The Last Video Store

A tournament of fatalities is how you’d have to describe the new action sequel MORTAL KOMBAT II. It’s a real pleasure to get to sit down with director Simon McQuoid to talk how you even build a film like that. Simon is a true lover of film, a video store kid and someone who may surprise you with what he picks up. MORTAL KOMBAT II is out NOW and it is a ton of ferocious fun. Pick up tickets to Alex...

We're popping into your feed with a special episode this week; if you haven't heard horror movie podcast Spooko you're in for a treat. Each week Peach and Shag discuss a new horror film, and we're bringing you the episode that Alexei and Emmeline guested on to discuss the bonkers 1995 Tobe Hooper film The Mangler. Check out Spooko here: https://www.instagram.com/_spooko_/ Pick up tickets to Alexei...

The winner of Drag Race Down Under season 4, LAZY SUSAN walks into the Last Video Store. This dream guest gets witchy to celebrate the upcoming release of their genuinely fantastic new series The Witchy Girls. You can go see the live screenings of The Witchy Girls here (https://www.thewitchygirls.com/) Pick up tickets to Alexei’s comedy festival tour of his new show VHS in 2026 (https://comedy.com...

He's here! Comedian Josh Thomas joins Alexei in the Last Video Store and bypasses the New Release section altogether to pick up some of his favourite weeklies. He's recently relaunched his classic podcast Josh Thomas and Friends and You and is going on tour all around the world, so check him out in a city near you: https://joshthomas.com.au/ Pick up tickets to Alexei’s comedy festival tour of his...

Finally, it is time for Alex Lee to pick out her favourite films. You know Alex from pods like Dragon Friends and Baby Shoes + the new ABC show TONIGHT AT THE MUSEUM (and our very own Alexei Toliopoulos appears on one of the episodes). Watch it on ABC iView now! Listen to Baby Shoes here: https://open.spotify.com/show/3cwDxMz5lTF0dyfTBJHb1u Pick up tickets to Alexei’s comedy festival tour of his n...

Celebrating another year of The Last Video Store with our original first customer and best mate… it’s another return of Cameron James! Cam & Alexei are joining forces for a very special screening of TRUE STORIES the only film directed by TALKING HEADS frontman David Byrne for Saturday Film Club at The Sydney Opera House (https://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/vivid-live/saturday-film-club-true-stories)....

Cult comedy hero and dear mate, Greg Larsen enters the video store. Greg kicks off his run at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival with his new show “Unrelenting Ultra-Violence” (https://www.comedyfestival.com.au/browse-shows/greg-larsen-unrelenting-ultra-violence/). Greg is wildly funny, bold and incisive with his comedy and his pick ups on the show reflect exactly that. AND make sure you...

Damon Herriman is one of Australia’s most recognisable actors, working in films like TOGETHER, ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD to HOUSE OF WAX (one of Producer Em’s favourites). He joins us in the Last Video Store where he picks a stack of great films, including classics GOODFELLAS and THE ELEPHANT MAN, and a surprising new release documentary. See him in Art The Play, touring now: https://artthepla...

Geraldine Viswanathan has shared the screen with the likes of John Cena, Margaret Qualley, Florence Pugh and Pedro Pascal, and is fast becoming one of Australia’s most prolific comedy actors. She’s also hilarious and has fantastic taste in films, from Anna Faris’ stoner comedy Smiley Face to the movie that made her turn towards film, Little Miss Sunshine. She joined Alexei late last year ahead of...

Best known for her provocative comedy ATTENBERG and the unnervingly satirical CHEVALIER, Athina Rachel Tsangari helped define what critics dubbed the “Greek Weird Wave,” alongside longtime collaborator Yorgos Lanthimos. A longtime filmmaking hero of host Alexei, he hailed her latest film, HARVEST, as one of the very best of 2025. HARVEST is a medieval tale of modernity swallowing up tradition, it...

SPOILER WARNING - this chat may gently reveal a little bit about the the comedic premise and influence unique to the movie… This week, The Last Video Store becomes a shrine to comedic chaos, commitment, and Canadian/Australian cinematic relations as we welcome Matt Johnson and Jay McCarroll, the masterminds behind the cult phenomenon Nirvanna the Band the Show - and now - The Movie. With scores fr...

What an immense privilege to chat with true visionary filmmaker Baz Luhrmann about his new film EPiC: ELVIS PRESLEY IN CONCERT. Baz's maximalist imagination meets its perfect subject and energizes the mythology of Presley. It’s like a cinematic mosaic that evokes legend. Epic is a truly mesmerizing concert film and an inspired step into factual filmmaking and documentary storytelling - it’s safe t...

On our last REWIND episode, we’re taking a look back at probably our most downloaded episode of all time! Pop culture podcast royalty, Nick "Maso" Mason and James "Mr. Sunday Movies" Clement of the Weekly Planet take an esteemed tour of THE LAST VIDEO STORE. A journey through cinema that is less a Caravan of Garbage and more like a Battle for Endorphins because this episode is a pleasurable experi...

We’re revisiting our hilarious and insightful chat with filmakers and twin brothers Danny and Michael Philippou! Their latest film, BRING HER BACK is an emotionally resonant horror exploration of grief and loss that, in many ways, surpasses their remarkable debut. Starring Oscar nominee Sally Hawkins (THE SHAPE OF WATER), Billy Barrat (RESPONSIBLE CHILD), Jonah Wren Phillips (HOW TO MAKE GRAVY) an...

Next up in our REWIND series, where we look back at some of our most popular and memorable episodes, it’s film star Jonathan Rhys Meyers! He’s the iconic star of video store favourites BEND IT LIKE BECKHAM, VELVET GOLDMINE, MATCH POINT, MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE III, I’LL SLEEP WHEN I’M DEAD, THE TUDORS and might be the most passionate and exploratory film lover we’ve had through our doors. And I must a...

With perhaps more films in The Last Video Store than any other performer (all located behind the beaded curtain), what better episode to rewind to than our chat with legendary adult film superstar Angela White. The AVN Hall of Famer was the first to win Female Performer of the Year 3 times in a row earner her the honorary moniker the Meryl Streep of porn. From modern crime masterpieces, a bonafide...

We’re kicking off the new year re-releasing some of our favourite episodes. And what better way to hit rewind than with our wonderful AARON CHEN! Beloved comedian and dearest friend Aaron Chen joins Alexei in the Last Video Store to reminisce and pick up a combo of his favourite films. Aaron selects one of the great martial arts comedies, an iconic masterpiece of dystopian speculative fiction and...

Once again we’re celebrating some of the best films, movies and cinema of 2025 with Melbourne International Film Festival programmer and film critic Kate Jinx. This time we’re diving into the best documentaries, Australian films, comedies and honourable mentions. Pick up tickets to Alexei’s comedy festival tour of his new show VHS in 2026 Follow ALEXEI TOLIOPOULOS on Letterboxd for all the rental...

Celebrating some of the best films, movies and cinema of 2025 with Melbourne International Film Festival programmer and film critic Kate Jinx. Join us again next week for another bonus episode discussing the best documentaries, Australian films, comedies and honourable mentions. Pick up tickets to Alexei’s comedy festival tour of his new show VHS in 2026 Follow ALEXEI TOLIOPOULOS on Letterboxd for...

One of Australia’s most gifted singer songwriters, Meg Mac stops by The Last Video Store to chat to Alexei in the middle of a tour intimate pop up gigs. With songs like Roll Up Your Sleeves and Low Blows, Meg has been able to tap into lyrical feelings that resonate so deeply. Her next album ITS MY PARTY is another display of immense talent for musical storytelling. What we didn’t expect from this...

Salute a true soldier of cinema with today’s guest JOHN POLSON. He starred opposite Tom Cruise in MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE 2, directed DeNiro and Dakota Fanning in HIDE AND SEEK, and helped launch the careers of many with the behemoth short film fest TROPFEST. Good news is, TROPFEST is back! If you’re a filmmaker, submissions are open now until January 8th, 2026. For more info, hit up Tropfest.com Foll...

A breakthrough artist collaborating with the likes of Troye Sivan, Nick Ward has recently actualised his film obsessed dreams… composing the score for the upcoming John Lithgow & Olivia Coleman film JIMPA. Nick also has the rare distinction of supplying the Last Video Store with some great film donations from his private collection. A true blessing! Listen to Nick Ward’s stunning album THE HOUSE W...

Double Greek boy cinephilia on the Last Video Store today as we’re joined by award winning director behind AUNTY DONNA’S BIG OL’ HOUSE OF FUN, COFFEE CAFE and FINDING YEEZUS, Max Miller. One of Alexei’s very favourite people to talk movies/films/cinema with so you know this is a going to be a belter episode. Follow ALEXEI TOLIOPOULOS on Letterboxd for all the rental combo lists. Hit up the Last Vi...

Mary Bronstein’s new film IF I HAD LEGS I’D KICK YOU, is a feature length surrealist panic attack surrounding the performance of a lifetime from Rose Byrne. For Alexei, this is one of the most exciting discoveries of the year and with the rare dramatic turn from Conan O’Brien, it’s a must see off kilter experience. Mary Bronstein takes us through her favourite films and learns about an Aussie Rose...

Two of the funniest comedians in Australia and hosts of the cult podcast BIG NATURAL TALENTS, Lauren Bonner & Concetta Caristo, slide into the Last Video Store to talk about their favourite films with Alexei. Follow ALEXEI TOLIOPOULOS on Letterboxd for all the rental combo lists. Hit up the Last Video Store on instagram for all of our guests picks.