VHS Therapy

Kiss the Girls (1997): This Movie Hits VERY Different Now

This week on VHS Therapy, Mary and Teddy revisit the 90s thriller Kiss the Girls (1997) starring Morgan Freeman and Ashley Judd. What once felt like a gripping serial killer mystery now raises deeper questions about how violence—especially against women—has been portrayed as entertainment. The sisters break down the film through a modern lens, including Ashley Judd’s recent reflections on the role and whether movies like this still hold up today. 💬 What We Talk About * Our first memories watching Kiss the Girls (probably too young) * The explosion of 90s serial killer movies * Why audiences were—and still are—obsessed with true crime * Ashley Judd’s performance and whether her character is empowering or exploited * Morgan Freeman’s role: lead investigator or background support? * The twist ending—does it still work? * The ethical line between storytelling and exploitation * Real-world consequences of true crime obsession Did Kiss the Girls scare you when you first saw it—or does it feel different now? Let us know on social or share this episode with a friend who grew up watching these movies with you.

The Mummy (1999): Brendan Fraser, Rachel Weisz, and Why This Adventure Classic Still Works

In this episode of VHS Therapy, Mary and Teddy revisit the 1999 adventure blockbuster The Mummy and ask the big question: does it still hold up nearly 30 years later? Starring Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz, this desert adventure has everything—ancient curses, undead priests, terrifying scarabs, and one of the most entertaining action-romance pairings of the late 90s. Mary and Teddy discuss why the chemistry between Rick O’Connell and Evelyn Carnahan still makes the movie so watchable, how the film balances comedy, horror, and romance, and why the cast seems like they were having the time of their lives making it. They also revisit some memorable characters including Jonathan, the charming but chaotic brother, the dramatic villain Imhotep, and the opportunistic (and very relatable) Benny. Along the way, Mary and Teddy talk about: * Why Rick O’Connell might be the ultimate late-90s action hero * The appeal of Evelyn as a “bumbling brainiac” who still has agency * Whether the movie’s CGI still holds up today * The blend of action, comedy, horror, and romance that makes the film so rewatchable * Why the chemistry between the cast carries the movie The episode also includes some behind-the-scenes trivia and a chaotic round of Smash or Pass: Mummy Edition.

Shining Through (1992): Forgotten WWII Romance or Razzie-Winning Disaster?

🎬 This Week on VHS Therapy Mary and Teddy revisit the 1992 World War II spy romance Shining Through, starring Melanie Griffith, Michael Douglas, and Liam Neeson. This early 90s drama follows Linda, a secretary-turned-spy who is sent behind enemy lines in Nazi Germany after falling in love with her boss — who just happens to be a spy. The question is: Was this sweeping wartime romance misunderstood… or was it truly a stinker? 💥 In This Episode We Discuss: * Is the spy plot even remotely plausible? * Does the movie know whether it’s a romance or a war thriller? * Melanie Griffith’s accent — bold choice or fatal flaw? * The Razzie Awards sweep (Worst Picture, Worst Actress & more) * Liam Neeson before he had “a very particular set of skills” 🎥 Next Week We’re heading to 1999 with The Mummy — Brendan Fraser, Rachel Weisz, adventure, chemistry, and a movie we actually remember fondly. If you enjoyed this episode of VHS Therapy: * Follow & subscribe * Leave a review * Share with a fellow millennial who grew up on questionable VHS rentals

Starship Troopers (1997): Fascism, Propaganda & That Shower Scene

This week on VHS Therapy, we pivoted. Instead of Shining Through, we revisited the 1997 sci-fi cult classic Starship Troopers — and let’s just say… this is NOT the movie we thought we were watching as teenagers. Directed by Paul Verhoeven and based on the novel by Robert Heinlein, Starship Troopers looks like a glossy 90s action movie about humans fighting alien bugs. But on rewatch? It’s something much sharper — a satire about militarism, propaganda, meritocracy, and media manipulation. Also… we may have let our kids watch it. Parenting fail. 🧠 What We Discuss * Why so many people missed the satire when it first came out * Fascism and meritocracy in the Federation * War as entertainment and media spectacle The infamous co-ed shower scene and why it still feels uncomfortable 🎙️ Next Episode We’re finally covering Shining Through next week. For real this time. If you enjoyed this episode: ⭐ Leave a review 📲 Follow/subscribe so you don’t miss an episode 📢 Share with your favorite 90s kid who definitely watched this too young Would you like to know more?

The Dark Crystal (1982): Jim Henson’s Most Confusing—and Controversial—Fantasy

🎬 Episode Summary This week on VHS Therapy, Mary and Teddy revisit The Dark Crystal, Jim Henson’s ambitious and controversial fantasy that confused, unsettled, and possibly traumatized a generation of kids. Marketed as a family film in the early 80s, The Dark Crystal drops viewers into a fully realized fantasy world with no hand-holding, no human characters, and a heavy reliance on symbolism, puppetry, and atmosphere. 🧠 What You’ll Hear in This Episode * Why The Dark Crystal struggled to find its audience as a “family film” * How puppetry changes the way we read emotion, performance, and story * Jim Henson’s technical brilliance—and where it works better than the story * Why modern audiences may resist movies that require patience and interpretation * The one scene that still absolutely works: the legendary puppet party ⏭️ Up Next on VHS Therapy Next episode, we’re heading into very different territory with Shining Through, starring Melanie Griffith and Michael Douglas—a movie we definitely watched growing up and are very curious to revisit. ⭐ Support the Podcast If you enjoyed this episode: * Follow VHS Therapy wherever you listen * Leave us a review—it really helps new listeners find the show * Join us each week as we revisit the movies we probably shouldn’t have seen as kids