Join Mike for his first show of 2025. On a cold, dark night in the suburbs of Birmingham, AL, he sits under a broken heater, blowing breath into the lonesome abyss, those thoughts preserved for eternity, or as long as Substack and the Internet Archive exist…
Be sure to join the Facebook page and find me on Instagram! …”You wanna shake hands with the devil? That’s fine with me — I just want to make sure that you do it in hell!”
Join Mike for coffee at night in the studio, and later for a cocktail outside on the patio.
Topics this week include a lament on the university building where I had my first college class some years ago being demolished this week in a spectacular Las Vegas-style kind of violence; thoughts on why it’s important to temper our nostalgia, because nostalgia has led us down some uncertain and shady paths lately; reviews of two druggy movies I watched recently — “Requiem for a Dream” and “Trainspotting”; what is a drug?; heroine chic; the wild spirit of 90’s indie-filmmaking; drug trafficking in modern America and a book review of “Among the Bros” by Max Marshall, which is about that very thing, and much more!
Be sure to join the Facebook page and find me on Instagram! …”Well, I got a meeting out West!”
Join Mike for a morning cup o’ joe on the back patio, and later for a night drive and after-work drink.
Topics this week include Alabama’s dumb education laws and how a recent one could hold back as many as 4,500+ 3rd graders in the state; a kind-of “Deadpool and Wolverine” review; the “Miami Vice” soundtrack makes you feel comfortably depressed; sketchy elevators and “LA Law”; the built-in exploitation of delivering for gig companies, and how you just accept it; the “hot” medium of radio and podcasting, and more!
Be sure to join the Facebook page and find me on Instagram! …”And where is the Batman? He’s at home — washin’ his tights!”
Join Mike for a drink outside on a Friday night, as he recalls the legendary crime fighting ex-wrestler-turned-cop of Corinth, Mississippi Buford Pusser, and the long-standing rumor that he ran out of town one of Alabama’s longest-serving and most-revered mayors. Is it true or bull-scat? Also, who else is opting out of watching the Olympics in favor of spectating its ugly-but-more-entertaining stepsister, The World Games?
Later, I discuss odd rainbow myths, Thomas Pynchon and Elmore Leonard, and yeah…ughhhh…politics.
Be sure to join the Facebook page and find me on Instagram! …”Leonard is the filet of the crime genre, you know…”
Join Mike on his latest mini-vacation, housesitting for his folks and throwing a steak on the grill. Hear about his latest run-afoul with his unfriendly neighborhood crime ring, and Watch some bits n’ pieces of “RoboCop” from ‘87, including the part where Kenny gets eviscerated by ED-209. Also, why is the crime boss Boddicker WAY scarier than that AI killing machine. Is it his glasses?
Later, I review the latest book I’ve been reading — “Fletch” by Gregory Macdonald, and discuss — at length — the fraught reality show, “Project Greenlight”.
Be sure to join the Facebook page and find me on Instagram! …”Can somebody please call a paramedic!”
On America’s birthday, Mike takes a few minutes to remember another historical milestone — the 20th anniversary of “Fred’s Oasis,” the low-budget, low-class exploitation film he made with some friends in college. Listen along as I recount its conception, production and aftermath, which lingers with me to this day, and forces me to ask that eternal question: am I right to be overwhelmed with shame?
Also, I recount my disastrous history with fireworks, which may be the result of a genetic disorder, and review the new trash can from Target I bought my wife for her birthday.
Music for this episode: “You Shake Me” by Stompin’ Riff Raffs; “Toxic Revenge” by Shannon and the Clams ***Backing Music: “The Stevie Shuffle Remix” and “Be Cool” by Mr. Smith; “Beer Blues” by Koi Discovery.
Video Street Video Store: “Satanic Cults and Ritual Crime” (1990); “The Making of The Monster Plantation” (1981)
Remember to check out bigger, longer episodes of the VIDEO STREET VIDEO STORE every Tuesday over at mikesbonfire.substack.com.
…And be sure to join the Facebook page and find me on Instagram! …”Base Up You Blockheads!.”
Watch video of this week’s show over at the Youtube channel.
Join Mike on an epic excursion of summer slacking. After returning from a long delivery trip for Amazon that took him deep into the country and the town where he grew up, he sits out back and reflects on growing up in small town Alabama, and wonders what might have happened if he’d stayed there. Prison maybe?
The next day, I venture out into the world to work, but end up at the mall drinking coffee and playing pinball, then go hunting for discounted movies from the Criterion Collection.
Be sure to join the Facebook page and find me on Instagram! …”My little black medical book!”
Mike’s out of the studio this week, but he’s not lettin’ that stop him. He’s got a guest! Hang out with him and his friend Dave in the backyard, as they discuss all things past and present — how they met as roommates in a mutual friend’s “home of wayward children”, the spaceship in the basement of that house that became a favorite drinking spot, Dark Rides, ghouls, memories of Six Flags Over Georgia in the 80s and 90s, and way, way more! Well, maybe just “way” more…
Be sure to join the Facebook page and find me on Instagram! …”Take a good look at that sign… Those proportions are correct.”
