Review: 'Adjust Your Tracking'

Title: ADJUST YOUR TRACKING
Year: 2013
Director: Dan M. Kinem & Levi Peretic
Writer: Dan M. Kinem & Levi Peretic
Starring: Lloyd Kafuman, Anthony Timpone, Keith J. Crocker

I first saw ADJUST YOUR TRACKING about a year ago at Film Bar in Phoenix. The film is a fascinating documentary about VHS collectors and this screening was made all the more wonderful because one of the collectors interviewed in the film, Earl Kess, one his attendance and participated in a Q&A after. Once you see ADJUST YOUR TRACKING you’ll want to ask Kess a few questions yourself.

With the film just receiving a release on DVD and of course VHS, I recently watched it again. One year later this documentary is as interesting, entertaining and engaging as it was the first time I saw it. VHS collecting truly is a world all its own and to hear these collectors open about their obsession is quite the experience.

ADJUST YOUR TRACKING perfectly captures the essence of the VHS viewing experience. The film opens with that blue screen. You know the one, when your VCR is on but you’ve yet to put in a movie or hit play. We heard the sound of the tape being placed in the VCR and then the movie begins with some quality VHS animation. It’s all brilliant.

Before diving too deep into the collectors the film offers up a brief history of VHS. This may seem silly to anyone that grew up with VHS, but there’s lots of folks out there that have never owned a VCR. I’d ventures to say most of today’s movie going audience has never even watched a movie on VHS. This is a nice, important tidbit that gets everyone up to speed. It also shows us some great old VCR/VHS commercials.

The film then jumps into the meat and potatoes which is chatting it up with these VHS lovers and collectors. Every person they talk to his so fascinating. Everyone is so different, but they’re all connected because of their common interest in VHS. We see various collections and hear unique stories.

The highlight for me is the discussion on the artwork from VHS tapes. For me personally, this is hands down the most important part of a good VHS. I’d much rather own a crappy movie was fantastic artwork than a great movie with shitty artwork. At the same time though, it always was an incredible letdown to pop in a movie with awesome artwork only to learn that none of that happens in the movie.

ADJUST YOUR TRACKING is not only informative and entertaining, it’s quite funny and even sad at times. I dare you to watch this movie and not get a little bummed out when you hear these people talk about VHS disappearing from shelves. What you learn is that some people aren’t only buying VHS because they love to collect VHS, but because they’re afraid. They’re afraid that certain movies that have never made the leap to DVD are just going to be lost forever. This is quite valid.

I could write 10,000 words and never touch base on every detail discussed within ADJUST YOUR TRACKING. The run time isn’t long, just under 90 minutes, yet the film is jam packed with so many tidbits. You have to see this movie. And once you do, you’ll start looking for VHS anywhere you can find it.

Rating: 5/5

Own ADJUST YOUR TRACKING: AdjustYourTracking.com