Total Reboot With Cameron James & Alexei Toliopoulos

One of Alexei’s absolute favourite contemporary filmmakers David Lowery jumps into the Last Video Store to pick up a stack of his favourite films. David’s feature films include Sundance Grand Jury Prize winner Ain’t Them Bodies Saints, the live-action adaptation of Pete’s Dragon, A Ghost Story, The Old Man & the Gun starring Robert Redford and Sissy Spacek; and the Dev Patel–led fantasy epic The Green Knight. We talk about some of his first memories of films before even seeing them, the surrealist horror of Freddy Krueger, horror cinema, the genre-bending of Jim Jarmusch, the modern fables of Aki Kaurismäki and Indigenous ghost story anthology. Pick up tickets to catch Alexei in conversation with DAVID LOWERY at MIFF here Follow ALEXEI TOLIOPOULOS on Letterboxd for all the rental combo lists. Here’s David Lowery’s combo on Letterboxd.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Danny Beus from the Aussie rock band Dune Rats finally goes on the record on whether the Muad'Dib (the rat from DUNE) inspired the name of his band (Dune Rats). Their hectic new album is out now IF IT SUCKS, TURN IT UP and they’re about to set out on a huge tour with DARTZ + PURPLE PINGERS. Pick up tickets to catch Alexei in conversation with DAVID LOWERY at MIFF here Follow ALEXEI TOLIOPOULOS on Letterboxd for all the rental combo lists. Here’s Danny’s combo on Letterboxd.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

MULTI-TALENT ALERT! Comedian, actor and Greek Elouise Eftos stops by the Last Video Store to talk about one of her great passions (CINEMA). We go deep on inspiring comedic performances and representation on screen. Follow ALEXEI TOLIOPOULOS on Letterboxd for all the rental combo lists. Here’s Elouise’s list on letterboxd.Music & sounds by Rowan Dix Produced & Edited by Alex Jae and Xanon MurphyArt by Hollow Bones StudioSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

All-timer heroes of Australian music Paul Dempsey from Something for Kate and Bernard Fanning from Powderfinger jump into the Last Video Store to talk about their new collaborative project THE DELUGE (Fanning Dempsey National Park), their favourite flicks, and score a staff pick recommendation from Alexei for a film they can watch while they’re on tour together. Follow ALEXEI TOLIOPOULOS on Letterboxd for all the rental combo lists. Here’s their combo list. Music & sounds by Rowan DixProduced & Edited by Alex Jae and Xanon MurphyArt by Hollow Bones StudioSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sam Campbell, Taskmaster star and once played the killer in a low-budget Christmas-themed slasher film Dive into the world of film with Award-winning comedian Sam Campbell. Alexei have probably seen hundreds of movies together. They talk surreal comedies, sexy sports, grounded coming-of-age cinema and the summer they spent making the slasher film RED CHRISTMAS with their friend Craig Anderson. Follow ALEXEI TOLIOPOULOS on Letterboxd for all the rental combo lists  Here’s Sam's combo list on Letterboxd  Music & sounds by Rowan Dix Produced & Edited by Alex Jae and Xanon Murphy Art by Hollow Bones Studio Watch the episode on YouTube ________ Chapters 0:00 Introduction 3:43 Opening Titles 5:56 ID Check 9:40 New Release - Challengers 26:21 Weekly - Gregory's Girl 41:04 Weekly - The Mask 50:18 Staff Pick - Jeremy 56:52 Staff Pick - The Pied PiperSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The filmmakers behind the hottest Australian indie directorial debut in years BIRDEATER jump into the Last Video Store to discuss their film and two other favourites with Alexei Toliopoulos. In cinemas now, BIRDEATER explores modern Australian masculinity when a bride-to-be is invited to her fiancé’s bachelor party, but when uncomfortable details of their relationship are exposed, the night takes a feral turn. Watch the episode on YOUTUBE Follow ALEXEI TOLIOPOULOS on Letterboxd for all the rental combo lists. Here’s Jack & Jim’s combo list. Music & sounds by Rowan Dix Produced & Edited by Alex Jae and Xanon Murphy  Art by Hollow Bones Studio See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Before she was killing it on the new season of Taskmaster Australia, Jenny Tian was already a comedic sensation on stage and online. Just before she jumps off to tour her stand-up comedy show at THE EDINBURGH FRINGE she hopped into the Last Video Store to talk about her favourite films and reminisce on her time at the top of her university’s film society.  Follow ALEXEI TOLIOPOULOS on Letterboxd for all the rental combo lists. Jenny’s list on Letterboxd here.    Music & sounds by Rowan Dix Produced & Edited by Alex Jae and Xanon Murphy  Art by Hollow Bones Studio See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Horror filmmaker Ti West sits down with Alexei for a short sharp bonus chat in the lead up to his new film MaXXXine, the third in a trilogy of horror films starring Mia Goth. One of the key settings of his latest film is a dank 1980s horror/porno video store, so we had to jump over to Ti for a catch-up about it all. Follow ALEXEI TOLIOPOULOS on Letterboxd for all the rental combo lists.  Music & sounds by Rowan Dix Produced & Edited by Alex Jae and Xanon Murphy  Art by Hollow Bones Studio See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In an historic meeting of the minds, Walkley-winning journalist and documentary maker Marc Fennell steps into The Last Video Store. With season 2 of Marc’s factual tv show STUFF THE BRITISH STOLE currently airing, we asked him to get back to his roots of film criticism to talk about some of his favourite films with Alexei.  Watch the full episode on YOUTUBE Follow ALEXEI TOLIOPOULOS on Letterboxd for all the rental combo lists. Here’s Marc Fennell’s film combo on Letterboxd.  Music & sounds by Rowan Dix Produced & Edited by Alex Jae and Xanon Murphy  Art by Hollow Bones Studio See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of Aotearoa’s most celebrated actors, Rachel House (HEARTBREAK HIGH, MOANA) joins Alexei to talk about her directorial debut THE MOUNTAIN. A heartfelt NZ family adventure about three children on a mission to find healing under the watchful eye of Taranaki Maunga (Mountain), and discover the magic of friendship along the way. Coming-of-age cinema informs the combo today so think about the films that made you fall in love with movies when you pop this in your eyes and ears.  Join Alexei THIS WEEKEND for SUNBURNT SCREENS at The Sydney Opera House 27-30 June Watch the FULL EP ON YOUTUBE Follow ALEXEI TOLIOPOULOS on Letterboxd for all the rental combo lists. Here’s Rachel’s combo on Letterboxd.  Music & sounds by Rowan Dix Produced & Edited by Alex Jae and Xanon Murphy  Art by Hollow Bones Studio See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A much-treasured star of the Australian comedy scene, Aaron Gocs is bloody electric on screen. Catch him and a bunch of your favourite Australian comedians in THE EMU WAR, screening all around Australia this weekend (FIND A CINEMA NEAR YOU HERE). The Emu War gave me some of the most fun I’ve ever had in the cinema. Huge and powerful grubby laughs. You have to see it.  Gocsy is one of Alexei’s oldest mates in comedy, so he knows the fellas taste damn well. Might actually nail the recommendation on this one.  Follow ALEXEI TOLIOPOULOS on Letterboxd for all the rental combo lists. Here’s Gocsy’s list.  Music & sounds by Rowan Dix Produced & Edited by Alex Jae and Xanon Murphy  Art by Hollow Bones Studio See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of Alexei’s best friends, Mitch Orr jumps in to talk his favourite films. Known as “the Prince of Pasta”, Mitch Orr has built a reputation as one of Australia’s most exciting voices in the culinary world. You can currently savour his flavours at KILN at the Ace Hotel in Sydeny and St Kilda’s Prince Dining Room. He’s also co-hosting a Cuisine on Screen program of the best food movies with Alexei at Golden Age Cinema.  Follow ALEXEI TOLIOPOULOS on Letterboxd for all the rental combo lists. Here’s MITCH’s combo on Letterboxd. Catch Alexei hosting the incredible Sunburnt Screens weekend of screenings at The Sydney Opera House on June 27, 28 and 30 HERE Watch the full episode on YOUTUBE Music & sounds by Rowan Dix Produced & Edited by Alex Jae and Xanon Murphy See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

WAYNE’S WORLD, FOUR ROOMS, GAS FOOD LODGING and SAY ANYTHING… Ione Skye stars in all films that sat on Alexei’s staff picks shelf back in his days at Mondo Movies. Ione is not just an all-timer great actor, she’s also the co-host one of the best podcasts WEIRDER TOGETHER with Ben Lee (hear it on SPOTIFY and APPLE).  In the midst of writing her memoir, Ione stopped by the Last Video Store. Ione is one of the best people to talk film with so we cover everything from one of the great modern epics, a hard noir and the film that kicked off 90s American Indie cinema.  Follow ALEXEI TOLIOPOULOS on Letterboxd for all the rental combo lists. Here’s IONE’s combo on Letterboxd. Catch Alexei hosting the incredible Sunburnt Screens weekend of screenings at The Sydney Opera House on June 27, 28 and 30 HERE Watch the full episode on YOUTUBE Follow ALEXEI TOLIOPOULOS on Letterboxd for all the rental combo lists.  Music & sounds by Rowan Dix Produced & Edited by Alex Jae and Xanon Murphy  Art by Hollow Bones Studio Se

If you haven’t seen Aaron Chen’s YouTube special please remedy this ASAP Beloved comedian and dearest friend Aaron Chen joins Alexei in the Last Video Store to reminisce and pick up a combo of his favourite films. Aaron selects one of the great martial arts comedies, an iconic masterpiece of dystopian speculative fiction and a newly returned New Release title PLUS Alexei slips in an Ozlpoitation staff pick for him. Watch the full episode on YOUTUBE Catch Alexei hosting the incredible Sunburnt Screens weekend of screenings at The Sydney Opera House on June 27, 28 and 30 HERE Follow ALEXEI TOLIOPOULOS on Letterboxd for all the rental combo lists. Here’s AARON’s combo on Letterboxd. Music & sounds by Rowan Dix Produced & Edited by Alex Jae and Xanon Murphy  Art by Hollow Bones Studio See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Witness me! Celebrating the release of the decade’s most exciting action spectacle FURIOSA: A MAD MAX SAGA. Filmmaker George Miller + stars Anya Taylor-Joy and Chris Hemsworth have made their way through the wastelands of a post-apocalyptic Australia to find themselves in THE LAST VIDEO STORE. Alexei Toliopoulos sits down with them all to discuss the madness, the Greekness and the fury that goes into making an epic.  Watch George Miller's interview HERE and Chris & Anya's interview HERE Follow ALEXEI TOLIOPOULOS on Letterboxd for all the rental combo lists.  Music & sounds by Rowan Dix Produced & Edited by Alex Jae and Xanon Murphy  Art by Hollow Bones Studio See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of Australia’s greatest storytellers, Troy Cassar-Daley holds the record for most Golden Guitar Awards cementing the proud Gumbaynggirr and Bundjalung as one of country music’s greatest icons. Troy’s new album BETWEEN THE FIRES is out now, recorded at his late mother’s home, it is a powerfully moving collection of songs and stories.  Without hyperbolising, this may be one of the best conversations Alexei has ever recorded. Troy has picked some films that resonate deeply with him and those emotional connections prove to be fertile ground for laughs and some top-tier cinematic celebration. Complete with a staff pick of a western that needs to be crystallised into the canon of cinema’s greats, the TCD visit might be the perfect episode of THE LAST VIDEO STORE. Watch the full episode on YOUTUBEFollow ALEXEI TOLIOPOULOS on Letterboxd for all the rental combo lists. Here’s TCD’s list up on Letterboxd.  Music & sounds by Rowan Dix Produced & Edited by Alex Jae and Xanon Murphy  Art by Hollow Bones Studio

With his new film HOUSEKEEPING FOR BEGINNERS arriving in cinemas this week, Goran Stolevski has proven himself to be one of the very best contemporary Australian filmmakers. A modern master of the close-up, each of Goran’s films are distinctly textured cinematic works worthy of your exploration.  A rental combo that includes a screwball classic, a powerful journey through Seoul and one of the best from Pedro Almodóvar. Without a doubt, Goran Stolevski is far and away the biggest cinephile we’ve had in the Last Video Store so Alexei has to work extra fricking hard to find a staff pick rec off the beaten path. Watch the full ep on YOUTUBEFollow ALEXEI TOLIOPOULOS on Letterboxd for all the rental combo lists. Here’s Goran’s list up on Letterboxd.  Music & sounds by Rowan Dix Produced & Edited by Alex Jae and Xanon Murphy  Art by Hollow Bones Studio See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

BONUS EPISODE! In an attempt to not overstate things, let's just say Alexei is a tremendous fan of all things PLANET OF THE APES… so of course we had to sneak in a quick chat with WES BALL, the filmmaker behind the new film in the franchise Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes ahead of its Australian release this week on May 9th.  Watch the full episode on YOUTUBE More from the Last Video Store later this week!  Music & sounds by Rowan Dix Produced & Edited by Alex Jae and Xanon Murphy  Art by Hollow Bones Studio See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Grab your popcorn and settle in for some scintillating cinematic discussion with the great Peter Helliar. A true lifelong lover of all things film Pete is the perfect guest for The Last Video Store. He’s been on our screens in everything from Rove [Live], Skithouse, The Project and the feature film he wrote I LOVE YOU TOO (2010). Helliar now even contributes to cinema in the most noble way possible… by being a comedian with a great film podcast with YOU AIN’T SEEN NOTHING YET. Right now, Pete is in Sydney playing the Narrator of THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW live on stage.Alexei goes through some of Pete’s favourite films including a future classic romantic drama, the all-timer of hybrid sci-fi comedy cinema and the greatest Thanksgiving road comedy. Alexei of course weaves his magic to find the perfect Staff Pick for Pete… what could it be? Watch the full episode on YOUTUBE Music & sounds by Rowan Dix Produced & Edited by Alex Jae and Xanon Murphy Art by Hollow Bones StudioSee omnystudio.com/listener

Not just the expert on North Korean cinema and hoax authors, Dr Anna Broinowski is one of Australia’s greatest investigative documentarians. Her riveting works include FORBIDDEN LIE$, AIM HIGH IN CREATION and PAULINE HANSON: PLEASE EXPLAIN. Through these and more she’s won a Walkley, 3 AFI/AACTAs, the Al Jazeera Golden Award and even a fricking WGA prize. Anna’s latest work is her memoir DATSUN ANGEL: A true-story adventure inside the savage heart of 1980s Australia - “it’s a feminist Mad Max on really bad 80s speed”.  Alexei’s never had a bigger hero than his mentor Anna Broinowski so it’s an honour to walk her through the shelves to pick out a rental combo of a recent Oscar-winning gothic oddity, a cult classic of experimental Danish documentary cinema and a North Korean Kaiju monster flick with the wildest backstory you’ve never heard + a staff pick recommendation from Alexei for all those looking for a great hoax. Watch the full video on YOUTUBEFollow ALEXEI TOLIOPOULOS on Letterboxd for all the rental co