Video Shop Horrors Exhibition

"Video Shop Horrors" was a multimedia exhibition held at Northumbria University's Gallery North, 26th October to 11th November 2023.

"Video Shop Horrors" captured the nascent video shop experience. In the 1980s, horror videos always seemed to be more effectively promoted than those of other genres. The artwork tended to be bombastic, awash with contorted faces, flashing blades, ghouls and gore. 

The so-called ‘video nasties’ moral panic came and went, but its legacy, the types of film it encompassed, and the promotional strategies of the first video distribution companies, live on. This exhibition captured the dynamism of this hugely significant technological moment, pooling from original archival materials, to showcase the promotional strategies employed by video companies to attract consumers and, in some cases, to whip up controversy. The significance of video to the development and enduring popularity of horror films cannot be understated. 

"Video Shop Horrors" recreated the 1980s/90s video shop experience whilst celebrating the aesthetic and the wealth of films that helped define and redefine the horror film genre.

The "Video Shop Horrors" exhibition was led by Dr Johnny Walker drawing on his extensive archive of video-related paraphernalia. The exhibition featured video and music by Dr Steve Jones. The exhibition represents the interests of staff working within the University’s new Horror Studies Research Group.

Below are some videos documenting the exhibition:

An interview with me and Johnny about the exhibition:

The soundtrack I composed for the exhibition:

Trailer Trash: Sadhuram 2 (2016)

This one has me intrigued. Sadhuram 2 is clearly a Saw knock-off, so it is either really late to the party, or it is ahead of the curve (or at least ahead of Saw VIII. 

However, it claims to be "India's first Philanthropical Thriller" - I'm not at all sure what that means - and also "the first ever movie in India where the second part is getting released before the first part". As someone with a pet interest in horror sequels, that marketing strategy has hooked me. 

I'll definitely be checking this out, if only to find out how they will combine Saw's misanthropy with a "philanthropic" agenda.

Trailer Trash: Growing Up With I Spit on Your Grave

Wow, pre-debunked rumours about Demi Moore's ass - and this is the insightful documentary that fans have been waiting for?

Trailer Trash: Happy New Year

Part dance movie, part heist movie from the director/star team behind Om Shanti Om? Hell yeah, bring it on

Trailer Trash: Kung Fu Elliot

King of Kong meets Miami Connection. I'm psyched for this one.

Trailer Trash: Dear vs Bear

Pro-tip: if you don't have enough money to make a convincing CG bear, don't orient your plot around a bear. If only this had been marketed as Birdemic 3: Bear-demic

Ninja Turtles - Saving Time

From what I hear, this is the best part of the new Ninja Turtles movie. I'll still check out the whole thing (can it really be worse than Secret of the Ooze?), but for those of you worried about life slipping mercilessly from your grasp, here is said clip.

Trailer Trash: Turn Me On, Dammit! (2012)

I really hope the vibe of this trailer is characteristic of the movie itself

Trailer Trash: The Lock In (2014)

A found footage film about teens who take a porn mag (*gasp*) into a church... what could possibly happen? DEMONS, I tell you!!

Looks terrible awesome

At least this one was completed (available to stream from the official site). For anyone wondering whatever happened to the found footage anti-porn film Harmless (which I posted about last year), its kickstarter page says it all.

Trailer Trash: Wolf Cop (2014)

It had a great poster. Now it has a trashy trailer.

Raid II: the 8 Bit Game

I love an 8-bit game, even if it is pastiche. As part of the promotional campaign for The Raid II (which has received glowing reviews all-round), an 8-bit style game has been created. Apparently it only works on Google Chrome at the moment, but any Chrome users who fancy an "old skool" side-scrolling brawler in the vein of Kung Fu Master can check out the game here.

http://theraidarcade.com/#/

Trailer Trash: The Final Member (2014)

The Final Member - a documentary about what is presumably the world's only penis museum. Wait a minute... penis...MUSEUM?

Trailer Trash: Zomboobies and Zombeavers

Until proven otherwise, I an assuming that this is a hoax. Nevertheless, Zomboobies. Make of it what you will.

Note: Zomboobies should not be confused with Zombeavers, which is about something else entirely.

Trailer Trash: Critters (1986)

Presumably seeking to cash-in on the success of A Nightmare on Elm Street  in 1984, New Line's trailer for Critters (1985) contains music from  their earlier breakthrough film.

Many thanks to Jay Clarke for the pointer towards the trailer.

Trailer Trash: Kill the Rapist (2014)

The jury is out on whether this is going to be any good, but I really like the 'you decide' gimmick: call in to vote on whether the rapist should be ritually slaughtered! I would love to see the poll results, and I'm curious to see if the alternative end will be included as a DVD bonus (if it is even shot).

Trailer Trash: Paperboy 3

I've seen too many videogame to movie adaptations that have fallen flat. Mortal Kombat, Mario, Streetfighter, House of the Dead... I feel sullied even thinking about it.

Then along comes this awesome trailer for Paperboy 3: if only this were real.

Trailer Trash: Shiver (2013)

Trailer Trash: Warning (2013)

Hmm, Warning indeed. Seemingly inspired by recent films such as Shark Night, Bait and Sharknado, Bollywood have jumped on the shark bandwagon (or should that be "jumped the shark"?). I realise that "inspired by...Sharknado" sounds oxymoronic. Judging by the trailer above, Warning looks like it might just be moronic.

Trailer Trash: Arcana (2013)

Miike returns to horror  - can the world keep up with this prolific overlord? I can't

Trailer Trash: Krrish 3 (2013)

Hell yeah... it's about time