January 27, 2026

In the last year or so, I’ve become a huge fan of the Konbini Video Club series on YouTube, where esteemed filmmakers like Christopher Nolan, Sean Baker, Bong Joon Ho, Denis Villeneuve, and so, so many more pop into JM Video in Paris, France and pick a handful of their favorite films right off the shelves to discuss. As I was in Paris for the month of January and already in the area looking at movie theaters for my “Cinemas In Paris” article, I knew I had to stop by!

Both video clerks were incredibly kind and helpful, and one began speaking English to me as soon as he heard me talking to Alisa in English. We chatted a bit about some of the stuff I’d been watching with her while in France like the filmography of famed actor Louis de Funès. But I was nervous about shooting my own “Video Club” style interview, so Alisa and I did it on the sly.

Hence, yes, I know I say Konbini wrong, but we did this all in one take to avoid bothering anyone! (I must’ve had Obi Wan Kenobi on my mind!) Anyways, here are my personal movie picks from JM Video Club!

My movie picks!

T2 Trainspotting 2 (2017) – As I mention in the video, the second TRAINSPOTTING is vastly underrated and one of the few sequels that’s quite good and a great companion piece to the original. Did we need to see these characters 20 years later? Not really, but I’m glad we did, and with Danny Boyle at the helm again? I don’t think enough people know this sequel exists AND is good!

Turbo Kid (2015) – One of the quirkiest, funnest “cult” films of all time, when I began programming the DREAD label for Epic Pictures, this was one of the films they produced. I kicked off the monthly theatrical screening series with TURBO KID because I knew it was a crowd pleasing audience film and not enough people had seen it in a theater! No regrets and hope more people find and watch this.

Fantomas (1964) – I only knew of “Fantomas” as the name of the Mike Patton musical side project! But while staying with my partner in Paris, she asked if I’d ever seen any films with Louis de Funès. I hadn’t so we started working our way through them and landed on this, the 1964 revamp of FANTOMAS, meant to play as a fun companion to the James Bond / OSS 117 films. A criminal mastermind that’s also a “chameleon” and master of disguise? Played by Jean Marais who was also the original Beast in BEAUTY AND THE BEAST?! The whole trilogy is fun, but really the first 1964 one is the best!

Left-Handed Girl (2025) – Here in the States, this is a Netflix original, but overseas, it’s fortunate to have a physical media release! Directed by Shih-Ching Tsou, co-director of TAKE OUT, and set very much in what feels like (producer) Sean Baker’s world, this drama about three generations of women moving back to Taipei is worth a look.

The Tripper (2006) – There are a whole slew of horror movies from around 2005-2010 that feel like they’ve gotten lost in the transition from DVD to Blu-Ray, and among them is the vastly underrated, political satire “slasher” THE TRIPPER, featuring an all star cast and directed by David Arquette. For his first time out, Arquette did a killer (pun intended) job with this. I hope he directs more features, especially in the horror genre, but in the meantime, I’m happy to always shine a spotlight back on his directorial debut any chance I get!

The Life Of Chuck (2024) – Watched this one at the very beginning of the year and was completely taken aback by it. It wasn’t what I expected at all, but it was as heartwarming and emotional as I’d hoped. A true celebration of enjoying every moment of our lives, when it comes to Stephen King, few do him as well as Mike Flanagan.

Better Man (2024) – I am a moderate Robbie Williams fan and I knew nothing about TAKE THAT going into this. Plus, the idea that Williams bio-pic would feature a CGI monkey standing in for him, but I’ll be damned… it’s great! Even if you don’t know the music, or the man, you’ll appreciate this underrated gem which is destined to be a cult classic. Worth it to see actors playing the Gallagher brothers from Oasis as total twats! (And hey, I love Oasis.)

If you’ve like to visit JM Vidéo le lieu de rencontre des cinéphiles for yourself in person, it’s located at: 121 Ave Parmentier, 75011 Paris, France

You can also visit them on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jmvideoparis

And same for Konbini on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/konbini

Watch even more Konbini Video Club videos HERE!