VHS Tracking Newsletter #28
Movie Squad interview author Fran Hoepfner, Goolugatup announces VHS Tracking presents Program 2, and more!
Welcome to VHS Tracking Newsletter
A rundown of all things related to the world of VHS Tracking…
Movie Squad interviews Fran Hoepfner
Author of A Field Guide To Nepo Babies
For the Movie Squad Podcast, where myself and Simon Miraudo chat about movies each week with Breakfast host Pam Boland, we had the honour of interviewing writer Fran Hoepfner. Throughout our reviews on Movie Squad over the past year or two, there had been a running joke on “nepo baby” actors or directors that would pop in movies we’d cover, and now Fran has written the book on this contentious topic! A Field Guide To Nepo Babies is a funny and thoughtful consideration of the “nepo baby” phenomenon, designed like a cross between a pocket-book and a magazine, with plenty of examples beyond Hollywood - music, art, politics, business, even classical and historical. I’m a fan of Fran Hoepfner’s writing in publications like Vulture and her own Substack, Fran Magazine, as well as her reviews on Letterboxd, so this was a dream come true! And it was a delightful and insightful chat that included our examples of ‘nepo babies’ and whether it’s now the year of the “nepo parent”! For more information about the book and how to pick up a copy in Australia, visit the publisher page on Field Guide To Nepo Babies.
It’s a jam-packed episode where Simon and I also review Christopher Nolan’s epic blockbuster, The Odyssey, the new horror franchise entry of Evil Dead Burn, and the comedy documentary, The History Of Concrete. Listen here (Fran Hoepfner interview begins at the 45:00 minute mark). You can also subscribe to the podcast through your favourite app of choice.
Trash Classics: Hard Ticket To Hawaii (1987)
Friday 31 July 9:00pm, Luna Leederville
A reminder that this month’s Trash Classics screening is happening on Friday at Luna Leederville! Released direct-to-video, Hard Ticket To Hawaii is a low budget action film from sleazemeister Andy Sidaris featuring a cast of Playboy playmates and Ronn Moss aka Ridge from The Bold and The Beautiful on the hunt for stolen diamonds in Hawaii. Too many classic scenes to mention. A frisbee turned into a deadly weapon. A bazooka versus a skateboarding assassin. A monster snake coming out of a toilet. A rare chance to see an incredible VHS schlock classic on the big screen. This ain’t no hula! Tickets are selling fast - grab yours here!
VHS Tracking Presents: Program 2
August to December, Goolugatup art gallery
The free monthly film club I organise with Goolugatup gallery has announced Program 2, covering the screenings from August to December. Each screening has been programmed by a featured guest who will provide an introduction to the film. Here is the line-up:
Wed 19 Aug: Stirling Kain introduces Funeral Parade Of Roses (1969)
Wed 19 Sept: Tom Rogers introduces Born In Flames (1983)
Wed 14 Oct: Didion’s Bible introduces a double feature of Detour (1945) and Sherlock Jr. (1924)
Wed 18 Nov: Simon Miraudo introduces Decasia (2002)
Wed 9 Dec: Poppy Van Oorde-Grainger introduces her short films and Girlhood (2014)
Each screening is free and will be held at Goolugatup gallery. Registrations are not open yet, but they will eventually be available and open - check out the Goolugatup website for updates!
VHS Tracking zine contributor: Laura Blundell (Film Femme)
The latest issue of VHS Tracking zine has been out for a couple of months now, and I wanted to keep highlighting some of our amazing contributors!
A regular contributor to both Movie Squad and VHS Tracking zine, Laura Blundell aka Film Fam/Femme describes herself as, “A writer and soon-to-be freelance creative who loves movies (watching and collecting), vintage decor and going down rabbit holes that make my YouTube homepage quite confusing. I only take photos in costume.” For the Romance issue of VHS Tracking, Laura wrote a review on True Romance (1993).
I also asked Laura, what’s another movie that Laura would recommend on the theme of Romance?
“Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019) makes me sob triumphantly.”
For more of Laura’s writing on film, check out her instagram, her website, and her Substack, the Film Femme Newsletter!
Other Recommendations:
Phantom of the Paradise (1974) at Palace Cinemas Raine Square: Brian De Palma’s horror rock musical satire thriller screens on Wednesday 29 July 6:00pm. Tickets!
The Name Of The Rose (1986) at The Revival House: Starring Sean Connery, this thriller based on the Umberto Eco novel screens on Sunday 2 August, 6:30pm. Tickets!
Persona (1966) at Luna Leederville: Ingmar Bergman’s classic psychological drama screens as part of the Nordic Film Festival on Sunday 16 August, 6:30pm. Tickets!
See you at the movies!
Sincerely,
Tristan Fidler
Trash Classics | VHS Tracking