Old Roommates

Our 200th Episode! For this amazing (and, quite frankly, shocking) milestone, we went back to 1999 to rewatch the first movie Brian, Christina, and their two best pals ever saw together. If only Christina could remember it. Yes, back then, The Talented Mr. Ripley had the hottest of young Hollywood stars - Matt Damon, Gwyneth Paltrow, Cate Blanchett and an Oscar-Nominated Jude Law. It also had a lo...

"You're the best time I ever had." Joan Wilder, as played by the incomparable Kathleen Turner, was a romance writer, a single gal, and a very devoted sister. She was also the main character in arguably the biggest rom-com adventure of the 1980s, Romancing the Stone. Directed by young Robert Zemeckis, written by a first-time screenwriter Diane Thomas, and co-starring Michael Douglas and Danny DeVit...

Madonna's "Justify My Love" and George Michael's "I Want Your Sex" were two totally taboo music videos that were either banned from MTV or shown after 10pm back in the 80s and 90s. During their heyday, they were both the things everyone was talking about and the things no one could easily watch. But now, decades later, was all the fuss deserved? When is a kiss not just a kiss? And, isn't "monogamy...

Ivana Trump uttered the tagline of the 90s revenge comedy, The First Wives Club: "Don't get mad. Get everything." And, back in 1996, audiences did. A trio of megastars - Bette Midler, Goldie Hawn, Diane Keaton - joined forces for this tale of fidelity, friendship and lip fillers. The movie was a hit and helped squash the notion that female stars can't boost the box office without a male lead. But...

"I have to pee so bad I can taste it." Oh yes, 1983's Strange Brew is loaded with dialogue gems oodles of SCTV fans quoted ad nauseum. The movie, directed by and starring Rick Moranis and Dave Thomas, was a big hit on cable and VHS. Back then, if you didn't love Bob and Doug McKenzie, you were the problem, okay, you hoser? But now, decades later, is the buzz worth remembering or is it all just a c...

Macauley Culkin may've got $1 million and a majority of movie poster real estate, but the "Girl" in this early 90's dramedy is Anna Chlumsky. Chlumsky plays Vada Sultenfuss, a hypochondriacal lass who lives in a funeral parlor with her dad and grandmother. The film was an adorable smash, helped by a post-Home Alone "Mac." But now, decades later, is "cute" enough to cut it for our middle-aged podca...

"Chuckles Bites the Dust" and "The Lars Affair" are often at the top of all-time best lists of TV comedy episodes. And both come from that 70s groundbreaker, The Mary Tyler Moore Show. During its 7-year run, the sitcom would win dozens of Emmys and create spinoffs for three of its beloved characters: Lou Grant, Phyllis Lindstrom, and Rhoda Morgenstern. But now, decades later, is the humor as drab...

Decapitating dogs. Changing clocks. Spanking Alyssa Milano's butt. Just how evil could Mark Wahlberg get in the 1996 thriller, Fear? The James Foley film received mixed reviews and only a so-so box office tally way back when. But now, decades later, was Fear as misunderstood as its muscular main character? Was Reese Witherspoon's Nicole ahead of her time? And is "ferris-wheel fingering" a sign of...

Christopher Reeve beat out James Brolin, Perry King and oodles of other actors for dual role of Clark Kent and Superman. And yet, he still gets third billing after Brando and Hackman. Casting aside casting, Richard Donner’s 1978 “Superman: The Movie” was a record-breaking blockbuster. It also needed to be. At the time, it was the most expensive film ever made. But now, decades later, when every ot...

Surely, you've seen the 1980 disaster-movie parody, Airplane! But, have you seen it recently? (And don't call us "Shirley.") Written and directed by David and Jerry Zucker and Jim Abrahams, the movie was a major hit thanks to all kinds of comedy: surreal and slapstick, sight gags and puns, and more than its share of scatalogical humor. But now, decades later, is any of this a laughing matter? A pe...

Baz Luhrmann schooled us all back in 1996 with his take on William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. The romantic crime drama fused a contemporary beach setting, a pop soundtrack, and ... Shakespearean English. The gamble paid off. The Leonardo DiCaprio / Clare Danes love story was a worldwide success. But now, decades later, does watching the proceedings feel more like doing a book report? How old...

Rhythm Nation and The Pleasure Principle were 80's music videos that caught our attention with iconic dance moves, female independence, and the power of Janet (Miss Jackson, if you're nasty). The videos would go on to win oodles of awards and inspire the likes of J Lo, Britney Spears and Mya. But now, decades later, are the vids still able to put a spring in our middle-aged step? Are the songs mor...

Is Cher Horowitz the unsung hero of 90's cinema? As portrayed by Alicia Silverstone and written and directed by Amy Heckerling, Cher in "Clueless" keeps horny high school boys at bay, befriends the lonely new kid, plays cupid to lovelorn teachers, and even donates her sports equipment to disaster victims. But now, decades later, are Cher and this 1995 flick too clever for their own good? Is Tai be...

Tom Cruise popped on Ray Bans, grabbed a candlestick and shimmied his way to becoming a household name. Yes, 1983's "Risky Business" had more than a few iconic moments (that poor Porsche) along with star-making turns from Cruise and Rebecca DeMornay. Written and directed by Paul Brickman, the $6 million dollar movie was a hit. But now, decades later, is the film's 1980's take on capitalism a littl...

Redrum. Those twins. That book. In 1980, "The Shining" put visuals in the minds of moviegoers we'd not soon forget. Stanley Kubrick's horror classic made "Here's Johnny" more famous than Ed McMahon did. And Jack Nicholson, Shelley Duvall and Danny Lloyd contributed individual performances as memorable as the film. But now, over forty years later, is re-checking into the Overlook Hotel a good idea?...

Julia vs Susan. Roberts vs Sarandon. Oscar winner vs Oscar winner. You get the picture. Audiences lined-up to see two powerhouse actresses take on the two-hour melodrama, Stepmom. In 1998, this movie had it all: cute kids, a lush John Williams score, two sing-along scenes, and a character with cancer. But now, decades later, is it all too much? Are the cat-fights too catty? Is Ed Harris's "Luke" t...

Christina just watched "The Goonies" for the first time ever. Yes, as is tradition, Brian made Christina watch a movie she'd never seen before. The 1985 Richard Donner hit provided audiences with adolescent humor, adventurous hijinks and more than a few memorable quotes ... isn't that right, Baby Ruth? But now, decades later, does all the mayhem want to make us Truffle Shuffle our way right on out...

Is Belle a classist snob? Who is Chip's dad? And what kind of enchantress curses an 11-year old boy and an entire staff of innocent people? Back in 1991, no one cared that the beloved "Beauty and the Beast" had some curious politics. The Disney film even went on to become the first animated feature ever to be nominated for a Best Picture Oscar. But now, decades later, are we noticing something the...

Michael Keaton was 6 years away from playing a caped crusader in Batman, but in 1983 he was playing a different kind of superhero. A father who is called upon to be a ... parent. Yes, Mr. Mom turned gender roles upside down with lively performances from Keaton and Teri Garr. Audiences signed off on the switch and made it a classic 80's hit comedy. Now though, forty years later, is it all fun and g...

It's the million dollar question: Would you sleep with Robert Redford for a million bucks? Back in 1993, the answer seemed to be yes. Adrian Lyne's "Indecent Proposal" hit the box office jackpot, taking in nearly $270 million. But now, thirty years later, should we have asked for a receipt? Are David and Diana (Woody Harrelson and Demi Moore) just plain toxic? Is betting your last buck in Vegas ev...

"Cryin'" and "Crazy" were two of the most popular videos of the mid-1990s. Both featured Alicia Silverstone, tales of rebellion, and two of the more twangy, country-inspired tracks from the band, Aerosmith. MTV Video Music Awards and Grammys followed. But now, thirty years later, were we simply clueless to the trauma that befell our 16-year old heroine? From navel piercings to pole dances, was thi...

"If he dies, he dies." Ivan Drago (Dolph Lundgren) was a force to be reckoned with in 1985's Rocky IV. Written, directed and starring Sylvester Stallone, this installment of the Rocky Balboa story became the most successful sports movie to date (till 2009's "The Blind Side" touched down). Now, decades later, is the movie still a knockout? Could Adrienne have been a little more supportive? And why...

"I'm not bad. I'm just drawn that way." Jessica Rabbit (voiced by an uncredited Kathleen Turner) was the talk of the town back in 1988. Toontown, Hollywood, and worldwide, Who Framed Roger Rabbit? was the question on everyone's mind. The Robert Zemeckis directed flick blended live action and animation so brilliantly, some say it has yet to be matched. But as good as it was, is it as good as it nee...

Winona Ryder: Valedictorian or Sugar Booger? The ultimate Gen X movie, 1994's Reality Bites featured Ryder as "Laney," a bright college grad with limited job opportunities. What's a girl to do? Well, back in the 90's, the answer seemed to be dancing in 7-11s with your roommates. Decades later, what do our Gen Xer podcast hosts think about this little flick with a lot to say? Did then first-time di...

Like many 80s dance movies, we're ... breakin' too. No revisits this week, but we're taking the opportunity to give thanks, share our picks for our favorite revisits, and well, have a week off. The Old Roommates thank you for another year of listening and support. Listen to this. Old Roommates can be reached via email us at oldroommatespod@gmail.com . Follow Old Roommates on Instagram and YouTube...