Overall rating: 4.5 / 5 from 36 reviews.
Videoman is a limited edition slipcover for a cult film, praised for its quality and nostalgic value. Fans of genre cinema and collectors will appreciate its unique features and the additional content included.
Review topics: ["quality","feel","packaging","collection","movie","media","release","film","thriller","drama","life","tape","comedy","addition","story","edition","nostalgia","wine","references"].
"I really enjoyed this one. I give this a fifth star for giallo fans, because there are numerous references to giallo films including various actors and directors. I'm definitely the target audience in that respect. However, I think anyone reading this can relate to an addiction to physical media collecting and the films stands on its own, even if you don't get the giallo references. It is well made and the acting is particularly well done."
"This is a cool one. Was pretty surprised considering it was a purchase made entirely out of the tittle. I’m a sucker for the Ring, Video of the Dead and Video Killed the Radio Star; hell, even for Midnight Radio from Hedwig. The concept of video alludes me for some reason. Maybe it’s nostalgia, maybe it’s a reason based purely on the comedy of life and the hyperbole of the digital age."
"A modern thriller for Argento and giallo fans. Another solid release. Love the cover art and slip cover on this one. Definite recommend"
"The description for this film was dead on and it’s everything I hoped for. I had a good time with it. Enjoyed it thoroughly."
"I was pleasantly surprised with this release! If you are (or were) a vhs collector, this movie is a must-watch. Pays homage to the vhs collector lifestyle."
"It had a good feel to the movie liked it"
"A quirky, uneasy mélange of romantic comedy, domestic drama, and giallo-inspired mystery, this Swedish soufflé of 1980s nostalgia is ultimately, if reservedly, satisfying but perhaps dilutes its potency by having one too many focal points. It's heavily character-based, dividing its attentions between Ennio, a former video store proprietor who holds onto his pie-in-the-sky dream of reopening a business "for connoisseurs," and Simone, a divorced, alcoholic mother who is vying for her daughter's attentions over her ex-husband. They meet when Ennio purchases a rare VHS copy of Zombie from Simone, a treasure that will help him get out of debt by reselling it to a mysterious (and dangerous) collector. But when the tape is stolen, it sends him into a spiral, further complicated by his developing feelings for Simone and her messy life. The character-specific writing is a strong suit, with both main characters exuding a desperate sort of likability among their many flaws, aided immensely by spot-on casting. And the numerous references to '70s & '80s Italian horror spotlight a real affinity for genre entertainment. So, it can only be a bit disappointing that the genre elements in the film only amount to a kind of bait-and-switch, never quite meshing with the comical and dramatic portions and never pushing the stakes beyond mild divertissement. Therefore, it falls to the nostalgic factor and the interpersonal relationships to carry the narrative, however conventional that sounds. The strongest element of the whole film may be its outstanding '80s-inspired score and soundtrack, which goes beyond mere homage into full-on pastiche. In the end, nostalgic physical media collectors may get the most out of this, as it's a love letter to their outmoded obsessions and features massive collections of tapes and tube televisions for days. For most others, it may be, as is its choice of subject, too niche."
"I have a feeling that this one is going to hit a lot closer to home for many of the VS faithful than they're (we're?) comfortable with. But simultaneously, there just may be a feeling of not wanting it any other way. Except maybe we will all want Videoman's VHS collection. Come for the mystery/thriller aspect, leave forever thinking about the choices that make up a life and the consequences thereafter. . . such as they are. Recommended for collecting obsessives prone to navel-gazing and violent nostalgia who enjoy a hearty dose of bleak atmosphere."
"Lovely piece of media. A great thriller and a fantastic addition to my collection."
"A strong debut by Kristian A Soderstrom. Transfer looks and sounds great. Strong performances about obsessive collecting and addiction. Unnerving and heartfelt when the lead who is in dire finacial straits gets a call about an old VHS that can help resolve the situation, the thing is it´s been stolen. Highly recommended."
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