The VHS Strikes Back

"The Dragon Lives Again" (1977), directed by Law Kei, is a martial arts comedy that gained a reputation for its unconventional and imaginative take on the kung fu genre. The film features Bruce Leung Siu-lung as the legendary martial artist Bruce Lee, who finds himself in the afterlife surrounded by iconic characters such as James Bond, Clint Eastwood, and Dracula. The production of &quo...

"The War of the Roses", directed by Danny DeVito, was a darkly comedic exploration of divorce and the disintegration of a once-happy marriage. Starring Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner as Oliver and Barbara Rose, the film required a delicate balance between humor and the serious subject matter of marital breakdown. DeVito, who also plays a supporting role in the film, brought his uniq...

"Big", directed by Penny Marshall, was a heartwarming and whimsical endeavor that brought together a talented cast and creative team to craft a unique and magical story. Starring Tom Hanks as Josh Baskin, a young boy who makes a wish to be "big" and wakes up in an adult body, the film navigates the challenges and joys of growing up in a reversed manner. The casting of Tom Hanks...

"Gladiator" is a 1992 sports drama film directed by Rowdy Herrington, starring Cuba Gooding Jr. and James Marshall as Tommy Riley, a troubled young man who becomes embroiled in the world of illegal underground boxing. The film's production involved capturing the gritty and intense atmosphere of the underground fight scene. Cuba Gooding Jr.'s portrayal of Tommy Riley required rigo...

"Scarface" released in 1983 and directed by Brian De Palma, was a cinematic reimagining of the 1932 film of the same name. The movie tells the story of Tony Montana, a Cuban immigrant turned powerful drug lord, portrayed by Al Pacino. With Oliver Stone penning the screenplay, the production faced challenges in ensuring authenticity and accuracy in depicting the criminal underworld of Mia...

"Training Day," released in 2001 and directed by Antoine Fuqua, was a significant milestone in the crime thriller genre, largely due to the transformative performance of Denzel Washington. The film follows the corrupt and morally ambiguous Detective Alonzo Harris (played by Washington) as he takes rookie cop Jake Hoyt (played by Ethan Hawke) under his wing for a day of training on the me...

"Jeepers Creepers," released in 2001, was helmed by writer-director Victor Salva and marked a unique entry into the horror genre. The film's plot, centered around a mysterious and malevolent creature that terrorizes a brother and sister on a road trip, required the creation of a distinct and terrifying antagonist. The team's efforts were largely focused on crafting the creature,...

Christine, released in 1983, was an adaptation of Stephen King's novel of the same name, directed by John Carpenter. The film tells the story of a possessed and malevolent 1958 Plymouth Fury named Christine, and the havoc it wreaks on the life of its owner, Arnie Cunningham (played by Keith Gordon). The production process involved bringing this sinister car to life and capturing the eerie and...

The production of "Bottle Rocket" in 1996 marked the auspicious debut of director Wes Anderson and co-writer Owen Wilson, both of whom would go on to become prominent figures in American independent cinema. The project began as a short film of the same name in 1994, which caught the attention of producer James L. Brooks. Impressed by Anderson and Wilson's unique vision and comedic se...

This week it's Maffs pick, Sleepwalkers! And what a backstory there is to this one! Sleepwalkers is a 1992 horror film directed by Mick Garris and written by Stephen King. The film revolves around a mother and son who are shapeshifting, vampiric creatures known as "Sleepwalkers." They feed on the life force of young virgins to sustain themselves. The production of Sleepwalkers involv...

The production of "Full Metal Jacket" (1987), directed by the legendary Stanley Kubrick, was a painstakingly detailed and immersive experience that exemplified the director's penchant for perfectionism. Kubrick's approach to creating the gritty world of the Vietnam War was nothing short of meticulous. One of the standout aspects of the production was the casting and training of t...

Production of "Equilibrium" began in the early 2000s with Kurt Wimmer both writing and directing the film. The movie was set in a future society where emotions were suppressed and prohibited, and a special police force known as "Grammaton Clerics" enforced this emotionless state. The film had a modest budget, which influenced its visual style. To create the distinctive and mini...

"Romancing the Stone" is a 1984 romantic action-adventure film directed by Robert Zemeckis, starring Kathleen Turner, Michael Douglas, and Danny DeVito. The film follows a romance novelist who embarks on a thrilling journey in Colombia to rescue her kidnapped sister and becomes entangled with a charismatic treasure hunter. Here are some key aspects of the production: Script and Developme...

The 1977 comedy film "Oh, God!" had an interesting production process involving notable individuals from the entertainment industry. Here's a more detailed overview of its production: Source Material and Adaptation: The film is based on the novel "Oh, God!" by Avery Corman, published in 1971. The novel's premise, which presents a humorous and heartwarming interaction be...

"Deep Blue Sea" is a 1999 science fiction thriller film directed by Renny Harlin. The movie revolves around a group of scientists conducting research on a remote underwater facility where they genetically engineer sharks to increase their brain size in order to find a cure for Alzheimer's disease. However, their experiment goes awry as the highly intelligent sharks become smarter and...

Chris has pulled another turkey out of the bag this week. And a really leathery turkey at that. This week's pick is The Ultimate Weapon starring Terry Gene Bollea aka Hulk Hogan and a bunch of other people you're unlikely to ever have heard of, or hear again. If you enjoy the show we have a Patreon, become a supporter. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.patreon.com/thevhsstrikesback⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ P...

The production of "Anguish" in 1987 was a unique and ambitious endeavor that brought together a talented team led by director Bigas Luna. The film is notable for its innovative approach to storytelling and its exploration of psychological horror, which set it apart from conventional horror movies of its time. Director Bigas Luna, known for his distinctive and imaginative filmmaking style...

Office Space is a cult classic comedy film that was released in 1999. The movie was written and directed by Mike Judge, who is best known for creating "Beavis and Butt-Head" and "King of the Hill." The production of "Office Space" had its own share of ups and downs, much like the fictional office depicted in the film. Conception: The idea for "Office Space"...

"Species" is a science fiction horror film released in 1995. The film was directed by Roger Donaldson and produced by Frank Mancuso Jr. The concept for the movie was originally conceived by Dennis Feldman, who also wrote the screenplay. The production was a collaborative effort between MGM and the American Film Marketing Association (AFMA). The story revolves around the discovery of an e...

Chris' man-crush, Burt Reynolds, directed and starred in this week's pick. "Sharky's Machine" is a 1981 crime thriller film directed by and starring Burt Reynolds. The movie is based on a novel of the same name written by William Diehl. The production was significant for Reynolds as it marked his directorial debut. The film was shot on location in Atlanta, Georgia, and the ci...

Steve picked this week's and it's a classic from 1974, The Conversation. Never before seen by Chris and Dave, this one was directed by Francis Ford Coppola and stars Gene Hackman, John Cazale, Allen Garfield, Cindy Williams, and Frederic Forrest. If you enjoy the show we have a Patreon, become a supporter. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.patreon.com/thevhsstrikesback⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Plot Summary: &q...

John Hammond has picked some classics in the past, and this week is no exception. And when we say classics, we mean movies that fit into the category of 'so bad they're good'. Originally shot in 1984, New York Ninja was never released after the distribution company went bust. But Vinegar Syndrome picked up the film, which had no audio or script to it, restored it digitally and added so...

A classic from the mid-90's this one! It's Quentin Tarantino's second movie, Pulp Fiction from 1994. Written and directed by Quentin himself, with some of the story by Roger Avary, this iconic movie stars John Travolta, Samuel L. Jackson, Uma Thurman, Harvey Keitel, Tim Roth, Amanda Plummer, Maria de Medeiros, Ving Rhames, Eric Stoltz, Rosanna Arquette, Christopher Walken, Bruce Willis...

It's one of Chris' top 5 movies of all time this week, Beverly Hills Cop II. Taking the essence of the first movie and turning everything up to 11. This was directed by Tony Scott, written by Larry Ferguson and Warren Skaaren, and starring Eddie Murphy, Judge Reinhold, Jürgen Prochnow, Ronny Cox, John Ashton, Brigitte Nielsen. And a bit of a tangent reminiscing about the old band days and...

This week is the pick of Patreon long-time Patreon supporter Lucky Loo Loo Green, and they've gone for the cult classic Killer Klowns from Outer Space from 1988. Written by the Chiodo brothers, Charles, Stephen and Edward, with Stephen taking the director chair, this one stars Grant Cramer, Suzanne Snyder, John Allen Nelson, Royal Dano, and John Vernon. If you enjoy the show we have a Patreon,...