The Tape Store

We honestly couldn't wait to get back to The X-Files to cover Season 1's third episode, "Squeeze" (air date: 9/24/93), which follows Mulder and Scully as they investigate a string of bizarre murders in Baltimore.  Not only known for being the first "Monster of the Week" episode of the series, it also features one of the scariest and most fascinating villains in the X-Files universe, the raven...

We continue "Spooky Month" at The Tape Store with the brilliant Jim Henson-produced film The Witches (1990).  We have a blast talking about this film that's filled with so many memorable moments and rich characters.  Join us as we discuss the adventures of one of our favorite film heroines, the witch hunter Helga (Mai Zetterling) and her grandson Luke (Jasen Fisher), along with other exc...

This week on The Tape Store we are joined by artist Brett Wilson and our good friend J.D. Gravatte to talk about the legendary 90s show "Are You Afraid of the Dark?".  We spend some time discussing our respective first encounters with the show, what it has meant to us as both kids and adults, and what sets it apart as such a unique and memorable moment in kids TV history. All of this builds u...

Before there was The Avengers:  Civil War, there was Saved By The Bell:  Civil War.  AKA Season 4's first episode, "The Fight" (September 12th, 1992), where Zack and Slater beat the crap out of each other over a girl during the first week of their Senior year.  It was a dark time for the halls of Bayside High School.  No, seriously.  If you're a fan of Saved By The Bell, this is a tough episode to...

This week is an exciting one at The Tape Store as we return to talk more about one of our favorite films, Labyrinth (1986).  Along with guest host Jeff Darden, we explore the story from a different angle, through the lens of the film's young protagonist Sarah (Jennifer Connelly).  By doing so, we present two very different perspectives on the film's story:  Was Jareth (David Bowie)...

The Tape Store continues the search for The Truth with another episode dedicated to The X-Files.  This week we follow Mulder and Scully in "Deep Throat" (S1 E2) as they go to southwest Idaho to investigate the mysterious disappearance of Air Force test pilot Robert Budahas.  We discuss FINALLY getting to see and hear the show's iconic intro and haunting theme song, the dichotomy of Mulde...

This week on The Tape Store, Toby and Brooke re-open The X-Files as they talk about the pilot episode of one of the best shows of all time.  We delve into the characters of Agent Fox Mulder (David Duchovny):  the brilliant, impassioned, and idealistic true believer, and Agent Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson):  the equally brilliant skeptic guided by her determination, conviction, and...

This week on The Tape Store we wrap up our 2-part discussion on Galaxy Quest.  We cover the individual character arcs of the Galaxy Quest crew and how they went from washed-up actors to real-life heroes as they found true courage in themselves.  This was of course, only made possible by the pure-hearted Thermians like the brave and benevolent Mathasar (Enrico Colantoni), and the loyal Qu...

This week Toby and Brooke begin a two-part series on the 1999 sci-fi comedy Galaxy Quest.  We talk about the initial character arc of the film's protagonist, TV actor Jason Nesmith (Tim Allen), his virtues, his vices, and his hilarity.  We also introduce Jason's fellow Galaxy Quest cast members: Gwen (Sigourney Weaver), Alex (Alan Rickman), Tommy (Daryl Mitchell), Fred (Tony Shaloub), an...

This week on The Tape Store Podcast, Toby & Brooke return to 1993 and Angel Grove to talk about the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers episode "High Five" (Season 01 Episode 02).  This episode focuses particularly on Trini's (Thuy Trang) struggle with a particular fear.  We also talk about Rita's inexplicable three-point plan that she ends up sabotaging herself even without the help of her...

Toby and Brooke discuss Disney's 1997 masterpiece Hercules.  Where to begin?  This film is full of iconic stuff.  We talk about Hades (James Woods), a Disney villain that's entertaining, hilarious, cruel, yet strangely sympathetic.  We also touch on Zeus (Rip Torn), who while benevolent, is rather flawed as the chief god of Olympus.  Who can forget the Muses, who take this...

This week on The Tape Store Podcast, Toby, Brooke, and Jeff talk about the second half of the 1988 epic fantasy adventure Willow.  We revisit the outrageous "Not A Woman!" scene one last time because we couldn't resist then move on to the film's climax and conclusion.  We discuss the development of the characters of Willow, Madmartigan, and Sorsha as they become the heroes they were dest...

This week on The Tape Store Podcast, Toby and Brooke, along with guest host Jeff, discuss 1988's fantasy epic Willow in part one of a two-part podcast series.  We talk about the years-long process to make George Lucas's Willow story a reality and delve into the first half of the film.  Topics include Jean Marsh's commanding presence as evil Queen Bavmorda, the unlikely Nelwyn hero Willow...

"Buddy Bands.  Buddy Bands.  Buddy Bands.  Hey...they work..." This week at The Tape Store we go back to Bayside High in 1989 to talk about the Saved By The Bell episode "The Friendship Business" (Season 1, Episode 11).  We talk about the legendary Buddy Bands commercial, Mr. Tuttle as a very capable and competent teacher, Jessie and Slater as a cutthroat duo, and more.

This week at The Tape Store we talk about 1999's swashbuckling action adventure The Mummy, starring an excellent ensemble cast including Brendan Fraser, Arnold Vosloo, Rachel Weisz, Oded Fehr, and John Hannah.  We discuss the film's highlights such as the hilariously entertaining characters of Gad Hassan (Omid Djalili) and Winston Havelock (Bernard Fox), the epic soundtrack composed by Jerry Golds...

This week on The Tape Store Podcast, Toby and guest co-host Jeff (sitting in for Brooke) return to 1999 and Star Wars - Episode I: The Phantom Menace.  This time, we talk about the massive and unprecedented cultural craze that surrounded this film, which was the first of a new Star Wars trilogy.  What makes this so special is that both Toby and Jeff were young adults during this time, wh...

This week, Toby and Brooke along with guest host Jeff Darden (Toby's long-time best friend) talk about 1999's Star Wars - Episode 1:  The Phantom Menace, the only Star Wars film that's a 90s movie!  We talk about the powerhouse duo of Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson) and Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor), the menacing Darth Maul (Ray Park), the whole Trade Federation political stuff in layman's terms, the...

This week at The Tape Store we continue to celebrate all things Star Wars in the month of May with 1983's Return of the Jedi.  We talk Luke Skywalker's growth and maturity and the significance of his new lightsaber, the importance of the character of Mon Mothma, Han Solo's failed attempt to get the jump on a Scout Trooper with a one heck of a backhand, the intense speeder chase on Endor, Luke...

May is Star Wars Month here at The Tape Store.  This week we kick off the festivities with 1980's Star Wars:  The Empire Strikes Back.  Widely considered the best of The Skywalker Saga, Toby and Brooke discuss what makes this film such a classic.  We talk about the strengths and weaknesses of hero Luke Skywalker and also compare and contrast him with heroine Leia Organa.  ...

We're excited to introduce a new series in The Tape Store Podcast, "The Angel Grove Chronicles", where we discuss our favorite teen superheroes, The Mighty Morphin Power Rangers.  This week we talk about the first episode, "Day of the Dumpster", where we meet Zordon and Alpha 5, some inept astronauts, Rita Repulsa and her gaggle of villainous but comical underlings, the five teens-with-attitu...

We're goin' green this week at The Tape Store as we delve into the 1996 disaster film "Twister".  We talk about the story arcs of characters Bill "The Extreme" Harding (Bill Paxton) and Jo Harding (Helen Hunt), the film's excellent ensemble cast, the "steak and eggs" scene at Aunt Meg's, Dr. Melissa Reeves as a sympathetic character, and the differences between Bill and Jo's ragtag storm-chas...

This week on The Tape Store podcast, we go back to 17th Century France, and also, 1998, to talk about the swashbuckling film "The Man in the Iron Mask".  We discuss the beloved and legendary Musketeers Athos, Porthos, Aramis, and D'Artagnan and the stellar ensemble cast of actors that filled these epic roles (John Malkovich, Gerard Depardieu, Jeremy Irons, and Gabriel Byrne, respectively). &n...

This week, we talk about the 1990 film Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.  It's a great film and full of memorable gems: Raphael dropping the D-Bomb (3 times!), Master Splinter as the World's Greatest Dad, April O'Neill's stressed out boss Charles Pennington (Jay Patterson), Elias Koteas's outrageous performance as vigilante Casey Jones, Shredder's boneheaded blunder that causes him to lose it all...

This week Toby and Brooke go back to BaydockviewSIDE! to discuss Saved By The Bell, Season 3, Episode 17 - S.A.T.'s.  First off, who can forget James (played by Mark Blankfield), the struggling actor who STEALS THE SHOW in his roles as the Harvard University representative and Stanley Alan Taylor?  We also talk about Zack "Mr. SAT" Morris's high-level intellect, his doomed study date wit...

This week, The Tape Store goes to The Underground.  We talk about the 1986 Jim Henson film "Labyrinth".  While we journey through this magical film, we spend a great deal of time unpacking and analyzing the character of Jareth the Goblin King (played by the late GREAT David Bowie).  What were his motives?  Did he just want to turn baby Toby into a goblin, or was he really set o...