A lovingly assembled documentary ostensibly about VHS collectors, “Rewind This” makes for a surprisingly informative and entertaining lecture on the history of cinema and broadcast media, in particular throughout the 1980s and 1990s. With rare footage of everything from Z-grade 1980s cinema like “Deadly Prey,” direct-to-video Japanese action movies and even the original bootlegged “South Park” Christmas special, there’s plenty here for Generation X film fans to sink their teeth into, while more serious film historians and preservers will appreciate interviews with various tech engineers, who explicate at length the fast-moving process in which film history is altered and shaped by available technology. It’s a joyous celebration of nostalgia that manages to educate while entertaining, a rare feat for any documentary let alone for one on a topic that seems narrowly focused.
Rating: ★★★★ (out of 5)
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