Almost Classic Movies

Send a text In this hilarious and heartfelt episode, Jon and Don dive deep into The Princess Bride , the beloved cult classic that blends fantasy, romance, revenge, and rodents of unusual size. From Peter Falk’s iconic storytelling to Miracle Max’s goat-level cameo, the duo unpacks the magic, quotes their favorite lines (a lot), and goes on more tangents than a fencing match with Inigo Montoya. Th...

Send a text In this episode of Almost Classic Movies , Jon and Donald tap into the razzle-dazzle world of 1920s Chicago with the Oscar-sweeping musical film Chicago (2002). From vaudeville glam to courtroom theatrics, the guys break down the dark satire, jazz-soaked numbers, and power plays of fame-seeking murderesses Roxy Hart and Velma Kelly. 🎶 First-time musical viewer Jon shares his fresh tak...

Send a text Welcome to Episode 26 of Almost Classic Movies! This week, we're diving into the timeless high school comedy that defined a generation – Ferris Bueller’s Day Off . Join us as we revisit John Hughes’ Chicago love letter and talk about everything from parade floats to personal growth. 🎬 In This Episode: We celebrate John’s all-time favorite film (spoiler: it's Ferris Bueller)....

Send a text This week, Jon and Don take a deep dive into Snow White and the Huntsman (2012), a film that sits in the grey area of "almost classic." They break down the movie’s dark reimagining of the classic fairy tale, its production choices, and whether or not it holds up today. Along the way, they discuss: Chris Hemsworth’s pre-Thor physique & questionable accent choices Kristen S...

Send a text In this episode of Almost Classic Movies , we take a deep dive into Spirited Away , Studio Ghibli’s iconic masterpiece that defined anime for generations. We explore the enchanting yet unsettling world of the bathhouse, where 10-year-old Chihiro must navigate spirits, witches, and a giant baby to save her pig-ified parents. From bizarre creatures to deep cultural symbolism, we unpack e...

Send a text In this episode of Almost Classic Movies , we dive into the 2016 anime phenomenon, Your Name ( Kimi no Na wa ), a film that masterfully blends romance, time travel, and stunning animation. Join us as we unpack the heart-wrenching story of Taki and Mitsuha—two teenagers who mysteriously swap bodies and form an unbreakable connection despite being separated by time. From deep discussions...

Send a text Welcome to a special bonus episode of Almost Classic Movies ! This time, we’re diving into the 97th Academy Awards ballot and making our predictions—whether we’ve seen the films or not (because let’s be real, that’s half the fun of Oscars season). 🎭 Episode Highlights: Oscars Chaos & Predictions: We go category by category, throwing out hot takes, strong opinions, and absolute gue...

Send a text In this episode of Almost Classic Movies, Jon and Don dive deep into the 1988 anime classic Akira. The hosts explore the film's intricate plot set in a dystopian Neo Tokyo, key philosophical themes, and the groundbreaking visuals that have influenced countless other works across various media.  They discuss the movie's impact on global culture, its philosophical underpinnings...

Send a text 🎥 Welcome back to Almost Classic Movies ! We’re kicking off a four-episode anime series , and first up is A Silent Voice —an emotional, thought-provoking masterpiece that dives deep into bullying, redemption, and mental health. 🎭 Episode Highlights: Plot Breakdown: A story of guilt, redemption, and the long-lasting effects of childhood bullying. Shoya & Shoko: A relationship buil...

Send a text 🎙️ Welcome back to Almost Classic Movies ! In this milestone 20th episode, we're diving deep into Captain America: Civil War —the final installment in our Captain America rewatch series, leading up to Brave New World . 🎭 Episode Highlights: Plot Breakdown: Superheroes vs. government oversight—The Sokovia Accords divide the Avengers, and Zemo masterfully orchestrates their downfal...

Send a text In this episode, we dive into the spy-thriller world of Captain America: The Winter Soldier. Join us as we explore the key themes, memorable moments, and incredible action sequences that set this Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) entry apart. We discuss its transformation from a superhero movie to a politically charged thriller, inspired by 70s conspiracy films. Whether you're here...

Send a text Welcome back to Almost Classic Movies ! In this episode, we kick off a brand-new series diving into the origins of Captain America in preparation for Captain America: Brave New World . We're rewatching and breaking down The First Avenger , a film that launched the MCU into its epic trajectory. What We Cover: Steve Rogers' Journey : From scrawny underdog to a beefcake super-so...

Send a text In this episode of Almost Classic Movies, we discuss Guy Ritchie's 2019 film 'The Gentleman.'  We explore the film's unique storytelling, driven by Hugh Grant's character Fletcher, and the performances of Matthew McConaughey, Charlie Hunnam, and Colin Farrell.  From the movie's intricate plot about a marijuana empire to its memorable characters and rapid-f...

Send a text In this episode of Almost Classic Movies , Jon and Don take on the heartfelt indie rom-com The Giant Mechanical Man . Starring Jenna Fischer and Chris Messina, this hidden gem follows the intertwined lives of two down-on-their-luck individuals struggling to find purpose and connection. Jon and Don delve into the film’s indie aesthetic, quirky humor, and heartfelt moments, sharing their...

Send a text In this episode of Almost Classic Movies , Jon and Don take a deep dive into the underrated 2010 buddy cop comedy The Other Guys , starring Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg. From hilarious desk pops to unexpected critiques of capitalism, the hosts explore why this film remains a hidden gem. They discuss memorable scenes, trivia, and the cultural impact of Adam McKay's signature humo...

Send a text Hey there, and welcome to our Almost Classic Movies New Year’s Special! 🎉 This week, we’re diving into Four Rooms (1995), a chaotic anthology film set on New Year’s Eve.  Directed by Quentin Tarantino, Robert Rodriguez, and others, this dark comedy follows Ted the bellhop as he navigates one absurd misadventure after another at the Monsignor Hotel. If you’re looking for the perfect wa...

Send a text Hey there, and welcome back to another episode of Almost Classic Movies ! This week, we’re diving into the festive chaos of National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation , the 1989 holiday favorite written by John Hughes and starring Chevy Chase. We had a blast unpacking the hilarity, heart, and disasters of the Griswold family Christmas. From Clark’s over-the-top decorating antics to Cou...

Send a text Hey there, and welcome back to another episode of Almost Classic Movies ! This week, we’re diving into the festive chaos of Elf , the 2003 holiday favorite starring Will Ferrell and directed by Jon Favreau. We had a blast unpacking the absurdity, heart, and hilarity of this modern Christmas classic. From Buddy the Elf’s sugary antics to the movie’s clever nods to nostalgic Christmas ta...

Send a text Hey there, welcome back to another episode of Almost Classic Movies! This week, we dive headfirst into the snow-dusted world of How the Grinch Stole Christmas —the Jim Carrey edition, directed by Ron Howard. We couldn’t wait to unravel what makes this holiday flick such a divisive classic. From Jim Carrey's iconic performance (and improvised one-liners) to the over-the-top makeup...

Send a text Hey there, welcome back to another episode of Almost Classic Movies ! This week, we dive into Sony’s latest attempt at spinning Spider-Man lore with Madame Web . We went into this with cautious optimism, hoping for a fresh origin story, but let’s just say... we left with a lot of notes.  From disjointed timelines to awkward villains and a final act that left us scratching our heads, we...

Send a text In this episode of Almost Classic Movies , Jon and Don tackle the infamous Marvel anti-hero movie Morbius . From its baffling plot points and uneven pacing to its CGI highs and lows, we break down why this movie struggled to make an impact. Featuring in-depth discussions about Jared Leto’s method acting, the Sony Spider-Man Cinematic Universe, and the memes that made Morbius trend—this...

Send a text In this new episode of Almost Classic Movies , we dive into Ridley Scott's epic masterpiece, Gladiator . From Russell Crowe's career-defining performance as Maximus to Joaquin Phoenix’s chilling portrayal of Commodus, we discuss the layers of symbolism, unforgettable lines, and breathtaking visuals that make this film iconic. Discover the secrets behind the film’s success, th...

Send a text This week on Almost Classic Movies , we continue our Ridley Scott mini-series with a deep dive into the opulent world of House of Gucci . We discuss everything from Lady Gaga’s captivating performance as Patrizia Reggiani to Adam Driver’s nuanced portrayal of Maurizio Gucci. We explore the intricate family dynamics, wild plot twists, and over-the-top moments (looking at you, Jared Leto...

Send a text Welcome back to Almost Classic Movies ! This week, we tackle one of the biggest names in sci-fi history: Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner (1982), specifically the Final Cut . We break down the movie’s heavy philosophical questions, insane visuals, and that iconic “tears in rain” moment. Is Deckard a replicant? What does it mean to be human? And why does the dove not fly? We’re diving into a...

Send a text In this episode of Almost Classic Movies , we dive deep into Ridley Scott’s 1989 neo-noir crime thriller Black Rain . We explore the film’s intricate storytelling, its atmospheric score composed by Hans Zimmer, and standout performances by Michael Douglas and Andy Garcia. The discussion covers the film’s slow-paced start, the cultural challenges depicted, and its lasting significance i...