VIA VHS Podcast

In this episode of Rewind Review we revisit the 1986 the cheesy yet endearing action film Iron Eagle. In memory of Louis Gossett Jr we look back at one of his peak VHS era flicks in this conventionally terrible and simultaneously charming Reagan era American propaganda film

Some would say this is the film that for better or worse ushered in the Superhero movie era at the start of the new Millennium . Sure there were Comic based Superhero movies that came before this, but something about the success of X-Men signaled to studios that anything was possible. Not only were the audiences primed and ready for more films like X-Men, but the technology was available to make these movies as creative and imaginative as their Comic Book depictions. We look back at one of the most influential comic book movies ever made as we discuss the legacy of X-Men (2000)

Burt Reynolds stars as Hooper, an aging stuntman facing the reality that his lifestyle may not be suitable for a man of his age. Instead of scaling back Hooper decided to up the ante and take his stunts to the next level, especially in light of a young bright new star on the stunt circuit threatening his greatness. Wes and Spencer discuss weather or not Hooper is actually Burt's best movie.

In this episode of VIA VHS Rewind Review we are looking back at the 1986 family film Young Sherlock Holmes. Not only is this film a pretty solid family flick with surprisingly good practical effects, but this film is historically significant for a couple of reasons. First, a lot of movie nerds will know that Young Sherlock Holmes features the first CGI created character in a feature length film. The early history of Pixar during it's days in the partnership with George Lucas and Steve Jobs is a major moment for the history of cinema. CGI would be everywhere soon, for better or worse. Secondly and what we found most compelling, is the eerie similarities Young Sherlock Holmes shares with the Harry Potter franchise, even going as far as the director of two early Harry Potter films Chris Columbus being a writer for Young Sherlock. The similarities are uncanny and we discuss the possibility of this film being one of the inspirations for the Harry Potter books and later the film franchise.

We live in a time where there are actual hearings on Capitol Hill about disclosing to the public information regarding the Government hiding proof of UFO's and the possible existence of Extraterrestrial Alien biologics on Earth....and nobody gives a shit. Things play out a little differently in the 1997 film Contact which is the subject of this week's Rewind Review. This is one of Wes's favorite films of the 90s, and we discuss how this movie blew his mind as a teenager. In addition to our retrospective on Contact we delve into the recent Government hearings on UAPs and possible Alien Biologics and why nobody seems to care or the conspiracies have completely reversed.

In this episode of VIA VHS Rewind Review, we look back at the 1983 Burt Reynolds Comedy/Nascar film, Stroker Ace. It's the later years of the Burt Reynolds era and his star power is starting to wane. Instead of taking the role of Garrett Breedlove in Terms of Endearment (a role that won Jack Nicholson an Academy Award) Burt decided to opt against evolving his career and instead agreed to another formulaic Hal Needham car movie. This was not a smart idea as Stroker Ace was poorly received by critics and by the box office, opening at 8th place against the likes of films like WarGames, Trading Places and Return of the Jedi. A far cry from Smokey and the Bandit who was only out grossed in 1977 by the original Star Wars. But is Stroker Ace a film that was just outdated and not fairly viewed by fans and critics. Would it have been a bigger hit if released at the height of Burt Reynolds fame? Wes and Spencer give their thoughts on a film that's so American that Burt Reynolds and Dale Earnhardt share the screen. Find more VIA VHS content here: https://linktr.ee/viavhs Also, find Spencer's Old Man Orange podcast as well as his comic Pizza Boyz here: https://linktr.ee/oldmanorange

In our first of three chapters, Indy competes with a mysterious contender to woo a young Italian beauty named Guiletta while taking advice from friend Ernest Hemingway. Then on the African plains in November of 1916, Indiana Jones and pal Remy get lost in their attempt to join their unit in Africa. As they trek back to Lake Victoria, Indy and Remy inadvertently join the 25th Royal Fusiliers, a unit of grumpy, aging men. Indy's knowledge of Trains and fluent German make him very useful as the unit battles The Phantom Train of Doom, in this feature length adventure. Finally in Ireland, 1916. Indiana Jones and Remy arrive back to Europe after their adventures in Mexico. Raising funds while waiting tables, Indy gets caught in another love affair around the time of the Easter Rising

Indiana Jones sows his wild oats juggling three girlfriend's while working on George White's Broadway show in 1920, New York. This episode features a young Anne Heche as well. Then in Vienna 1908, a very young Indiana Jones crosses paths with Sigmund Freud, Carl Jung and Alfred Adler all the while barely avoiding a major international incident due to his first childhood crush.

First we continue our story in Chicago where Indy's musical appreciation switches to the Blues, while the adventures heat up with Eliot Ness and Ernest Hemingway. We then travel tp Princeton, NJ where Indy is attempting to persuade his girlfriend's father to take his Hot Rod to the Junior Prom. While getting repairs, Indy stumbles into an adventure involving a stolen Thomas Edison invention. Finally we travel to Petrograd where Indy has befriended a group of young Bolshevik students. After taking Indy to hear a speech by Vladimir Lenin, the Bolshevik's attempt to prematurely start a revolution.

Young Indiana Jones is a spy in 1917 Barcelona, a neutral WW1 city. With a group of fellow spies Indy devises a scheme to create geopolitical love affair scandal in order to sway Spain to the allies. Pablo Picasso's art and Sergei Diaghilev's Ballets adds to this wacky mix between art, love and war. We travel to 1920's Chicago where a new found love for Jazz intertwines with a murder mystery and ruthless Gangsters like Al Capone

After his superiors have all been killed in a terrible battle in Flanders, Indy now finds himself in charge of the Belgian 9th Infantry. Then later pairing with the French 14th Company in Somme. In a failed escape attempt after being captured, Indy is sent to a maximum security prison on the Danube at Dunstersadt where he meets a young Charles De Gaulle

We continue our journey through the Congo as Indy and crew, near death have been intercepted and treated by German Albert Schweitzer. At first reluctant of being treated by a German, Indy becomes friends with Schweitzer and begins to see the hopelessness of the seemingly needless war he is fighting. In Austria, March of 1917. Indy, desperate to help end this terrible conflict of WW1 is tasked with helping two Austrian Princes across enemy lines with a message of peace that can help end the war.

First we travel to Verdun in 1916 where Indy is acting as a courier, a dangerous liaison crossing enemy territory. Indy is frustrated by the cavalier nature in which some superiors send men to die against impossible odds. Then we jump to later in 1916 where Indy is now stationed in German East Africa. This is definitely one of our favorite episodes as the action is intense and the stakes are high. Indy is tasked with a perilous mission crossing the Congo after being promoted for his heroic efforts in a battle. However, his defiance of orders in that battle has put him at odds with his superior. All of this made more intense by Indy having to make one of the toughest decisions of his life

We continue along in the Young Indy Chronicles with our first two 45 minute episodes which will make up the bulk of the series. We travel to East Africa in 1909 with Theodore Roosevelt as he's hunting a rare Oryx. Indy is conflicted with Teddy's ideals on conservation and also befriends another child from a local tribe. We then head to London in 1916 where Indy is looking for romance before shipping of to WW1 with the Belgian Army.

Years before the countless, big budget Star Wars shows streaming today on Disney+, LucasFilm's first foray into live action television debuted on ABC, only this didn't feature a Galaxy far, far away… Instead we were gifted a expansive, adventurous, high quality episodic series featuring the Adventures of a Young Indiana Jones. It's hard to understate the scope of this show. For network television in the early 90s, almost nothing compares to the movie quality adventures we were gifted over the course of two seasons. Somehow, this show has been mostly forgotten and is vastly under-celebrated. Not only was The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles a technical marvel, featuring early experimental technology that would later be used on the Star Wars Prequels, but Young Indy also featured very well written and compelling stories, great acting featuring the star himself Sean Patrick Flannery as Young Indy, as well as cameos by young actors, Catherine Zeta Jones, Elizabeth Hurley, Daniel Craig and even a cameo from Harrison Ford as the Indy we all grew to love during the original films and lastly episodes directed by notable directors such as Frank Darabont. Please join Spencer and Wesley as they revisit this forgotten relic in anticipation for the release of Indiana Jones and Dial of Destiny this June and our review of all the films this #IndianaJune

80s music was dominated by hair metal, power pop, and corporate driven synthesizer sell out garbage (that I love the sh*t out of) But in this time of soulless capitalistic Huey Lewis cheesiness, a movie was released that celebrated the roots of so much of modern American music, the Blues. Crossroads is an amazing journey of blues discovery told as a road trip adventure, with just enough supernatural elements to live up to the mythos and folklore that surrounds Blues music. Starring Ralph Macchio during the height of his Karate Kid fame, Crossroads is a forgotten 80s gem that didn't sell out. So travel down to the Delta with us as we review Crossroads (1986) Crossroads IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0090888/ For a rad multimedia experience, check us out on all platforms here: viavhs - Listen on YouTube, Spotify - Linktree Check out all of Spencer's cool work including the Pizza Boyz Comic and the Old Man Orange Podcast here: Old Man Orange Podcast, Pizza Boyz Comics, Drunk Batman Comedy, & Multi-Media Fun! - Old Man Orange Blog

Sam Raimi makes his way to our Rewind Review film list with this Sharon Stone lead 90s Western, The Quick and the Dead. Co-starring Gene Hackman, this film is bolstered by an amazing cast, including two future Hollywood A-Listers before they were household names in Leonardi Dicaprio  and Russell Crowe. The Quick and the Dead certainly has it's own unique flavor, but is it all style and no substance? Wes and Spencer shar their somewhat opposing views and this 90s Cult Western.

Sandwiched between Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade and Hook, Spielberg brought us an 80s remake of ‘A Guy Named Joe' in a movie titled Always. Out of all the films in the peak decades of Spielberg's career, Always may be the most forgotten, least discussed and certainly least celebrated. Starring Richard Dreyfuss, John Goodman, Holly Hunter and even Audrey Hepburn in her last ever film appearance, Wes and Spencer discuss weather or not this film is a hidden Spielberg gem, or does it belong at the bottom of the barrel?

As we enter a tumultuous 4th of July holiday here in the United States, we offer some Patriotic revisionist Chicken Soup for the history buff''s soul in Roland Emmerich and Mel Gibson's The Patriot.

Wes and Spencer travel to the Deep South for some deep fried biker action in this episode of the VIA VHS Podcast. NFL burnout and 80s steroid icon Brian Bosworth takes on a dangerous, greasy, drug dealing group of racist bikers, who somehow pull the hottest women around into their group. It must be the meth? The Boz has to take them down into this Grade A trailer park action flick Stone Cold. Oh, yeah almost forgot, Mullets….lots of Mulets!

An 80s cultural phenomenon! Top Gun captivated audiences with it's action, style, music, charisma and…homo-erotic tension. With the highly anticipated (by us) sequel Top Gun: Maverick hitting theaters in just a week, we go back to the Danger Zone with Goose, Maverick, Ice Man, Wes and Spencer to relive the the all time classic Top Gun!

Wes dips his toes for the first time into the world of anime with this delightfully bizarre and strangely artistic space fantasy called Space Adventure Cobra!

In this episode of VIA VHS Rewind Review revisit the 1997 comic book action film Spawn. Major childhood disappointment or unfairly judged classic?

Spencer and Wes get all oiled up and ready to discuss this muscly man, action flick about arm wrestling and…child custody disputes? Anyways, we are looking back on the Canon produced, Sylvester Stallone dud Over the Top in this week's Rewind Review

From the Schlockmaster Supreme Roger Corman comes one of the dumbest films we've ever seen, Avalanche. Rock Hudson and Mia Farrow Star in this cinematic excrement from 1978 and we endured a viewing just to tell you what we think.

In this episode of VIA VHS we revisit the 2001 failed reboot of the Planet of the Apes franchise. What did Tim Burton and company do wrong to make this film a failure? What did they do right that doesn't get the credit it deserves? Wes and Spencer discuss this and more in this weeks Rewind Review

Seemingly at random, we chose to review a film neither of us had heard of. Turns out Voyage of the Rock Aliens is somewhat of a cult classic and perhaps deserves more recognition, in some ways. This delightfully bizarre 80s "musical' harkens back to the 50s Beach Movie days and mixes that dynamic with the 80s Music Video revolution. What is born of that is a weird little cult hit that was perhaps one hit song away from being a big deal, guess they should've got Michael instead of Jermaine. Enjoy Wes and Spencer's review of Voyage of the Rock Aliens

Finally, after many trials and tribulations we have successfully launched ourselves into the world of video podcasts...hopefully. To celebrate our overcoming of previous upload inadequacies, we are reviewing one of the most bad ass, bombastic, over the top action films of all time, Hard Boiled.

In this episode of the VIA VHS Podcast, Wesley and Spencer relive the delightfully tacky yet unrefined Hulk Hogan small screen action vehicle, Thunder in Paradise. A TV movie written in a Hooters restaurant about a highly advanced speed boat captained by Martin ‘Bru' Brubaker (Chris Lemmon) and Randolph J. Hurricane(Hulk Hogan) Turn off your brain for this one folks, just sit back and take it in. Halfway through you'll have tons of questions, how is Hulk Hogan able to sneak around undetected, how can Hulk Hogan stand up with head room in the cabin of a tiny speedboat, why is this a bad rom com most of the way through, what happened to Chris Lemmon's career? All of these questions will be answered in this direct to video film/TV pilot episode. Find VIA VHS on Social Media: Twitter: @viavhs twitter.com/viavhs Instagram: @viavhspod instagram.com/viavhspod Facebook: @viavhspodcast facebook.com/viavhspodcast Find the VIA VHS Podcast on all platforms: https://linktr.ee/viavhs Find all of Spencer's work including the Old Man Orange Podcast and Pizza Boyz Comic at: Old Man Orange Podcast, Pizza Boyz Comics, Drunk Batman Comedy & Multi-Media Fun! - Old Man Orange Blog Intro music is the track Hackers thanks to Karl Casey at White Bat Audio. Listen to all his dope ass music on Spotify, YouTube or at: White Bat Audio

The self-proclaimed Horror Novice Wesley joins co-host Spencer to give his thoughts on his FIRST EVER viewing of the all-time great horror masterpiece, George A. Romero's Dawn of the Dead. Did the standard bearer of Zombie flicks further drive Wesley's new found interest in the genre? Or was he underwhelmed? BLASPHEMY!! Also hear the Flashback Portal's first foray into the 1970's in this episode of VIA VHS Rewind Review.

Buried into oblivion was this bizarre, horror comedy starring Denise Richards and Paul Walker called Tammy and the T-Rex. Originally marketed as a light hearted and stupid family film, Tammy and the T-Rex lost all it's gory, violent, tongue-in-cheek charm and disappeared from public awareness for almost two decades. Vinegar Syndrome with help of a gory Italian cut of the film, restored Tammy (or Tanny?) to it's former glory as a B-level horror comedy inspired by the all but brief access to an animatronic T-Rex and presumably drugs. In this episode of Rewind Review, Wes and Spencer look at the original vision of Tammy and the T-Rex

This is the very first episode of VIA VHS Fast Forward. We live in an era where classic films and franchises are constantly being rebooted, so this new show gives Wes and Spencer a chance to visit the sequels, prequels, reboots and remakes of current films that cash in on movies from the VHS era. In this first episode, we review the final film in the Daniel Craig era of James Bond, No Time To Die.

As the Cold War wanes and the Soviet villain is becoming passe, James Bond finds a new foe in America's other ongoing war with drugs. This is an odd Bond film but perhaps one of the best. Unfortunately, an absolutely stacked box office and a new geopolitical era on the horizon caused this Bond film to be lost in the shuffle, calling into question the future of the franchise as a whole. In this episode of VIA VHS Rewind Review, Wes and Spencer revisit Timothy Dalton's last outing in his all to brief run as Bond, License to Kill.

No more fun and games, no more corny villains, no more silliness…ok a little silliness, but not too much. It's the late 80s and it's time for a new James Bond. A Bond that won't take your shit, a Bond that will bang your Mom, eat all of your Fruit Roll Ups and then leave. Timothy Dalton is here to steal your girl. Roger Moore was fun, don't get me wrong, but we need a return to Fleming's Bond. A cold, ruthless assassin in the streets and, well, ask your Mom about the sheets. The forgotten Bond, Timothy Dalton in The Living Daylights is this weeks Rewind Review.

Not long ago, in an age of neon pants, ghetto blasters and breakdancing, the world was covered in ice...Vanilla Ice. Mr. Van Winkle was everywhere in 90-91, but as the Vanilla Ice-age was coming to an end in October of 1991, the Vanilla Ice marketing decided to strike while the iron was cool and release the much maligned box office bomb, Cool as Ice. In this episode of Rewind Review, Wes and Spencer look back at this time capsule of douchebaggery and tell you how cool it really is! Word to ya mutha

At the height of Tom Cruise's charm and star power comes one of his dumbest, if not the dumbest hit film of his career, Cocktail. Though this film made a ton of money, had a huge soundtrack and has become somewhat of a cult-classic, it's fair to wonder if Cocktail could've been an even bigger hit than it was. Wes and Spencer dissect this delusional, romantic and corny take on bartending. We tell you if Cocktail is deservedly maligned or a misunderstood classic.

From the infamous Canon Films studio comes one of their most notorious flicks, American Ninja. How do you sell a Kung-Fu/Ninja flick to a Western audience in the middle of the uber-patriotic Reagan era? You make the ninja white of course! American and white that is. In a role tailor made for Chuck Norris who inevitably turned it down, do you find another white karate champion to take his place? No ,screw that! Get a male model with a few acting credits. What, why, how in the hell is American Ninja.

Tom Selleck, Gene Simmons and Kirstie Alley in a film together sounds like the result of an 80s Mad Lib, but it's actually some of the cast from a real life Michael Crichton film called Runaway. Like many other Crichton films in which he wrote and/or directed, Runaway focuses on the possible evils of human technological advancements, but does this film pack the punch of some of Crichton's other works? Wes and Spencer look back at this often forgotten Sci-Fi thriller.

A Knight's Tale It's hard to believe it's been 20 years since this anachronistic medieval romp hit theaters. A Knight's Tale is a lovable early 00's classic inspired by one of Chaucer's Canterbury Tales. It's a historical fiction sports film about jousting with a classic rock soundtrack, it's fun, weird and will definitely rock you! This is Wesley's first entry into the “get to know me” series of movies we are reviewing here at VHS, so sit back and relax, because you've been weighed, measured and found wanting of this review of A Knight's Tale YouTube: Check out the VIA VHS Podcast on all the major podcasting platforms in the link below, including Apple, Spotify and TuneIn. https://linktr.ee/viavhs Intro Credit: NIHILORE http://www.nihilore.com/synthwave Song: Bush Week Outro Credit: Polski Motion Design https://www.youtube.com/user/DejViZ100 THE GRID Outro Music Credit: NIHILORE: Sparkwood & 21 Synthwave — Nihilore: Royalty Free Music “Coming Up Next” bumper music: Eastridge Turnstile by The Loyalist: https://youtu.be/ItOSLYmjYnQ oldmanorange.com Pizza Boyz: Pizza Boyz Digital Comics - Comics by comiXology Find all of Spencer's work at Old Man Orange Podcast, Pizza Boyz Comics, Drunk Batman Comedy & Multi-Media Fun! - Old Man Orange Blog Podcast: https://linktr.ee/viavhs Intro Credit: To the Stars (feat. Elevate the Sky) https://youtu.be/OO7UkJ3AOf8 Outro Music Credit: NIHILORE: Sparkwood & 21 Synthwave — Nihilore: Royalty Free Music “Coming Up Next” bumper music: Eastridge Turnstile by The Loyalist: https://youtu.be/ItOSLYmjYnQ Pizza Boyz: Pizza Boyz Digital Comics - Comics by comiXology

At the height of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s fame we get what should’ve been his biggest hit ever. A film that appeals to not only Arnold’s action fueled fan base and all lovers of testosterone, machismo and explosions, but also the kid and family fan base he cultivated through films like Kindergarten Cop and T2. Yes T2, thanks Furlong. Instead, Last Action Hero was a box office disappointment, mostly due to terrible marketing decisions like opening the week after Jurassic Park. LAH was a tonally confusing blunder in the eyes of many critics, failing to get the laughs it was striving for. But like all things Arnold, this film has developed a loyal fanbase and over the years has gained a reputation as a misunderstood action/comedy classic. In this episode of VIA VHS Rewind Review. Wes and Spencer look back at Arnold’s most polarizing film Last Action Hero Podcast: https://linktr.ee/viavhs Intro Credit: To the Stars (feat. Elevate the Sky) https://youtu.be/OO7UkJ3AOf8 Outro Music Credit: NIHILORE: Sparkwood & 21 Synthwave — Nihilore: Royalty Free Music “Coming Up Next” bumper music: Eastridge Turnstile by The Loyalist: https://youtu.be/ItOSLYmjYnQ Pizza Boyz: Pizza Boyz Digital Comics - Comics by comiXology

In this episode of VIA VHS, Wes and Spencer look back at 1988’s Bull Durham, starring Kevin Costner, Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins. Podcast: https://linktr.ee/viavhs Intro Credit: To the Stars (feat. Elevate the Sky) https://youtu.be/OO7UkJ3AOf8 Pizza Boyz: Pizza Boyz Digital Comics - Comics by comiXology

True Lies True Lies is one of the last big blockbusters of the Arnold Schwarzenegger era and should be considered one of the best box office popcorn flicks ever. Unfortunately, True Lies has been largely absent from home media sales since 1999 and only sparsely added to streaming services since their inception. Because if it’s elusiveness, True Lies isn’t revisited or discussed nearly as much as it should be, even though it’s still well known and regarded as one of the 90s biggest hits. As the youngins say, this film slaps! An interesting collaboration between Cameron and Schwarzenegger, as True Lies separates itself from their Terminator films with levity and wit, but still celebrates the amazing practical effects and god-tier action filmmaking from Cameron and Schwarzenegger’s precious two films. Join Wes and Spencer as they review the somewhat forgotten, True Lies. Check out the VIA VHS Podcast on all the major podcasting platforms in the link below, including Apple, Spotify and TuneIn. https://linktr.ee/viavhs Intro Credit: NIHILORE http://www.nihilore.com/synthwave Song: Bush Week Outro Credit: Polski Motion Design https://www.youtube.com/user/DejViZ100 THE GRID Outro Music Credit: NIHILORE: Sparkwood & 21 Synthwave — Nihilore: Royalty Free Music “Coming Up Next” bumper music: Eastridge Turnstile by The Loyalist: https://youtu.be/ItOSLYmjYnQ Pizza Boyz: Pizza Boyz Digital Comics - Comics by comiXology Find all of Spencer’s work at Old Man Orange Podcast, Pizza Boyz Comics, Drunk Batman Comedy & Multi-Media Fun! - Old Man Orange Blog

DISCLAIMER: Just a quick message before the episode begins. Spencer and I have been trying a lot of different things in regards to making VIA VHS a multimedia podcast while recording with each other from 2500 miles away. Unfortunately some of those things we’ve tried didnt work very well. For the double feature episodes of Romancing the Stone and Jewel of the Nile, I made the difficult decision to use the Skype audio for the podcast release. Unfortunately there were some unforeseen audio issues that went unnoticed until I listened fully to both recordings and it was impossible to use the recorded audio. The Skype audio isn’t ideal, but I feel like it’s at least listenable and I’d rather release the episodes as opposed to trashing it all together. You can also watch the episodes on YouTube if you prefer. So with that out of the way, on with the show. Jewel of the Nile After the unexpected success of Romancing the Stone, the studio and producer Michael Douglas was eager to begin work on the films sequel Jewel of the Nile. Sadly, screenwriter Diane Thomas who penned the clever and endearing Romancing the Stone, passed away when her boyfriend crashed her new Porsche, a Porsche that was given to her by none other than Michael Douglas as thanks for her work on the first film. When Diane was tragically killed, she was working on a project with Steven Spielberg, as was Romancing the Stone’s director Robert Zemeckis, who after being fired from directing Cocoon, was given the green light to direct his next film Back to the Future. Even without the director and writer from Romancing the Stone, production on Jewel of the Nile went ahead anyways. Lead star Kathleen Turner wasn’t pleased with the script for Jewel of the Nile, she was obligated to star in the film nonetheless, but perhaps her reservations on Jewel of the Nile were correct. Jewel of the Nile was rushed into theaters just a year after the release of Romancing the Stone, its apparent. This cheap follow up isn’t as good as the original, but still finds some of the charm from its predecessor at times, albeit fleeting moments. In this episode of VIA VHS, Wesley and Spencer review the forgettable sequel to Romancing the Stone, Jewel of the Nile Check out the VIA VHS Podcast on all the major podcasting platforms in the link below, including Apple, Spotify and TuneIn. https://linktr.ee/viavhs Intro Credit: NIHILORE http://www.nihilore.com/synthwave Song: Bush Week Outro Credit: Polski Motion Design https://www.youtube.com/user/DejViZ100 THE GRID Outro Music Credit: NIHILORE: Sparkwood & 21 Synthwave — Nihilore: Royalty Free Music “Coming Up Next” bumper music: Eastridge Turnstile by The Loyalist: https://youtu.be/ItOSLYmjYnQ Pizza Boyz: Pizza Boyz Digital Comics - Comics by comiXology Find all of Spencer’s work at Old Man Orange Podcast, Pizza Boyz Comics, Drunk Batman Comedy & Multi-Media Fun! - Old Man Orange Blog

DISCLAIMER: Just a quick message before the episode begins. Spencer and I have been trying a lot of different things in regards to making VIA VHS a multimedia podcast while recording with each other from 2500 miles away. Unfortunately some of those things we’ve tried didn't work very well. For the double feature episodes of Romancing the Stone and Jewel of the Nile, I made the difficult decision to use the Skype audio for the podcast release. Unfortunately there were some unforeseen audio issues that went unnoticed until I listened fully to both recordings and it was impossible to use the recorded audio. The Skype audio isn’t ideal, but I feel like it’s at least listenable and I’d rather release the episodes as opposed to trashing it all together. You can also watch the episodes on YouTube if you prefer. So with that out of the way, on with the show. Romancing the Stone The story was of how Romancing the Stone was made is almost as romantic as the film itself. A burgeoning screenwriter Diane Thomas was supporting herself as waitress a at a local LA cafe, when non other than Michael Douglas came in for a bite to eat. Diane seized the opportunity by pitching her script for what would become Romancing the Stone to Douglas and the rest as they say, is history. The story of Diane Thomas ultimately has a tragic end, to be continued with our review of this film’s sequel Jewel of the Nile. Romancing the Stone is a clever action, romantic/comedy that’s often unfairly compared to Raiders of the Lost Ark. This witty play on Harlequin Romance novels was a huge success and is considered a classic today, also serving as a launchpad for director Robert Zemeckis. After troubling test screenings, which ultimately led several to re-writes and re-shoots, Zemeckis was fired from his next project Cocoon. But with excessive charm and charisma from his two main stars Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner, and great directing by Zemeckis, they were ultimately able to create an endearing 80s classic. In this episode of VIA VHS we look back Romancing the Stone,the first part of our Douglas/Turner double feature. Check out the VIA VHS Podcast on all the major podcasting platforms in the link below, including Apple, Spotify and TuneIn. https://linktr.ee/viavhs Intro Credit: NIHILORE http://www.nihilore.com/synthwave Song: Bush Week Outro Credit: Polski Motion Design https://www.youtube.com/user/DejViZ100 THE GRID Outro Music Credit: NIHILORE: Sparkwood & 21 Synthwave — Nihilore: Royalty Free Music “Coming Up Next” bumper music: Eastridge Turnstile by The Loyalist: https://youtu.be/ItOSLYmjYnQ Pizza Boyz: Pizza Boyz Digital Comics - Comics by comiXology Find all of Spencer’s work at Old Man Orange Podcast, Pizza Boyz Comics, Drunk Batman Comedy & Multi-Media Fun! - Old Man Orange Blog

Rarely has the disconnect between viewers and critics differed as much as they do with Hook. 90s kids were indoctrinated by Hook’s charm, sentiment and imagination, even though we may have been a little confused on the dynamic between grown-up Peter and Neverland. Hook was fun, a playground reenactment staple, we all fought over who was gonna be Rufio and based on the action figures, video games and other merchandise, the marketing team also knew the kids would love it. The critics however felt different. They view Hook as a disjointed and tonally confusing retelling of a classic tale. They’re not necessarily wrong either, even the legendary director Steven Spielberg who helmed this classic is disappointed in his own foray into the Pan mythos. Viewing Hook through the eyes of an adult may change your opinion on this film, if you’re able to remove the warm-fuzzy nostalgic memory goggles that is. Still, even through my eyes which are now in their mid-30s, I feel like the critics and even Spielberg may have been to hard on Hook. In this episode of VIA VHS Rewind Review, Wesley and Spencer break down Hook and discuss what did and didn’t work in this 90s classic.

Cutthroat Island Rewind Review Cutthroat Island has an infamous legacy within the film industry, a cautionary tale of ego driven exuberance that killed an entire studio and produced one of the biggest box office bombs in history. Soaring costs, wasteful spending and overall recklessness on an epic scale left no room in the budget for...well, anything else, even advertising. So what’s left is a swashbuckling action-adventure with amazing costumes, elaborate set pieces, tremendous on location cinematography and gratuitous explosions, lots of of gratuitous explosions, including the what is possibly the best explosion in the history of movies. You’re left with a film that was supposed to be a blockbuster holiday tent-pole, possible franchise launching vehicle and a marketing machine that included merchandise, presumably toys and even a video game tie-in. But, is it any good? No doubt with all the money thrown at the film and the aforementioned scale of the production, it’s certainly a site to behold. But what about the story, the characters and the overall entertainment value? You know, the things money can’t always buy. In this episode of VIA VHS, Wesley and Spencer look back at this holiday dud, give their honest thoughts on the film and discuss what could’ve been had Cutthroat Island been a success

(audio from YouTube VIA VHS Rewind Review) Bio-Dome is infamous, it’s reputation as a disastrous disappointment and career defining film for Pauly Shore is renowned. Somehow, Bio-Dome has a strong cult following, is this a misunderstood gem, or as atrocious as the critics say?

(audio from YouTube VIA VHS Rewind Review) In this episode of Rewind Review we celebrate the 20th anniversary of one of the new millenniums first blockbusters, Gladiator! This Hollywood Epic is still incredibly popular 20 years in and still one of the best films from Ridley Scott. Russell Crowe and Joaquin Phoenix captivate, the action is incredible and Wesley gushes about one of his favorite all-time movies.

(audio from YouTube VIA VHS Rewind Review) In this episode of Rewind Review we revisit the endearing 1989 comedy cult-classic UHF, starring the wacky parody musician “Weird” Al Yankovic. This film has a weird history and even weirder subject matter but it’s so damn fun.

Audio from YouTube (VIA VHS Rewind Review) This is the only film that could sensibly serve as the first episode of VIA VHS. The Land Before Time was the first movie I ever considered my favorite and no film since has emotionally wrecked me or solicited such an emotional response as this film did when I was 5 years old. Such an incredible animated classic from Don Bluth and the dynamic duo of Spielberg and Lucas.

This Rewind Review is a little different than most, because this cheesy, over-the-top, indulgent racing blockbuster starring Tom Cruise played an interesting role in the lives of Alex and Wesley. Growing up in NASCAR country just north of Charlotte, there were countless reminders of Days of Thunder everywhere, especially considering the movie was filmed in our backyards. The movie was so big in our area that the local theme park (then owned by Paramount) even had a Days of Thunder motion simulator ride! Harry Hogge's barn has turned into a local tourist attraction and the prevalent fast food chain in the Carolinas even had a movie tie-in campaign. So wax nostalgic with Wes and Alex, grab a cheap American beer, eat something fried off a paper plate and enjoy this review of Days of Thunder!