NostalgiaCast

Episode 111: BEETLEJUICE (1988) Oct 30, 2024

It's showtime! In NostalgiaCast's annual Halloween special, Jonny and Darin visit the afterlife for a spirited discussion of Tim Burton's BEETLEJUICE, starring Michael Keaton, Geena Davis, Alec Baldwin, and Winona Ryder. They talk about the legacy of the film, how it slots in with Burton's other idiosyncratic work, and the elements—production design-wise and problematic character-wise—that either do or do not stand the test of time. Let's turn on the juice and see what shakes loose!

Episode 110: ROCKY (1976) Oct 03, 2024

Yo, Adrian, we did it! NostalgiaCast closes out its '70s season by stepping into the ring with ROCKY, directed by John G. Avildsen and starring Sylvester Stallone, Talia Shire, Carl Weathers, Burgess Meredith, and Burt Young. The gloves are off as Jonny and Darin spar over the movie's aspirational qualities, its acting and filmmaking choices, and how it became the heavyweight champion of underdog sports dramas by encompassing both Stallone's rise to the top and the indomitable human spirit.

Episode 109: GODZILLA VS. MEGALON (1973) Sep 19, 2024

Punch! Punch! NostalgiaCast '70s Palooza continues with a kaiju-and-fun-filled discussion of GODZILLA VS. MEGALON, the man-in-monster-suit melee that Leonard Maltin famously called "A hoho from Toho." Dan and Angela of the Dissect That Film podcast join Jonny and Darin to gasp and guffaw at all the insane/inane choices and unapologetically repurposed footage that make up this 13th(!) adventure in the Big-G's long-running franchise.

Episode 108: DISNEY IN-BETWEEN (with Stephen Anderson) Sep 05, 2024

In a special episode of the 'Cast, director/writer/storyboard artist Stephen Anderson returns to discuss his must-own new book DISNEY IN-BETWEEN, a fascinating fly-on-the-wall retrospective of the 20-year stretch at Walt Disney Studios when artists and production heads struggled to find their feet in the wake of Walt's death. Stephen recounts his painstaking research and in-depth interviews with the many luminaries who experienced such a transitional period at Disney firsthand, and gives us a new appreciation of the live-action and animated films that defined it.

Episode 107: TAXI DRIVER (1976) Aug 08, 2024

You talkin' to me? No, NostalgiaCast is talking to you about Martin Scorsese's TAXI DRIVER, one of the most controversial films of the 1970s and still one of the most divisive films of its esteemed director's career. Listen as Jonny and Darin discuss the subjective camerawork and brutal violence that immerse you in New York City as hell on earth, plus the nuances and performances that continue to fascinate (and repel) audiences today.

Episode 106: WILLY WONKA AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY (1971) Jul 27, 2024

Grab your Gobstoppers and your Scrumdidilyumptious Bars as NostalgiaCast enters the seventh circle of hell with Gene Wilder and WILLY WONKA AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY! Film critic and friend of the show Phoenix Clouden joins Jonny and Darin for a discussion of the teeth-rotting horrors and Monty Python-esque satire that permeates this perennial children's(?) classic. Listen now before Wonka's army of Oompa Loompas sing you off to eternal damnation!

Episode 105: MONTY PYTHON AND THE HOLY GRAIL (1975) Jul 12, 2024

It's killer rabbits and k-nig-hts and coconuts as NostalgiaCast journeys back to medieval times for what is arguably the most quotable movie of all time, MONTY PYTHON AND THE HOLY GRAIL. Jonny and Darin try to keep their hysterics in check as they recount their favorite lines and sketches from the film, as well as the history of Monty Python and how Chapman-Cleese-Gilliam-Idle-Jones-Palin & Co.'s subversive meta-commentary comedy lives in the SOUTH PARKs, RICK & MORTYs, and DEADPOOLs of today.

Episode 104: DOG DAY AFTERNOON (1975) Jun 28, 2024

Shout "Attica! Attica!" as the latest episode of NostalgiaCast '70s Palooza is taken captive by DOG DAY AFTERNOON, directed by Sidney Lumet and starring Al Pacino and John Cazale. Film critic Tom O'Keefe of the Reel Spoilers podcast joins Jonny and Darin to discuss the claustrophobic direction, progressive(?) storytelling, and magical eye acting of this classic crime drama.

Episode 103: DIRTY HARRY (1971) Jun 13, 2024

We know what you're thinking: Hasn't NostalgiaCast covered a Clint Eastwood movie before? Well, to tell you the truth, in all this excitement, we've kinda lost track ourselves. But there's still plenty of icons and iconography to cover, and this episode takes aim at DIRTY HARRY, Don Siegel's crime thriller classic that catapulted Eastwood from Western star to action star status. Jonny and Darin discuss the cinematography, questionable morality, and all-around controversy that drove both left-leaning AND right-leaning audiences into an absolute tizzy.

Episode 102: SUPERMAN (1978) Jun 02, 2024

You'll believe podcasters can podcast as NostalgiaCast takes flight with SUPERMAN, Richard Donner's 1978 super-hit starring Christopher Reeve, Gene Hackman, and Marlon Brando. Jonny and Darin are joined by Chris Scalzo of The First Run and ScreenRun podcasts for a discussion of the story structure, special effects, music score, and sincerity that not only defined so much of their childhoods, but also every single comic book blockbuster that followed in its wake. Up, up and away!

Episode 101: A CLOCKWORK ORANGE (1971) May 16, 2024

Welcome, all you baddiwad malchicks and ptitsas! Grab a glass of Moloko Plus and get ready for a bit of the old ultra-violence as NostalgiaCast shares a few choice slovos about Stanley Kubrick's dystopian crime classic, A CLOCKWORK ORANGE, based on the novel by Anthony Brugess. Jonny and Darin tackle the controversies surrounding the film, whether its themes of morality and free will are justified by its subject matter, and how its nasty, nihilistic imagery played an integral part in our movie-watching habits.

Episode 100: STAR WARS Original Trilogy Apr 22, 2024

Celebrate 8 years and 100 episodes of NostalgiaCast as Jonny and Darin journey (at last!) to a galaxy far, far away for a discussion of George Lucas's o.g. STAR WARS Trilogy. Author R.J. Craddock sits in the gunner's seat for a lively chat about the movies' impact on countless filmmakers and film nerds, and how the 1997 Special Editions either did or didn't futz with our nostalgia for the original films.

Also a special thanks to all our esteemed guests and listeners. We're so grateful that you've stuck with us, and look forward to many fun conversations in the future!

Episode 99: GREASE (1978) Apr 04, 2024

GREASE is the word (is the word that you heard) as NostalgiaCast returns to Rydell High for a boppier, bouncier-than-expected discussion of what is arguably the quintessential '70s musical, directed by Randal Kleiser and starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John. Jonny and Darin chat about the energetic performances, irresistible songs, and R-rated innuendos, lyrics, and visual gags that have been inadverdently enjoyed by families for almost half a century. With relish!

Episode 98: THE SPY WHO LOVED ME (1977) Mar 21, 2024

It took 98 episodes and double-oh-seven-and-a-half years for Jonny and Darin to talk about a James Bond film, but NostalgiaCast finally tackles everyone's favorite tuxedo-wearing, license-to-kill-bearing sex pest with THE SPY WHO LOVED ME, starring 007 as Roger Moore. Popcorn Digest co-hosts Gareth Green and Andrew Raphael lend their Bond expertise to an in-depth discussion of Moore's best(?) outing as the character, as well as their histories with / fondness for the franchise as a whole.

(PLEASE NOTE: Darin's audio file was corrupted during the recording and was salvaged as best as possible. So in the interest of preserving the conversation, the episode is presented as is. We apologize for any inconvenience to your eardrums.)

Episode 97: APOCALYPSE NOW (1979) Mar 06, 2024

I love the smell of napalm in the morning! Journey up the Nùng River with Jonny and Darin as they take a psychedelic look back at Francis Ford Coppola's 1979 epic APOCALYPSE NOW, starring Martin Sheen, Robert Duvall, and Marlon Brando. But is this the Vietnam War movie to end all Vietnam War movies, 45 years after the fact? Or is the controversy about its making more interesting than the movie itself? Also, is Brando really the iconic actor everyone claims he is?

Episode 96: CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND (1977) Feb 22, 2024

Look to the skies as NostalgiaCast attempts to make contact with Steven Spielberg's CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND. Paperback Flicks hosts R.J. Craddock and Rae Davidson join Jonny and Darin for an out-of-this-world discussion of the groundbreaking FX, overly overlapping dialogue, and sense of awe and wonder that permeates Spielberg's 1977 magnum opus, plus how it compares to the rat-a-tat sci-fi extravaganzas of today.

Episode 95: THE BLACK STALLION (1979) Feb 05, 2024

Scoot and boot! Childhood friend Jason Payne makes his fourth token appearance on NostalgiaCast for a discussion of Carroll Ballard's 1979 children's classic THE BLACK STALLION, starring Kelly Reno, Teri Garr, Mickey Rooney, and Hoyt Axton (or, as Jonny calls him, "the guy from GREMLINS"). Listen as Jason, Jonny, and Darin speak in awed reverence about the film's breathtaking cinematography, enveloping sound mix, and its uncanny ability to "speak" to kids and adults alike. Take the reins and join us!

Episode 94: F FOR FAKE (1973) Jan 22, 2024

For the latest episode of NostalgiaCast '70s Palooza, Jonny and Darin tackle the faux-documentary / biography / proto-YouTube video essay that is Orson Welles's F FOR FAKE. They talk about the movie as an examination of authorship over art, Welles's (brazen but ultimately unsuccessful) attempts to explode the documentary form, and how a story of charlatans, magicians, and frauds slots into the legendary director's manic career.

Episode 93: AMERICAN GRAFFITI (1973) Jan 08, 2024

NostalgiaCast '70s Palooza heads back to the '60s for a discussion of AMERICAN GRAFFITI, from indie director George Lucas. Crank up your radios and bop along to the beat as Jonny and Darin chat about the nonstop parade of music and muscle cars that permeate this rock 'n' roll coming-of-age tale. But is it a fun and breezy time at the movies, or the same stilted slog as Lucas's later films?

Episode 92: ROBIN HOOD (1973) Dec 18, 2023

Oo-de-lally, what a day! Jonny and Darin venture into Sherwood Forest to discuss the anthropomorphic action of Disney's ROBIN HOOD, with special guest Stephen J. Anderson, director of MEET THE ROBINSONS and WINNIE THE POOH! (I know, right?) Listen as they get to reminiscin' and this-n-thattin' about the 1970s as a transitional period for Walt Disney Animation, and the character designs that made ROBIN HOOD such a furry phenomenon. Then get ready for a full-on geek-out session about Mr. Anderson's seminal work as an animator and story supervisor on TARZAN, THE EMPEROR'S NEW GROOVE, and BROTHER BEAR.

Episode 91: THE DEER HUNTER (1978) Dec 04, 2023

NostalgiaCast '70s Palooza continues with a look back at Michael Cimino's harrowing epic drama THE DEER HUNTER, which tries to out-GODFATHER THE GODFATHER with elongated, lugubrious wedding sequences and a shakedown of American idealism. Robert De Niro, Meryl Streep, Christopher Walken, and the late, great John Cazale star in a tale about working-class joes torn apart by the ravages of war, and Jonny and Darin are there to walk you through the fun!

Episode 90: THE GODFATHER (1972) Nov 20, 2023

It's "Leave the gun, take the cannoli," "Go to the mattresses," and "I'm gonna make him an offer he can't refuse" as Jonny and Darin kick off a 1970s-centric season of NostalgiaCast with a look back at Francis Ford Coppola's THE GODFATHER. We talk about the characters, story structure, cinematography, and directorial choices that make up what is arguably the most seminal pop culture phenomenon of the decade. Listen or sleep with the fishes!

Episode 89: Michael Jackson's THRILLER (1983) Oct 28, 2023

NostalgiaCast returns for a special Halloween episode in which we brave Michael Jackson's THRILLER, arguably the greatest music video of all time. Cue up the link below and watch along with Jonny and Darin as they provide a running commentary for the event that made them lifelong horror fans and forever cemented Jackson as an icon. You're in for a killer, thriller time!

https://youtu.be/sOnqjkJTMaA?si=hDfx2JYDOKVWmJyj

Episode 88: CAPTAIN AMERICA (1990) (BONUS) Oct 16, 2023

In a special bonus episode of NostalgiaCast '90s Palooza, returning guest Jason of @BingeMovies takes us on a guided tour of the many films that inspired and were inspired by the most unsung of movie directors, the late, great(?) Albert Pyun! We talk about his Menahem Golan-produced 1990 masterwork(?) CAPTAIN AMERICA, and its legacy that lives on in the X-MENs, WINTER SOLDIERs, and NAKED GUNs of today. Enter the Pyun-iverse with us now!

Episode 87: '90s Palooza Season Finale Aug 29, 2023

NostalgiaCast wraps up its totally fly season of '90s Palooza as Jonny and Darin recap their favorite episodes, gush about their guests, and drop their Top 10 films of the decade! The journey has been all that and a bag of chips! And there's still so much to come!

Episode 86: THE MATRIX (1999) Aug 15, 2023

Plug back into THE MATRIX as Robert Yaniz Jr. of Crooked Table Productions joins us for a season-capping conversation about the sci-fi action extravaganza that not only capped off the '90s but also inspired films and filmmakers for decades to come. We talk about THE MATRIX's groundbreaking FX, its influence on fashion and fringe groups, and how Lana and Lilly Wachowski's passion for the project helped to define countless moviegoers on a similar journey of self-discovery.

Episode 85: YOU'VE GOT MAIL (1998) Aug 01, 2023

Crank up The Cranberries, boot up your computer, and begin that sloooooow dial-up to the internet, as NostalgiaCast '90s Palooza kicks it with Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan in YOU'VE GOT MAIL! Film critic Megan Kearns joins Jonny and Darin to chat about the capitalism, kindness, and human connection that permeates Nora Ephron's romantic comedy classic. Log in and listen now!

Episode 84: SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE (1998) Jul 17, 2023

It is the east, and NostalgiaCast '90s Palooza is the sun as Jonny and Darin do battle with the Bard and SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE, directed by John Madden (no, not THAT John Madden) and starring Gwyneth Paltrow, Joseph Fiennes, and Geoffrey Rush. We chat about the movie's controversial Oscar run, Anti-Stratfordian conspiracies, sweeping romance, and nonstop in-jokes about Shakespeare and Hollywood. Listen now or it's a plague o' both your houses!

Episode 83: THE ROCKETEER (1991) Jul 03, 2023

Strap your rocket pack to your back as NostalgiaCast '90s Palooza takes to the skies with THE ROCKETEER, Joe Johnston's serial cliffhanger comic book throwback from 1991. Billy Campbell, Jennifer Connelly, and a scenery-gnawing Timothy Dalton star in this Indiana Jones-ish adventure that crashed and burned at the box office, and critic / Disney-phile Marianne Paluso brings her patented good humor and cinema savvy to our discussion about how the movie soared to the top of the superhero ranks.

Episode 82: GOODFELLAS (1990) Jun 19, 2023

Grab your spaghetti with marinara sauce and your f**kin' shinebox as NostalgiaCast '90s Palooza continues with a fond look back at GOODFELLAS, directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Robert De Niro, Ray Liotta, Lorraine Bracco, and Joe Pesci. Hear Jonny and Darin geek out over the acting, shot choices, and messaging of what might be Scorsese’s greatest film(?), the greatest film of the decade(?), and the greatest gangster movie ever made(?). Don't be a schnook; listen now!

Episode 81: FACE OFF (1997) Jun 04, 2023

It's face ON as NostalgiaCast '90s Palooza continues with a fond look back at FACE/OFF, directed by Hong Kong action maestro John Woo and starring John Cage and Nicolas Travolta! Film critic Sara Michelle Fetters joins Jonny and Darin to discuss the spectacular two-gun gunplay and deeper emotional underpinnings of Woo's finest American film. Let those doves fly and get ready for the big ride, baby!

Episode 80: SO I MARRIED AN AXE MURDERER (1993) May 22, 2023

Woman... woe-man... whoooa, man! Author R.J. Craddock returns to the 'Cast to chat with Jonny and Darin about Thomas Schlamme's 1993 cult comedy SO I MARRIED AN AXE MURDERER, starring Mike Myers as a beat poet and serial relationship-phobe who also can't seem to treat dramatic scenes very seriously. But does all our talk about over-sized espresso cups, haggis, and mugging for the camera make us feel mirthful or murderous? Listen now or we'll kick yer teeth in!

Episode 79: THE FIFTH ELEMENT (1997) May 08, 2023

Grab your multipass and look to the future as Jonny and Darin feast their eyes on Luc Besson's sci-fi action extravaganza THE FIFTH ELEMENT, starring Bruce Willis, Gary Oldman, Milla Jovovich, Ian Holm, and Chris Tucker. Film critic and journalist Nguyên Lê joins the latest episode of NostalgiaCast '90s Palooza to discuss the movie's bright futurescapes, gender fluidity, French comic books and sensibilities, and the Ruby Rohd of it all. Don't be a meat popsicle. Listen now!

Episode 78: MRS. DOUBTFIRE (1993) Apr 23, 2023

Hellllllooooo, Poppets! NostalgiaCast '90s Palooza continues with a look back at Chris Columbus's box office behemoth MRS. DOUBTFIRE, starring Robin Williams, Pierce Brosnan, and Sally Field. Returning guest Dave "The Nuge" Nugent joins Jonny and Darin for an in-depth and introspective discussion of the movie's bittersweet themes and saccharine-sweet comedy, and also the dramatic/comedic legacy Williams left behind.

Episode 77: CRIMSON TIDE (1995) Apr 09, 2023

NostalgiaCast '90s Palooza goes to DEFCON Four as Twitter's own James "That Tony Scott Guy" Coddington joins Jonny and Darin for a deep-dive (sorry) discussion of 1995's classic Cold War thriller CRIMSON TIDE, starring Denzel Washington and Gene Hackman. Hang on to the edge of your seat as they chat about the towering performances, Quentin Tarantino-isms, and claustrophobic color scheme of what may be the late, great Tony Scott's finest film.

Episode 76: THE TRUMAN SHOW (1998) Mar 27, 2023

What if you were watched every moment of your life? What if everyone you knew was pretending? What if your world was make believe? What if you didn't know it... until now? These questions—and more!—are mulled over and discussed as Jonny and Darin turn their dials to Peter Weir's THE TRUMAN SHOW! Jim Carrey makes his first (and best?) attempt at dramatic acting in this seminal comedy-fantasy that seemingly predicted the Reality TV boom of the 2000s. How's it going to end? Tune in now and find out!

Episode 75: SPEED (1994) Mar 13, 2023

Pop quiz, hot shot! You've got one of the most influential action films of the '90s on your docket and you want to invite one of Twitter's fastest rising stars onto your podcast to chat about the movie in all its DIE HARD-inspired glory... what do you do? WHAT DO YOU DO? Easy: you invite friend and fellow film fanatic Jackson Boren onto the latest episode of '90s Palooza to discuss Jan De Bont's action classic SPEED, starring Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock! Buckle your seat belts and listen now!

Episode 74: BRAVEHEART (1995) Feb 26, 2023

Raise your kilts and your battle axes as NostalgiaCast '90s Palooza wages war against Mel Gibson's BRAVEHEART, winner for Best Picture and Best Director at 1996's Academy Awards. Mutual childhood friend Jason Payne returns to the 'Cast to chat with Jonny and Darin about fallen Hollywood idols, grossly inaccurate historical epics, and long drawn-out sequences of bloody violence and torture. We didn't get dressed up for nothin'!

Episode 73: THE RAINMAKER (1997) Feb 13, 2023

All rise! In the latest episode of NostalgiaCast '90s Palooza, Jonny and Darin subpoena Sonic Cinema founder and friend of the show Brian Skutle to make his case for JOHN GRISHAM'S THE RAINMAKER, directed by Francis Ford Coppola and starring Matt Damon, Claire Danes, and Danny DeVito. We debate the movie's B-movie trappings and A-list cast, plus Coppola's "tainted" legacy and where his adaptation ranks in the long line of Grisham legal thrillers released during the decade. Court is now in session!

Episode 72: TERMINATOR 2: JUDGMENT DAY (1991) Jan 30, 2023

Same make. Same model. New episode! NostalgiaCast '90s Palooza continues with a fond, fun look back at James Cameron's TERMINATOR 2: JUDGMENT DAY, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Edward Furlong, and Robert Patrick. Grab your sunglasses and your miniguns and listen as Jonny and Darin discuss the movie's revolutionary special effects, killer catchphrases, and heavy metal action. The battle for the future begins now!

Episode 71: FARGO (1996) Jan 16, 2023

It's nothing but "Oh yeah"s, "You betcha"s, and "Dontcha know"s as NostalgiaCast '90s Palooza takes a fond look back at 1996's black comedy crime classic FARGO! Film critic Josh Bell of the Awesome Movie Year podcast joins Jonny and Darin for their double-dip into Coen Brothers territory, to chat about the next-level performances, shocking violence, and Minnesota niceties that make up the Coens' finest film of the decade. You're darn tootin'!

Episode 70: THE BIG LEBOWSKI (1998) Jan 02, 2023

The Dude abides in the latest episode of NostalgiaCast '90s Palooza, as Jonny and Darin wind back the clock on THE BIG LEBOWSKI, the Coen Brothers' cult comedy classic from 1998. Jeff Bridges, John Goodman, Steve Buscemi, John Turturro, Julianne Moore, and the late, great Philip Seymour Hoffman star in a movie that's equal parts stoner fantasy and Raymond Chandler mystery. But is there a method to its madness? Does it even matter? Yeah, well, you know, that's just, like, your opinion, man!

Episode 69: MEN IN BLACK (1997) Dec 19, 2022

Grab your neuralyzers and your Noisy Crickets as NostalgiaCast '90s Palooza uncovers the best-kept secret in the universe, the MEN IN BLACK! Jonny (Agent J) and Darin (Agent D) are joined by special guest The Lady Wan (Agent L) for an out-of-this-world discussion of Barry Sonnenfeld's sci-fi comedy classic, starring Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith. But is this successor to GHOSTBUSTERS' throne more than a collection of iconic one-liners and snappy dialogue exchanges 25 years after the fact?

Episode 68: THAT THING YOU DO! (1996) Dec 05, 2022

Look out, podcast listeners, it's... The Wonders! NostalgiaCast '90s Palooza continues with a fond, fun look back at Tom Hanks's directorial debut THAT THING YOU DO!, starring Tom Everett Scott, Liv Tyler, Steve Zahn, Johnathon Schaech, and Ethan Embry. Jonny and Darin skip to the beat of this homage to 1960s culture and Beatlemania, and discuss the deeper meanings lurking under its bubble gum surface pleasures. You're sure to have a wicked good time!

Episode 67: FROM DUSK TILL DAWN (1996) Nov 21, 2022

Ramblers, let's get ramblin' as Horror Movie Maven and VHS Vixen Lindsay Washburn joins Jonny and Darin to disuss FROM DUSK TILL DAWN, Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino's classic genre mashup from 1996. They chat about critics' resistence to the movie's abrupt switch in tones and the impact / influence of horror movies on pop culture today. It's bound to be a hell of a podcast!

Episode 66: FIGHT CLUB (1999) Nov 07, 2022

'90s Palooza continues as we break the first rule about Fight Club by talking about David Fincher's 1999 cult classic, FIGHT CLUB! Actor extraordinaire Tim Hade joins Jonny and Darin to ask some of the movie's most pertinent questions: Are you your job? Are you the contents of your wallet? Is this the hottest Brad Pitt's ever looked in a movie? When you get up to use the bathoom, do you give the person sitting next to you the ass or the crotch? It's mischief, mayhem, and soap in the latest episode of NostalgiaCast!

Episode 65: GHOST (1990) Oct 24, 2022

"Believe," pleads the poster for GHOST, and you'll believe, too, as Phoenix Clouden of the Film Code Podcast joins Jonny and Darin at the pottery wheel to discuss the supernatural romantic thriller that broke box office records the world over. But does this Jerry Zucker-directed, Patrick Swayze/ Demi Moore/ Whoopi Goldberg-starring mega-hit still shine its celestial light 32 years after the fact? Or does it get dragged to hell by weird paper mache demon creatures, never to be spoken of again? Find out for yourself in the latest episode of NostalgiaCast '90s Palooza!

Episode 64: ROUNDERS (1998) Oct 10, 2022

It's aces up, aces over, and aces full as NostalgiaCast '90s Palooza continues with a fond look back at John Dahl's cult classic sports drama ROUNDERS, starring Matt Damon and Edward Norton. We talk about the poker boom kickstarted by the movie, Jonny's passion for Texas HoldEm and Darin's indifference towards it, and (of course) every consonant and syllable of John Malkovich's ridiculous Russian accent. Lay your cards on the table and join us for a game-changing discussion!

Episode 63: FORREST GUMP (1994) Sep 26, 2022

It's stupid is as stupid does as Jonny and Darin welcome Gareth Green of the Popcorn Digest podcast to chat at length about Robert Zemeckis's technical masterwork, FORREST GUMP. We talk floating feathers, shrimp, ping pong, Vietnam, shrimp, Mamas, Bubbas, shrimp, boxes of chocolate, and everything else that makes up this Best Picture-winning black comedy fantasy confection. You never know what you're gonna get!

Episode 62: PULP FICTION (1994) Sep 12, 2022

It's a '90s-palooza as Jonny and Darin return for Season 4 of NostalgiaCast! We kick off a season-long run of episodes devoted to films of the 1990s (which made us the movie geeks we are today) with a look back at Quentin Tarantino's PULP FICTION, the film that arguably defined the entire decade. But is this indisputably influential black comedy crime thriller still impactful today? Or has its rapid-fire dialogue and time-hopping story structure been dulled during the years since? Grab your Big Kahuna Burger and your fatrher's gold watch and find out!

Episode 61: THE SWAN PRINCESS (1994) Jun 12, 2022

Grab your bows and arrows and make your vows of everlasting love as NostalgiaCast looks back at THE SWAN PRINCESS, 1994's children's "classic." Film Studies scholar and critic Margaret "Molly" Rasberry joins Jonny and Darin to discuss director Richard Rich's attempt at riding the coattails of Disney's fairytale past. But does its substandard animation and derivative song score edge closer in quality to THUMBELINA than SLEEPING BEAUTY?

Episode 60: THE PARENT TRAP (1998) May 30, 2022

It’s double the fun as NostalgiaCast looks back at Nancy Meyers’s 1998 remake of THE PARENT TRAP, starring Lindsay Lohan, Dennis Quaid, and the late, great Natasha Richardson! Cultured Vultures film editor and Rotten Tomatoes-approved critic Natasha Alvar joins Jonny and Darin to discuss the rise and fall of teenybopper Disney stars, not-bad-for-their-time motion capture twinning FX, and the evolution of Meyers’s patented propensity for lifestyle porn. Let’s get together and have a super-fun time, yeah yeah yeah!

Episode 59: JURASSIC PARK (1993) May 12, 2022

An adventure 65 million years in the making. A conversation that takes significantly less so. Jason of Binge Movies joins Jonny and Darin for a discussion of Steven Spielberg's JURASSIC PARK, the box office behemoth that captured the imaginations of movie nerds the world over. But is it the Bearded One's last gasp at populist entertainment? Grab your Jeff Goldblum memes and give us a listen!

Episode 58: THE GODS MUST BE CRAZY (1980) Apr 28, 2022

Cultures collide as NostalgiaCast spins the Coke bottle back to Jamie Uys's (that's ACE to you!) crossover comedy classic, THE GODS MUST BE CRAZY. Listen as Jonny and Darin giggle incessantly about the movie's Jacques Tati-inspired slapstick; chat about the boundless charms of stars Nǃxau ǂToma, Marius Weyers, and Sandra Prinsloo; and wax philosophical about Uys's decision to shy away from political subtext and focus on plain old JOY instead. Ay-yi-yi-yi-yi, you're in for a treat!

Episode 57: CLUELESS (1995) Apr 15, 2022

Party with the Hay-tians and roll with the homies as NostalgiaCast winds back the rotating closet on CLUELESS, Amy Heckerling's coming-of-age teen comedy classic starring Alicia Silverstone and Paul Rudd! Author RJ Craddock joins Jonny and Darin for a butt-crazy-in-love conversation about the film that defined many a sleepover, made "As if!" a household term, and kicked off our obsession with Rudd's porcelain-skinned, perpetually nineteen-year-old face! You'll be totally buggin' if you miss it!

Episode 56: STAKEOUT (1987) Apr 01, 2022

Grab your binoculars and your listening devices as NostalgiaCast joins Richard Dreyfuss and Emilio Estevez on a STAKEOUT! John Badham's buddy cop comedy-thriller may have struck gold at the box office back in 1987, but how does its audience-pleasing mix of clever gags and violent action stack up to the RUSH HOURs and THE NICE GUYSes of today? Listen as Jonny and Darin discuss genre tropes, the chemistry between the co-stars, '80s perving, and more!

Episode 55: THE PRINCESS BRIDE (1987) Mar 18, 2022

Have fun storming the castle as NostalgiaCast takes a fond look back at Rob Reiner's storybook classic THE PRINCESS BRIDE. Jonny and Darin are joined (again) by childhood friend Jason Payne to discuss the movie's legacy and its impact on generations of moviegoers (for good AND bad). "As you wish!" "Is this a kissing book?" "You killed my father, prepare to die!" ... all the best quotes are here. It'd be inconceivable of you to miss it!

Episode 54: FLATLINERS (1990) Mar 04, 2022

Today is a good day to podcast! Join Jonny and Darin as they fire up their defibrillators for FLATLINERS, Joel Schumacher's psychological horror classic starring Kiefer Sutherland, Julia Roberts, and Kevin Bacon as medical students who get more than they bargain for when they dabble in near-death experiences. You've never seen the afterlife drenched in so much neon in the history of film!

Episode 53: TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES (1990) Feb 17, 2022

Turtle power! Everyone's favorite heroes in a half shell make the leap from comic books to the big screen in 1990's TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES, starring some of Jim Henson's greatest animatronic creations. The inimitable Kevin R. Brackett of Reel Spoilers joins Jonny and Darin to discuss the world's most fearsome fighting team in their first live-action adventure. You'll have a totally tubular time!

Episode 52: LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS (1986) Feb 04, 2022

Feed me, Seymour! Producer / composer David Rosen of the Piecing It Together podcast joins Jonny and Darin for a flowery discussion of Frank Oz's LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, starring Rick Moranis and Steve Martin. Man-eating sentient plants, pain-dispensing dental hygienists... no leaf is left unturned as they gush over this B-movie-turned-off-Broadway-musical-turned-cult-favorite!

Episode 51: CLOAK & DAGGER (1984) Jan 17, 2022

Grab your rottweiler-sized rolling dice and your video game cassette tapes as Jonny and Darin take a look back at Richard Franklin's 1984 kiddie classic CLOAK & DAGGER, starring Henry Thomas (from E.T.) and Dabney Coleman (who's the best). But does this wannabe Hitchcock-ian thriller score points with us as adults? Or do its attempts to offer deeper meanings for the kiddos make us toss our joysticks at the screen in a profanity-filled rage? Not even Jack Flack can escape NostalgiaCast's clutches!

Episode 50: BACK TO THE FUTURE (1985) Jan 07, 2022

Great Scott! Celebrate the 50th episode of NostalgiaCast as Jonny and Darin welcome author / podcaster / fellow film fanatic Luke R. Harris for a discussion of BACK TO THE FUTURE, starring Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd. We all know the backstory and the Spielberg-ian touches that made Robert Zemeckis's seminal time-travel comedy such an enduring classic, so what could we possibly add to the discourse that hasn't already been said? Make like a tree and listen as we give it our best shot!

Episode 49: HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS (1966/2000) Dec 24, 2021

Grab your tringlers, fuzzles, dafflers, and wuzzles as NostalgiaCast celebrates the season with Chuck Jones's 1966 animated classic HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS, featuring the smooth intonations of Boris Karloff. Then stick around as we set our sights on Ron Howard's live-action 2000 remake starring Jim Carrey, and decide whether its countless embellishments add to (or take away from) Dr. Seuss's seminal book. You're guaranteed a Grinchy-good time!

Episode 48: BREWSTER'S MILLIONS (1985) Dec 09, 2021

In the mood for a basic riches-to-rags story? Join Jonny and Darin as they discuss Walter Hill's comedy classic BREWSTER'S MILLIONS, starring late greats Richard Pryor and John Candy. But is this umpteenth adaptation of 1902's most popular novel worth the price tag and moral degradation? NostalgiaCast serves it up to you on a very hot plate!

Episode 47: AN AMERICAN TAIL (1986) (with Robert Yaniz Jr.) Nov 22, 2021

The streets are paved with cheese in our latest episode of NostalgiaCast. Robert Yaniz Jr. of Crooked Table Productions joins Jonny and Darin for a 35th Anniversary discussion of AN AMERICAN TAIL, Don Bluth's second attempt to usurp Disney's animation throne. But is this melancholy tale of a Russian-Jewish family of mice emigrating to America too heavy for kids? Hold tight to your family and find out!

Episode 46: GHOSTBUSTERS II (1989) Nov 11, 2021

Strap on your proton packs and dive feet first into a river of slime as NostalgiaCast takes a fond(?) look back at GHOSTBUSTERS II, Ivan Reitman's much-maligned follow-up to his supernatural comedy hit. The comic genius of Murray-Aykroyd-Ramis, the toxicity of fandoms, the difference between lackluster sequels and quality ones... we ain't afraid of no topic!

Episode 45: A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET (1984) Oct 29, 2021

Don't fall asleep! NostalgiaCast celebrates Halloween 2021 with everyone's favorite wisecracking serial murderer of children, Freddy Krueger! Join Jonny and Darin as they revisit Wes Craven's A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET, to see if this iconic horror classic still has the power to keep us awake at night. Then stick around as your haunted hosts recap their Top 3 Craven films. You're in for a spook-tacular time!

Episode 44: EXPLORERS (1985) Oct 15, 2021

NostalgiaCast returns for another fun-filled season of revisiting your childhood favorite films through adult eyes. Speaking of childhoods, fellow film fanatic Judd Harris joins Jonny and Darin for a discussion of Joe Dante's kiddie classic EXPLORERS, starring River Phoenix and Ethan Hawke. But how does this wannabe blockbuster stack up against Dante's other classics, GREMLINS and INNERSPACE? Adventure awaits!

Episode 43: JUNGLE CRUISE (2021) Aug 23, 2021

NostalgiaCast returns for another bite-sized (?) special episode to tide you over until we embark on our latest season! Climb aboard as Jonny and Darin take you on a quick tour of Disney's JUNGLE CRUISE, starring Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt. But does this wannabe summer blockbuster make us feel fitfully nostalgic for PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN, THE AFRICAN QUEEN, and the like? Or does it leave us stuck between The Rock and a hard place? Set sail with us and find out!

Episode 42: WILD HEARTS CAN'T BE BROKEN (1991) Jun 11, 2021

Saddle up for the latest episode of NostalgiaCast, as Jonny and Darin welcome cinephile/ Sylvester Stallone enthusiast Lauren K. for a high-diving discussion of WILD HEARTS CAN'T BE BROKEN, 1991's Disney classic about a girl and her horse. But is this ANNE OF GREEN GABLES-esque period romance worth a ticket to the fair? Take the reins and find out!

Episode 41: SECONDHAND LIONS (2003) May 28, 2021

Pull up a rocking chair and sip your iced tea as NostalgiaCast takes a fond look back at SECONDHAND LIONS, starring Haley Joel Osment, Michael Caine, and Robert Duvall. Twitter's own Dallin The Film Fanatic joins Jonny and Darin for an enlightening discussion on the difference between fantasy, memory, and defective imported wildlife.

Episode 40: NIGHT SHIFT (1982) May 07, 2021

"And they'll work you when the day is through on the night shift. / And they'll comfort you, and they'll love you, too, on the night shift!" Actor-writer-director-blogger extraordinaire Jeannette Mickenham joins Jonny and Darin for a dramatic discussion of Ron Howard's NIGHT SHIFT, starring Michael Keaton and Henry Winkler. But is this 1982 comedy classic dead on arrival? Pull up a slab and find out!

Episode 39: THE WITCHES (1990) Apr 23, 2021

The one and only Kevin The Critic joins Jonny and Darin for a spooky discussion of Nicolas Roeg's THE WITCHES, based on the beloved children's book by Roald Dahl. Talking animatronic mice (courtesy Jim Henson Productions), purple-pupiled enchantresses, plus Anjelica Huston all sexed up for the kiddies... it's sure to be a spirited good time!

Episode 38: RAD (1986) Apr 08, 2021

Go balls out as NostalgiaCast turns back the clock on RAD, Hal Needham's... um... classic?... tale of one man's love affair with his BMX bike. Brian Skutle of Sonic Cinema joins Jonny and Darin for a spirited discussion of all things ass-sliding, bicycle boogying, and possibly the most ineptly-assembled mishmash of sports clichés in movie history. Taste the glory now!

Episode 37: HOOSIERS (1986) Mar 26, 2021

Welcome to Indiana basketball! NostalgiaCast goes to the hoop with HOOSIERS, David Anspaugh's 1986 inspirational classic starring Gene Hackman and Dennis Hopper. Listen as Jonny and Darin discuss the unending appeal of underdog sports dramas, whether grumpy on-set antics from A-list actors help or hinder production, and the top feel-good sports-themed films of all time!

Episode 36: FOOTLOOSE (1984) Mar 12, 2021

It's time to cut loose and kick off your Sunday shoes as Jonny and Darin wind back the clock on FOOTLOOSE, Herbert Ross's Utah-based musical classic starring John Lithgow and Kevin Bacon. But does this feature-length string of music videos make us wanna get up and dance? Or will it have us boogying to a different beat? Lose your blues with the latest episode of NostalgiaCast!

Episode 35: SWING KIDS (1993) Feb 26, 2021

It don't mean a thing if you ain't got that swing! Author R.J. Craddock joins Jonny and Darin for a jump jivin' discussion on SWING KIDS, starring Christian Bale, Robert Sean Leonard, and Kenneth Branagh. But does this Disney-fied peek into history give us a goose-stepping good time? Take to the dance floor for the latest episode of NostalgiaCast!

Episode 34: STAND BY ME (1986) Feb 12, 2021

Turn back the clock to your childhood, as Jonny and Darin reminisce about the Stephen King novella-turned-Rob Reiner coming-of-age classic, STAND BY ME. Leeches, cherry-flavored Pez, Mighty Mouse versus Superman, no pie plate is left unturned. But does the movie give us warm, fuzzy feelings about times and friendships past? Listen to the latest episode of NostalgiaCast and find out!

Episode 33: YOUNG GUNS (1988) Jan 29, 2021

Regulators! Journey back to the time of cowboys, cattle barons, and Billy the Kid, as Jonny and Darin saddle up for Christopher Cain's Brat-Packing Western classic, YOUNG GUNS. But is this ode to frontier justice worth the trip? Or will its hip cast and electric guitar-heavy music score chap our hides? Strap on your six-guns and join us for the latest episode of NostalgiaCast!

Episode 32: BILL & TED'S EXCELLENT ADVENTURE (1989) Jan 15, 2021

Party on, dudes, as Jonny and Darin wind back the clock on BILL & TED'S EXCELLENT ADVENTURE, Stephen Herek's time-travel comedy classic starring Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter. But is it time for these bodacious buds to face the music? Or is their trip through history anything but a bogus journey? Be excellent to yourself and find out!

Episode 31: COBRA KAI - Season One (2018) Dec 24, 2020

It's time to wax on, wax off in the latest episode of NostalgiaCast! Join Jonny and Darin as they talk the continuing adventures of Johnny Lawrence and Daniel LaRusso in COBRA KAI, Netflix's reboot/revival of THE KARATE KID. But is the show just another wallow in nostalgia for nostalgia's sake? Or does it deepen the mythology we loved so much as kids? Enter the dojo and find out!

Episode 30: SHORT CIRCUIT (1986) Dec 07, 2020

Johnny 5 is alive in the latest episode of NostalgiaCast! Join Jonny and Darin for a spirited discussion on John Badham's SHORT CIRCUIT, starring box office behemoths Steve Guttenberg and Ally Sheedy. But is this sci-fi comedy classic still just as charming and memorable today, or should its dated '80s attitudes relegate it to the scrap heap?

Episode 29: THE NEVERENDING STORY (1984) Nov 23, 2020

It's a bat, it's a luck dragon, it's THE NEVERENDING STORY! Jonny and Darin tackle the childhood classic that drove millions of kids to cry over a horse sinking into mud. But does this Wolfgang Petersen-directed, special effects-laden fantasy stand up to scrutiny? Or does it leave less to the imagination than we initially thought? Saddle up a snail and find out!

Episode 28: RETURN TO OZ (1985) Oct 31, 2020

It's Wheelers and Mombiis and electroshock treatment (oh my!) as NostalgiaCast takes a look at Walter Murch's RETURN TO OZ (1985). Journey back to the... dismal? desolate? deadly? land of L. Frank Baum's books and relive the deepest, darkest existential nightmares of your childhood, then stick around as Jonny and Darin discuss "classic" films that aren't necessarily classics. It's sure to be a fun, family-friendly time!

Episode 27: BETTER OFF DEAD (1985) Oct 21, 2020

Grab your skiis and your TWO DOLLARS! as Jonny and Darin look back at "Savage" Steve Holland's BETTER OFF DEAD (1985). But is this coming-of-age cult comedy classic just a quirky collection of quips, or is there something deeper bubbling beneath its surface? NostalgiaCast's latest episode is truly a sight to behold!

Episode 26: THREE AMIGOS! (1986) Oct 12, 2020

It's all for each other and all for one in the latest episode of NostalgiaCast! Saddle up with Jonny and Darin as they discuss John Landis's THREE AMIGOS (1986), starring comedy giants Steve Martin, Chevy Chase, Martin Short, and... Philip E. Hartmann? With a plethora of piñatas, talking turtles, and invisible swordsmen, you're in for a rootin', tootin' good time! Also don't forget to visit NostalgiaCast's previous episodes, including a look back at other favorites such as CLASH OF THE TITANS, RAISING ARIZONA, TRANSFORMERS: THE MOVIE, LADYHAWKE, and THE GOONIES. LIBSYN: https://nostalgiacast.libsyn.com/ STITCHER: https://stitcher.com/podcast/nostalgiacast-2/nostalgiacast APPLE PODCASTS: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nostalgiacast/id1167575031

Episode 25: BIG (1988) Oct 04, 2020

In this special, easier-on-the-ears episode of NostalgiaCast, Jonny and Darin take a break from their usual hour-long format to discuss BIG (1988). It's a truncated but no less insightful look at some of the "darker" themes that permeate Penny Marshall's seminal coming-of-age fantasy classic, with a special nod to (of course) Tom Hanks's career-making performance. So grab your ice cream soda pop vanilla on the top and join us for a spell!

Episode 24: FLASH GORDON (1980) Sep 27, 2020

Gordon's alive in the latest episode of NostalgiaCast! Join Jonny and Darin as they DIIIIIIIIVE! into 1980's Dino De Laurentiis-produced, Mike Hodges-directed fantasy-adventure FLASH GORDON, based on the swashbuckling comic strip hero of the same name. Impromptu football games, cuckoo-crazy interplanetary space travel, and loads of awkward sexual politics get served up with a healthy dose of Freddie Mercury, as your hosts try to make sense of this campy cult classic.

Episode 23: A FEW GOOD MEN (1992) Sep 21, 2020

Ten-hut! There's a new episode of NostalgiaCast on deck! Join Jonny and Darin for a deep-dive discussion of Rob Reiner's blockbuster courtroom drama A FEW GOOD MEN (1992), starring Hollywood up-and-comers Tom Cruise, Jack Nicholson, Demi Moore, and Kevin Bacon. The pros and cons of Aaron Sorkin's (pre-WEST WING) dialogue, the performances, Reiner's sure-footed, no-frills direction... no stone is left unturned! Plus, listen as your hosts reminisce about their high-school history with the play. You think you can handle the truth? Of course you can handle the truth!

Also on YouTube, Stitcher, and Apple Podcasts!

Episode 22: BATMAN (1989) Sep 16, 2020

NostalgiaCast returns for a second season with a (possibly controversial) look back at the movie that launched millions of Bat t-shirts, collectible mugs, and Prince albums, Tim Burton's BATMAN (1989). But is the Bat-nostalgia for this one justified? Or have the countless Bat-reboots and sequels dulled its awesome-ness 31 years after the fact? Join Jonny and Darin for a fun-filled conversation that's sure to cause unanimous agreement from Bat-fans all over!

* Find BATMAN's opening titles re-scored with Danny Elfman's SIMPSONS THEME here: https://youtu.be/W8PTAnotjN0

Episode 21: THE GOONIES (1985) Jan 01, 2020

After a looooooong hiatus, everyone's favorite nostalgia-based podcast returns with two bonus episodes that will (hopefully) set the tone for 2020. In the second of these Very Special Episodes, actor/ special guest David Nugent joins Jonny and Darin for a lighthearted look back at the Steven Spielberg-produced, Richard Donner-directed THE GOONIES. But is this 1985 kids' classic a welcome blast from the past? Or a forgotten treasure that should've stayed buried? Join us for a chat, you Goonie!

Episode 20: DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS (1988) Jan 01, 2020

After a looooooong hiatus, everyone's favorite nostalgia-based podcast returns with two bonus episodes that will (hopefully) set the tone for 2020. In the first of these Very Special Episodes, Jonny and Darin dive into Frank Oz's DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS. But did this Steve Martin/ Michael Caine-starring comedy "classic" con our gracious hosts into thinking it's actually a quality movie? Or is the movie honest with its intentions?

Episode 19: THE BEASTMASTER (1982) Aug 17, 2017

Conquer your fears, face the unknown, and discover the incredible link between man, animal, and all that is phantasmagorical as NostalgiaCast looks back at THE BEASTMASTER, starring Marc Singer and Tanya Roberts. Jonny and Darin welcome actor-producer Bryce Bishop for a ferret-filled discussion on Don Coscarelli's sword-and-sorcery classic, and whether its spray-painted tigers, gruesome child sacrifices, and ample PG-rated nudity still harness the power of our imaginations. Join us... it's sure to be a Dar-rific time!

Rent/stream THE BEASTMASTER on OV Guide and YouTube today!

Episode 18: DEATHTRAP (1982) Aug 04, 2017

It's murder most foul in our latest episode of NostalgiaCast, as Jonny and Darin discuss Sidney Lumet's comedy-thriller classic DEATHTRAP, starring Michael Caine, Christopher Reeve, and Dyan Cannon. But do the film's maaaaaany back-stabbings and double- and triple-crosses still hold up after 35 years, or could the movie stand a page-one re-write? Enter at your own risk and hear for yourself!

Rent/stream DEATHTRAP on Amazon Prime, Fandango Now, Google Play, and Vudu today!

Episode 17: NOISES OFF (1992) Jun 02, 2017

Leave the sardines, hang up the phone and exit with the newspaper, as NostalgiaCast peeks behind the scenes of NOISES OFF, Peter Bogdanovich's 1992 adaptation of the London/Broadway smash. Lend us your ears as Jonny and Darin relive their theatrical pasts and then marvel as Michael Caine, Carol Burnett, John Ritter, Christopher Reeve, and Marilu Henner play characters in a movie playing characters on the stage. But is this a farce to end all farces or should its slamming doors and overlapping dialogue have died in Cleveland? Curtains up!

Episode 16: UHF (1989) May 15, 2017

Supplies! It's the latest episode of NostalgiaCast, featuring parodist/singer/songwriter extraordinaire "Weird Al" Yankovic in UHF! Longtime listener and friend of the podcast Adam Merkley joins Jonny and Darin for a special discussion on Jay Levey's cult comedy classic, and whether its offbeat brand of humor should be beloved by everyone or just a core group of fans. Grab your mop and your box of Yappy's Dog Treats and tune on in!

Rent/stream your copy of UHF on Amazon or Vudu today!

Episode 15: WILLOW (1988) Apr 21, 2017

Welcome to a world where heroes come in all sizes and adventure is the greatest magic of all... it's Episode 15 of NostalgiaCast, featuring WILLOW! Jonny and Darin welcome special guest Ryan Templeman (HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL, S. DARKO) for a discussion on all things Nelwyns, Daikinis, and Brownies, plus the many mythologies that inspired George Lucas and Ron Howard to conjure up their 1988 sword-and-sorcery epic. But is it a fairy tale for the ages or should it be left on the shelf?

Recorded at Art City Sound, Springville UT.

Episode 14: FERRIS BUELLER'S DAY OFF (1986) Apr 10, 2017

Fool your parents, fake out your principal, and take that Ferrari out for a spin, as NostalgiaCast turns back the clock to FERRIS BUELLER'S DAY OFF, John Hughes's seminal teen comedy starring Matthew Broderick, Mia Sara, and Alan Ruck. In this episode, Jonny and Darin debate the movie's place in pop culture, and whether its fourth-wall breaking and goofball humor stand up to scrutiny today. Or perhaps it's best to go straight to the source about this. Care to enlighten us, Mr. Bueller? Bueller? Bueller?

Rent/stream FERRIS BUELLER'S DAY OFF on Amazon, Fandango Now, Google Play, or Vudu today!

Episode 13: LADYHAWKE (1985) Mar 24, 2017

Always together, eternally apart… but enough about the Trump administration, today NostalgiaCast looks back at LADYHAWKE, directed by Richard Donner and starring Matthew Broderick and Michelle Pfeiffer! Keep your crossbows at the ready as Jonny and Darin discuss the dangers of contemporary fantasy filmmaking (including - but not limited to - distractingly anachronistic 80’s progressive synth scores) and also the ups and downs of recording with Skype for the first time. Be you flesh, spirit, or sorrow, you owe it to yourself to hear this week's episode!

Rent/stream LADYHAWKE on Amazon, Fandango Now, or Google Play today!

Episode 12: LABYRINTH (1986) Mar 10, 2017

Goblin King! Goblin King! Wherever you may be - take this child of mine far away from me! Join NostalgiaCast for a lively discussion on LABYRINTH, Jim Henson's musical fantasy adventure beloved by millions... of prepubescent pre-teen girls, while alienating everyone else unequipped to handle its not-so-subliminal sexual subtext. Author R.J. Craddock (THE THIRTEEN TRIBES OF CAIN book series) drops by the studio to school Jonny and Darin in all things Door Knockers, Fireys, and fairies, and helps makes sense of the difference between boy fantasy adventures and girl fantasy adventures. But will it be enough to rescue the film from the Bog of Eternal Stench? Or do the countless Muppet characters - and David Bowie's androgynous (and erotically-charged) rock star persona - have no power over the rest of us? Enter the labyrinth and find out!

Rent/stream LABYRINTH on Amazon, CinemaNow, Google Play, or Vudu today!

Episode 11: POPEYE (1980) Feb 24, 2017

Ug ug ug ug ug ug! Grab your schooners and your spinach cans as NostalgiaCast looks back at POPEYE, Robert Altman's live-action, comedy-musical adaptation of the classic E.C. Segar comic strip. Jonny and Darin stare wide-eyed in wonder at all the fantastical sights, sounds, and cartoon shenanigans of seaside Sweethaven, and what happens to the townsfolk there when a muttering, semi-deformed sailor man steps off the docks and into their hearts. But does Altman's signature style lend itself to the comic book format? Or do the whimsical songs and spot-on character impersonations get lost in the fray? Have a listen and we'll gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today!

Rent/stream POPEYE on Amazon, Google Play, or Vudu today!

Episode 10: THE PHANTOM TOLLBOOTH (1970) Feb 10, 2017

Time is a gift given to you, given to give you the time you need, the time you need to have the time of your life! Join Jonny, Darin, and special guest Kenneth F. Brown as we brave the 90% animated / 5% live-action classic, THE PHANTOM TOLLBOOTH! The star of THE YANKLES and THIS DIVIDED STATE graces the 'Cast with his jovial wit (and killer Michael Moore impression) for a lively discussion on Chuck Jones's 1970 adaptation of the popular children's book. But is it worth all the wordplay or do its abstract allegorical lessons land too hard to make much of an impact? Take an hour and change the fate of the world!

Rent/stream THE PHANTOM TOLLBOOTH on Amazon, Google Play, or Vudu today!

Episode 9: LEGEND (1985) Jan 27, 2017

Unicorns, and ogres, and dwarves, oh my! Grab your swords and shields as NostalgiaCast looks back at LEGEND, Sir Ridley Scott's 1985 fantasy epic, starring Tim Curry as the sexiest Satan you ever saw. But is it a fairy tale come true or should it be banished to the dungeons of hell? Listen as Jonny and Darin recount the film's troubled post-production history, discuss the differences between the Theatrical Version and Director's Cut, and try to figure out who's prettier - Mia Sara or Tom Cruise? Join us for a spell, won't you?

Download or stream LEGEND on Amazon Prime, Fandango Now, Google Play, or Vudo!

Episode 8: THE TRANSFORMERS: THE MOVIE (1986) Jan 13, 2017

Sit back, relax, and suck down that energon, as NostalgiaCast sets its optics on TRANSFORMERS: THE MOVIE, a cartoon so overloaded with 80's hair metal and robot destruction porn, it's traumatized children for decades. Listen as Jonny and Darin ponder such important metaphysical questions as: Why do so many Transformers convert into useless household objects? Where does Optimus Prime's semitrailer disappear to when he transforms? Was there actually a time when Judd Nelson was considered a star? Then, as a bonus, the 'Cast welcomes a Very Special Guest (hint: he looks and sounds just like a mini-Darin) to discuss "passing the torch of nerdiness" from father to son. Transform, roll out, and join us!

Download or stream TRANSFORMERS: THE MOVIE on Vudo, Amazon Prime, Fandango Now, or Google Play!

Episode 7: IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE (1946) Dec 23, 2016

Shout "Hot Dog!", "Hee Haw!", and other sentimental hogwash as Jonny and Darin revisit Frank Capra's Christmas classic IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE, starring Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed. In yet another NostalgiaCast first, your hosts attempt to forget the "if"s and figure out the "why"s behind this perennial holiday favorite – why it flopped at the box office, why it's become so highly regarded today, and why, if you haven't watched it in a while, it's so much darker than you probably remember. But is it the filmmaking or the sentiment that sticks with us the most? Grab some egg nog and ring those bells with us!

Download or stream IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE on Vudo today!

Episode 6: RAISING ARIZONA (1987) Dec 09, 2016

Okay then! Knock back a couple of Coca Colas, turn to the right, and take that diaper off your head and put it back on your sister, as Darin and Jonny take on the Coen Brothers’ cornpone comedy classic, RAISING ARIZONA! First, listen as our hosts (briefly) recap the Coens' collective filmography, then reel in shock as Darin admits that RA was far from his favorite film growing up. Can Jonny convince him that there's more to the movie's heavily-stylized camerawork, character choices, and dialogue than meets the eye? Everybody freeze, get down on the ground, and find out!

Download or stream RAISING ARIZONA on Vudo, Amazon Prime, or Google Play!

Episode 5: SILVER STREAK (1976) Nov 25, 2016

By train, biplane, or stolen police cruiser, it turns out you CAN catch the Streak! Join Jonny and Darin as they welcome their first special guest, filmmaker Duane Andersen, for a discussion on the 1976 action comedy SILVER STREAK, starring Gene Wilder and Richard Pryor. But will this be a calm, relaxing trip down memory lane, or will we want off before the train reaches the station? Hop on board and find out!

Recorded at Art City Sound, Springville UT.

Download or stream SILVER STREAK on Vudo, Amazon Prime, Fandango Now, or Google Play!

Episode 4: TAPS (1981) Nov 11, 2016

Keep your chin up, your head down, and one round in the chamber as Jonny and Darin close ranks with the 1981 military drama, starring Timothy Hutton as Sean Penn, Sean Penn as Tom Cruise, and Tom Cruise as Timothy Hutton. (Don't worry, it'll all make sense in a bit.) But is the movie more LORD OF THE FLIES than A FEW GOOD MEN, or somewhere in between? Saddle up and join us for a stretch!

Rent/stream TAPS on Netflix, Amazon, Vudu, Fandango Now, or Google Play!

Episode 3: THE FRIGHTENERS (1996) Oct 28, 2016

It's GHOSTBUSTERS meets NATURAL BORN KILLERS in our spook-tacular Halloween episode of the NostalgiaCast. Listen as Jonny and Darin struggle to make sense of the rules and revelations of Peter Jackson’s post-HEAVENLY CREATURES, pre-LORD OF THE RINGS Horror-Comedy lark, and how Michael J. Fox, icon that he is, might be the world's worst basketball player. Then, grab your torch and pitchfork as our hosts rattle off their Top 3 frightfully funny flicks of all time. Join us for a spell, won’t you?

Rent/stream THE FRIGHTENERS on Vudu, Amazon, Sling, Google Play or CinemaNow!

Episode 2: CLASH OF THE TITANS (1981) Oct 21, 2016

In which Jonny and Darin tackle the 1981 stop-motion classic, starring a gaggle of classically-trained Shakespearean actors trying to convince us (and themselves!) that a story about two-headed demon dogs and giant claymation scorpions should be taken seriously.

Recorded at Art City Sound, Springville UT.

Rent or stream on Vudo, Amazon Prime, Fandango Now, Cinema Now or Google Play!

Episode 1: THE JAZZ SINGER (1980) Oct 20, 2016

Our introductory episode, in which Jonny and Darin struggle to make sense of Hollywood's current nostalgia boom, lay the groundwork for future episodes, then dive headfirst into the Neil Diamond-starring, Laurence Olivier-slumming '80s classic that's more memorable for its soundtrack than its nonsensical non-plot.

Recorded at Art City Sound, Springville UT.

Rent or stream on Vudo, Amazon Prime, Cinema Now or Google Play!

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