You asked for something special for our 150th episode so all we can say is "as you wish." The Princess Bride is inconceivably perfect. The film has everything - fencing, fighting, torture, revenge, giants, monsters, chases, escapes, true love, miracles, and a superlative cast and script to bring it all together. Guest comedian and filmmaker Tarik D…

By 1998 the grunge and gangsta rap of the early 1990s had petered out. Ska came and went. Musical tastes had begun to drift, and our year-review reflects these tectonic shifts with mainstream pop ascendant and indie artists beginning to peek through. Guests Ami Lief, musician Kyle Lieberman (Kyle and the Silver Dork), and comedian Rich Baker (@rich…

What is a nostalgia podcast if not a time machine? We're firing up the flux capacitor and setting the time circuits to Back to the Future for the 40th anniversary of this seminal temporal comedy. We're joined by guest Darren Lanning (darrenlanning.com) to celebrate a film so heavy that its success was practically density. Be sure to also check out …

Shall we play a game? 1983's WarGames presciently predicts the dangers of both human intelligence and artificial intelligence that we still wrestle with today. In this classic Matthew Broderick accidentally nearly sets World War III into motion by seemingly innocently challenging an AI to a game with potentially apocalyptic consequences. We're join…

The Sandlot is a perfect distillation of childhood dreams, fantasy, fears, and legends that will live on forever... forEVER... FOREVER!!! Guests sultan of swat Randy Allain and king of crash Kris Ingersoll of the Media/Lit podcast join the team to relive endless summers played one base at a time. If you have feedback, find us on the socials here: F…

If adventure has a name, it must be Indiana Jones. The first film in the franchise pits archaeology against the Third Reich as Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, John Williams, and of course, Harrison Ford unearth an icon. We're joined by "top men" comedian Dan Oster (MadTV, A Podcast But Evil) and filmmaker Alex Sosin (The Canyon) to excavate the ori…

We get in the ring with Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!! (later known as just Punch-Out!!). This NES classic cleverly disguises puzzles and pattern recognition within its colorful cast of memorable pugilists. Comedian Rich Baker (@richbakercoaching) joins us to put the smackdown on one of the most beloved titles in Nintendo's library. TKO! If you have feed…

For our final episode of Patrick MAYze, we're covering perhaps his most eternal film. Ghost is comedic, inventive, suspenseful, and most of all, a moving story of love transcending death, a long lonely time. We're joined by guests Ami Lief and Ryan Merlo to sing Unchained Melody and the praises of Swayze, Demi Moore, and Academy Award winner Whoopi…

Our month of Patrick Swayze movies continues with 1989's Road House. The Double Deuce is in double trouble and only one man with beautiful hair and Buddhist philosophy can clean it up. Guest comedian Rich Baker (@richbakercoaching) gives a full-throated endorsement to this ripping good time of a movie. If you have feedback, find us on the socials h…

It's the end of the world as we know it, and we feel fine. Donnie Darko's convoluted sci-fi narrative is beside the point, as it's the emotional core of Richard Kelly's film about how our lives interweave and that we are not truly as alone as we may suspect that makes this an enduring classic. Guest podcaster and possible imaginary rabbit Case Aike…

For Cinco de Mayo it's "vaya con Dios" as we revisit surfing and bank robbing classic "Point Break". We start our Patrick MAYze month by hanging ten with Johnny Utah (Keanu Reeves) and Bodhi (Patrick Swayze) for a radical ride that never lets up. We're joined by superfan Tania Newton to give this tubular movie two guns fired in the air, way up. If …

It's time to be kind and rewind back to the days when home media rental was a pillar of daily life. Whether it was Blockbuster, Hollywood Video, or your local mom-and-pop shop, renting movies and games was a ritual of living in the 80s an 90s that is now lost to the dominance of streaming. We're joined by Chris Coplien of the Retro Hangover podcast…

The midpoint of the 1990s found grunge transitioning to more pop-friendly versions of rock, hip hop finding its groove, and extraordinarily heartfelt hits dominating the charts. Guests Ami Lief, musician Kyle Lieberman, and comedian Rich Baker (@richbakercoaching) join us to roundtable our top ten songs of this unforgettable year of music. If you h…

In space, no one can hear you scream, or roll into a little ball. Super Metroid is yet another jewel in Nintendo's crown, and one whose labyrinthine corridors of sci-fi horror forever cemented a genre of gameplay that has cast a shadow for over three decades. Matt Storm aka Matt Stormageddon of the "Fun" and Games, and Reignite podcasts joins us to…

It's the perfect cast... podcast! Today is the 30th anniversary of A Goofy Movie. While Goofy is, well, goofy, Disney's story of father/son bonding has for more depth than its dippy dog characters would suggest. We're seeing I 2 I on this film's excellence with a full Goof Troop with comedian Eileen Mayse (@i_lean) and podcaster Case Aiken (Another…

We're celebrating the 50th anniversary of Monty Python and the Holy Grail as some podcasting nerds should, by quoting it to death. Guest comedians Rich Baker and Ned Record (of the Lost & Confounded podcast and www.nedrecord.com) join us to discuss the unyielding hilarity and exceptional longevity of a film that just won't take "Ni" for an answer. …

Screaming "Roxanne" into the night, The Police's compact but impactful career featured incredible melodies, driving rock, keening vocals, and sophisticated musicianship. The trio fused punk with reggae, and later burgeoning synth with ease, and made it seem like every little thing they did was magic. We're once again joined by musical experts Dylan…

For St. Patrick's day, we have a treat. A horror film that's pretty neat. We're revisiting Leprechaun In The Hood, and a Lep in the 'hood, come to do no good. Guest Jala Prendes (host of Jala-Chan' Place, Monster, Dear Monster, and Duckfeed.tv's The Level) and her husband, Dave (co-host of Monster, Dear Monster) have a direct-to-video sequel to pra…

Here we are now. Entertain us! 1991 ushered in a musical sea change as hair metal, new wave, and other genres were swept aside by grunge, alternative, and more. Guest musician Kyle Lieberman and comedian Rich Baker (@richbakercoaching) bust out their flannel and join us to rank our top ten songs of this unforgettable year of music. If you have feed…

Get your ass to Mars! We're having total recall over Total Recall, one of Arnold Schwarzenegger's best films. Guest filmmaker Alex Sosin ("The Canyon") joins us to revisit Paul Verhoeven's take on Philip K. Dick that is relentlessly entertaining, funny, exciting, and over the top from the first frame to the last. Come do your best Arnold "nnyyaaarr…

A high-stakes heist with an all-star cast, 1992's Sneakers is one of the most entertaining capers ever put on screen. Returning guest filmmaker Tarik Davis (@tarikrdavis) joins us to decrypt a film with too many secrets. Our voices are your passport. You can find Tarik on NBC's The Amber Ruffin Show, and on his essential podcast, Brothers From Anot…

1985 through 1989 was the best period of filmmaking, period. Each of these years produced dozens of groundbreaking, blockbusting, genre defining, and unforgettable movies, making listing our top tens nearly impossible. Our review crew of Ami Lief, Ryan Merlo, and Tania Newton join us to close out our survey course of the best, of the best, of the b…

The films from 1980 to 1984, buoyed by genre hits like Star Wars, took flight with bold imaginative storytelling and state-of-the-art special effects, establishing many franchises that continue to this day. We're joined by guests Tania Newton and Ryan Merlo to rank our top ten movies from this incredible period. If you have feedback, send it via th…

The theme songs from the James Bond franchise are an intrinsic part of this storied series. This episode we're joined by Josh Covel of the Still Loading and Still Bonding podcasts to rank our favorites and celebrate the music of the longest running franchise in film history. If you have feedback, find us on the socials here: Facebook: https://www.f…

In 1990 music was at a crossroads, quickly approaching the sea change that would occur in 1991. The songs of this era reflect that transition, ranging from hair metal, to hip hop, new wave, genres that would all undergo profound transformation the following year. We're joined by Ami Lief, Kyle Lieberman, and comedian Rich Baker to roundtable the be…

We're bringing you a supersized episode about a microscopic topic. Innerspace is a gigantic adventure, a zany comedy, and a sci-fi spectacle as Tuck Pendleton (Dennis Quaid) is shrunk and accidentally injected into Jack Putter (Martin Short). Guests Dan Oster (MadTV, A Podcast, But Evil) and Alex Sosin (writer/director of "The Canyon") help as go d…

For those who love video games with an emotionally resonant story, Final Fantasy IX is a place to call home. We're joined by Rick Firestone of the Pixel Project Radio podcast to celebrate this compelling entry in the long-running series, its memorable characters, impactful story, and all-time great soundtrack. Kupo! If you have feedback, send it vi…

They may look like Buddy Holly and Mary Tyler Moore, but for three decades Weezer has infused infectious pop earworms and garage band musical mathematics to create indelible songs that are equal parts fist-pumping and feels-inducing. We're joined by friends and bandmates Kyle Lieberman and Damien Jordan to list our favorite songs from Rivers Cuomo …

For our final Christmas episode of the season we give Tim Burton's haunting answer to the question "Where does snow come from?" This soulful personal tale of loneliness and longing is arguably Burton's finest, and our guest filmmaker Alex Sosin ("The Canyon") is here to discuss why Edward Scissorhands still makes the cut. Check out the teaser for T…

'Tis the season, so we're taking a look at the Christmas classics that make us fa la la la la la la la la. Guests Ami Lief and Tania Newton join us to roundtable our favorite holiday songs, from traditional carols, to broadway musicals, pop, rock, and all the tunes that fill our homes and speakers in December. If you have feedback, find us on the s…

Yippie-Kay-Yay and Ho... ho... ho... It isn't Christmas until Hans Gruber takes a dive off of Nakitomi Plaza. On this episode we're joined by comedian Rich Baker (@ricbakercoaching) and Tarik Davis (@tarikrdavis) to celebrate the greatest Christmas story since 0 A.D. Come on out to the coast with us and have a few laughs. You can find Tarik on NBC'…

Tim Allen has to improve his home in an altogether different toy story as he kills Santa Claus and, by unbreakable North Pole contract law, must assume the awesome mantle of worldwide joy distribution. Guests Randy Allain and Kris Ingersoll of the Media/Lit podcast assure their places on the Nice list as we talk Santa murder, body horror, and the m…

We open our first Christmas podcast of the season as guest Sarah Heath (the RevCovery podcast) invites us over to the Griswolds' house for some egg nog with National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. We're the jolliest bunch of assholes this side of the nuthouse. If you have feedback, find us on the socials here: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/grou…

John Hughes' classic Thanksgiving story about Neal Page (Steve Martin) and Del Griffith (John Candy) questing home against geography and Murphy's Law combines stellar comedic performances and a heartbreaking (and ultimately heartwarming) twist to deliver an all-time holiday classic. Guest Dan Oster (MadTV, A Podcast, But Evil) tags along with us to…

The music that dominated our radios and walkmen (walkmans?) in 1989 has stood the test of time, and has held up to endless replay. On this podcast we revisit that year with guests Ami Lief, Kyle Lieberman, and Dylan Ris (www.lostmoonradio.com) to see which songs from this banner year still strike the right chord. If you have feedback, find us on th…

Hey Vern! We're joined by writer/comedian/filmmaker Tarik Davis (@tarikrdavis) to head off to Camp Kikakee with one Ernest P. Worrell. Despite its humble trappings this is, we maintain, a cinematic masterpiece. By the end of this podcast you'll know what we mean, knowwhatImean? You can find Tarik on NBC's The Amber Ruffin Show, and on his essential…

Christmas comes early this year as we revisit The World Is Not Enough, a James Bond film that leaves us shaken, not stirred. Guest Josh Covel of the Still Loading and Still Bonding podcasts goes on this mission with us to face down memorable villains with Elektra complexes. If you have feedback, find us on the socials here: Facebook: https://www.fa…

Happy Halloween to you villains and knaves! This be a family affair, says I. We be joined by devils, black sheep, and really bad eggs Ami, Celeste (age 8), and Benjamin (age 5) Lief to follow a map to the classic Disney attraction Pirates of the Caribbean and discuss why it's still a pirate's life for me for nearly sixty years since the ride first …

This is Halloween! This is Halloween! For our final mainline October episode guest Matt Storm aka Stormageddon of the "Fun" and Games, and Reignite podcasts tricks and treats with us to revisit this masterclass in stop-motion animation that lets us celebrate two holidays for the price of one. If you have feedback, find us on the socials here: Faceb…

It's a bonus episode on top of a bonus episode! We're doing another Halloween reading, this time we're commemorating the Phantom of the Opera's favorite costume by revisiting Edgar Allen Poe's immortal classic, The Masque of the Red Death. The short story features Poe's gloomy mysterious prose, and strikes at our shared anxieties about pestilence a…

For 40 years Freddy Krueger has stopped us from getting 40 winks. Arguably the king of the 80s slasher villains, Freddy's first outing remains as fresh as a liquified Johnny Depp. This week guests (and huge fans) Ami Lief and Betsy Allen join us to grab their crucifixes, stay up late, and never sleep again. If you have feedback, find us on the soci…

We can't stay silent about the classic 1925 version of The Phantom of the Opera. From Lon Chaney's iconically inhuman make-up to his all-too-human performance, the film still thrills and chills nearly 100 years later. We're joined once again by writer/director of The Canyon, Alex Sosin, to venture into the depths below the Paris opera house and rev…

Somewhere over the rainbow skies aren't blue, and the nightmares you dare to dream really do come true. Return to Oz ramps up the horror elements in L. Frank Baum's second and third Oz books to child-traumatizing extremes in this 1985 hidden gem about hidden gems. Writer/director of horror short "The Canyon" Alex Sosin joins us as we lose our heads…

Send in the Klowns, from light years away. Killer Klowns From Outer Space remains a kampy konfection of 1980s klassic horror that still thrills and chills with big top bombast. We're joined by comedians Rich Baker and Merry Mary Hynes to praise this film's tightrope-walking silliness that's as tasty as cotton candy and only slightly less deadly. If…

We're not worthy! We're not worthy! We're once again joined by musical experts Dylan Ris (www.lostmoonradio.com, The Moon Units) and Kyle Lieberman to Get a Grip and list some Big Ones that'll make you Pump your fist because each song on our Aerosmith top ten lists Rocks. If you have feedback, find us on the socials here: Facebook: https://www.face…

On this podcast we generally refuse to grow up, but this time we're thinking especially happy thoughts as we head back to Neverland for Hook with filmmaker Ken Cole. Steven Spielberg and Robin Williams' love letter to Peter Pan remains forever young, buoyed by John Williams' inimitable score, and best-in-class character work from Dustin Hoffman and…

In Livng Color lived up to its theme and proved you could do what you want to do. We recorded a podcast about it. Kinda like it. Like to hear it? Hear it go! Guest Jala Prendes (host of Jala-Chan' Place, Monster, Dear Monster, and Duckfeed.tv's The Level) and Dave Cox (co-host of Monster, Dear Monster) join us to revisit the memorable cast and char…

Instead of seven words you can't say, we can't say enough good words about comedy legend George Carlin. Guest comedian Rich Baker (@richbakercoaching) joins us to pay homage to an all-time great who taught us to be excellent to each other, and to never turn off your bullshit detector. GUEST SHOT! Be sure to check out Nostalgium Arcanum's guest appe…

The second half of the 00s found Hollywood taking fewer big swings, but the ones that connected found an audience hungry for something bigger and better. Our review-crew of Ami Lief, Ryan Merlo, and Tania Newton are back to discuss their nostalgic cinematic memories of 2005 to 2009. Be sure to check out Ami's beautiful handmade earrings at https://…

The first half of the 2000s was a time for building franchises, adapting IPs, and getting a jittery country back on its feet. In this episode our crew (Ami Lief, Tania Newton, and Ryan Merlo) join us to round-table our favorite films from 2000 to 2004 and all that jazz. Be sure to check out Ami's beautiful handmade earrings at https://www.etsy.com/…