Every child of the 80s will remember going to the video store and trying to find a movie to rent. Back before the days of Blu-ray and On Demand, selecting a movie usually meant finding the flick with the coolest box art. Like modern posters, classic VHS art has been lost but thanks to the Internet there are countless reminders of these cool creations. This column will be dedicated to bringing you reminders of a bygone era and a look at how cool some of these movies looked on store shelves.
PIRANHA II: THE SPAWNING
You may not remember, but there was a time when a James Cameron movie poster would have said "From the director of PIRANHA II". Okay, maybe not, but could you imagine anyone else helming a movie about flying, killer fish?. Click here to purchase on Blu-ray/DVD.
1990: THE BRONX WARRIORS
This is one hilariously awesome VHS relic that has it all: blood, mullets, rippling muscles, knives, guns, motorcycles, and a very out of date title.. Click here to purchase on Blu-ray/DVD.
OASIS OF THE ZOMBIES
The Nazi Zombie sub-genre is currently kept alive by DEAD SNOW, but imagine zombies in the harsh environment of the desert! I am not sure how their decomposing bodies would last in direct sunlight, but that is what suspension of disbelief is for! Click here to purchase on Blu-ray/DVD.
THE BROOD
Just compare the subtle English language cover for David Cronenberg's gory horror movie to the Japanese one and tell me which country is the one full of prudes. Click here to purchase on Blu-ray/DVD.
HIGHLANDER
There can be only one, but I love every VHS cover for the Christopher Lambert cult classic. The American cover is a little blah, but this Portuguese/Brazilian one is pretty damn cool. I want that as a poster! Click here to purchase on Blu-ray/DVD.
EVE OF DESTRUCTION
If you can think of someone more badass than Gregory Hines, I would love to hear it. Okay, maybe don't list those names but check out this cheesy classic scifi flick that pre-dated VIRTUOSITY by four years. Click here to purchase on Blu-ray/DVD.
Feel free to pop us your favorite VHS box art and come back for each future column. You can send your finds or photos of your own VHS tapes to alexmaidy@joblo.com