High Expectations

Grab your brownies and cue up the Gin Blossoms, this week, we’re celebrating Rex Manning Day with a stoned rewatch of Empire Records . We talk chaotic retail energy, existential teen angst, rooftop dance therapy, and why Gina might actually be the most honest character in the movie. There’s fake funerals, real feelings, and a very confusing declaration of love from AJ. Does it all hold up? Is it b...

In this One Hitter, we chat with the folks behind Fat Nugs Magazine , a publication that celebrates cannabis culture through storytelling, art, and advocacy. We dig into how the magazine got started, its mission to spotlight diverse voices in the weed world, and why they believe cannabis media should be as bold and creative as the people who smoke it. A short, stoney convo about big buds and bigge...

Grab your maps and your best adventuring hat—we’re heading to Hamunaptra! This episode, we revisit The Mummy (1999), the action-packed, horror-tinged romp that gave us peak Brendan Fraser, iconic Rachel Weisz librarian energy, and a whole lot of sand. Does this late-'90s classic still hold up, or is it buried under the weight of CGI scarabs and questionable Egyptology? More importantly, does i...

This week on High Expectations , we sink our teeth into two gothic horror heavyweights! We review and compare the brand-new Nosferatu with the lavish, blood-soaked Bram Stoker’s Dracula . How does Robert Eggers’ vision stack up against Coppola’s operatic take? Does the silent terror of the original Nosferatu (1922) still haunt our nightmares? And what about the novel that started it all? We explor...

In this special One Hitter episode, Kos sits down (while definitely a little baked) with the creators of the indie horror flick Blood Mountain Massacre . They talk about low-budget scares, behind-the-scenes mayhem, and what it takes to bring a bloody vision to life. From DIY gore effects to the wildest on-set stories, it’s a killer convo with plenty of laughs and a few unexpected twists. Light one...

Grab your oversized cappuccinos and berets, we’re diving into So I Married an Axe Murderer ! In this episode, we ask the big questions: Is this cult classic a hidden gem or just a weird ’90s fever dream? Does Mike Myers' offbeat charm still hit, or does it feel like a comedy axe to the head? And of course — is it better when you’re stoned? Tune in as we break down the laughs, the scares (sort...

New Format Alert! Introducing One Hitters—a new kind of episode where we dive into random topics while stoned, keeping it short, fun, and full of random thoughts. In our very first One Hitter, we’re getting into the legend of Sasquatch. Is he real? Where did this massive, mysterious creature come from? Grab a snack, chill out, and join us as we explore the myth, the sightings, and maybe even uncov...

This week, we fire one up and revisit The Ugly Truth , the 2009 rom-com where Gerard Butler and Katherine Heigl go head-to-head in the battle of romance vs. brutal honesty. Does it still land in 2025, or does it feel like a relic of the 2000s? And more importantly—does watching it stoned make it even better? We break down the best moments, the wildest lines, and, of course, that underwear scene. J...

We’re diving into the booby-trapped world of The Goonies ! Does this 80s classic hold up, or is nostalgia doing the heavy lifting? Join us as we break down Mikey’s optimism, Chunk’s chaos, and Data’s gadgets while revisiting One-Eyed Willy’s treasure hunt. Give us a follow on Instagram: @high.expectations.pod Reach out with comments or suggestions at podcast.highexpectations@gmail.com Music courte...

This week, we take a look at the 80s family favorite Harry and the Hendersons. When the Henderson family brings home a Bigfoot after a chance encounter, they find their lives turned upside down. From heartfelt moments to chaotic comedy, we explore what makes this film a memorable part of 80s cinema—all through the lens of a stoned viewing experience. Grab your snacks and join us! Give us a follow...

For this episode of the podcast, we dive into the 2005 holiday rom-com Just Friends with special guest Vince Sasso. Join us as we hilariously unpack Ryan Reynolds' transformation from a lovable loser to a suave music exec and explore whether the laughs (and awkwardness) hit differently when stoned. Don't miss Vince's unique take on this classic tale of unrequited love, high school redemption, and...

This week on our dystopian futures series, we jack into the sci-fi classic The Matrix . Does this mind-bending tale of simulated reality and philosophical questions about free will hit differently when stoned? We break down the iconic visuals, bullet-dodging action, and that unforgettable red pill vs. blue pill moment—all through our hazy lens. Tune in to hear our thoughts on Keanu Reeves as Neo,...

"May the odds be ever in your favor!" This week, we dive into The Hunger Games to find out if Katniss Everdeen's fight for survival hits harder after a puff or two. Does the tension of the arena keep us glued, or does the haze blur the edges? Tune in for our baked takes, a few wild tangents, and the ultimate verdict: does The Hunger Games improve when stoned? Give us a follow on Instagram: @high.e...

For this episode of our podcast, we dive into Pixar's Wall-E —the story of a lonely, trash-compacting robot navigating a desolate Earth and discovering the magic of companionship. From the stunning visuals to the quiet humor and environmental themes, we’re asking: does Wall-E get even better under a hazy lens? Join us as we explore the film’s layered storytelling, discuss Wall-E and Eve’s iconic r...

In this episode, we dive into the absurd, dystopian world of Idiocracy , Mike Judge's satirical sci-fi comedy that imagines a future where humanity has collectively dumbed down... and then some. We’ll explore what this cult classic says about society, pop culture, and the questionable state of human intelligence. Does the movie's humor hit differently when watched in an altered state, or does it j...

Join us in this special episode as we review the 1986 cult classic Little Shop of Horrors with guest artist Mimi Pabon! We dive into the vibrant, twisted world of Skid Row and the hungry plant that keeps us laughing and screaming. From Rick Moranis's lovably awkward Seymour to the wild musical numbers and outrageous puppet effects, we break down why this horror-comedy musical is a fan favorite. Tu...

In this episode, we dive into the meta horror classic Scream with our special guest, Vince Sasso! Join us as we discuss how Wes Craven’s game-changing slasher film masterfully blends scares with self-aware humor, making it a genre-defining cult hit. Was the experience enhanced by our usual stoned state? Did the iconic Ghostface hold up in our altered minds? Tune in to hear our thoughts on whether...

This week, we’re summoning the ghost with the most for his epic return in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice ! Tim Burton’s long-awaited sequel is here, and we’re watching it stoned—because let’s be honest, it’s the only way to truly experience the chaos of the netherworld. From mind-bending visuals to the darkly hilarious antics of Beetlejuice himself, we’re diving headfirst into the madness. Will the 2024...

In this week's episode, we take on the raunchy, coming-of-age comedy Superbad with a very special guest—my best friend since before high school! We dive into the hilarious highs (and awkward lows) of Jonah Hill and Michael Cera’s wild night, reminiscing about our own teenage misadventures. But the big question remains: is Superbad even better when you're stoned? Join us for a trip down memory lane...

In this episode, we dive into the iconic Ferris Bueller's Day Off and explore why it’s still a fan favorite after all these years. We break down the wild antics, legendary quotes, and how Ferris became the ultimate symbol of skipping school in style. Using our signature categories—popularity, rewatchability, quotability, and, of course, smokability—we dig into how this 80s classic holds up today....

This week, we dive into the 90s teen classic Can't Hardly Wait and give it the ultimate rating on our four pillars: quotability, rewatchability, popularity, and—of course—smokability. From Seth Green's hilarious slang to the blink-and-you-miss-it cameos, we ask the burning question: Was this movie even funnier when viewed through a haze of cannabis? Join us as we dissect the iconic party,...

In this episode we're diving into the quirky, offbeat world of Napoleon Dynamite – but with a twist: we’re stoned! From Napoleon's deadpan one-liners to Uncle Rico’s obsession with reliving the glory days, being high somehow amplifies the absurdity, charm, and weirdly deep life lessons of this cult classic. We’ll explore how being baked brings out the film’s hidden gems — the awkward silen...

In this episode, we dive into the timeless classic The Breakfast Club , a film that perfectly captures the essence of high school life and the diverse personalities that collide within it. Join us as we explore the movie's iconic characters, unforgettable scenes, and the deep themes that resonate across generations. But that's not all—we're taking this discussion to a higher level, qui...

In this episode, we light up the conversation with a deep dive into the 2008 stoner classic Pineapple Express. We break down the film’s unique blend of comedy and action, discuss its impact on stoner culture, and explore how it helped redefine the stoner movie genre. Plus, we’ll share some fun behind-the-scenes stories and trivia that make this film a true gem. Whether you're a seasoned fan or...

In this episode, we're diving into the hilarious and unexpectedly heartwarming comedy, Knocked Up. Join us as we explore the wild, unpredictable journey of a one-night stand turned life-altering experience. Expect plenty of laughs as we discuss the film's take on responsibility, relationships, and those "high" times of personal growth. We’ll also sprinkle in some thoughts on how...