VACC 01/27/2025 Newsletter
Welcome back to another exciting week at the Video Archives Cinema Club. Can you believe it's already the end of January and that next week I'll be writing to you about February titles? I can't believe it! This month flew by. I wonder what the month of February holds? We'll just have to wait and see.
This month at the Cinema Club, we really showed a variety of films -- and this week is no exception! I have some awesome physical media to show off, and I'm also thrilled to say that most of these shows are SOLD OUT! I love a packed theater! You guys all know the deal about the stand by line, but sometimes even a sold out show has tickets pop up ... is that another ticket for Waterworld I see? Better be quick and snag it!
For the first show of the week, we have a sold out screening of Bring Me The Head of Alfredo Garcia on Tuesday January 28th. As Matt mentioned on the episode, we will be screening a tape from Quentin's collection.
And, as Matt and I mentioned ... here's the tape that was given to me and made its way back to Matt! It's similar but different.
Next up, there are still tickets for Wednesday's 2PM show of William Wyler's The Heiress.
I'm totally obsessed with this "Film Classics" grid box, which was tape number 3118 at Video Archives.
On Thursday the 30th -- we're playing Coven with co-hit Modus Operandi. As I mentioned on the show, this double feature was so possible that we added a second showtime! Tickets are still available for the 4PM screening, while the 7:30PM show is sold out. Remember though, there is always a standby line!
Both of these tapes are distributed by Mark Borchardt himself -- and signed! I don't know if you can get these tapes currently, but Mark does sell official Coven memorabilia over on his website. There is a wait list for signed Coven VHS, and you can join the waitlist on that same website.
The tapes are also super cool. I like how all of the Modus Operandi tapes are different colors. The one in Quentin's collection is white with pink stickers, while mine is orange with yellow stickers.
I really love the back of this box. with all of the quotes and pictures and "stickers". This truly gives you a flavor of what you're in for with Modus Operandi!
As mentioned on the episode, I recalled that I had a cassette tape of Modus Operandi. I went home and took it out of my case -- where it's on display next to my only other cassette, Angelique Kidjo's Logozo -- and snapped a pic of it.
Matt had guessed it was the soundtrack, but in fact, it's actually an audio commentary. Pretty cool!
Cinema Club regular and Gala Show Guest, Aaron LaPlante, brought in this very cool cassette of Coven's score. This cassette is still available for purchase through Forever Midnight Records & Cassettes.
Also, shoutout to member Smokin' Bogan who makes his custom tapes of the Archives titles double and triple features. He made this one of Coven with co-hit Modus Operandi so that he could enjoy the double feature from the comfort of his home down under in Australia!
The label for Modus Operandi has a misspelling but ... honestly, I think that just adds to it. And I love all the special stickers that he puts on the tape! It really looks like a well loved tape that has been passed around the video store.
Now for our final title of the week. On Friday the 31st, we have Waterworld! This year is the 30th anniversary of the flick, so it's awesome that we're able to play it at the Cinema Club. For the screening, we will be playing this tape from Matt's collection.
I know that there will be a lot of cool items at the Waterworld screening, as the fans are going to show up and show out. I wish I could lend Roger's laserdisc for display, but since I can't, we have the man himself showing it off
The LD claims that Waterworld is one of the "Top 10+" movies of the year. This amp goes to 11!
You'll know that we typically have a Saturday evening show (last week we celebrated Crichtonacht), but as the Cinema Club calendar for February is still being formed, the screening may just be a surprise! Once we have more information, we'll post it over in the community chat ... but as always, make sure to follow the Cinema Club over on instagram and twitter for updates on showtimes and formats.
What kind of movies are you guys hoping to see in February? Let me know in the comments below! As always, I'll see you next week with even more titles.
xoxo gala
Comments (15)
Hey Gala -- so to answer your question from this current week's Video Archives Cinema Club Selects Podcast -- BTW, thank you again for the shout-out on it -- I was actually able to catch all but one of the Cinema Club screenings this week. I was in attendance this week and loved the experiences so much of seeing THE HEIRESS, COVEN/MODUD OPERANDI, and WATERWORLD, all on VHS. It’s not an easy decision, but I would say my favorite movie this week is ...drum roll... WATERWORLD! Not only was it a very special evening curated by Matt bringing in special guest Peter Rader, but watching the movie with everyone for a second time all these years later after I first saw it in theaters in '95, I have a whole new appreciation for the movie. Seeing it now, I was blown away by not only how well it all holds up, but in fact, it played even better for me this time around. One word....Epic!!! Movies have not been made this way since then, and perhaps never will again. And I loved and appreciated all the off beat humor in it too. I didn't remember it being so funny. And maybe it's just seeing it at this point in my life, that I can take it all in and admire the movie and the ambition of it on a deeper level. Bottom line -- I’m proud to say I can finally call myself a big fan now. Can't wait to watch the Ulysses Cut next that's remastered and included on the WATERWORLD Arrow Video 4K Limited Edition Box Set. Time for me to finally take it off the shelf and invite some friends over to screen it -- maybe even this coming week.
Hey Gala and Matt -- Thanks again for the shoutout this week on the podcast! Looking forward to another great week at the Cinema Club. I already reserved a seat to see The Heiress, and the matinee showing of Coven/Modus Operandi. And BTW, thanks again Matt for the heads up to screen a refresher of American Movie first. I've done my homework ;) Planning to come to Waterworld too on Friday. Sold out online, but can't miss that! Hope there's an extra seat or at least someone's lap available to squeeze in last minute ;)
When I read these newsletters, my subconscious immediately conjures Gala's voice narrating the entire time.
One of my childhood friends had a Vectrex. We would play Star Trek: The Motion Picture on it.
As you guys pointed out in the pod, Modus was something newish to be played. I felt it needed something to give it that old authenticity feel. Hence the spelling error. Love that you picked it ❤️❤️
I feel like an episode about the Vectrex may be in order.
I used to watch Water World all the time as a kid. Haven't seen it since though. I remember a scene where they swim underwater toward New York city if I remember correctly. Wonder how those effects hold up today.
Cannot believe you just dropped a Vectrex on us without even mentioning it.
Holy shit, I miss my Atari 800. Thanks Gala! ♥️♥️
I learned more about Waterworld than I ever thought possible— I must watch it. I also learned I’ve been saying coven wrong my entire life!
The actual word is pronounced “cuh-ven” but Mark has famously said that “cuhven sounds like oven” so his version is pronounced intentionally incorrectly as KO-VEN
God I love that Japanese Clockwork Orange poster
Me too! And I love the frame.
Is that a Vectrex????
That is indeed a Vectrex.