Nostalgium Arcanum

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 best. If you have feedback, find us on the socials...

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 the socials here: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com...

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.facebook.com/groups/265036650022926/ The symbol for...

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 (@richbakercoaching) to roundtable the best songs of this pivotal year...

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 deep inside this fantastic voyage through the loony...

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 via Mognet or find us on the socials here: Facebook:...

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 and Co. Be sure to to check out Damien's band Make...

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 The Canyon here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NF...

'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 socials here: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gr...

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. If you want to take an online improv class from Rich, go to www.daretofailim...

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 many metaphysical questions raised by this Disney h...

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/groups/265036650022926/ The symbol formerly known as T...

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 make a meal of a film with far more substance tha...

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 the socials here: Facebook: https://www.facebook.c...

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 podcast, Brothers From Another Planet, see him pe...

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.facebook.com/groups/265036650022926/ The symbol form...

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 opened in Anaheim. Drink up, me hearties, yo ho! I...

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: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2650366500229...

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 and mortality. If you have feedback, find us on the...

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 socials here: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/group...

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 revel in the true face of what dwells within. Check o...

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 over this terrifying classic. Check out the tease...

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 you want to take an online improv class from Rich...

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.facebook.com/groups/265036650022926/ The symbol form...

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 Bob Hoskins. Find more of Ken's fantastic content...