VHS Nasty

I didn't know this is the third part of a series. (which is baffling to me that it could go any longer) A bunch of nobodies talk about their personal opinion if video nasties should be banned and censorship for the entire running time. I got to almost 30 minutes before I started scanning for some kind of change of topic. Nope, no value of any kind.

As a young American horror fan, I was vaguely aware of the "video nasty" craze as it happened, because it catapulted back across the pond, resulting in increasingly ridiculous censorship. So when I noticed this doc on a streaming service, I figured there were many things that I didn't know about the British video crackdown. I was right, but certainly didn't find answers here.

The only thing that I can say about "VHS Nasty" that hasn't already been said is the interviewees aren't uninteresting, and several make valid points. This footage could have worked if it had been framed properly as a documentary, giving a more historical context to the story. Unfortunately, as is, it's just random people giving their thoughts and opinions. And since the opinions are largely the same, it quickly devolves into tedious redundancy.

I had no intention of writing a review for this, but because I watched it a few weeks ago, the algorithm gods recommended a 2005 doc called "Ban the Sadist Videos!" That one does a much better job of presenting the same story, with the aid of clips, vintage interviews, and insights from various industry persons.

Far too long and dull. Manages to make a fascinating subject utterly boring. Quite a feat.

Feels like someone got a camera and interviewed their friends about horror films. The absolute worst part of this is I'm not sure the makers of it understand how film works. Throughout almost the entirety of the film they added a bad tracking effect to the picture, which is fine on its own. However, at the same time and throughout most of the film, they also added the sound of film playing through a projected in the background. So...I'm confused, are they trying to make it look like an old and worn VHS tape or a film playing in a theater on a projector? Just plain stupid.

People on YouTube produce better videos than this. All the people on this seemed camera shy and awkward. This really did bore the living daylights out of me. Also the editing is really annoying. Trying to be funny or clever by repeating Margaret Thatcher over and over again.

If you're really interested in video nasties, just go on YouTube and search "video nasties".. you'll.. find a bunch of great channels discussing them like "lampyman101" and many more.

The thing with this is the people. They're not good at making documentaries or communicating. A bunch of stiffs. Not interesting. Boring.