Gathering around, in the video store, to review a movie, after renting it.. is a brilliant concept for a talk show, and nostalgia gold. I remember, rather resort to, those VHS days, especially the 1980s and the 1990s movies, which this show discusses a lot, and adores passionately. Every episode has a journey to the past (that shows any bit of a movie as if it's from an old videotape), the retrospective factor, with endless comparisons, different conclusions and - most importantly - comical altercations.
Both the host and the guests are screen freaks and super fans before being reviewers, who seem eating and drinking movies, TV shows, and video games too. They memorize every detail, and have information to tell, let alone their memories with the culture that they experienced which give the show its special flavor, and their sense of humor that cracks me up every time.
And in terms of humor, let me tell you, Antonio Piluso, or simply Tony, is a childish laughing machine, and more like 'Howling Mad' Murdock of this team. Sure he steals the scene with his explosive wit, atmospheric outfits, and lovely acting in whether the show's ads, or swift sketches.
The rest isn't less humorous; Kieran Fallon who always has deep remarks or prefect punchlines, and sings the intro adorably. Justin Silverman who sounds like the most rational, less talkative. Added to the charismatic and nice host James Rolfe. And it's wonderful to have some guest stars here and there; like Arlo, Mr. Lobo, Mike Matei, Nathan Barnatt, and yeah.. Macaulay Culkin.
Btw, the ads of the show are done subtly, totally unlike the raw, in your face, ads of other YouTubers, or the satanic ones of Nostalgia Critic!
Ok, now for things I hated. First off, the unbroken F word, or the crude language in general; originally it's strange that the show omits nudity, and yet permits profanity! Speaking about words, please guys, stop repeating the word "like", meaning "similar to", because it's said at least 100 times per minute!
The new set isn't any good compared to the old set. It's too bright and stylish, like a hip respectable store, unlike the old one with its dim lighting as if it's an old memory, and the poor vibe which the VHS supposedly gives, plus its resemblance to most of the worn out video store that we've been once. There is a certain irony between the brown wood and the white plastic where the second fails to bring out the oldie feel. And instead of the TV screen, with its vital image and running movies, we sunk into that (Mac and Me) immutable ugly poster!
Using a music track in the episode's background proved to be extremely annoying and distracting, so lose that music, LOSE IT! The host, and - occasionally - the guests, are standing for no reason, which's uneasy for the viewer in a way. Sometimes the conversation gets out of subject, and turns into blabbering about something else movies altogether (like Tony' late dog, for instance). And, naturally, I don't agree with all of the guys' opinions (Dear James, Die Hard IS NOT a survival movie!).
Cinemassacre Rental Reviews is nothing but a bunch of guys talking about old movies in old video store, and I like it. It represents the 1980s and 1990s generation, honors their memories as well as their devotion, and - in such an achievement - makes geeks look cool.
