VHS Massacre: Cult Films and the Decline of Physical Media — A Review

15th May, 2019.

Life is … odd, sometimes.

Really.

I’ve …

No, that’s possibly not the direction to go in, now is it … ?

Life … ?   Is what it is: odd, or otherwise.

At any rate … ?

At any rate, I had my nephew over, last week.

As a result … ?

SOMEONE mentioned to Grandma that Uncle’s Paul’s flat’s a bit mucky.

Which meant — if nothing else — making an effort to tidy the place seemed in order.

I’ve done the wall mounted cupboards.



Emptied them out, cleaned any surfaces that need cleaning, got rid of anything with a pre-war* sell-by date, what have you.

Jude possibly won’t be impressed, either way.



At least, not until Antman and the Wasp turns up with pizza.

I, on the other hand?

I’ve got a vague sense of achievement out of the job: plus more room in my cupboards.

And a conundrum or two.

Where did all the teacups — with matching saucers — come from?

And … 

Where the hell did I get the plate with the cheesy 70s style cow from … ?

~≈§≈~

At any rate … ?

The job situation is … 

Well, still ongoing.

Jude’s not here, until tomorrow.

Teasers — and the associated videos — done: up until the end of the month.

Frankly?



Believe it or not?   I fancied a documentary.

Given I’ve always taken an interest in technology, and that an old friend that suggested it?

VHS Massacre: Cult Films and the Decline of Physical Media seemed a good thing … 

~≈§≈~

Originally started when co–directors, Kenneth Powell and Thomas Edward Seymour were involved with the podcast, New York Cine Radio.

As, decided to chart how changing formats had effected the industry: especially how the shift from VHS to downloads and streaming have affect the independents, over the years.

With comments from indie players — including much loved Troma head, Lloyd Kaufman — the pair bounce between interviews, trying to find the Seymour produced The Mark of The Beast, on physical media, and to help to help organise a video edition of the podcast.

~≈§≈~

All of which … ?

Are nicely done.

The various interview give us a lot of insight: especially — at the time the documentary was recorded — about how many indie makers felt streaming was the way forward: as Netflix and YouTube, between them, offered better revenue streams.

Oh, and a surprise appearance from Carel Struycken: Lurch from the Addams Family films of the early Nineties.

Personally?

I’m glad to have seen VHS Massacre.

It’s made on a budget, it wanders a little … but Powell and Seymour have a passion for their subject.

VHS Massacre: Cult Films and the Decline of Physical Media
★★☆☆

*        In the words of No. 6 … ?   Which war … ?