season is starting and that has got us thinking about vacation! No, we aren’t talking about *those* vacation movies but we are returning to one of our all-time favorite funnymen, the immortal John Candy, to talk about two slightly more obscure 1980s summer vacation comedies! We are discussing 1985’s SUMMER RENTAL and then THE GREAT OUTDOORS (co-starring Dan Ackroyd) from 1988! It’s fun in the sun with one of comedy’s greats! 

Fantasy by Jim Henson (THE DARK CRYSTAL & LABYRINTH)

June 01, 2021 14:40 - 1 hour - 65.2 MB

This episode is all about puppets! Or should that be “muppets” (?) ...and also David Bowie is in there too. Yep, things get a little strange as we talk about the two 1980s live-action fantasy films from the Jim Henson Workshop. Talk of great music, slow film pacing, and childhood trauma abound! Won’t you join us? We promise not to make you go through a hedge maze or touch a creepy puppet.

Watch-Along 3! (Featuring BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA)

May 18, 2021 14:27 - 1 hour - 61.4 MB

It’s time for another watch-along with the guys at the show! The movie of choice this time around is the John Carpenter-directed action/comedy classic BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA! Ryan and Matt talk all about the film while actually watching it together. So fire up your own copy of this hard to define cult classic and join in ... oh, and remember, it’s all in the reflexes!

“A Very Special Episode” (THE LAST BLOCKBUSTER)

May 04, 2021 14:11 - 1 hour - 64 MB

For this episode, we are breaking one of our fundamental rules for the show and reviewing a recently released film! Now we would only do this for something special and we thought a documentary about the rise and fall of the video store industry fit the bill perfectly. We will be talking all about the 2020 documentary THE LAST BLOCKBUSTER but we don’t just limit ourselves to that film. It quickly turns into a discussion of nostalgia and a truly bygone era. So, listen in and get nostalgic with...

Four Twenty (FRIDAY & NEXT FRIDAY)

April 20, 2021 14:20 - 1 hour - 66.5 MB

It’s Four Twenty! You ain’t got no job. You ain’t got s#*+ to do. So, why not listen to our podcast about these two classic 90s stoner comedies starring Ice Cube? C’mon… it’ll be fun… and you know this, maaaan!

Endless Love From Beyond The Grave (GHOST & ALWAYS)

April 06, 2021 14:30 - 1 hour - 66.4 MB

Love from beyond the grave is the topic of this episode as we discuss the 1989 Steven Spielberg film ALWAYS and the 1990 smash hit GHOST! We’ll be talking all about Patrick Swayze, Demi Moore, Whoopi Goldberg, Holly Hunter (again!), John Goodman, and more! 

Wes Anderson (BOTTLE ROCKET & RUSHMORE)

March 23, 2021 14:30 - 1 hour - 84.7 MB

Lovelorn underachievers? Meticulous set layouts? Impeccable needle-drops? We must be talking about the films of director Wes Anderson on this episode. Come join us. Together we can save Latin… or at least avoid getting bullied by Future Man.

Sci-Fi Sly! (Sly-Fi?) (DEMOLITION MAN & JUDGE DREDD)

March 09, 2021 15:30 - 1 hour - 94.3 MB

WE ARE THE LAW!… uhh well, not really. We are still just two guys talking about movies and this time we are finally talking about the iconic Sylvester Stallone. We decided to narrow our look at his movies down to just the two science fiction films he made in the mid-90s. We made this choice solely because of the jokey title that we could use for this episode. Join us and let’s talk about these two action relics from our past that are about our future… and our future past? 

British Crime Comedies (LOCK, STOCK AND TWO SMOKING BARRELS & SNATCH)

February 23, 2021 15:45 - 1 hour - 77.1 MB

We are going across the pond to engage in a little illicit activity as we talk about British gangster films on this week’s episode! We are focusing our trip to the virtual video store on the director who did the most to popularize this genre in the U.S., Guy Ritchie. We are looking at his first two films and more! Fancy a butcher’s?

Nicolas Cage Romantic Comedies (HONEYMOON IN VEGAS & MOONSTRUCK)

February 09, 2021 13:21 - 1 hour - 66 MB

Valentine’s Day is this week, so we thought we’d talk about something with romance in it but we are also oddballs who like to laugh. So, we thought now would be the perfect opportunity to talk about our favorite cinematic oddball again, the great Nicolas Cage, and his entries into the “RomCom” subgenre with the silly Elvis-inspired HONEYMOON IN VEGAS and the delightful award-winning MOONSTRUCK!

Mad Bombers of 1994 (BLOWN AWAY & SPEED)

January 26, 2021 15:18 - 1 hour - 73.9 MB

Pop quiz, hotshot! You have two movies, both about mad bombers released in the summer of 1994, what do you do? WHAT DO YOU DO?? Well, you could start by checking out this episode where we discuss the merits and flaws of both films: starting with the mostly forgotten BLOWN AWAY starring Jeff Bridges (in a rare “action hero” role) and Tommy Lee Jones followed by the ultra-successful SPEED starring Keanu Reeves. Which one is superior? Are both films worth your time? Listen in and find out!

Movies From the Summer of 1985

January 12, 2021 15:21 - 1 hour - 79.4 MB

Welcome to our 3rd season! Now, before we begin another trip down the virtual video store aisle, we are going to take a brief look at another part of our nostalgic film history by discussing yet another magical movie summer. The summer of 1985! So many movies that are a part of our DNA as film fans came out that year! Come hang out with us as we shoot the breeze about another amazing time in film. Oh and don’t worry, our regular format will return next time.

Season 2 Retrospective

December 08, 2020 15:19 - 1 hour - 93.9 MB

We’ve reached the end of our second season of episodes! We are celebrating by looking back at all the films we’ve officially covered on the show this year and their lasting impact on us. Listen in and help us close out our second year the way we do – by talking about movies!

Holly Hunter (BROADCAST NEWS & HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS)

November 24, 2020 15:07 - 1 hour - 79.6 MB

We here at the show think Holly Hunter is one of the great under-appreciated actresses of her generation. So in this episode of the podcast, we are watching two of her best films. First, we have the classic BROADCAST NEWS from 1987 and then, since this episode is dropping the week of Thanksgiving in the U.S., we are checking out the criminally under-seen HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS from 1995! Season 2 is almost over. So, let’s get in one more double feature before the year ends! 

Tim Burton’s Batman (BATMAN & BATMAN RETURNS)

November 10, 2020 15:06 - 1 hour - 107 MB

Batman. Arguably, the most popular superhero of all time and one who has numerous film adaptions. In this episode, we look at the ones that had the biggest impact on our childhoods- 1989’s BATMAN and, its follow up from 1992, BATMAN RETURNS. We also get into how “Batmania” swept the country in ‘89 plus a lot more!

“Kids in Danger!” aka Our Halloween Special (POLTERGEIST & THE MONSTER SQUAD)

October 27, 2020 09:30 - 1 hour - 90 MB

Happy Halloween! Is there any holiday that lends itself to movie watching more than this one? We are celebrating here with a look at two films with Halloween vibes that the whole family can enjoy that still have an edge! We are doing a double feature of 1982’s POLTERGEIST and 1987’s THE MONSTER SQUAD! Ghosts! Vampires! Wolfmen! Nards?! It’s gonna be a spooky good time! Come hang out with us!

Our Second ‘Watch Along’! (featuring WARGAMES)

October 13, 2020 10:34 - 2 hours - 116 MB

Do you want to play a game… wait, I mean watch a movie? Join us as the show does another movie watch along. This time we are checking out Ryan’s all-time favorite 1983’s WARGAMES and doing a running commentary filled with trivia and our personal histories with this Cold War classic!

Bombs Away! (FATMAN AND LITTLE BOY & THE MANHATTAN PROJECT)

September 29, 2020 13:57 - 1 hour - 76.8 MB

In this episode, we have the power… atomic power! We are discussing films all about the atomic bomb. We start with 1989’s fictionalized account of the real creation of the bombs that ended WWII, FATMAN AND LITTLE BOY. We then follow that up with 1986’s THE MANHATTAN PROJECT which is about a kid who …steals plutonium and makes his own A-bomb to win a science fair. Only in the 80s, folks!

College Angst (BREAKING AWAY & FANDANGO)

September 15, 2020 12:29 - 1 hour - 77.4 MB

Join us as we talk about that difficult transition from youth to adulthood… How are we broaching this sensitive topic? Through the prism of movies, of course! This is a movie podcast, after all. We are actually talking about two comedies that are all about transitioning from one stage of life to another. They are 1979’s BREAKING AWAY and 1985’s FANDANGO! So hop on your bike, grab a cold beer, and let’s avoid responsibility for just one more day!

Ben Stiller vs Everyone (HEAVYWEIGHTS & DODGE BALL: A TRUE UNDERDOG STORY)

September 01, 2020 06:30 - 1 hour - 67.2 MB

We love Ben Stiller here at the show and we think nobody plays a pompous jerk quite like he does. So, in this episode, we are talking all about Stiller as the bad guy squaring off against scrappy underdogs. We are doing a double feature of HEAVYWEIGHTS & DODGE BALL. If you can dodge a ball then you can listen to our podcast. That’s how that line goes, right?

Blood & Greed in the 1980s (WALL STREET & AMERICAN PSYCHO)

August 17, 2020 14:51 - 1 hour - 80.1 MB

We are heading back to the 80s in this episode as we talk about two scathing takes on the superficial greed culture of that time period with Oliver Stone’s classic WALL STREET and the grimly funny AMERICAN PSYCHO. So, put on your best suit, slick back your hair, and uhh… wait for us because we’ve got to return some videotapes.

Fake Heroes, Real Danger (THREE AMIGOS & GALAXY QUEST)

August 04, 2020 10:00 - 1 hour - 79.9 MB

We are in over our heads on this episode of Video CULTure as we talk about two movies with the very similar concept of “What happens when an actor is forced to be the hero for real?”. Yep, we are talking about THREE AMIGOS and GALAXY QUEST! Both these films are comedy classics that tell very similar stories in very different settings. Listen in as Ryan and Matt break it all down. 

Films Based On Novels About Gangs (THE OUTSIDERS & THE WARRIORS)

July 21, 2020 09:08 - 1 hour - 83.1 MB

Video CULTure podcast, come out to plaAAAaay! That’s right. In this episode, we are talking about the 1979 cult classic THE WARRIORS! Since that one is an adaptation of a novel about street gangs, we thought we’d pair it with another one: 1983’s THE OUTSIDERS. So listen in as we discuss these two beloved, strangely similar, movies… and stay gold with us!

WTF 1980s Adventure Films (THE GOLDEN CHILD & THE ADVENTURES OF BUCKAROO BANZAI ACROSS THE 8th DIMENSION)

July 07, 2020 10:22 - 1 hour - 70.6 MB

We want the knife… on this episode of Video CULTure as we talk about two very hard to classify 80s films with THE GOLDEN CHILD and THE ADVENTURES OF BUCKAROO BANZAI ACROSS THE 8th DIMENSION. Both these films have big cult followings and share some surprising connections. Listen in as Ryan and Matt discuss it all! Why should you listen in, you ask? Because you’re perfect that’s why.

Nicolas Cage Disney films (NATIONAL TREASURE & NATIONAL TREASURE: BOOK OF SECRETS)

June 23, 2020 08:31 - 1 hour - 64 MB

As we do every ten episodes, we are talking about a film and its sequel. This time it’s the “Indiana Jones”-esque Disney film series starring one of the most divisive actors of the modern era, the one and only Nicolas Cage. Yes, we are watching the NATIONAL TREASURE films… 

Our first-ever ‘Watch Along’! (featuring HIGHLANDER)

June 09, 2020 09:15 - 2 hours - 125 MB

In this episode, Ryan and Matt… for the first time ever actually watch a film together! They chose the 1986 fantasy film HIGHLANDER for this momentous occasion. Ryan has never seen it and it’s one of Matt’s childhood favorites. What will Ryan think of this weird genre mashup? Will Matt start rambling about how under-appreciated Christopher Lambert is? Will they both end up just talking about how great the soundtrack from Queen is? Grab your sword, listen in, and find out!

Sports Movies Starring Keanu Reeves (THE REPLACEMENTS & HARDBALL)

May 26, 2020 09:25 - 1 hour - 149 MB

Keanu Reeves. You love him. We love him. There is one phase of his career that doesn’t get talked about much though and that is “Sports Movie” Keanu. Well in this episode, we look at two underdog sports movies Keanu headlined with THE REPLACEMENTS and HARDBALL! So listen in and get ready to hit the field!

Richard Pryor (THE TOY & BREWSTER’S MILLIONS)

May 12, 2020 08:41 - 1 hour - 63.9 MB

On this episode of the podcast, the spotlight is on one of the all-time comedic greats- Richard Pryor! We have picked two of his leading roles from the 1980s: Richard Donner’s THE TOY and Walter Hill’s BREWSTER’S MILLIONS. Ryan and Matt talk about the overlap between these two projects, how they hold up in the modern-day and, most importantly, if they are enjoyable and worth your time. So listen in and join the conversation, Scoop!

036 – Youth At War (TOY SOLDIERS & RED DAWN)

April 28, 2020 09:08 - 1 hour - 85.6 MB

On this episode of the podcast, it’s “kids versus terrorists”… wait what? Yep, we are talking about the 1984 John Milius written and directed action film RED DAWN (starring Patrick Swayze and Charlie Sheen) and the 1991 Sean Astin -led thriller TOY SOLDIERS! So, let out a loud call of “Wolverines”, gather your gang of unlikely heroic friends, and listen in!

Youth At War (TOY SOLDIERS & RED DAWN)

April 28, 2020 09:08 - 1 hour - 85.6 MB

On this episode of the podcast, it’s “kids versus terrorists”… wait what? Yep, we are talking about the 1984 John Milius written and directed action film RED DAWN (starring Patrick Swayze and Charlie Sheen) and the 1991 Sean Astin -led thriller TOY SOLDIERS! So, let out a loud call of “Wolverines”, gather your gang of unlikely heroic friends, and listen in!

007 Firsts (DR. NO & THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS)

April 14, 2020 12:26 - 1 hour - 76.3 MB

In this episode of the podcast, Matt makes a startling revelation- he doesn’t like James Bond films! Well here at the show we like to expand our horizons, so Ryan convinced Matt to give Mr. Bond another chance by watching a Bond film he’s never seen (the very first Bond film- DR. NO) and a film with a Bond he’s never seen (Timothy Dalton in THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS). Will this odd mix of different Bond eras win Matt over? Listen in and find out!

035 – 007 Firsts (DR. NO & THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS)

April 14, 2020 12:26 - 1 hour - 76.3 MB

In this episode of the podcast, Matt makes a startling revelation- he doesn’t like James Bond films! Well here at the show we like to expand our horizons, so Ryan convinced Matt to give Mr. Bond another chance by watching a Bond film he’s never seen (the very first Bond film- DR. NO) and a film with a Bond he’s never seen (Timothy Dalton in THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS). Will this odd mix of different Bond eras win Matt over? Listen in and find out!

034 – The Vampires of 1987 (THE LOST BOYS & NEAR DARK)

April 01, 2020 16:45 - 1 hour - 73.4 MB

We stay up late on this week’s episode as we discuss two beloved modern day vampire movies that were released just months apart in 1987. Yep, we are talking about Kathryn Bigelow’s NEAR DARK and Joel Shumacher’s THE LOST BOYS! These two films have a lot in common and both helped redefine the vampire mythos… but which one is superior? Fangs or no fangs? Paxton or Kiefer? It’s going to be a bloodbath on this episode! Oh okay, maybe it won’t be a bloodbath… but it certainly won’t “suck”. Sorry...

The Vampires of 1987 (THE LOST BOYS & NEAR DARK)

April 01, 2020 16:45 - 1 hour - 73.4 MB

We stay up late on this week’s episode as we discuss two beloved modern day vampire movies that were released just months apart in 1987. Yep, we are talking about Kathryn Bigelow’s NEAR DARK and Joel Shumacher’s THE LOST BOYS! These two films have a lot in common and both helped redefine the vampire mythos… but which one is superior? Fangs or no fangs? Paxton or Kiefer? It’s going to be a bloodbath on this episode! Oh okay, maybe it won’t be a bloodbath… but it certainly won’t “suck”. Sorry...

Director Joe Dante (INNERSPACE & THE ‘BURBS)

March 17, 2020 11:03 - 1 hour - 70.6 MB

Joe Dante is a director we feel should be considered one of the “video store greats”. He has directed so many genre-defying classics that were staples of the VHS boom period that we love. So, this week we are spotlighting two of his 80’s films with a look at the sci-fi comedy INNERSPACE and the horror comedy THE ‘BURBS! We talk Tom Hanks, Carrie Fisher, Corey Feldman, Dennis Quaid, Martin Short, and Meg Ryan! You don’t want to miss it!

033 – Director Joe Dante (INNERSPACE & THE ‘BURBS)

March 17, 2020 11:03 - 1 hour - 70.6 MB

Joe Dante is a director we feel should be considered one of the “video store greats”. He has directed so many genre-defying classics that were staples of the VHS boom period that we love. So, this week we are spotlighting two of his 80’s films with a look at the sci-fi comedy INNERSPACE and the horror comedy THE ‘BURBS! We talk Tom Hanks, Carrie Fisher, Corey Feldman, Dennis Quaid, Martin Short, and Meg Ryan! You don’t want to miss it!

032 – Medieval Fantasies (LADYHAWKE & EXCALIBUR)

March 03, 2020 13:48 - 1 hour - 76.3 MB

This week we are talking about “Sword & Sorcery” films as we spotlight 1981’s stylized take on the King Arthur legend EXCALIBUR and the 1985 fantasy romp LADYHAWKE! We discuss the explosion of popularity this genre had in the 80’s and much more! So, grab your trusty broadsword, saddle up, and join us as we chat about tales of knights, wizards, and high adventure!

Medieval Fantasies (LADYHAWKE & EXCALIBUR)

March 03, 2020 13:48 - 1 hour - 76.3 MB

This week we are talking about “Sword & Sorcery” films as we spotlight 1981’s stylized take on the King Arthur legend EXCALIBUR and the 1985 fantasy romp LADYHAWKE! We discuss the explosion of popularity this genre had in the 80’s and much more! So, grab your trusty broadsword, saddle up, and join us as we chat about tales of knights, wizards, and high adventure!

Books

The Long Goodbye
1 Episode
The Razor's Edge
1 Episode