VHS Massacre: Cult Films and the Decline of Physical Media is a 2016 American documentary film directed by Kenneth Powell and Thomas Edward Seymour.
Official synopsis:
“This lively documentary explores the rise and fall of physical media and its effect on independent and cult films. Ranging from the origin of home movies through the video store era, it’s sure to entertain.
With icons like Joe Bob Briggs (MonsterVision), Lloyd Kaufman (Toxic Avenger), Greg Sestero (The Room), Debbie Rochon (Return to Nuke ‘Em High), Deborah Reed (Troll 2), Mark Frazer (Samurai Cop), James Nguyen (Birdemic) and many others.”
Reviews:
“This doc elaborates on the debate between Beta and VHS, the birth of DVD and BluRay, and how downloading and streaming may be the final death knell for physical copies of films. But all is not lost, as the film explains that there has been somewhat of a retro-resurgence for VHS recently as well as talking about how we as the viewers can help save this type of media…” Ambush Bug, Ain’t It Cool News
“VHS Massacre is a must watch for movie fans. I mean real movie fans. The ending was cool because a bunch of the guys went out and bought random VHS tapes they found in different places and had a contest to see which one was the weirdest. It also shows that VHS has made a small niche comeback.” Ken Murray, Nerds Templar
” …the movie’s actually rather amusing, and not only to collectors of VHS-oddities, and is kept alive by some pretty cool interviews […] plus it takes us to many a videostore, before and after closing, and finally invites us to an actual VHS Massacre – which actually has to be seen to be believed. In all, much fun, really!” Mike Haberfelner, Search My Trash
” …also comes the humorous look at what kinds of low rent garbage they were pushing on us (often churned out just to fill shelf spaces). It examines the lost art of box covers and the human relationship that comes with shelf-browsing stated as almost non-existent in today’s market.” HorrorNews.net
The film is released on Blu-ray by Troma Entertainment on May 9, 2017 with the following special features:
- Intro by Lloyd Kaufman (President of Troma Entertainment and Creator of The Toxic Avenger)
- Director’s Commentary
- Deleted Scenes
- Troma Now! Extreme Edition
- Theatrical Trailer
- A Full Episode of Monster Kill: Merminators from Space (The New Web Series by Kenneth Powell and Thomas Edward Seymour)
- Radiation March
- Return to Nuke ‘Em High: Vol. 1 Trailer
- Return to Return to Nuke ‘Em High aka Vol. 2 Fantasia Teaser
IMDb | Images courtesy of HorrorNews.net
