Rewind This

I don't even want to call this a documentary, it's so much more a retrospective.

I absolutely adore Rewind This, it might be the biggest love letter to VHS I've ever seen. Again it doesn't really dig into the history of how VHS came to be, what it accomplished, and how it faded, it certainly touches on those things but really it's this look at so many facets of that industry. 90 minutes with credits can't do it justice, so it's very much like here when we do lightning rounds. They touch on how JVC came up with the idea, the competition with Betamax tapes, how studios sold the rights to get films on tape, they even delve into the adult market and how pornos made an impact, they discuss cover art for the boxes, tape trading and bootlegging, how independent filmmaking got a big surge thanks to the video camera, among other topics. It's all done with a lot of love and positivity, the range of interviews solidifies this point alone, we see some familiar faces from Adjust Your Tracking, but we also see video store owners, recognizable names of the horror industry, a good few japanese actors and filmmakers, and more that makes it undeniably real and even at times heartfelt. I will say this little special started off with an iron fist to my solar plexus, we start off at a Trader's Village and I was like huh I've been to one of those before, and then the city of Grand Prairie Texas pops up and I was half expecting to see 9 year old me on camera at any moment, never has any piece of media quite hit that close to home for me! After that I was glued to the screen, and honestly the more I think about it the more genuine appreciation and affection I have for this retrospective grows. Everything is just worn on it's sleeve here, it's the most candid and somehow unbiasedly biased documentary I've seen. It's dirt simple in terms of production but it's the stories, the experiences, the emotions showcased here that grabs you! Sweet Jesus God, when they start talking about the then modern landscape of media and how physical media is being put by the wayside um...Nostradamus himself couldn't have called it better and if anything reinforces why I try my damndest to buy the things I love. I have, hand over my heart, more than 1,100 pieces of music on my phone's library but I still buy CDs. I actually have a bevy of streaming platforms but with certain films and shows I wholeheartedly buy them. I am a hardcover book kind of Dude, I won't even touch a digital book. Now granted admittedly I'm a jaded old man who loves his anachronisms that is plain to see, yet I feel anyone can grasp especially when watching this why people not only hold VHS so dearly but advocate to own something for life physically. I'm really blown away by this. Adjust Your Tracking was the extreme side of the VHS fan spectrum, whereas this is more mainstream and as stated above focuses on the many aspects of the format. I couldn't recommend it higher, and hypocritical though it is you can watch both these documentaries on Tubi for free but I would gladly slap down money for the VHS copy of this celebration of home video. 4 stars, 8.5/10! And next week we look at something that I was positive I've reviewed before and was amazed I didn't.

Adjust Your Tracking

Fun fact true fact, both this and my next review have been sitting in my Amazon cart since about 2016.

So to finally get to watch this is pretty neat, I mean anything with VHS is up my alley. But holy fuckaroli I thought I was dedicated to good old fashioned videotapes, until I saw this documentary and the maniacs presented therein. Now it's not really about the history or commercial impact VHS had on the world, it's more about the hardcore collectors and their undying passion for what many people even in 2012 when they were filming this damn thing would deem obsolete. It's a very simple and straightforward project where they just film these guys about their experiences, memories, and love for VHS which does rather prompt me to join in the fun myself and tell tales. Although my collection is sparse compared to theirs and my experience with videotapes is rather limited to that 1995 to 2005 era, so basically the tail end of it all I am a stalwart believer in physical media and have a soft spot for this material. If the statistic presented in this documentary is true, 45% of VHS showcases whether movie, show, or other has not made the leap to DVD or even Blu-Ray kinda proves why I refuse to say it's dead or useless. Do I have nostalgic ties to it? Of course I do. I got 3 or 4 banana boxes filled with tapes and still watch them from time to time! So I can easily understand and appreciate the folks shown here and their dedication, it's undeniably a niche documentary for a niche group but it's interesting to hear their stories and see how they've built a community with likeminded people. That was easily my favorite part near the end when you hear them talk about how fun and rewarding it is to seek and hunt films either solo or with friends at these hole in the wall shops or even at yard sales and stuff like that, I mean it's gratifying to hear from my point of view. When I first moved down to where I live now, those first couple of months, I was trying to seek out any video store I could and every single one no longer existed. It was a bummer man but it was always something I enjoyed, Blockbuster was pretty much it when I was far younger than I am now and to wander the aisles and rent something I never would have seen otherwise was special! I love bopping around used bookstores and looking at stuff, I do still on occasion pick up a VHS tape if it's something I love and want to have. I love my old shit, I can't help it and I shan't do anything to stop it. I think it's pretty groovy to see people want to preserve history in any form they can, and you can tell the folks interviewed have the love for it even if the movie sucks. It doesn't help I was familiar with some of the movie titles they were throwing around and hearing some of the prices of money they dropped on certain films made me just shake my head and sigh heavily, but fans exist of all types of media where they accept it all good, bad, or ugly. I can't hate that! For a barely 80 minute look into extreme collectors of magnetic home video entertainment it was a fun watch and I'm just happy I got to ramble about something I love. I give it 3 stars, 7.5/10!

Poultrygeist

I'm not disappointed.

Despite the absolute shitstorm hellscape I was briefly aware of on the production of this movie, Poultrygeist is my second favorite Troma movie now. The adage "art through adversity" exists for a reason and this might be the most biting and outrageous commentary on not only fast food but social outcry as well. Based around a fried chicken restaurant built on an indian burial ground we follow the plight of hapless dipshit Arbie who when confronted with his liberally minded and newly lesbionic girlfriend Wendy out of spite works at the fast food joint, as cross contamination with food and obvious green death goo births zombie chicken people and the fight to stay alive is on. Easily the funniest since Toxic Avenger both in the blunt lines and visual gags, you can tell they had a lot to say but credit must go to the actors who make it as funny as it is. Jason Yachanin is nothing short of hilariously dumb as Arbie, honestly to the point where he's an unlikeable prick who somehow still makes you laugh. Very few people in fact are present who you can cheer for! Kate Graham as Wendy slays me with some of her line deliveries and her run makes me almost weep just thinking about it now, and Wendy is unabashedly a stance on the mostly ditzy bimbo who's a try hard environmentalist fighting the good fight (or at least attempting to). Robin L. Watkins is our human villain this time around, the epitome of corpulence and greed as the restaurant chain's leader who does everything in his power to keep the food running amidst all the body fluids painting the walls. But is it parody if it's true? If legends have a kernel of truth to them, parodies have a thick layer of truth to them. My choice of favorite character is Hummus, mainly because every character gives her shit on her muslim heritage which is beyond unwarranted and she gets to save the day at the end, so I dig that. Oh did I mention it's kind of a musical too? It's not prevalent throughout, but we do get legit music numbers when characters sing their feels or have a debate complete with backup dancers, I won't lie it's pretty catchy. The special effects have never been more gross or bloody and while I'm not positive what the budget was it all came together super well, from the zombie chicken prosthetics, to the geysers of blood, to the shall we say creative implements utilized it's very impressive what all they got on screen. In fact it certainly sounds like a miracle there was even a movie at all, and I'm interested to watch the documentary for myself which is on record as required viewing material if you ever want to work at Troma. It certainly makes me appreciate the film all the more when you hear it's such a hassle to get done. We sure went out on a high note and I'm very pleased to have finally gotten my hands on that underground niche of shock cinema, but knowing me I kinda figured I would enjoy it anyway! And you're in luck if you sick bastards want in as well because every movie reviewed here and then some is available 100% free on Tubi. 4 stars, 8/10, and in the words of Johnny Olson come on down!

Tromeo And Juliet

I would easily watch this over the Baz Luhrman movie any day of the week.

Now is it shall we say faithful to Shakespeare? Nnnnno. But a funny adaptation it is, taking the romance of star crossed lovers and their feuding families and delivers it the only way Troma could. It's undoubtedly a passion project from Lloyd and took a long ass time to get backing enough to even start production, but he wanted to go for it and I must give credit where it is due. This was not a Kabukiman style production of over a million bucks, about $350,000 but the quality on the screen speaks volumes to the dedicated crew who worked on it. It takes a fine balance to quote Shakespeare among other classic authors and combine that with gore and lewdness, but it works well in my eyes. It certainly helps this is one of the strongest casts I've seen in a Troma picture, Jane Jensen and Will Keenan effortlessly captures that wide eyed romance just with a lot more banging involved, William Beckwith is a classically trained actor and ooh it has been a minute since I've seen a villain this damn hateable and just gross he may truthfully be the standout performance, Valentine Miele which is a name in and of itself something ol' William would come up with is such a little shit that he may be my favorite of the troupe, and if you need any confirmation as to why I enjoy this so much the whole story and narration is done by fuckin' Lemmy from Motorhead. That absolutely should have been part of every production of this play. Admittedly it's not as out there as some of the other movies I've reviewed this week, at least until nearer the end, and it takes such a street level view with this world known story that warrants at least one viewing. The production design, the extras, the soundtrack, the effects, all the pieces that make it come together give a lot of flavor and variety because let's be honest here Romeo & Juliet has been told too many times that it gets fucking boring! Goddamn if they showed this in my 9th grade english class I guarantee everyone would not only be glued to the screen but could write a hell of a report after the fact! It's a parody absolutely but that doesn't diminish the effect or relevance of it's being. If you wanted body piercings, lesbionics, loss of limb, and plenty of cussing in your theatre play look no further. It's entertaining as hell and we all know hell is pretty entertaining. 3 stars, 7.5/10! 21st century Troma here we come!

Sgt. Kabukiman NYPD

I don't know what's stranger, the film or how the film came to be.

Apparently this was an offshoot of a character in Toxic Avenger Part 2, and Lloyd being Lloyd made a joke about commiting to a kabuki character film when, I shit you not, word got spread and Namco yes the video game Namco approached Troma with a $1.5 million dollar budget to make a family friendly media icon. From the way Lloyd wrote about it he seemed rather disappointed he didn't commit to going full Troma or full kid friendly and kinda bounced back and forth. Me however? This is another great movie that I was so happy to have watched! I had a blast reveling in the ludicrous story of New York cop Harry Griswold getting entangled in a murder case and being imbued with magic powers, taking on an almost superhero persona of Kabukiman and going after a rich suit who orchestrated the killing. What I think helps tether it down to where it's not so outrageously stupid you can't enjoy it is Rick Gianasi as Harry, he has this Jack Burton quality to how he plays Harry a reasonable guy who has experienced some very unreasonable things, and somehow maintains dignity in that costume. Assisting him in learning his capabilities is Lotus played by Susan Byun who is just as amazing if not more so than Rick, she's a badass and just cracks me the hell up! Even the villain and his motley crew of henchmen are pretty entertaining, it's like everyone knew precisely what kind of movie this is and gauged their performances just right. That is some damn credit to the director and actors, cause while I undoubtedly love the movie I don't know if I could ever pull off acting in it. In a strange sense it nearly has this Power Rangers feel to it, and admittedly yes the tokusatsu sentai thing was very much around in 1990 but I don't think it had any influence on the production. It just feeeels like it, they even do the low angle front flip shot which is synonymous with that genre which makes me just enjoy it all the more. I know Troma worked very closely with a consultant as to not sabotage the film with offending japanese audiences so the over the top humor with the powers of Kabukiman I feel work just fine in the picture. It's a very solid production all around, very good directing around New York City, great cast as far as I'm concerned, the action is sparse but fun and memorable regardless, the humor is spot on for me and scratches that parody style Troma incorporates, and it's another home run for me this week! I feel confident in saying Troma's attitudes toward filmmaking is don't take shit from anyone only give shits, because they do not slack off. They make it work with what they can do and that's a pretty affirming stance with independent filmmakers everywhere. Strong recommendation once more, 4 stars, 8/10! One more for you from the 90s next time.

Class Of Nuke Em' High

Boy high school in the 80s really must have been a different beast.

Made just 2 years after Toxic Avenger Troma set it's sights on a less than traditional teen story involving a nuclear power plant woefully administered and spreading radioactive material to the less than quarter mile away high school leading to mutations, freak outs, and a monster in the basement. Now admittedly this didn't grab me in an iron clad vise like Toxie but don't let that discourage you, it's still a decent movie that's more for the fun of it all than to tell a strong story. It still has that off the wall Troma humor that you would expect as we see the various groups of students interact, our mostly straight laced couple Chrissy and Warren, the class clown Eddie, and the punked out rebels stirring shit constantly the Cretins. Again pushing the environmental message of Toxic Avenger and shows just how easy contamination can occur with nuclear waste, but thankfully in a fun campy way and not the slit your wrists horrific dread of Chernobyl. I do like our leads a fair bit with Chrissy getting my vote for best character and she's quite a screamer to boot, the Cretins though not as ridiculously overblown as the antagonists in Toxic Avenger have their moments and it must have been grand to act these roles, and I will be straight up the mutated monster design is honestly one of the best and most original I have seen in recent memory almost to the point I could recommend watching it just for that alone! The plot progression might seem meandering and there is hardcore setup/payoff moments but it really will depend on what keeps your attention, and for me it semi did. I was never bored with it and had a few good laughs so it's far from fluff! They definitely had more of a budget for effects and some of them are pretty damn amazing in my eyes, the cast looks like they were having some fun bringing these characters to life, and I truly did want to see just how it would all end. I am happy I saw it, and no doubt it has a good deal of fans, but it was just decent for me. 2.5 stars, 6/10, and we enter the 90s next time.

The Toxic Avenger

Greetings from Tromaville!

It's time. Granted it hasn't been on my list for a long time but the motion pictures of Troma have grabbed my interest enough to where I'm gonna review a good selection throughout the decades starting with the movie that truly made Troma what it is today. The Toxic Avenger is a great movie, I have no qualms saying that. For a relatively low budget movie about a dweeby janitor getting covered in toxic waste and mutating into basically a superhero (albeit a bloodsoaked one), it's hard to deny it's charm and more so the comedy. It might just be the most outrageous, over the top, completely unserious movie I have ever laid eyes on to the point where the absurdity is in excess. You could be the most prudish, stick up your ass, fucking square² person on the face of the earth and you couldn't take this seriously! You don't even need a certain sense of humor to get it, you just need A sense of humor to get it! I was pretty invested not too far from the opening shot and credit to where it's due on the production side of things they did make this as good as they could, and I read Lloyd's book All I Need To Know About Filmmaking I Learned From The Toxic Avenger and it sounds like a shoestring crew of very talented people contributing as much as they can. The effects are great and delightfully gory, the stunts are not too flashy but done very well, and the overall cinematography I felt was just right for this movie. It's definitely one of the most 80s movies I've seen in pure aesthetic choices but what I truly appreciated was the stances the film took on real life issues, damning landfills and improper waste management, showing elected officials who have no interest in the people they serve, and they even take a jab at the health craze going on around the mid 80s. Lloyd is a wacky guy but the man is well read and forward thinking about issues and combine that with Michael Herz booksmarts on running the production company and sharing the same views meant there was going to be more to this than just a monster movie. Toxie is shaping up to be my role model after this movie, you'll think I'm cracked out a bit saying this but this is a very uplifting movie, sure it's got headcrushing and guts plus some of the most hilariously ludicrous crimes but it has definite heart. Simple acts of kindness from Toxie while also cleaning the streets of scumbags speaks to me. I'd happily walk a little old lady across the street before dashing some child prostituting asshole's grey matter out on the pavement. There's even a funny and cute romance with him and a blind girl named Sara, I'm rooting for that until the day I die! Definitely a movie meant to be watched late night with likeminded friends and junk food aplenty. It's an odd piece of cinematic history but is a lot more than most anybody would ever give it credit for. Super strong recommendation from me, 4 stars easily, 8.5/10!