EPICALLY GOOD NEWS!!

:::::::::::::::UPDATE:::::::::::::::::

We've been moved to every FIRST WEDNESDAY at the Trylon, starting in FEBRUARY.  I've changed the information below to reflect that.

We officially have a new home for Tape Freaks screenings at Trylon microcinema!!! And that's lucky because we love Trylon and everything they do for the local film community, not to mention they're home to our other favorite local film series Trash Film Debauchery!

We take over the Trylon's first Wednesdays starting February 3rd @ 7pm, but we won't be on their printed calendars until March so stay tuned in here, our facebook page, or the Trylon's online calendar for screening info and clues!

With a new home there will be some minor changes and we'll have a more detailed post outlining those soon but for now, WE ARE SO FRIGGIN' EXCITED!!!

There's just one more thing to cover in this post; season two of Tape Freaks Presents would obviously not be possible without the lovely community of film goers that has sprung up around us. To anyone who dropped in for one screening or made it to almost all of them, to anyone who dragged friends down to the mall or shared our posts on your social media, thank you. Thank you so, so much. There is no way we could continue on this adventure without you guys!



Expect more details soon, but in the meantime, keep your first Wednesdays free! EXCITEMENT!!!!!!!!

Third Clue: December

Tonight's movie was the inspiration for John Carpenter's Halloween!

Tape Freaks Presents: Mystery Movie! Theatres at Mall of America, Thursday, Dec 10th at 7:30pm, only $5! (Come to the Star Bar early and grab a free poster! If you're looking for posters from past events check here!)

Santa Clause Conquers the Martians: MST3K

Incase you didn't already know, we're HUGE Mystery Science 3000 fans. (And we're SUPER pumped that the kickstarter to make new MST3K episodes is going so well! There's about 48 hours left to donate as I type this, so fund it if you can but spread the word either way!) But we don't let a holiday season go by without watching one of the christmas MST3K episodes!

Santa Clause Conquers the Martians is some serious deep hurting. Martians (who are green humanoids who of course) have decided to kidnap Santa so he will spread joy to their martian children who traditionally live a life devoid of fun. (Possibly an inspiration for The Night Before Christmas story, though the rest of the plot bares no resemblance.)

The episode: This is an earlier Comedy Central episode, so it features Joel, Frank, and Dr Forrester! It also features the epic song “A Patrick Swayze Christmas” written by Mike Nelson.

The plot unfolds something like this: Well, I pretty much summed it up above there... But I didn't mention the ultra 60s animated opening!

Reasons to watch the MST3K version: This movie would be completely unbearable without some kind of running commentary tragically taking it down. It's bad, reeeeeel bad. But it's a pretty great MST3K episode and “A Patrick Swayze Christmas” is not to be missed.

Background to research before you watch: They make multiple references to Pia Zadora in the film, give her Wikipedia a glance before watching and you'll enjoy those jokes that much more.

What we learned: Martians are seriously face blind.

They seriously think this Martian is Santa, even though they've been hanging out with the real Santa for hours!

Shane Black X-mas

Shane Black loves writing movies that take place during the holidays. He says it grounds the stories, makes them instantly relatable. And that might be true, but it also gives his usually depressed main characters a suitable environment in which to be depressed. But whatever the reason, it makes Shane Black movies our favorite part of the holiday season.


The Last Boy Scout:

An ex-football player and a private eye team up after uncovering a plot to legalize sports gambling. They also make horribly misogynistic, homophobic, and vaguely racist jokes when ever they get the chance...






Lethal Weapon:

The quintessential buddy cop movie. If you've ever uttered the phrase 'I'm too old for this shit', this movie is likely why.






The Long Kiss Goodnight:

School teacher Samantha Caine has amnesia, she can't remember anything from her life further back than the last 8 years. She's hired a private eye to help her uncover her past, but together they'll uncover a massive conspiracy that creepily mirrors some of the more convincing 9/11 conspiracy theories.






Kiss Kiss Bang Bang:

Shane Black is often cited as the linchpin for RDJ's acting comeback, and this movie is why. A unique twist on the Shane Black staple odd-couple team up makes this one of my personal favorites.






Iron Man 3:

This might be our favorite Iron Man movie, and that might not win us many friends! People's main complaint about this installment is that it's more of a Tony Stark movie than an Iron Man movie. But that's the silliest thing I've ever heard, Tony Stark is Iron Man!

Second Clue: December

Clue #2:

This is the first of two holiday classics that this month's director is responsible for.

Tape Freaks Presents: Mystery Movie! Theatres at Mall of America, Thursday, Dec 10th at 7:30pm, only $5! (Come to the Star Bar early and grab a free poster! If you're looking for posters from past events check here!)

Holiday Classics: Don't Open 'Till Christmas

Oh boy! This movie. If you want to watch a flick that was storyboarded and edited by people who can't be in one place for more than 3 mins, this is your flick! Seriously, people are called down to Scotland Yard to answer two questions and then sent on their way. Officers visit victims, ask three questions and then leave. They re-visit victims, ask one question, leave. A victim visits an officer at his home, they go out to dinner, and she's back at her place so friggin' fast, you'll actually yell “WHAT THE HELL JUST HAPPENED?!”.

The plot unfolds something like this: Somewhere in London there's a bomb rigged to go off if anyone stays in one location for longer than five mins. Just kidding! The real plot; someone in London is taking their hatred of Santa out on the city's jolly-in-red. With few leads and a hot headed boss, the detectives on the case are left searching for clues where ever they can. They know the murder is tallish, male, and wears a mask. And they'd know what kind of mask he wore too IF THEY EVER THOUGHT TO ASK ANY OF ANY OF THE WITNESSES! But, with so few leads, the bodies are piling up. Will any man be safe walking the streets dressed as Santa again?

Possible drinking game: A drink every time someone isn't asked the most obvious question by the police. (You thought I was going to say ever time someone leaves a scene too early. Well if you played that drinking game, you'd die 20 mins into this gem.)

Things we thought during the movie that turned out to not be true: We thought many scenes were added after the fact to pad out the movie. But every single one of those scenes were tied into the ending, so we were totally wrong. And extra confused...

Reasons to watch: If you go in knowing that this movie is nothing but a big bag of problems, you might actually find some enjoyment in watching it. They kill a lot of Santas! I mean, that's something, right?

Things to look away for: There's an uncomfortable scene with an older man and a younger “adult” performer in one of those divided by glass jerk-off booths. The young woman never takes off a single stitch of clothing, but it is no less unbearably uncomfortable.

What we learned: You can make a film that's made entirely of problems.

First Clue: December

Clue #1:

There's holiday movies, and then there's holiday movies we like...

Tape Freaks Presents: Mystery Movie! Theatres at Mall of America, Thursday, Dec 10th at 7:30pm, only $5! (Come to the Star Bar early and grab a free poster! If you're looking for posters from past events check here!)