VHS Tracking Newsletter #26
Miami Vice at Luna Leederville, Director David West introduces Lint at Goolugatup, new VHS Tracking zine!
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Trash Classics: Miami Vice (2006)
Friday 26 June 9:00pm, Luna Leederville
Miami Vice (2006) is not “Trash” but we’re screening it anyway for Trash Classics. Why? Michael Mann’s big-screen version of the iconic TV show received an underwhelming response critically and commercially upon release. In the past two decades, it has grown a cult audience.
Why was Miami Vice a flop? There were high expectations from director Mann with hits like Heat and Collateral, his return to a TV show he helped create, and its digital cinematography and 2000s aesthetic were at odds with the very 1980s appeal of the original show. Now Miami Vice is appreciated for its performances from Colin Farrell, Jamie Foxx and Gong Li; its neo-noir emotional romance storyline; its driving momentum and action sequences; and the distinctive look from its digital video cinematography.
Presented with Aslan (from RTRFM’s Cloud Waves), this 20th anniversary screening of Miami Vice will be a special event including a pre-movie DJ set from Henry Sims with Mann-inspired selections. There will also be a drinks special with Mojitos available from the bar!
Session opens: 9:00pm
DJ set and drinks: 9:00pm - 9:15pm
Introduction and film: 9:20pm
Thanks to Umbrella, we have a blu-ray giveaway of Nicolas Winding Refn’s Pusher trilogy as well as other prizes through a raffle draw! Also: suggested dress-code - wear your best Miami Vice inspired look (TV show or movie)! Reserve your tickets now through the Luna website.
Trash Classics Program 11 announced!
Trash Classics is the cult movie night I program with Luna Leederville, which celebrates the VHS and DVD classics that were not appreciated critically and/or commercially when released. And the Trash continues with Program 11 just announced…
Program 11:
Friday 28 August: Darkman (1990). Crime has a new enemy, justice has a new face. From director Sam Riami, a gothic superhero horror thriller starring Liam Neeson.
Friday 25 September: The Dirties (2013). Before Nirvanna The Band The Show The Movie, comedian Matt Johnson’s first film was a dark found footage comedy thriller.
Friday 30 October: Body Melt (1993). A gross-out Aussie splatter horror cult classic for Halloween. Hosted by the Black Maria Film Collective.
Friday 27 November: Hot Rod (2007). Andy Samberg is stuntman Rod Kimble in this underrated comedy from The Lonely Island. Hosted by Simon Miraudo.
Friday 18 December: True Stories (1986). Directed by David Byrne, a cool, multi-purpose comedy about the people of Virgil, Texas. Starring John Goodman with music from Talking Heads.
Tickets available through the Luna Palace Cinemas website!
VHS Tracking Presents: Lint (2024) with David West
Wednesday 17 June 6:30pm, Goolugatup gallery space
Please join us for the next edition of VHS Tracking Presents, Goolugatup’s free, artist-led film club. The program invites local artists to present a wide-ranging selection of art films, classics, and new wave cinema.
In this edition, local filmmaker and underground musician, David West will be presenting his debut feature film, Lint.
Doors: 6:30pm
Film Starts: 7:00pm
Please note: there will be an Intermission break halfway through.
Lint (2024) is the first feature film by Boorloo / Perth, Western Australia filmmaker David West. It was completed in June, 2024. It is an independent, DIY production with a budget of $3,000 AUD. Filming was completely ‘guerrilla-style’. The cast consists of non-professional actors, non-actors, and one professional actor. It was shot and edited in Boorloo/Perth, Western Australia.
David West was born in the Wheatbelt region of Western Australia. He is better known as an underground musician. He is influenced by Eric Rohmer, Asian arthouse, New German Cinema and underground/lofi filmmaking. His first feature film is ‘Lint’. Previous short films include Chatty (2023) and Prove Your Love (2022).
Screening is free, you just need to register through the Humanitix page!
VHS Tracking - Issue 30: Romance
VHS Tracking is an A5-sized, double sided, two page, fold-out zine. And across its pages are writing and images by a variety of people, all devoted to the theme of Romance.
Cover art by Hana Arai based on the film, Before Sunrise (1995). The issue also features artwork by Olive Coakley. Written reviews from the following contributors: Erika Johanson, Giles Chan, Laura Blundell, Alastair McLean, Jordan Passauer, Guuleed Ismail, Stephanie Sutcliffe, Dwayne Tillman, Lauren Salt, Mia Palmer-Verevis, Alyssa Velasco and Sally Hall. Edited by Tristan Fidler. Risograph printing by Neighbourhood Press.
Zines will be stocked for free in WA while stocks last at:
Luna Leederville cinemas
Goolugatup Heathcote gallery
More stockists to be announced! You can purchase a copy online at the VHS Tracking shop.
Movie Squad: Scary Movie and The Christophers
Each Friday morning 7:30am on RTRFM 92.1, Movie Squad can be heard over the community radio airwaves chatting all things cinema! Last week, I was joined by Laura Blundell from the Film Femme Newsletter to discuss Scary Movie, which Laura reviewed but I missed out on seeing, and The Christophers, which we both saw and discussed. We also hear some further comedy recommendations from Laura at the end of the podcast. Listen through your favourite podcasting app or on the RTRFM website.
Writer Simon Miraudo was away on assignment that week for Movie Squad, but you should support the Kickstarter to his upcoming book, Last Rites For Lost Films, the follow-up to his great, entertaining and informative Book Of The Banned. While already making its initial $5K target, you can keep supporting and back the project.
Other Recommendations:
Dick Tracy (1990) at The Revival House: Warren Beatty’s comic-book adaptation screens Saturday 13 June 2:30pm. Tickets.
The Exterminating Angel (1962) at Luna Leederville: Luis Bunuel’s surreal black comedy screens as part of the Spanish and Latin Film Festival Monday 15 June 9:00pm. Tickets.
Network (1976) at Palace Raine Square: Sidney Lumet’s award-winning satire screens on Wednesday 17 June 6:30pm. Tickets.
See you at the movies!
Sincerely,
Tristan Fidler
Trash Classics | VHS Tracking