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Reichardt's last three pictures are perhaps her best. There's something about the way she plays with genre, or perhaps it's more accurate to say she eschews it, that allows for deliberate pacing to find a greater harmony with every detailed aspect. There's space, and with that genre placement, it allows you to fill in the gaps. It creates a full picture.

I'd pair First Cow with McCabe & Mrs. Miller and I'd pair this with The Friends of Eddie Coyle or The Hot Rock.

Shot beautifully by Dimitri. 

Some of the very best character work I’ve seen in a documentary of this type. Doesn’t linger or build anyone up too much to be a protagonist or antagonist too directly. Or just presents everyone in a rather delicate way that allows for the warmest humour to emerge.

Quite literally messaged Finding Drago's David immediately following this screening, because it is exactly the kind of movie he'd adore.

I mean this as the highest compliment, this is the film I wished I could have made at 19/20. I love the way it plays into retro video games but without attempting to evoke some shallow nostalgia. Instead it zones into this sense of melancholy and loneliness, that feeling of time slipping away or moving at different pace when you’re honed into a game. Where everything else slips away. 

Quite beautiful.

Watched on Thursday June 5, 2025.

What an incredibly enjoyable horror experience to share with a massive crowd at SFF 2025 opening night.

An immensely exciting tone that is comedy forward, but not in a way that feels like an exchange between how tensions are relieved like most blends of the genres of horror/comedy (or comedy/horror). Here, it feels as if the comedy comes naturally, informing the more relationship-based story at the core, and from there, it enhances every other aspect of Shanks' film.

It's rather clever and exemplary of Shanks' witty imagination at every turn. A remarkable genre calling card for a debut feature.

Handsome and quite thrilling.

And just putting this here for my own notes. This was an ER inspired watch for me.

Mimi Leder directed some of the best ER episodes.

Pretty big post-ER movie star vehicle for Clooney.

Pre-ER and the first English language film of Goran Višnjić.

There's some pretty exciting and fun casting here that mostly feels quite impressive, yet (and it may be more a personal hang-up than anything else) it can't escape some feelings of playing dress-ups.

Lovely documentary. Its portrayal of its eccentric subject character is genuinely beautiful and moving with a sweet humanist touch. 

This comes recommended.

Quite a lovely piece that manages to find this commendable balance between historical document and enthusiasm for the offbeat hidden oddities of the vhs era. It might be the best version of both of these and having them together makes this the easy recommendation for anyone curious to explore and enjoy some of that specific nostalgia.

One of the most effective films expressing the descent into fascism I have ever seen. 

Lead by this fascinating and engrossing lead performance from Rudolf Hrušínský that so wonderfully grounds the more absurdist and imaginative style of the film. 

The scene to scene transitions through spatial match cuts so impressively create a subliminal flow to the film.

John Krasinski is no Noah Wyle as The Librarian. 

I mean it goes without saying, I put this on in the background while experienced other equivalent pleasures of life (such as istration and work emails).

So this entry is less expression of opinion and more just acknowledgment that I was in a room while this movie unrolled nearby.

My Greek cultural heritage deeply informs the way I experience death, loss, mourning and grief. That familiar unrelenting and long sense of loss felt present in Talk to Me, the debut film of the Philippou brothers.

With emotional setpieces built around open caskets and ruminations around spirits being present for months following the death of the body, Bring Her Back felt like a film shot through the same lens I experience these dark sides of life.

I've been desperate to ask filmmakers Danny & Michael about this for years. With barely a prompt, it's exactly where my interview with them takes off.

Their guest spot on my show The Last Video Store is up there with my favourite things I have ever recorded.

Watch My Interview with RACKARACKA here
youtu.be/Eg7Z6Y0IWCI?si=A05u1BVRVG7i4d8Y

Or LISTEN here
lnk.to/mZ8A3w

This review may contain spoilers.

The moments after the climax, where we are left with the residents of the home that has been the setting of the entire action of Warfare felt like the success of this entire immersive experiment. 

The BTS making of moments that proceeded the closing credits yanked me out. Perhaps just not to my taste but it confused the thematic resonance for me as a viewer.

Watched on Tuesday May 27, 2025.

Watched on Sunday May 25, 2025.

Had t seen this in over 20 years, since my mother showed it to me. She played the soundtrack constantly while I was growing up. 

It’s such a fun and lovable slice of life. Each character feels so alive and full. 

It’s such a real expression of hope, dreams and ambition beyond one’s lot in life while capturing the murkiness of not having real direction, the way that Saturday Night Fever boldly exemplifies. 

Found an imported 4k at the local op shop. Pretty nice movie. Lots of familiar faces from my favourite tv show ER. Loved seeing Laura Innes in particular. 

And I’m always gonna be a Tea Leoni lifer. It’s a pretty thankless role but I will always love her.

I refuse to stop referring to this as Dead Reckoning Part Two

Was thrilled by every instance of action. Felt worthy of the boundaries of thrills this franchise and its star breakthrough time and time again. 

On a personal taste level, some of the franchise throwbacks landed for me with the desired resonance while others had me wincing. But that connectivity really shows the direction the once auteur lead film by film episodic series M:I uniquely established itself as to the coalition of Cruise/McQ serial it’s transformed into. Both of course have their tremendous merits but I do miss the action auteur A-list Hollywood testing point this was for DePalma, Woo, Abrams, Bird and McQ (for his first and series best second outing) it once was.

Up there with the best of its kind of career spanning music documentary.

Quite frank. In particular, there’s a transcendent interview moment with Lindy Morrison that will just stop you in your tracks. 

Re-watched in preparation for having Robert Forster in the Last Video Store and perfectly hitting just returning from touring in Brisbane.

Excellent.

Pretty close to as great as American action pictures get. The marriage of JCVD and Woo together in American action is glorious fun. Their imported translated quality adds up to something beyond, it feels inspired. 

I’m inspired to pick up the new 4k for my next revisit.

Watched on Tuesday May 20, 2025.

Up there with my most perfect plane movie experiences. Fun to see all the returning stars and nice to see Burton playing with some practicals. Really quite enjoyable for an almost completely hollow experience. 

Good stuff from Dafoe and Theroux too. 

Is it a cut above the other nostalgia baiting legacy sequels? Likely not. But I’m glad I watched it (in I guess 720p via Virgin’s inflight entertainment). 

Thanks Timmy and Mike!

Watched on Saturday May 17, 2025.

Grounding this sweet and lightly sci-fi concept in a 1980s NYC (and embracing those seasonal vibes beautifully) allowed every element to work wonderfully for me. Touched by its melancholic, loving ruminations on closeness and relationships. They could be platonic, but it's the vintage setting that sets up a feeling of a tender exploration of big city queer love and loneliness. Art style and all make for a rewardingly simple experience.

Lacks a bit of the weird alchemy that translates the weirdness of Bloodsport into the primal cinematic masterpiece I believe it is in my heart.

It’s still enjoyably weird work that excels under JCVD’s “American” hero abroad.

Enjoyably bizarre musical fantasy 

It is all about those incredible snake animatronic creations.

Watched on Monday May 12, 2025.

Would have been better if the characters were voiced by famous people like Pete Davidson, a stranger things kid and Ice Spice - and they were all saying funny shit. 

It’s a beautiful cinematic experience. That flowing pace is wonderful to embrace and be held in. Captures the true elegant resonance of fantasy adventure.

Exquisite. The most visually magnificent film created within my lifetime. 

The performances and tone shared by Pace and the young Catinca Untaru is so sweetly complex. 

One of my very favourite films.

I watched this on a plane and I think this is a full hearted recommendation for you to do the same. 

Love watching Georgie on screen. You can’t convince me he’s not Greek. That face belongs to a man who plays tavli, cracked a komboloi around his hands and spent the 20th century diving for sea sponges off the coast of the island of Kalymnos. 

Feels like a stage show you’d have to exaggerate your laugh a bit more to an audible level for to encourage the performers. (Please nobody say this about me). 

Some fun moments, in particular a foot chase between a guy just in his socks and jocks, but a film with a bolder personality would have had the fella knob out the whole time.

A little astonished by this visual essay meets archival documentary. Its energy is singular. Forward momentum motivated by its music. Its pace is just unreal, you’re given so much information but because of that push you only can really hang on to the necessary pieces.

Primitive cinematic elegance. 

It’s alchemy. Almost nothing is typical of a “good” or competent film. Everything is weird or off or the wrong choice. And yet when it all comes together, there is nothing else that delivers with quite the impact of Bloodsport. 

It’s emotional denouement that follows one hell of an action climax is the most surprisingly earned moment of earnest male love.

Did the Kiernan Shipka double and watched this right after Twisters on the flight to Perth. 

Loved her in the lead. Just the right kind of charisma and presence. Hope to see her in some more mature rom coms one day. 

Zach Zucker is absolutely one of the funniest cunnies on planet earth.

Missed seeing this in 4DX so settled with watching it on a plane to Perth instead. 

For me, this was some rather solid and sturdy blockbuster entertainment. Charming and attractive leads capably carry it all. All nicely achieved by Chung. 

It’s all a very good time but a little less charged and special than the original. 

Love Maura Tierney as I’m enjoying her as Abby in ER currently. 

PS they should have FUCKED. And it should have been gratuitous.

The new 4k Is sensational.

The humour, which feels like a descendant of Allen's surrealist comedy (notably in Annie Hall and Deconstructing Harry) makes this feel triumphantly more than the Trainspottingsploitation this (not inaccurately) gets piled in with.

With its more presentational documentary-like narration, this actually almost feels like a more grounded Welsh answer to Wayne's World than funny Trainspotting.

Simm is quite the present lead, but it is so obvious why Dyer became a pretty instant household name. The guy is a fkn star and this is an incredible showcase of his charisma.

Great music and atmosphere.

This was a real favourite to put on during a quiet midweek day shift at the video store.

It's quite a nimble and quietly complex deconstruction of so many things from crime thriller to tropes associated with a queer return home drama. Exponentially fascinating and comical as it explores all through this almost emotionally cold yet immersed first-person perspective. All rather expertly controlled, allowing just enough room to ponder connections and for revelations in the plot to feel quite impactfully resonant as they land.

(It comes recommended and quite the perfect night out at Golden Age Cinema, where it is playing in a very limited release here in Sydney)

A tense supernatural thriller that exhibits moments of masterful mood control. 

Impressive cast that are more than game for this dark material.

Up there with the great factual pieces about film history. Mitchell is so thoughtful and engaging, he makes every connection feel so personal and emotionally resonant. 

Basically an entire semester of a cinema history course snuck into a feature length.

Have weirdly wanted to see this for so long but have always just put it off. (Loved the Butcher Bay video game). 

It’s a genuinely fun and exciting (and far less austere) trashy take on the science fantasy space opera epic. 

I find it basically impossible to not be charmed by Diesel’s love of Riddick. It’s just such a specific use of his gravely voiced charisma that perfectly aligns with his nerdier tastes. 

Wonder if this directors cut was what was put in cinemas if this would have had a much stronger reputation?

Watched on Monday April 28, 2025.

Truly special build to the tension of this thriller. Unique atmosphere the entire way through. There’s a matter of fact elegance to the depiction of cruising here. 

Had always thought I’d seen this but it may have just been the persistence of perhaps the greatest art house film poster of my lifetime. 

Some really beautiful penises too.

Watched on Sunday April 27, 2025.

Watched on Sunday April 27, 2025.

Watched on Sunday April 27, 2025.

Watched on Sunday April 27, 2025.

Watched on Sunday April 27, 2025.

Watched on Sunday April 27, 2025.

Adore Dickerson’s emotive framings 

Billy Zane and Jada are two of my favourite screen presences. Them together is just wonderful for little old me.

Watched on Saturday April 26, 2025.

Watch My Interview with RACKARACKA here
youtu.be/Eg7Z6Y0IWCI?si=A05u1BVRVG7i4d8Y

Or LISTEN here
lnk.to/mZ8A3w

Twin brothers Danny and Michael Philippou are the most excited voices in Australian genre cinema since the release of their horror hit TALK TO ME. Their latest film, BRING HER BACK is another emotionally resonant horror exploration of grief and loss that, in many ways, sures their remarkable debut.

Starring Oscar nominee Sally Hawkins (THE SHAPE OF WATER), Billy Barrat (RESPONSIBLE CHILD), Jonah Wren Phillips (HOW TO MAKE GRAVY) and newcomer Sora Wong, BRING HER BACK is poised to be the horror event of 2025. It’s more than a pleasure to have RackaRacka peruse the shelves of the Last Video Store and pick out some of the films that influenced them.

• Bring Her Back

  HORROR

• What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?

  THRILLER

• Braindead

  CULT

• Singapore Sling

  CULT

• Hiruko the Goblin

  HORROR

Ben Lee loves Albert Brooks comedies and the psychomagic of Jodorowsky

Australian pop music royalty and star of teen comedy classic THE RAGE IN PLACID LAKE, Ben Lee roams through the Last Video Store. Ben is a true cinephile whose tastes range from the surreal to the whacky. Ben’s seminal album “Awake Is the New Sleep” is celebrating its 20th anniversary (stay tuned for cool stuff around that, I’m sure) and you can listen to him and Ione Skye every week on their excellent podcast WEIRDER TOGETHER.

• Psychomagic: A Healing Art

  Documentary

• Adam Green's Aladdin

  Art house

• Defending Your Life

  Comedy

• Local Legends

  Cult

Nash Edgerton loves E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL & FERRIS BUELLER’S DAY OFF

Writer, Director, Stuntman. Nobody’s doing it like Nash Edgerton. He kicked of his feature directing career with the dark Aussie noir THE SQUARE (a film Alexei actually jigged school to go see in cinemas) and he also directed all 3 seasons of what might very well be the very best Australian television series MR INBETWEEN. A pleasure to get Nash in to peruse the shelves of the Last Video Store with Alexei.

• Ferris Bueller's Day Off

  COMEDY

• E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial

  ADVENTURE

• Straight Time

  CRIME

• Bellman and True

  CRIME

Gracie Otto loves MULHOLLAND DRIVE & CHUNGKING EXPRESS
Weaving between narrative and documentary features OTTO BY OTTO, SERIOUSLY RED and extensive work directing some of the best television (including DEADLOCH and HEARTBREAK HIGH), Gracie Otto is one of the most skilled and in-demand filmmakers in Australia. With great stories around Wong Kar-wai and David Lynch, Gracie’s visit to the Last Video Store is one of the greats.

• Revealed: Otto By Otto

  Documentary

• Mulholland Drive

  CULT

• Chungking Express

  CULT

• Hippo

  CULT

Julio Torres loves Nicole Kidman in BIRTH + his surreal comedy PROBLEMISTA

Watch or listen to the podcast here

Just before he lands at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival Julio Torres s Alexei Toliopoulos to explore the Last Video Store. Julio Torres is one of the great modern masters of surrealist comedy. Julio made his bones writing now classic sketches at Saturday Night Live (including PAPYRUS starring Ryan Gosling), he’s also the creative force on tv series LOS ESPOOKYS & FANTASMAS. Now Julio has directed his feature film debut the brilliant comedy PROBLEMISTA, starring Tilda Swinton.

• Problemista

  COMEDY

• Where Is the Friend's House?

  ART HOUSE

• Birth

  CULT

• Love Serenade

  CULT

• T Blockers

  HORROR

When comedian and podcast host Michael 'Hingers' Hing was 19 and in his 2nd year of uni, he wrote a list of what are, in his opinion, the best 50 movies of all time. And for the first time ever, he's sharing that list exclusively on The Last Video Store podcast.

From Pulp Fiction to Finding Nemo, Michael and Alexei go through every movie on that list in this very special episode which will have you saying "Are you talkin' to me?" or something equally annoying.

1. The Pianist
2. Kill Bill: Vol. 1
3. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
4. Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb
5. A Clockwork Orange
6. Trainspotting
7. Adaptation.
8. Pulp Fiction
9. Citizen Kane
10. Mulholland Drive

...plus 41 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.

Cameron James returns for some hard neo noir and the classic SUNSET BOULEVARD (Anniversary Spectacular)
Celebrating a year into the pod with our original first customer and best mate… it’s the return of Cameron James! Cam has just released his new half hour special on Grouse House (the home of Finding Yeezus).

• One False Move

  CRIME

• Sunset Boulevard

  CRIME

• Elevator to the Gallows

  CRIME

• Cutter's Way

  CRIME

• Twilight

  CRIME

Filip Hammar & Fredrik Wikingsson directors/stars of THE LAST JOURNEY love SIDEWAYS and THE ACT OF KILLING

Their film THE LAST JOURNEY just became the highest grossing Swedish documentary ever and was selected as the Swedish entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 97th Academy Awards. The duo Filip och Fredrik are responsible for some of Sweden’s best-loved comedic journalistic innovations, THE LAST JOURNEY is no exception. A touching and hilarious comedy documentary road movie as they take Hammar’s retired father on a nostalgic trip to to help him get back his joie de vivre!

• The Last Journey

  DOCUMENTARY

• The Act of Killing

  DOCUMENTARY

• Sideways

  COMEDY

• Hands on a Hardbody: The Documentary

  DOCUMENTARY

• Revealed: Otto By Otto

  DOCUMENTARY

Charles Williams, director of INSIDE starring Guy Pearce, loves FAT CITY
Filmmaker Charles Williams won the Short Film Palme d'Or at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival for his his short ALL THESE CREATURES. His feature directorial debut INSIDE is in cinemas now. A superb crime thriller starring Oscar nominee Guy Pearce, Cosmo Jarvis (Shogun) and newcomer Vincent Miller is in Aus cinemas now. He’s also a former video store clerk so you know it is a banger!

Watch it here 

• Inside

  CRIME

• Fat City

  DRAMA

• The Earrings of Madame de...

  DRAMA

• Prime Cut

  CRIME

• The Funeral

  CRIME

Zachary Ruane returns for THE SUBSTANCE, I SAW THE TV GLOW and De Palma’s BODY DOUBLE
Aunty Donna legend and film obsessive Zachary Ruane returns to the Last Video Store to reveal if Alexei’s recommendation of Brian De Palma’s BODY DOUBLE really was the perfect staff pick and to talk through a pair of the best new horror movies.

BOOK TICKETS for Zach and Alexei’s comedy fest show REFUSED CLASSIFICATION in MELBOURNE, SYDNEY, ADELAIDE, PERTH and BRISBANE

Watch on YouTube: youtu.be/QLg9vdqNN18?si=eORl1ftzi4DRYyC-

• Body Double

  THRILLER

• I Saw the TV Glow

  HORROR

• The Substance

  HORROR

• Def by Temptation

  HORROR

Aisha Dee loves HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS and the vengeful Blaxploitation of Pam Grier in COFFY

Star of APPLE CIDER VINEGAR (on NETFLIX), THE BOLD TYPE and one of the best new Australian horror films SISSY, Aisha Dee s Alexei on THE LAST VIDEO STORE. And almost instantly is the guest with the biggest impact on the show so far by picking the coolest fricking movie anyone has picked up in the first year of the pod and then immediately picking up the film that Alexei hates more than any other. Dream guest, fantastic episode.

• Official Competition

  COMEDY

• Coffy

  CULT

• How the Grinch Stole Christmas

  CHILDREN

• Wild Tales

  COMEDY

ratbag loves EDWARD SCISSORHANDS, THE BOY AND THE HERON and the portals of fantasy

Wandering into the Last Video Store to pick up some of their favourite films is one of Alexei’s new favourite musicians, ratbag. A rising Aotearoa alternative artist, ratbag’s latest track is “look what you're doing to me” and it continues a streak of fun and thoughtful music married with incredibly creative music videos. It’s true ratbag fricking rocks, in particular, Alexei also loves their double EP “pinky girl”/”pinky boy”.

• The Boy and the Heron

  ADVENTURE

• Edward Scissorhands

  CULT

• Where the Wild Things Are

  ADVENTURE

• Son of the White Mare

  ARTHOUSE

Watch me chat to Leigh on YouTube 

Our special guest in the Last Video Store this week is Leigh Whannell. Breaking into horror co-writing SAW with James Wan, Leigh has built a reputation as one of the modern masters of genre cinema directing the films UPGRADE and THE INVISIBLE MAN.

His latest film WOLF MAN is in cinemas now. Starring Christopher Abbott and Julia Garner, WOLF MAN is a tense, thoughtful and horrifying lycanthropic nightmare.

Leigh Whannell as he chats with Alexei Toliopoulos about some of his favourite films in the style of an old school video store rental combo + a staff pick from Alexei (based on his taste).

• Wolf Man

  HORROR

• The Fly

  HORROR

• The Shining

  HORROR

• Vampir Cuadecuc

  ART HOUSE

Legendary comedian Wendy Harmer loves DUNE, IN COLD BLOOD and the dark side of the outback in WAKE IN FRIGHT

Celebrated author, playwright, broadcaster and one of the all-time legends of Australian comedy Wendy Harmer stops by the Last Video Store to visit her little mate Alexei and talk cinema. One of the most fun episodes of the podcast so far with the fast and loose riffs, these two have perfect comedic chemistry. Wendy’s one of the most fascinating people in Aus arts and media, of course her favourite films reflect that!

• Dune

  SCI-FI

• Wake in Fright

  THRILLER

• In Cold Blood

  CRIME

• The Stranger

  CRIME

David Farrier loves ALIENS and a documentary about sperm donors in America

One of the great modern documentarians, David Farrier explores factual storytelling through his films TICKLED and MR ORGAN, the Netflix series DARK TOURIST and now weekly on his must-listen podcast FLIGHTLESS BIRD. If there was no TICKLED, there’d be no FINDING DRAGO, FINDING DESPERADO or FINDING YEEZUS so you can imagine it was truly an honour for Alexei to host David Farrier at the Last Video Store.

WATCH IT ON YOUTUBE: youtu.be/MtosbmLmqOA?si=Vyiq12cBICcO-TSo

• SPERMWORLD

  DOCUMENTARY

• Aliens

  SCI-FI

• Take Shelter

  DRAMA

• Forbidden Lies

  DOCUMENTARY

I love film 🎥 I love cinema 🎞️ I love movies 🍿 but most of all I simply adore entering a darkened cavern, sitting down for a couple of hours to pay my respects to the glowing illuminated rectangle (silver screen).

Here I bring you 24 of my favourite offerings from the glowing rectangle this year 📼 @lastvideostorebetoota will have a 2 part breakdown of the year in cinema next week with special guest @melbfilmfest programmer @katejinx from @seealsopodcast

• Better Man
• Hard Truths
• Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga
• Balomania
• Love Lies Bleeding
• Anora
• Challengers
• Babygirl
• All We Imagine as Light
• Daaaaaalí!

...plus 14 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.

Triple J’s Luka Muller loves SUPERBAD, STARSHIP TROOPERS and the carnal pleasures of eating an ortolan

Comedian, Triple J breaky host and ⅓ of the haunted brains behind the fantastic comedic podcast Oooh, Spooky, LUKA MULLER s Lex to wander through the hallowed halls of the Last Video Store picking out his favourite movies. Luka’s comedy special Five Top Smells I Smelled Before comes out on December 22, on the Comedy Republic YouTube.

• The Taste of Things

  ART HOUSE

• Starship Troopers

  SCI-FI

• Superbad

  COMEDY

• Battle Beyond the Stars

  ADVENTURE

AUNTY DONNA’s Mark Bonanno loves SPEED RACER and Furiously Fast Families

It is the festive time for pud and panettone so Mark Bonnano had to swing by to pick up his favourite films. One of the funniest film lovers around. Mark just announced AUNTY DONNA’s 2025 tour DREM - pick up tickets NOW

• Fast X

  ACTION

• Speed Racer

  CULT

• Adaptation.

  COMEDY

• Reality

  COMEDY

Hugo Weaving & Daniel Henshall love dark Christmas movies and Turkish arthouse cinema

HOW TO MAKE GRAVY, the adaptation of the classic Paul Kelly song is your taste of Australian Christmas melancholy cinema this festive season. Stars of the film and icons of cinema HUGO WEAVING and DANIEL HENSHALL wander into the Last Video Store to pick up a rental combo of their favourite films. A great chat with a couple of dream guests.

WATCH IT HERE: youtu.be/4U5FUTdZa3g?si=VrrwQ_ewUmhE4xHz

• How to Make Gravy

  DRAMA

• Once Upon a Time in Anatolia

  ARTHOUSE

• Malcolm

  COMEDY

• Blast of Silence

  CRIME

Confidence Man’s Sugar Bones loves THE SUBSTANCE, ROMEO + JULIET and maximalist cinema

The most excitingly outrageous act in electro-pop, Sugar Bones from Confidence Man stops by The Last Video Store to chat to Alexei about his favourite films and the cinematic influences on their new album 3AM (La La La).

• The Substance

  HORROR

• Romeo + Juliet

  DRAMA

• Uncut Gems

  CRIME

• Alphabet City

  CRIME

HOUSE OF THE DRAGON’s Abubakar Salim loves THE DARK KNIGHT, POOR THINGS and the accent experiments of Tom Hardy
You know him for his tremendous performance as Alyn of Hull on HOUSE OF THE DRAGON, Abubakar Salim is a true renaissance man and multitalented creative. Starring in films like NAPOLEON, series like RAISED BY WOLVES and video games like ASSASSIN’S CREED: ORIGINS. He’s also the creative force and director of Tales of Kenzera: Zau, a metroidvania style adventure game with a focus on poignant emotional storytelling.

It was beyond a pleasure to wander through the shelves of the store with Abu while he was in Australia for SXSW Sydney (who we thank for the link up)!

• Poor Things

  ART HOUSE

• The Dark Knight

  ACTION

• Warrior

  DRAMA

• Ten Canoes

  ART HOUSE

Paul Kelly loves THE SOUND OF MUSIC, BIG NIGHT and cuisine on screen


One of Australia’s most cherished singer/songwriters Paul Kelly steps into the Last Video Store to talk us through some of his favourite films/movies. Paul’s music does that exceedingly rare thing of uniting generations, Alexei loves him as much as his dad, uncles and also as much as someone slightly younger also loves his music. 

Paul’s new album FEVER LONGING STILL is out right now.

• His Three Daughters

  NEW RELEASE - DRAMA

• Big Night

  COMEDY

• The Sound of Music

  MUSIC

• Off the Menu: The Last Days of Chasen's

  DOCUMENTARY 

Jonathan Rhys Meyers loves ALIEN, AMERICAN FICTION and the transcendental cinema of Andrei Tarkovsky
The iconic star of video store favourites BEND IT LIKE BECKHAM, VELVET GOLDMINE, MATCH POINT, MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE III, I’LL SLEEP WHEN I’M DEAD, THE TUDORS and so much more s Alexei in the Last Video Store. Jonathan Rhys Meyers might be the most ionate and exploratory film lover we’ve had through our doors. And I must it, I was completely starstruck by him… a rare occurrence (this is Alexei writing this).

One of my favourite episodes with some of the best films ever discussed on the show and a recommendation that is sure to excite you (this was still Alexei writing this whole thing).

Watch on YouTube 

Listen on Spotify 

Or APPLE PODCAST

• American Fiction

  COMEDY

• Alien

  SCI-FI // HORROR

• Andrei Rublev

  ARTHOUSE

• Alien on Stage

  DOCUMENTARY

Meyne Wyatt & THE MOOGAI director Jon Bell love the surrealist scares of A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET
The star and director of the brilliantly creepy homegrown horror picture THE MOOGAI wander into The Last Video Store. THE MOOGAI follows a young Aboriginal couple whose joy at bringing home their second baby quickly turns to dread, as the mother becomes convinced that a malevolent spirit is haunting her, intent on taking her child. It’s a great example of real-life fears and historical horrors woven through cinematic metaphor while still retaining that literal danger for our unlucky characters. THE MOOGAI is in cinemas around Australia OCTOBER 31, the perfect treat for the Halloween season.

• The Moogai

  HORROR

• A Nightmare on Elm Street

  HORROR

• No Country for Old Men

  CRIME

• 2001: A Space Odyssey

  SCI-FI

• Clearcut

  HORROR

Demi Lardner loves SAW and a bunch of other messed up horror films

Comedian, horror movie lover and all 'round freak Demi Lardner s Alexei in the Last Video Store for this special All Hallow's Eve bonus episode to discuss three of her favourite spooky films. From the classic Saw to the less classic Blood Hook, Demi is a true twisted sister.

• Seance

  HORROR

• Saw

  HORROR

• Blood Hook

  HORROR

• Body Melt

  HORROR

• Paris, Texas

  ART HOUSE

• No Country for Old Men

  CRIME

• O Brother, Where Art Thou?

  COMEDY

• Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia

  CULT

Oscar-winning animator Adam Elliot loves THE ELEPHANT MAN and the nurturing melancholy of MEMOIR OF A SNAIL

When his film HARVIE KRUMPET won an Academy Award, it felt like the entirety of Australia won alongside him. One of the great auteurs of animated cinema Adam Elliot (MARY AND MAX) stops by to talk about his latest masterpiece MEMOIR OF A SNAIL and his style of filmmaking called “clayography”, weaving together clay animation and biographical elements. A true cinephile with impeccable taste, Adam is a pure delight and hard person to recommend a staff pick for!

• Memoir of a Snail

  COMEDY

• The Elephant Man

  DRAMA

• My Life as a Dog

  ARTHOUSE

• I Think We're Alone Now

  DOCUMENTARY

Charlie Clausen loves TALK TO ME, NEAR DARK and metaphysical horror cinema

Just in time for the spooky season, we wander through the horror section with one of the true icons of Australian Podcasting, Charlie Clausen. Who also got his start working in a humble video store. With Wil Anderson, he’s hanging out in your ears with EVERYONE RELAX (TOFOP / 2 Guys 1 Cup) - and just kicking off a new season of paranormal phenomena exploration in THE UNEXPLAINED: EXPLAINED. Not to mention he’s acted in basically every major Australian series from McLeod's Daughters to Wolf Creek. It is an all-timer episode with a legendary soldier of cinema returning to the video store trenches.

• Talk to Me

  HORROR

• Near Dark

  CULT

• Take Shelter

  DRAMA

• The Addiction

  HORROR

• Habit

  HORROR

Polish Club’s Novak loves GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS and the existential horrors of nuclear apocalyptic THREADS

One of the most beautiful voices of Aus indie rock Dave Novak stops by ahead of POLISH CLUB’s national album tour. Go see them live in your town from next week! And their new album HEAVY WEIGHT HEART is a stunner!

• They Cloned Tyrone
• Glengarry Glen Ross
• Threads
• Cleopatra Wong
• Testament

Michelle Brasier loves FURIOUS 7, CRUEL INTENTIONS and MARCEL THE SHELL

Multitalented comedic sensation Michelle Brasier (Aunty Donna Big Ol House of Fun, Koala Man, Thank God You’re Here) drops by The Last Video Store in Betoota to chat to Alexei Toliopoulos and select a stack of movies, and her picks do not disappoint. From the unexpected tenderness of FURIOUS 7 to the expected horniness of CRUEL INTENTIONS, Michelle is a true film lover.

You can read or listen to her fantastic book 'My Brother's Ashes are in a Sandwich Bag'

• Marcel the Shell with Shoes On

  COMEDY

• Furious 7

  ACTION

• Cruel Intentions

  DRAMA

• Drive

  ACTION

Keith Urban loves BMX BANDITS, KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON and THE CASTLE

As he travels through Betoota, the legendary country music superstar Keith Urban stops by the Last Video Store to chat to Alexei Toliopoulos about his favourite films. Truly, what a fricking treat to chat to Keith about Nicole Kidman’s breakout Aussie classic BMX BANDITS and get deep on the gentle hold of Robbie Robertson’s score for KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON. Keith’s new album HIGH is out this week!

YouTube: youtu.be/tmPGdcY3Uks?si=blVLqs5Ss-FOsyd6

• BMX Bandits

  ADVENTURE

• The Castle

  COMEDY

• Killers of the Flower Moon

  DRAMA

• Dingo

  MUSIC

The Weekly Planet’s Mr Sunday Movies & Nick Mason love JOHN WICK, TRUE LIES and RONIN
Pop culture podcast royalty, Nick "Maso" Mason and James "Mr. Sunday Movies" Clement of the Weekly Planet take an esteemed tour of THE LAST VIDEO STORE. A journey through cinema that is less a Caravan of Garbage and more like a Battle for Endorphins because this episode is a pleasurable experience for the brain.

JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 4 (2023) - ACTION
TRUE LIES (1994) - ACTION
RONIN (1998) - THRILLER
HIT! (1973) - CRIME

• John Wick: Chapter 4

  ACTION

• True Lies

  ACTION

• Ronin

  THRILLER

• Hit!

  CRIME

Missy Higgins loves FURIOSA, 12 MONKEYS and GIRL, INTERRUPTED
It can’t be fricking denied, Missy Higgins is one of Australia’s most cherished singer/songwriters. Her new album The Second Act – “a kind of sequel” to her hugely influential debut The Sound Of White which is also celebrating its 20th anniversary.

Missy jumps into the Last Video Store and guides Alexei Toliopoulos through her weirdly perfect trilogy of films.

• Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga

  ACTION

• Girl, Interrupted

  DRAMA

• Twelve Monkeys

  CULT

• Colossal

  SCI FI

KNEECAP director Rich Peppiatt loves GOOD WILL HUNTING and LA HAINE
“Every word of Irish spoken is a bullet for Irish freedom” are the resonant words found in the unlikely indie crowd-pleaser of the year KNEECAP. Based on the origin story of the riotous and ground-breaking Irish-language rap trio Kneecap, the film stars the band’s Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap and DJ Próvaí in their acting debuts alongside Michael Fassbender.

The film’s director Rich Peppiatt jumps into the Last Video Store with Alexei Toliopoulos to talk about KNEECAP, some of his favourite films and slide out with the perfect staff pick recommendation.

KNEECAP is in cinemas in Aus right now. If you want to score a free double hit us up on instagram @lastvideostorebetoota with your rental combo

• Kneecap

  COMEDY

• La Haine

  CRIME

• Good Will Hunting

  DRAMA

• Head On

  DRAMA

The Green Knight director David Lowery loves THE FIRST OMEN, DEAD MAN and getting freaked out by Freddy Krueger

One of Alexei’s absolute favourite contemporary filmmakers David Lowery jumps into the Last Video Store to pick up a stack of his favourite films. David’s feature films include Sundance Grand Jury Prize winner Ain’t Them Bodies Saints, the live-action adaptation of Pete’s Dragon, A Ghost Story, The Old Man & the Gun starring Robert Redford and Sissy Spacek; and the Dev Patel–led fantasy epic The Green Knight.

We talk about some of his first memories of films before even seeing them, the surrealist horror of Freddy Krueger, horror cinema, the genre-bending of Jim Jarmusch, the modern fables of Aki Kaurismäki and Indigenous ghost story anthology.

Pick up tickets to catch Alexei in conversation with DAVID LOWERY at MIFF: miff.com.au/program/film/in-conversation-david-lowery#top

YOUTUBE: youtu.be/FQgfWipG6DU?si=BLoRd-ox7Oqlglkp

• The First Omen
• Dead Man
• The Other Side of Hope
• Bedevil

Danny from DUNE RATS loves DUNE, SCARFACE and THE CASTLE

Danny Beus from the Aussie rock band Dune Rats finally goes on the record on whether the Muad'Dib (the rat from DUNE) inspired the name of his band (Dune Rats). Their hectic new album is out now IF IT SUCKS, TURN IT UP and they’re about to set out on a huge tour with DARTZ + PURPLE PINGERS.

• Dune: Part Two
• Scarface
• The Castle
• The Boys

Elouise Eftos loves DROP DEAD GORGEOUS and ANATOMY OF A FALL…

MULTI-TALENT ALERT! Comedian, actor and Greek Elouise Eftos stops by the Last Video Store to talk about one of her great ions (CINEMA). We go deep on inspiring comedic performances and representation on screen.

WATCH IT HERE: youtu.be/5csRz4MegF4?si=p6oPT5rACayYT4gq

• Anatomy of a Fall
• Drop Dead Gorgeous
• Bend It Like Beckham
• Smile

Aus Music Legends Bernard Fanning & Paul Dempsey, FANNING DEMPSEY NATIONAL PARK

All-timer heroes of Australian music Paul Dempsey (Something for Kate) and Bernard Fanning (Powderfinger) jump into the Last Video Store to talk about their new collaborative project Fanning Dempsey National Park's THE DELUGE and score a staff pick recommendation from Alexei for a film they can watch while they’re on tour together.

Check it out on YOUTUBE: www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTEwxWBdIA4&ab_channel=TheBetootaAdvocate

• The Banshees of Inisherin
• Maixabel
• Groundhog Day
• Living in Oblivion
• Dream Scenario

Sam Campbell, Taskmaster star and once played the killer in a low-budget Christmas-themed slasher film

Dive into the world of film with Award-winning comedian Sam Campbell. Alexei have probably seen hundreds of movies together. They talk surreal comedies, sexy sports, grounded coming-of-age cinema and the summer they spent making the slasher film RED CHRISTMAS with their friend Craig Anderson.

• Challengers
• Gregory's Girl
• The Mask
• The Pied Piper
• Jeremy

The filmmakers behind the hottest Australian indie directorial debut in years BIRDEATER jump into the Last Video Store to discuss their film and two other favourites with Alexei Toliopoulos. In cinemas now, BIRDEATER explores modern Australian masculinity when a bride-to-be is invited to her fiancé’s bachelor party, but when uncomfortable details of their relationship are exposed, the night takes a feral turn.

• Birdeater
• The Heartbreak Kid
• Thief
• The Silent Partner

Jenny Tian, star of TASKMASTER AU and Former President of Her University Film Society

Before she was killing it on the new season of Taskmaster Australia, Jenny Tian was already a comedic sensation on stage and online. Just before she jumps off to tour her stand-up comedy show at THE EDINBURGH FRINGE she hopped into the Last Video Store to talk about her favourite films and reminisce on her time at the top of her university’s film society.

• Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
• La La Land
• Chungking Express
• Night Is Short, Walk On Girl

Marc Fennell, STUFF THE BRITISH STOLE and Formerly ‘THAT MOVIE GUY’
In a historic meeting of the minds, Walkley-winning journalist and documentary maker Marc Fennell steps into The Last Video Store. With season 2 of Marc’s factual tv show STUFF THE BRITISH STOLE currently airing, we asked him to get back to his roots of film criticism to talk about some of his favourite films with Alexei.

• American Animals
• Donnie Darko
• The Insider
• Balomania

Rachel House, Director of THE MOUNTAIN and Star of HUNT FOR THE WILDERPEOPLE

One of Aotearoa’s most celebrated actors, Rachel House (HEARTBREAK HIHG, MOANA) s Alexei to talk about her directorial debut THE MOUNTAIN. A heartfelt NZ family adventure about three children on a mission to find healing under the watchful eye of Taranaki Maunga (Mountain), and discover the magic of friendship along the way. Coming-of-age cinema informs the combo today so think about the films that made you fall in love with movies when you pop this in your eyes and ears.

• The Mountain
• Stand by Me
• Storm Boy
• My Life as a Zucchini

Aaron Gocs, comedian and star of THE EMU WAR
A much-treasured star of the Australian comedy scene, Aaron Gocs is bloody electric on screen. Catch him and a bunch of your favourite Australian comedians in THE EMU WAR, screening all around Australia this weekend (FIND A CINEMA NEAR YOU HERE). The Emu War gave me some of the most fun I’ve ever had in the cinema. Huge and powerful grubby laughs. You have to see it.

Gocsy is one of Alexei’s oldest mates in comedy, so he knows the fellas taste damn well. Might actually nail the recommendation on this one.

• The Emu War

  Some of the most fun I’ve ever had in the cinema. Huge and powerful grubby laughs.

  Dane and Gocsy need to make a hundred things together. Ads. Movies. Shows.

  See this with a crowd and three beers deep.

  Some of the most fun I’ve ever had in the cinema. Huge and powerful grubby laughs.

  Dane and Gocsy need to make a hundred things together. Ads. Movies. Shows.

  See this with a crowd and three beers deep.

• 1917

  Exquisitely made and I do hope this movie becomes a tremendous success so they'll just be hundreds of hours of making of doco footage released.

• Fargo

  Still a unique spin on the murder film infused w disarming observational comedy.

• Point Break

  Beautiful action cinema.

  Reeled me in with the frantic claustrophobia of the foot chase.

  Took my breath away with the first skydive.

  Fell in love when the car got torched.

  Melted on the last wave.

  
  Also loved Garey Busey playing a Greek guy.

• The Last Stop in Yuma County

  Francis Galluppi directorial debut

  A travelling knife salesman (Thunder Road’s Jim Cummings) is caught in a twist of fate when a pair of fleeing bank robbers storm a roadside diner after a routine stop. The diner’s patrons and staff are thrust into a perilous hostage scenario and, like a pot of hot bitter coffee, tensions brew as allegiances shift, drawn guns sway power and the bank heisters’ spoils await the last man standing.

  With a simple premise, sharp-tongued dialogue, and an ensemble of beloved character actors as a cast of oddball locals, this directorial debut is a single-location crime thriller that delights at every tense turn.

  Harkening back to an era of revisionist genre cinema like Reservoir Dogs, Fargo and Two Hands and slyly infused with fresh humour and nasty personality, The Last Stop in Yuma County is a genuine blast from a new filmmaker of immense promise.

Mitch Orr, Celebrated Chef and “the Prince of Pasta”

One of Alexei’s best friends, Mitch Orr jumps in to talk his favourite films. Known as “the Prince of Pasta” Mitch Orr has built a reputation as one of Australia’s most exciting voices in the culinary world. You can currently savour his flavours at KILN at the Ace Hotel in Sydeny and St Kilda’s Prince Dining Room. He’s also co-hosting a Cuisine on Screen program of the best food movies with Alexei at Golden Age Cinema.

• Dune: Part Two
• Dinner Rush
• Menace II Society
• Kids Return

Ione Skye, the iconic star of SAY ANYTHING…

WAYNE’S WORLD, FOUR ROOMS, GAS FOOD LODGING and SAY ANYTHING… Ione Skye stars in all films that sat on Alexei’s staff picks shelf back in his days at Mondo Movies. Ione is not just an all-timer great actor, she’s also the co-host one of the best podcasts WEIRDER TOGETHER with Ben Lee.

In the midst of writing her memoir, Ione stopped by the Last Video Store. Ione is one of the best people to talk film with so we cover everything from one of the great modern epics, a hard noir and the film that kicked off 90s American Indie cinema.

• RRR
• sex, lies, and videotape
• Laura
• Ema

Aaron Chen, Star of FISK and Aaward Winning Comedian

If you haven’t seen Aaron Chen’s YouTube special please remedy this ASAP

Beloved comedian and dearest friend Aaron Chen s Alexei in the Last Video Store to reminisce and pick up a combo of his favourite films. Aaron selects one of the great martial arts comedies, an iconic masterpiece of dystopian speculative fiction and a newly returned New Release title PLUS Alexei slips in an Ozlpoitation staff pick for him.

• Uncut Gems

  Just returned by Angela White

• Children of Men
• Shaolin Soccer
• Dead End Drive-In

Goran Stolevski, the filmmaker of OF AN AGE, HOUSEKEEPING FOR BEGINNERS and YOU WON’T BE ALONE

With his new film HOUSEKEEPING FOR BEGINNERS arriving in cinemas this week, Goran Stolevski has proven himself to be one of the very best contemporary Australian filmmakers. A modern master of the close-up, each of Goran’s films are distinctly textured cinematic works worthy of your exploration.

A rental combo that includes a screwball classic, a powerful journey through Seoul and one of the best from Pedro Almodóvar. Without a doubt, Goran Stolevski is far and away the biggest cinephile we’ve had in the Last Video Store so Alexei has to work extra fricking hard to find a staff pick rec off the beaten path.

• Return to Seoul

  This film is so beautifully in line with it's protagonist, it just allows every moment to be so deeply felt.

• The Philadelphia Story
• Volver

  That opening tracking shot of all the old women cleaning their husbands headstones is just such a incisively beautiful and comic observation. It feels like an image I’ve seen in real life heightened to capture the feeling of this generation of widowed Mediterranean women bound by duty to continue to look after the men and family they dedicated their lives to even when they have outlived them.

• In Search of Anna

  A beautiful trip from one of my favourite Australian filmmakers. My buddy Brad puts it perfectly in his LB entry, "Everyone deserves an Antonioni film set in their home city". Esben Storm evokes that same visual and narrative poetry of cinematic slow rhythms.

  A road movie, set across entwined temporal spaces, that slowly creates a complex portrait of a troubled man. The camera is kind yet cold, somehow creating this tender empathy that vibrates beneath the surface.

  The car radio set to the original Double J (the original Triple J before it changed names) playing The Angels and AC/DC as we traverse the roads and highways.

  Also, Richard Moir plays a guy named Tony (who is Greek) and says "Round the Twist" in dialogue. He would go on to play Tony Twist in Round the Twist, also from filmmaker Esben Storm.

Troy Cassar-Daley, the Country Music Luminary

One of Australia’s greatest storytellers, Troy Cassar-Daley holds the record for most Golden Guitar Awards cementing the proud Gumbaynggirr and Bundjalung as one of country music’s greatest icons. Troy’s new album BETWEEN THE FIRES is out now, recorded at his late mother’s home, it is a powerfully moving collection of songs and stories.

Without hyperbolizing, this may be one of the best conversations Alexei has ever recorded. Troy has picked some films that resonate deeply with him and those emotional connections prove to be fertile ground for laughs and some top-tier cinematic celebration. Complete with a staff pick of western that needs to be crystalised into the canon of cinema’s greats, the TCD visit might be the perfect episode of THE LAST VIDEO STORE.

• The Drover's Wife: The Legend of Molly Johnson
• The Color Purple
• A Beautiful Mind
• Buck and the Preacher
• Thomasine & Bushrod

Peter Helliar, Iconic Comedian, Writer and Film Buff

Grab your popcorn and settle in for some scintillating cinematic discussion with the great Peter Helliar. A true lifelong lover of all things film Pete is the perfect guest for The Last Video Store. He’s been on our screens in everything from Rove [Live], Skithouse, The Project and the feature film he wrote I LOVE YOU TOO (2010). Helliar now even contributes to cinema in the most noble way possible… by being a comedian with a great film podcast with YOU AIN’T SEEN NOTHING YET. Right now, Pete is in Sydney playing the Narrator of THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW live on stage.

Alexei goes through some of Pete’s favourite films including a future classic romantic drama, the all-timer of hybrid sci-fi comedy cinema and the greatest Thanksgiving road comedy. Alexei of course weaves his magic to find the perfect Staff Pick for Pete… what could it be?

• Past Lives

  two childhood friends, are reunited in New York for one fateful week as they confront notions of destiny, love, and the choices that make a life.

  I feel as though I encountered this film at the exact right moment in my life to completely emotionally connect to it. Achieves an enriching balance of spirit, romance, hope, doubt, humor, sincerity, soul, and most potently the nostalgia of one's own formative fantasies attached to those special people that remain most clearly in our memories.

  Captures the emotional range of The Before Trilogy in one sitting and has enough of it's own distinct flavour to not just be Moonlight but straight.

  I loved it. Could not help but to reminisce about the people that once meant so much to me that I fantasized futures with that no longer exist in my present.

• Back to the Future
• Planes, Trains and Automobiles

  Some movies are obviously great. Others gradually thrust their greatness upon us. When "Planes, Trains and Automobiles" was released in 1987, I enjoyed it immensely, gave it a favorable review and moved on. But the movie continued to live in my memory.
  Hadn't seen this for an extremely long time and have a history of bouncing off John Hughes HARD. Think a lot of his movies are borderline evil.

  Powerhouse work from the two leads.

  But this just really worked for me. It earns its emotional ending through character and strength of performance. Fascinated by how this was pared down in the edit, I've read it was much much longer initially. They keep it to all the essential moments and not overhanging on too much growth until the right moment and having that moment in itself being brief works wonders.

  Somehow the sweetness balances out the insanity.

• Miracle Mile

  After 30 years of searching, Harry has finally met the girl of his dreams. Unfortunately, before they even have a chance to go on their first date, Harry intercepts some chilling news: WWIII has begun and nuclear missiles will destroy Los Angeles in less than an hour!

  I think this May have jumped right up next to Children of Men as my favourite apocalyptic film.

  It brilliantly starts by portraying life in the world as this joyous place full of the potential for magic and love. It makes it all the more perfectly tragic when our lead (and eventually the rest of the world around him) begin spinning out of control.

  We’ve got an ensemble of some of the most exciting and interesting working LA character actors bringing joy, fear and desperation to this world.

  Just really stunned by the mix of tones here. Things get bleak but there’s a romantic feeling of hope throughout and it’s all damn fun!