80s Flick Flashback

We usually stick to theatrically released 80s flicks, but when Ruby Wells makes a special request, we listen! So we’re taking a detour to Sillyville! In this special episode, Ruby Wells and her mom, Bethany Wells , join the pod to defend the honor of the 1989 classic Wee Sing in Sillyville . Why does this 80s direct-to-video musical hold such a special place in their hearts? We’re talking nostalgi...

Long before Kim Cattrall appeared on HBO as the outspoken, sexually confident, “I’ll try anything once” Samantha Jones in  Sex and the City,  she played an Egyptian woman under a spell and reincarnated as a shop-window dummy.  Inspired by  Pygmalion,  the tale from Ovid’s  Metamorphoses  poem which tells the story of a sculptor who fell in love with a statue he had carved, it’s admittedly the kind...

This '80s flick is to All Hallows’ Eve what "A Christmas Story" is to Christmas: a true classic deserving a 24-hour marathon and a wild all-night celebration where blood takes the place of alcohol. Director Tom Holland’s heartfelt homage to vampire movies breathed new life into a horror subgenre that was, sadly, starting to fade away, much like an undead creature of the night. It brought the vampi...

Before director Sam Raimi achieved major box office success with the original Spider-Man trilogy, he was primarily recognized as the cult filmmaker behind The Evil Dead series. In 1981, Raimi and star Bruce Campbell created The Evil Dead, offering their humorous and irreverent take on horror, featuring Ash—a clumsy fool—being terrorized by ghouls in a cabin surrounded by woods. The film's success...

Let's be honest: the '80s were a minefield for horror comedies. But for every Gremlins and Monster Squad , you had to suffer through duds like My Mom's A Werewolf or My Best Friend’s a Vampire. A few films got the formula right, and one, in particular, became a cultural phenomenon. It wasn't about monsters in the closet or clowns from space—it was about basketball, best friends, and some serious g...

For some, the memories of the 1980s feature seeing the cover multiple Time and Newsweek magazines, fearing that America might go to war with Russia. It didn’t help that the Russians were often portrayed as the default villains in movies, TV shows, and even WWF matches. Then, there was this '80s flick. A group of high school students calling themselves “Wolverines” retreat into the wilderness after...

The board game “Clue” originated in the 1940s as “Cluedo” overseas and was later brought to the U.S. by Parker Brothers. Now owned by Hasbro, it has inspired many spin-offs, including a TV show, themed editions like the “Simpsons” version, and a VCR game. Alongside classics like “Monopoly,” “Cranium,” “The Game of Life,” “Sorry!,” and “Mouse Trap,” as well as junior games like “Candyland” and “Chu...

Since the Italian Stallion first appeared on screen in 1976, Rocky Balboa’s cinematic story has become a staple of pop culture, not just in America but around the world. The tropes from the film have been emulated and parodied many times over the years in other movies, TV shows, and media. It’s well known for its theme music, training montage, and the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Like...

The “Nightmare on Elm Street” series had a reputation in the movie business as sort of a high-rent answer to the "Friday the 13th” saga, and this third entry of the franchise lives up to the billing. It’s slick, with impressive production values, and the acting is well-suited to the material.  This 80s Flick focuses on a teenager experiencing vivid and terrifying nightmares about Freddy Krueger, w...

For years, the absence of Michael Myers, Laurie Strode, and Dr. Loomis caused many fans of the Halloween movies to feel confused, reject the film, or even become angry. However, as time has passed, those feelings have softened, and the film has been reevaluated on its own merits. While John Carpenter’s original masterpiece is widely regarded as the peak of the franchise, this 80s sequel is, for so...

1989 was what some might call a good year for movies. The top-grossing films could easily be mistaken for anyone's favorite 80s movies list: Batman, Lethal Weapon 2, Rain Man, Ghostbusters II. You might even consider including Tango & Cash. But only one 1989 release brought back the iconic bullwhip and fedora. Indiana Jones returned to the big screen in a blockbuster adventure full of humor, h...

On this episode of 80s Flick Flashback, we're diving into a film that followed a surprising stumble for one of the biggest action stars of the decade: Sylvester Stallone's Rambo III . In 1987, Sylvester Stallone seemed invincible. After dominating the box office in 1985 with Rocky IV and Rambo: First Blood Part II , and cementing his action hero status with 1986's Cobra , his grip on Hollywood's a...

In this episode of the 80s Flick Flashback podcast, hosts Tim Williams and JB Huffman dive into the nostalgic world of "The Karate Kid Part III". They explore the film's plot, character development, and the challenges faced during production. The conversation highlights the film's place within the franchise, its memorable scenes, and the overall impact it had on audiences. Despite its flaws, the h...

Summary In this episode of the 80s Flick Flashback Podcast, Tim Williams and co-hosts Charlie Cotter and Laramy Wells delve into the seventh installment of the Friday the 13th franchise, 'The New Blood.' They discuss the film's profitability, its origins, casting choices, iconic scenes, and the reception of its ending. The conversation also touches on the film's rewatchability and nostalgia factor...

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's... Richard Pryor with a supercomputer? On this episode of the 80s Flick Flashback , Tim Williams is joined by guest co-host Laramy Wells to discuss the 80s Flick sequel that nearly torpedoed the Superman franchise with its emphasis on silly sight-gags instead of the Man of Steel mythos. Will they defend the decision to replace arch-nemesis Lex Luthor with bill...

This episode of 80s Flick Flashback revisits the 1987 hit "Good Morning, Vietnam." The film marked a pivotal moment for Robin Williams, showcasing his dramatic range beyond his established comedic persona from "Mork & Mindy" and "Popeye." Loosely based on the true story of Armed Forces Radio DJ Adrian Cronauer, the movie is set in 1965 Saigon as the Vietnam conflict escalated. Williams' portra...

Ever wonder where the magic started for animated characters stepping into the live-action world? While it's practically a genre of its own today, one groundbreaking '80s flick truly pioneered the concept as a full-length feature film. Get ready to dive into the toon-tastic world of " Who Framed Roger Rabbit" from 1988! From the visionary minds of producer Steven Spielberg and director Robert Zemec...

This '80s flick is one of our generation's defining fantasy films. Set in the harsh, mythic world of the Hyborian Age, the story follows an epic warrior on his quest for vengeance against the sinister Thulsa Doom. This necromancer destroyed his village and left him an orphan. Upon its release, the film garnered mixed reviews—praised for its stunning production design and thrilling action, but crit...

In 1989, a groundbreaking film burst onto the scene, revolutionizing the cinematic landscape in unimaginable ways. With an incredible cast and cutting-edge special effects, this film captivated audiences with its deeply relatable yet hilariously flawed characters. Would you believe that it was led by none other than “Weird Al” Yankovic? Directed by Jay Levey and co-written with "Weird Al" himself,...

In 1978, after Harold Ramis wrapped "Animal House", the director teamed up with pals Brian Doyle-Murray and Douglas Kenney, along with Chevy Chase, Bill Murray, Ted Knight, and the one and only, Rodney Dangerfield, to bring similar frathouse shenanigans to the clubhouse. Featuring legendary performances (many of which were completely improvised) plus an equally memorable soundtrack, this 80s flick...

This Academy-award-winning 80s Flick is a captivating, emotionally charged drama that beautifully captures the complexities of love, aging, and family. Set in the tranquil, golden hues of a New England lake, the film brings together screen legends Henry Fonda and Katharine Hepburn in a final, unforgettable collaboration. Fonda portrays Norman Thayer, a witty but grumpy elderly man facing the chall...

In the '80s and '90s, emotional sports dramas hit their peak with films like The Natural , Field of Dreams , and Rudy . One standout from the '80s is Hoosiers (1986), which follows Norman Dale, a disgraced middle-aged coach given a second chance at redemption in the small town of Hickory, Indiana. Set in 1951, the film explores how the tight-knit community and its strong opinions about basketball...

This 80s classic solidified Eddie Murphy as a superstar. Beverly Hills Cop was the top-grossing film of 1984 and earned an Oscar nomination for its screenplay. What became one of AFI's Top 100 comedies almost turned into a very different film with Sylvester Stallone, more action, and less humor. Directed by Martin Brest, the film introduced Axel Foley, a street-smart Detroit cop who investigates a...

In 1989, Cameron Crowe’s Say Anything became an iconic 80s romance that captured the awkwardness and sweetness of young love. The story follows Lloyd Dobler, a charming high school grad unsure of his future but knows he wants Diane Court, the smart yet emotionally distant valedictorian. This isn’t your typical romance—Lloyd isn’t the usual leading man, and Diane isn’t the stereotypical love intere...

In this episode of the 80s Flick Flashback Podcast , we dive into the quirky charm of Pee-wee’s Big Adventure (1985), a film that not only captured the essence of the 1980s but also became a pop culture touchstone. Blending childhood innocence with the decade’s irreverent humor, it launched Tim Burton’s directorial career and solidified Paul Reubens' Pee-wee Herman as an iconic figure. Join Tim Wi...