Kim's Video
2023
Documentary

Kim's Video
2023
Documentary
Plot summary
Since 1987, and for almost three decades, New York cinephiles had access to a vast treasure trove of rare films thanks to Kim's Video, a small empire run by Yongman Kim, an enigmatic character who amassed more than fifty thousand VHS tapes.
Director
Top cast
Tech specs
720p.WEB 1080p.WEBMovie Reviews
Nostalgic pull at the heartstrings for those who remember...
Very cool story
This was overall an enjoyable documentary on Kim's Video Store and the aftermath of finding a home for the collection. The story is fairly straightforward with a few twists but in the end it is nice to see things back as they should be. I am thankful for people in this world that value history and culture that stems from it even if it is seedy and the the overlooked story is sometimes the most interesting.
Mr. Kim is an interesting fella. Big heart and love of film, raided by FBI on multiple occassions, possible cia asset during the Korean War, and generous with his life and money. I would have enjoyed a bit more on him than the tertiary minutes we get, but I respect his privacy and need for a life not defined by video tapes and late fees (You should have nailed the Coen bros on that honestly. They had plenty of money, gave zero craps about helping out, and played facetious whenever possible about it. Lost a lot of respect for them instantly).
The only mar on this was the story teller. I appreciate the efforts to recover the collection and the movie in general but it ain't always about you. Proving he has at least consumed the Criterion collection and claiming the movies have voices that call to him, it sounds like someone who is trying to emulate having a soul without understanding what a soul is and why things feel. It was super awkward having him wander around Salemi, not speaking Italian or even able to use translate, pointing cameras in locals faces while acting like a non verbal on spectrum weirdo, breaking into buildings and mixing spanish with Italian (Jeebus dude they are romance languages and very similar in basal structure unlike French or Portuguese you should be able to understand and speak 6 words from all of your Fellini fests lol). I loved the Giorgio Moroder loving musician that did film music, he was a hoot. Such a wonderful modernly classic sound. UNLIKE THE SOUNDTRACK which was knobbish dubstep. I guess either the filmmaker made it or it was free because it did not fit and only helped the party scene in which the heist was set. Overall a cool story and thankful of what was done to preserve the collection for generations to come. Back when youtube was shelves and you had to go and get it lol.