Vital Indie Media: Tugs Chooses the Best and Worst Movies of 2017

by Legendary Lew

Finally, after a long delay, Tugs The Seafaring Simian makes his full-throated debut on Vital Indie Media.

Tugs operates a tugboat hauling discarded DVDs, vinyl records, VHS and CDs around Lake Michigan and beyond. Saving sea life from choking on the petro waste, Tugs also seeks out collectors to relieve him of the huge haul. That’s where I come in for Vital Indie Media. I’m dedicated to presenting media discards along with new and unknown media treasures to our viewers.

Tugs does get the chance from time to time to see theatrical releases, so I’ve invited him onto this special edition of Vital Indie Media, just in time for the Oscars. Watch below as Tugs gives his his choices for the best and worst of 2017! (Possibly NSFW)

Vital Indie Media: The Crazy Ad Campaign of “PM Picnic” and the Legendary Talent Behind It

by Legendary Lew

Hello, everyone! Boy, this was a long time coming, but I finally have the next episode of Vital Indie Media up and running. Take a look at it!

BTW, this approach is the type I’m most interested in for future overviews of indie films, cult movies, TV shows and my vinyl records. Subscribe to the YouTube channel and support the effort! Thanks!

BREAKING: Roy Moore Taps Milo Yiannopoulos for Campaign

Roy Moore

Milo Yiannopoulos

by Ida Dunnett

Roy Moore, the Alabama Republican candidate for senate, has asked controversial “alt-right” celebrity Milo Yiannopoulos to campaign for him statewide. This comes just after a fifth woman came forward to accuse the embattled candidate of sexual assault.

“I don’t generally tap into young people,” Moore explained, “but I think this is a good opportunity to take advantage of what Milo has to offer my campaign.”

Yiannopoulos, who is openly gay, recently resigned from his senior editor position at Breitbart News after a video surfaced where he defended sexual relationships between 13 year-olds and adult men and women. Breitbart News, in contrast, has continued to support Moore.

Moore has also condemned homosexuality as a “crime against nature” and compared it to bestiality.

For his part, Yiannopoulos finds his involvement as a positive development.

“I think Roy Moore could be great influence on young people.” he said in a statement. “For teenagers, there’s no doubt Moore would be the perfect fit.”

When asked about the potential conflicts of having Yiannopoulos speaking on behalf of his campaign, Moore defended the decision.

“Milo knows he is sinful, which is something I wish all homosexuals would understand.” Moore stated. “He has the potential of bringing very young people into the campaign. The witch hunt against me by some Republicans are from the very old. Guys who’ve been there forever. I want them younger, much younger. I want them young.”

Moore is facing multiple allegations of sexual assault from women who claimed the abuses occurred when some of them were as young as fourteen years old. The candidate has denied the charges against him.

Should he win the election, Moore has promised a position for the provocateur.

“The first job he’ll have is to give the Senate office a makeover.”

Sinema Obscura with TUGM and Vital Indie Media Tonight

by Legendary Lew

Tonight, Sinema Obscura kicks off its fall program of TV Party with a host of local talent. The Underground Multiplex will be there with Ty Pi presenting his short doc, “The Lost Marionettes of Ralph Kipniss.”

I will also be there with a live presentation episode of “Vital Indie Media,” the new webseries spotlighting indie cult movies, TV, records and other media from my collection and from other library sources. Tonight’s episode touches on one of the most outrageous ad campaigns ever and the legendary talents behind it.

Come on along and groove to great shorts by Ready Freddy Films, Soft Cage Films, Poolside Partyline, Candle Flame Films and many others!

Sinema Obscura’s TV Party
Thursday, Sept 28 at 7:30 pm
Que4 Radio
2643 West Chicago Avenue
Chicago, IL

Here is the first episode of “Vital Indie Media”:

Media Bits #1: Gratitude is the Attitude with “Sammy”

by Legendary Lew

In a Surprise Twist, Hyatt’s Classic Video Remains Open

Bob and Beverlee Hyatt at the East Rochester “Classic Video” location now closed. (Photo by David Andreatta, courtesy Rochester Democrat & Chronicle)

by Legendary Lew

Some movies have an unexpected twist at the end or a hero appears at the climax to set things on the right path.

Hyatt’s Classic Video, which originally was set to permanently close its doors last week, now has an extended life in a new location.  It’s not exactly the knight in shining armor that came charging through, but more like the people of Bedford Falls giving back to George Bailey what he’s provided for them over many years.

Bob Hyatt, the owner, just got off the phone with me, letting me know that the new location is in Pittsford at the “Old Pickle Factory” building with the same business phone number.

Apparently, they are still selling some stock, but will concentrate the business as transfers of VHS to DVD for your family memory videos (please don’t approach them with copyrighted stuff. It’s illegal and the answer is ‘no’). They will have a limited supply of rentals, I’m told, but will probably be more interested in selling you films.

Some of their VHS will eventually be part of ROC Archive, a non-profit with the goal of preserving a regional audio and video archive for the public.

Good to see Bob and Beverlee Hyatt still at it and providing a much needed service to Rochester. Best of luck in their new location!

The Debut of Vital Indie Media: TUGM’s Vlog of Unusual Movies, TV, Music, Games and other Ephemera!

by Legendary Lew

This has been a long time coming. Vital Indie Media is now a reality!

Vital Indie Media is the new vlog series (monthly, but can be more frequent with your help) concentrating on my collection of weird movies, TV shows, music, games and other strange stuff.  The debut episode features the unusual board game, The Bottom Line.

The main focus, however, will be independent and cult movies. Non-Hollywood movies have an uphill battle to gain any sort of attention. Media machines, eager to siphon as much profit as possible through manufactured big-budget exports to China, are on overdrive for your eyes and ears.

Other programs on YouTube have an interest in the latest releases from DC Comics, Hasbro, Marvel Comics and other corporate conglomerates.

Not me.

I’m in the fight to help the small voices out there.

The indie filmmakers who can barely scrape enough money to get their dream projects released.

The producers who shy away from biased festivals, some of which are downright scams.

The remaining indie video stores that remain open for cinephiles, despite the constant drive to digital.

The DVD companies that brave releasing unusual movies from all over the world, while conglomerate media studios hoard their “vaults” to release expensive burns, often with no remastering nor extras.

Vital Indie Media is my small contribution to the fight, but it’s truly vital for me. Come join me!