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.
MASTER BLASTER
I used to associate the name Master Blaster with Thunderdome. You know, since he runs BarterTown and all. No more! Now, I will always think of a guy holding a woman in a bikini as a gun! Not available on Blu-ray/DVD.
ALICE SWEET ALICE
If you have seen this movie, you know why the first cover is so ridiculous as it has absolutely no connection to the film it is advertising. The second cover it the more recognized version that I remember from my local video store. Both make note that this was the debut of Brooke Shields, although the second makes it seem like she is the star of the movie. Click here to purchase on Blu-ray/DVD.
XTRO
Another movie teasing connections to E.T. but this is a very goofy B-movie about killer aliens and robots. Still, that first cover is VHS perfection that you would love to pick up and watch. The second, not so much. You know what this movie needs? Jan-Michael Vincent. Oh wait, that is XTRO II. Click here to purchase on Blu-ray/DVD.
TRILOGY OF TERROR
I am a sucker for a good anthology horror movie and TRILOGY OF TERROR is one of the better ones out there. Still, any horror movie about killer dolls tends to not be the scariest thing out there. I have memories of this movie being a lot more terrifying when I was a kid and now the box art just looks laughable. Click here to purchase on Blu-ray/DVD.
ROBO-VAMPIRE
There is a clear and startling difference between the way the titular robot appears on the box art front and back. Yeah, that is a stolen image of Robocop alongside a suit that looks like it was made out of old football pads and a trash can. This is why I love movies: anyone can make a piece of crap and it will still be remembered for something magical, in this case amazingly awful box art. Click here to purchase on Blu-ray/DVD.
WHITE FURY
It's an action thriller set on a mountain! It is a snowboarding action film! Wait, it's both! Click here to purchase on VHS.
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