PODCAST · tv
Broken VCR
by Chad & Hoch
Two middle-aged cinephiles discuss one film a week.
Episodes
-
BONUS #295 Heart of the Beast (2026)
David Ayer's 2026 man-and-his-dog survival thriller, HEART OF THE BEAST, is our feature presentation this week! We talk filmmakers using dog death's for cheap sympathy, Brad Pitt at 62, the CGI animals, Ayer's filmography, Odin the dog, and much more! Join our Patreon ($2.99/month) here...
-
#294 The House by the Cemetery (1981)
Lucio Fulci's supernatural nightmare logic splatter flick, THE HOUSE BY THE CEMETERY, is our feature presentation this week! We talk the HP Lovecraft inspiration, the worst voice actor ever to dub a character, The Godfather of Gore's gruesome FX, atmosphere vs story, and much more! We also pick…
more -
BONUS #293 Primetime (2026)
Lance Oppenheim's 2026 psychological To Catch A Predator character study, PRIMETIME, is our feature presentation this week! We talk Robert Pattinson's performance, Skyler Gisondo, Chris Hansen, the degraded lo-fi style, and much more! Join our Patreon ($2.99/month) here linktr.ee/brokenvcr to…
more -
#292 Firestarter (1984)
Mark L. Lester's 1984 pyrokinetic sci-fi horror film, FIRESTARTER, is our feature presentation this week! We talk Stephen King's career and disdain for this film, John Carpenter's near involvement, stunt men being engulfed in flames, Tangerine Dream, and much more! We also talk Top 7 Dino De...
-
BONUS #291 The Weight (2026)
Padriac McKinley's 2026 gritty old school historical survival thriller, THE WEIGHT, is our bonus feature presentation this week! We talk shooting in Germany vs Oregon, Ethan Hawke's quiet performance, Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Call Me The Breeze" moment, Russell Crowe, and much more! We also visit our...
-
#290 The Guest (2014)
Adam Wingard's 2014 synth-driven dark comedy action thriller, THE GUEST, is our feature presentation this week! We talk about lead actor Dan Stevens, the inspiration of Halloween and The Terminator, Composer Steve Moore, Cannon Films, and much more! We also pick our Top 7 Movies From 2014 in this...
-
BONUS #289 Resident Evil (2026)
Zach Cregger's 2026 relentless video game horror gauntlet, RESIDENT EVIL, is our feature presentation this week! We talk the dark comedy aspect, melding CGI and practical FX, Austin Abrams, honoring the video game without adapting it, and much more! We also talk a few headlines around Hollywood…
more -
#288 The Terminator (1984)
James Cameron's 1984 tech noir action thriller, THE TERMINATOR, is our feature presentation this week! We discuss Cameron's dream that inspired the film, Composer Brad Fiedel's score, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Stan Winston's work, Harlan Ellison's lawsuit, and much more! We also pick our Top 7 James...
-
#287 Sorcerer (1977)
William Friedkin's 1977 gritty, high-tension survival thriller, SORCERER, is our feature presentation this week! We talk about Tangerine Dream, Steve McQueen's demands, gangrene and flash floods in the jungle, "that bridge scene", Roy Scheider, and much more! We also eulogize Dolly Parton and Tim...
-
BONUS #286 Onslaught (2026)
Adam Wingard's 2026 supersoldier action horror flick, ONSLAUGHT, is our bonus feature presentation this week! We talk Reginald VelJohnson, Operation Paperclip, Wingard's world building, the John Carpenter influence, Adria Arjona, and much more! We also talk a few headlines around Hollywood in…
more -
#285 Drive (2011)
Nicolas Winding Refn's 2011 Los Angeles synthwave car chase gangster flick, DRIVE, is our feature presentation this week! We chat about REO Speedwagon greenlighting the picture with Refn's tears, Albert Brooks as the "big heavy", Ryan Gosling's quiet performance, composer Cliff Martinez, and much...
-
BONUS #284 The Dog Stars (2026)
Ridley Scott's 2026 post-apocalyptic melancholy drama, THE DOG STARS, is our bonus feature presentation this week! We talk about Ridley's storyboard process and camera coverage, if Jacob Elordi can carry a film, Josh Brolin & Guy Pearce, the emo-folk score, those "Reapers", pristine Carhart...
-
#283 Escape From New York (1981)
John Carpenter's 1981 dystopian sci-fi action thriller, ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK, is our feature presentation this week! We discuss Kurt Russell's iconic "Snake Plissken", the miniatures and matte paintings, the fantastic supporting cast, James Cameron's involvement, and much more! We also pick our…
more -
BONUS #282 The Rivals of Amziah King (2026)
Andrew Patterson's offbeat Americana crime fable, THE RIVALS OF AMZIAH KING, is our bonus feature presentation this week! We discuss the folk bluegrass music in the film, Matthew McConaughey joining the film after 6-years away from acting, if the revenge fits the crime, Kurt Russell, and much…
more -
#281 Election (1999)
Alexander Payne's 1999 satirical dark comedy, ELECTION, is our feature presentation this week! We discuss Payne's stylish editing and incredible pacing, Reese Witherspoon, the darker edges, Thora Birch being shit-canned from the movie, Chris Klein's discovery, and much more! We also pick our Top…
more -
BONUS #280 The End of Oak Street (2026)
David Robert Mitchell's 2026 sci-fi dinosaur wormhole family adventure, THE END OF OAK STREET, is our bonus feature presentation this week! We talk about the dumb fun at the heart of it, the spirit of Amblin, dinosaurs doing it doggystyle, split-diopter shots, and much more! We also discuss some...
-
#279 Happiness (1998)
Todd Solodnz's 1998 darkly provocative psychological dramedy, HAPPINESS, is our feature presentation this week! We discuss the dark taboos explored, if Todd Solodnz is an "Edge Lord", Philip Seymour Hoffman, Dylan Baker taking on his controversial role, and much more! We also pick our Top 7 NC-17...
-
BONUS #278 Ice Cream Man (2026)
Eli Roth's 2026 campy summertime gore gauntlet, ICE CREAM MAN, is our bonus feature presentation this week! We discuss Roth's decision to launch his production company "The Horror Section", the screenplay, if the volume of kills devalues them, and much more! We also talk some recent headlines...
-
#277 Boogie Nights (1997)
Paul Thomas Anderson's 1997 Los Angeles porno epic, BOOGIE NIGHTS, is our feature presentation this week! We talk about Mark Whalberg's acting, Burt Reynolds being a pain in the ass on set, PTA getting it greenlit after his debut movie bombed, John C. Riley, the darkness of the film, and much…
more -
#276 Lone Star (1996)
John Sayles' 1996 Texas border town murder mystery, LONE STAR, is our feature presentation this week! We discuss Sayles' fascination with regional storytelling, if Kris Kristofferson and Matthew McConaughey are under-used, Ron Canada, channeling Robert Altman, live seque flashbacks, and much…
more -
#275 Before Sunrise (1995)
Richard Linklater's romantic slice of life drama, BEFORE SUNRISE, is our feature presentation this week! We discuss idea and execution of the screenplay, Linklater's obsession with time, the romantic trope of chance encounters, Julie Delpy & Ethan Hawke's stand-out performances, and much more! We...
-
BONUS #274 The Odyssey (2026)
Christopher Nolan's 2026 epic adventure tale, THE ODYSSEY, is our bonus feature presentation this week! We discuss Nolan's epic filmmaking, the dialect, the ridiculous controversy around the movie, if it's emotionally detached, and so much more! We also talk some recent headlines around Hollywood...
-
#273 Living in Oblivion (1995)
Tom DiCillo's satirical dark comedy, LIVING IN OBLIVION, is our feature presentation this week! We discuss the inside-baseball filmmaking world, Catherine Keener's performance, how the film went from a short film to a feature, Peter Dinklage pulling the ladder up behind him, Brad Pitt's near...
-
#272 Cabin Boy (1994)
Adam Resnick's surreal, absurdist fantasy comedy, CABIN BOY, is our feature presentation this week! We discuss the film's Late Night with David Letterman beginnings, Tim Burton backing out of the film after it was written for him, the influence of Ray Harryhausen, Chris Elliott's comedy stylings,...
-
#271 Cemetery Man (1994)
Michele Soavi's 1994 surreal horror-comedy, CEMETERY MAN, is our feature presentation this week! We talk about the fantastic production design, Rupert Everett, Italian horror, the gorgeous Anna Falchi, that WTF ending, and much more! We also pick our Top 7 Movie Graveyards in this week's Silver...
-
#270 Jack the Bear (1993)
Marshall Herskovitz's 1993 melodramatic coming of age dramedy, JACK THE BEAR, is our feature presentation this week! We discuss the screenplay from Steve Zaillian, the origins of the project with Bob Rafelson & Jack Nicholson, character actor Art LaFleur, the despair clashing with childhood...
-
#269 Reservoir Dogs (1992)
Quentin Tarantino's 1992 Los Angeles heist thriller, RESERVOIR DOGS, is our feature presentation this week! We talk about James Woods near casting, the theories behind the film's title, the trouble with Lawrence Tierney, the incredible ensemble (Steve Buscemi, Tim Roth, Michael Madsen, Harvey...
-
BONUS #268 Disclosure Day (2026)
Steven Spielberg's 2026 alien conspiracy sci-fi film, DISCLOSURE DAY, is our bonus feature presentation! We discuss if Spielberg still has it, the alien artifact plot device, Emily Blunt, screenwriter David Koepp's 42 drafts, and so much more! We also talk some recent headlines around Hollywood…
more -
#267 Shakes the Clown (1992)
Bobcat Goldthwait's 1992 satirical cult-class dark comedy, SHAKES THE CLOWN, is our feature presentation this week! We talk about the film mirroring Bobcat's standup comedy roots, Demi Moore's near casting, Tough Crowd, Martin Scorsese's love of the film, the incredible cast like Robin Williams,...
-
BONUS #266 The Breadwinner (2026)
Eric Appel's 2026 squeaky clean family comedy, THE BREADWINNER, is our bonus feature presentation! We discuss Nate Bargatze's standup comedy bits influencing the story, Will Forte, Mandy Moore's "Candy", the product placement, and much more! We also talk some recent headlines around Hollywood in...
-
#265 One False Move (1991)
Carl Franklin's 1991 gritty neo-noir southern gothic crime thriller, ONE FALSE MOVE, is our feature presentation this week! We chat about Billy Bob Thornton & Tom Epperson's screenplay, the movie's ruthless villains, Bill Paxton's rizz, Billy Bob's shitty ponytail, and much more! We also pick our...
-
BONUS #264 Backrooms (2026)
Kane Parsons' 2026 sci-fi liminal space horror film, BACKROOMS, is our bonus feature presentation! We discuss "creepypasta", the story's 4chan beginnings, vibe vs narrative, the "Lynchian" superlative, and much more! We also discuss the current state of original filmmaking in Hollywood. Join our...
-
#263 King of New York (1990)
Abel Ferrara's 1990 gritty New York City neo-noir gangster flick, KING OF NEW YORK, is our feature presentation this week! We talk about Christopher Walken and Laurence Fishburne's iconic performances, shooting at The Plaza Hotel, the film's impact on hip hop culture, The Terminator's influence,...
-
#262 Dune: Part Two (2024)
Denis Villeneuve's 2024 sci-fi epic, DUNE: PART TWO, is our feature presentation this week! We talk the incredible cinematography, the eerie high strangeness of the story, that "Giedi Prime Look", TImothee Chalamet, the countless action set pieces, and much more! We also pick our Top 7 Epic Scale...
-
BONUS #261 Obsession (2026)
Curry Barker's 2026 supernatural romantic horror film, OBSESSION, is our feature presentation! We talk about the film's low budget, Inde Navarrette's star-making performance, the "One Wish Willow", and much more! We also discuss some current headlines around Hollywood in Movie News! Join our...
-
#260 Tár (2022)
Todd Field's 2022 psychological slow-burn character study, TÁR, is our feature presentation this week! We talk about the movie's thematic depth tackling contemporary issues, separating art from the artist, how The Blair Witch Project contributes to the film, the car crash that led to Cate…
more -
#259 Anora (2024)
Sean Baker's 2024 romantic genre-toggling dark screwball dramedy, ANORA, is our feature presentation this week! We talk Mikey Madison foregoing an Intimacy Coordinator on set, the cleaner 70s aesthetic, the union controversy behind the production, anilingus, and much more! We also talk our Top 7...
-
BONUS #258 Hokum (2026)
Damian McCarthy's 2026 gripping slow burn dread fest, HOKUM, is our feature presentation! We discuss jump scares vs dread, exposition in horror, Adam Scott, the director's rabbit motif & horror craft, and much more! We also discuss some headlines around Hollywood in Movie News! Join our Patreon...
-
#257 Nomadland (2020)
Chloe Zhao's 2020 neorealist documentary-style drama, NOMADLAND, is our feature presentation this week! We talk Terrence Malick's enthusiasm for the film, David Strathairn, the cast of non-actor real life nomads, the monologues from Charlene Swankie & Bob Wells, depoliticizing the story,...
-
#256 Pineapple Express (2008)
David Gordon Green's 2008 stoner comedy action flick, PINEAPPLE EXPRESS, is our feature presentation this week! We talk Seth Rogen publicly turning his back on James Franco, Huey Lewis, stoner movie tropes, simple plot devices, personal drug dealer stories, and much more! We also pick our Top 7...
-
BONUS #255 Busboys (2026)
Jonah Feingold's 2026 idiotic buddy comedy, BUSBOYS, is our feature presentation this week! We discuss Theo Von and David Spade financing the film themselves, the eclectic group of standup comics in the cast, the first draft vibe of the screenplay, that "rabbit scene", and much more! We also...
-
#254 Friday (1995)
F. Gary Gray's 1995 South Central stoner hood comedy, FRIDAY, is our feature presentation this week! We talk about the eclectic cast of characters, Ice Cube and DJ Pooh's goal of showing another side of the hood, gentrification, what scared the director about Ice Cube in the starring role, and…
more -
#253 The Stoned Age (1994)
James Melkonian's 1994 Los Angele 70s rock stoner comedy, THE STONED AGE, is our feature presentation this week! We discuss crass low-brow comedy, producer David Heyman, smoking weed out of a pop can, the usage of modern banned language, character actor Taylor Negron, and much more! We also pick...
-
BONUS #252 The Drama (2026)
Kristoffer Borgli's 2026 subversive romantic dark comedy, THE DRAMA, is our feature presentation this week! We argue about Zendaya as an actress, the simple inciting incident at the heart of the screenplay, the editing style, the director's recent controversy, and we also answer the question…
more -
#251 Detroit Rock City (1999)
Adam Rifkin's 1999 rock 'n roll road trip adventure comedy, DETROIT ROCK CITY, is our feature presentation this week! We discuss Gene Simmons' overbearing control of the film, Richard Linklater being sought to direct, KISS culture, if the movie could've worked as a PG-13 film, Stretch Armstrong,...
-
#250 Straight Time (1978)
Ulu Grosbard's 1978 gritty neo-noir crime drama, STRAIGHT TIME, is our feature presentation this week! We talk Edward Bunker's influence on the film, Michael Mann's involvement, Dustin Hoffman stepping away from directorial duties, the "Stanton-Walsh Rule", and much more! We also pick our Top 7...
-
BONUS #249 Project Hail Mary (2026)
Phil Lord & Christopher Miller's 2026 hard sci-fi buddy adventure ride, PROJECT HAIL MARY, is our feature presentation this week! We talk Ryan Gosling carrying the film, the emotional friendship at the heart of the film, the alien "Rocky", the usage of flashbacks, and much more! We also talk...
-
#248 The Big Fix (1978)
Jeremy Kagan's 1978 satirical private eye comedy thriller, THE BIG FIX, is our feature presentation this week! We discuss the genre melding approach, Richard Dreyfuss during a peak run, the film's nostalgic love letter to the death of the 60s, Larry Bishop, and much more! We also pick our Top 7...
-
BONUS #247 The Bride! (2026)
Maggie Gyllenhaal's 2026 dark romantic Bonnie & Clyde monster movie, THE BRIDE!, is our bonus feature presentation this week! We talk Mary Shelley's ghost, the musical dance pieces, Jessi Buckley, Maggie's ambitious big swing, and much more! We also give updates on Paramount's purchase of Warner...
-
#246 A Wedding (1978)
Robert Altman's 1978 satirical ensemble comedy, A WEDDING, is our feature presentation this week! We discuss how a joke gave birth to the film, the controversial sound design, the sprawling cast, and much more! We also pick our Top 7 Stinkers From Filmmakers We Love in this week's Silver Screen…
more
We're indexing this podcast's transcripts for the first time — this can take a minute or two. We'll show results as soon as they're ready.
No matches for "" in this podcast's transcripts.
No topics indexed yet for this podcast.
Loading reviews...
Loading similar podcasts...
Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Broken VCR have?
Broken VCR currently has 293 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Broken VCR about?
Two middle-aged cinephiles discuss one film a week.
How often does Broken VCR release new episodes?
Broken VCR publishes regularly with 293 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Broken VCR?
You can listen to Broken VCR on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Broken VCR?
Broken VCR is created and hosted by Chad & Hoch.
URL copied to clipboard!