by Video Store Podcast
"The Video Store Podcast" is a nostalgic dive into the world of movies, hosted by a group of former video store employees and enthusiasts who share their unique insights and recommendations on films in each episode. Perfect for cinephiles and casual viewers alike, this podcast brings back the magic of discovering hidden gems and blockbuster hits, one movie at a time. <br/><br/><a href="https://www.videostorepodcast.com?utm_medium=podcast">www.videostorepodcast.com</a>
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
3/8/2024
Email Addresses
1 available
Phone Numbers
0 available
April 21, 2025
<p>This week on The Video Store Podcast, I’m recommending four offbeat cop films that have stuck with me over the years. These films can be funny, gritty, offbeat, and sometimes kind of chaotic in the best way possible. So what movies am I recommending?</p><p>Running Scared (1986) – Billy Crystal and Gregory Hines as two wisecracking Chicago detectives. This one’s got a great mix of comedy and action, and it leans into that mid-80s buddy cop energy without taking itself too seriously. Michael McDonald’s “Sweet Freedom” is on the soundtrack, which feels like a time capsule in itself.</p><p>Miami Blues (1990) – Alec Baldwin in a role that’s kind of hard to pin down. He plays a violent conman who ends up impersonating a cop. It’s based on a Charles Willeford novel and keeps that oddball tone where you’re not always sure if you’re supposed to laugh or be disturbed. Fred Ward is great in it too, playing the worn-out detective trying to catch him.</p><p>Freebie and the Bean (1974) – This one’s messier than most cop movies, but it’s intentional. Directed by Richard Rush, who also did The Stunt Man, it's full of reckless driving, dark humor, and strange tonal shifts. Alan Arkin and James Caan play the leads, and they’re either chasing criminals or arguing with each other. It kind of laid the groundwork for a lot of buddy cop films that came later.</p><p>Stakeout (1987) – Richard Dreyfuss and Emilio Estevez as partners on a surveillance detail that doesn’t stay professional for very long. There’s a good balance of suspense and comedy, and Madeleine Stowe holds her own in her first major role. It was directed by John Badham, who also did WarGames and Short Circuit, so the pacing is solid.</p><p>If you’re in the mood for movies where different type of cops break rules, hunt odd suspects or drive their car on the track of an elevated train, I think you will find something here you will like.</p><p><p>Thanks for reading Video Store Podcast! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.</p></p><p></p> <br/><br/>This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href="https://www.videostorepodcast.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1">www.videostorepodcast.com</a>
April 15, 2025
<p>Welcome back to the Video Store Podcast and a happy belated Record Store Day to you! Since you hang out at the Video Store, you are obviously a fan of physical media, and I hope that includes vinyl records. I’ve selected four films this week that look at films featuring records and record stores. </p><p><strong>High Fidelity</strong><strong> (2000)</strong></p><p>First up is High Fidelity featuring John Cusack, Iben Hjejle, Todd Luiso, Jack Black, Lisa Bonet, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Joan Cusack, and Tim Robbins. Reeling from a big break-up with Laura (Iben Hjejle), Rob Gordon (John Cusack), recounts to the audience his top 5 break-ups of all time, the same way he would his top 5 favorite albums. As he walks the audience through his break-ups, he starts to work through his relational issues. It’s a film about working through your own problems, taking responsibility for how you’ve hurt other people, and trying to be better. And with its setting of Rob’s record store, a killer soundtrack, and all the vinyl records everywhere, it’s a great pick for this theme. </p><p><strong>Sing Street</strong><strong> (2016)</strong></p><p>Sing Street is the best film nobody saw in 2016. Set in the early-mid 80s, Conor is forced to change schools due to the economic downturn in Ireland at the time and his parents’ looming separation. Struggling to fit in, Conor finds solace in music and music videos with his brother Brendan. Conor decides he wants to start a band that forms an accidental community among his bandmates, an aspiring model, Raphina, and even the school bully. Conor and his friends start to find hope through music, even in a seemingly hopeless and desperate situation. There are loads of things to love about Sing Street, but the original music really makes this film something special. The soundtrack even got a vinyl release, so look for it at your local record shop, though, heads up, it’s a bit hard to track down in the US. </p><p><strong>Pirate Radio</strong><strong> (released as </strong><strong>The Boat That Rocked</strong><strong> in the UK) (2009)</strong></p><p>Set in 1966, Pirate Radio tells the story of a young teenage boy, Carl, who is sent to live with his godfather on Radio Rock, the pirate radio station ship anchored in the North Sea, broadcasting rock music to the UK. Featuring a killer ensemble cast, including Philip Seymour Hoffman, Billy Nighy, Rhys Ifans, Nick Frost, Emma Thompson, January Jones, Kenneth Branagh, Chris O’Dowd, and so many more, this is a wonderful film about getting into trouble for the right reasons. The film centers on the love of music and finding where you fit in. Plus, look at all that beautiful, vintage radio equipment and the shelves and shelves of records. Absolutely gorgeous. </p><p><strong>Empire Records</strong><strong> (1995)</strong></p><p>The last film I’ve selected for today is Empire Records. While set in a record shop, this is a film that’s really more about finding out who you are and finding where you fit. For the group of young misfits that work at Empire Records, it’s right there at the record store. This is a story about protecting that found family and celebrating the good things in your life. Plus you’ll want to have a dance party with your chosen family at the end of the movie. </p><p>Thanks for joining us this week at the Video Store Podcast. As the great philosopher Corrine Bailey Rae says, “Girl, put your records on. Tell me your favorite song. Just go ahead let your hair down,” while you spin some records and movies about records. </p><p><p>Thanks for reading Video Store Podcast! This post is public so feel free to share it.</p></p><p></p> <br/><br/>This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href="https://www.videostorepodcast.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1">www.videostorepodcast.com</a>
April 7, 2025
<p></p><p>Welcome back to the Video Store Podcast! Our little store recently celebrated two separate milestones! Not only does March mark the one year anniversary of our fun little podcast, but this just so happens to be the 50th episode of the show, which means I (<a target="_blank" href="https://substack.com/profile/110254729-rob-flack-ohara">Rob "Flack" O'Hara</a>), <a target="_blank" href="https://substack.com/profile/99765276-ashley-thomas">Ashley Thomas</a>, and The <a target="_blank" href="https://substack.com/profile/23485215-retroist">Retroist</a> have officially recommended 200 films for your viewing enjoyment. U hope you returned them all on time.</p><p>For this week’s show I had planned to do something that coincided with our show’s anniversary… and right as I was walking the store’s aisles looking for movies to recommend I learned of the untimely passing of Val Kilmer, which convinced me to change course. Kilmer will be remembered as one of the great actors of our time. From Batman to Willow, Kilmer was woven into the 80s and 90s. The hardest part about this week’s show was narrowing my selections down to only four. </p><p><strong>Top Gun (1986)</strong></p><p>Ride into the danger zone with this classic from the 1980s starring Tom Cruise as Maverick, Kelly McGillis as Charlie, and Val Kilmer as the one and only Ice Man. When I was a teen I didn’t know anyone who hadn’t seen this film and yet today it seems many younger film fans skipped it. Featuring an all-star cast and a soundtrack full of hits that will “take your breath away,” Top Gun is a classic that remains watchable and relevant today. </p><p><strong>Real Genius (1985)</strong></p><p>In Real Genius, a group of brilliant college students are brought together to work on a project that someone may or may not have nefarious plans for. Val Kilmer is Chris Knight, a loveable, quirky genius who takes a fifteen-year-old genius named Mitch under his wings. Will the geniuses have what it takes to complete their project — and if they do, will they also be able to stop it? Real Genius remains one of my favorite 80s comedies of all time. A guy’s gotta have his standards.</p><p><strong>Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005)</strong></p><p>In this old-school pulp detective story dragged into the 20th century, a thief (Robert Downey, Jr.) and a private detective (Kilmer) work together to solve a murder — and then more murders… and then try to avoid getting murdered. This is a fantastic film, dripping with style and unexpected twists and turns. Sit back, relax, and try not to lose the plot… or a finger.</p><p><strong>Tombstone (1993)</strong></p><p>No tribute to Val Kilmer would be complete without this film, featuring his iconic performance as Doc Holiday, Wyatt Earp’s loyal friend. Also starring Kurt Russell, Sam Elliott, and several others, Kilmer’s performance in Tombstone will never let you forget who’s your Huckleberry.</p><p>Rest in peace, Mr. Kilmer. If you haven’t seen any of these in a while (or at all) feel free to check one (or all) of them out — just don’t forget to rewind your tapes and have them back on time to avoid late fees.</p><p>Thanks for visiting our store over the past year. Business is booming and it looks like management will be renewing the lease for another year!</p><p><p>Thanks for reading Video Store Podcast! This post is public so feel free to share it.</p></p> <br/><br/>This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href="https://www.videostorepodcast.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1">www.videostorepodcast.com</a>
The Retroist
Rob "Flack" O'Hara
Purple Stuff Podcast
Jamie Logie
Weirding Way Media
Curiouscast
Paul Scheer & Amy Nicholson | Realm
Earwolf and Paul Scheer, June Diane Raphael, Jason Mantzoukas
Audacy
iHeartPodcasts
Audacy & Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey
Dana Gould
The Retro Hour (Retro Gaming Podcast)
Pod Engine is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially connected with any of the podcasts displayed on this platform. We operate independently as a podcast discovery and analytics service.
All podcast artwork, thumbnails, and content displayed on this page are the property of their respective owners and are protected by applicable copyright laws. This includes, but is not limited to, podcast cover art, episode artwork, show descriptions, episode titles, transcripts, audio snippets, and any other content originating from the podcast creators or their licensors.
We display this content under fair use principles and/or implied license for the purpose of podcast discovery, information, and commentary. We make no claim of ownership over any podcast content, artwork, or related materials shown on this platform. All trademarks, service marks, and trade names are the property of their respective owners.
While we strive to ensure all content usage is properly authorized, if you are a rights holder and believe your content is being used inappropriately or without proper authorization, please contact us immediately at [email protected] for prompt review and appropriate action, which may include content removal or proper attribution.
By accessing and using this platform, you acknowledge and agree to respect all applicable copyright laws and intellectual property rights of content owners. Any unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or commercial use of the content displayed on this platform is strictly prohibited.