The Last Video Store

It’s the return of the guys that love Jedi - Luka Muller (Triple J) and Angus Truskett (Test Pattern podcast) strike back. It’s another episode talking through their favourite minor Star Wars characters, the best Glup Shitto from a galaxy far, far away. Follow ALEXEI TOLIOPOULOS on Letterboxd (https://letterboxd.com/thisisalexei/) for all the rental combo lists Hit up the Last Video Store on instagram @lastvideostorebetoota for all of our guests picks The Last Video Store is proudly supported by Gravamen: https://gravamen.com.au/

Hey Return Shoot Rats! This week we’re bringing you another podcast we think you’re going to love. This week it’s Test Pattern hosted by Angus Truskett, who you might remember from our Star Wars special episode, on an episode where he is joined by the movie maestro we love, Alexei. Make sure you check out Test Pattern (https://open.spotify.com/show/3ELRLbs4rReBtnIWNzbu47) and we’ll see you next week! “Alexei Toliopoulos — film critic, movie lover, podcaster, comedian and video store lifer — joins Angus Truskett for a conversation about movie obsession, physical media, and the fine line between critic and creator. We get into: our origins, a mild Clint Eastwood phase, Greek intermissions, curating movies for planes, Inner West movies, combatting cultural cringe, Margaret and David, third generation physical collecting, Enter the Matrix, DVD menu loops, all-time special features and commentaries, video store shelves, Ciao Magazine’s Favourite Local Character, Film Bro canon, /r/Fancasting, stagnated franchise fandoms, first Letterboxd reviews, Refused Classification, meeting your heroes, critic vs creator, Mario Puzo’s canal metaphor.”

Today’s guest is Tansy Gardam, the host and creator of Going Rogue, one of the internet’s best film podcasts. Each episode is a deep dive into the production of a complicated ginormous blockbuster (and where it may have gone wrong). Is this the biggest podcast crossover event in the Australian movie podcast galaxy? FOLLOW Tansy and GOING ROGUE (https://linktr.ee/tansymeg) Hit up the Last Video Store on instagram (https://www.instagram.com/lastvideostorebetoota/) for all of our guests picks

Producer Em loves films, but she also loves music. This week she shares her 3 favourite films with exceptional soundtracks with Alexei (and one that sucks) and gets really excited in the process. The Last Video Store is proudly supported by Gravamen: https://gravamen.com.au/ Follow Alexei on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisisalexei/?hl=en And Producer Em: https://www.instagram.com/emmelinepeterson/?hl=en Hit up the Last Video Store on instagram (https://www.instagram.com/lastvideostorebetoota/) for all of our guests picks

Fresh from a stint in the jungle in I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!, Nath Valvo joins Alexei to talk through some of his favourite movies. Nath and Lex are great mates so you’re in for a bloody treat with this one. Hit up the Last Video Store on instagram (https://www.instagram.com/lastvideostorebetoota/) for all of our guests picks

The world has gone crazy for Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey. If you’re feeling like you’d like to continue your own film odyssey, the Greek Freak himself Alexei has four films you probably haven’t seen yet, but definitely should watch. The Last Video Store is proudly supported by Gravamen: https://gravamen.com.au/ Follow Alexei on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisisalexei/?hl=en And Producer Em: https://www.instagram.com/emmelinepeterson/?hl=en Hit up the Last Video Store on instagram (https://www.instagram.com/lastvideostorebetoota/) for all of our guests picks

Movie lover and Dropout favourite Demi Adejuyigbe returns to The Last Video Store to pick two more films he loves. Plus, he reveals whether he enjoyed Alexei’s recommendation of his favourite movie Looking For Alibrandi (I guess the title kind of gives that away). Make sure you see Demi’s show Demi Adejuyigbe Sells Out if you’re at Edinburgh Fringe! Buy tickets for Demi’s Edinburgh Fringe show here: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/demi-adejuyigbe-sells-out See Demi’s special ‘Demi Adejuyigbe: Is Going to Do One (1) Backflip’ here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8W2Y_L-tRU Hit up the Last Video Store on instagram (https://www.instagram.com/lastvideostorebetoota/) for all of our guests picks

Alexei joined Justin Hamilton on his podcast (The Justin Hamilton Podcast) to share their first impressions and initial readings of Christopher Nolan’s THE ODYSSEY. Follow the Justin Hamilton Podcast on SPOTIFY (https://open.spotify.com/show/4MXRpecZi22oLacpZ8hunf?si=a27ba453d10e4e8e&nd=1&dlsi=91436d56b3824a6c) or APPLE (https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-justin-hamilton-podcast/id1484150705) Hit up the Last Video Store on instagram (https://www.instagram.com/lastvideostorebetoota/) for all of our guests picks

The Shadowman's Nightmare is many things: It’s Mark Bonanno’s solo project in the truest sense, it’s an homage to VHS horror boardgames, and it’s a spectacular interactive experience. We talk through how Mark made it and pick up some of the strangest cult oddities from the shelves of the Last Video Store. Hit up the Last Video Store on instagram (https://www.instagram.com/lastvideostorebetoota/) for all of our guests picks See Alexei’s solo show VHS at Comedy Republic (https://www.comedyrepublic.com.au/event/38:578/)

The only podcast on the internet about MIKE MYERS returns. Cameron James and Alexei Toliopoulos return to check in on Mike Myers after many years. Like sleeper agents that have just been awoken because Mike is very much back and declaring there’s an Austin Powers 4. Subscribe to the SPOTIFY (https://open.spotify.com/show/3ENztcN5ZUzAOoyZ9ue4pN) and/or APPLE PODS (https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/mike-check-with-cameron-james-alexei-toliopoulos/id1148866543)feeds of Mike Check See Alexei’s solo show VHS at Comedy Republic (https://www.comedyrepublic.com.au/event/38:578/)

Earlier this year, Kleber Mendonça Filho’s film THE SECRET AGENT garnered 4 Academy Award nominations (Best Picture, Best International Film, Best Actor and Best Casting) and won 2 Golden Globes (Best International Film and Best Actor). He’s a true cinephile and has long been a dream guest to have in the Last Video Store, so it was a pleasure to have him stop by and talk through his favourite films with Alexei Toliopoulos while he was in town for the Sydney Film Festival. See Alexei’s solo show VHS at Comedy Republic (https://www.comedyrepublic.com.au/event/38:578/) Follow ALEXEI TOLIOPOULOS on Letterboxd (https://letterboxd.com/thisisalexei/) for all the rental combo lists Hit up the Last Video Store on instagram (https://www.instagram.com/lastvideostorebetoota/) for all of our guests picks

Celebrating Disclosure Day with a re-release of a classic Total Reboot Special Feature where Alexei and Cameron James discuss the top 8 films of Steven Spielberg's filmography (and assign each one to a different American Holiday). See Alexei’s solo show VHS at Comedy Republic (https://www.comedyrepublic.com.au/event/38:578/) Follow ALEXEI TOLIOPOULOS on Letterboxd (https://letterboxd.com/thisisalexei/) for all the rental combo lists Hit up the Last Video Store on instagram (https://www.instagram.com/lastvideostorebetoota/) for all of our guests picks

Fresh of the premiere of his brilliant horror film LEVITICUS, Director Adrian Chiarella joins Alexei in the Last Video Store. It’s as sensual and emotional as it is scary… and LEVITICUS is very scary. In a small Australian town, two teenage boys must escape a violent entity that takes the form of the person they desire most — each other. See it in cinemas now. See Alexei’s solo show VHS at Comedy Republic (https://www.comedyrepublic.com.au/event/38:578/) Follow ALEXEI TOLIOPOULOS on Letterboxd (https://letterboxd.com/thisisalexei/) for all the rental combo lists Hit up the Last Video Store on instagram (https://www.instagram.com/lastvideostorebetoota/) for all of our guests picks

From THE JUSTIN HAMILTON PODCAST, Alexei was tasked by Justin to think about his favourite trailers to movies (whether the film is good or not is irrelevant, this is all about the trailers). So they sat down together on Justin’s podcast to talk all about them. Make sure you check out more of Alexei’s appearances on The Justin Hamilton Podcast (https://open.spotify.com/show/4MXRpecZi22oLacpZ8hunf) See Alexei’s show with Zachary Ruane REFUSED CLASSIFICATION at SFF (https://www.sff.org.au/program/event/refused-classification/) See Alexei’s solo show VHS at Comedy Republic (https://www.comedyrepublic.com.au/event/38:578/) Follow ALEXEI TOLIOPOULOS on Letterboxd (https://letterboxd.com/thisisalexei/) for all the rental combo lists Hit up the Last Video Store on instagram (https://www.instagram.com/lastvideostorebetoota/) for all of our guests picks

3 Star Wars super tragics join forces to talk about all things Grogu and all things The Mandalorian and Grogu. Luke Muller (Triple J) and Angus Truskett (Test Pattern) join Alexei to talk through the latest film from A Galaxy Far Far Away and pick out their favourite Glup Shitto. See Alexei’s show with Zachary Ruane REFUSED CLASSIFICATION at SFF (https://www.sff.org.au/program/event/refused-classification/) Follow ALEXEI TOLIOPOULOS on Letterboxd (https://letterboxd.com/thisisalexei/) for all the rental combo lists Hit up the Last Video Store on instagram (https://www.instagram.com/lastvideostorebetoota/) for all of our guests picks

At the end of 2024, Alexei was joined at The Last Video Store by podcaster, journalist and commentator Josh Szeps. However, we though we lost it soon after. The video remains a mystery but we recovered the audio, and it was such a great chat we had to release it to the world! Josh is a true film lover, and you can listen to his podcast Uncomfortable Conversations on YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts. Sorry about the wait, Josh! Join Alexei & Cameron James presenting David Byrne’s TRUE STORIES at the Sydney Opera House Saturday Film Club (https://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/vivid-live/saturday-film-club-true-stories) Follow ALEXEI TOLIOPOULOS on Letterboxd (https://letterboxd.com/thisisalexei/) for all the rental combo lists. Hit up the Last Video Store on instagram (https://www.instagram.com/lastvideostorebetoota/) for all of our guests picks

This week a dream guest, Genesis Owusu, joins Alexei in the video store, and he has incredible taste in films! From a Japanese cult classic, to the latest Ari Aster, and even an even an Adam Sandler flick. Plus, he tells us about the surreal time he met Joaquin Phoenix. Genesis is currently on tour, and his album REDSTAR WU & THE WORLDWIDE SCOURGE is out now: https://www.genesisowusu.com/ Pick up tickets to Alexei’s comedy festival tour of his new show VHS in 2026 (https://comedy.com.au/tour/alexei-toliopoulos/) Join Alexei & Cameron James presenting David Byrne’s TRUE STORIES at the Sydney Opera House Saturday Film Club (https://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/vivid-live/saturday-film-club-true-stories) Follow ALEXEI TOLIOPOULOS on Letterboxd (https://letterboxd.com/thisisalexei/) for all the rental combo lists. Hit up the Last Video Store on instagram (https://www.instagram.com/lastvideostorebetoota/) for all of our guests picks

Alexei makes a cameo on the new season of the tremendous popular culture investigation podcast GOING ROGUE. Follow GOING ROGUE on SPOTIFY (https://open.spotify.com/show/2ktZYfjxF5PwG44UC0HPvK) or APPLE (https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/going-rogue/id1636196453) A podcast about the film industry that looks at both the films, and the industry. The show covers the writing, shooting, editing and reshooting of troubled films and tries to not only find out what happened, but why, sometimes in a single episode, sometimes over an entire season. Hosted by film writer Tansy Gardam, Going Rogue is all about the context and complications of making movies, and the often wild reasons that films are... like that. Pick up tickets to Alexei’s comedy festival tour of his new show VHS in 2026 (https://comedy.com.au/tour/alexei-toliopoulos/) Join Alexei & Cameron James presenting David Byrne’s TRUE STORIES at the Sydney Opera House Saturday Film Club (https://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/vivid-live/saturday-film-club-true-stories) Follow ALEXEI TOLIOPOULOS on Letterboxd (https://letterboxd.com/thisisalexei/) for all the rental combo lists. Hit up the Last Video Store on instagram (https://www.instagram.com/lastvideostorebetoota/) for all of our guests picks

A tournament of fatalities is how you’d have to describe the new action sequel MORTAL KOMBAT II. It’s a real pleasure to get to sit down with director Simon McQuoid to talk how you even build a film like that. Simon is a true lover of film, a video store kid and someone who may surprise you with what he picks up. MORTAL KOMBAT II is out NOW and it is a ton of ferocious fun. Pick up tickets to Alexei’s comedy festival tour of his new show VHS in 2026 (https://comedy.com.au/tour/alexei-toliopoulos/) Join Alexei & Cameron James presenting David Byrne’s TRUE STORIES at the Sydney Opera House Saturday Film Club (https://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/vivid-live/saturday-film-club-true-stories) Follow ALEXEI TOLIOPOULOS on Letterboxd (https://letterboxd.com/thisisalexei/) for all the rental combo lists. Hit up the Last Video Store on instagram (https://www.instagram.com/lastvideostorebetoota/) for all of our guests picks

We're popping into your feed with a special episode this week; if you haven't heard horror movie podcast Spooko you're in for a treat. Each week Peach and Shag discuss a new horror film, and we're bringing you the episode that Alexei and Emmeline guested on to discuss the bonkers 1995 Tobe Hooper film The Mangler. Check out Spooko here: https://www.instagram.com/_spooko_/ Pick up tickets to Alexei’s comedy festival tour of his new show VHS in 2026 (https://comedy.com.au/tour/alexei-toliopoulos/) Join Alexei & Cameron James presenting David Byrne’s TRUE STORIES at the Sydney Opera House Saturday Film Club (https://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/vivid-live/saturday-film-club-true-stories) Follow ALEXEI TOLIOPOULOS on Letterboxd (https://letterboxd.com/thisisalexei/) for all the rental combo lists. Hit up the Last Video Store on instagram (https://www.instagram.com/lastvideostorebetoota/) for all of our guests picks