Old Roommates

“He permed me!” Shelley Long donned red hair, a permanent smile, and a wide array of designer dresses for 1989’s Troop Beverly Hills. Upon release, the comedy didn’t sell nearly enough Wilderness Girls’ cookies to break even at the box office, and it got no merit badges from critics either. But now, decades later, has our appreciation of Beverly Hills housewives evolved? Is it possible to garner s...

“I’ll meet you at the place near the thing where we went that time.” Yes, 1987’s Broadcast News had quite a script, and quite a cast led by Holly Hunter, William Hurt and Albert Brooks. A lopsided love triangle, the three leads mismanaged emotions, insecurities, careers, and work timelines throughout the James L. Brooks hit. Nominated for seven Oscars, the movie skewered both modern love and ethic...

Kevin Kline and an Oscar-nominated Joan Cusack have a gay old time in 1997’s In & Out. Back then, the comedy was a modest hit with critics and audiences as it juggled social commentary and slapstick humor while tackling a (then) hot-topic theme: homosexuality (gasp!). But now, decades later, should we leave this Frank Oz flick in the closet? When are “gay jokes” funny? And should Kline’s chara...

“The Fugitive” RevisitedA one-armed man wreaks havoc on the life of Dr. Richard Kimble in the 1993 film, The Fugitive. Based on the 1960s TV series, the movie pulled out all the cinematic stops and became a runaway hit, making nearly $370 million at the box office. The Academy soon followed, garnering the Harrison Ford flick with several Oscar nominations and a win for Tommy Lee Jones. But now, de...

Kevin Bacon and Denise Richards bared nearly all, respectively, in 1998's Wild Things. Yes, the steamy, sexy, swampy thriller left no champagne bottle unturned. The movie was a modest hit with audiences and critics, thanks, in part, to a promised threesome scene with Richards, Matt Dillon, and Neve Campbell. But now, decades later, were audiences the ones getting screwed? Was Campbell the best cas...

Nothing may ever happen on Mars, but back in 1996, a lot was going on in the fictional town of Blaine, Missouri. Christopher Guest wrote and directed the mockumentary, Waiting for Guffman. Featuring the talents of the Catherine O'Hara, Eugene Levy, Parker Posey, and Fred Willard, the movie made it on over 40 major critics' Ten Best lists for the year. But now, decades later, must the show on? Is C...

"Flowers in the Attic" RevisitedOh, brother...and sister. Yes, back in 1987, there was plenty of pearl clutching when the film adaptation of V.C. Andrews' Flowers in the Attic hit the screen. For better or worse, the PG-13 flick toned down the incestuous vibes of the novel. Back then, it was mostly for worse. Critics and audiences were turned off. But now, decades later, was the subtler approach t...

Believe it or not, we're revisiting that beloved 80s TV show, The Greatest American Hero. Though it was only on for three short seasons, the William Katt led comedy soared thanks to it's Superman-like premise, practical effects, and an insanely catchy theme song. But now, decades later, were we high? How many times can Ralph take on Russia? How many times can Maxwell (Robert Culp) be kidnapped? An...

Cop Gives Waitress Million Dollar Tip was the oh-so specific original title of Andrew Bergman's rom-com, "It Could Happen to You." Released in the thick of summer back in 1994, this sweet little flick didn't stand a chance against The Mask and True Lies. But now, decades later, does this Nicolas Cage and Bridget Fonda matchup deserve a second chance at love? Could you resist Stanley Tucci in a bat...

"The Fabulous Baker Boys" Revisited Michelle Pfeiffer slid across a piano and onto the list of most iconic moments in cinema. Yes, back in 1989, whether you had seen "The Fabulous Baker Boys" or not, you knew The Scene. Critics and the Academy were makin' whoopee with the film, even if audiences weren't as enamored. But now, decades later, how does this old song and dance stack up? Were real-life...

Of course Brian's picking one of the few "gay" movies of the 90s for his birthday episode. Starring Keanu Reeves and the late-great River Phoenix, "Idaho" was an indie hit in 1991, its box office quadrupling its budget. But, just how gay is Gus Van Sant's male sex worker opus by today's standards? And is this movie a road trip, a love story, a docudrama, a Shakespearian tragedy or something else?...

What about Bill, actually? Bill Murray starred in the hit 1991 comedy, What About Bob? Playing the titular Bob, Murray was tasked with portraying a variety of mental health issues, much to the delight of critics and audiences. But now, decades later, is any of this a laughing matter? Is "stalking" adorable if the guy's Bill Murray? And is Richard Dreyfuss' Leo the good guy or something far siniste...

Jamie Lee Curtis shared top billing with Ahhhnold in 1994's mega hit, True Lies. Made for a then record-breaking budget for over $100 million, the movie featured Schwarzenegger and Curtis outrunning explosions, machine gunfire, and Tia Carrere. But now, over thirty years later, was it money well spent? Is 6-foot-2 Arnold the best choice for an under-the-radar spy? And where's the line between wome...

"I met someone in Rome." So begins the respective parental dream and nightmare of Diane Keaton and Steve Martin in the 1991 remake, Father of the Bride. Upon release, audiences joyously walked down the movie aisles of theaters everywhere to take a seat. But now, decades later, is the comedic honeymoon over? Why is George so underwhelmed with Brian and his billionaire parents? And why would a 90s w...

Kermit, Gonzo, and two-time Oscar winner Michael Caine starred in this musical retelling of Charles Dickens' yuletide classic. 1992's "A Muppet Christmas Carol" wasn't nearly the hit Walt Disney Pictures hoped, getting clobbered at the box office by its own "Aladdin." But now, decades later, did we all miss a Christmas miracle? Or was Caine's tragic take on Scrooge too much for a kids' movie? And,...

Goldie Hawn made a 1991 thriller in which she plays a character that gets ... well, you know. "Deceived" featured our great Goldie getting gaslit, chased, and more. It was rare for Hawn to tackle the thriller genre and neither critics nor audiences quite knew what to do about it. But now, decades later, is this tale of duplicity worth another look? Does Hawn make a decent Scream Queen? And why is...

This little piggy ran all the way to the Oscars! Yes, back in 1995, critics and audiences worldwide couldn't get enough of "Babe." Nominated for a hayride-full of Academy Awards, this pig was a bit of an underdog. But now, over thirty years later, is everything better with bacon? How do the talking animals' special effects hold up in our AI world? And how many animal tragedies are too many for a "...

Eddie Murphy plays Prince Akeem and, with the help of a whole lotta latex, several other supporting characters in the 1988 hit, "Coming to America." Back then, the movie charmed audiences and critics alike, and solidified Murphy as box office royalty. It also gave him an opportunity to be in a rom com. But now, decades later, is 80's Eddie still a King of Comedy? Should the barbershop scenes end u...

Boy meets car. Boy loves car. Car loves boy. Car turns homicidal. Yes, 1983's horror movie, "Christine" asked audiences to buckle up and suspend disbelief. Audiences and critics were mixed back then, but the film went on to become a cult classic. But now, over four decades later, does this flick violate more than the Lemon Law? Can a 1958 Plymouth be scary? Can evil cure vision challenges? And why...

It's Christina's birthday pick! As is tradition on the pod, she's making co-host Brian watch a movie he's never seen before. Her pick: 1992's My Cousin Vinny. We're not quite sure how the eff Brian never got around to seeing this comedy classic in his "yout" ... but here we are. Did he appreciate Marisa Tomei's Oscar-winning turn? Did he chuckle and guffaw as so many 90s audience members did way b...

Andie MacDowell and Gerard Depardieu were an unlikely rom-com couple in 1990's Green Card. Yes, upon release, the "snob and slob" dynamic set against a rather chilly concept left audiences and critics mixed. But now, decades later, were we all a little too hard on this improbable pair? Is it even possible to root for a couple who are literally breaking the law? And why does Bronte (MacDowell) wear...

"Shall we play a game?" Okay, let's play, "Where the hell are this kid's parents?" In 1983's War Games, our teenage techie (played by Matthew Broderick) is able to skip school for a week, hack into computers, and get arrested for espionage without even getting grounded. Now though, is truancy this kid's lightest offense? How does this film's "computers are people too" storyline hold up in our AI a...

Season 7 Premier!  Armed with a baseball bat and a big mouth, Joe Clark was a man with a mission: to turn around the test scores of the struggling "cauldron of violence" known as Eastside High in Paterson, New Jersey. The 1989 film, Lean on Me, chronicled Clark's plight while Morgan Freeman nailed his first starring role. But now, decades later, does this flick make us all feel like we're in deten...

Plus: Our Roomie Awards! No, they can't believe it either. Brian and Christina celebrate the end of season 6 by taking a look back at their podcast year. Filled with exciting stats, fun facts, and their personal favorite episodes, this episode is bursting at its middle-aged seams. And, as mentioned, they'll rip open their envelopes to reveal the winners (and losers) of their 5th Annual Roomie Awar...

"Leaving Las Vegas" RevisitedNicolas Cage won an Oscar (along with a case of other recognitions) for his role as Ben, an alcoholic with nothing left to lose in 1995's Leaving Las Vegas. Elisabeth Shue also scored raves and awards as Sera, Ben's angelic girlfriend / caretaker / sex worker. Yes, this heavy drama was drunk with both accolades and box office bucks. But now, decades later, does this wh...