Total Reboot With Cameron James & Alexei Toliopoulos

Our special guest in the Last Video Store this week is Leigh Whannell. Breaking into horror co-writing SAW with James Wan, Leigh has built a reputation as one of the modern masters of genre cinema directing the films UPGRADE and THE INVISIBLE MAN. His latest film WOLF MAN is in cinemas now. Starring Christopher Abbott and Julia Garner, WOLF MAN is a tense, thoughtful and horrifying lycanthropic nightmare.Join Leigh Whannell as he chats with Alexei Toliopoulos about some of his favourite films in the style of an old school video store rental combo + a staff pick from Alexei (based on his taste). Follow ALEXEI TOLIOPOULOS on Letterboxd for all the rental combo lists. Here’s Leigh’s list on LB. LEIGH’S PICKS: WOLF MAN, THE FLY and THE SHININGSTAFF PICK: VAMPIR CUADECUC BOOK TICKETS for Alexei’s comedy fest show REFUSED CLASSIFICATION in MELBOURNE, SYDNEY, ADELAIDE and BRISBANE ON SALE SOONSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Author, playwright, broadcaster and one of the all-time legends of Australian comedy Wendy Harmer stops by the Last Video Store to visit her little mate Alexei and talk cinema. One of the most fun episodes of the podcast so far with the fast and loose riffs, these two have perfect comedic chemistry. Wendy’s one of the most fascinating people in Aus arts and media, of course her favourite films reflect that! Follow ALEXEI TOLIOPOULOS on Letterboxd for all the rental combo lists. Here’s Wendy’s picks list. WENDY’S PICKS: DUNE, WAKE IN FRIGHT, IN COLD BLOODSTAFF PICK: THE STRANGERSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With Kate Jinx (Melbourne International Film Festival programmer, film critic and co-host of SEE ALSO podcast), Alexei talk through their favourite films in 2024 in the categories of Australian cinema, factual/documentary films, directorial debuts, honourable mentions and films that kinda came out in 2023 that felt too old for us to put on our lists this year.  Follow ALEXEI TOLIOPOULOS on Letterboxd for all the rental combo lists. Here’s the list of every film we talk about on this episode.    AUSTRALIAN FILMS:Memoir of a Snail, Late Night with the Devil, A Grand Mockery, Flathead   Documentaries:  No Other Land, Dahomey, Balomania, Witches, Porcelain War   Directorial Debuts:Hoard, Good One, Julie Keeps Quiet, The First Omen, There’s Still Tomorrow, Kneecap, Monkey Man Honourable Mentions and Movies That Might Be from 2023:The Taste of Things, La Chimera, Hundreds of Beavers, The Zone of Interest, Anatomy of a Fall, May December, The Substance, I Saw the TV Glo

One of the great modern documentarians, David Farrier explores factual storytelling through his films TICKLED and MR ORGAN, the Netflix series DARK TOURIST and now weekly on his must listen podcast FLIGHTLESS BIRD. If there was no TICKLED, there’d be no FINDING DRAGO, FINDING DESPERADO or FINDING YEEZUS so you can imagine it was truly an honour for Alexei to host David Farrier at the Last Video Store. Follow ALEXEI TOLIOPOULOS on Letterboxd for all the rental combo lists. Here’s David’s list and his actual profile on LB.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Celebrating some of the best films, movies and cinema of 2024 with Melbourne International Film Festival programmer, film critic and co-host of SEE ALSO Kate Jinx. Join us again next week for another bonus episode discussing the best documentaries, Australian films, directorial debuts and honourable mentions of 2024. Kate’s top 5 films of 2024: Janet Planet, Hard Truths, Anora, All We Imagine as Light and Trap Alexei’s top 5 films of 2024: Better Man, Hard Truths, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, Love Lies Bleeding, Challengers and Babygirl Follow ALEXEI TOLIOPOULOS on Letterboxd for all the rental combo lists. Here’s Alexei’s TOP 24 FILMS OF 2024.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Comedian, Triple J breaky host and ⅓ of the haunted brains behind the fantastic comedic podcast Oooh, Spooky, LUKA MULLER joins Lex to wander through the hallowed halls of the Last Video Store picking out his favourite movies. Luka’s comedy special Five Top Smells I Smelled Before comes out on December 22, on the Comedy Republic YouTube. JOIN Alexei for a night of NASTY CHRISTMAS films at Golden Age Cinema on Dec 20 Follow ALEXEI TOLIOPOULOS on Letterboxd for all the rental combo lists. Here’s Luka’s list, and Luka’s actual letterboxd account.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It is the festive time for pud and panettone so Mark Bonnano had to swing by to pick up his favourite films. One of the funniest film lovers around. Mark just announced AUNTY DONNA’s 2025 tour DREM - pick up tickets NOW JOIN Alexei for a night of NASTY CHRISTMAS films at Golden Age Cinema on Dec 20 Follow ALEXEI TOLIOPOULOS on Letterboxd for all the rental combo lists. Here’s MARK’s list on LETTERBOXD.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

HOW TO MAKE GRAVY, the adaptation of the classic Paul Kelly song is your taste of Australian Christmas melancholy cinema this festive season. Stars of the film and icons of cinema HUGO WEAVING and DANIEL HENSHALL wander into the Last Video Store to pick up a rental combo of their favourite films. A great chat with a couple of dream guests. Between them they've starred in films like The Matrix, Snowtown, Lord of the Rings, Acute Misfortune, The Adventures of Priscilla Queen of the Desert Proof, The Babadook, These Final Hours and V for Vendetta. And we're not just listing those for the Search Engine Optimisation (ok, maybe a bit). Follow ALEXEI TOLIOPOULOS on Letterboxd for all the rental combo lists. Here’s Hugo and Dan’s picks.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The most excitingly outrageous act in electro-pop, Sugar Bones from Confidence Man stops by The Last Video Store to chat to Alexei about his favourite films and the cinematic influences on their new album 3AM (La La La). Follow ALEXEI TOLIOPOULOS on Letterboxd for all the rental combo lists. Here’s Sugar Bones’s picks.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You know him for his tremendous performance as Alyn of Hull on HOUSE OF THE DRAGON, Abubakar Salim is a true renaissance man and multitalented creative. Starring in films like NAPOLEON, series like RAISED BY WOLVES and video games like  ASSASSIN’S CREED: ORIGINS. He’s also the creative force and director of Tales of Kenzera: Zau, a metroidvania style adventure game with a focus on poignant emotional storytelling. It was beyond a pleasure to wander through the shelves of the store with Abu while he was in Australia for SXSW Sydney (who we thank for the link up)! Follow ALEXEI TOLIOPOULOS on Letterboxd for all the rental combo lists. Here’s Abu’s picks!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of Australia’s most cherished singer/songwriters Paul Kelly steps into the Last Video Store to talk us through some of his favourite films/movies. Paul’s music does that exceedingly rare thing of transcending generations. Paul’s new album FEVER LONGING STILL is out right now. Follow ALEXEI TOLIOPOULOS on Letterboxd for all the rental combo lists. Here’s PK’s list of picks.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The iconic star of video store favourites BEND IT LIKE BECKHAM, VELVET GOLDMINE, MATCH POINT, MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE III, I’LL SLEEP WHEN I’M DEAD, THE TUDORS and so much more joins Alexei in the Last Video Store. Jonathan Rhys Meyers might be the most passionate and exploratory film lover we’ve had through our doors. And I must admit, I was completely starstruck by him… a rare occurrence (this is Alexei writing this). One of my favourite episodes with some of the best films ever discussed on the show and a recommendation that is sure to excite you (this was still Alexei writing this whole thing). Follow ALEXEI TOLIOPOULOS on Letterboxd for all the rental combo lists. Here’s Jonathan Rhys Meyers favaourite films list.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The star and director of the brilliantly creepy homegrown horror picture THE MOOGAI wander into The Last Video Store. THE MOOGAI follows a young Aboriginal couple whose joy at bringing home their second baby quickly turns to dread, as the mother becomes convinced that a malevolent spirit is haunting her, intent on taking her child. It’s a great example of real-life fears and historical horrors woven through cinematic metaphor while still retaining that literal danger for our unlucky characters. THE MOOGAI is in cinemas around Australia OCTOBER 31, the perfect treat for the Halloween season. Follow ALEXEI TOLIOPOULOS on Letterboxd for all the rental combo lists. Here’s Meyne & Jon’s combo list.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Comedian, horror movie lover and all 'round freak Demi Lardner joins Alexei in the Last Video Store for this special All Hallow's Eve bonus episode to discuss three of her favourite spooky films. From the classic Saw to the less classic Blood Hook, Demi is a true twisted sister. Book tickets to see Alexei & Zachary Ruane (Aunty Donna) in their play REFUSED CLASSIFICATION in Melbourne Follow ALEXEI TOLIOPOULOS on Letterboxd for all the rental combo lists.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With his new series, THOU SHALT NOT STEAL, Dylan River cements himself as one of the country’s most exciting voices in moving image. THOU SHALT NOT STEAL is a limited series that captures all the tones and textures a great road movie should, with all the vibrant spirit and humor of Tarantino or Coen Brothers crime cinema. Book tickets to see Alexei & Zachary Ruane (Aunty Donna) in their play REFUSED CLASSIFICATION in Melbourne Follow ALEXEI TOLIOPOULOS on Letterboxd for all the rental combo lists. Here’s Dylan River’s list.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When his film HARVIE KRUMPET won an Academy Award, it felt like the entirety of Australia won alongside him. One of the great auteurs of animated cinema Adam Elliot (MARY AND MAX) stops by to talk about his latest masterpiece MEMOIR OF A SNAIL and his style of filmmaking called “clayography”, weaving together clay animation and biographical elements. A true cinephile with impeccable taste, Adam is a pure delight and hard person to recommend a staff pick for! MEMOIR OF A SNAIL is in cinemas from today Book tickets to see Alexei & Zachary Ruane (Aunty Donna) in their play REFUSED CLASSIFICATION in Melbourne Follow ALEXEI TOLIOPOULOS on Letterboxd for all the rental combo lists. Here’s Adam’s list!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Just in time for the spooky season, we wander through the horror section with one of the true icons of Australian Podcasting, Charlie Clausen. Who also got his start working in a humble video store. With Wil Anderson, he’s hanging out in your ears with EVERYONE RELAX (TOFOP / 2 Guys 1 Cup) - and just kicking off a new season of paranormal phenomena exploration in THE UNEXPLAINED: EXPLAINED. Not to mention he’s acted in basically every major Australian series from McLeod's Daughters to Wolf Creek. It is an all-timer episode with a legendary soldier of cinema returning to the video store trenches. Book tickets to see Alexei & Zachary Ruane (Aunty Donna) in their play REFUSED CLASSIFICATION in Melbourne Follow ALEXEI TOLIOPOULOS on Letterboxd for all the rental combo lists. Here’s CHARLIE’S LIST.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

RETURN CHUTE SPECIAL! Cameron James drops his staff pick back through the return chute and we find out his thoughts and reactions to STREET OF FIRE. SEE CAMERON JAMES tape his new half-hour comedy special in MELBOURNE @ Stupid Old Studios Book tickets to see Alexei & Zachary Ruane (Aunty Donna) in their play REFUSED CLASSIFICATION in Melbourne Follow ALEXEI TOLIOPOULOS on Letterboxd for all the rental combo lists.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of the most beautiful voices of Aus indie rock Dave Novak stops by ahead of POLISH CLUB’s national album tour. Go see them live in your town from next week! And their new album HEAVY WEIGHT HEART is a stunner! Book tickets to see Alexei & Zachary Ruane (Aunty Donna) in their play REFUSED CLASSIFICATION in Melbourne Follow ALEXEI TOLIOPOULOS on Letterboxd for all the rental combo lists. Here’s Novak’s list.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Multitalented comedic sensation Michelle Brasier (Aunty Donna Big Ol House of Fun, Koala Man, Thank God You’re Here) drops by The Last Video Store in Betoota to chat to Alexei Toliopoulos and select a stack of movies, and her picks do not disappoint. From the unexpected tenderness of FURIOUS 7 to the expected horniness of CRUEL INTENTIONS, Michelle is a true film lover. You can read or listen to her fantastic book 'My Brother's Ashes are in a Sandwich Bag' here. Follow ALEXEI TOLIOPOULOS on Letterboxd for all the rental combo lists. Here’s Michelle's combo on LB. Music & sounds by Rowan Dix Art by Hollow Bones Studio See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.