The Last Video Store

I'm not always a fan of horror or gore in film, so I was a bit nervous going in to watch this at first. However, within the first 10 minutes, I knew I was in for an absolute treat.

The tone and plot of this movie surprised me in a wonderful way. From it's many comedic, self-aware moments to it's collection of nostalgic references, I caught myself smiling and chuckling so much that my cheeks hurt while I was walking out of the theatre. It was a fantastic homage to the b-movies it draws inspiration from.

As someone who grew up in Canada at the end of the "era of the video store" (and who still has a VHS player with a collection of classics at their family cabin), this movie hit all the right notes for me. It gave me that same feeling of wonder I felt as a kid renting tapes and/or dvd's with my family - what adventures might I find in my chosen rental of the week? The possibilities were endless (and often a bit absurd).

Moments of gore, suspense, and seriousness broken up by hilariously clever nods to the bad CGI and questionable tropes of the 80's and 90's. A surprisingly catchy soundtrack and heaps of interesting framing/lighting choices. Fun, deliciously corny effects. A cast that clearly has a passion for the project and the era of the video store. A truly unexpected joy to watch! I'll definitely be adding this one to the VHS collection at the cabin.