The Video Archives Podcast with Quentin Tarantino & Roger Avary

Latest Episodes:

207 - Of Unknown Origin & More... (with Matthew David Wilder) Jan 21, 2025

Show notes

Writer and Video Archives Cinema Club regular, Matthew David Wilder, joins Quentin Tarantino and Roger Avary as they rip apart the house in George P. Cosmatos' Of Unknown Origin. A hard working businessman recently finally finished his townhouse renovations only to find that he's not the only one who moved in. What starts as a simple game of cat and mouse turns into obsession. Quentin, Roger, and Matthew discuss how their opinions on the film have changed over the years, the connections to other films like Shock to the System and American Psycho, and the theories on just who the invader truly is.

Then, over on Patreon, the guys continue the conversation. Second on today's billing — we've got a third world hitman gone berserk! Quentin, Roger, and Matthew pull the apartheid-sploitation Funeral for An Assassin off the shelves. Starring Vic Morrow, the guys discuss how they discovered this film from trailers on another tape, the muscularity of the directing, and which side this movie is really on. And, to bring it all together, we've got a Canucksploitation sex comedy that will have you begging for special treatment.

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You can also write us a question by sending a letter to The Video Archives Podcast, 1014 South Westlake Boulevard, Suite #14-1328, Westlake Village, CA 91361.

206 - The Andersonville Trial & More Jan 07, 2025

Show notes

Quentin Tarantino and Roger Avary are on the jury in The Andersonville Trial. Based on the play by Saul Levitt, Quentin and Roger discuss Quentin's last viewing of the film with Floyd, how director George C. Scott's own performance in the stage play informed his direction of this testosterone filled powerhouse gang of actors, and the ethics of one's own morals. Would you have done different if you had the chance? The jury's still out on that one.

Quentin and Roger continue the conversation over on Patreon with two more titles. First up, the guys hit the slopes in The Ultimate Thrill. What starts off as a romantic rendez-vous ends in a supreme game of live or die! Quentin and Roger have fun making cyphers out of the characters and share with us where this movie shines. And, finishing up the episode, we watched a movie to prove that Quentin wasn't imagining things — and believe me, he wasn't! It's Jimmy Wang Yu's Beach of the War Gods, where a wandering swordsman defeats a squad of Japanese invaders — thus agreeing to protect the town from invasion. Quentin gives us a history lesson on director Jimmy Wang Yu and his importance in the scope of both Hong Kong and Taiwanese cinema before we move on to the discussion of the director's talent and commitment to cinematic language.

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You can also write us a question by sending a letter to The Video Archives Podcast, 1014 South Westlake Boulevard, Suite #14-1328, Westlake Village, CA 91361.

205 - The Christmas Tree / Santa Claus Is Coming To Town Dec 24, 2024

Show notes

On this episode of the Video Archives Podcast Quentin Tarantino and Roger Avary unpack the ornaments to decorate The Christmas Tree. Quentin and Roger share their perspectives watching this turgid tearjerker as fathers of sons, the cinematic moments they've never seen before, and Roger's personal connection to Terrence Young.

Next up — we better get to sleep and put out the milk and cookies, because Santa Claus is Comin' to Town! In this Rankin / Bass Christmas Classic, postman S.D. Kluger — voiced by Fred Astaire — answers some of the most important questions about Santa Claus himself. Through song and dance we meet colorful characters voiced by Mickey Rooney, Keenan Wynn, Paul Frees, Robie Lester, and Joan Gardner, and learn the true meaning of Christmas.

Merry Christmas Eve, everyone!

PATREON MERCH TWITTER INSTAGRAM

You can also write us a question by sending a letter to The Video Archives Podcast, 1014 South Westlake Boulevard, Suite #14-1328, Westlake Village, CA 91361.

204 - The Thomas Crown Affair (1968) & More Dec 10, 2024

Show notes

Quentin Tarantino & Roger Avary are partners in crime in 1968's The Thomas Crown Affair. Debonaire millionaire businessman Thomas Crown, played by Steve McQueen, is no longer satisfied with his luxurious lifestyle and decides to plan the perfect heist. When the robbery goes off without a hitch, the insurance agency calls in their best operative — the ruthless Vicki Anderson, played by Faye Dunaway. What ensues is a game of cat and mouse against two people who refuse to lose. Our first Norman Jewison title of the show, Quentin and Roger discuss the mastership of the crew, how Steve McQueen was going against type, and debate the ending of the film.

Quentin and Roger continue the conversation over on Patreon with two more titles. First up is 1978's The Big Sleep. Quentin and Roger discuss the differences between the Howard Hawks and Michael Winner versions, the nuances behind Candy Clark's bizarre performance, and the importance of Philip Marlowe in American culture. Then to finish up the night, Quentin and Roger reach for the impossible in Ice Castles. An inexperienced yet naturally gifted ice skater makes her debut in the professional world before a tragic accident threatens to dash her hopes and dreams of skating in the Olympics. Quentin and Roger discuss the masterful cinematography by Bill Butler before they read a review by Video Archives favorite: Jim Sheldon.

PATREON MERCH TWITTER INSTAGRAM

You can also write us a question by sending a letter to The Video Archives Podcast, 1014 South Westlake Boulevard, Suite #14-1328, Westlake Village, CA 91361.

203 - The Substitute & More Nov 26, 2024

Show notes

Quentin Tarantino & Roger Avary go back to class in The Substitute. When an inner city Miami school teacher gets kneecapped after standing up to the school's gang leader, her spec-ops boyfriend goes undercover as a substitue teacher to take down the punk. Quentin and Roger discuss how the on screen chemistry makes this movie work, the excellent extras casting, and how this flick has no right to be this good.

Quentin and Roger continue the conversation over on Patreon with two more titles. Next up: The Promise. A rich student's fiancee has her face mangled by a car accident. Her future mother in law offers to fix her up on one condition: she never sees her son again. Roger and Quentin discuss how this movie mashes up two of Quentin's favorite genres, the smash performances, and some of Roger's speculations behind the true meaning of the film. And, on the last stop of the night, we've got Pancho Villa. Starring Video Archives favorite Telly Savalas, you'll have to see this paella western to believe it.

PATREON MERCH TWITTER INSTAGRAM

You can also write us a question by sending a letter to The Video Archives Podcast, 1014 South Westlake Boulevard, Suite #14-1328, Westlake Village, CA 91361.

202 - The Love Bug & More Nov 12, 2024

Show notes

Quentin Tarantino & Roger Avary join the race in The Love Bug. A down on his luck race car driver purchases a little VW Bug that leads him straight to victory, but he's the only one who doesn't realize that the little car has a mind of its own! In our first ever Disney clamshell title, Roger and Quentin discuss how Herbie honked his way into their hearts, how the Disney regular actors shined in their roles, and the story behind this particular box at Video Archives...

Quentin and Roger continue the conversation over on Patreon with two more titles. Next up, it's The Amsterdam Kill, where a former DEA agent is hired by a drug lord who wants out of the business. Quentin and Roger chat about how this movie was a precursor to heroic bloodshed, the dynamic between actors, and a bit about director Robert Clouse. To finish up our triple feature, we've got Birds of Prey. The guys focus in on the stunt work and how the actors play off each other. Run fast and don't look back, because Birds of Prey may be the last thing your eyes will ever see.

PATREON MERCH TWITTER INSTAGRAM

You can also write us a question by sending a letter to The Video Archives Podcast, 1014 South Westlake Boulevard, Suite #14-1328, Westlake Village, CA 91361.

201 - Narrow Margin & More Oct 29, 2024

Show notes

On the Season 2 premiere of The Video Archives Podcast, Quentin & Roger catch their train -- but only by a Narrow Margin. Once comfortably in their cabin, they'll chat about where Gene Hackman and Anne Archer were in their careers, the gender role dynamics of the characters, and how their initial viewing of this movie influenced the future of film forever. Remember, folks: between the viewer and a film there is only ... a Narrow Margin.

Then, on Patreon, Roger and Quentin continue the conversation with two more tapes pulled from the shelves of Video Archives. Next up is The "Human" Factor. Quentin and Roger chat about the important place this revengeamatic sits in the genre, a brief lesson on director Edward Dmytryk, and discuss the show stopping last ten minutes that need to be seen to be believed. Lastly, the guys head on over to Riverside, where the street violence is so out of control that we've no doubt reached the Killpoint. Featuring actors such as Leo Fong, Richard Roundtree, Cameron Mitchell, and Stack Pierce — you know this movie has Video Archives written all over it!

PATREON MERCH TWITTER INSTAGRAM

You can also write us a question by sending a letter to The Video Archives Podcast, 1014 South Westlake Boulevard, Suite #14-1328, Westlake Village, CA 91361.

124 - Day Of The Dalton Pt. 2: Operation Nam / Blastfighter / Jungle Raiders Jun 06, 2023

Show notes

On today's episode, we continue our memorial to Rick Dalton, the late actor best known for his roles in Bounty Law and the Fireman trilogy. We begin by focusing on Dalton's straight-to-video era with three Italian heavy hitters: Blastfighter, Jungle Raiders and Operation Nam. Later, Quentin concludes his interview with Dalton, shedding light on the career choices he made throughout his life, and the values that the man held.

PATREON MERCH TWITTER INSTAGRAM

You can also write us a question by sending a letter to The Video Archives Podcast, 1014 South Westlake Boulevard, Suite #14-1328, Westlake Village, CA 91361.

123 - Day Of The Dalton Pt. 1: The Marshal Of Madrid / Manhunter May 23, 2023

Show notes

On May 19th, 2023, actor Rick Dalton passed away peacefully in his home in Honolulu, Hawaii. He is survived by his wife Francesca. Dalton was beloved by fans of Bounty Law, where he played bounty hunter Jake Cahill for five terrific seasons, and also for his iconic role as a flamethrower-wielding vigilante in The Fireman series of movies. But he was so much more than those well known parts, with a career that spanned over twenty years.

On this episode of the Video Archives Podcast, we invite you to remember Rick Dalton. In Part 1 of our memorial episode, we discuss his most famous roles, including standout TV performances in Cade's County and Manhunter. We'll also hear excerpts of a Q&A conducted by Quentin in 1999 between him and Rick. Stay tuned for more of our celebration of Dalton's life and work, coming in two weeks.

PATREON MERCH TWITTER INSTAGRAM

You can also write us a question by sending a letter to The Video Archives Podcast, 1014 South Westlake Boulevard, Suite #14-1328, Westlake Village, CA 91361.

122 - Rodan / The Quiller Memorandum / Treachery & Greed On The Planet Of The Apes (with Jules McLean) May 09, 2023

Show notes

Jules "Unruly Julie" McLean (The New Beverly's Director of Operations, former Video Archives employee) joins Quentin & Roger in the store this week! First off the shelves, the crimson monster bird Rodan emerges from a volcanic crater to terrorize Tokyo. Quentin breaks down the career of director Ishirō Honda, then Roger and Julie discuss Rodan's amazing practical effects and surprising, tragic ending.

Next up, the gang goes undercover in The Quiller Memorandum. After two British SIS agents are murdered at the hands of the Phoenix, Agent Quiller is sent to Berlin to investigate. Quentin, Roger & Julie discuss George Segal's performance as Quiller, the subtext from director Michael Anderson, and the chilling final beat. Finally...wait, there are five other Planet Of The Apes movies?! Your hosts explain the origins of Treachery & Greed On The Planet Of The Apes, learn why General Urko has become a regular character in Quentin's home, and ultimately decide: ape good, human bad!

PATREON MERCH TWITTER INSTAGRAM

You can also write us a question by sending a letter to The Video Archives Podcast, 1014 South Westlake Boulevard, Suite #14-1328, Westlake Village, CA 91361.

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