Twisted Dreams

Movie Review (Twisted Dreams Film Festival): VHS Massacre Too

Whereas the documentary VHS Massacre (2016) took a nostalgic look at the decline of VHS and other physical media, its new sequel VHS Massacre Too focuses on such current issues as the lack of interest and even refusal of large streaming platforms — currently the most popular mode of movie consumption — to feature low-budget exploitation films. The documentary takes a sound look at the problem and how it affects independent filmmakers, cast, and crew members. Director Thomas Edward Seymour kicks the film off with film critic Joe Bob Briggs and others discussing exploitation films, censorship, and related topics from the Hays Code onward. It’s a brief but informative introduction and sets the table well for later censorship discussions, such as Blockbuster Video’s refusal to carry certain types of movies. Briggs is just one of several talking heads in the documentary. He provides fine insight on how films can become obscure and even lost without physical media. Filmmaker and actor