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Oddity Archive
Season 0
Episode 111

Ben's Junk: The Archive HQ Bookshelf

March 8, 2018

0.0%

Oddity Archive - S0 - E111

What’s that thing with the face in the background? This, and many (well, a few) other questions will be answered at long last!

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Oddity Archive: Season 0 - 101 Episode s

0x61 - Archive Riffs: A Christmas Dream
December 24, 2015
The Archive dusts off a minor (albeit severely butchered) art-house classic. Merry Christmas!
0x62 - Ben's CED Collection (Deleted Segment from CED Episode)
January 14, 2016
Filmed for inclusion on the CED episode (Episode 92), but left off for time.
0x63 - Ben's Junk: Guitars! Guitars!! Guitars!!!
January 28, 2016
Ben geeks out about guitars for 25 minutes. Watch at your own peril.
0x64 - Ben's Junk: Ben's Philips CD-I Collection
February 11, 2016
Let’s just say it all just kind of fell into my lap.
0x65 - Ben's Junk: Philips CD-I Peacekeeper Revolver
March 10, 2016
As promised, here's the second installment on the CD-I collection. Was it worth the wait?
0x66 - Ben's Junk: Ben's (Incomplete) Comedy LP Collection
March 24, 2016
The one time where it's ok to giggle at Ben's Junk.
0x67 - Ben's Junk: Fisher-Price Movie Viewer
April 7, 2016
It takes a steady hand to run one of these. Unfortunately, that's something I sorely lack.
0x68 - Ben's Junk: Commodore 64 (& Peripherals)
May 5, 2016
A wise man once said: “Save the big (stuff) for Ben’s Junk—it needs all the help it can get.”
0x69 - Ben's Junk: Sony TT-100 Tuner/Timer (for U-Matic)
May 19, 2016
Sometimes it takes a while for Ben's Junk to get in motion.
0x70 - Commodore 64 (Commentary)
June 2, 2016
Admittedly, a very stream-of-consciousness commentary here, but a(n apparently) necessary one.
0x71 - Ben's Junk: VCR Co-Pilot
June 9, 2016
I already discussed this one back on the VCR Ephemera episode, but didn't have one, so I couldn't test it. Let's rectify that situation.
0x72 - Archive Riffs: Fox Hour Promotional Reel
June 16, 2016
Taking a look at a (rather cryptic) promo reel for a series of silent, educational two-reelers.
0x73 - Record Ripoffs (Commentary)
June 23, 2016
A look at the first installment (and, to a lesser degree, the subsequent installments) of the recurring Record Ripoffs series. This is a commentary I’ve been wanting to do for awhile.
0x74 - Ben's Junk: Magnavox Odyssey 2 (Video Game Console)
June 30, 2016
A look at one of the many competitors to the Atari 2600.
0x75 - Ben's Junk: Colecovision Video Game Console
July 14, 2016
Discussing another bit of donated junk--'cause, you know, everybody apparently wants a hand in Ben's Junk.
0x76 - Ben's Junk: (Some Of) Ben's Vinyl Collection
August 11, 2016
Lately, I've been getting asked quite a bit about my music collection. All I can say is, be careful what you wish for.
0x77 - "The Voice" Module (for Magnavox Odyssey 2)
August 25, 2016
Oh-oh, won’t you tell me again…and again…and again…
0x78 - Flexplay Disposable DVD Update
September 8, 2016
Taking another stab at the now-infamous "zombie" disc.
0x79 - Fisher-Price Star Station Sing-Along Machine
September 22, 2016
Fairly recent for an Archivism—let’s take a look at how the current generation of middle and high-schoolers grew up to be such narcissists.
0x80 - Fisher-Price PXL-2000 Camcorder (Halloween Special 2015) (Commentary)
October 20, 2016
Yeah, there were some ghosts in the camera—or were they gremlins?
0x81 - Ben's Junk: bob (Another Nanny Box)
November 3, 2016
ACTUAL (paid) TESTIMONIAL: Parenthood turned out to be a real bitch and we were totally unprepared. Thanks bob!
0x82 - Ben's Junk: DVD Recorder (Panasonic DMR-E55)
November 17, 2016
Another weapon in the Archive’s—well, archiving arsenal.
0x83 - Ben's Junk: Gemmy Douglas Fir Talking Christmas Tree
December 15, 2016
Well, I already discussed Big Mouth Billy Bass. Might as well finish the 90’s/Gemmy/Talking Novelty Item concept.
0x84 - Ben's Junk: Ben's Comic Book Collection
January 12, 2017
Superheroes? What are those?
0x85 - Ben's Junk: Learn To Solder Kit
February 23, 2017
A soldering kit for kids? Yeah, that about fits my skillset.
0x86 - Ben's Junk: RCA Selectavision CED Player (SGT 250)
March 23, 2017
I was downright embarrassed by my old CED Player (see the CED episode). Obviously, an upgrade was in order.
0x87 - Ben's Junk: Ben's Audiophile Albums
April 6, 2017
For all the overpriced hunks of plastic in my possession, it’s kind of a wonder that this segment of my record collection is so small.
0x88 - Ben's Junk: Vtech Socrates Educational Video System
May 4, 2017
(conversation overheard at VTech, 1988) Boss: What’s a name that sounds good and smart for our quasi-educational video game console? Engineer: Um, Socrates! Boss: Is he smart? Engineer: Yeah. Boss: Perfect! What’s for lunch?
0x89 - Ben's Junk: Videocipher II Plus/Manhattan Cable TV Box
May 18, 2017
A couple of obsolete, useless (to me) bits of Pay-TV history—so, of course, I bought them.
0x90 - Ben's Junk: go reader (Audiobook Device)
June 8, 2017
Ben helps save the environment—with bad audiobooks on a cheap, low-capacity, unalterable mp3 player!
0x91 - Archive Riffs: Dear Miss Gloria
June 15, 2017
I’m ready for my mail, Mr. DeMille.
0x92 - DBX Noise Reduction System (Commentary)
June 22, 2017
Effectively tackling the three “(100% showtune-free) Musical March” episodes all at once. Who’da thunk old audio gear could be so controversial?
0x93 - Ben's Junk: Las Vegas Vacation (1997)
June 29, 2017
A decidedly different installment in the Ben’s Junk series. This time, I take a(n admittedly lengthy) stroll down memory lane about a family vacation from 20 years earlier.
0x94 - Ben's 10 Favorite Albums (Part 1)
July 13, 2017
Alternate Title: God, Ben! Don’t you listen to anything from this century?!?!
0x95 - Ben's 10 Favorite Albums (Part 2)
July 27, 2017
Remember kids, these are MY favorite albums, not yours. If there’s any overlap, consider it a happy accident.
0x96 - Ben's Junk: MFSL Geo-Tape (Azimuth Alignment Cassette)
August 10, 2017
A slightly askew edition of Ben’s Junk. Let’s rectify that situation.
0x97 - Ben's Junk: DBX Cassettes (DBX Addendum)
August 24, 2017
When researching the DBX episode, as best as I could gather, there were no (legit) pre-recorded DBX-encoded audiocassettes. Turns out there was a line of Classical tapes.
0x98 - Ben's Junk: MFSL Geo-Disc (Turntable Cartridge Alignment Tool)
September 7, 2017
…and the great Archive A/V tune-up continues.
0x99 - Ben’s Junk: (New) Speed Calibration Cassette
September 21, 2017
The Archive kicks it up a notch—or at least about one-fifth of one.
0x100 - Ben's Junk: CVS One-Time-Use Camcorder
October 5, 2017
Remember the single-use 35mm camera? How ‘bout a single-use camcorder?
0x101 - Conelrad (Halloween Special 2016) (Commentary)
October 19, 2017
The Archive gets nostalgic for nukes…
0x102 - Ben’s Junk: The World of Yesterday (& other Classic Hollywood Fanzines)
November 2, 2017
Ben gets nostalgic for nostalgia—he’s meta like that.
0x103 - Ben's Junk: Realistic Phono Pre-Amp (Model 42-2109)
November 16, 2017
Taking a look at an external preamp for the turntable—largely only because the cool kids are into it.
0x104 - Ben's Junk: Vidicraft Vidimate Video Enhancer (Model VDM300S)
November 30, 2017
An especially dull (or sharp) edition of Ben’s Junk—it’s capable of both.
0x105 - Ben's Junk: Star Shower Laser Light
December 14, 2017
Ben gets ambitious with his Christmas lights—in that, he’s putting any up at all.
0x106 - Ben's Junk: Sankyo Dualux Dual8 Projector (Model 2000H)
December 27, 2017
…or, Telecine redux.
0x107 - Ben's Junk: Allsop 3 Orbitrac Record Cleaning System
January 11, 2018
It’s no secret that the LP’s discussed on Archive were usually (presumably) buried in someone’s backyard. Naturally, we’re open to any new method of cleaning them up.
0x108 - Ben's Junk: JVC KD-A6 Cassette Deck
January 25, 2018
Ben’s second new (to him) cassette deck in a year. What makes this one so special?
0x109 - Ben's Junk: Discwasher Compact Disc Cleaner
February 8, 2018
Taking a look at (possibly) the first-ever CD cleaner/repair thing to ever hit the market. Is it a lost classic?
0x110 - Ben's Junk: Royal Disc Repair System
February 22, 2018
The second installment on CD cleaning/repair devices. Is it Royally good or Royal garbage?
0x111 - Ben's Junk: The Archive HQ Bookshelf
March 8, 2018
What’s that thing with the face in the background? This, and many (well, a few) other questions will be answered at long last!
0x112 - Ben’s Junk: MP32C64 Adapter (Commodore Datasette Substitute)
March 22, 2018
Let’s commit a bit of Luddite blasphemy, shall we?
0x113 - Archive Thrifting #1: Impromptu Investigations
April 5, 2018
Testing out a new, potential subseries—and hitting every conceivable pothole along the way.
0x114 - Archive Thrifting #2: Arc of a (Dumpster) Diver
April 19, 2018
…figured I’d better shoot at least one episode in Beautiful Downtown Aurora before leaving.
0x115 - Ben's Junk: K-Tel Record Selector
May 3, 2018
At last! Ben reviews a K-Tel product!
0x116 - Ben's Junk: Teac V-770 Cassette Deck
May 17, 2018
The MCS deck kinda got fried. Time for another fixer-upper!
0x117 - Discovision Dead Sides
May 31, 2018
Let’s unearth some (unintentional) pre-DVD Easter Eggs…
0x118 - Ben's Junk: ABC Talking Monday Night Football (Board Game)
June 21, 2018
An early, talking board game—whose (nearly) every move is dictated by a tiny record.
0x119 - Archive Riffs: Selling Your Home? (Talking House Transmitter Promo Video)
June 28, 2018
Rather serendipitously, just in time to move, we’ve unearthed a promo video for an item that we’ve used on Archive many times—namely, the Talking House Transmitter. Talk about timing!
0x120 - Archive Thrifting #3: Beautiful Downtown Aurora's Last Stand
July 5, 2018
…because I totally needed a bunch more junk to try and pack up.
0x121 - Ben's Junk: Rocketfish Wireless Rear Speaker Kit
August 2, 2018
There were a precious few hallmarks of the old Archive HQ that I did NOT want to carry over. Speaker wire running all over the room was one of them.
0x122 - Ben's Junk: Audio Technica AT-LP120 Turntable (Early Thoughts)
August 16, 2018
Already went over to a direct-drive cassette deck, might as well do the same with vinyl…
0x123 - Ben's Junk: Ben's Makeshift Bedroom Stereo System
August 30, 2018
Looking into the most intimate areas of Ben’s…half-baked stereo system.
0x124 - Ben's Junk: Ramsey FM Transmitter (Further Experiments)
September 13, 2018
Sergei’s Catacomb of Classics in stereo, anyone?
0x125 - Archive Thrifting #4: Elvis Sightings
September 26, 2018
Archive Thrifting®: Now in ESTEREO!!!
0x126 - Archive Thrifting #5: Low Money Hu
October 11, 2018
A mere 3½ months in the making!
0x127 - Sounds of Terror! (Halloween Album Review)
October 25, 2018
The return of the Halloween album reviews! Now in screaming, spooktacular stereo!
0x128 - Ben's Junk: Pac-Man Fever (Pac-Man Tiny Arcades)
November 8, 2018
I’ve got search-for-a-reissue-of-the-original-Pac-Man-arcade-game fever…it’s driving me crazy.
0x129 - Archive Riffs: Thanksgiving Commercials
November 22, 2018
A (non-filling) seven-course meal of Turkey Day commercialism!
0x130 - Ben's Junk: NES Classic Edition (The Last Word?)
December 6, 2018
So, what is the Oddity Archive guy doing with a reissue console?
0x131 - Christmas LaserKaraoke (Deleted Segment from Christmas Special 2018)
December 24, 2018
A little stocking stuffer of yuletide caterwauling—er, caroling!
0x132 - Ben's Junk: Nagaoka MP-110H Phono Cartridge
January 3, 2019
New year, more audio kit. It’s tradition, ya know?
0x133 - Ben's Junk: Sega Pico ("Edutainment" Console)
January 10, 2019
Time to learn…that edutainment consoles rarely end well.
0x134 - Ben's Junk: SNES Classic Edition (Belated) First Impressions)
January 24, 2019
Wait, didn’t we already cover this? Talk about déjà vu…
0x135 - Ben's Junk: Tyco VideoCam
January 31, 2019
Ben’s recovering from a virus (and middle-ear dysfunction). Sounds like a good time to do a (kiddie) camcorder review.
0x136 - Archive Riffs: Valentine’s Day Commercials (A Semi-Romantic Tale)
February 14, 2019
We’re just a bunch of old softies…with a taste for bent story arcs.
0x137 - Archive Thrifting #6: Frostbite Falls
February 28, 2019
Will our scrappy hero escape the clutches of the snow monster? Find out in our next installment: “Frosty The Slowman, or, Snow Thanks to You”!
0x138 - Ben's Junk: Ronco Mr. Microphone
March 14, 2019
Tagline: Ben: Hey, good lookin’! How ‘bout I pick you up later? Attractive Lady: (smacks Ben so hard his fillings are rearranged) Ben: But it worked for the guy in the commercial…
0x139 - Ben's Junk: GAF Super 8 Sound Film Projector
March 28, 2019
Another fixer-upper? In Archiveland? Never!!!
0x140 - Ben's Junk: The Big Reel (Film Collector’s Magazine)
April 11, 2019
While researching the recent VHS Distributors episode, I kept running into references to a publication known as the “Big Reel”. Turns out, it’s most (in)famous of the old film collector publications—and it’s easy to see why.
0x141 - Discovision/Laserdisc Quirks (An Informal Discussion)
April 25, 2019
In a way, Laserdiscs never really outgrew their experimental phase. Here’s an informal, overview of SOME of the more idiosyncratic Laserdiscs out there (and/or their packaging).
0x142 - Discovision Dead Sides Vol. 2
May 9, 2019
DVD Easter Eggs? Nah, way too easy.
0x143 - Ben’s Junk: VGA Converters/Public Domain CD-ROMs
May 23, 2019
A double dose of turn-of-the-millennium PC goodness!
0x144 - Ben’s Junk: Innovative Technologies ITNS-500 Slide “Scanner”
June 13, 2019
After a long delay…well, I’ve got some good news and some bad news.
0x145 - Archive Riffs: Clutch Cargo (Big "X", Parts 4 & 5)
June 20, 2019
The Archive finally gets to “see the X”! Spoiler: It’s a rock.
0x146 - Mystery 8mm Films/The Ballad of Ben & 8mm (Commentary)
June 27, 2019
Let’s see if we can’t clear up some misconceptions about this episode…
0x147 - Archive Thrifting #7: Wii, Wii, All The Way Home
July 4, 2019
I was going a little stir crazy at the end of last season. So, naturally, I decided to add a little to my at-home clutter.
0x148 - Ben's Junk: Video Action Magazine (Issue #1: December, 1980)
August 1, 2019
Readin’ and dreamin’ ‘bout those Archivisms that’ll probably never happen.
0x149 - Ben's Junk: Ben's Laserdisc Collection (2019 Edition)
August 15, 2019
Uh, oh. Ben’s geeking out again. Get comfy.
0x150 - Fostex X-14 Cassette Multitracker/ Ben's Music "Career": The Gear
August 29, 2019
…or, how Ben unwittingly jumped on the “lo-fi” bandwagon.
0x151 - Ben's Junk: Whippany Rhythm Master (Circa 1972 Drum Machine)
September 12, 2019
Who says Ben’s got no rhythm? He’s got 10 of them!
0x152 - Ben's Junk: Burns Theremin
September 26, 2019
…or, The Space-Age Sounds of the Oddity Archive! (now available on vinyl and 3¾ips reel)
0x153 - Archive Thrifting #8: Break IT You Pay For IT
October 10, 2019
Featuring our very Special Guest: Zippy The Chimp!
0x154 - Haunted House (Halloween SFX Album Review)
October 24, 2019
Can your heart (or better yet, head) stand a trip through this haunted house? No, seriously, this is our most headache-inducing one yet.
0x155 - Ben's Junk: Realistic Concertmate (Moog) MG-1 Synthesizer
November 7, 2019
Whatdaya mean you forgot you had a Moog? Also, synth snobs need not apply.
0x156 - Ben's Junk: Sony DCR-TRV320 Digital8 Handycam (Video8 Addendum)
November 21, 2019
Since we were already talkin’ Video8, it only seemed right to cover the Archive’s first camcorder…not to mention, a piece of gear still (as of this episode, at least) in regular use around Archive HQ.
0x157 - Ben's Junk: Archer Video Processor/Stabilizer (Model 15-1272A)
December 5, 2019
Guaranteed to keep this (internet) video from rolling!
0x158 - Algorithmic Audio Mastering (CloudBounce Review)
December 9, 2019
Can online audio mastering render audio mastering engineers obsolete? The short answer: No. Having said that, it’s not as bad as you’d think.
0x159 - Archive Thrifting #9: Christmas Confidential
December 12, 2019
Just your standard, good, old-fashioned, combustible, unnerving, overpriced Country Christmas…
0x160 - Archive Riffs: Boxing Day Commercials (er, Adverts)
December 26, 2019
Celebrating the true meaning of Boxing Day… a whole lotta furniture and carpet sales.
0x161 - MovieCD
January 9, 2020
A would-be full-fledged video format episode…which got curtailed by (amazingly enough) a lack of computer stuff at Archive HQ.

Oddity Archive: All seasons

S0: Specials
300 Episode s
S1: Season 1
26 Episode s
S2: Season 2
26 Episode s
S3: Season 3
26 Episode s
S4: Season 4
24 Episode s
S5: Season 5
24 Episode s
S6: Season 6
25 Episode s
S7: Season 7
22 Episode s
S8: Season 8
24 Episode s
S9: Season 9
23 Episode s
S10: Season 10
22 Episode s
S11: Season 11
23 Episode s
S12: Season 12
16 Episode s
S13: Season 13
4 Episode s

0x61 - Archive Riffs: A Christmas Dream

0x62 - Ben's CED Collection (Deleted Segment from CED Episode)

0x63 - Ben's Junk: Guitars! Guitars!! Guitars!!!

0x64 - Ben's Junk: Ben's Philips CD-I Collection

0x65 - Ben's Junk: Philips CD-I Peacekeeper Revolver

0x66 - Ben's Junk: Ben's (Incomplete) Comedy LP Collection

0x67 - Ben's Junk: Fisher-Price Movie Viewer

0x68 - Ben's Junk: Commodore 64 (& Peripherals)

0x69 - Ben's Junk: Sony TT-100 Tuner/Timer (for U-Matic)

0x70 - Commodore 64 (Commentary)

0x71 - Ben's Junk: VCR Co-Pilot

0x72 - Archive Riffs: Fox Hour Promotional Reel

0x73 - Record Ripoffs (Commentary)

0x74 - Ben's Junk: Magnavox Odyssey 2 (Video Game Console)

0x75 - Ben's Junk: Colecovision Video Game Console

0x76 - Ben's Junk: (Some Of) Ben's Vinyl Collection

0x77 - "The Voice" Module (for Magnavox Odyssey 2)

0x78 - Flexplay Disposable DVD Update

0x79 - Fisher-Price Star Station Sing-Along Machine

0x80 - Fisher-Price PXL-2000 Camcorder (Halloween Special 2015) (Commentary)

0x81 - Ben's Junk: bob (Another Nanny Box)

0x82 - Ben's Junk: DVD Recorder (Panasonic DMR-E55)

0x83 - Ben's Junk: Gemmy Douglas Fir Talking Christmas Tree

0x84 - Ben's Junk: Ben's Comic Book Collection

0x85 - Ben's Junk: Learn To Solder Kit

0x86 - Ben's Junk: RCA Selectavision CED Player (SGT 250)

0x87 - Ben's Junk: Ben's Audiophile Albums

0x88 - Ben's Junk: Vtech Socrates Educational Video System

0x89 - Ben's Junk: Videocipher II Plus/Manhattan Cable TV Box

0x90 - Ben's Junk: go reader (Audiobook Device)

0x91 - Archive Riffs: Dear Miss Gloria

0x92 - DBX Noise Reduction System (Commentary)

0x93 - Ben's Junk: Las Vegas Vacation (1997)

0x94 - Ben's 10 Favorite Albums (Part 1)

0x95 - Ben's 10 Favorite Albums (Part 2)

0x96 - Ben's Junk: MFSL Geo-Tape (Azimuth Alignment Cassette)

0x97 - Ben's Junk: DBX Cassettes (DBX Addendum)

0x98 - Ben's Junk: MFSL Geo-Disc (Turntable Cartridge Alignment Tool)

0x99 - Ben’s Junk: (New) Speed Calibration Cassette

0x100 - Ben's Junk: CVS One-Time-Use Camcorder

0x101 - Conelrad (Halloween Special 2016) (Commentary)

0x102 - Ben’s Junk: The World of Yesterday (& other Classic Hollywood Fanzines)

0x103 - Ben's Junk: Realistic Phono Pre-Amp (Model 42-2109)

0x104 - Ben's Junk: Vidicraft Vidimate Video Enhancer (Model VDM300S)

0x105 - Ben's Junk: Star Shower Laser Light

0x106 - Ben's Junk: Sankyo Dualux Dual8 Projector (Model 2000H)

0x107 - Ben's Junk: Allsop 3 Orbitrac Record Cleaning System

0x108 - Ben's Junk: JVC KD-A6 Cassette Deck

0x109 - Ben's Junk: Discwasher Compact Disc Cleaner

0x110 - Ben's Junk: Royal Disc Repair System

0x111 - Ben's Junk: The Archive HQ Bookshelf

0x112 - Ben’s Junk: MP32C64 Adapter (Commodore Datasette Substitute)

0x113 - Archive Thrifting #1: Impromptu Investigations

0x114 - Archive Thrifting #2: Arc of a (Dumpster) Diver

0x115 - Ben's Junk: K-Tel Record Selector

0x116 - Ben's Junk: Teac V-770 Cassette Deck

0x117 - Discovision Dead Sides

0x118 - Ben's Junk: ABC Talking Monday Night Football (Board Game)

0x119 - Archive Riffs: Selling Your Home? (Talking House Transmitter Promo Video)

0x120 - Archive Thrifting #3: Beautiful Downtown Aurora's Last Stand

0x121 - Ben's Junk: Rocketfish Wireless Rear Speaker Kit

0x122 - Ben's Junk: Audio Technica AT-LP120 Turntable (Early Thoughts)

0x123 - Ben's Junk: Ben's Makeshift Bedroom Stereo System

0x124 - Ben's Junk: Ramsey FM Transmitter (Further Experiments)

0x125 - Archive Thrifting #4: Elvis Sightings

0x126 - Archive Thrifting #5: Low Money Hu

0x127 - Sounds of Terror! (Halloween Album Review)

0x128 - Ben's Junk: Pac-Man Fever (Pac-Man Tiny Arcades)

0x129 - Archive Riffs: Thanksgiving Commercials

0x130 - Ben's Junk: NES Classic Edition (The Last Word?)

0x131 - Christmas LaserKaraoke (Deleted Segment from Christmas Special 2018)

0x132 - Ben's Junk: Nagaoka MP-110H Phono Cartridge

0x133 - Ben's Junk: Sega Pico ("Edutainment" Console)

0x134 - Ben's Junk: SNES Classic Edition (Belated) First Impressions)

0x135 - Ben's Junk: Tyco VideoCam

0x136 - Archive Riffs: Valentine’s Day Commercials (A Semi-Romantic Tale)

0x137 - Archive Thrifting #6: Frostbite Falls

0x138 - Ben's Junk: Ronco Mr. Microphone

0x139 - Ben's Junk: GAF Super 8 Sound Film Projector

0x140 - Ben's Junk: The Big Reel (Film Collector’s Magazine)