The Last Video Store is a 2023 Canadian supernatural horror film about a young woman who unwittingly discovers a ‘cursed’ VHS tape.
Directed by Cody Kennedy and Tim Rutherford from a screenplay written by the latter and Joshua Roach. Produced by Laurence Gendron and Greg Jeffs. Executive produced by Michael Baker, Mike Chapman, Brendan McNeill, Ari Taub and Patrick White.
The Genco Pictures-NJC Picture Company-The Last Video Store stars Matthew Kennedy, Josh Lenner, Kevin Martin and Leland Tilden.
Blurb:
“In this love letter to the era of the video store, we follow Nyla who accidentally uncovers a ‘cursed’ VHS tape. A film holds the power to connect the real world to a dimension where movie fantasy exists as reality. Nyla and the video store owner unwittingly awaken a long-dormant curse that unleashes a series of classic cinematic villains plucked from the bowels of the B-movies themselves.”
Reviews:
“Usually when Canuxploitation tries to parody itself, it ends poorly. The Last Video Store doesn’t land every self-referential joke, far from it actually. Still, the loving homage to the so-good-its-bad movies of our childhood just manages to outshine some of the more trying moments of tedium that inevitably come along with this type of sentimentality…” ★★★½ Dread Central
“The Last Video Store is nowhere near a perfect homage to an era of movie-watching that’s all but outdated, but it’s sincere and resourceful when it counts […] This one’s for the Joe Bob Briggs buffs out there, making an easy double-bill with the equally meta-humorous Scare Package. With a love of splattery midnighters, corny emotional ploys, and bloody-knuckled indie grit, The Last Video Store makes a valiant last stand.” 7 out of 10 /Film
” …it’s full of deep-cut jokes at the expense of the likes of RageWar – if you know the Charles Band oeuvre, you’ll get it […] Hyperactive Martin, a real-life DVD store owner, and sceptical Adams make a decent team and it even has a few moments of proper horror amid the retro-trash celebration.” The Kim Newman Web Site
“The Last Video Store certainly tries to show some love to straight-to-video sequels and franchises that seem to never end, despite their budget cuts. It is campy and filled with eye-rolling humor, but there is most definitely an audience out there who will enjoy it. Sometimes it feels like it is doing too much, and trying too hard to embrace those tropes and combine its versions of well-loved films.” ★½ Mama’s Geeky
Clip:
Film facts:
Blaster Video is based on The Lobby Video Store a real video store in Edmonton Alberta Canada.
Notes:
Not to be confused with The Last Video Store (2023) written and directed by Brian Vining.
Cast and characters:
Yaayaa Adams … Nyla
Matthew Kennedy … Taggert
Josh Lenner … Viper
Kevin Martin … Kevin
Leland Tilden … Castor Creely
Filming locations:
Hamilton Film Studios – 400 Wellington St N, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada (studio)
Technical specs:
1 hour 18 minutes
